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. Virgin Australia narrows losses
Virgin Australia‘s business is creeping closer to the black, with fourth quarter profits showing major improvements compared to the same period last year.
From April to June this year, the airline reported an underlying loss before tax of $36.9 million – an upswing from the $46.2 million loss during the same three months in 2014.
The statutory loss after tax over the three months was $17.8 million an improvement of $160.4 million on last year.
2. AFTA extends accreditation to educators
AFTA is extending its accreditation arm beyond ATAS and beyond travel agents and straight to those that educate the next generation of travel industry professionals.
What does this mean?
It means, travel training providers such as TAFE or Universities or private RTOs can now apply and pay over $1,080 to get an AFTA tick of approval.
3. Star Alliance adds a little Premium to RTW
It’s been a busy six months for the Star Alliance – welcoming a new member, winning a Skytrax award, automating fares with Sabre, and now adding Premium Economy to its Round-The-World fares.
The group announced the expansion today, allowing agents to book Premium Economy Class on the RTW tickets.
The Class is available through 11 airline members on three mileage bands: 29,000, 34,000 or 39,000 miles.
4. italktravel expands with new stores
Independent Travel Group’s retail franchise italktravel continues to expand around Australia with the rebranding of two new stores.
This month, Harvey World Travel on Bribie Island became italktravel Bribie Island, Queensland; and a former Southern Cross Travel store transformed into italktravel Bendigo.
Regarding the rebrand to italktravel Bribie Island, owner John Layton said that for him, “the reason for the change to italktravel is simple, it ticked all the boxes”.
5. Kiwis & Canucks crashing the Sunshine Coast
Thanks to an influx of tourists from New Zealand, Europe and North America, the visitor growth rate to the Sunshine Coast has doubled that of Queensland overall for the year ending March 2015.
According to Tourism Research Australia’s latest International Visitor Survey, the Sunshine Coast welcomed 14 percent more international visitors over the 12 months while Queensland only experienced a seven percent growth rate.
The double-digit international growth saw the Sunshine Coast attract 258,000 visitors for the year.
6. TFE Hotels launches new brand
TFE Hotels has launched a new brand to represent the group’s collection of distinctive and boutique properties in Australia and overseas.
Named the ‘TFE Hotels Collection’, it joins the group’s five existing brands Adina Apartment Hotels, Medina Serviced Apartments, Rendezvous Hotels, Vibe Hotels and Travelodge Hotels.
Each brand has its own distinctive portfolio and their own style, look, and personality.
7. Agents thrive with helloworld for business advantage
Reho Travel is a prime example of agents taking advantage of the company’s advantage support in order to optimise their success, according to helloworld.
Reho recently acquired NGT Travel – a move helloworld believes was achieved through harnessing the opportunities and support available to them.
Speaking on the company’s success, David Padman, Head of Associate and Affiliate networks said the growth of Reho Travel reinforces the fact that the helloworld for business network is more than just a buying group.
“helloworld for business is a unique home for independent travel businesses, delivering the advantages of a buying group with so much more.”
David Padman, Head of Associate and Affiliate networks
“Our network provides members with a range of valuable tools to harness their full potential and maximise success.
“We provide access to market leading technology, training, product profile, business support and valuable networking opportunities.”
Reho Travel Managing Director Karsten Horne concurred that the support of the helloworld for business network has been a key ingredient to the Company’s recent growth and success.
“The support, training and opportunities available as a member of the helloworld for business network have been instrumental in our success, particularly in our advances in technology and innovation,” she said.
“We recently won the Innovation Award at the helloworld for business Summit in Hong Kong. It’s wonderful for our ideas to be recognised and it’s opportunities like this that we really value as a member of the network.”
Meanwhile, there’s only two days left until helloworld’s top frontliners head to Cairns for the two-day Forum.
8. Scenic launches 2016 Africa program
Scenic has launched its 2016 Africa program which includes the launch of a new extended itinerary and a number of new Enrich experiences and Freechoice activities.
Guests can now join Scenic for twenty ‘wonder-filled’ days exploring Southern and East Africa on a new itinerary travelling from Cape Town to Nairobi – 20 Day Great Game Parks of Africa.
The Tanzania leg of the safari links to Scenic’s Southern Africa Discovery itinerary, taking guests to Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park, famous for tree-climbing lions and beautiful escarpment views, the world famous Ngorongoro Crater, and a Serengeti migration camp that follows the great wildebeest migration.
New Scenic Freechoice activities on existing tours include a dawn walking safari with a Masai Warrior in the Masai Mara National Reserve, and a hippo trail walk in Kruger National Park; both offering incredible wildlife encounters of animals in their natural habitat.
Plus there’s a number of exclusive Enrich experiences unique to Scenic – including a ‘boma’ outdoor dinner, close-up elephant interaction and sundowner cruise.
Click here to check out the brochure.
9. Join Abu Dhabi’s roadshows
Abu Dhabi‘s tourism leaders are embarking on a four-destination roadshow across Australia next week to increase awareness of the emirate city amongst local agents.
The 11-strong delegation, led by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) will be in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney from 3-6 August advising Australian retail travel agents and MICE consultants on current and new tourism experiences and offerings across Abu Dhabi.
Joining Abu Dhabi Tourism on the roadshow will be ive-star beachfront Jumeirah at Etihad Towers as well as representatives from MSC Cruises, which operates in the Arabian Peninsula.
10. Emma Burnet joins the Luxperience team
Luxperience has increased its team with the appointment of Emma Burnet as buyer program manager.
The announcement comes six week ahead of the opening of Luxperience 2015.
Emma will be on board to assist buyers at this year’s exhibition.
Emma comes from a background in marketing and sales, having worked for a variety of global travel organisations including most recently InterContinental Hotels and American Express Travel Benefits Marketing.
For Luxperience 2016, Emma will be deeply involved in the development of strategic activities to entice new global buyers to the event.
NTK Extra: Mudgee strikes Gold
Mudgee Region was the toast of the travel industry at the weekend’s Travel In Inland Tourism Awards, with the local tourism body taking home gold in the Destination Marketing category for its Reset Your Senses campaign, along with Fairview Artspace in the Unique Business category.
Also recognised for excellence in tourism were Gooree Park who was awarded runners-up in Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries, and Southern Cross Kayaking who were named finalists in Ecotourism.
The Inland Tourism Awards which are held annually, acknowledge the high standard, and innovative tourism experiences offered in Central, Inland, Murray and Riverina, with Mudgee scooping the pool in this year’s much anticipated program.
“We’re extremely honoured to have done so well at this year’s Travel In Inland Tourism Awards, with Mudgee Region represented strongly across several highly competitive categories.”
Russell Holden, Mudgee Region Tourism Chairman
“This achievement reinforces what we’ve known for a long time – that Mudgee Region is home to some of the most sought-after, immersive experiences which we invite all to enjoy.”
NTK Extra: Agents take the Golden Route
Ten travel agents from Australia were invited to experience Japan’s Golden Route, the most popular route for first-time travellers to Japan.
The eight-day fully-hosted familiarisation trip to Japan was hosted by Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Sydney Office.
The trip started in the Hakone region, famous as a hot springs resort one and a half hours from Tokyo, where the group were treated to a scenic cruise on a pirate ship on Lake Ashi.
