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Tues 8 Sep: 10 travel news stories you need to know today

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.

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. Qantas’ Hug(h)e new Global Ambassador

Hugh Jackman 2

Etihad Airways has Nicole Kidman, British Airways has Orlando Bloom, Emirates MAY have Jennifer Aniston and now Qantas has Wolverine aka Hugh Jackman.

The role of Celebrity Ambassador is really taking off in the aviation world, with Qantas being the latest airline to sign up a new big name to promote its products and services to a worldwide audience.

To be fair, Qantas has a strong history of teaming up with celebrities such as its annual participation in the G’Day USA awards night that attracts dozens of famous faces and there’s also John Travolta who was practically the face of Qantas for years. The airline even had Megan Gale attend the opening of its new Business Lounge at Perth Airport last month.

Read on

 

2. New dimensions to Luxperience

hero

Luxperience opened its doors to the anticipated 2015 luxury trade show where exhibitors and buyers gathered at the Australian Technology Park for the first day of appointments.

More than 30,000 meetings are set to take place over the three and half day event for luxury and high-end experiential travel specialists and suppliers from around the world.

Helen Logas, the Founder of Luxperience was excited to announce that this year’s trade show is adding another dimension to the event introducing Events by Luxperience, a tailored program for MICE buyers and suppliers attending Luxperience.

Read on

 

3. Brisbane Airport trials self-serve boarding gates

boarding pass

Travellers passing through Brisbane Airport will feel a little more independent as the gateway trials new self-serve boarding gates.

The trial with Virgin Australia and SITA allows flyers to scan their own paperwork or electronic boarding passes themselves rather than having airline staff inspect it before boarding the flight. Once the pass is scanned and approved, the gate will open and travellers can pass through.

The four-week trial started this week at Gate 38, according to ABT.

A SITA spokesperson said using self-boarding gates will reduce wait time for passengers boarding their flights.

 

4. Aussies crossing the Tasman for MICE

travel news New Zealand

New research shows more Australian business event travellers are crossing the ditch to New Zealand for business-related events.

According to figures released by Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) Australians account for 65 percent of international business event arrivals in New Zealand.

There was a 20.9 percent increase in Aussie MICE arrivals for the month of July this year, with 3,792 delegates crossing the Tasman.

For the year to July 2015, 38,944 Australian delegates had experienced New Zealand for a business event, up 10 percent on the previous year.

Sharon Auld, CINZ Australia Manager said the bureau is seeing a lot of passion from Aussie clients for New Zealand destinations, products and activities.

CINZ is planning a new familiarisation programme to allow more Australian decision-makers to experience New Zealand.

 

5. Females take full flight at Fiji Link

Fiji Link ladies

Fiji Airways’ regional subsidiary, Fiji Link, has that ‘girl power’ the Spice Girls preached about in the 90s.

Less than three months after being appointed the first female captain for Fiji Airways’ subsidiary, Fiji Link, Captain Hartlene Yuen will take the lead of the carrier’s first all-female ATR flight deck.

Joined by First Officer Sonam Pratap, the two ladies will take full control of the aircraft as they fly guests around on Fijian routes.

Read on

 

6. INCENTIVE: Win a gift card

travel news Swiss Travel

Rail Plus is giving any travel agent that books a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card or Swiss Transfer Ticket during September a free $20 Coles Group & Myer Gift Card.

The new incentive awards a gift card for each customer. That means, for instance, that a booking containing five passengers will deliver the travel agent $100 worth of free gift cards.

The Swiss Travel Pass gives holders access to 26,000 kilometres of train, (postal) bus or boat routes throughout Switzerland, along with free entry to selected museums. The Swiss Transfer Ticket offers return transfers between any Swiss airport or border town and any single destination in Switzerland, while the Swiss Half Fare Card entitles travellers to an unlimited number of tickets on most trains, buses, and boats at a 50 percent reduced rate.

Rail Plus’ exclusive incentive is available for bookings made between 1 September and 30 September 2015. All bookings must be paid in full by 2.00pm 30 September. Offer excludes Child passes.

 

7. Earn 16% commission

travel news happy travellers

Freestyle Holidays is giving agents 16 percent commission on all Hawaii land bookings made via the Sales Centre or online at Calypsonet.

The offer is valid on bookings deposited between now and 30 September 2015, for departures from 01 October to 31 December 2015.

Freestyle has put together a range of Hawai’i deals, especially curated for clients who want to get away before Christmas. And to help agents secure a deposit in September, Freestyle Holidays is offering free return transfers and a lei greeting on all stays for five nights or more.

 

8. You’re invited for some food & drinks

Insight_coach

Travel agents are invited for some dinner, drinks and 2016 updates with Insight Vacations and global CEO John Boulding.

Travelling around the country, the event will give agents the chance to learn about the tour operator’s Classic Premium & Luxury Gold European Journeys programme, which has a range of new features.

The event will kick off in Sydney on 8 September followed by Brisbane on 10 September; Adelaide on 14 September; Perth on 15 September; and Melbourne on 17 September.

Click the hyperlinks above for more information and to register.

 

9. Bench International listened to what agents said

Bench International feature

The team over at Bench International has unveiled the new Bench International 2016 Africa brochure featuring changes based on valuable travel agents feedback.

Among those adjustments include new product in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa as well as new properties and itineraries that proved to be popular in 2015.

The company has also unveiled its 2016 brochure holidays in Madagascar, as well as exciting new self-drive holidays in both South Africa and Namibia ensuring that their new brochure has something for everyone.

“We have used this feedback to further improve our brochure.”

Martin Edwards. Bench International General Manager

“From families to honeymooners, ‘budget and basic’ to dramatic luxury, group tours to private tailor-made itineraries – we have thought of everything to ensure that we find the perfect holiday to suit you all!”

Click here to request a brochure.

 

10. Aircraft turns around after pilot falls ill

American Airlines plane

It’s not everyday the man behind the wheel falls ill mid-flight.

A recent American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Baltimore was forced to turn around when the captain said he was too sick to fly, NBC News reported.

Flight 618 made the u-turn with 85 passengers onboard about an hour and a half into the flight.

A spokesperson didn’t reveal the cause of the illness, but said it was severe enough that the co-pilot decided to land the aircraft and takeoff with another Captain.

“The aircraft landed without incident.”

American Airlines spokesperson

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news stories?