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Tues 21 Apr: 10 travel news stories you need to know today

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.

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. Bad ‘air’ day in Sydney

Image: Getty

Image: Getty

Travellers to and from Sydney should expect flight and sea delays today as the city faces what has been described as the worst storm in years.

Up to 100 millimeters of rain drenched parts of the city last night causing flash flooding.

Strong winds blew over trees, umbrellas (we even saw a woman’s hair extensions on the street this morning) and caused damage to houses and some vehicles.

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2. italktravel grows with two new stores

itravel

[L-R]: Loretta Erceg – ITG State Manager, Ronnie Malthouse, General Manager – Midland, Dave Ahlhauser – Sales Director, Midland and Sandy Battle – ITG Business Development Manager.

italktravel is celebrating its first birthday this week in a big way with the announcement of two new stores in Western Australia.

Independent Travel Group (ITG) has confirmed that two more italktravel stores will be coming onboard, taking the number of stores in WA to six and nationally to 30.

The two new additions are Jetset Midland, which will be rebranded to italktravel Midland and Travelworld, which will change to italktravel Kununurra

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3. NOTICE: Scenic call centre closed

Scenic tours 2

Scenic Tours has advised that its customer service call centre is closed.

Due to the severe weather experienced in the Hunter Region the State Emergency Service early this morning issued an advice for residents to remain at home.

The tour operator anticipates it will be able to reopen at 7.30am tomorrow morning.

During this time there will be a call-back option available where callers can leave a short message and one of Reservations consultants will be in contact as soon as they reopen.

New reservations, invoice print outs and payments can be made through  or booking portal ExpressBook www.bookings.scenictours.com

Alternatively, contact the operator on one of the below email addresses depending on the enquiry:
General Support – TravelAgentSupport@scenictours.com
Terms and Conditions – tncs@scenictours.com
Special Requirements – SpecialRequirements@scenictours.com

 

4. Pacific Islands get first Dreamliner

Air New Zealand 787-9 for website

Pacific Islanders will receive their first 787 Dreamliner later this year, when Air New Zealand sends the revolutionary aircraft to Fiji for the first time.

Announced today, the airline said it will use the 787-9 on the Auckland to Nadi route from 27 November to March next year.

It will be the first time the Dreamliner is operated to the Pacific Islands.

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5. AVANI comes to Aus

AVANI Hotel 3

Travellers heading to Australia will have one more choice in accommodation, as Minor Hotel Group (MHG) brings its AVANI brand Down Under.

The investment in the local market will cost the hotel group up to $110 million, with plans to launch two new properties in Perth – AVANI Hotel and AVANI Residences.

With an existing portfolio of 50 Oaks Hotels and Resorts primarily in Australia, Minor Hotel Group said it is ‘strongly committed’ to further development and expansion throughout the nation.

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6. G Adventures’ best year

G Adventures

Adventure travel is really taking off and tour company, G Adventures is reaping the benefits.

The operator said it is having its ‘best year ever’, with a global year-on-year growth in excess of 20 percent.

The record-breaking sales growth was spurred on by an additional 130 itineraries and a huge rise in demand for trips to the Asia region, which now rivals South America as one of the company’s best-selling destinations.

Belinda Ward, Managing Director for G Adventures Australia and New Zealand, said the growth is an encouraging sign for the year ahead.

“This result reflects our hard work and commitment to ensuring Australian travellers can fulfil their wanderlust overseas.”

Belinda Ward, G Adventures Australia and New Zealand Managing Director

After adding 22,000 spaces on 16 of its best-selling trips for the 2014/15 season, G Adventures increased capacity by up to 85 percent on its South East Asian offerings, a move that has contributed to the company’s growth alongside the launch of its new Rail programme.

 

7. Creative hero: James Jang

travel news CH_Heroes_banner

If there’s one thing we know about travel agents it’s that they get around – the world that is – and James Jang is no exception.

The veteran consultant started his career in 1996 at international accredited travel agency, Thomas Cook.

Today, the Queensland born and raised agent can be found selling up a storm at ‘where2travel’ in Malvern, Melbourne.

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8. A new Anthem for Royal Caribbean

Anthem of the Seas christening

Royal Caribbean has christened its second Quantum-class vessel at a ceremony held in Southampton, UK.

Anthem of the Seas – no, not Australia’s Ovation of the Seas, that’s the third one – was officially named by godmother and travel agent Emma Wilby.

Emma was selected for the role after a competition was held to find the most vocally talented travel agent.

Carrying out her traditional godmother duties, she broke a Champagne bottle on the ship’s hull.

Emma then showed off her winning skills by performing hit song ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry.

Anthem of the Seas joins Quantum of the Seas in the Quantum-class, which are also known as the world’s first smart ships because of their technological advancements.

Ovation of the Seas will be third vessel in the third Quantum-class vessel when she launches in 2016. She will be homeported in Sydney, Australia for the 2016/17 wave season.

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9. MSC Cruises names new ship – it’s a tricky one

MSC new ship rendering

MSC has officially started construction on its first Visa-generation of ships and revealed she will be called… MSC Meraviglia.

The ship’s name was revealed at a steal cutting ceremony held at shipyard STX France this week.

MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago told press and dignitaries that the 5,700 passenger vessel will launch in May 2017 as MSC Meraviglia.

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10. Read all about it! Legend sails away Sydney

Carnival Legend 3

Carnival Legend has departed Sydney for the last time this season, after completing its first Australian summer deployment.

During her first season Down Under, the vessel carried more than 50,000 Australians on 22 roundtrip cruises.

She also injected some $20 million into the local economy.

During a farewell gathering onboard yesterday, the crew joked that the heavy rain in Sydney was the city crying as the much-loved ship prepared to depart for the last time this season.

Carnival Legend 2

Others said they would have to “un-Aussify” their lingo and remember to call ‘prawns’ ‘shrimps’ until they return Down Under for their second Sydney summer.

To farewell the crew of Carnival Legend, Carnival Cruise Line Australia Vice President Jennifer Vandekreeke presented them with a giant goodbye card filled with Facebook messages and photos from guests and staff.

In thanking the crew, Ms Vandekreeke said they had captured the hearts of the Australian people.

“Australian cruisers have fallen in love with her, just as they have with her sister ship Carnival Spirit and we can’t wait to bring her back for another summer of fun in October.”

Carnival Legend will return to Sydney for her second summer down under on 15 October 2015.

Meanwhile, Carnival Spirit will enter drydock in August this year to undergo a $44 million makeover.

Changes onboard include new restaurants, activities and bars such as ‘The Alchemy‘ – a bar specialising in tailor-made cocktails.

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What are your thoughts on today’s travel news stories?