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. Qatar Airways expands around Aus
Sydneysiders aren’t the only ones receiving access to the ‘World’s Best Airline‘ next year with Qatar announcing new daily flights to and from South Australia
Beginning in May, the carrier will operate its Airbus A350-900 between Qatar and Adelaide – its fourth route from Australia following Melbourne, Perth and commencing in March next year, Sydney.
Flights will arrive in Adelaide at 4.25pm and depart about 9.00pm.
2. Airbnb to fix ‘misleading pricing practises’
There’ll be no more surprise charges or hidden fees on Airbnb following an ACCC probe into concerns of misleading pricing practises.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that the consumer-to-consumer accommodation site had failed to adequately disclose fees such as mandatory Service Fee and a Cleaning Fee since November 2012.
The fees were required on Search Results pages and Accommodation Listing pages on its website, mobile site and apps accessible in Australia.
3. How booking a cab can get you free Qantas flights
Qantas Frequent Flyer members can now earn points when booking and catching a cab through taxi booking app, goCatch.
Members earn one Qantas Point for every dollar spent on taxi fares over $10.
That’s not all, goCatch customers will enter a competition to win a share of 500k Qantas Points, simply by adding their membership details to their goCatch account. They also need to book and pay for taxi travel over $10 between 9 October and 9 November 2015.
4. Trafalgar chases CostSavers with new brand
Trafalgar has repositioned its programme, CostSaver, as a standalone brand after receiving guest feedback for more great value tours.
Operated by Trafalgar, the new brand launches as a standalone with 34 different tours through Europe and Britain.
What sets it apart from other European tour operators, according to Trafalgar, is that it offers quality tours at prices as low as $129 per day.
5. Complimentary upgrades with British Airways
British Airways is offering its travellers the chance to experience sky-high luxury with a complementary upgrade to First.
The one-way upgrade is available to customers who purchase Club World Business Class tickets by 26 October 2015 from $4,017 from Sydney to Singapore or $8,994 return from Sydney to London.
To receive the free upgrade, passengers need to book the flights between 1 November 2015 and 29 February 2016.
6. INCENTIVE: WIN with Insider Journeys
Insider Journeys is giving agents more reasons to sell itineraries from its 2016 Small Group Journey bookings with an incentive to not only earn a $20 Coles Myer voucher but have the sale count towards their ‘6 for 1’ program tally.
The offer kicks off today and ends on 15 December 2015. It is valid on new bookings on 2o16 departures.
As part of the ‘6 for 1’ program, by simply having booked six Small Group Journey passengers between 1 January – 31 December 15, paid in full by 31 December 2015, agents can earn themselves a spot on a Small Group Journey to personally experience the Insider Journeys’ way.
Insider Journeys is also making it simpler to sell, with a $500 saving per couple
For more information call 1300 362 777 or email agents@insiderjourneys.com.au.
7. Uniworld sends the best of the best to India
Clients looking for an all luxury experience down India’s rivers need to look no further than Uniworld, which will launch its newest luxury river cruise ship, Ganges Voyager II.
Coming in January 2016, the ship will carry an intimate 56 passengers in 28 suites. On board, your clients will have access to Uniworld’s specialty touches such as unique hand-painted murals, five-start service, French balconies with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and plush beds are dressed in soft linens with customisable pillow options.
There’s also marble bathrooms boasting rain showers, robes, slippers, and spa-quality Molten Brown bath products. Plus other high-end amenities include flat-screen televisions with a wide selection of on-demand movies, individual climate control, and a generous amount of closet space and under-bed storage.
Journeys aboard Ganges Voyager II include the 13-day ‘India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges’ featuring a seven-night cruise and five nights in luxurious Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
Highlights include Delhi’s Humayun’s Tomb, the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort, Jaipur’s City Palace, Mother Theresa’s home and tomb in Kolkata, Verdic temple in Mayapur, and Kalna’s Rajbari Temples.
Click here to go inside Uniworld’s five-star European vessel, SS Maria Theresa.
8. You’re invited to the Annual Party
The ‘Sunshine Coast Travel Industry Annual Party’ is back for another year after a successful inaugural event in 2014.
This year, the event will be held at the ‘Next Door’ in Mooloolaba on 18 November, with mini-buses organised to pick industry professionals up from key locations.
Places are limited to 100 people so be sure to get your RSVPs in today.
Click here for more information.
9. Events with a little Fijian heart
Six schools in Natadola Bay, Fiji continue to benefit from Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events hosted by the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa.
The property’s ‘Insider Community’ programme raises donations and organises participation that benefit projects such as repainting facilities, providing academic books, sports equipment and building of school desks and chairs.
A collaborative effort from the InterContinental Fiji Meetings team, saw a sharp increase in the number of both international and local MICE groups for 2015; with many groups engaging in team-building efforts and connecting with the community through InterContinental Meeting’s ‘Insider Collection’, a range of services that can be added to any business event to engage delegates and inspire memorable bonds while benefiting the local community.
More development projects are in the pipeline, all aimed at continuously developing education and supporting schools in the Natadola Bay area alongside the resort’s Community Care Fund.
InterContinental Fiji provide an ‘In The Know’ weekly activity program that is available during the school term for delegates and guests to visit Malomalo Primary School to see the results of their efforts and give guests an opportunity to meet the children and teachers, and witness village life.
Click here for more information.
10. helloworld, Travel Corp offer useful feedback
Corporate payment solutions company, WEX Inc., recently hosted its annual Lead User Group (LUG) conference with representatives from its major travel customers in attendance such as helloworld and The Travel Corporation.
The three-day event was held in Portland, Maine and included guest speakers, customer round-table discussions and various activities.
Customers were also given the opportunity to provide feedback to the company and discuss ideas as well as network with their peers.
Senior Vice President and General Manager of Virtual Payments, Jim Pratt, said feedback helps drive the company’s overall product roadmap.
Specific feedback from a number of strategic travel customers was about the value they gained from interacting with their peer groups and exchanging ideas.
