We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Airline with the best premium economy is…
Australians will soon have access to the world’s best Premium Economy class, as Air New Zealand was announced as the winner of the title in this year’s World Airline Awards.
The airline was awarded ‘World’s Best Premium Economy Class’, ‘Best Premium Economy Class airline seat’ and ‘Best Premium Economy onboard catering’ at the Skytrax World Airline Awards held in Paris.
The Class is currently available on Air New Zealand’s twin aisle wide body 777 on short haul routes.
2. helloworld pops up in Costco
helloworld Hunter Travel Group is taking shoppers by surprise with its second pop-up store opening in New South Wales this week.
The 12-day pop up store at Costco Crossroads in Casula, follows on from the success of the first store – a 12-day pop-up within Costco Auburn in New South Wales.
As the largest branded member of the helloworld Network, helloworld Hunter Travel Group has been working closely with Costco to bring the pop-up stores to customers.
3. Nepal reopens major attraction
Good news is flowing out of Nepal for the first time since it was hit by two major earthquakes.
Attractions have begun reopening in a bid to entice travellers.
The destination, popular for its trekking and cultural activities, was left devastated in April this year when the earth shook, leaving some 8,000 people dead.
4. Tax fears for NZ tourism
New Zealand’s tourism leaders have expressed concern that recent improvements to visa processing may be negated by Government plans to introduce a new travel tax.
Yesterday, the NZ Government announced it will roll out online work and visitor visas, making it easier for international travellers to the destination.
The news was welcomed by Auckland Airport’s boss, who said it is a ‘significant development’ for New Zealand’s tourism industry.
5. Get your RSVPs in!
Following a successful launch earlier this year, the Women in Tourism lunch will return next month.
Scheduled for 3 July 2015, the event will help to answer burning career questions and teach attendees the importance of mapping out a career plan.
KarryOn is a proud sponsor of the second Women in Tourism lunch where MC Emma Gardiner (Editor of Spice and Deputy Editor of HM magazines), along with Dedes Group CEO Lisa Hobbs and Marketing and Communications Manager Giovanna Lever, will discuss women’s career planning journeys.
Lisa Hobbs is the CEO of Dedes Group providing strategic direction and structure to the various venues within Dedes Waterfront Group.
Click here for more information.
6. APTMS launches agents portal
Travel Industry Network (TIN) has been appointed by Asia Pacific Travel Marketing Services (APTMS) to assist with their on-demand webinar trainings for their new agent, online training site.
Agents can now access the on-demand trainings for all products represented by APTMS online.
The company represents Alamo Rent A Car, Aston Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Hospitality, El Monte RV Motorhomes USA, Eaglerider Motorcycles, Go West Tours and Peirce & Leslie (India) DMC.
Click here to access the new training portal.
7. SilverNeedle brings Sage to Adelaide
SilverNeedle Hospitality opened its new 4-star brand Sage Hotels at the former 138-room Grand Chifley® Hotel in Adelaide this week.
Sage Hotels guests will enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi in their rooms, mini bar offerings at prices comparable to those of local convenience stores as well as laundry services comparable to street pricing as part of SNH’s Fair Value Promise.
Its location, in relation to both the CBD and Greenhill Road business hubs, makes it an ideal choice for the business visitor while the parklands opposite, the tram within walking distance and city location, provide a convenient destination for leisure guests.
The Chifley Wollongong will be the next property in SNH’s portfolio to be rebranded to Sage Hotel Wollongong in August.
This will be followed by the opening of a new build Sage Hotels in West Perth in 2016 upon completion.
8. Etihad checks in daily to Hong Kong
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates celebrated the start of its daily direct service to the global business hub of Hong Kong this week.
The carrier’s inaugural flight to Hong Kong International Airport was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by senior officials from Etihad Airways and Airport Authority Hong Kong.
9. Vivid Sydney breaks records
Artwork, music, lights and ideas prove to be a huge draw card for Australian tourism, as Vivid Sydney visitation breaks a new record.
According to NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, some 1.7 million people attended the Vivid Sydney festival in 2015.
This was an increase of 19 percent on the record of 1.43 million last year.
10. TravelManager explores Prague
A sunny spring day to explore Prague for TravelManagers’ Janice Lee (far left) and her CT Partners’ famil group.
The city of Prague has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the most beautiful and atmospheric cities in Europe, with centuries of history layered together to create an effect that personal travel manager Janice Lee found to be quite addictive on her recent famil.
Lee, who is TravelManagers’ representative for Surry Hills in Sydney, spent three nights soaking up the historic city’s sights on a luxury famil organised exclusively for CT Partners members, hosted by British Airways and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
TravelManagers qualified for a place on the famil as one of CT Partners’ top three British Airways-selling members. Lee herself was selected by TravelManagers’ to take part in the famil on the basis of her British Airways sales during this period.
Prior to her arrival in Prague, Lee and her group were also treated to three nights at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London, providing them with the perfect base from which to get in touch (or, as in Lee’s case, back in touch) with its sights.
For Lee, one of the highlights of the London leg of the famil was opportunity to dine at the hotel’s “Dinner by Heston Blumenthal” restaurant.
