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. Fog causes delays at UK airports
Travellers are being advised of delays on flights around the UK today as dense fog continues to affect several gateways including Heathrow.
Flight delays commenced yesterday afternoon and continued through this morning with Heathrow confirming reduced operations ‘due to fog across the UK and Europe’.
More than 100 flights were cancelled by British Airways yesterday, mostly services to and from Heathrow and Docklands airport, London City.
2. TTC launches million dollar incentive
The Travel Corporation (TTC) can expect to see bookings go up, up and up over the next six months after launching the best travel agent incentive EVER.
The travel company this week unveiled the industry’s BIGGEST cash incentive – The Great $1,000,000 cash Giveaway.
No, we did not make a typo – we actually mean ONE MILLION dollars in cash to giveaway.
3. Scenic focuses on Australia in a dedicated brochure
Hold up – the company, which was founded in Australia some 30 years ago, only just released its first dedicated Australia brochure?
This truly is a moment to be celebrated.
Scenic today unveiled the 2016/17 program with a full collection of domestic tours across the country.
4. Contiki releases 2016/17 brochure
Contiki launched its new 2016/17 Asia brochure this week just in time for agents to use the program to make bookings for The Travel Corporation’s $1,000,000 cash giveaway.
The new brochure features eight trips throughout Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China, Laos and Cambodia which have exclusive Contiki inclusions such as fishing with local Mekong families, truly authentic experiences delivered via the use of Local Guides, transport and accommodation and unbeatable value.
Young clients have three different ways to travel in Asia with Contiki – each suits a variety of travel personalities.
The first is the ‘Discovery Plus’ category made up of two trips ranging between 14 and 25 days. Travellers on this option get to see it all and do it all.
The ‘In-depth Explorer’ will travel from 10 to 13 days and take in the destination’s cultural assets while enjoying local eats or there’s the ‘Easy Pace’ running for nine days and giving guests the chance to explore at a more leisurely place with two to three nights stays.
5. Abacus will henceforth be known as Sabre
Abacus was rebranded to Sabre this week, marking the completion of the company’s acquisition.
Over 100 wholly owned and affiliated offices across the region will now operate as Sabre. Additionally, visitors to Abacus’ website will be redirected to Sabre.com/apac.
“The rebrand recognizes the global potential of Asia Pacific’s evolving travel businesses, especially those focused on the opportunities online.”
Roshan Mendis, Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific Senior Vice President
6. Virgin’s boot scootin’ services
Country music fans will have more flight options for next year’s Toyota Country Music Festival.
Virgin Australia has added six flights to the existing schedule between Sydney and Tamworth during peak travel periods for festival-goers. There’s also a six special services between Brisbane and Tamworth.
Country musician Troy Cassar-Daley welcomed the additional Virgin Australia flights during the Country Musical Festival.
The extra services are now on sale.
Click here for more information on Virgin Australia’s racy service for Melbourne Cup.
7. JC Holidays found a new way to help agents sell
Middle East specialist, JC Holidays, says it has found a new way to help agents make more sales via its recently relaunched website.
While most agent websites have similar features (a filter system, a variety of hotels, transfers, tours, packages, features etc.), JC Holidays says its revamped site goes one-step further with an additional selection of tailored products as well as agent-friendly features and tools to enhance sales, productivity and incentives.
Among the agent-friendly features include the option to choose between net rates or control the mark-up percentage; and an instant quote comparison for different products that can be emailed to consumers or printed.
8. INCENTIVE: Win an Apple Watch
Hurtigruten is giving travel agents the chance to win an Apple Watch when they make and deposit any two new 2016/17 Classic Norway Coastal Round Voyage or Explorer Voyage bookings with Discover the World.
The offer is valid on new bookings made between 2 November and 11 December 2015.
An Apple Watch will be drawn every fortnight over the six weeks, giving agents three chances to win.
New bookings are accumulative throughout the incentive period, so once agents have achieved two deposited bookings, they’ll be entered into that fortnights Apple Watch draw.
For every valid two bookings you make and deposit, you’ll receive an entry into the draw.
Click here for more information.
9. Fly to Hong Kong from $648*
One day after revealing a major aircraft makeover, Cathay Pacific has unveiled an airfares sale on flights from Perth to more than 70 destinations.
Asia is on sale in all three classes on Cathay Pacific – Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class with Economy Class return fares in low season starting from just $648* to Hong Kong, $632* to Shanghai or Beijing and $746* to Tokyo.
Other destinations on offer throughout Asia and China include Phuket, Bangkok and Koh Samui in Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and DaNang in Vietnam; and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia.
The special fares are for travel between 11 January 2016 and 31 August 2016 and are on sale from now until 15 November 2015.
Click here for more information on Cathay’s recent rebrand.
10. Magellan get their zen-on
Magellan Travel Group hosted its Annual Award Winners on a luxury trip to Bali sponsored by Garuda Indonesia and Garuda Orient Holidays.
Leisure Consultant of the Year, Diane Rawlings of where2travel in Victoria, Corporate Consultant of the Year, Belinda Ward of Spencer Travel in NSW and Rookie of the Year, Brooke Crees of Champagne Travel in WA joined Magellan CEO, Andrew Macfarlane, Ian Murton of Garuda Indonesia and Tim Hoevenagel of Garuda Orient Holidays for five days of luxury accommodation, fine dining and activities including yoga, rice planting, and spa treatments in Ubud and Seminyak, Bali
The Awards Trip started with a two-night stay at the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Mandapa in Ubud, Bali a ground breaking new resort that offers unparalleled luxury combined with the experience of a Balinese village complete with its own rice paddies and temple.
The Group then moved to Seminyak for two nights staying at The Oberoi and enjoying the dining, shopping and night life of the area.