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. New cancellations to Bali
Ash from Java’s Mount Raung is making it difficult for airlines to fly to and from Bali again, forcing Virgin Australia to cancel all flights for today.
In an update, the airline said advice from its team of meteorologists and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre is that conditions around Denpasar Airport have deteriorated and it is ‘no longer safe for flying’.
As a result, the carrier has decided to cancel all flights in and out of the airport for today.
2. Cathay Pacific’s costly loss
Cathay Pacific’s baggage handlers have misplaced one costly bag – more specifically a million dollar bag – which disappeared while being transferred in Hong Kong.
According to reports, the bag was lost on Friday night before the plane took off from Hong Kong International Airport.
Inside the suitcase there was NZ$1 million (or around AU$900,000).
3. Help name a cruise ship
Naming a cruise ship isn’t as easy as you’d think, that’s why Hurtigruten is asking agents and travellers to lend a hand in naming its forthcoming vessel.
Late last month, the Norway-based cruise line announced it was adding a new baby to its fleet in 2016 – its first new vessel in over a decade.
In the midst of all the excitement, Hurtigruten decided to postpone naming the ship, instead giving it the interm title MS Norway Explorer.
4. APX implements Amadeus tech
Image: Mikko Lemola/Shutterstock
New Zealand’s APX has entered a new agreement that will see company utilise Amadeus‘ technology to ‘enhance the customer experience’.
Amadeus will deliver APX a customised technology platform which will feature automated efficiencies such as add-ons as well as streamlined services including management, planning, booking, reporting, duty-of-care, as well as offline bookings services.
The tech will also enable more efficient response times for the delivery of quotes and bookings and personalised profile management for enhanced accuracy and greater integration with customers’ own internal human resource systems.
“With Amadeus technology, our customers will experience improved efficiencies, a greater focus on online and mobile capability, greater automation and a more robust solution for managing duty-of-care responsibilities for business travel.”
Andrew Dale, APX Chief Executive Officer
5. NTIA 2015 winners: APT’s success story
After winning a legendary hat trick of awards for the second year running at the NTIA Awards 2015, KarryOn caught up with Chris Hall, Managing Director, APT Group to find out just how they did it.
This year, the group (again!) took out an amazing three titles for Best Tour Operator, Domestic; Best Tour Operator, International and Best River Cruise Operator.
Speaking exclusively to KarryOn, Mr Hall attributed the hat trick to the company’s strategy of delivering consistent customer excellence across everything they do.
6. Australia has trust in P&O
P&O has been named one of Australia’s most trusted cruise operators for the third year running by Reader’s Digest.
The cruise line beat eight other ocean and river cruise operators, an achievement P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Sture Myrmell accredits to the line’s ongoing ship and product upgrades.
“From installing onboard adventure parks to revolutionising our food offering and announcing the addition of two ships to our fleet later this year, we’ve taken Australian cruising to the next level to deliver a contemporary offering, which appeals to all Australians.”
Sture Myrmell, P&O Cruises Senior Vice President
“We’re thrilled to see our new products being embraced by existing and new guests, and our cruise line continuing to be endorsed with awards such as this.
“We look forward to welcoming more Australians onboard our fleet as we embark on our biggest ever year of cruising.”
The annual Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Survey has been operating for 15 years as an independent survey of the Australian public. This year 46 categories were featured and more than 2400 people were surveyed.
7. WIN an Audi A1
Allianz Global Assistance is giving travel agents the chance to win an Audi A1 by simply selling one of the relevant travel insurance policies between 20th July and 31st October 2015.
The company said it recognises the important role travel agents play in the booking phase of the consumer journey, as well as their ongoing contribution to the organisation, and wants to reward them with this incentive.
In addition to this, one lucky customer will also receive a $5,000 travel voucher to spend as they choose.
The competition winner will be drawn on 18 November 2015.
8. Travelport secures new marketing agreement
Travelport announced a new marketing partnership with the China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as Canton Fair.
The agreement involves the targeting of travellers flying to Hong Kong during the tradeshow seasons of Mar/Apr and Sep/Nov who will receive promotional messages for Canton Fair via agents on Travelport’s Travel Commerce Platform.
The new marketing partnership utilises a number of Travelport’s Digital Media Solutions which will enable Canton Fair to effectively promote the biannual event to Travelport’s 67,000 travel agencies globally, specifically targeting business travellers to Hong Kong during the tradeshow seasons.
Mr.Liu Quandong, General Manager of the International Communication Department, China Foreign Trade Centre (Group), said working with Travelport will allow the group to target very specific audiences and reach goals.
9. Qantas reaches agreement with tell-all author
Qantas has reached a settlement with Lucinda Holdforth – the former speechwriter to the airline’s CEO who had authored a tell-all book about the airline’s toughest periods.
A confidential agreement was met with Lucinda out-of-court and ensures the memoir ‘Fighting Words’ will never hit the shelves, ABC News reported.
Qantas took legal action to prevent the book from publishing, saying Lucinda was exploiting confidential company information.
The airline was granted an interim injunction by the NSW Supreme Court last month to prevent the publishing and this week announced the two had come to an agreement for the injunction to remain in place.
“It’s not the outcome I was hoping for,” she said in an email to the ABC.
“But Qantas is entitled to insist upon its contractual rights. It has done so, and I accept that.”
10. An Australia Day treat in Ireland
The Ireland town of Cobh found an interesting way to welcome Australian passengers on a world cruise aboard Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess last week.
Locals held a special Australia Day celebration featuring a number of Australian and Irish themed activities mixed with a barbeque, tucker stall and traditional Irish music.
The welcoming also saw a blessing of the bonnets ceremony on the quayside in memory of all Irish convict women transported to Australia.
Cobh Tourism hosted its first local Australia Day event in 2009 to mark the arrival of Dawn Princess during her round world cruise from Australia and the tradition has continued with every world cruise visit from our shores since. Planning is already underway for next year’s event on 11 July when Sea Princess returns to the town.
NTK Extra: Airline customers pranked on Facebook
Funny? Smart? Or just kind of sad? We’re still trying to decide after reading about these two pranksters that used fake Facebook accounts to fool airline and general retail customers.
The pair took to an airline’s page earlier this month to respond to customer complaints under the made up account ‘Customer Service’.
Targeting what they’ve dubbed as ‘petty complaints’, the comedians left cheeky responses to a number of passengers.
NTK Extra: Hawaii brings Hollywood glam to Sydney
Jennifer Aniston, Bradley Cooper and Elvis – Hawaii has attracted Hollywood’s elite over decades and last night Sydney got a taste of the iconic ‘Blue Hawaii’ cocktail at a glitzy event at Hilton’s Marble Bar.
Last night The Hilton Worldwide Portfolio of Hotels and Resorts in Hawaii, along with Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Tourism Oceania and Oahu Visitor Bureau invited media to a night celebrating Hollywood in Hawaii.
Hosted at Hilton’s Marble Bar guests were treated to an array of island-inspired dishes prepared by Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Executive Chef, Charles Charbonneau.
