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. Megan Gale – the face of New Zealand tourism
The competition between Australia and New Zealand is heating up, and they’re dragging celebrities into the battle to attract more visitors.
Australia may have Chris Hemsworth promoting the country’s wonders, but New Zealand just nabbed the stunning model, TV personality and actress, Megan Gale, as it’s very own gorgeous ambassador.
Did we say gorgeous? Because she is – have you seen her eyes in real life?
2. Aussies get more free time in China
Australian holidaymakers travelling to Europe or Canada via China are now be able to spend more time in the Asian country visa-free before continuing on to their final destination.
Hoping to build on China’s appeal as a stopover destination, the Chinese government has extended its visa-free period for select countries from 72 hours to 144. Australians were among the nationalities to receive the extension – allowing us to get a taste of the destination for up to six days before flying onwards.
The extension has been in the works since July last year, when Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration’s Vice Chairman, Connie Cheng, told KarryOn, that the city was keen to let Australians visit for longer periods of time on a stopover without having to apply and pay for a visa.
3. Is this the end of hotel check-in?
The way we book hotels and the ‘keys’ we use to enter our rooms aren’t the only things changing in the world of hospitality, get ready for a makeover of the check-in process.
Over recent years, technology has played a huge role in the way hotels book, manage and accommodate guests. From robot butlers to mobile keys and even the way you order your room service – it’s an ever evolving world.
And just when you thought they’d delivered everything tech could offer, the industry unveiled this latest development.
4. Apply for a scholarship and get ahead in your career
Be the best you can be by learning from the best as part of the industry’s mentee/mentor program, Time Industry Mentor Experience (TIME).
Applications for interested individuals are now open, inviting anyone in the travel sector to build their career and expand their knowledge with advice and guidance from other successful industry professionals.
For a limited time, individuals can also apply to take advantage of a scholarship contribution to the cost of the Program. The recipient of the scholarship will be part of Program 22 which commences 27 April 2016.
5. Anthem gets caught up in rough Seas
The chairs may have fallen but the alcohol survived! Image: @flatgreg/Twitter
A few chairs may have been out of place and the roof may have struggled to stay up on some parts of the ship, but passengers were in good spirits when the shaken Anthem of the Seas finally docked in Florida this week.
The vessel and her 4,529 passengers were caught up in an unexpected winter storm, dubbed the Winter Storm Mars, as she passed through the Carolinas on a recent cruise.
Winds of 100 mph and waves of at least 30 feet tossed Royal Caribbean’s ship about between Florida and the Bahamas, forcing her to detour off-course and dock at Port Canaveral on Monday instead of venturing into the Bahamas.
Aside from some minor repairs to public spaces and cabins, Royal Caribbean has assured that there were no serious injuries or damages and that the ship was still safe to cruise.
All passengers on the cruise will receive a full refund as well as a 50 percent discount on a future cruise.
6. CINZ buyer applications open
Hosted buyers will start to receive invitations to register for this year’s Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) held in Auckland on 15 and 16 June.
Applications are now open for the event, which will feature 200 exhibitors from 19 regions of New Zealand.
According to CINZ Chief Executive Sue Sullivan, full hosting includes travel, accommodation and registration plus famil opportunities before the show gets underway.
“These buyers are the people responsible for organising, planning, recommending, researching and influencing decisions about conference destinations and incentive travel, and we want to wow them with what New Zealand has to offer.”
Sue Sullivan, CINZ Chief Executive
Up to 100 hosted buyers from Australia will also have the opportunity to join one of eight regional familiarisation tours around New Zealand the weekend before MEETINGS, and a hosted Auckland familiarisation day experience on 14 June.
Final applications for exhibitor bookings close on 28 March, and hosted buyer applications close on 18 April.
7. Wendy Wu offers free extensions
Wendy Wu Tours is offering a free two-night Cambodia extension for a limited time when booked in conjunction with a wide selection of 2016 Vietnam fully inclusive classic tours.
The offer includes return airfares from Vietnam to Siem Reap, two night’s hotel accommodation with daily breakfast, a half-day Angkor Wat tour with an English-speaking guide, return airport transfers and visa fees for Australian passport holders.
It is valid on a selection of Vietnam classic tours with departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide between June and November and can be taken pre or post the fully inclusive classic Vietnam tour.
Included as part of the promotion is the nine day Vietnam Impressions fully inclusive classic tour that begins in Hanoi and includes an overnight stay on a Junk boat in Halong Bay, two nights in the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Hoi An and a visit to the Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels and Saigon.
8. Princess ships are looking a little different
If you couldn’t tell a Princess Cruises ship apart from its competing brands in the past then you’ll definitely have no trouble in the coming years.
The cruise line today unveiled new, bold and very distinctive livery for all of its ships.
Revealed today on a rendering of Majestic Princess (the first ship built specifically for the China market), the new ship artwork reflects the brand’s blue logo, giving its a “sophisticated look” designed to “reinforce the premium experience”.
9. Meet Scenic’s first Eclipse guests
Some might smile and think “one day that’ll be me”, while other (*cough* me) look at them and think “you lucky b@st@ards”.
This lovely couple pictured above with two travel agents – Michelle Fitzgibbon and Kelly Carr from Worldwide Destinations in Canberra – were the first guests to book on Scenic’s forthcoming $230 million ultra-luxury yacht, Scenic Eclipse.
Clive and Sandy Webster secured a room on the 6-star ship’s Istanbul to Venice voyage departing on 31 August 2018. #SoHappyForYou #ButAlsoJealous
10. Sydney never looked so good 😉
Jarryd Hayne brought a little footy to Sydney’s popular tourist spots this week to celebrate 200 days until the College Football Sydney Cup arrives in the city.
The San Francisco 49ers player was joined by The Hon. Stuart Ayres, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, and Minister for Sport to launch the countdown.
Also gathering for the special photo opp at Bradfield Park was University of Hawaii football commit Max Hendrie and the NSWPS Millennium Marching Band.
The big College Football match will take place on 27 August this year at the ANZ Stadium.
