We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. Malaysian tourism industry rally against adversity
Figures released by Malaysia’s Immigration Department show that from January to May Malaysia welcomed a total of 11.53 million tourists, registering a hike of 10.1 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The statistics also revealed that Australia continued to be one of the top 10 tourist generating markets to Malaysia, with over 250,000 Australians visiting the country across this period. The number of Aussies travelling to Malaysia during the third quarter has held steady and is currently slightly ahead of last year.
This positive result, according to Tourism Malaysia, is due to their aggressive promotional efforts and commitment from industry players, despite a challenging year.
“There is no doubting that 2014 has been a tough year for Malaysian tourism, driven largely by the Malaysian Airlines tragedies,” Tourism Malaysia’s Sydney Director, Roslan Abdullah said.
“We are incredibly buoyed by the continued support and faith shown in us by Australian tourists, agents and tour operators as reflected in the current travel figures.”
Read on for more.
2. Emirates hastens connection between Perth and the world
As of 27 October, EK423 one of Emirates’ three daily flights from Perth to Dubai, moves from a departure time of 3.10pm to an early evening departure of 5.50pm, shortening the stop-over times for Western Australian travellers in Dubai to some onward destinations.
Emirates Regional Manager WA Darren Tyrrell said the changed flight time demonstrates Emirates’ commitment to providing Western Australians with a seamless travel experience.
“Flying to Europe via Dubai already shaves up to three hours off more traditional routes via Asia and this shift in our afternoon flight means even shorter stopover times on this daily flight,” he said.
“Western Australian travellers choosing to depart late afternoon now have the chance to arrive at their final destinations even quicker than before.”
Read on for more.
3. Qualia en Vogue for 2014
Hamilton Island’s luxury resort, qualia has been bestowed the honour of the Best Resort in Australia and second in the Australasian & The South Pacific region in UK Conde Nast Traveller’s 17th annual Top 100 Readers’ Travel Awards.
Earlier in the year, UK Conde Nast Traveller asked readers to vote for the things they love about travel, from holiday hotels to destination spas, airlines to cruise lines, scoring each out of 100. The Top 100 Readers’ Travel Awards pays tribute to the highest scorers, irrespective of category.
A unique Australian expression of world-class luxury, and a member of Relais & Châteaux, qualia’s vision to deliver an exceptional experience sees it topping a list that includes many of the world’s most highly recognised luxury hotel chains and iconic names.
“We are thrilled the UK Conde Nast Traveller readers have bestowed us this honour, one based purely on their experience of the resort,” qalia’s general manager, Matthew Taverner said.
4. Intercontinental’s 22x winning-streak
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts triumphed at the recent 2014 World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia & Australasia held in New Delhi, India, with 22 prestigious accolades. The brand, which is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, was also recognised as Asia’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel Brand for the first time.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts also took home Asia’s Leading Business Hotel Brand for the third consecutive year and Australasia’s Leading Hotel Brand for the third time.
Their properties in Asia, Australasia and the Pacific also claimed a plethora of wins as top hotels and resorts in their respective countries.
“To have won 22 awards at this year’s WTA is testament to our commitment as a brand to provide guests with exceptional and authentic experiences when they stay at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts,” Bruce Ryde, Director Brand Management, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts said.
“More than half of the awards won are repeat wins, and this shows the consistent quality of our properties and shows us that as a team we are on the right track and staying true to our core brand values.”
InterContinental properties in Australia accounted for three of the group’s wins on the night with their Sydney hotel taking home the title of both Australasia’s Leading Hotel and Australasia’s Leading Business Hotel.
5. Qantas to introduce new fees for solo child travellers
Qantas will introduce a new fee for unaccompanied children flying on the airline as a result of a rising number flying alone and the increasing supervision costs involved.
The airline advised travel agents it will charge $50 per booking on domestic and regional flights and $90 on international flights for children aged 5 to 11 who are not travelling with a parent, guardian, nominated adult or sibling over the age of 15.
On international flights of more than six hours, children must be at least six years old to travel alone. Customers aged 12 to 15 can request to travel as an unaccompanied child without charge. The new fees will take effect on 3 November. Bookings ticketed before then will not incur the extra charge.
6. Mantra reaches the big 5-0
Expansion plans for Australian hoteliers, Mantra Group are well on track with the announcements of the company’s 50th hotel in Queensland – Mantra Midtown Apartments in Brisbane. The addition firmly establishes the Group as the largest accommodation provider in the State, with over 8,000 rooms offered across its Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree hotel brands.
“We’ve emerged from a period where Brisbane had an under supply of hotels which has now been rectified,” the brand said.
“We are confident that the demand in Brisbane will continue to grow over the next five years sparked by post G20 interest and we are in a great position to offer the most comprehensive mid-range accommodation for the city.”
As the name suggests, Mantra Midtown is situated in a centralised location between the main precincts of Brisbane in the centre of the city. Within a two kilometre radius are South Bank attractions and venues such as the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and the Convention & Exhibition Centre; Suncorp Stadium and the RNA Showgrounds; while a short stroll from the hotel is Queen Street Mall and Eagle Street Pier.
7. Tiger Air records lows not seen since January
Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd. (TGR) fell to a record low after saying it’s reviewing funding options. The budget airline dropped 5.1 per cent to close last week at 37.5 Singapore cents, the lowest price since 22 January, when the company’s shares began trading in the city state. It is reviewing funding options, including a rights issue.
Excess capacity and competition have pushed down fares at budget carriers, forcing some to defer plane deliveries or cancel orders.
According to the airline, fundraising will help Tiger Air strengthen its balance sheet and meet corporate requirements.
“As and when a decision has been made by the board to proceed with any fund-raising option, the company will make the appropriate announcements,” Tiger Air said.
8. Yas Island Says G’day to Socceroos
The Australian National Football team received a warm Arabian ‘G’day’ from some of the most colourful characters in Abu Dhabi this week, as they jetted into the emirate for an international friendly game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Socceroos were welcomed to the emirate’s entertainment hub of Yas Island and the team’s hotel, the iconic five-star Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi by mascots from Yas Island’s award-winning theme park, aqua park Yas Waterworld.
Yas Waterworld’s adventure-seeking heroine Dana brought along her mischievous little brother Sultan to turn on the Arabian charm and greet Socceroos star Tim Cahill and his team mates.
The team from Down Under is in Abu Dhabi to play against the UAE on October 10th at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, home of Al-Jazira Sports Club, with the game serving as excellent preparation for both teams for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup, which Australia is hosting in January, 2015.
9. Aussie island on sale for 30M
If you have “spare change” lying about, Daydream Island in the Whitsundays slashing the asking price to less than half.
Nature’s Own founder Vaughan Bullivant had previously hoped to get around $65 million for the Daydream Island resort he paid $25 million for in 2000.
But, according to Perth Now, with his health deteriorating and the island failing to sell in two years, agents have convinced Mr Bullivant to lower his expectations — and the price — to about $30 million.
If it achieves that figure, it will still be one of the biggest sums paid for a resort island in recent times.
10. European Waterways releases 2015 brochure
European Waterways, the largest luxury hotel barge cruising company in Europe, announced that its 2015 brochure is now available and being mailed out to its many partner agents. Printed on quality stock and featuring a wide array of colourful images, the brochure highlights all of the countries the company’s 18 vessels cruise throughout France, Italy, Holland and the British Isles.
Enlarged to 62 pages, the brochure includes maps of the cruising routes and daily itineraries, as well as a new feature – explaining how hotel barging is so different from other forms of cruising with its more intimate atmosphere that is perfect for discerning independent travellers and small groups. It also comes with an informative new DVD of professionally produced videos highlighting many of the hotel barge cruises that European Waterways has to offer.
European Waterways’ Managing Director, Derek Banks, claims that the new brochure effectively conveys the serenity and beauty of the charming canals, villages and regional cultural attractions found along the company’s many routes.