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. Tourism Australia & Virgin Australia get smarter with data
You know that feeling of being watched? Well if you experience it next time you’re on Tourism Australia’s website it’s probably because you are.
Well, kind of.
The tourism bureau has teamed up with Virgin Australia to make the most of its 15 million unique website visitors per year by monitoring the online experience.
2. Virgin America is up for sale – who will buy it?
Virgin America is apparently up for sale, almost a decade after launching into American skies.
The sale was revealed last week by Bloomberg and apparently the carrier already has two prospective buyers.
Reports suggests that both JetBlue Airways and Alaska Air Group are keen to takeover the airline after putting forth takeover offers.
3. Air NZ flies Houston daily
Air New Zealand’s new Auckland-Houston service is so popular that the carrier has decided to move it to daily from December to February.
The extra two services a week will be operated by the carrier’s Boeing 777-200 aircraft to meet extra demand over the holiday period.
Air New Zealand Chief Sales and Commercial Officer Cam Wallace said Kiwi and Australian travellers love that they can access the US Midwest and South as well as other key destinations via Houston.
“We’re also seeing good growth in the number of American travellers using this service to visit New Zealand and Australia.”
Cam Wallace, Air New Zealand Chief Sales and Commercial Officer
4. AccorHotels fast-tracks female leaders
AccorHotels’committment to achieving greater gender diversity with females represented in top positions across the company was on show last week, with 14 high-potential female leaders graduating from AccorHotels’ 2015 Strategic Leaders Development Program (SLDP).
Participants of the program were identified as being 12-18 months away from progressing to their first General Manager position or next senior role. To accelerate this, all 14 participants took part in a six-month development program which included behavioural, cognitive and structured personal and business development plans. The group also attended virtual webinars with experts in the field of project planning, guest experience, animating food and beverage and managing owner’s expectations.
AccorHotels Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath, said the company is committed to gender equality and strengthening female talent across the business.
The SLDP is part of AccorHotels’ diversity strategy. The program focuses on developing female leaders to enrich their skills in the areas of leadership, personal development, strategic planning and analysis, and business improvement.
At the graduation ceremony, held at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, all participants reported back on group projects and creative ideas to further invest in AccorHotels.
5. G Adventures launches its own music channel
G Adventures has launched its very own music channel designed especially for travellers on the popular music and entertainment streaming app, Guvera.
The travel company has expertly curated playlists to get travellers excited for their next overseas adventure with tracks intended to make them move, chill or just get away from day-to-day life.
G Adventures Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Adrian Piotto said the tracks are perfect for agents to play in store and fuel the travel bug among customers.
With exclusive G Adventures content and competitions available through the Guvera brand channel, and free access to the most popular local and international music, the playlists allow travellers to play their favourite travelling music on the go.
Click here to check out the channel.
6. Island Escapes joins Virtuoso
Virtuoso has accepted luxury wholesaler, Island Escapes, as a preferred supplier for its Virtuoso travel advisors.
The company entered the Virtuoso® Destination & Experiences Program on 7 March this year to give consultants access to boutique options in Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Thailand.
Michael Londregan, Managing Director for Virtuoso Australia, New Zealand and Asia, said Virtuoso was delighted to add the operator to its portfolio of luxury suppliers.
“They have long been regarded as a pre-eminent specialist in the South Pacific and have been referred to us with the highest nomination, that of our member agencies.”
Michael Londregan, Virtuoso Managing Director Australia, New Zealand and Asia
7. Viking’s third ship floats out
Viking Ocean Cruises’ third ship, Viking Sky, floated out of the shipyard last week, making a major milestone in the ship’s construction.
The traditional ceremony took place yesterday at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, just one day before the company took delivery of its second ship, Viking Sea, which will officially debut to guests next month.
Viking Sky is scheduled for delivery in early 2017. The company also today announced that it has placed an order with Fincantieri for three additional sister ships, which will bring Viking’s total number of ocean ships to six by 2020.
When she launches, Viking Sky will carry 930 passengers in 465 all-verandah cabins. There are two pools onboard, a LivNordic Spa, several dining choices and a Wintergarden.
8. Las Vegas shares Easter cheer with Hoot Holidays
Hoot Holiday received some pre-Easter cheer last week with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) presenting a handful of lucky agents with Las Vegas gift bags, including Westfield shopping vouchers.
The winners were chosen from a sales incentive which ran during March. The top seller was awarded to Christine Caruana, with runners up Yolanda Tching and Jennifer Douglas (pictured above).
9. Cheers to a Germany famil
A group of travel agents from around Australia recently experienced a fascinating nature holiday in the Black Forest of Germany.
The German National Tourist Office, together with its partner Emirates, hosted a business class famil to some of Germany’s natural highlights combined with the vibrant cities – Munich, Stuttgart and Freiburg.
The group stayed in traditional and modern properties throughout the trip, and visited beautiful old towns in the Black Forest such as Freudenstadt, Wolfach and Triberg.
The journey also included must-see sights such as Stuttgart’s Mercedes and Porsche museum, the world’s biggest Cuckoo Clock and the largest waterfall of Germany. The tour began with a stein of beer and ended with the best Black Forest cake.
10. Have you heard about the pimping pilot?
Apparently flying across the globe isn’t bringing in enough cash for a certain pilot who is believed to have been running a chain of brothels on the side.
Pilot Bruce Wayne Wallis has been accused by US police of pimping activities across the Greater Houston area, NewsFix.com.
The travel employee’s side gig was released last week when he was arrested and charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution and engaging in criminal activity.
Ouch.
A spokesperson for Wallis’ former airline employee said he has been removed from flying duties.