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. TTC names first two winning agents of $1m giveaway
Is he actually handing her a $10,000 cheque? Hold on a second while we quickly exchange lives with this lucky travel agent who was one of the first winners in The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) million dollar incentive.
Angela Haley of Student Flights Hobart [pictured above] along with Caroline Daley of STA Travel Indooroopilly were handed these incredibly generous and giant cheques just before the Christmas break after being named the first two winners of The Great $1,00,000 cash giveaway.
In case it slipped your mind (how could it?), TTC is in the midst of the largest incentive, giving agents the chance to grab a share of a prize pool of ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
2. Is Taylor Swift Air NZ’s safety inspiration?
Air New Zealand seems to be cooking up some new ideas and seeking out new ways to build on its reputation as the airline with the most creative and hilarious safety videos.
In case you’ve forgotten, Air New Zealand has a history of successfully merging safety videos with pop culture to ensure its guests are attentive during the important demonstration while also building brand awareness in new destinations.
So far, the company has teamed up with legends such as Richard Simmons and Betty White and sported Elvine ears for the Lord and the Rings and The Hobbit-inspired videos.
3. Aussies get visa-free entry to Brazil
It’s true, Australians were added to a list of nationalities who won’t need a visa to enter Brazil during the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The announcement was made yesterday by the country’s President who confirmed the exemption would start from 1 June to 18 September and will last for 90 days per visa.
Australians were added to the list because we reportedly offer no migration risks or pose no threats to national security.
Other citizens selected to receive visa-free entry during the period include those from Canada, Japan and the US.
The Rio 2016 Olympic Games comment on 5-21 August and will be followed by the Paralympic Games from 7-18 September.
4. Travellers have more influence in the sky than they realise
It may seem like airlines are driving the future of aviation but customers are actually the ones in the pilot’s seat, according Qatar Airways’ Adam Radwanski.
The carrier’s Country Manager for Australasia told KarryOn that power in the industry has shifted drastically over the last eight years in response to increased competition from new airlines and budget carriers.
Additional air options forced the industry to change from its once airline-centric environment, where travellers didn’t have any control, to customer-centric, which is driven by customers and their wants.
5. Five new updates to the Eurail Passes
A new year brings about changes and for Rail Europe GSAs this means five new updates and improvements to the Eurail Pass range.
Effective immediately, agents can offer their clients booking 11 months in advance – almost double the previous six months.
The three-country Select Pass is back, while the Eurail Global Pass includes three new validities such as five and seven days in one month or a 22 month continuous pass.
Passes themselves are now clearly named to avoid any potential confusion and Scandinavian countries will have a dedicated country pass, allowing travellers to visit Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland on one ticket.
Agents are reminded that Rail Europe tickets are distributed by Rail Plus, Rail Tickets, CIT Holidays and Infinity Rail in Australia, and Rail Plus and Go Holidays in New Zealand.
6. Lindblad gives a little more love to the Galapagos
Lindblad is upgrading its presence in the Galapagos with the purchase of a new ship to sail solely around the islands.
The company this week purchased the 50-guest Via Australis for some $18 million to replace National Geographic Endeavour, which is currently being used in the region.
Scheduled for delivery during the second quarter this year, the ship will undergo a $10 million refurbishment before setting sail under a new National Geographic name.
Lindblad’s CEO, Sven Lindblad, said the vessel will help take Galapagos expeditions into the future as well as provide “increased profitability on the same route through more operating days, revenue enhancement opportunities, operating efficiencies and cost savings compared to the National Geographic Endeavour”.
7. Emirates’ New Years offer
Emirates has kick started the year by launching special fares in Economy and Business Class across the airline’s network, including Australian travel hot spots in Europe, Asia and New Zealand.
Economy Class return fares from Australia begin at $399 to New Zealand, $699 to Asia, $1,519 to Europe and $1,729 to the United Kingdom.
Business Class return fares from Australia start at $1,279 to New Zealand, $2,999 to Asia, $7,659 to Europe and $8,039 to the United Kingdom.
Bookings to all destinations across Emirates’ network should be made before 18 January 2016, for travel until 30 November 2016.
Click here for Emirates news.
8. Aussies want more of Hawaii’s ‘Aloha spirit’
Aussie visitors have contributed heavily to Hawaii’s record tourism numbers in November last year – the ninth consecutive record month for the destination, according to latest figures.
Statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) revealed total visitor arrivals to the Hawaiian Islands jumped 3.7 percent to 661,352 in the second last month of 2015 compared to the same period 2014.
It marked the ninth straight month total visitor arrivals surpassed previous monthly records and brought visitor numbers for the first 11 months of 2015 to 7.8 million, up 4.2 percent on the same period the prior year.
9. Scenic extends 2016 Africa earlybirds
Clients considering a trip to Africa will love this.
Scenic has extended its Africa 2016 Earlybirds until 31 January 2016 giving guests an extra four weeks to secure their preferred 2016 tour to Africa at the best price.
The tour company is offering a number of Earlybird offers including partner fly free to Africa including taxes which equates to a saving of up to $2,000 per couple. Plus there are savings of up to $1,500 per couple on journeys of 12 days or longer.
10. Six-year-old listed as ‘travel risk’
@AirCanada Why is our (Canadian born) 6 year old on DHP no fly list? He must clear security each time. He is 6. 🙂 pic.twitter.com/WPZJIeWL4S
— Sulemaan Ahmed (@sulemaan) December 31, 2015
“Why is our six-year-old son on DHP no fly list?”
A question you’re unlikely to hear a parent ask, because why would an infant’s name appear on a travel security risk list?
Well, apparently that’s the case for little Syed Adam Ahmed and his father, who says the boy has been ‘deemed high profile’ and needs to clear security every time he travels.
“Why is our (Canadian born) six-year-old on DHP no fly list? He must clear security each time. He is 6,” the father wrote on social media after the boy was stopped on a recent flight out of Boston.
After seeing the tweet, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said he is currently reviewing the Syed’s case and will update the family once he has all the details.
