We’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to! Read on for the top 10 industry news stories of the day you need to know.
1. Luxperience an event to remember
A total of 228 exhibitors and over 470 hand-picked specialist luxury and experiential buyers made it down the Walsh Bay’s coveted Pier 2/3 for Luxperience 2014.
Held between 31 August and 3 September, this year’s event had an aim to connect high-end experiential travel buyers with inspiring suppliers to exchange ideas in regard to the ever-evolving market.
This year, the event experienced a 53 per cent increase of numbers in attendance from the 2013 event. Buyers and visiting media were impressed with the range of luxury and experiential product on display, not only from the region but from around the world.
“This year marks our third as a key partner of Luxperience and it was the biggest yet, with 35 of New Zealand’s premium operators attending alongside us – up 70 per cent on last year.”
Tourism New Zealand CEO, Kevin Bowler
Read on for more.
2. Dubai the star in Instagram’s ultimate selfie
Twelve influential instagrammers from across the globe will visit Dubai over the next four weeks to experience the emirate through the eyes of its residents.
Each will follow an itinerary that has been tailor-made for them by another 12 influential Dubai-based instagrammers.
Their experiences of Dubai will collectively form the #MyDubai Trip video series, which is being produced in partnership between Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Qabeela New Media, creators of the award-winning travel series Peeta Planet.
“The creation of #MyDubai Trip is a perfect addition to the wider #MyDubai initiative, as it has provided the opportunity for Dubai’s residents to showcase our emirate to international visitors, through creating their own personalised itineraries of the best they believe Dubai has to offer,” Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) said.
Read on for more.
3. Iphone 6 lineup bigger than Ben Hur
Image Source: www.cnet.com.au
If you walked past any Apple-bearing street in one of Australia’s CBDs you’d be forgiven if you assumed the entire Hollywood collective had arrived in town.
However, the star of today is approximately several feet shorter and far slimmer than any A-list actress (which is hard to believe). The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has finally arrived in stores, creating cues of Apple-aficionados that stretched for blocks. Many had camped out all evening. Others choose to put their thinking cap on and pay for their waiting services or sell food to those hungry in lines.
Those lucky enough to nab a phone were greeted with cheers from Apple geniuses who are possibly experiencing one of the busiest days in retail they had ever seen.
4. Tourism Portfolio gets revamped
Tourism Portfolio unveiled their redesigned website this week as a way of highlighting their expanding range of international and domestic partners.
Tourism Portfolio has experienced significant growth over the past few years, with the addition of new international DMCs and the arrival of carefully selected, high-end properties and venues across Australia.
The Sydney-based company has also established a presence in the leisure travel sector, offering a range of bespoke products in South East Asia, the Middle East and North America.
Tourism Portfolio Managing Director Donna Kessler says the redesigned website better showcases the company’s extensive range of MICE and leisure products and services.
“As well as offering spectacular images and a fresh, clean design, the new site allows MICE and leisure travel specialists to quickly and more efficiently find all the information they need,” she said.
The new-look website is accessible on mobiles and tablet devices, and supported by a freshly redesigned e-newsletter. Tourism Portfolio is also active across a variety of social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin.
5. Join the South African Road Show
St James beach – a little taste of South Africa.
South African Tourism and airline partner, South African Airways are inviting travel agents to join them at yet another exciting Road Show series, showcasing the sites, tastes, rhythms and energy of South Africa.
Commencing in Brisbane on 13 October, the Road Show will then travel to major cities including Melbourne, Auckland, Sydney and concluding in Perth on 23 October.
The 2014 Road Show will give agents the opportunity to ‘Meet South Africa’ and gain valuable product knowledge, while networking with the airline, Australian wholesalers and South African operators and provinces.
Guests will have the opportunity to meet South African experts to discover more about this unique and diverse destination whilst enjoying an evening of fine food, wine and entertainment.
There will be an opportunity to win a trip to South Africa at each show.
The details for each showcase are:
- Brisbane – Monday 13 October
- Melbourne – Wednesday 15 October
- Auckland – Friday 17 October
- Sydney – Tuesday 21 October
- Perth – Thursday 23 October
Shows commence at 6pm.
6. Cheers, Princess Seawitch!
Princess Cruises is launching a new beer to toast its forthcoming 50th anniversary.
The Seawitch West Coast IPA, named after the line’s logo, has been developed exclusively for Princess Cruises in partnership with US-based Strike Brewing Company.
The beer will be introduced onboard Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Regal Princess, during the brand’s 50th anniversary celebrations in November this year.
It is expected to be available fleet-wide by early 2015.
Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand, Stuart Allison said the cruise line was eagerly counting down to its 50th anniversary celebrations.
“Being able to raise a glass of our own Seawitch beer will make for the ideal toast,” she said.
“We hope all of our guests, from those who have travelled around the world with Princess Cruises to those just starting out, will celebrate our milestone anniversary onboard with us.”
7. Departure fees set to rise
The cost of departure fees and visa application are set to increase after the Australian government announced a review of border charges.
Border agencies collect $3 billion in fees and charges every year, making it the biggest “tax collector” outside of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
The review will look at ways to consolidate and improve existing border fees, charges and taxes.
Customs duty and the GST will not be considered.
8. And they’re off!
One of the world’s biggest sporting events, Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival, starts on Saturday 20 September with Carnival Preview Day and runs for 63 days.
An estimated 650,000 visitors from around the world are expected to pass through the turnstiles of Australia’s well known Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup on 18 October, Sportingbet Cox Plate on 21-25 October and Emirates Melbourne Cup on 4 November.
Almost on par with the horse racing is the social calendar and fashions on the field that accompanies the carnival, with Myer Fashions on the Field offering more than AUD $400,000 worth of lucrative prizes.
9. Aussie agents to win a trip to Monaco
After successfully running the incentive earlier this year, French Travel Connection and Monaco Tourism have joined forces again to entice agents to promote the Passport to Monte-Carlo package.
“We are very happy to run this incentive again after a successful response to our first programme during this year’s winter season,” French Travel Connection Product Manager, Lea Granado said.
The Passport to Monte-Carlo package offers travellers extra benefits when visiting the Principality of Monaco.
When booking clients on 2 or 3 nights (2 nights minimum for stays during low season, 3 nights minimum for stays during high season) at one of the 3, 4 or 5-star participating hotels, agents can offer their clients extra value including a complimentary helicopter transfer between Monaco and Nice (one way in high season, return in low season), special attention at their hotel (e.g. welcome cocktails) and complimentary access to the Principality’s main attractions.
For each booking of the Passport to Monte-Carlo until 30 November 2014, agents get a chance to enter a draw to win one of three amazing Monaco packages including accommodation for two, one way helicopter transfer and a visitor’s pass to Monaco’s top attractions.
The top-selling agent out of the three winners will also be offered the opportunity to drive a Ferrari in Monte-Carlo.
The three winners of this second incentive will be announced in French Travel Connection’s newsletter after 2 December 2014.
Click here for all the details.
10. Just for the record
Malaysia Airlines released a statement this morning in regard to an article, “Malaysia Airlines Flight Forced Into Emergency Landing After Flying Over Icelandic” by worldnewsdaily.com.
In the statement, the airline claimed that it was “deeply troubled” that such “irresponsible articles and amateurish reporting was allowed by the editors of the news portal.”
It called on the public “to not to be fooled by such blatant lies”. The contention in question was the article’s claim that flight MH131 from Paris to New York was forced to land in Iceland when its pilots flew the B777 aircraft almost directly over the active Bardarbunga volcano. “It is widely known that MAS operates the Kuala Lumpur/Paris/Kuala Lumpur sector utilizing its A380 aircraft,” the statement said.
“The airline does not fly onwards to New York, or any other American destinations.”
The airline went further to condemn not only the story, but the existence of “irresponsible news portals.”
The airline seeks that the new portal be blocked off the internet and urges authorities “hold all those responsible for the publication of the article to account.”
Cover Story credit: Alexander Remnev