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. There are HOW MANY cruisers around the world?
They say cruising is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia, they even say it’s increasing at super-speed around the world – but we never realised it was THIS popular.
The 2014 Economic Impact Analysis released by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) revealed global demand for cruising reached 22.04 million people in 2014 – up an incredible 68 percent from 13.1 million ten years ago.
Seriously, it’s growing so fast that The Flash wouldn’t be able to keep up with it.
2. This is how corporate agents will make money in the future
What does the corporate travel manager look at when booking a business trip in 2015? It’s a cocktail of mostly savings, a bit of duty of care and a touch of traveller service.
In recent years (thanks to the GFC and weakened Australian dollar), service has taken the back road to savings, with more than half of corporate travel managers saying hotel or air deals are the primary driver of their managed travel programme.
This was considerably higher than the 23 percent that selected accommodation and flights based on duty of care and even more than the 16 percent that booking based on traveller service.
3. Wendy Wu goes to the Maldives
Wendy Wu Tours is taking your clients to the gorgeous Maldives for the first time next year as part of its new 2016 India programme.
According to the operator, the addition of the tropical nation comes after receiving feedback from guests wanting to extend their trips in India or Sri Lanka with a stay in one of the many Maldivian resorts.
Managing Director Alan Alcock said that with Male being just a 90 minute flight from Colombo it made the Maldives the perfect add-on destination and filled a gap in their market for private beach stays in that region.
4. Qantas goes Back to the Future
Travellers will get a great sense of nostalgia when they spot Qantas’ second Boeing 737-800 painted in retro livery.
The freshly painted aircraft is part of the airline’s 95th birthday and follows on from the success of Retro Roo I, which was unveiled in November last year coated in 1970s classic livery.
“You can see from what’s posted on social media that people enjoy taking photos of Retro Roo I as it travels to airports around Australia.”
Olivia Wirth, Qantas Group Executive for Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs
“Crew tell us it’s always a talking point when it pulls up to the gate and people get on board, though they’re generally pleased that it’s not 1974 on in the inside as well.”
The new livery will be chosen from the 12 liveries that Qantas has had since its first aircraft in 1920. It will be applied to one of Qantas’ existing 67 Boeing 737 aircraft, which are undergoing a refurbishment program in Brisbane and Sydney.
Once the cabin refresh is completed, the aircraft will be flown to Townsville to be repainted in a classic new livery – a process which is expected to take four days, before entering service on flights across Australia and the Tasman to New Zealand.
Also in celebration of its 95th birthday, Qantas last week recruited Barbie and Ken to model various versions of its uniform over the years.
Click here for more information.
5. WIN a trip to O’ahu and the Big Island
Hawaii Tourism Oceania is celebrating the release of its second Family Hawaii Guide by giving travellers the chance to win a trip to O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island.
The prize is for two adults and two children and is valued at over $10,000.
It includes four nights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort on O‘ahu and four nights Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawai‘i, the Big Island.
Winners will have the opportunity to choose from one of four family-friendly experiences from being immersed in traditional Polynesian culture to taking in O‘ahu’s vibrant surf scene, discovering Hawai‘i’s unexpected cowboy culture on horseback or exploring an active volcano.
Ashlee Galea, Country Manager for Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania said the tourist bureau is finding more families are travelling to the destination.
“They are often multi-generational including grandparents, take the form of a family reunion or even include extended family members for the celebration of milestone occasions.”
Ashlee Galea, Hawaii Tourism Oceania Country Manager
“Family travellers look for holidays that feature options that are flexible and appeal to both children and adults.
“They seek experiences that will create lifelong memories and the Hawaiian Islands are a truly remarkable destination which absolutely fit the bill.”
Click here to enter the competition.
6. Ecuador named ‘best vacation spot’
Ecuador’s capital Quito has been awarded the title of South America’s leading tourist destination at the Oscars of Tourism aka the World Travel Awards.
The award was one of 14 picked up by Ecuador, others included Leading Green Destination and Leading Destination of the region for its capital, Quito.
The country’s Ministry of Tourism said the award confirms the country continues to ‘captivate the world’ with its products and destinations.
In the last 10 years, Quito has become more recognized as a leading tourist destination worldwide, earning praise from The New York Times as one of “places to go in 2008” as well as the“Capital of Culture of the Americas” in 2011.
National Geographic also mentioned the Ecuadorean capital one of the “20 places to visit in 2013.
7. Meriton opens in North Sydney
North Sydney has welcomed its first Meriton serviced apartment, with the first half of the property opening this month.
As part of the first phase, the property has some 105 suites. The remaining 337 will open in January next year.
Rooms include one, two and three bedroom suites plus first class recreational facilities.
It is located within walking distance of Westfield Chatwood and Chatswood Chase as well as various entertainment venues and public transport.
Meriton is set to open another 4 brand new apartment hotels over the next 12 months to include; North Sydney, Mascot, Parramatta and Southport, Gold Coast.
8. INCENTIVE: Earn $100 on Fiji
Rosie Holidays is offering consultants the chance to earn a bonus $100 gift card on all Fiji bookings with a land minimum of five nights and airfares with Fiji Airways.
The offer is available on new bookings deposited before 6 November 2015 for departures from 12 October 2015 to 31 March 2016.
To help sell incentavised products, Rosie Holidays has put together a range of Fiji deals catering to all clients from couples to family friendly Christmas escapes.
Click here for more information.
9. Globus celebrations in Asia
The Globus family of brands celebrated its success in Asia with a conference for its team of General Sales Agents, held in Vietnam.
Representatives from across Asia joined the Globus Australasia management team in Ho Chi Minh City to mark their achievements and plan for future growth.
Globus family of brands Managing Director Australasia Stewart Williams said the company was now represented in a dozen countries across Asia as well as South Africa.
The conference took place at the Park Hyatt Saigon and included a team-building challenge in which groups explored the city on foot, by car and aboard cyclos.
An awards night was held at the rooftop Chill Skybar, where South Korean representative Be My Guest was named Globus GSA of the Year.
10. Man dies after biting fellow pax
A man, believed to be around 24 years old, fell fatally ill during a recent Aer Lingus flight after biting another passenger.
According to reports from Flight EI485, the man was travelling from Lisbon in Portugal to Dublin in Ireland when he began sinking his teeth into his fellow flyer.
Staff restrained him from ‘extremely violent’ behaviour but then he became so unwell he fell into a state of unconsciousness, The Mirror reported.
The pilot informed controllers at the Irish Aviation Authority’s North Atlantic Communications Service centre at Ballygirreen that a passenger was ‘running amok’ and that one or two passengers had been injured. The plane then diverted and made an emergency landing in Cork.
A doctor on the plane attempted to treat the man mid-flight, but he was pronounced dead before touching down.
A statement from Aer Lingus said the plane made an emergency landing due to a ‘medical emergency’.
