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. KarryOn wishes you a very royal Christmas
The KarryOn team gets the ‘royal’ treatment this Christmas.
Christmas is here, which means it’s time for us KarryOn guys to take some time to celebrate, recoup and come back fresh in 2016 with more travel news.
Our Sydney office will be shut from 24 December 2015 to 4 January 2016.
While we may not be behind our desks, we do have some incredible content lined up to keep you entertained over the holidays.
If you aren’t already, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus for our ‘Best of 2015’ stories and more.
We’ll see you again in the new year 🙂 Merry Christmas ya’ll and Happy New Year.
2. The travel news that made KarryOn headlines in 2015
Can you believe Christmas is only two days away? Better yet, can you believe there’s only a little over one week until 2016? What???!!!
Where did 2015 go? No really, we can barely remember what we did over the past 365 days.
Except we do remember it was a pretty big year in travel with new companies launching, one major closure and a few other bits and bobs in between.
3. Qantas keeps the kids busy over Christmas
Qantas has designed a new iPad app specifically for its younger travellers featuring fun games, educational activities and creative kits.
Launched this week, ‘Qantas Joey Playbox’ caters to children aged from four to eight to use during their travels. It coincides with Qantas’ new youth-orientated activities for the holidays such as pop-up “Joey Club” kids’ zones in the First Lounges and additional children’s films and Christmas specials.
Among the highlights of the new app include the ability to design their own airport with runways and planes; and decorate digital paper planes, postcards and bags.
4. Exclusive offers at Creative Cruising
The growing cruise industry continues to fuel business over at Creative Cruising and has resulted in an exclusive industry and client offer.
Assisting agents to secure more bookings over the coming months, The Travel Corporation (TTC) brand is offering onboard credits on select bookings.
Agents need to book their clients on a Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises sailing that departs before 30 June 2016 and the passenger will receive a US$150 onboard credit.
Plus agents who book before 31 January 2016 will also be rewarded with a $50 Gift Card for every cabin booked – but be quick, the incentive is only available on the first 100 bookings.
For more information on Creative Cruising or the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises exclusive, contact our cruise specialists on 1300 362 599.
5. APT renews Sabre agreement
The APT Group has renewed its strategic agreement with Sabre, to continue utilising Sabre Explore for content, booking and fulfillment.
The long-term agreement was signed this month and according to Sabre, results in greater efficiency, reduced errors and enhanced customer serve.
“Until recently, the Australia and New Zealand travel industry didn’t have this specific technology to support the local needs of tour operators, wholesale agents and agents with reservation call centres.”
David Cox, Sabre Executive General Manager
“We are proud to have addressed this gap in the market and with a custom solution for APT.
6. Virtuoso is touring a city near you
Want to get to know luxury tour operators, cruise lines, hoteliers and destinations a little better? Well now is your chance.
Virtuoso is preparing to host a series of meetings around Australia and New Zealand next year, giving its 100 members the chance to chat and learn from the group’s Preferred Partners.
Representatives from hotels, cruise lines and destinations will travel from Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and the Gold Coast early next year.
7. Ecuadorian Tall Ship sets sail Down Under
By the time 2015 comes to an end, Australia would have welcomed two international renowned ocean vessels.
Earlier this year, Hawaii’s Hōkūleʻa arrived in Sydney and now an Ecuadorian Navy Training ship is visiting Australian shores.
‘The Guayas’ – often referred to as Ecuador’s ambassador ship – embarked for our country on 12 May 2015 and arrived in Perth this week.
The short visit will see the ship displaying the Ecuadorian national flag and banner sail to Sydney and then onto Wellington in January.
According to Ecuador’s local tourism representatives, the visit will strengthen relations between Ecuador and Australia whilst promoting Ecuadorian tourism.
Guayas will arrive and depart each port at 9:00am local time. She will be open for inspection for all to visit her. Opening times are:
- Perth: 21 December – 13:00-18:00; 22 December – 11:00-18:00; 23 December – 11:00-18:00; and 24 December – 11:00-16:00.
- Sydney: 6 Jan – 15:00-18:00; 7 Jan – 11:00-18:00; 8 Jan – 11:00-18:00; and 9 Jan – 11:00-18:00.
- Wellington: 17 Jan – 13:00-18:00; 18 Jan – 11:00-18:00; 19 Jan – 11:00-18:00; and 20 Jan – 11:00-18:00.
8. COMPETITION: Win a family holiday to Treasure Island
BIG4 Holiday Parks is celebrating the release of the fourth Alvin and the Chipmunks movie, The Road Chip, by giving agents and consumers the chance to win a family holiday to the BIG4 NRMA Treasure Island.
Valued at over $4,500, the prize includes return flights to Brisbane for a family of four, four days self-drive car hire, three nights in an ensuite cabin at BIG4 NRMA Treasure Island and a seven-day family pass to Dream World.
Thirty runners up will also receive an Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Road Chip prize pack including a double pass to see the movie.
Click here for more information and to enter.
The Road Chip film will be released nationally on 26 December 2015 and the competition closes at 5.00pm on 29 January 2016.
9. Touch down! A very American arrival in Sydney
American Airlines celebrated the arrival of its first commercial non-stop service between Los Angeles and Sydney with a canon salute, treats and a series of iconic American surprises at Sydney Airport.
On board, First Class passengers were treated to a collectable Australian red wine from the acclaimed 2010 Penfolds Grange Shiraz, valued at $850 a bottle.
The American Airlines check in area was transformed by women in roller-skates, men in baseball and football gear to reflect iconic Los Angeles’ personalities. At the departure gate, passengers were spoiled with an all-American winter wonderland, complete with elves, a choir of Christmas Carolers, and an eight-feet. Christmas tree with a gift for every passenger.
Ahead of boarding their flight, passengers, crew and senior executives mingled over Champagne, culinary and wintery-themed props to get passengers in the mood for the colder temperatures that lay ahead.
Click here for more pictures.
10. Did Air New Zealand make you cry?
We think we have a little dust in our eyes, we can’t seem to be able to control the water pouring out of them during Air New Zealand’s Christmas video.
The carrier has released its annual Christmas video and this year is a little different from the rest.
Moving away from its usual comedic and celebrity-infused productions, Air New Zealand’s latest video has a softer nature, focusing on the spirit of giving over the holidays.
