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. Aviation eyes on Thai Airways safety
Australia’s aviation regulator says it will perform additional inspections on Thai Airways after a recent international audit flagged concerns with Thailand’s safety standards.
The review, conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), found issues with regulation in the country’s aviation industry, primarily with airline safety procedures.
It was the country’s second audit in ten years. The last ICAO review was held in 2005 and saw Thailand pass with no issues raised.
2. Virgin Atlantic’s economy gets a Facebook upgrade
Break the ice with other passengers by taking a #SkyhighSelfie on Virgin Atlantic’s new Dreamliner Boeing 787.
The airline has revealed details of the new aircraft, and let’s just say flying economy has never been so cool.
The biggest upgrade to the cabin is the chance to log into your favourite social media account (that is if Facebook is your favourite) to share photos from 35,000 feet.
3. Does the Maldives hold the key to the MH370 mystery?
Islanders in the Maldives may be the key to answering the mystery of MH370’s disappearance.
The Boeing 777-200ER lost contact with ground control in March last year, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
All 227 passengers and 13 crew are believed to be dead, although no sign of the plane or its remains have been found.
4. Egypt delays visa changes
Egypt’s tourism leaders have postponed any changes to its current visa rules as it focuses on building a new electronic system.
Last month, officials said it would scrap the existing visa on arrival system as a means of tightening border security.
The change was expected to kick off from 15 May and would require travellers, including Australians, to obtains visas in advance.
However, Egypt’s Tourism Minister Khaled Ramy said no change in policy will be introduced until a new e-visa system is operational.
He said the online system will draw tourists to the country, while maximising security.
A launch date for the new e-visa system is yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to advise Australians that the visa change will be implemented from 15 May.
5. Plan a Mandela tour of South Africa
South Africa Tourism has teamed up with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to launch a new Mandela-inspired app for tourists seeking out sites and attractions associated with the late President.
Launched in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the global icon’s release from prison, the app is available for download in English from the Apple iTunes store and the Google Play store.
According to South Africa Tourism, the app is based on the ‘Madiba-inspired tourist attractions’ map, which launched in 2014 to encourage tourists to retrace Nelson Mandela’s footsteps.
It features tourist sites as well as general places of interest in the four main provinces that defined Mandela’s life – these range from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Robben Island, where he was imprisoned; to his post-Presidential office at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory to Qunu in the Eastern Cape, where he is laid to rest.
GPS-enabled, it uses location based services to establish which attraction the user is visiting and provides real-time information to enrich their experience.
There’s written information on attractions, audio descriptions as well as contact details, map previews and photo galleries.
Itinerary builders helps users wanting to visit numerous attractions to best plan their route and its also social media friendly.
It will soon be available in other languages including: Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Dutch, French, German, Italian, simple Mandarin and Portuguese.
6. Vivid gets a second Hoodoo Gurus show
DestinationNSW’s winter lights showcase, Vivid Sydney just got a little bigger, with a second performance of ‘Be My Guru: The Evolution Revolution’ by ARIA Hall of Fame group, the Hoodoo Gurus.
The second show will be held on 22 May and follows the sell-out the first schedule performance in just one week.
The Hoodoo Gurus are performing as part of Vivid Music, which has been expanded to include more acts and venues in 2015.
Vivid Music is a key part of Vivid Sydney and features international and local acts such as Daniel Johns and Morrissey.
Tickets for the second Hoodoo Gurus show are on sale now.
7. MAS Choo-ses a bit of Jimmy for Perth
Fashion icon and Malaysia-born shoe guru, Jimmy Choo will make a rare public appearance in Perth this month as part of a Malaysia Airlines initiative to unite Aussies and Malaysians.
Professor Choo will deliver a one-off masterclass for the fashion industry on 9 April followed by ‘The Fashion Tank’ on 10 April where he will join a panel of fashion experts to offer select students an opportunity to showcase their work and gain feedback.
Regional Senior Vice President of Malaysia Airlines, Mr PK Lee, said the collaboration with the fashion legend is a result of two parties sharing a common heritage, as well as a desire to achieve excellence and develop long-lasting ties between nations.
“Both countries recognise that their economic futures are tied to each other and connecting our continents has always been a significant goal for Malaysia Airlines.”
PK Lee, Malaysia Airlines Regional Senior Vice President
The initiative to bring Jimmy Choo to Australia follows Malaysia Airlines’ recent ties with popular Australians with Malaysian heritage.
Among them is Poh Ling Yeow, Malaysian-born celebrity cook and Logie-nominated TV presenter, as well as up and coming tennis player Nick Kyrgios whose mother is proudly Malaysian.
8. Tour operators on show in new series
Tour operators and hoteliers will be featured to thousands of Australians when travel series – Tour the World – returns.
The eight-episode series will air from 11 April on Network 10 on Saturdays at 12.00pm.
Each episode will showcase a new destination with various tour operators, among them include South America with Evergreen Tours; Thailand with On The Go Tours; and Vietnam with Wendy Wu Tours.
Other sponsors include High Sierra Australia & New Zealand; Travel Factory Australia; Park Trek Walking Tours; Fantasea Adventure Cruising; and Mike’s Wine Tours.
9. Teen kicked off flight for this…
Image: Volt Collection/Shutterstock
A 14-year-old girl is said to have been turned away by easyJet when trying to board a European flight for apparently having too many carry-on bags.
According to The Mirror, Deva Joseph was told by gate workers in London that her bags exceeded the allowance.
She was carrying a suitcase and a handbag, which would have been fine, if she were travelling two weeks earlier – before the budget carrier had revised its carry-on policy.
Under the new allowance, her ticket only allowed one bag on the aeroplane.
Joseph said she attempted to put her handbag in her suitcase but it wouldn’t fit.
She claims to have them offered to pay for the suitcase with cash, but was refused because of a ‘credit card-only policy’ for purchases at the airport.
The 14-year-old said she then even offered to leave one of her bags behind, but was denied.
“I just wanted to get home, bu they didn’t care. I was desperate, I was pleading.”
Deva Joseph
Joseph eventually flew home later in the day and the airline issued an apology saying an exception should have been made.
10. “We love Ryanair”… not: Spanish band’s sarcastic ballad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wapzimGnYiI
A Spanish rock group pulled out their instruments and warmed up their vocals for a sarcastic love ballad dedicated to low-cost carrier, Ryanair.
The airline, which is known for its humour and wit, was called out for its alleged poor customer service after members of Sidonie said they experienced ‘habitual lack of respect’.
The song entitled ‘We don’t love Ryanair’ was filmed and written while flying with the airline and uploaded to the group’s Facebook page after landing.
In the video the group are seen dancing down the plane’s aisle, playing the ukulale and singing sarcastically “Ryanair how we love you and its flight attendants”.
A spokesperson for Ryanair laughed off the video, saying to Daily Mail that the lyrics are ‘average’ and vocals ‘out of tune’.
“Sidonie? More like sit down mate.”
Ryanair spokesperson
