News in Brief: Wednesday January 22

News in Brief: Wednesday January 22
By admin


Mantra Group is pushing forward with its domestic expansion plans with the announcement of new properties in Brisbane and Townsville 

The Group will add to its 115-strong Australian network with the management of the recently refurbished Skyline Court apartment complex, to rebrand to BreakFree Fortitude Valley Brisbane in March 2014.

In Townsville, the firm has formally signed a management agreement on a brand new 185-room hotel, to be known as Mantra Townsville, set to open in 2016.

Further additions to its Australian network for 2014 are “imminent”, Mantra revealed.

 

Tourism Australia is close to naming its new managing director, it has emerged.

An announcement could be made as early as next week on the replacement for Andrew McEvoy who has taken a senior role with Fairfax.

 

Luxury cruise line Seabourn has formally signed the contract for the construction of its new 604-guest vessel, to be modeled after the cruise line’s newest vessels Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest.

The ship will be built by Fincantieri in Italy, for delivery in mid-2016, and represents the latest phase in the fleet modernisation that began in 2009.

 

Arrivals from Australia to Canada climbed almost 10% in November, according to latest official figures.

The number rose to 10,897 which helped lift the total for the first 10 months of 2013 to more than 240,000, an increase of 2.33% on the previous corresponding period.

Total international arrivals to Canada climbed 4.66% in November and 2.7% for the year.

 

Hospitality service provider FCS Computer Systems will ramp up its Australian presence on the back of growing interest from the local hotel and resort industry.

Trudi Chammbers joins the firm as country manager Australia, with her appointment coinciding with the launch of revamped product suite FCS Rainbow which is designed to help hoteliers “streamline day-to-day operations”.

 

New Horizons Holidays is offering agents a $150 Coles/Myer gift voucher for each booking of $10,000 or more when deposited by February 15.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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