Wed 27 Aug: 10 Things you need to know today

We’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to! Read on for the top 10 travel industry news stories of the day that we think you need to know.

1. Air NZ profits lift-off third year in a row

Air New Zealand has paid a special dividend on the release of strong profit results up 30% for the year ending June 30. The airline posted NZ$332 million in normalised earnings before tax, and net profit after tax of NZ$262 million. The airline will also pay a special dividend of NZ10 cents per share on top of its final dividend of NZ5.5 cents a share, up 25%.

Attributing the profit jump, its third year in a row, to better aircraft and routing, choosing the right alliance partners, cost management and a renewed focus on its customers, Chairman Tony Carter said.

“A successful Air New Zealand is good for everyone – it is a virtuous circle. As we grow our revenue and control costs, we generate strong financial results which lead to sustainable returns to shareholders and investment back in the business,” Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon. Read more

2. American says no to Orbitz

In a first, American Airlines have said no to anti-agency by refusing to partner with booking portal, Orbitz. Withdrawing its fares from consumer sites powered by Orbitz from September 1, American Airlines said customers had a ‘multitude’ of options to book fares, even sending them to travel agencies.

“We have worked tirelessly with Orbitz to reach a deal with the economics that allow us to keep costs low and compete with low-cost carriers,” Scott Kirby, President – American Airlines, said.

“While our fares are no longer on Orbitz, there are a multitude of other options available for our customers, including brick and mortar agencies, online travel agencies, and our own websites.”

Corporate clients who utilise Orbitz for Business are not affected by the changes. Customers can continue to purchase tickets and all options for travel on American and US Airways through aa.com and usairways.com and fares are also available through reservations agents and other travel agencies.

3. Virgin’s enhances online check-in

Virgin Australia has enhanced its online check-in system for domestic flights, giving customers more information and control over their booking when checking-in via smart phone, tablet or computer.

Developed to integrate functionality with the SabreSonic booking and check-in system, it now offers a simplified design, more functionality and tailored destination information including weather and tourism sights. Read more

4. Cruising overhaul

Following its realignment to Creative Holidays, Creative Cruising will provide the travel industry with a full-service solution to cater to growing demand from Australian would-be cruisers.

“A great number of those trips are more complex bookings, combining cruise with pre and post touring so a key objective for us has been to make it easier and more efficient for agents to book cruise, air and land all with one call,” Managing Director, Creative Holidays, James Gaskell said.

“While there were once ‘cruise specialists’, the boom of cruising as a mainstream travel preference – 3.6% of the Australian population cruised in 2013 – means that all agents need to be up to speed with the ever-expanding industry. More than ever, agents are faced with complex combination bookings”.

According to Gaskell, Creative Cruising will ensure product offering is catering to “emerging markets” with increased ocean, river and tall ship options. The wholesaler is also set to host the inaugural Creative Cruising famil in the Caribbean next month.

5. Skyscanner launches hotel app

Skyscanner has launched their Hotels app offering travellers an “intuitive way” to search, compare and book hotels. The app allows users to search its expansive database of hotels across the globe, showing unbiased results with the best rates, giving travellers a simple way to uncover the best price at the perfect hotel.

“We found that often travellers may spend longer researching the perfect hotel than the actual length of their trip,” Marketing Manager Australia and New Zealand, Dave Boyte, said.

“The Skyscanner Hotels app aims to make that research time convenient and pleasurable – giving travellers all the tools they need, in one place, to be able to make the best choice, confidently and without hassle.”

The app also offers tools that can add to a traveller’s decision making process, including a map view that shows lodging options by location and points of interest, a favourites feature allowing users to save options for a later decision, and a side by side comparison component to see how each accommodation measures up. The app also takes advantage of live room availability updates.

6. Travellers Choice CEO takes up challenge

Travellers Choice CEO Christian Hunter took the Ice Bucket Challenge after being nominated by fellow TC member to promote awareness of (ALS) or Motor Neurone Disease in Australia. Mr Hunter nominated fellow travel industry leaders to take the challenge, including AFTA’s Jayson Westbury, Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Peter McCormack and Qantas Holidays’ Peter Egglestone.

7. Japan becomes tourist shoppers dream

From October, Japan will introduce a range of high-lusted items foreigners can purchase, tax-free. Confectionary, cosmetics, health goods are just some of the items that will be labeled “tax free” in a bid to attract more international tourists to the country after a bumper 2013. Sales tax in the country increased from 5% to 8% and is expected to go up to 10% in October 2015, leaving the government to impose a new tax system for tourists.

Foreigners who depend more than 5000 yen (around A$45) at designated tax-free shops just need to show their passports to have the tax deducted at point of sale. Purchases from foreign tourists account for some 30% of total travel spend in Japan, according to the Japan Tourism Agency, skift reports.

“Shopping is a strong motive for foreign tourists visiting Japan,” said a spokesman for the JTA.

8. Marriott Mobile Benefits

Marriott has launched a new ‘Members Get More’ campaign targeting its Asia Pacific Gen Y hotel guests, giving these tech savvy members more travel benefits with the when using their mobile device. In addition, Marriott Rewards Members can now check-in using the Marriott Mobile App, and for the first 100 who do so twice between 4 September and 4 October, Marriott will upgrade a selected few to Gold Elite status.

The ‘Members Get More’ campaign will be launched across multiple channels, including social media, member e-Newsletters, in-flight and across over 500,000 business, news, travel and lifestyle websites. Major airports throughout the region will carry impactful billboards with key ‘MORE’ messaging.

“It responds directly to what members are telling us … they want MORE benefits and they want them sooner. Our tech savvy and Generation Y travellers want more interesting and tangible, day to day benefits when they travel. Giving our members “More” will mean things like surprising and delighting them when they least expect it, enabling the tech savvy to connect with us via their mobile device. We’re experimenting with a number of other things that will make being a member much more compelling than just earning points and redeeming for future travel.” Chief Marketing & Sales & Marketing Officer of Marriott International Asia Pacific,  Peggy Fang Roe said.

9. Ooh La La – more France in 2015

French Travel Connection will launch its new 116-page 2015 programme offering more Paris experiences, new regional itineraries, Monaco exclusive packages, WWI battlefield cruises and new touring options during workshops held in Sydney and Melbourne early next week. 

“Due to an increasing demand for regional France holidays, we have also developed suggested 3-night packages through the regions of France thanks to a varied selection of hotels and tours” French Travel Connection Product Manager, Lea Granado, said.

10. Smelly man kicked out of plane

A Frenchman has claimed he was kicked out of an American Airlines flight because he smelled bad — and was told to ‘take a shower’ by crew members. The Daily Mail reports the passenger upon boarding a Dallas-bound plane at Paris’ Charles-de-Gaulle Airport was approached by flight attendants with one saying “the crew and passengers complained of your smell,’ according to mobile phone footage.

‘You’re with an American company, this is American territory and the captain has the right to refuse you,’ the crew member added, according to AFP. ‘You will not be flying today.’

The crew member told the man to ‘take a shower,’ according to the report. He has filed a discrimination complaint against the airline, but a spokesman for AA reportedly told AFP the passenger being offloaded was actually due to visa issues.

What’s your reaction to today’s news? Share your comments and feedback below or send us your news stories for the next edition of Need to Know.