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. P&O’s five-ship spectacular just changed Aus cruising
By now you’ve seen the pictures, the videos or (if you’re in Sydney) headed down to the Harbour to check out the breathtaking site for yourself.
Five P&O ships sailed into Sydney Harbour this morning – the most vessels to ever park in the Harbour.
While this alone was a huge feat for P&O Cruises, the shenanigans didn’t stop there, because this morning’s spectacular also saw P&O successfully increase the Australian cruise fleet by two – with the highly anticipated arrival of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden – and host a first-of-its-kind christening where godmothers Kate Richie and Jessica Mauboy broke champagne and tweeted simultaneously.
2. Qantas sets sights on the Big Apple
If Qantas had the technology to fly direct between Australia and New York it would do so in a heartbeat, according to the airline’s CEO.
Speaking in Sydney this week, Alan Joyce said the carrier currently sends around 300 people a day to New York – but unfortunately aircraft restrictions means they’re currently flying to the destination either via Los Angeles or Dallas.
However, as soon as engineers unveil an aircraft capable of flying the full distance without stopping, Joyce said the airline would ‘go straight there’, Australian Business Traveller reported.
3. Agents receive access to cheaper flights
AirAsia has entered a new agreement with eNett International to give agents access to significantly lower fares.
Consultants using the Virtual Account Number (VAN) will forego the current surcharges applied to traditional credit card payments, saving over 70 percent on fees and making VANs the cheapest form of credit and payment for AirAsia flights.
Under the terms, AirAsia will add VANs as a payment option in its own agency booking platform, and accept VANs through the Travelport Travel Commerce Platform. Agents choosing VANs will be exempt from the surcharge currently applied to traditional credit card payments, and benefit from a lower fee. This significantly reduces the cost of booking for the agent, as well as saving on processing costs for AirAsia.
The solution will be rolled out in Australia in the early 2016, and apply to AirAsia X flights initially, before being extended to other brands and markets globally throughout 2016.
4. APT founder receives major honours
APT founder Geoff McGeary was honoured at this year’s Brolga Awards for his work and commitment in pioneering tourism in the Northern Territory.
The awards night held in Alice Springs on Saturday night saw the Chief Minister and Tourism Minister – Hon Adam Giles present Geoff with the Tourism Ministers Perpetual Trophy.
Commenting on the accolade and relaying his thanks to Tourism Northern Territory, Geoff McGeary said he felt honoured to receive the Trophy and to be recognised by his good friends and colleagues in the Northern Territory.
5. Auckland gets its first Adina
The Adina Apartment Hotel will be TFE Hotels’ newest property in New Zealand, opening just in time for the peak travel period.
Scheduled to open on 1 December this year, the new hotel comes at an ideal time for Auckland’s stretched hospitality sector, with New Zealand visitor numbers surpassing the three-million mark for the first time, up 7 percent on last year.
6. A new way to travel from White Bay
I can hear the collective sigh of relief from not only cruisers but industry folk who want to explore cruise ships but don’t want to hike out to White Bay.
For those who aren’t aware, White Bay is a good 15 minute drive (in mild traffic) from Sydney’s Harbour. The only way to get to and from the second major cruising port is either via a taxi or a bus – this can be kind of a hassle and expensive at times.
All that’s about to change (praise the goddess of cruising) because Captain Cook Cruises will give cruisers a third option for travelling to and from White Bay – a ferry service.
7. Solomon Airlines welcomes first female pilot
New Zealander Captain Claudia Walding has become the first female pilot to take command of Solomon Airlines’ flagship Airbus A320.
Captain Walding has been piloting Solomon Airlines’ Islander and Twin Otter aircraft since joining the carrier in 2000.
Her attainment of an Airline Transport Pilots License allows her to take the helm of the carrier’s A320 flagship, in the process becoming Solomon Airlines’ first female pilot to realise this achievement.
Congratulating Captain Walding on her achievement, Solomon Airlines CEO, Captain Ron Sumsum said her appointment was a benchmark moment for the carrier’s equal opportunity development for its female pilots, her success representing a major achievement especially in the context of a traditionally male dominated Melanesian environment.
8. Emirates tees-up golfing commitment
A swanky cocktail reception teed off last night at The Star in Sydney to celebrate the launch of the Emirates Australian Open Golf 2015.
Overlooking stunning Sydney Harbour at the Sky Terrace at The Star in Sydney, the launch event was attended by sporting stars, media professionals and other industry heavy weights, all decked out in their finest evening wear.
The Emirates Australian Open Golf 2015, now in its 100th year, will welcome the world’s best golfers to Sydney’s shores at The Australian Golf Club from 26 to 29 November.
9. An early Christmas in Finland
A group of travel agents have been taken out of Australia’s spring and placed right in the middle of winter in Finland.
The Bentours and Finnair famil whisked agents away last week to experience Bentours’ products including a visit to the home of Santa Claus in Rovaniemi and a journey to Saariselka in Northern Lapland.
They also received an introduction to reindeer-herding Sami families in Menesjarvi, and a stay in some of the most famous ice igloos in the world.
10. No men allowed
Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa, Phuket has unveiled a new room category called – the Lady Suite.
As the title suggests the room is a dedicated area for ladies-only and is designed to cater to their every need.
For example, the Lady Suite feature feminine touches such as a yoga mat, ladies dumbbells, a meditation area as well as a Jacuzzi and rain shower in the bathroom.
Other facilities include a private balcony with beautiful views over the Andaman Sea, a window daybed, a spacious armchair sitting area and much more.
According to the property’s GM, Warakorn Jarusirikul, the suite comes after seeing a rising number of female guests over the last few years.
