We’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to! Read on for the top 10 travel industry news stories of the day that we think you need to know.
1. Accor takes action
Accor has signed a management agreement with long-time partner, Middle East hotel owner and developer Action Hotels plc, to open what will be the largest ibis hotel in Australasia in Brisbane’s business district by 2016.
“Accor remains the leader in the economy hotel segment with 60 hotels in the Australian ibis ‘megabrand’ brand portfolio. The ibis brand has kept up with the changing expectations of consumers through design-led affordable quality hotels. As such, investors are strongly drawn to the ibis brand as exemplified by three new build hotels currently in development and the recent opening of ibis Adelaide,” Simon McGrath, Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer said.
The $90 million investment to develop the 368-room ibis Brisbane Elizabeth Street is said to create 400 jobs during construction and 80 positions during operation. It will be the first investment for Action in Queensland, a testament to Brisbane’s expected growth in domestic and international markets, according to Brisbane Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk. Read more
2. Cruise brings big bucks to Vanuatu
The combined cruising industry has injected A$34 million direct spend into Vanuatu, bringing an estimated further A$18 million in indirect economic benefits in 2013, a new study reveals. The study, jointly funded by cruise company Carnival Australia, the Australian Government, and World Bank Group member IFC, found that cruise tourism is estimated to provide more than 3,000 employment opportunities in Vanuatu.
“There are twice as many visitors arriving in Vanuatu by ship rather than by air, but until now we have had no real data validating the importance of cruise tourism on the country’s economic growth and job creation,”
Prime Minister Natuman said.
”The study will help determine future areas of focus under the Australian Government’s partnership with Carnival Australia to enhance the economic opportunities tourism can bring to countries in the Pacific,” Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said.
According to the Assessment, every cruise ship that arrives in Vanuatu brings A$257,000 worth of direct benefits to a range of businesses and organisations. Furthermore, Cruise tourism annual expenditure of $34 million is equal to nearly 10% of the country’s exports.
Other Pacific nations of Samoa and Tonga are expected to use the study to research how to grow their own cruise tourism potential.
Carnival Australia and DFAT are working together to further the sustainable development of Pacific economies. Tourism is vital to the sustainable growth of the Pacific islands, contributing an estimated 11% of the region’s gross domestic product and 13% of total employment in 2012, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
3. Wristband tech comes to IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group’s newest holistic brand, EVEN Hotels, have introduced a new Wristband System for guests to use to unlock rooms and even pay for F&B in a bid to improve cashless purchasing and the overall guest experience.
Guests can opt to pay US$8 for a waterproof silicone Smart Band upon check-in, which contain a unique ID and is scanned by readers at the property. Guests can take the Wristband home, which can be re-used when visiting any other EVEN Hotels.
Robin Barber, Vice President of Leisure & Entertainment for PDC said “We all know the experience of fiddling for the hotel door card when your hands are full of luggage. Smart Band provides quick access with just a slight wave of the wrist.”
“The system supports our mission to provide solutions for all aspects of our guests’ wellness needs through innovative technologies and a distinctive service culture that differentiates EVEN™ Hotels in our industry,” Adam Glickman, head of EVEN™ Hotels said.
4. Perth’s Princely price-tag pops
The decline in Western Australia’s resource sector has dropped hotel prices in Perth, enabling the capital to open up to a new slew of tourists by shaking off its reputation as an expensive city. According to a PerthNow report, the average price of a hotel room in Perth this month was recorded at $185 a night, the lowest in 2 years, representing a 17% drop. Trivago’s latest hotel price index puts the average Perth hotel room rate in 2013/14 at $208, a 5% drop year-on-year and the biggest decline of any Australian capital city.
While Perth accommodation prices still reigns supreme over other cities – Darwin ($201), Sydney ($199), Melbourne ($187), Brisbane ($184), Canberra ($181), Hobart ($166) and Adelaide ($158) – the Perth accommodation sector rates have remained stagnant while other cities have upped their prices. Read more
5. First India Specialist Program launched
Prakriti Australia together with the India Tourism Office will soon launch Australia’s first India Destination Specialist Program for travel professionals. The Prakriti India Specialist Program featuring 5 modules will be unveiled on Thursday and is said to “simplify India as a destination for agents in providing an introduction to the sub-continent by way of regions and most saleable features,” according to the DMC operator. Prakriti Australia comes to the Australian market with a strong focus on destination education and dedicated agent sales support.
6. A380 to Frankfurt
Emirates have added Frankfurt to its growing list of A380 destinations, bringing the number of destinations its jumbo-jet services to 30.
“Deploying larger capacity aircraft like the A380 is fundamental to helping us meet growing passenger demand between this dynamic economic region and the evolving economies of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, through efficient connections via our Dubai hub. The positive effects of more inbound tourism from the Middle East, Gulf and Asia-Pacific regions into Frankfurt will also be demonstrated with the arrival of the A380, based on our experience when we introduced the aircraft to Munich,” Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer said.
7. Hold on to flights is no BA
British Airways are allowing travellers who make online bookings to ‘hold’ flights for £5 to ensure they make the right flight choices before forking out the full-fare. Fares can be held up to 72 hours and if the customer goes ahead with the booking, the hold deposit is refunded. Holding reservations per person on short-haul flights costs just £5, while those wanting to secure seats on long-haul flights would pay £10 per person*.
8. Win a trip to Japan
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has launched its annual E-Learning Workshop ‘Extraordinary Japan’ for travel agents. The online training program is available now via www.yourworkshops.com.au and selected agencies’ intranet training platforms.
Workshops take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete and upon completion of the program, registered consultants that have passed all the modules will receive a certificate of completion. To go into the draw to win 2 return economy class tickets from Melbourne to Tokyo, agents must complete the E-Learning program before 17 October.
9. AA back on Orbitz
American Airlines and US Airways fares are back on Orbitz websites, following both companies reaching agreements after a dispute last week which forced the airlines to pull its fares from all Orbitz sites.
“We are pleased that our long-standing relationship with American Airlines allowed us to quickly resolve business matters and that we continue to offer a broad range of options, including American Airlines and US Airways flights, to the millions of shoppers who book travel on our global sites each day,” Sam Fulton, president of Orbitz, said in a statement.
10. Mission Morocco
Morocco has agreed to close down a major highway for two weeks to accommodate the filming of Mission Impossible 5. The country recently lost out on having the production of Star Wars’ latest instalment filmed in the country, and is apparently eager to cooperate with high-profile foreign films, according to Hollywood Reporter. The main road between Agadir and Casablanca will be closed until midnight on Sept 12. Tom Cruise and co-stars will visit several Moroccan cities for filming, including Casablanca, Marrakech and the capital of Rabat.