Travel Weekly Logo
RSS feed
SETTING THE AGENDA FOR TRAVEL
News
Your View
Travel Academy
Supplements
Subscriptions
Salary and Job Satisfaction Survey
Travel Pursuit
Australian Travel Awards
Top 100
Jobs
Links
Gallery
 
News 29/05/2007   

Star confident of ACCC approval
Steve Jones
 


Star Alliance has said it is “cautiously confident” that competition watchdogs will not stand in the way of an extension to its Corporate Plus program in Australia.

The program, which allows Star airlines to collectively pitch for corporate business, was originally granted a three-year licence by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and is now up for renewal.

Star has applied for a five-year extension with a decision expected in August.

While the Federation of Australian Travel Agents has objected, claiming agents are at risk of being losing out, Star Steering Committee Australia chairman Dale Woodhouse said it remained hopeful of a favourable decision.

“We made a strong case and the fact Qantas has no objected bodes well. We are not pre-empting any decision but are cautiously confident,” he said.

Woodhouse said agents would not be disadvantaged as Travel Management Companies can still supply a fulfilment role.

Agents, he added, are also free to be part of the tender process.

Qantas didn’t object on the provision it could also launch a similar scheme with OneWorld partners, something it has yet to do.

29 May 2007


More News

Environmentalists kill hotel development
Environmentalists in Spain have won a major victory in their battle to control tourism development, with the southern region of Andalusia agreeing to demolish a 20-storey hotel constructed on fast-disappearing natural parkland. more

German hotel charges by the kg
A German hotel owner has defended his practice of charging guests according to how much they weigh. more

Dr Who battles daleks in the streets of Cardiff
A Welsh hotel has organised a pilgrimage around Cardiff for fans of the Dr Who television series. more

Dubai to build world's largest hotel
Dubai has unveiled plans to build the world's largest hotel as part of a USD27 billion tourism project. more

EasyHotels planned for India
EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou has unveiled plans to introduce his easyHotel franchise in India. more

Fairmont and Raffles hotels in merger deal
Shareholders of Canada’s Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have approved a $US3.9 billion takeover bid by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the world’s fifth richest man, and Colony Capital. more

$1 billion Red Rock resort opens in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has upped the ante with the opening this week of its first $1 billion property off the strip, the luxury Red Rock Casino resort and spa. more

Accor moves into Mackay
Accor has announced it will be opening a new property in Mackay – Grand Mercure Suites. more

Touraust enters joint venture
Touraust Corporation has announced a joint venture agreement with Australian Residential Property Trust (ARPT) to build and operate a series of new hotels, the first due to open in Newcastle in April 2007. more

Investors buy Le Grand in Vanuatu
The four-star Le Grand Hotel and Casino on the Port Vila waterfront in Vanuatu has been acquired by investors in Iririki Island Resorts and Spa. more

Contact us | Advertiser info | Archive articles | Press release submission | Events | Disclaimer | About Us | Privacy Policy