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. Virgin is back in the air after IT glitch
Virgin Australia is scrambling to get people back in the air after an IT glitch delayed a number of flights this morning, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the country.
The airline said the “intermittent issues”, which caused trouble to its check-in system, have been repaired and the system is now running as per usual.
Staff were allegedly forced to manually check-in customers, which added to wait times.
2. ‘I have fundamental faith in the future of helloworld’
Andrew Burnes may have only just stepped in as the head honcho over at helloworld, but he’s already feeling confident about his reign, saying he has complete faith in the future of the business.
The announcement was made as helloworld officially completed its merger with the AOT Group yesterday to create Australia and New Zealand’s second largest travel distribution business.
Building competition across the Tasman, Burnes said the merger created an “exciting opportunity” for the travel company to blend with a completely complimentary business and together work towards a positive future.
3. New kid on the block, NCL, has a lot to prove: Steve Odell
Norwegian Cruise Line may be the ‘new kid on the block’ but it’s ready to move its local operations into the second phase and prove it has all the right products to please Aussie cruisers.
Speaking to KarryOn, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) Managing Director Asia Pacific, Steve Odell, said three months after opening its first office in Australia, the company has gone from zero employees to 50 and is now ready to manage all three of the company’s cruise brands.
Opening in October, the Norwegian office has entirely focused on handling requests and bookings for the company’s mass market brand, Norwegian Cruise Line. But as of April this year, the office will take control of NCLH’s two premium brands – Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas.
4. Four people dead in small plane crash
Four people are believed to have been killed in a plane crash off Point Lonsdale in Victoria.
The Piper Cherokee aircraft is said to have gone down due to bad weather while on a trip from Melbourne’s Moorabbin Airport to King Island in Tasmania.
Since Friday afternoon, police and volunteers have located three bodies but continue to search the crash site for the final body. They believe the fourth passenger may still be trapped in wreckage.
Police are yet to officially reveal victim identities.
5. Three big changes launch Insight Vacations into 2016
Insight Vacations is keeping busy with a new local Managing Director and two new products – its first co-published cruise and land brochure plus a fresh winter program featuring new destinations.
Speaking to KarryOn last month, CEO John Boulding, said although the start of 2016 has been very busy for the brand, it’s also been “exciting and very invigorating”, setting a positive tone for the rest of the year.
Among the biggest change coming to Insight this month is the switch in local leadership. Alex O’Connor joins Insight as the new Managing Director for Australia, replacing Joost Timmer.
6. The road to Insider Journeys – how the company has changed in 12 months
Travel Indochina feels like a distant memory on the one year anniversary of the company’s complete rebrand to become Insider Journeys.
Today officially marks 12 months since the Asia specialist unveiled a new name, logo and more personalised attitude, which has gone on to become a nationally recognised brand.
Insider Journeys has replaced anything Travel Indochina whether it be across all brochures, buses and staff uniforms, but more importantly it has been quickly adopted and welcomed by the travel industry, regular customers and prospective travellers.
7. Etihad designs ‘spectacular’ First Class lounge
Etihad says its in the process of building a ‘spectacular’ new First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi’s International Airport to compliment its in-flight product.
Opening in May this year, the lounge will be exclusively used by First Class and The Resident guests as well as Etihad Guest Platinum and Etihad Airways Partners Platinum members.
Describing it as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the company’s ever-growing portfolio, Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer said it will showcase ” intelligent design and innovation, and the world’s best premium airport experience”.
The new lounge will combine modern Arabian design elements and the understated elegance and luxury synonymous with the Etihad Airways brand, demonstrating the airline’s legendary hospitality and constant drive for perfection in its multi-award-winning First Class experience, both on the ground and in the air.
8. Virtuoso signs up with Mat McLachlan
Virtuoso is giving its agents access to Australia’s leading historical holidays, by signing Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours as its Preferred Partner.
As part of the agreement, agents will have direct links to people with the right knowledge about war history destinations.
“Virtuoso agents have an amazing understanding of the luxury travel market and they will now be able to augment this with an ability to deliver the unique and exciting travel experience offered by Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours.”
Michael Londregan, Virtuoso Asia Pacific Managing Director
9. New offers to help agents sell
Travelmarvel has released a line up of offers designed to help travel agents sell more Europe tours by river, rail and road for 2017.
In its newly launched Europe River Cruising 2017 Preview brochure, the premium tour operator has introduced a new ‘Fly Free’ deal* which is available on all river cruise dates, across all cabins, all year round. Flights are with Singapore Airlines or an airline of Travelmarvel’s choosing.
Travelmarvel has also announced that all 2017 itineraries will be offered at 2016 prices. Solo supplements are now also waived across all 15-day river cruises when booking a category C cabin or above.
Agents who book clients in a category A cabin or above can also offer the opportunity to secure return business class flights to Europe through Travelmarvel and partner KLM from just $1,995.
Travelmarvel continues to offer its $800 per couple early payment discount when holidays are deposited and paid for in full 10 months in advance.
Group bookings of six or more people on any cruise or land/rail and cruise combination of 15 days or more can save an extra $400 per person with Travelmarvel’s ‘travel with friends’ discount. Both are combinable with all other offers.
Offers are available until 31 May 2016 and travel agents are advised to book early to secure the best cabins.
10. Layana Resort & Spa wins amongst consumers
Layana Resort and Spa, Koh Lanta, has been awarded with five honors, including number two for Top Hotels in Thailand and number 19 for Top Hotels in Asia in the 2016 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
The property also took out second place for Top 25 Luxury Hotels for Service in Thailand as well as second for Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Thailand. Plus the hotel just made it into the Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Asia list, at number 25.
Layana General Manager, Mr. Stefan Heintze said making the list was a “pleasant surprise”and a credit to the team “who worked so hard during this time of incredible change”.
P.S. Flight attendants fist fight mid-flight
The claws were out on a recent flight across the US when two flight attendants started brawling mid-air.
The alleged fist fight took place around 40 minutes into a flight from Los Angeles to Minneapolis.
According to passengers, the pair were arguing about work-related issues when things became physical.
A third flight attendant attempted to stop the fight but was reportedly “whacked” in the face.
Overhearing the argument, the Captain radioed air traffic control and asked for authorisation to divert the flight to Salt Lake City.
The aircraft was grounded for around 80 minutes while the airline organised for back-up crew to takeover. The Boeing 757-200 arrived in Minneapolis 75 minutes behind schedule.
P.P.S. Lucerne Carnival kicks off
Strange characters in masks and costumes will fill the streets of Lucerne in Switzerland later this week when the annual Fritschi Carnival kicks off around the entire region.
The parade, running from 4-9 February will travel along the narrow streets of the city and the surrounding Lake Lucerne with music performed by groups of carnival musicians and people dancing away the spirits of winter.
The origins of the Lucerne Carnival can be traced back over 60 years and is marked by the figure of Fritschi, an elderly man with his wife known as the Fritschene, and the Fritschikind, or Fritschi’s child.
Agents should note that the best way for their clients to see and experience this carnival, be it this year or next year, is with a Snow Card. With an all-inclusive Snow Card package, travellers can take advantage of a wide range of benefits in the historical city of Lucerne as well as many winter sport areas in the immediate vicinity around the Lake Lucerne Region.
