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. This year’s NTIA finalists are…
The votes have been counted and the list of finalists is finally here! Did any of your friends or colleagues make the list?
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has announced the list of 2016 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) Finalists for all 38 categories.
According to the group, a record number of 3,600 votes were made during this year’s polling period, making the competition across all categories “fierce”.
2. Qantas flies daily to Dallas
Qantas has responded to Air New Zealand’s additional peak season flights to Houston by increasing its own frequency to Dallas.
Commencing today, the airline is operating an extra flight to the southern city per week, bringing the service up to daily.
The move comes despite Air New Zealand introducing competition on the route, with its new Auckland-Houston services, which according to the Kiwi carrier’s Chief Sales and Commercial Officer, Cam Wallace, have received strong passenger enthusiasm.
3. Tourism Philippines wants a new connection to Australia
The Philippines’ tourism leader say there’s huge potential to build on the strong Australian market through new direct connections to different islands.
Speaking to media in Sydney last week, Tourism Philippines’ Undersecretary for Tourism Development, Benito C. Bengzon Jr. said the bureau has been hard at work over the last few years to build on the number of flights from Australia to Manila and “hopefully to other parts of the Philippines”.
Ideally, Benito said he’d like to get direct flights from Australia to Cebu off the ground because it would be a real “game changer”.
4. Club Med launches new dedicated travel agent site
Club Med has launched a brand new travel agent website, firmly positioning their support for trade partners in the future of the brand.
The website is designed to be user-friendly, while also giving agents access to better deals via the dedicated special offers page.
Other features of the new website include an animate map and supporting presentations, a marketing and sales tools section, easy access to booking channels, access to key images and videos plus customised flyers with agent’s own call to action.
“Digital tools are the way of the future for trade, and we recognize the need for a ‘one stop shop’ where agents can find everything they need in order to fully understand the Club Med product and sell it to their clients.”
Madeleine Clow-Suares, Club Med Managing Director
5. Princess to berth three ships in Cairns
Princess Cruises has announced that its three Australian-based ships – Sun Princess, Sea Princess and Dawn Princess – will start docking at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal on the city foreshore from June, following new simulator exercises which have shown the ships can safely traverse the channel to the city’s harbour.
The new berthing arrangements will start from 8 June this year when Dawn Princess is scheduled to call in the city. A further 16 scheduled calls to Yorkeys Knob between September 2016 and September 2017 will now also be transferred to the terminal.
Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said the changes would further boost the economic value of the upcoming 17 Princess calls, which are already expected to inject more than $8 million to the local Cairns economy, through passenger and crew shopping, dining, touring and port charges.
6. Virgin’s extra footy services
Virgin Australia is catering to any last minute footy fans wanting to attend this weekend’s Hyundai A-League 2016 Grand Final in Adelaide, with additional services to and from the city.
Extra flights on Friday and Saturday will leave from Sydney to Adelaide at 9.55am and 8.10pm. An additional Melbourne service will depart for Adelaide at 5.00pm on Friday and return to Melbourne on Monday at 8.05am.
Virgin Australia will continue to review demand for flights and add further additional services where possible.
7. TravelManagers launches a new type of agent training
TravelManagers is equipping its agents with the skills and techniques they need to take their business to the next level through its new Home Based Business Results Training Programme.
A first for the company, the program was rolled out late last year in Western Australia and Victoria and is designed for agents who already have the basic fundamentals but are looking to build their business through growth and sustainability.
Around 23 PTMs have taken up the challenge of the six-month training opportunity during which they were able to network with peers and learn from likeminded business owners and industry experts.
“There is nothing currently out there from a training perspective that caters for the nuances and challenges of home based travel businesses.”
Michael Gazal, TravelManagers Executive General Manager
“So, we set about creating a training programme that would cater to our personal travel managers who currently have successful business that just need extra support in growing those businesses to the next level.”
8. P&O officers join the parade
P&O Cruises’ Pacific Eden Captain Gavin Pears and the ship’s senior officers participated in Fremantle’s Anzac Day Parade yesterday, joining the local community in commemorating the Anzac tradition of service and sacrifice during the ship’s day in port.
Captain Pears thanked the City of Fremantle and the Fremantle RSL Sub Branch for inviting the Pacific Eden contingent to be part of the commemoration in Fremantle, where the ship is currently homeported for a three-month season.
Anzac Day was marked on all five ships in the P&O Cruises’ fleet with a Dawn Service held on each ship including the sounding of the Last Post, the traditional observance of a minute’s silence and the casting of a wreath of remembrance on the sea.
9. MTA Members framed on Cook Islands study tour
MTA Members Chelsea Barratt, Kathy Wilson and Fiona Cross recently visited the Cooks Islands as guests of Cook Islands Tourism and Air New Zealand.
An intensive seven-day study tour included the opportunity to inspect and update on the huge range of accommodation available across the destination.
The trio’s busy itinerary also gave them the chance to sample several experiential and culturally-based tours including lagoon cruises, cultural performances, a progressive dining experience, a 4WD tour and even an Eco Cycle Tour.
10. Agents ‘Venture’ into Singapore & Bangkok
Venture Holidays and Singapore Airlines showcased their product to a group of travel agents from South Australia on a five night educational visiting Singapore and Bangkok.
The group met in Singapore where they enjoyed a city sightseeing tour before using their free time to explore other places such as Ce La Vi, the rooftop bar at Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and Sentosa Island.
In Bangkok, the group learned the ropes of Bangkok’s different means of public transport on the Tastes of Bangkok Transport tour. A way to take in the sights of Bangkok with a guide on hand for assistance, and experience the city from a local’s perspective – by tuk-tuk, boat, Skytrain, bus and the adventurous khlong ferry. The group attracted a lot of laughter from the locals as they navigated Bangkok.
