We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Qantas completes LA lounge upgrade – it’s huge!
Qantas is spoiling its most loyal flyers travelling through the USA, with additional food, bars and space in the Los Angeles Business Lounge.
The airline this week completed major upgrades to the lounge, which is now three times the size of what it use to be.
Working with oneworld partners Cathay Pacific and British Airways, the completion follows the opening of stage one of the development in June 2014 and the opening of the adjacent Qantas First Lounge, designed by Marc Newson in December 2014.
2. Is Nepal ready for new tourists?
While the Australian government warns travellers reconsider travel to the destination, travel leaders in earthquake shattered Nepal say it is ready to welcome back tourists.
The announcement comes less than two weeks since the Himalayan nation was hit a 7.8 magnitude earthquake – its largest natural disaster since the 1920s.
The quake caused the complete destruction of several buildings, homes and villages as well as devastation to some major tourist attractions. Click here for some before and after shots.
3. How this tour operator increased its sales
Rebranding – it’s one of the more daring steps a company can take, but if done correctly, it is also one of the most rewarding.
For Insider Journeys, the transformation from Travel Indochina has not only been a success, but is already proving to be financially rewarding.
Joe Ponte, General Manager, Customer Experience and Marketing, who played a large role in the rebranding process, told KarryOn the change has been embraced not only by customers but by travel agents across the country.
4. Bite size cruising with Carnival
Carnival Cruise Line is taking a few tips from its more experienced Australian sister-brand P&O Cruises Australia, by adopting shorter cruises into its new program.
A few years back, P&O Cruises began trialling shorter holidays called P&OSeaBreaks.
These two to four day itineraries gave first time cruisers the chance to test the waters before booking longer holidays.
5. Tigerair makes customer experience a priority
Forget about what you may have heard in the past about Tigerair’s customer service, because the budget airline has made its passengers one of its biggest priorities.
Virgin Australia’s low-cost subsidiary has introduced two new customer facing innovations that it says will enhance the customer experience, both at the terminal and through the online booking process.
The first initiative is ‘Max Airport by Levarti’. It’s a new iPad based app that will let check-in staff at the airport move from behind the desk and engage with customers anywhere in and around the terminal.
6. Only one way left to get those Splendour tickets – Contiki
That’s right, youth tour operator, Contiki has the last few tickets left for the annual festival Australian music festival, Splendour in the Grass.
Now in it’s fifteenth year the event will be held from 24-26 July in Wooyung and features popular acts such as Azealia Banks, Florence and the Machine, Mark Ronson, Blue, Royal Blood plus more.
Giving festival-goers the complete experience, Contiki has organised a Contiki X Splendour 2015 package, which includes event tickets, camping or hostel accommodation, transport from Sydney, Brisbane or Gold Coast and a whole bunch of exclusive inclusions.
Like real music industry insiders, last year’s crew who experienced Splendour in the Grass with Contiki were also treated to an exclusive VIP performance by Gossling.
CONTIKI X SPLENDOUR 2015 packages are on sale now.
7. Australia’s newest commercial airport gets more flights
Operations to Australia’s newest commercial airport are growing, as Wellcamp Airport welcomes its first weekend flights with QantasLink.
The announcement comes less than four months after the gateway commenced passenger services.
Located 20 kilometres from Towoomba’s centre and 130 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, the airport has so far received 11 return flights per week Monday to Friday.
This has now increased to 13 flights per week, with two new services to Sydney departing on Saturday and Sunday.
Flights will leave Wellcamp Airport at 7.00pm Friday and 3.10pm on Sundays, and then depart Sydney at 6.35pm on Saturdays and 1.05pm on Sundays.
According to the airport’s GM, Phil Gregory, additional flights will increase capacity by 20 percent, indicating QantasLink’s confidence in the region.
8. Dine like royalty on Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines is treating its guests with food fit for a Princess.
The airline has introduced a new First and Business Class menu created in collaboration with Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Pahang.
The new menu will be served on outbound flights from Kuala Lumpur to selected destinations in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the UK and South East Asia until December 2015.
Dishes were conceived following a 10-month culinary journey to every district of Pahang by the Princess herself, as part of her cookbook ‘Air Tangan Tengku Puan Pahang: Masakan Tradisional Pahang.’
The menu features a selection of Her Royal Highness’ signature dishes, including a standout, Nasi Tumpang with Jelatah – the rice is layered with shrimp sambal, chicken curry, fish and chicken floss and julienned omelette in a banana leaf cone and is a delight to the eyes and the palate.
Nasi Kuning with Opor Ayam Kacang is a local favourite, made by braising chicken and crushed peanuts in Malay spices and coconut milk, paired with turmeric basmathi rice and sautéed French beans with onions.
Another feast for the senses is the Puding Raja, or Royal Pudding – an elaborate-looking dish with a surprise; the underlying layer of fried bananas topped with sweetened egg yolk strands, cashew nuts, cherries, prunes and drizzled with a rich custard sauce.
9. Vibe Hotel hosts celebrities for sick kids
Taking place at the recently launched Vibe Hotel Marysville this Saturday, is the Falling Leaves Gala Dinner hosted by Brodie Harper and Andy Lee, in honour of The Shane Warne Foundation (“TSWF”).
This makes it the perfect setting for the gala, which over the past decade has raised over $7 million and made over 120 distributions to a wide range of children’s charities and individual families in need.
The foundation’s board consists of Ann Peacock, Andrew Bassat, Glenn Robbins, David Evans and Eddie McGuire together with a host of high profile Patrons and Ambassadors from the sports and entertainment worlds.
With a focus on connecting visitors with its beautiful, natural surroundings, Vibe Hotel Marysville is proving to be a perfect place for both relaxation and premier events, showcasing its new state-of-the-art purpose built meeting and events facilities.
With this in mind, the gala will see a live performance from Aussie favourite, Guy Sebastian, following a red carpet arrival from a host of high profile guests.
Joining Shane and Guy at the new Vibe Hotel in Marysville are The Right Honourable Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Ann Peacock, Brodie Harper, Lydia Schiavello, Gamble Breaux, Pettifleur Berenger, Janet Roach and Joe Hachem.
TSWF has been committed to raising funds for the seriously ill and underprivileged children of Australia since 2004.
10. Agents experience Europe with Travelmarvel
Seven lucky travel agents were invited to experience the ‘gems’ of Europe during a Travelmarvel river cruise from Nuremburg to Budapest.
Sailing for seven days of the 15-day cruise aboard Travelmarvel Jewel, the group learned about local history from knowledgeable guides, visited local distilleries and even watched a Mozart concert.
The trip, which was supported by Emirates, saw agents enjoy a series of destinations such as Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov and Bratislava.
NTK Extra: Tourists learn that selfies can be shattering
Cringe!
A couple of tourists are facing criminal charges (and probably a hefty fine) after they shattered a priceless Italian statue while attempting to take a selfie.
The pair caused the damage when they climbed onto the marble statue of Hercules at Loggie dei Milititi palace in Cremona.
Once they were on top, a piece of the statue’s crown fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.
The Statue of the Two Hercules depicts two Hercules figures holding the Cremona emblem. It is considered a ‘symbol of the city’, according to the Daily Mail.
Local police are believed to have identified the two men.
Meanwhile, experts have been brought in to assess the damage and determine whether it can be repaired.
The statue survived almost 315 years despite being moved from city to city before finally finding a home at Loggia dei Militi in 1962.
