News in Brief: Monday May 5
A new social media campaign from Qantas aims to get its passengers flexing their creative muscle while they travel.
The airline has collaborated with Australian freelance typographer Gemma O’Brien on the campaign which urges travellers to use their napkin, boarding pass or sickbag to create a piece of inflight art. They are then encouraged to share their artworks via social media using the #qantasblankcanvas hashtag.
“From boarding passes to inflight bags, napkins to luggage tags, we have a number of perfect blank canvases for passsengers to create their own inflight art,” head of digital and entertainment Jo Boundy said.
“This campaign encourages our customers to get creative at 30,000 feet and will showcase their inspiring works through social media to a global audience.”
The most creative entries submitted using the hashtag will be shared via Qantas’ Instagram channel every Friday in May with winners to receive a double Qantas Club pass.
Confusion over the Everest avalanche tragedy has potentially devastating consequences for local guides, sherpas and their communities in Nepal, World Expeditions has warned.
The adventure travel company said the April 18 avalanche tragedy, which has so far claimed the lives of 13 Sherpas, has resulted in the cancellation of the season’s Everest climbing expeditions which are run by foreign climbing companies.
However, it stressed that there are no changes to trekking in the Everest region below base camp.
“World Expeditions does not offer treks above Base Camp in the Everest region and we continue to lead the way with our porter protection and staff welfare policies,” chief executive Sue Badyari said. “Our style of travel avoids the congested trails and involves remote tent-based adventure, which is made possible by porters.”
The new Victorian state budget must make tourism a priority when it is announced this week, the Tourism and Transport Forum has insisted.
The imminent end to car manufacturing in the state places even more importance on tourism, according to chief executive Ken Morrison.
“We are calling on the Victorian government to recognise the role tourism plays in the state economy and commit to funding the expansion of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre to help the state attract bigger conventions and exhibitions,” he said.
“We are also calling on the Napthine government to renew and increase funding for Tourism Victoria, to allow it to continue marketing the state’s iconic destinations to domestic and international visitors.”
Accor will further expand its economy Ibis brand portfolio with the addition of a new-build ibis Styles property at The Entrance on the NSW north coast.
As part of the growing tourism focus for the NSW Central Coast, the Destination NSW Regional Visitor Economy Fund has granted $430,000 towards the 52-room property’s development – close to the maximum possible investment from the NSW Government.
“Accor is pleased to be working in partnership with diggers@theentrance on this exciting new development that we are confident will stimulate travel and contribute strongly to the tourism growth in this region,” Accor Pacific chief operating officer, Simon McGrath, said.
Minor Hotel Group has appointed of James A. Kaplan to the position of senior vice president development for the group.
Kaplan, who has more than 25 years’ experience within the development area of the hospitality industry, will be based at MHG’s head office in Bangkok.
Travelmarvel will more than double its departures to South America on the back of rapidly growing interest in travel to the region.
The new 52 page brochure hits agencies today featuring nine itineraries which offer a combined 15 additional departures for 2015.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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