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. “Airbnb & Uber are here to stay”
The NSW Government says it will work closely with peer-to-peer sites, such as Airbnb and Uber, because “they’re here to stay”.
The statement was made in a position paper reviewing the collaborative economy, which found platforms that allow a direct exchange of goods between consumers and providers to be playing an “important” role in the local economy.
According to Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Victor Dominello, bookings made through online sharing sites contributed around $504 million to NSW’s economy in 2015.
2. Qantas considers inflight wifi
The Flying Kangaroo is all about giving its guests the best inflight experience and this means meeting demand for wifi.
Phil Capps, Qantas Head of Customer Experience, said the airline is currently “exploring” its wifi options, hinting that trials could begin on domestic routes sometime this year.
He said it’s what customers are looking for, but if the airline is going to do it then it’s going “to do it right”, The Australian Business Traveller reported.
“We are continuing to explore options to introducing on board wifi.”
Phil Capps, Qantas Head of Customer Experience
“We know many of our customers want to stay connected at all stages of their journey, but we want to do it right – so we are in talks with providers, as new satellite platforms could create some fantastic opportunities, particularly on domestic flights.”
Qantas would be the first domestic airline to offer the service to Australian customers. If wifi is eventually extended to international flights, it would help the carrier compete with airlines such as United, which will have wifi on all its Australian operations aboard its Boeing 787s.
3. Best Western rolls out lifelong-lasting loyalty points
You know that disappointing moment when you finally decide to use your loyalty points to score an upgrade, only to find out they expired a week earlier.
It’s a first world struggle, but it’s real.
But Best Western may have just found a solution that’ll really take away the disappointment – lifelong points.
4. P&O teaches a good lesson in investment
What happens when you invest in new product, or in this case new ships? You increase your chances of looking as suave as Sture Myrmell (above), but also experience record sales.
Over the last two years P&O has forked over a lot of cash to develop its offerings, and it’s all starting to really pay off.
In case you’ve been out of loop, the cruise line added two new ships to its fleet in 2015 – Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria – and recruited two known Australian celebrities to godmother the vessels and promote their launch.
5. Get your yearly dose of the USA
The experts are coming to town next month to kick off the annual Visit USA expos.
Aside from getting expert tips and destination updates, agents can pick up those fun freebies, prizes (*cough* air tickets) and make new contacts with people on the ground.
Also agents who wish to let out their inner Elvis, Marilyn, Captain America, Ironman or favourite American President and dress up as their best USA themed character or costume at the Expos will have a chance to win a spot on Brand USA’s 2016 Mega Fam flying also with Air New Zealand. Only one spot will be given away in each city, so we encourage agents to go all out and have some fun with it.
This year, Visit USA Australia Expos will take place in Melbourne(15 February 2016), Sydney (17 February 2016) and Brisbane (16 February 2016) with 55 USA-based tourist officers and suppliers.
Click here for more information and to register.
6. Follow the Compass in Iran
Crooked Compass is giving Aussies more choice in Iran with a new small group trekking tour in the Alborz Mountains.
Meeting demand for travel to the country, the trek will take guests on a tour of the Mountains, which rise up from the Caspian Sea.
Showcasing the quieter, greener and more traditional side of Iran, the itinerary combines stunning mountain scenery and visits to the nomadic Shahsavan pastoralists.
The troglodyte village of Kandovan is also on the itinerary as well as the vibrant city of Tabriz with his UNESCO World Heritage covered bazaar.
The tour departs on 15 September 2016 with prices starting at US$5,390.
7. CWT gets a sneak peek at the Dream
A group of CWT travel consultants were taken on a famil to San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle where they got a sneak peek of United’s Dreamliner.
The trip was in anticipation for when the airline becomes an all Dreamliner market to Australia this year.
While in the USA, the group were hosted by Marriott International staying at various Marriott properties including Marriott, JW Marriott and Residence Inn.
In Chicago, the group visited United’s head-office in Willis Tower, the tallest building in Chicago and were taken on a VIP tour of United’s Network Operating Centre.
The educational finished in Seattle where the group went on a VIP tour of the Boeing factory.
8. This is what Azamara cruisers get up to
Azamara Quest became the first ever Azamara Club Cruises ship to sail into Australia last week, bringing with her some 680 travellers.
She arrived at full capacity, and according to a spokesperson, that’s pretty much how she’s sailing year-round.
Quest and her sister vessel, Azamara Journey, are so popular amongst cruisers that a spokesperson told KarryOn there aren’t enough beds for the cruise line to organise big group famils anymore (individual famils are still available).
9. Calling all swing dancers
The Blue Mountains‘ Hydro Charleston Challenge is hoping to snatch back its place in the book of Guinness World Records, but it needs about 1,000 people in order to do it.
The destination lost its title for the largest number of costumed people dancing in October when the town of Bexhill in the UK hosted 975 dancers.
Now trying to win it back, event co-ordinator, Angela Corkeron, said she’s aiming to get 1,000 people to this year’s dance-off, being held from 11.00am on 6 February.
It will be followed by the Majestic Long Lunch from 1.00pm to 5.00pm when guests in 1920s finery will graze informally from picnic hamper boxes packed with regional delicacies, promenade on the lawns and dance the afternoon away to the strains of a `20s-style band.
“Technically we need 976 dancers to reclaim the record but this is the Hydro Majestic, so let’s raise the stakes and aim for a thousand dancers to really smash the record.”
Angela Corkeron, Hydro Charleston Challenge Co-Ordinator
The Roaring 20s-themed weekend will begin on 5 February, with the Gangster Casino Night to celebrate the era of breaking with tradition, crooks and prosperity – and this time there’s no prohibition. Net proceeds from the adults-only event will go to CareFlight aeromedical charity.
10. Man allegedly loses his sh#t over alcohol
A man was reportedly restrained on a recent Qantas flight for what has been described as violent behaviour after he was allegedly refused alcohol.
The 45-year-old was travelling from Perth to Sydney over the weekend when the incident occured.
A fellow passengers, Simon Bowen, told ABC 720 that it all started with a “loud request” for alcohol, which was denied. This then is said to have lead to “a bit of abuse towards the air hostesses”.
Bowen continued, saying the situation escalated to “a bit of fist being thrown towards people”.
A couple nearby managed to hold him back while crew tied him with elastic handcuffs.
The man was escorted off the plane by Australian Federal Police (AFP) at Sydney Airport where he was questioned and later released.
AFP said an investigation is underway and no charges have been laid at this time.
