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 assists travellers out of Bangkok
Qantas says it will help Australians eager to leave Bangkok after the weekend’s explosion, which killed at least 20 people and injured 120 others.
The airline is giving travellers with a valid ticket issued on or before 17 August 2015 travelling to and from Bangkok on or after 18 August to 25 August, the option to change their booking to an earlier flight.
Travellers with tickets to fly to Bangkok in the same period listed above, can opt to change their destination or get a credit on their unused tickets.
2. How Fiji Airways keeps breaking records
Investing in a strong and dedicated team will lead to continuous record-breaking profits, that is, if Fiji Airways’ example is anything to live by.
The airline today announced it has set a new profit record for the first six month of the year, with an operating profit before tax of $17.5 m.
The result is a solid improvement on the $15.4 million profit during the same period last year. It’s also the highest six-monthly result in the company’s history.
3. NSW’s new chapter in Chinese tourism
NSW tourism leaders say they’re going after the Chinese market, with a new two-year agreement with Ctrip, China’s largest online travel agency.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a meeting with Ctrip executives in Shanghai this week, saying it will give the destination access to million of potential visitors.
“This agreement means an even closer relationship between the NSW Government and Ctrip, delivering more travel packages to Sydney and Regional NSW to more visitors from China – NSW’s number one inbound visitor market.”
Stuart Ayres, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events
4. Aussie actor to motivate Travellers Choice
Travellers Choice has revealed popular Australian actor, Samuel Johnson, will be the keynote speaker at its 2015 Annual shareholders’ Conference.
Over the past 20 years Johnson has been one of the country’s hardest working actors, with acclaimed roles in television series and films, including The Secret Life of Us, Rush and award-winning comedy Crackerjack.
He is also known for his work with ‘Love Your sister’, a charity he created after his big sister Connie Johnson was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
5. Affluent Aussies in South America’s sights
South American tour operators and travel companies will be chasing Australia’s affluent travel market at this year’s Luxperience event.
In just three weeks, leading luxury and experiential travel trade exhibition, Luxperience, is again opening its doors in Sydney to new venue, Australian Technology Park due to its increased size.
In its fourth year, the business exchange has fast become renowned for attracting the highest quality buyers and sellers of global travel experiences, and a number of high profile South American brands have signed up to exhibit at the event.
6. Last chance to claim Scenic Rewards points
Scenic is reminding agents that all its river cruises along the Rhine-Main-Danube, Rhône and Saône, Seine and Douro rivers, departing May through to September 2016, are guaranteed.
Guests can take advantage of Scenic’s Earlybird offers until 31 October 2015 safe in the knowledge that their cruise is 100 percent guaranteed in 2016.
For further information contact 138 128.
7. NSW seeks more tourists across the ditch
The NSW Government is looking across the ditch to boost tourism numbers to the state, through a new two-year strategic partnership with Air New Zealand.
NSW Premier Mike Baird signed the agreement this week during his first official visit to Auckland.
Commenting on the arrangement, he said ‘strong cultural, diplomatic and business links’ with New Zealand will benefit tourism.
8. Check out Hawaiian Airlines’ new safety video
The engaging four-minute video features over 30 Hawaiian Airlines crew members and their family members who relay important safety information as they take guests on a journey to their favourite locations throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Debuting on all of Hawaiian Airlines’ in-flight entertainment systems, the video offers breathtaking footage of world-famous destinations such as Yokohama Beach and Kualoa Ranch on Oʻahu; Haleakalā National Park and Po‘olenalena Beach on Maui; Waimea Canyon and Waikoko Farm on Kauaʻi; and Saddle Road Lava Fields and Umauma Falls on Hawaiʻi Island.
9. Aussies still need a bit of Wellington education
Australians have a pretty good understanding of New Zealand’s creative capital, but there’s some significant room for a deeper understanding of what Wellington has to offer.
That is, according to Positively Wellington Tourism’s Chief Executive David Perks, who just appointed Klick Communications to manage the destination’s visitor communications activity in Australia.
He said the organisation was selected because of its creative thinking, energy and results-driven approach
“We’re incredibly excited to be working with a passionate team that has an outstanding reputation in delivering creative work with proven commercial results in the travel sphere.”
David Perks, Positively Wellington Tourism CEO
As part of the agreement, Klick Communications will offer a collective commitment to bringing Wellington fresh insight-led strategies that combine digital and traditional communications and solutions.
10. Princess Cruises adds Curtis Stone to the menu
Cruisers will have plenty of opportunity to get to know their fellow ship mates when dining in Princess Cruises’ new specialty restaurant SHARE by Curtis Stone.
Coming to Sun Princess in April next year, the Australian chef’s first restaurant at sea will feature a communal table designed to promote a space for ‘conversing and creating memories’.
The ‘SHARE’d table is seen amongst low-backed leather banquettes and decorative curios from Curtis’ collection in sneak peek pictures unveiled by Princess this week.
NTK Extra: Is Sydney really one of the best cities for dating?
Dating is a tough gig – it requires a lot of trust, a tonne of patience and the ability to stay awake even in the most boring of situations.
Not to mention it requires a whole lot of courage and thick skin.
But according to a new study, dating in certain cities makes the task a little easier.
