We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Nepal earthquake update: before and after + appeals
The travel industry continues to ramp up support for Nepal, following the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which destroyed buildings and road and left thousands of people dead.
Overnight, the death toll in Nepal climbed to 4,6000, however, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala told Reuters the death toll could reach 10,000.
This figure would surpass the 8,500 people who died in a 1934 earthquake, formerly the biggest natural disaster in the Himalayan nation.
2. Abbott removes Aus ambassador from Indonesia, ‘Ban on Bali’ returns
Australians awoke this morning to the news that Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have been executed by gunfire in Indonesia.
The fate of the convicted drug smugglers was confirmed overnight by Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office, which told the Jakarta Post that executions went ahead with ‘no disruptions’.
“We’ve carried out the executions. The executions went well, without any disruptions.”
Indonesia Attorney General’s Office
3. What your clients need to know about Baltimore
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is urging any Australian in Baltimore, Maryland in the US to avoid locations of demonstration as the city enters a ‘State of Emergency’.
According to the government agency, national guard has been deployed to monitor the streets after riots broke out yesterday.
A city-wide curfew has also commenced and will run for a week from 10.00pm to 5.00am.
“Australians in Baltimore should avoid locations where protests and demonstrations are occurring and monitor the media for the latest developments.”
DFAT
Widespread violence in the city comes after the funeral of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who is the latest victim of police brutality.
Riots broke out in the late afternoon in Mondawmin neighbourhood of northwest Baltimore, where Mr Gray’s funeral was held.
Residents threw bottles, rocks and chunks of concrete at police officers. Fifteen law officials are said have been injured.
Violence continued through the night and is believed to have simmered this morning.
4. Qantas pulls the plug on Optus & can’t survive without MU
It wasn’t just a big night for news from Indonesia and Nepal, here in Australia, Qantas revealed the end of its relationship with Optus and upped the stakes for its alliance with China Eastern.
From 30 June, Qantas Frequent Flyer members will no longer be able to accrue points on phone and Internet bills after the airline pulled the plug on its agreement with Optus.
The program between the two has been running for over three years, and allowed customers to earn points on any bills paid with the communication provider.
5. AFTA addresses travel agent credit issues
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents is tackling the issue of chargebacks agents face when a supplier fails or collapses, with a new submission to the Reserve Bank of Australia.
The submission, sent yesterday, was in response to the Bank’s recent paper called the ‘Review of Card Payment System Regulation’.
AFTA welcomed the review by the RBA, which is the first review in nearly 20 years to look at electronic payment process and the payment preference of Australian consumers.
6. Disney fun with Creative
It’s the happiest place on earth bundled down into exciting packages and deals with Creative Holidays.
The brochure is among the company’s new-look programs, created alongside Leedham Creative, KarryOn’s parent company.
Inside the 2015/16 brochure, the tour operator offers tips on how to get toe various parks and where to stay where discovering the world of Disney Parks & Resorts.
Among the theme parks covered include Disney in Paris, Orlando, Hong Kong, Hawaii and California.
As well as tips, the program also offers advice on places to eat, facilities and activities for all the family.
Click here for more brochures.
7. Brisbane airport gets an upgrade
Brisbane Airport’s domestic terminal is set to receive its biggest expansion yet, with a new regional airline building.
Work is expected to commence early next year, and will see the airport receive 11 new gates at the domestic terminal. There’s also potential for a further six gates.
According to Greg McKenzie, Project Manager, the building will be around 2,000 square metres and will initially stand alone 300 metres from the existing terminal.
It will be connected to the main terminal via a walkway.
8. Are you Australia’s most inspiring luxury specialist?
If your answer to the above is yes, then Luxperience is looking for you.
The annual luxury show has teamed up with The Great Escape Charter Company to find Australia’s most inspiring luxury travel specialist.
The competition, which kicked off this week, invites agents to submit their innovativeness, quality and value as a luxury specialist to be in the running to win a holiday.
The prize is a four-night Quintessentially Kimberley Coast Escape for two, travelling the unique North Western Australian coastal wilderness to discover breathtaking destinations such as Raft Point, Ruby Falls and Montgomery Reef.
Valued at $9,900, the cruise departs on 19 September from Broome and returns 23 September this year.
Click here for more information.
9. World-renowned chef brings new flavours to Seabourn
Seabourn is taking onboard dining to new heights, by recruiting world-renowned American chef and restauranteur, Thomas Keller, to create new dishes and introduces new flavours on its vessels.
Keller will bring his award-winning French and American cuisine to the ultra-luxury cruise line later this year through an array of dishes, ranging from appetisers to desserts for multiple dining venues aboard Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, and Seabourn Quest.
The culinary creations will be prepared with high quality ingredients and to exact specifications, resulting in an unrivalled dining experience like no other at sea.
In addition, Seabourn will partner with Keller to introduce a new signature restaurant that will be revealed early in 2016 on Seabourn Quest before being expanded to the entire fleet.
“There is really no chef more accomplished or held in higher esteem than Chef Keller, and we are both honoured and delighted to have a restaurateur of his stature take our onboard culinary offerings to an even higher level.”
Richard Meadows, Seabourn President
10. Top 10 airlines offering the best customer service
Your clients spend months staring at the calendar for that long awaited holiday. Giddy with the excitement the day of departure comes. They’re packed, prepared, a little nervous and that’s when it happens. Bad airline service.
Months of pent-up excitement simmers away all because of that miserable airline staff member that clearly didn’t want to be at work that day.
Bad customer service – it’s the worst way to start a vacation, and since air travel is usually the first thing on the itinerary, it’s important to ensure you and your clients are travelling with airlines that offer the friendliest air services.
NTK Extra: PTM uses skills to raise funds for charity
PTM Sue Kuti (front row third from left) with her small group tour at the ancient Greco-Roman city of Gerasa in northern Jordan.
In August last year, TravelManagers wrapped up their annual conference by announcing a new, long-term charity partnership with Singapore-based global charity, Buy1GIVE1 (B1G1).
Since, TravelManagers has encouraged its personal travel managers (PTMs) in becoming involved in giving to B1G1 on a personal level.
Sue Kuti, representative for Randwick in NSW, is one PTM who has taken this initiative seriously.
TravelManagers’ Sue Kuti raised almost $1000 for charity at her recent photo evening.
Kuti has been organising and running personally-guided small group tours for ten years, and many of her clients are keen photographers.
A few years ago, she held a photo competition which proved highly popular, with many clients asking for a repeat. She was happy to oblige, but this time she made the event a fundraising evening for B1G1.
“I invited clients to submit their favourite travel photos for the competition and charged them an entry fee. I then created a shortlist of fifteen photos from which my clients selected the winners. We awarded prizes for Best Photo and People’s Award, and I also gave away random door prizes.”
Sue Kuti, Personal Travel Manager for Randwick
As well as the photo competitions, Kuti handed out envelopes inviting clients to make a contributions either in cash or by credit card and was amazed at the response. The evening was such a success, raising just under $1000 for B1G1 that she has resolved to make it a biennial event.
