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. Turner’s modest response to Flight Centre’s $156m half year profits
What would you say if your company saw its statutory profit before tax (PBT) increase by 11.2 percent to $156.9 million for the first half of the 2015/16 financial year?
Some may cry, some may literally jump for joy, others may be thinking about their bonuses while the rest would be quick to share the news of their success.
But not Flight Centre’s MD Graham Turner, who took a more modest approach.
2. Is helloworld doing a ‘Qantas’ with its finances?
“Business positioned for future growth” – that’s the title of helloworld’s latest financial results (for the half year ended 31 December 2015) which were released today.
The results come just days after helloworld announced some significant restructures, including the departure of Chief Marketing Officer, Kim Portrate, and Jenny Macdonald, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary.
According to the results, helloworld recorded a Total Transaction Value (TTV) of $2.43 billion for the period, which was a 5.4 percent increase over last year’s results, and an EBITDA of $8.1 million, down slightly by 3.2 percent.
3. New tech & online sales are in Flight Centre’s future
The Flight Centre Travel Group may have just announced a surge in profits but it’s already thinking about the next stage of growth through new tech and online sales.
Today, the company released its financial reports for the first six months of the 2015/16 year, which revealed an 11.2 percent increase in profits before tax with some $156.9 million.
The group’s net profit after tax jumped by 16.3 percent to $116.7 million and its total transaction value (TTV) grew by 12.8 percent to some $9.18 billion – well ahead of online competitor Webjet, which made $796 million during the same six months.
4. Brand USA & Air New Zealand announce first ever MegaFam
Brand USA and Air New Zealand today announced their first ever joint MegaFam, taking place from 19 – 29 May 2016.
Sixty agents from Australia and New Zealand – 30 from each – will qualify to participate on the MegaFam via an incentive launching in Australia on Monday 29 February and running until Monday 11 April 2016.
The ‘#tasteUSA’ MegaFam will see agents experience one of six culinary themed itineraries across California, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Maine and Massachusetts.
5. The first winner of Excite’s USA incentive is…
Congratulations to David Swanborough from Helloworld Mt Ommaney, you’re going on a trip to Los Angeles with flights and five nights accommodation at the Hollywood Roosevelt covered by Excite.
Swanborough was the first winner in Excite Holidays’ USA Live Like a Local campaign, which invites agents to sell a select destination for two weeks to go in the running to win a holiday.
The Helloworld consultant said he’s excited and thankful for the prize.
“I’ll be taking my daughter who is super excited about going to Disneyland with her dad.”
David Swanborough, Helloworld Mt Ommaney
This fortnight, Excite Holidays is giving away a trip to Nevada and travel agents have until 28 February to make a paid booking in the Silver State which will give them one entry into the draw.
The more bookings they make, the more entries into the draw they will receive.
6. Emirates’ flights to Auckland will take how long?
The Dubai-Auckland route may be one of the longest in the world, but Emirates has found a way to ensure passengers aren’t stuck in the air for an extensive period of time.
The Dubai-based carrier revealed this morning it would use flexible routes, tail winds and paths that avoid head winds to travel to Auckland in just 16 hours.
14,000km in 16 hours! That’s like flying from Sydney to LA and that’s 12,049km apart.
7. Moorings vessel to debut in Australia
The Moorings 43ft Power catamaran will make its Australian debut at the Gold Coast Marine Expo in May 2016.
The 43PC is the newest member of the fleet and has been designed to cater to the evolving needs of today’s power charterers.
The stepped hull design of the vessel provides 27 percent more interior volume than her predecessor, The Moorings 393PC. This allows customers to enjoy superior performance and efficient fuel consumption consistent with all Moorings Power yachts.
Inside, guests will discover a spacious air-conditioned saloon, redesigned with a brand-new layout for the model range. A well-appointed galley now sits forward with a forward-facing settee/table located aft. Oversized windows provide panoramic views, allowing guests to take in the sunset or savor the ever-changing scenery while cruising.
With power from solar panels and a 9kW generator, the 433PC houses a full range of electronics including a state-of-the-art Raymarine instrument package, indoor/outdoor stereo system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity and a flat screen TV/DVD player.
The Moorings 433PC, is currently available to charter in Caribbean destinations the Bahamas and British Virgin Islands, with the four-cabin model, the Moorings 434PC, debuting in Thailand, the Seychelles, and multiple Mediterranean destinations later this year.
8. Taronga goes wild with Booking Boss
Agents will no longer need to wait for group confirmation to Sydney’s Taronga, they can now get it instantly thanks to the attraction’s implementation of Booking Boss.
Announced this week, the new tech will provide real-time data showing ticket availability and instant confirmation of its trade and distribution partners.
Taronga Zoo’s Tourism Sales Manager, Lisa Welsh, says the system was chosen to relieve admin headaches and increase bookings.
“By implementing Booking Boss in this section of the business, we are able to provide a standardised format for vouchers and sequential barcoding, instead of the multiple systems currently in place, which has each provider using different vouchers,” she said.
9. Los Cabos is caliente among tourists
Los Cabos is heating up amongst tourists, with the destination posting a record number of visitors last year.
Some 1.84 million people experienced the sun, cocktails and beaches in the Mexican destination – an average increase of seven percent per year since 1999.
Los Cabos Tourism Board expects visitors to continue rising over the next five years as a result of destination updates including the construction of new golf courses; additional flights; and 13 new hotels opening by the end of 2017.
10. Travel advice post Cyclone Winston
Travel insurance provider, Southern Cross Travel Insurance, is urging holidaymakers to check with accommodation providers and tour companies to ensure plans haven’t changed after the weekend’s category five Cyclone Winston.
According to CEO Craig Morrison, while flights have resumed some hotels have experienced slight damage, which may impact people’s holidays.
“In the event of damage or delays, service providers may provide refunds, credit notes or alter your bookings without charging additional fees,” he said.
“If services were paid for with a credit card and cannot be provided, there is an obligation for the service provider to issue a refund. Otherwise, we are happy to assist and if not, they should submit a claim.”
Devastating natural disasters such as this show how crucial it is to have travel insurance as soon as you have book your holiday, says Morrison.
SCTI customers who took out travel insurance before 7.00am AEDST on 19 February 2016 will be covered for up to $30,000 or 30 days delay (whichever comes first) if their travel is disrupted by Cyclone Winston.
For customers currently in Fiji whose return to Australia have been affected, policies will automatically extend until they are able to return on the next available flight.
P.S. ‘Wonder’ with Scenic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nwXaBi_gbA
If your clients are wondering what the point of difference is on Scenic’s first expedition yacht, why not show them this short video of everything the luxury vessel will offer when she launches.
The video showcases some of the spectacular locations that can be discovered on board Scenic Eclipse.
Hidden bays, grand canals, epic fjords and icy wonderlands, Scenic says the ship will travel to destinations never visited before in ocean cruising.
P.P.S. itravel agents sneak clients on the Voyager
itravel agents gave their clients the chance to see and experience Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas during an inspection of the ship.
The consultants were given a tour of the ship and were even treated to a demonstration of the FlowRider.
itravellers were thrilled to check out the ice skating rink and take a walk along the Promenade before being seated for lunch in what was the largest restaurant in Australia.
According to the company, taking clients and agents onto ship inspections is a great way for them to have some experience of the product. For clients, this is a fabulous value add to get to know the product before booking and for agents, this is a great way to know the details of the product and sell to the right customer.