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. Qantas to the rescue in Bali
The ash has cleared up enough for airlines to operate flights out of Bali today, bringing thousands of stranded Australians back from their prolonged holidays.
Virgin Australia and Jetstar have resumed services to and from the popular tourist destination while conditions in the vicinity of Denpasar Airport remain favourable.
Virgin has scheduled eight additional services today to move as many guests as possible.
2. San Fran tickets on sale
Clients can now book flights directly from Sydney to San Francisco, as Qantas opens sales on the route.
The first of the six-times weekly services will depart in December this year on the Boeing 747.
According to Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans, since announcing the airline has experience ‘healthy demand’ from both leisure and corporate travellers.
3. Reopening of Greece’s banks postponed, again
Travellers have once again been advised to take cash with them on their trips to Greece, as the reopening date of banks around the country is pushed back, again.
Banks have been closed for over two weeks now and well past last week’s reopening deadline.
Greece’s leaders said they expected banks to reopen on Monday, however, according to the latest Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) statement this has been pushed back until midnight on 15 July.
4. Rydges takes the reign
Rydges has won the management agreement to operate the Kings Hotel Perth, which will rebrand to Rydges Perth after undergoing a complete makeover.
Significant refurbishment of the 117-room property will commence on 31 August and will include repositioning the hotel and see the room inventory increased to 174 rooms with three levels of commercial office space converted into 57 new rooms.
Existing rooms will undergo a full refurbishment, including new bathrooms.
Also to be introduced upon completion will be free Wi-Fi; a new ‘Rise Breakfast’; an expanded wine list; and stylish new staff uniforms.
Changes will be completed by mid-2016.
5. Travel Counsellors TV goes daily
Travel Counsellors’ weekly in-house TV program been such as success, the company has decided to extend the show by adding a daily program to the schedule.
That’s right, Travel Counsellors will be coming straight to your box set daily.
The fully interactive, daily TV program will be filmed and delivered straight from the company’s Melbourne headquarters.
6. Final chance to be a Swiss Travel Pass Superstar
Rail Europe, Switzerland Tourism and the Swiss Travel System have announced the second batch of winners of their Swiss Travel Pass SuperStar Program.
For Module 3, Shona Bray from House of Travel took out first place, Andrew Guillaume from Helloworld Wheelers Hill came in second and Danielle Hennessey from World Travel Professionals came third.
For Module 4, Yvette Van Urk from Outdoor Travel came first, followed by Cassandra Zayonce from TravelManagers and Jennifer Somerville from MediaTravel.
For those who missed out on completing the program, all four earlier modules have reopened and will run until the end of July. Module 5 closes this week.
All participating agents stand a chance to win a spot on an all-inclusive luxurious seven-day famil to Switzerland in November.
Agents are also reminded that bonus points can be earned by booking Swiss Travel Passes via Rail Europe GSAs – CIT Holidays, Go Holidays, Infinity Rail, Rail Plus AU & NZ & Rail Tickets.
7. AA expands with eight new routes
American Airlines is growing its network throughout South America, with eight new routes throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Commencing later this year are new flights to Mexico City International Airport (MEX); General Rafael Buelna International Airport (MZT) in Mazatlan, Mexico; Curacao International Airport (CUR); Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay, Jamaica; Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ); Gregorio Luperon International Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito, Ecuador, pending regulatory approvals.
American also plans to reinstate its service between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Simon Bolívar International Airport (CCS) in Caracas, Venezuela, on Dec. 17. Flights will operate five times per week with Boeing 757 aircraft. Those flights are now available for bookings.
8. Try Britain before you buy
Your clients can now experience Britain before they arrive through VisitBritain’s new series of immersive 360 degree experiences.
As part of the Government’s hugely successful GREAT tourism campaign, this activity from VisitBritain aims to drive more international visitors out across the nations and regions of Britain.
Available through www.visitbritainblog.com, it lets users interact with popular sites such as the grandfather clock chime in Anne Hathaway’s cottage or the beach at Durdle Door.
VisitBritain’s Marketing Director, Joss Croft said the new experiences assist the group in encouraging visitors to add to their holidays by exploring ‘even more’ during their trip.
9. Check out Sydney Airport’s new Heinemann duty-free store
Sydney Airport and new duty free partner Heinemann have unveiled the first of six new duty free stores in T1 as part of the T1 improvement program.
The newly designed 1,200m2 duty free store in Pier C Arrivals will showcase an extensive range of fragrances, cosmetics, wine, liquor and confectionery and has been designed by Gebr.
The brand new store displays the latest in modern travel retail design and is inspired by Sydney’s iconic landscapes from the bush, through the suburbs, past the city fringe and out to the coastal regions, allowing passengers to embark on a uniquely Australian retail journey as they make their way through the store.
“On completion, the Heinemann duty free offering at Sydney Airport will showcase an extensive range of new brands providing an exceptional passenger experience as we deliver four further stores in T1 Departures and another store in Arrivals, with all six stores expected to be completed and open by mid-2016.”
Glyn Williams, Sydney Airport General Manager Retail
10. Agents trial a new Dawn Princess
Fifty Queensland-based travel agents were invited to try out the newly refurbished Dawn Princess over the weekend.
The group was welcomed to the ship with a reception in the Wheelhouse Bar, followed by a full tour of the ship’s new features and a three-course lunch served with premium local wines.
Agents agreed the upgraded Horizon Court with its new Amuleto Italian Café, offering excellent espresso coffee and a tempting array of cakes and pastries, were major highlights of the refurbishment.
Other key features include Princess Cruises’ first dedicated whisky bar as well as a NZ Natural Ice Cream parlour.
NTK Extra: Fuji Mountain gets free Wi-Fi
Japan is making it easier for travellers to share their selfies from its tallest peak with free Wi-Fi on Mount Fuji.
In a bid to attract more visitors, officials are installing free wi-fi to encourage more hikers to share their experiences directly from the 3,776-metre volcano.
Additionally, hikers can use the eight free Wi-Fi spots to obtain weather and other information to ensure their safety.
NTK Extra: Tigerair cockpit door swings open
Investigators are reportedly looking into why a cockpit door on a busy Tigerair plane randomly swung open after a recent flight.
Flight TT472 had touched down at Melbourne Airport last week when the door abruptly opened.
The securing of plane cockpit doors has become a major safety essential after the 9/11 attacks.
Tigerair confirmed it was a ‘minor incident’, but said it would review the matter ‘as per standard procedure’.
“As the matter is subject to review by the airline, we are unable to comment further on the details at this time.”
Tigerair Spokesperson
