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. REVEALED: The 2016 NTIA nominees
Over 800 nominations were submitted, tallied and culled down to make up this year’s list of National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) nominees.
The list was released this morning by the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), with dozens of industry friends making up the nominees across 37 award categories.
As with previous years, popular nominee categories were Best Travel Agency Retail – Single Location, Best Travel Consultant – Retail, Best Travel Agency Manager – Retail Single Location and the Emirates Travel Consultant Scholarship.
2. One thing Switzerland has over other European countries
Quality cheese, divine chocolate, stunning alps and unique events (White Turf Horse Race?), there are a number of differences between Switzerland and the rest of Europe, but none more convenient that this.
Aside from the more obvious attractions, there’s one thing about the mountainous country that makes it that tiny bit more attractive and different from the rest.
Door-to-door luggage transfer.
3. Amadeus & Virgin extend their partnership
Amadeus and Virgin Australia have signed a new multi-year agreement, extending their longstanding partnership.
The new agreement provides Amadeus travel agents with worldwide continued access to Virgin Australia’s full range of fares, seats and schedules under the same conditions as that offered through all other channels. It also means that Virgin Australia will continue to be able to reach global travellers through one of the largest travel agency networks in the world.
Amadeus Asia Pacific Executive Vice President, Hazem Hussein, said the tech company has “boundless respect” for the carrier and is pleased to see the relationship go from strength to strength.
“This agreement furthers our commitment to providing our airline partners with the most efficient, neutral and cost-effective means to reach and partner with travel agencies, and at the same time gives our travel agency subscribers access to the best and widest range of content.”
Hazem Hussein, Amadeus Asia Pacific Executive Vice President
4. Former MAS executive joins Air Canada in regional role
Air Canada has appointed Lee Poh Kait as the Director of its Asia, Australia and New Zealand operations.
Commencing in the new role on 6 April 2016, Poh Kait joins the carrier as it enters a new phase of growth in the local market with new services, increased commission and aircraft upgrades.
In his new role, Lee will be responsible for leading Air Canada’s commercial activities and Global Sales teams across Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
5. G Adventures gets more Active in 2016
G Adventures has launched five new active adventures to its 2016 line-up, offering travellers even more hands-on adventure, with trips incorporating hiking, cycling, kayaking, surfing and snorkeling.
In addition to these new trips, G Adventures has experienced an increase in demand for the Lares Trek as a preferred option to the Inca Trail in Peru, and is now offering the Lares Trek as an alternative to the Inca Trail on all trips to Machu Picchu.
G Adventures is offering the three-day Lares trek beginning outside of Cuzco, Peru to travellers who may be looking for an alternative way to reach Machu Picchu. The Lares Trek has fewer ascents and descents, but is at a higher altitude, and is often described as the much less discovered route.
Other new trips is the Cycle China, a five-day cycling tour through the backroads and countryside of the destination and hiking along the hills and terraces of China’s rural regions; and the Japan Hike, Bike & Kayak trip, a hike along the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route to visit spectacular temples, cycling across islands.
Each Active style trip, featured in G Adventures’ newly released Active brochure, includes a mixture of different activities and often includes camping to provide a real insight into the natural landscapes that travellers from this region often seek out in an overseas trip.
6. New Anzac walking tour with Mat McLachlan
Leading Australian battlefield tour operator, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours, has launched a new walking tour following in the footsteps of the Anzacs on the Western Front, with the inaugural tour commencing in September 2016.
Combining comfortable coach travel with incredible walks across significant battlefields and along historic Anzac routes, the tour includes a total of 46 kilometres of walking spread across four of the seven touring days – with an average of 12 kilometres of walking per day – and is designed to be accessible for those with a moderate fitness level.
MMBT’s six-night Western Front Walking Tour (12 to 18 September 2016) takes in the battlefields of France and Belgium.
It includes a 17 kilometre moderate walk across Messines Ridge – with sites encompassing the location where two Australians won the Victoria Cross and two huge mine craters which remain as permanent scars from the Battle of Messines; a two kilometre low-intensity walk through Polygon Wood; an enlightening 7 kilometre walk across the battlefield of Passchendaele; and an emotional, 10 kilometre on-foot exploration of the battlefield of Fromelles – where 5533 men lost their lives in just 20 hours of fighting.
Bookings for the inaugural September 2016 tour are now open.
7. Air New Zealand electrifies ground fleet
Air New Zealand is transitioning more than 75 light vehicles in its ground fleet to electric saving around 65,000 litres of fuel per year and creating what’s believed to be the leading corporate electric vehicle fleet in New Zealand.
The airline has confirmed orders for 36 fully electric BMW i3 vehicles for its sales force. The BMW i3 was named New Zealand Car of the Year for 2015 and as well as being fully electric, it features a sustainable design with much of its interior and body made from the same carbon fibre as the fuselage of Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet.
The airline is also purchasing 12 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrids for longer range trips and 28 Renault Kangoo Maxi ZE 100 percent electric vans for use at airports. The Kangoo is not currently available in New Zealand making Air New Zealand the first local customer for this vehicle.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says the fleet transition forms part of the airline’s commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction across the business.
The first of its new electric vehicles arrive later this month and aims to complete the fleet transition by the end of 2016. In addition to the introduction of electric vehicles, the airline has begun installing charging points at its key car parking sites to support the new vehicles. This is in addition to the charge points already installed at a number of the airline’s customer parking facilities.
8. NOTICE: Cruise360 Australasia rescheduled
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia today advised it has rescheduled this year’s Cruise360 Australasia conference to 16 September.
CLIA Commercial Director Brett Jardine said the new date would align with the start of Australia and New Zealand’s biggest ever cruise season, helping to throw the spotlight on the continued growth of the industry.
Jardine said the conference and associated trade show – originally scheduled for 6 May – would still be held at Sydney’s Star Event Centre, with a wide range of international and local industry speakers as well as special guests delivering a quality event.
He said the new dates reflected the approach adopted in the US, where Cruise360 precedes the peak of the strong local cruise season.
CLIA has transferred all existing tickets to the new date but will provide full refunds where required.
9. A twilight experience at AccorHotels
For the tenth consecutive year, AccorHotels will ‘switch off’ for Earth Hour on 19 March to draw attention to the effects of climate change and show its support for a low pollution, clean energy future.
In each state across Australia, over 50 AccorHotels properties including; Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens, Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, ibis Styles Alice Springs, Sofitel Brisbane Central, The Reef House Palm Cove, MGallery Collection and ibis Perth will partake in the global event, turning off or significantly reducing lighting come 8:30pm local time on Saturday.
This year, hotels are encouraging guests to get involved by offering a number of fun activities including; candlelit dinners, glow stick art, earth menu specials that utilise less power and ‘Earth Cocktail Hour’ for guests to mix and mingle as they show their support for cutting carbon pollution and transition to a renewable energy future.
Chief Operating Officer AccorHotels Pacific, Simon McGrath, said everyone has the power to drive action on climate change.
10. Agents connect to DMCs from 40 countries
The 2016 DMS Connect Roadshow took place in four cities over the course of last week, enabling over 200 MICE and high-end leisure agents to connect with DMCs representing over 40 countries.
Many DMCs travelled across the globe re-instating their commitment to the Australian and New Zealand market and whilst some destinations are currently facing challenging times this did not dampen DMS’s partners’ enthusiasm to join the showcase.
The new roadshow format received great feedback from those who attended and reinforced the vision of DMS Connect by giving clients access to meet with a large selection of suppliers under one roof and most importantly at their doorstep. Building on the success of previous years, clients were introduced to new destinations including the Philippines and The Baltic States.
DMS Destination Marketing Services offers innovative and professional marketing representation to over 35 worldwide DMCs, operating in more than 60 countries while connecting them to Australian & New Zealand MICE and high-end leisure agents.