We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Agents declare war on Webjet
“There’s no need to mock your competitors!” – “An absolute disgrace” – “It’ll never be as good as going to a professional” – “Try calling the Internet for help at 4am!”
If there’s one thing Webjet did REALLY well this week, it was fire up a whole lot of travel industry professionals with its new TVC.
The ad rolled out across major channels this week during peak viewing times.
2. Flight Centre hooks up with Tigerair
Flight Centre agents may be enticed to sell more Tigerair Australia’s low-cost fares now that its head office has signed a three-year deal with the budget airline.
As part of the agreement, Tigerair will provide Flight Centre with access to its full suite of products, low-cost airfares and a range of optional add-on ancillaries.
They’ll be able to use the airline’s dedicated agency support team who can assist travel agents with any queries. Tigerair is also looking to introduce real-time live chat sessions.
3. Qantas, AA want to fly more trans-Pacific routes together
American Airlines and Qantas may have only just expanded their joint relationship, but the pair are reportedly already looking at new ways to deliver more passengers between Australia and the US.
The two airlines are apparently considering two new trans-Pacific routes over the next five years, Sydney Morning Herald reported.
A submission from Qantas and American Airlines to the United States Department of Transportation highlighted plans for additional routes, however, the destinations were not named.
4. Rail Europe takes over ownership of Rail Plus
Distributor of European rail products, Rail Europe, is officially the sole owner of Australasia’s international rail specialist, Rail Plus – 18 years after partially purchasing the company.
Rail Europe bought 50 percent of Rail Plus in 1998 and has since worked alongside co-owner and New Zealand-based Chairman, Keryn Smith, to build its reputation in the region.
On 1 January, Rail Europe decided to step up its presence around Australasia by buying the remaining 50 percent from Smith.
5. Young travellers are REALLY keen to Greece
A little (or major) financial crisis couldn’t keep young holidaymakers from enjoying Greece’s picturesque beaches, glorious sunsets, relaxed culture and parties, according to new Contiki figures.
The youth operator’s Managing Director, Katrina Barry, told KarryOn that although it may have been a challenging year for the popular destination, last year’s bookings increased 10 percent on 2014.
In case you missed it, in 2015 Greece became the first developed country to miss an IMF loan repayment, with some €323bn in debt to pay off. Its troubled economic situation resulted in months of government negotiations, numerous protests and the closure of all banks for around three weeks.
6. The least safest airlines in the world are…
We know Qantas and Air New Zealand are among the safest when it comes to travelling by air, but which airlines are well… not the ones we’ll be travelling with anytime soon?
According to AirlineRatings.com, 10 airlines received just one star in its latest review of some 407 airlines. They failed to provide impressive records, incident reports and safety procedures.
The list of one-star airlines was made of carriers from either Indonesia, Nepal and Surinam and they are: Batik Air, Bluewing Airlines, Citilink, Kal-Star Aviation, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air, TransNusa, Trigana Air Service, Wings Air and Xpress Air.
Have you flown with any of these airlines in the past?
7. New battlefield tour to commemorate 100 years
Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba with a brand new centenary tour.
The six-night ‘Beersheba Centenary Tour 2017’ departs on 26 October next year from Tel Aviv, Israel, taking guests on a fully-guided tour to ancient Nazareth, Tiberias, the Jordan Valley, Jerusalem and Beersheba.
War history and cultural highlights include: the Haifa War Cemetery; the Jerusalem War Cemetery; the Jerusalem Memorial; Mount Carmel; panoramic views of Jerusalem from Mount of Olives; Jerusalem’s restored Jewish Quarter, bustling ancient Roman marketplace the ‘Cardo’, the Holocaust Memorial and more.
The company’s founder, Mat McLachlan said the tour will allow Aussies to retrace the actions of the Light Horsemen in the famous battle.
Registration is priced from $250 and is fully refundable in the event travellers are unable to commit to the tour.
Click here for more information.
8. Intrepid brings back those $1 deposits
Intrepid Travel is making it really hard for your clients to use the excuse “I just can’t afford to put a deposit down right now”, by bringing back its $1 deposits.
The initiative launched earlier this month and is available until 4 February 2016.
According to the company’s Regional Director, Pete Rawley, the $1 deposit was very popular last year, “with a massive number of agents locking in their client’s travel dream for a mere gold coin donation”.
Click here for more information.
9. Malaysia Airlines’ luggage allowance returns to normal
Malaysia Airlines’ check-in baggage allowance has returned to normal after the carrier was forced to temporarily introduce limits due to unexpected winds.
The change in weather limited the airline’s ability to carry baggage and cargo.
“The head winds over the last four days were in excess of 200knots which can add up to 15 percent fuel burn on a B777-200 aircraft,” the company explained in a statement.
Normal check-in allowance is now available on all flights across the network including services to Amsterdam, London and Paris.
“Based on its current risk assessment, done on a daily basis, the airline is now able to take a shorter route on European flights.”
10. PTMs celebrate five years of working from home
Thirty-six of TravelManagers’ agents celebrated their five years anniversary with the company during the latest round of bi-annual state meetings across Australia.
A total of 149 personal travel managers have achieved the five-year status so far – over 30 percent of home-based group’s consultants.
Michael Gazal, TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager, said the company provides all the tools, support, freedom and flexibility to keeps agents happy and committed.
In addition to five-year anniversary celebrations, November’s bi-annual state meetings included a keynote presentation from Mark Carter, a former tour director at Contiki Holidays Europe, who provided valuable business insight for agents.
“Mark’s presentation was excellent, as he made you review your business ideas and ways of dealing with your clients.”
Peter Carmichael, Representative for Merewether, NSW
