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. Malaysia’s PM has hope MH370 will be found
Malaysia’s Prime Minister is still holding out hope that the missing MH370 and its 239 passengers will be found before the approaching deadline to cease searching.
Najib Razak’s statement comes two years or 730 days after the Boeing lost contact with ground control, taking with its hundreds of guests from Malaysia, China and Australia.
Since its disappearance, only one piece of the aircraft has been located off the coast of Reunion Island and one other object is currently being examined for any connection to the missing plane.
2. Dalton appointed as MD of Uniworld
The Travel Corporation (TTC) has announced the appointment of Fiona Dalton to the role of Managing Director, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Australia, effective early May.
Boasting a wealth of commercial expertise achieved across various travel industry roles, Dalton will join the river cruise line from her leadership position with helloworld, where her most recent remit as GM Sales comprised responsibility for a multitude of brands, including The Cruise Team.
3. The secret to Etihad’s success
Ever wondered how the Abu Dhabi-based carrier, Etihad, managed to fly its way out of the UAE desert and right into aviation success?
Well aside from being backed by a wealthy kingdom, Chief Executive, James Hogan, said the carrier’s rise has been driven by partnerships and innovation.
Over the past few years, the airline has invested in outside airlines through minority equality stakes including Alitalia, Air Serbia, Jet Airways and even Virgin Australia.
4. Tourism bureau show off ‘virtual Australia’
International holidaymakers wanting to get to know Australia a little better can get a virtual taste of the destination thanks to Tourism Australia.
The tourism bureau has uploaded a range of VR and 360 degree videos on Youtube as part of its new campaign.
According to Tourism Australia Managing Director, John O’Sullivan, although people are aware of Australia’s natural beauty, they don’t completely appreciate the breadth or quality of our aquatic and coastal experiences. Virtual reality hopes to change that.
“They’ve always been an important part of our destination story but they’ve never before taken centre stage,” he said.
The campaign sits alongside and complements the existing Tourism Australia marketing activities.
5. APT & Travelmarvel inventory goes live
Good news travel agents! APT and Travelmarvel are rolling out a new partnership with Traveltek that will make its inventory available to consultants in real-time.
The two river cruise lines have added their cruise programs to the booking facility for agents in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
This means, you’ll be able to book your clients in the stateroom they desire and receive instant confirmation of its availability. Additionally, agents will have access to the latest pricing; be able to package the inventory with ancillary services; and securing sales on the spot.
6. Women in Tourism luncheon
The ladies of the industry will gather today on International Women’s Day for the first Women in Tourism lunch of 2016.
Around 100 people are expected to attend the event being held at the Doltone House in Sydney.
During the three hour meal, inspirational women will share their success tips. Check KarryOn tomorrow for more on the event.
7. INDUSTRY RATES in Bali
Two resorts in Bali, Alam Anda Ocean Front Resort and Spa and Siddhartha Ocean Front Resort & Spa, are inviting Australian and New Zealand travel agents to experience the property by booking new industry rates starting from AU$72 (NZ$79) per night.
Located just 30 minutes away from each other, the properties are both boutique in size and accommodation is in single-storey bungalows and villas. Alam Anda offers more traditional, Balinese-style accommodation, whereas Siddhartha provides a more contemporary feel without forgetting its Balinese roots.
Both properties boast an impressive and unique resort offering that includes a fantastic spa, wellness and relaxation area, cooking classes combined with visits to the local market, yoga classes and an exceptional Dive Centre.
Complete with restaurants serving traditional Balinese meals, pools in both resorts and a stretch of what is one of the most quiet beaches in Bali, there is really no need to leave the resort.
8. Captain Cook delivers supplies to Fiji
Captain Cook Cruises MV Reef Endeavour departed Denarau this week on its scheduled eleven nights Lau Islands Cruise packed with food, clothing and basic supplies that will be delivered straight to the Lau Islands after the Islands and their villages were destroyed in the recent category 5 cyclone that hit Fiji.
Immediately following Cyclone Winston, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, whose operations were unaffected by the storm, partnered with Rotary Club Fiji, the charity Sea Mercy and The Rotary Club of Sydney Cove.
Rotary Club Fiji and Sea Mercy have supplied all the goods being transported directly to the Lau Islands on the cruise ship, MV Reef Endeavour.
The Rotary Club of Sydney Cove is collecting cash donations in Australia on Captain Cook Cruises Fiji’s behalf. Funds raised will go to Rotary Club Fiji so they can continue to purchase the much needed supplies and Captain Cook Cruises Fiji can deliver them straight to the Lau and Yasawa Islands on their weekly three, four, seven and eleven night cruises.
According to Jackie Charlton, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, Australian Managing Director, “as you may be aware, a Tropical Cyclone of quite strong intensity affected the Fiji Islands last week and although most Fijian resorts are now up and running and our cruise operations were unaffected, the storm did have a big effect in the beautiful remote islands of Fiji that we visit, including The Lau Group and Yasawa Islands”.
9. P&O’s Cellars a hit with guests
P&O Cruises is toasting the success of its new Cellar Door at sea, which has proved a winner with guests since it was unveiled onboard the cruise line’s latest ships, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden.
The Cellar Door at sea concept – an Australian first – has been developed in partnership with boutique Hunter Valley winery Glandore Estate Wines to provide P&O’s guests, and lovers of fine wine, with structured wine tastings in a comfortable and cosy setting.
Located near the ships’ central atrium, The Cellar Door showcases 12 New South Wales Glandore wines across two tasting menus.
Wine tastings are conducted using tablets which feature video tasting notes about each wine, as well an overview about Glandore Estate, while members of the Glandore team also host master classes and seminars at sea on select cruises.
P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell said the cruise line’s food and wine cruises had proved popular with Australian travellers and the Cellar Door was a natural evolution of that product.
10. Happy International Women’s Day!
While the bigger tourism businesses are run by men, the travel industry is ultimately a woman’s world.
You can’t deny that the ladies tend to dominate at industry events and on travel agency conferences.
But let’s be honest, even out of the agencies women dominate the travel show as the holiday decision makers in the household – #GirlPower!
Click here for more on the female role in the travel industry.
