We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel stories you need to know today.
1. We’re succeeding in our goals: helloworld
helloworld CEO says the company has delivered significant improvements, particularly in future plans and finances.
helloworld has successfully ticked a number of items off its goals list, including its aspiration to create a network of high-calibre agencies.
While providing an overview of the business to investors this week, Chief Executive Elizabeth Gaines said for the half year ending 31 December 2014 the company has delivered significant improvements, particularly in future plans and finances.
2. Cheap flights to raise Flight Centre profits
Flight Centre is hoping cheap international flights will boost the company’s profits after seeing a slight dip in the first half the financial year.
This week, the agency announced its underlying profit before tax fell 5.9 percent in the six months to December 2014 from $146.3 million to $137.6 million.
Actual profit before tax also fell nine percent from $155 million to $141 million.
3. First images from AIME 2015
Australia’s highly anticipated AIME 2015 kicked off in Melbourne yesterday, with hundreds of meetings and events buyers and suppliers in attendance.
The two-day event running from 24 to 25 February is once again being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
This year, organisers have introduced a range of new experiences to keep guests entertained as well as unveiled a new brand and logo.
4. Expect more competitive fares: Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand’s leaders say travellers can expect more competitive fares as fuel prices remain favourable.
Speaking at a company financial update, Chief Executive Christopher Luxon said the airline plans to continue offering competitive fares on all of its routes.
This includes services in New Zealand, on the Tasman, to the Pacific Islands and on the airline’s long haul network.
5. Virgin aims for 20 hotels
Virgin Hotels is hoping to have 20 hotels operating by 2025, including properties in New York, London, Paris and Mexico City.
The announcement comes a month after the group opened its first hotel in the heart of Chicago. Read on
Chief executive Raul Leal told an American publication that the next hotel will open in Nashville in January 2016 followed by a third property in New York in December.
Plans for more US hotels are in the works, but Mr Leal said travellers can expect a ‘couple more’ announcements coming as the group actively looks for suitable locations in London and a second spot in NY, Business Traveller reported.
“Virgin Hotels probably won’t be a 100 hotel brand. The target for the next ten years is – in some form of phase of opening or development – to have 20 hotels under our belt.”
Raul Leal, Virgin Hotels CEO
Click here to find out what sets Virgin Hotels apart from its competitors.
6. P&O takes MICE out to sea
P&O Cruises has announced a major push into the meetings market, creating a new P&O Conferences division to spearhead an increase in corporate bookings.
Officially launched at the AIME meetings exhibition in Melbourne yesterday, the cruise line’s conference drive comes as it prepares to expand its fleet from three to five ships, with the addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden in November this year.
P&O Cruises Director of Sales Ryan Taibel said the fleet expansion would open the door to host more onboard meetings, with the boutique size and meeting rooms of the two latest ships providing the ideal setting for conferences at sea.
He said the expanded fleet would also enable the cruise line to offer cruises from ports around the country including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle and Cairns, with Singapore and Auckland sailings also available.
The cruise line has been buoyed by an increase in meeting bookings in 2015, particularly from the retail and pharmaceutical sectors and associations.
Its new P&O Conferences division is targeting 12,000 meeting delegates in 2016, with meetings of 100-200 delegates the prime target.
The cruise line has its largest ever stand at AIME this year and has produced a new dedicated conference brochure highlighting the features of meetings at sea.
The 48-page brochure details the meeting facilities across the ships, including dedicated conference theatres for 200 guests and a range of new meeting rooms onboard Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria. It also features newly created conference packages including cocktail, beverage and internet options.
7. Hawai’i Tourism AIME-ing for more MICE
Image: cleanfotos/Shutterstock
Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania’s (HTO’s) presence at AIME 2015 will kick off what is leading up to be a promising year for the MICE sector due to growing interest in the Hawaiian Islands as an incentive destination and significant increases in airlift from Australia for the coming year.
HTO has seen a surge in Australian visitor arrivals to Hawai‘i over the last five years, increasing 158 percent from 121,482 in 2009, to a record-breaking 313,054 in 2014.
Ashlee Galea, Country Manager for Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania said increase in tourism from Australia comes despite a slight seasonal decrease in airlift last year.
Along with the welcoming Aloha spirit that travellers have become familiar with, only Hawai‘i can offer a combination of breathtaking natural scenery, year-round warm climate, unique Hawaiian cultural programs, modern facilities and infrastructure, outstanding accommodation and a never-ending array of fun activities across six islands.
Hawai‘i has some exciting developments coming online in 2015 that will be of interest to the MICE market and Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania invites AIME attendees to visit their Hawaiian Islands stand (B402) today.
8. RCL’s Harmonious new ship
Royal Caribbean has announced its third Oasis-class vessel will be called… Harmony of the Seas.
When the new vessel launches in April next year, she will join Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas as the world’s largest ships.
Onboard she will feature three waterslides, a top-deck pool and sports zone that goes down three decks into one of the pools.
Additionally, the vessel will have popular Royal Caribbean favourites such as the rock climbing wall.
Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean this week gave cruise fans a peek at its forthcoming vessel Quantum-class ship, Anthem of the Seas.
9. Morrissey to shine at Vivid
Get ready Morrissey and The Smiths fans! The ‘Everyday is like Sunday’ singer is heading Down Under for an exclusive performance during Vivid Sydney.
The famous musician and lyricist will perform at the Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House concert, which will be held on 26, 27, 30 and 31 May.
‘An Evening With Morrissey’ will be the artist’s only Australian appearance and Destination NSW expects tickets will be in high demand for the Sydney-exclusive performance.
“As one of music’s most enduring figures, Morrissey is set to captivate audiences in his Sydney-exclusive performances during Vivid Sydney.”
Sandra Chipchase, Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer
Tickets will be allocated through a ballot.
To apply for the ballot visit www.sydneyoperahouse.com/morrissey anytime between 2 March and 6 March 2015.
Tickets will not be allocated on a first come first served basis, all applications received during this period will be equally considered.
10. Craziest items stolen from a hotel
Image: dotshock/Shutterstock
People stealing from a hotel? Not really a big surprise, but what they’re stealing – that’s another story.
According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, item thefts at hotels cost property owners around $100 million a year, with guests taking whatever they can get their stick fingers on, Yahoo Travel reported.
However, the most common items taken from hotels are the shampoos. Are they that great or is it just the thrill of the freebee?
Another common item is the bathrobe, which let’s face it, is so much more comfortable than the one you already own.
Once you move aside from the usual items, guests are also apparently taking room service trays, bud vases and butter holders.
People are also swiping pillows, which the industry has jumped onto, with new technology that allows them to track their linens once they’re out of the bedroom. Read on
But pillows and silverware is nothing compared to the travellers that somehow managed to leave the hotel with a $300,000 artwork; a 12-foot model of the Concorde; a grand piano (how?); and even showerheads.
What’s the weirdest item you’ve ever taken from a hotel?
