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. Carnival Corporation to build 4 next-gen cruise ships
Carnival Corporation & plc the world’s largest travel and leisure company, today announced it has signed a multi-billion dollar contract to build four next-generation cruise ships with the largest guest capacity in the world.
Based on Carnival Corporation’s innovative new ship design, each of the four next-generation ships will have a total capacity of 6600 guests, feature more than 5000 lower berths, exceed 180,000 gross tons and incorporate an extensive number of guest-friendly features. A major part of the innovative design involves making much more efficient use of the ship’s spaces, creating an enhanced onboard experience for guests.
The four new ships will also feature a revolutionary “green cruising” design.
2. Neil Rodgers promoted to GM of Adventure World
The Travel Corporation (TTC) has confirmed the appointment of Neil Rodgers as General Manager (GM) Adventure World Australia.
After more than a decade in the travel industry, spanning roles in marketing, sales and product, Rodgers will step-up to take on management of the business in Australia, effective immediately.
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me to lead the team and the brand into its next stage of evolution. Testament to Adventure World’s success is the strength of the partnerships we currently have within the travel industry”
Neil Rodgers
Adventure World has recently introduced additional toolkits for the trade in the form of standalone brochures for Africa and South America, showcasing the diversity of its tailor-made collections.
3. Etihad Airways and Hong Kong Airlines expand codeshare
Yesterday Etihad Airways expanded its codeshare agreement with Hong Kong Airlines to provide travellers with enhanced connections between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Under the expanded codeshare agreement, Hong Kong Airlines will place its ‘HX’ flight code on Etihad Airways’ flights between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways will commence daily flights from today, 15 June 2015, with 3,620 seats per week on an Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
In addition, Hong Kong Airlines will codeshare on Etihad Airways’ new service between Abu Dhabi and Madrid, the capital and largest city in Spain.
4. “All You Need is Ecuador’
Australia is one of seven markets Ecuador is targeting in an international tourism campaign aimed at turning the country from a boutique destination in South America into a mainstream one.
The ‘All You Need is Ecuador’ phase- two- campaign, worth AU$11.6 million, began this month.
International travel representatives, AVIAREPS, was appointed last month to represent Ecuador Tourism in Australia and Asia, said the country is now spending 10 times more on tourism marketing than ibn 2006 as part of a bid to position itself as one of South America’s friendliest, safest, must-visit destinations.
5. ‘Attracting Business Events to Australia’ – guide
Tourism Australia and Austrade have released the latest edition of Attracting Business Events to Australia.
Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan said the guide would help attract more events to Australia by providing a clear pathway to industry support.
According to Tourism Research Australia’s latest International Visitor Survey, business events are already worth more than $13 billion to the Australian economy.
6. Stellar Entertainment celebrates launch of new office
Stellar Entertainment hosted its official launch on Friday to celebrate the unveiling of its new, purpose-built, office headquarters.
Over 100 guests from the travel industry, media and international employees from the company’s offices across the globe, gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Stellar Entertainment office, located within Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter in Sydney.
7. WIN a double pass to go ‘live’ with National Geographic
This August, one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife photographers, Steve Winter will share his intense encounters and astonishing images of the big cats of Africa, Brazil and Hollywood with Australian audiences on his first tour Down-under this winter.
To celebrate the National Geographic Live Australian tour with Steve Winter, National Geographic are giving away a double pass for the Sydney and Melbourne events to two lucky readers.
Melbourne Friday 31 July Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Sydney Sunday 16 August Concert Hall, Sydney Opera Hall
For your chance to win – enter HERE
8. $250 worth of Scenic Rewards points
Agents can earn $250 worth of Scenic Rewards points instantly when they book and deposit any new 2016 Scenic luxury Europe or France river cruise between 1 June and 31 July 2015.*
Members will receive $250 worth of Scenic Rewards points for each new 2016 booking they make. Points will appear in members’ accounts instantly if their Scenic Rewards number is added to their Express Book profile at the time of booking.
9. Art Series Hotel Group have got the smarts
The Art Series’s new package is celebrating the completion of Art Series Hotel Group’s fleet of 35 bespoke Smart Cars that are now available for their guests to get from A to B and everywhere else in between across their 6 boutique art inspired hotels – The Olsen, The Cullen, The Blackman and The Larwill Studio in Melbourne, The Schaller Studio in Bendigo and The Watson in Adelaide.
- One night’s sleepover in your chosen hotel
- Full day Smart Car hire
- Free WiFi
- Late check-out of 12pm
10. Ex-boxing champ stranded after a MOUSE was spotted on board Emirates plane
A tiny little mouse cause a commotion yesterday after passengers were alerted to trouble after a man ‘started screaming’ after he spotted the mouse.
Emirates was forced to cancel the flight from Birmingham to Dubai resulting in the former heavyweight champion David Haye missed his flight out of Birmingham Airport last night after the mouse entered the cabin of the plane.
The clever mouse managed to evade being caught by cabin crew for 30 minutes, before it escaped through a vent.
