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. 10 tourists dead in Turkey blast
At least 10 tourists have been killed and 15 others injured in a suicide bombing at a major attraction in Istanbul, Turkey.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed the explosion this morning, saying officials have determined that all those killed in Sultanahmet square were foreigners – nine coming from Germany.
The PM identified the bomber as Nabeel Fadel, a Saudi-born man who was not listed on Turkey’s security watch list, Al Jazeera reported.
2. Five Australian tourists dead in a car crash
Five members of an Australian family were killed in a car accident while holidaying in India.
Rupendra and Anamika Datta were travelling with their two daughters, 17-year-old son and Anamik’s sister and father to the Taj Mahal on Sunday when the accident occurred.
According to reports, the tyre on the family’s car burst and sent them into a safety barrier before it flipped onto its roof and landed into of oncoming traffic.
Ms Datta, her daughters and sister died at the scene. Her 17-year-old son, Digvijoy, died in hospital.
Mr Datta and his father-in-law were the only two to survive and are being treated. A close friend of the family, Raja Chaudhuri, said Mr Datta may have been paralysed from the ‘waist down’, ABC News reported.
3. How did Australia attract a million Chinese tourists?
They’re officially the country’s most valuable tourism market, with over one million annual Chinese visitors arriving in Australia last year.
According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia managed to hit the big one million mark in less than 15 years, with Chinese arrivals skyrocketing from a mere 100,000 back in the year 2000 to what it is today.
That’s a pretty impressive growth. But how did Australia do it?
4. AirAsia X confirms new Auckland service
Now that AirAsia X has pretty much conquered Australia with flights to most of the main cities, the carrier is looking to takeover New Zealand.
AirAsia X confirmed it will launch daily flights from Kuala Lumpur-Gold Coast-Auckland on 22 March this year to connect Kiwis to the airline’s wide network.
Bookings for the new route go on sale on 13 January, with a special AU$119 one-way to Auckland fare for the travel period from 22 March 2016 to 5 February 2017.
5. Students Flights travels with Livn Holidays
A group of 100 Student Flights team leaders and head office staff will be treated to a range of Livn Holidays experiences during their upcoming four-day conference in Cairns.
Between presentations and motivational speeches, Student Flights’ employees will be able to take part in series of activities, including AJ Hackett, Down Under Cruise and Dive and Raging Thunder Adventures.
Livn Group Chief Executive, Sean Cummins, said hosting the Student Flights team offers the chance to showcase the company’s products in the growing destination.
“To combine one of our biggest destinations with Australia’s largest youth travel agency group is a win-win for all parties involved.”
Sean Cummins, Livn Group Chief Executive
6. Australia rules out MH370 pilot suicide theory
It’s fast approaching the two year anniversary of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which mysteriously disappeared on 8 March 2014.
The Boeing 777-200ER was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members when it lost contact with ground control during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Little is known about the aircraft’s last final moments, except that according to a Malaysian military radar, it appeared to have steered off path and travelled over the Malay Peninsula and over the Andaman Sea.
7. TTC: We’re committed to agents
If a $1,000,000 cash incentive wasn’t enough to prove The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) commitment to agents, then maybe this proclamation will.
The travel company has come out in a statement and made a commitment to the travel industry in 2016 through new rewards and increased incentive schemes.
Increased incentives… we’re liking the sound of that.
8. Exhibitors get a Suite of options at Luxperience
Image: Oneill Photographics.
Travel companies planning to exhibit at this year’s Luxperience event can choose to go bigger in new ‘Deluxe Suites’.
New in 2016, the space allows exhibitors to meet with attendees in a larger environment of up to six square metres.
It also gives them the chance to further decorate their booth and make it stand out from the rest.
The introductory price for the Deluxe Suite is AU$8,670.
Luxperience, happening in Sydney 18-21 September, is an invitation-only event dedicated to the high-end inspirational travel and events sector and the only such event in the southern hemisphere.
9. Infinity adds tours in the Gold Coast
Infinity Holidays’ released its new 2016/17 Gold Coast brochure today, featuring new tours and properties.
Hitting agents’ shelves from today, the program includes new trips to Aqua Duck Land & Water Cruise; a jet ski tour; and Tangalooma Wrecks, dolphin and snorkel cruise.
Your clients can also book to stay at the new property, Elements of Byron Resort and Spa, which is scheduled to open this month.
Click here to check out the brochure online.
10. AGENTS RATES on Croatian cruises
Ever wanted to sail around the Dalmatia Islands of Croatia?
Now is your chance to do it and save a little with Beyond Travel’s agents rates.
The eight-day ‘Adriatic Classic’ cruise is available as a Dubrovnik roundtrip or Dubrovnik to Zadar or reserve and is now available for agents from only $750 plus taxes of $140, normally priced up to $2890 per person. Bring a companion along for only $895 plus taxes.
The trip takes cruisers to the more popular Dalmatian Islands including Mljet, Pucisca, Omis, Split, Brac, Hvar, Korcula.
The offer is only valid on select departures in May and June this year and must be booked by 29 January.
For more information email: sales@beyondtravel.com.au.
