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Be in the know! Travel news you might've missed at the end of 2017

Did you clock out of work and 2017 in general a little early? Did you take an extra week before Christmas to be with the family or head off on a much-needed escape.

Did you clock out of work and 2017 in general a little early? Did you take an extra week before Christmas to be with the family or head off on a much-needed escape.

Well if you did, we’re jealous but also not at the same time, because although some might assume travel news would slow down towards the end of the year, it actually didn’t.

In fact, there were a couple of major announcements, some cool new products and more exciting things that happened towards the end of 2017.

We’re here to ensure you’re kept well in the loop, so here at a few things you might’ve missed in travel news towards the end of 2017.

 

Helloworld bought Magellan Travel Group

Helloworld Travel Andrew Burnes

Yes, the largest retail franchise got a whole lot larger with Helloworld Travel confirming the acquisition of the Magellan Travel Group.

The $32.5 million purchase is expected to be complete by this month, and will see Magellan continue to operate in its current form under the Helloworld Travel umbrella.

Want to know more? Click here >>> Helloworld buys Magellan

 

And Vietnam made online visas available to Aussies

Vietnam feature

Gaining permission to travel around the world is getting easier and easier for Aussie travellers as more countries move their visa application process online.

The latest country to do so is Vietnam. Australia was added to Vietnam’s e-visa program this week, along with six other destinations – New Zealand, Canada, The Netherlands, India and the United Arab Emirates.

Want to know more? Click here >>> Aussies can now apply for Vietnam visas online

 

Melbourne received its third int’l route in a month

Melbourne Xiamen Airlines feature

Australia’s ‘it’ gateway welcomed its third international route last month when Xiamen Airlines’ Melbourne-Hangzhou service took off.

The first of the twice weekly 787-9 service flying via Xiamen touched down in Melbourne, connecting the Aussie city to its 12th mainland China destination after Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xiamen, Qingdao, Xi’an, Chongqing and Zhengzhou.

Want to know more? Click here >>> Popular Melbourne gets another int’l route

 

Ponant found a way to delve deeper into the North Pole

PONANT Icebreaker

The world’s only French cruise line will soon also be the world’s only cruise line to have a luxurious electric hybrid icebreaker propelled by liquefied natural gas.

PONANT has placed an order for the first-of-its-kind cruise ship, which will be capable of taking guests to unexplored areas in the polar regions.

Want to know more? Click here >>> Ponant cruises deeper into the North Pole

 

And home-based Agents received their own NTIA category

NTIA feature 2

They’re a fast-growing breed of Travel Agents and they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve at the travel industry’s night of nights.

In 2018, trade professionals will be able to vote for the best travel agency manager, best travel agency, best online travel agency, and for the first time, best home-based consultant model.

Want to know more? Click here >>> AFTA adds home-based category to NTIAs

 

A politician said stewardess uniforms may cause arousal

AirAsia X

A Malaysian politician is blaming airline uniforms for the potential “arousal” of passengers, by saying that they’re too “revealing” and “body-hugging”.

Instead of advising flyers to learn to control their own hormones, Malaysia’s Senator wants AirAsia and Malindo Air to change their staff uniforms.

Want to know more? Click here >>> Politician wants to change cabin crew uniforms

 

And Flighties went down the slippery slide, again

Flight Centre slip n slide feature

A permanent slide in Flight Centre’s new pimped out HQ just isn’t enough to fulfill the group’s love of all things slippery, because the annual Christmas slip ‘n slide made a come back late last year.

While the rest of us wrapped up the work week with a round drinks at a local pub, Flight Centre employees were stripping out of their uniforms and into their bathers for a ride along the festive indoor activity.

Want to know more? Click here >>> Flighties get wet before Christmas

Did you miss any of these travel news updates?