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. Royal Caribbean’s advanced res system goes live
Wake up and smell easier cruise bookings, with Royal Caribbean’s new reservation system, which launched today.
Dubbed by the cruise line as the industry’s most advanced, ESPRESSO includes content from Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.
Powered by CruisingPower.com, it will replace the current system under CruiseMatch, which will be discontinued on 30 June 2015.
2. US ski resort purchases Australia’s Perisher
Owners of US-based Vail Resort have spent $176.6 million to purchase Australia’s largest and most visited ski resort, Perisher.
The acquisition from current entities that operate the resort – Murray Publishers and Transfield Corporate Pty Ltd – is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of this year.
Taking 100 percent stake in the resort, Vail will own Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega. It will also control the ski school, lodging, food, beverage, retail rental and transportation operations.
3. Tell this airline where to go
Australian travellers, particularly those from regional towns, finally have the opportunity to ask an airline to fly to their part of town.
Rex’s Manager of Network Strategy and Sales, Warrick Lodge, invited communities from North Queensland to contact the airline if they think it should fly there.
Why?
4. Melb agency rebrands after 22 years
Travel colleagues, clients, team members and even government officials were on hand last night to celebrate the rebranding of Jetset Travel Rowville after 22 years.
Celebrations were held at the office last night as the agency was officially relaunched to helloworld Rowville.
In addition to industry friends, VIP guests also attended, including Julie Primmer – helloworld head of Branded networks, Alan Tudge – Federal Member for Aston & Parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister, Kim Wells – State Member for Rowville and Nick Wakeling – State Member for Ferntree Gully.
5. Last spots: Intrepid’s ANZAC trip
Intrepid Travel says its two-day ANZAC Day Dawn Service Centenary trip has been popular amongst Dawn Service ballot holders.
The tour operator initially opened with one departure in a single coach of 48 passengers.
Now, the company has some 13 coaches with over 650 passengers booked to partake in the trip.
“Due to the popularity of the programme, we decided to open up departure after departure – scheduling more coaches and ensuring capacity at the ceremonial area near ANZAC Cove.”
James Thornton, Intrepid Travel Managing Director
According to the company, there’s still a few spots left for last minute bookers.
It departs from Istanbul for Gallipoli on 24 April and includes a night out under the stars as the ANZACs did 100 years ago; a branded ‘Diggers at Dawn’ fleece; and a unique lunch to eat on the go with local delights.
6. Virgin Australia arrives in the Red Centre
Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft touched down in Alice Springs, marking the start of a new Adelaide-Springs-Darwin service.
Flights on the aircraft will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, offering 1,000 seats per week.
NT Chief Minister, Adam Giles said the new service adds competition on the route and will put pressure to reduce ticket prices.
7. World Journey’s Marigold tour
World Journeys is accommodating fans of the popular film ‘Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, with a new tour drawing on experiences from the movie.
Guests stay in Heritage Hotels dating back to 17th century, take on board authentic modes of travel, learn how to cook Indian meals, explore the heritage of Rajasthan, visit local villages and shop at bazaars.
The tour also includes two nights in the actual Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (Ravla Khempur in Khempur) where guests will have dinner with the hotel owner.
Additionally, there’s night at the cinema for a Bollywood movie plus a bullcock cart ride and scarves and bindis on arrival.
Itineraries run for 11 nights and depart in September this year as well as April and September next year.
8. Alchemy & cocktails – the Carnival Cruise cure
If spirits, bitters and a little bit of ginger are the cure, then diagnose me sick and serve me up some Carnival Cruise Line medicine.
The cruise line has examined Aussie interests and found the remedy to our desire for more onboard features is a new bar.
Already injected on a number of Carnival cruise ships including Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Pride – the bar recoginsed as ‘The Alchemy’ is being absorbed on Carnival Spirit, making her the first ship to bring the venue to Australia.
9. SAA, Etihad launch codeshare
Etihad and South African Airways (SAA) launched a codeshare agreement this week, which will see the two airlines share double daily flights between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi.
South African Airways has placed its code on Etihad’s daily flights between the two destinations and Etihad placed its code on South African Airways’ brand new daily operations.
In addition, the partnership will give South African Airways travellers access to up to 35 new codeshare destination, with connections through Etihad Airways.
Etihad’s guests will benefit from enhanced access to Africa on South African Airways’ new service from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg, and subject to outstanding regulatory approval, onwards to 17 codeshare destinations across South African Airways’ network in Africa.
“The introduction of an SAA frequency between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi through our codeshare and extended relationship with Etihad Airways will not only benefit passengers in terms of greater connectivity, particularly in the South East Asia region, but also provide Etihad Airways’ guests with greater access to the African continent through our extensive African network.”
Nico Bezuidenhout, South African Airways Acting Chief Executive Officer
The new daily South African Airways service is operated by a two-cabin Airbus A330-200 aircraft, configured to carry 36 passengers in Business Class and 186 in Economy Class.
The aircraft will arrive into the Abu Dhabi at 10.00pm, with the return flight departing for South Africa at 11.30pm.
10. Agents stay connected in Dubai
Concorde Agency Network members and helloworld Affiliate members “Stay Connected” recently in Dubai.
The famil was organised by sponsorship from Qantas Holidays, Cash Passport, Emirates and Dubai Tourism.
The group were thoroughly spoilt by the Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, while discussing the exciting direction for members, learning about the new systems and processes and networking with fellow members.
Need to Know Extra: Watch out: Art Series staff get revenge on bad guests
Hotel staff put up with customer critic all the time, but now one hotel is allowing its staff to rate their guests and reward them accordingly.
Art Series Hotel in Melbourne will run a new program called ‘Reverse Reviews’ that sees concierges, cleaning staff and more review guests based on their behaviour and demeanor.
Commencing from 17 April to 31 March, staff will rank travellers using a point system and publish results online.
Top scoring guests will be rewarded with complimentary stays, upgrades, food and drink.
‘Reverse Reviews’ comes after Galaxy Research commissioned by Art Series Hotel Group found women are ‘slightly better behaved’ than men when staying at a hotel.
It also revealed the wealthier you are the more likely you are to be rude to hotel staff.
