The travel year in review 2016
The year that was, and one that most would rather forget, is finally nearing an end. So what made headlines in 2016?
The big agencies dominated news coverage this year, with plenty to talk about at Helloworld after a number of high-level executive exits were made, rather on par with CEO Andrew Burnes’ strategy. He may be on to something, with solid results posted in June and Burnes saying it was a time of “evolution” for the agency group.
Meanwhile, Flight Centre management stayed steady and it appeared happier times were part of the global giant’s future, particularly by those were lucky enough to score a ticket to Global in Singapore which was heralded by many as its best yet. However, despite posting a hefty profit (though lower than FY15), it ended the year on a sour note after losing its long-standing court battle with the ACCC over airfare prices dating back to 2005-2009.
On the corporate front, CTM, QBT and FCm all ticked along well, while the cruise industry was a big winner for many agencies, despite cruise lines continuing to argue about the lack of infrastructure holding it back.
Ovation of the Seas, the largest ship to be stationed in Australia arrived down under amid fanfare this week. It will shake up the scene as it pushed Carnival off its perch – with Royal Caribbean taking the crown as the cruise line with the most to offer for Aussie clients, with more ships here than any other line.
Meanwhile, river and expedition cruising received a push upstream with announcements of new innovations, vessels and fancy new toys expected to line the waterways in a couple of years.
For the airlines, Chinese carriers dominated headlines, and for a while it seemed like a new carrier we’d never heard of from some small province in China commenced services to Australia each week. Tourism Australia, hotels and every inbound operator were expectantly pleased with what was happening in the Australian skies.
Top destinations shifted slightly, with Cuba and Sri Lanka continuing to climb higher on everyone’s bucket list, while regular favourites like Bali, Thailand, the US and Canada all did well out of the Aussie market. The UK endured Brexit, but tourists rejoiced in the aftermath on the back of the cheaper pound, making travel (and shopping) much more attractive than in recent years.
Closer to home, Travel Weekly knocked out some pretty fantastic events (if we do say so ourselves). The second Travel DAZE drew a record crowd – and featured a keynote from the Tourism Minister in what unfortunately ended up being one of his last public appearances.
The sold-out inaugural Women in Travel Awards (WIT) was another highlight, shining the spotlight on the talent that makes up some 70% of the travel industry. Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally delivered a riveting keynote at WIT which continues to dominate office chatter and email banter as the year winds up.
Which leads to this year’s biggest upset, which while not a local one, nor directly travel related, had to be the US Presidential election result. While a sense of foreboding has already sunk in for the January inauguration, all are waiting with bated breath on the outcome of ‘Trumpageddon’ and its affect on the travel and tourism industries here, and abroad. Politics aside, Travel Weekly staff are always open to free hotel nights, even if it’s for stays at Trump Hotels.
So there it is, the travel industry in 2016 in a nutshell. I’m sure we’ve missed some key events that directly impacted your business, so feel free to share those in the comments section below.
And to close, what made the top stories for the January to December 2016 period? Here’s our list, and while you’re enjoying the trip down memory lane, we’ll wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Now, we’re off to the pub, and then on to many wonderful travel destinations for the break and will be back flooding your inboxes from January 9, 2017.
The Travel Weekly team
Top 10 ranking stories of 2016
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/sabre-to-snap-up-flight-centre/
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/wave-of-change-continues-over-at-helloworld/
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/wave-of-change-continues-over-at-helloworld
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/talktalkbnb-offers-free-accommodation-for-conversation/
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/travel-weeklys-women-in-travel-awards-finalists-revealed/
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/hold-onto-your-hats-its-the-women-in-travel-power-list/
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/helloworld-com-au-ceo-departure/
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/helloworld-launches-new-affiliate-program/
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/getaway-escapes-and-its-director-charges-reach-325000/
- http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/burnes-shares-his-helloworld-vision/
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
2016 The year in review tourism travel industryLatest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.