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. Ash clouds over Bali… again
It’s good news for holidaymakers in Bali (longer holiday) but bad news for those trying to fly over – ash has disrupted flights to and from the popular island once again.
Six Jetstar flights were cancelled this morning along with eight Virgin services, leaving thousands of travellers stranded either on the island or at a local Australian airport.
According to a Jetstar update, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) team recommended cancelling Denpasar services until ash from Mt Rinjani in Lombok clears up.
2. Want the ‘sharpest’ hotel rates? Turn to Excite
Excite Holidays has entered a new agreement with hotel distribution company, DHISCO Inc, to bring agents the industry’s ‘sharpest’ rates.
The partnership follows a string of recent moves by the online wholesaler to improve the agent experience and create better selling opportunities.
As part of the newest agreement, Excite will eventually be able to offer consultants access to DHISCO’s portfolio of over 250,000 hotels in over 150 countries.
3. G Adventures just made river cruising a little hipper
Don’t get us wrong, river cruising is already incredibly hip – in fact it’s so hip Australians are literally selling out river ships years in advance.
According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s latest figures, there was an incredible 62 percent swell in total Aussie passengers on river vessels in 2014 compared to the prior year.
This huge growth is part of the reason lines launch several new vessels every year.
4. Qantas plans to double the size of Jetstar Pacific
Qantas and Vietnam Airlines have committed to expanding on their Jetstar Pacific joint venture and are hoping double the size of the budget airline’s fleet over the next five years.
The pair are hoping to have around 30 aircraft in the fleet by 2020 – up from the current 12, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
With twice as much aircraft the two carriers are also hoping to expand on Jetstar Pacific’s network, which currently operates to 16 domestic and six international destinations.
“Jetstar Pacific has made significant progress in recent years, cumulating in the low fares airline being profitable for the first nine months of calendar year 2015.”
Dr Pham Ngoc Minh, Vietnam Airlines CEO
“With the increased demand for low fares travel in Vietnam, we expect to grow Jetstar Pacific to a fleet of up to 30 aircraft by 2020.”
5. OMG, we’re getting another one of these ships
Royal Caribbean is adding to its Quantum-class vessels with the announcement of a fifth ship arriving in 2020.
So by the end of the decade, the cruise line will have Quantum of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas plus another two unnamed versions of the 5,000-guest, technologically advanced model.
According to Royal Caribbean’s Chairman, Richard D. Fain, the Quantum-class has been received with ‘excitement’ and he expects momentum to continue as the line adds to the innovative class of ships.
“At Royal Caribbean we are focused on continuously improving efficiency and sustainability, and the fifth Quantum class vessel will be clear evidence of this.”
Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean CEO
Australia will welcome its own Quantum class vessel in 2016, when the $1.3 billion Ovation of the Seas arrives in December.
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6. Malaysia Airlines’ new Business Class is very fancy
Malaysia Airlines has unveiled a new Business Class design for its A330-300 aircraft that gives Iggy Azalea a run for her money in the ‘fancy’ department.
Coming in 2016, the upgraded seating is part of the airline’s ‘long road to recovery‘ designed to bring the business back into the black (profits).
So far, the airline’s transformation has included closing less frequented lounges and reducing its network to focus on providing improved services on profitable routes.
7. You can now fly from Adelaide to Flinders Ranges
Your clients will have an easier time accessing Wilpena Pound Resort in the Flinders Ranges National Park now that first flights from Adelaide have launched.
Previously only accessible via a 4.5 hour drive, travellers can now fly to the destination in less than three hours and enjoy aerial views before reaching the resort.
The Scenic Flight Transfer consists of two flight sectors, starting with a 1.5 hour transfer from Adelaide to the mining town of Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Airport) with Alliance Airlines, on a 52-seater Fokker aircraft. Then there is a one-hour flight to Wilpena Pound Resort with WrightsAir, which operates a fleet of small aircraft including the GippsAero GA8 Airvan that can seat up to seven people.
To celebrate the first-ever launch of the new flights, Wilpena Pound Resort is offering a two-day Mini-Adventure package from just $738 per person, per night including flights, meals and tours – or just under $3,000 for the weekend for two people. There is even a late 1.00pm checkout on the Sunday ready for a 2pm return flight departure.
8. Freestyle your way around Europe
Freestyle travel companies, Busabout, HAGGiS and Shamrocker Adventures, have released their 2016 Europe programme, giving travellers more opportunities to build their own European adventures.
In addition to the existing Hop-On Hop-off stops, Busabout now has the East Loop Pass, which allows travellers to discover Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia at their own.
Busabout says loops are ideal for music-loving travellers wanting to combine regional discovery with some of the world’s hottest festivals.
For travellers with those festivals already on the radar, Busabout provides options for each to be purchased as a Hop-on Hop-off add-on with tickets, accommodation, the services of a Busabout crew and much more all included in the price.
9. TravelManagers experience PNG customs
TravelManagers’ personal travel manager Katy Hurd representative from Victoria’s Mount Eliza recently experienced a seven-day “famil of a lifetime” to Papua New Guinea.
The group flew Air Niugini to Port Moresby from Brisbane and was hosted by Papua New Guinea Tourism.
Whilst the Australian department of Foreign Affairs Smart Traveller advice is currently to “exercise a high degree of caution” for travel to Papua New Guinea, Hurd pleasantly discovered Papua New Guinea is one of those unique destinations where perceived perceptions can be different in reality.
“My perception pre-famil was that Papua New Guinea was a dangerous destination and by default the people would be unfriendly and potentially hostile – well I was very wrong about the people being unfriendly!”
Katy Hurd, Representative for Victoria
“Of course you need to have your wits about you and take caution in Port Moresby as you would in many third world cities and I’m pleased to say I felt incredibly safe at the Tufi Resort located on the tip of Cape Nelson in Oro Province.”
The famil group enjoyed an adventure-packed itinerary. It was the inspiring cultural experiences that Hurd found a complete surprise and delight.
10. Air NZ gives the All Blacks a legendary welcoming
Rugby World Cup champions the Men in Black aka the All Blacks touched down in New Zealand after their historic win to a ceremonial haka.
Weathering the rainy conditions at Auckland International Airport, Air New Zealand staff decked in yellow hi-viz vests put on a powerful haka performance for the incoming champions – right on the tarmac.
Several of the All Blacks were seen filming the impromptu haka with their phones from inside the Boeing 777.
