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. helloworld on track for a profitable year
Helloworld says it’s profits for the 2014/15 financial year are on track to sit within the range of the previously stated market guidance.
Unaudited trading results for the year ending 30 June 2015 show the travel agent company’s Adjusted EBITDAI to be in the range of $27 million to $28 million.
This figure will deliver an Adjusted Profit Before Tax of approximately $7 million – a result which is in line with the market guidance.
2. This cruise line is finally coming to Australia
Increased marketing activity and conference appearances in Australia has all lead to this moment – the moment Norwegian Cruise Lines announced it will send a ship to the country.
KarryOn suspected the line was planning something big back in February when current COO, Andy Stuart, talked to agents about the line’s history and current fleet at Cruise3sixty.
Our hunch grew last month, when NCL announced it was establishing its first local office and even appointed industry veteran, Steve Odell to Senior Vice President and Managing Director Australiasia.
3. Flight Centre CFO shifts to a senior role
Flight Centre’s current Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Andrew Flannery has received a promotion to a senior leadership role within the company.
The announcement comes seven years after Flannery was appointed CFO, and will see him take on the title of Executive General Manager of Flight Centre’s Australian corporate travel business. This includes overseeing the FCm Travel Solutions, Corporate Traveller, Stage & Screen, cievents, Campus Travel and 4th Dimension brands.
According to Flight Centre, these brands generate 30 percent of the company’s total transaction value in Australia, making it the company’s second largest operation globally behind the Australian leisure business.
4. Check out Australia’s newest luxury hotel brand
It’s been a busy two weeks for Australia’s hotel sector with Oaks entering the NT, work commencing on Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Carlson Rezidor opening more rooms and now a new brand.
Luxury hotel group, COMO Hotels and Resorts will make Australia its 13th location across the globe with its first property opening in Perth on 15 October this year.
COMO The Treasury will be located in central Perth where it will tap into the city’s growing business hub.
5. Virgin gets more visual with Travelport
Virgin Australia has signed a new long-term agreement with Travelport to distribute its fares and products through the GDS’ Rich Content and Branding solution.
Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding solution enables Virgin Australia to communicate the features of its new and older products as well as services to all Travelport-connected agencies globally using both text and graphics.
Virgin Australia Chief Commercial Officer Judith Crompton said the solution enables the airline to share intimate details of its aircraft and ancillaries with travel agents straight to their desktop.
6. Etihad’s hat trick
Etihad Airways has won three accolades at the Australian Business Traveller Awards including the title of the Best Airline, Best First Class and Best Arrivals Lounge.
The awards were determined by a team of writers from the Australian Business Traveller. Winners were determined based on feedback from frequent flyers and first-hand reviews by the publication’s editorial team.
Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner said the awards reflected the airline’s commitment to delivering a remarkable experience for its guests.
“To be named the best in the sky by Australian Business Traveller is a strong vote of confidence in our innovation strategy and guest experience.”
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad CCO
Congratulations Etihad!
7. It’s going to be HUGE
Thousands of rail professionals and leaders from government, engineering, manufacturing and operations will gather in Melbourne in November for the largest rail event in Australasia.
AusRAIL PLUS 2015 will be held over three days from 24 November at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre to present everything rail.
The agenda features around 120 senior level speakers and latest innovations from over 450 exhibitors.
According to Australasian Railway Association Interim Chairman, Bob Herbert, the event provides a platform for stakeholders to engage, discuss and contribute to the establishment ‘of a cohesive long-term infrastructure pipeline for rail’.
Attendance at AusRAIL PLUS Melbourne exhibition is free and open to any business and professional with a rail interest.
8. South African Tourism gets a new rep
South African Tourism has appointed FCB South Africa to handle its marketing, media buying, planning and coordination services globally for three years.
Effective 1 October this year, the contract is extendable for a further two years at the sole discretion of South African Tourism.
Thulani Nzima, SA Tourism’s Chief Executive Officer said to have FCB South Africa come on board will help the bureau align its international and domestic marketing strategies with the South African Tourism brand.
“We are operating in a very competitive environment that requires a well-defined brand that has global appeal and affinity, is consistently and seamlessly communicated and marketed, and has the impetus to attract tourists to our beautiful country.”
Thulani Nzima, South Africa Tourism CEO
9. Focus on sales is making more… sales
Tourism to the City of Beverly Hills has welcomed a record number of visitors over the 2014/15 financial year and it’s all due to an increased focus on selling the destination.
The local government said the increase of 30 percent in international visitors and 60 percent in domestic arrivals was due to intensive sales and marketing initiatives throughout the year.
This ranged from international and domestic travel tradeshows and sales missions, the creation of compelling online content, interactive social media engagement, strategic media relations and PR efforts across the globe.
Despite the increase, Beverly Hills convention bureau’s CEO Julie Wagner said the group will continue to be ‘proactive’ in increasing brand awareness to maintain the momentum for the destination.
“We’ve also created a three-year strategic plan for our organization that helps ensure we are constantly bringing fresh and innovative ideas to marketing Beverly Hills, bringing even more tourism and revenue to the city.”
Julie Wagner, BHCVB CEO
10. Friendly Vanuatu gets some agent lovin’
Australian agents are seeing first-hand that the storm in Vanuatu has well and truly passed.
In a bid to remind travellers that the island nation is open for travellers, the tourism bureau has invited groups of agents to see the destination’s recovery four months after it was hit by category five Cyclone Pam.
In June, consultants from Flight Centre made the quick three and a half-hour flight to Vanuatu to see the fully operational hotels. This was followed by an exclusive famil invitation to ten Travel Counsellors.
