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 boss says Jetstar is unfairly judged
Qantas’ boss Alan Joyce has described Jetstar’s bad rep amongst the public as unfair because it stems from the poor perception of low-cost carriers in general.
The statement was made in Auckland this week and comes as the Qantas budget off-shoot continues to expand its regional presence across the Tasman, with recently launched flights to New Plymouth and Palmerston North.
Joyce said negativity around low-cost airlines is “a bit of a thing” and unjust because “all airlines around the world have customer issues”, The New Zealand Herald reported.
2. Find out why Celebrity Cruises is Facebook-ing an Australian senator
What do Celebrity Cruises and independent Australian senator, Nick Xenophon, have in common? Not very much right now, but they could be sharing a logo in the near future.
Most people know that ‘X’ either marks the spot on a treasure map or indicates the approach of a Celebrity Cruises vessel.
Apparently the Australian politician didn’t get the memo – or hasn’t looked at Sydney Harbour this wave season to see those Celebrity Cruises vessels frequenting the OPT with their distinctive ‘X’ marking – because he’s decided to use the letter X as his logo on federal ballot papers.
3. Rocky Mountaineer executes a ‘strong plan’
Rocky Mountaineer’s presence in Australia may be strong but don’t expect to see the company sitting on its hands in the market anytime soon.
The rail operator’s new President, Steve Sammut, told KarryOn that he is on a mission to build business locally after spotting potential for further growth in the market.
He said the team is currently cooking up new and “creative ways” to grow its presence and it all starts with expanding its partnerships with trade – a step he personally kicked off last month when he travelled down under to meet with industry peers.
4. Singapore Airlines adopts next gen. Amadeus tech
Singapore Airlines has signed up for access to Amadeus’ full suite of Revenue Management solutions, which provides the airline with the necessary platform to future-proof its revenue management capabilities.
Under the agreement, the carrier will adopt Amadeus Altéa Network Revenue Management, a next generation O&D based Revenue Management system designed with the future in mind, fully integrated with new merchandising practices such as dynamic pricing, fare families and ancillary sales. Drawing on data from multiple sources, it will provide faster, more accurate and intelligent recommendations on the best price and packaging of airline offers.
Singapore Airlines will also adopt the Amadeus Dynamic Pricing and Amadeus Altéa Group Manager solutions.
5. Rotorua to host tourism activity extravaganza
Rotorua will host TRENZ delegates, including hundreds of the world’s most influential travel and tourism buyers, to an afternoon of activities, ranging from exhilarating mountain biking to a rejuvenating spa.
TRENZ is the $30 billion tourism industry’s premier international trade show.
The 2016 event (10-13 May) is being hosted by Destination Rotorua and will be attended by 350 international tourism and travel buyers and representatives from around 300 of the country’s leading tourism operators.
6. APT launches Canada & Alaska pre-release 2017
APT has released its Canada and Alaska pre-release brochure, giving agents the chance to offer their clients earlybird discounts for 2017.
Available now, the program features a collection of six luxury holidays ranging from 17 to 32 days in length.
Exclusive highlights on offer in Western Canada include a special sail away dinner, drinks included with dinner and guaranteed Verandah Staterooms for guests aboard APT’s Alaskan cruises; and guaranteed Lakeview Rooms at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
APT’s most popular itinerary for this region is the 22-day Rockies Odyssey & Alaska Cruise, taking guests from Victoria to Vancouver and then on to Whistler, Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff.
7. Entries now open for Luxperience Awards
Entries are now open for the Luxperience Awards, which reognise industry excellence in the luxury travel field.
In addition to last year’s nine categories, this year will see the introduction of the Best Suite or Customised Space Award, created to recognise the presentation, effectiveness, creativity and engagement of a suppliers exhibition space during Luxperience 2016.
Winners will be selected by a judging panel made up of: Melinda O’Rourke, Founder and Director of MO Luxury; Susan Borham, Editor-in-Chief of Luxury Travel Magazine; Mark Magennis, Managing Director of Decorative Events and Exhibitions; Emma Scott, Creative Director at Tiny Hunter; Jeremy Francis, Manager, Brand Connections at Virgin Australia; and Michelle Papas, Director of Marketing at Luxperience.
Click here to submit an entry. The deadline for submissions is 25 July 2016.
8. World Cup hero Sonny Bill Williams arrives in Singapore
The All Blacks Sevens touched down in Singapore yesterday, ahead of their game in the Rugby Sevens Singapore.
Around 30 fans waited over five hours for the team to arrive, but particularly to greet World Cup hero Sonny Bill Williams.
Despite the long flight, the rugby player stopped to greet and snap a few pictures with young fans.
9. Your invited to Flicks in the Field
On the 22nd and 23rd of April, A drive-in cinema will be popping up in the Bangalow Showgrounds on the North Coast of NSW near Byron Bay.
The first night will be family night with a screening of Oddball followed by The Castle and the second will be high glamour and high-octane with Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Mad Max Fury Road.
Full details and tickets can be found on Facebook (Flicks in the Field) or click here.
10. Travel Counsellors’ imagination runs wild in Disney World
A lucky group of Travel Counsellor agents were flown to Florida for a famil to experience the timeless magic of Disney World.
Around 20 TC’s and one UK head office BD, from six of our operating countries participated in the famil that saw them spending time inspecting accommodation options and enjoying the wide range of entertainment, shopping and dining experiences on offer.
Staying seven nights in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the group got to experience everything this massive resort is known for.
