News in Brief: Wednesday June 11
Travelport has made “significant” upgrades to its mid-back office solution, CrossCheck Travel Enterprise (CCTE) with the latest enhancements including integration with Helloworld wholesale brands Qantas Holidays, Viva! Holidays and GO Holidays.
The client management, fulfilment and financial management solution is available to travel consultants in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Qantas Holidays and Viva! Holidays national industry sales manager Fiona Dalton reported positive business results for its agency partners who were involved in the development of the updated product.
“Reported benefits include time savings of up to 15 minutes per booking, improved accuracy and more streamlined workflows,” she said. “The integration has been eagerly awaited by many of our agency partners, and so far the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Luxury cruise operator APT has acquired a third small expedition ship with MS Sea Explorer to join MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky later this year.
All three vessels were formerly part of the Renaissance Cruises fleet of eight vessels.
“Demand amongst our guests in Australia and New Zealand for our bespoke one off round the world voyages featured in our luxury small ships program is increasing,” chief executive Chris Hall said. “This new addition enables us to service this demand.”
Kenya Tourism Board has launched a multiple-platform social media campaign, encouraging those who have visited the destination to share their most memorable pictures with the hashtag #WhyILoveKenya and handle @magicalkenya.
“Kenya is the most picturesque destination on earth, with thousands of visitors from around the world flocking here each year to snap away and capture their Kenyan experience,” KTB managing director Muriithi Ndegwa said.
“So we thought what better way to unite those who share a soft spot for Kenya and entice those who haven’t yet been lucky enough, through a picture lead social media campaign.”
Singapore Airlines will deploy its Airbus A380 aircraft on its Singapore-Beijing service from August 1.
The A380 will be deployed on flight SQ802, departing Singapore at 0830hrs and arriving in Beijing at 1440hrs. The return flight SQ807 will depart Beijing at 1635hrs, arriving in Singapore at 2255hrs.
The 471-seat A380 will replace two flights which are operated with smaller aircraft with Beijing Capital International Airport to be served a total three times per day.
The return of chefs to Australia’s skilled occupation list has been welcomed by the Tourism and Transport Forum as an important boost for the tourism and hospitality industries.
The reinstatement of the profession to the list will help fill urgent job vacancies and improve the visitor experience, according to chief executive Ken Morrison.
Emirates will switch from the Boeing 777-200LR aircraft currently operating the Dubai-Boston route to a larger Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, adding passenger and cargo capacity.
The service to its eighth US gateway commenced on March 10. The deployment of the Boeing 777-300ER will offer 88 additional economy seats – a 40% increase in seating.
Destination Port Stephens has released a 108-page “road map” for tourism to achieve growth into the next decade.
A doubling in visitor yield, a new name for Newcastle Airport, world-class walking, cycling and kayak routes, more major brand hotels, better transport and service and innovative, new attractions are some of the goals identified in the new plan.
More international visitors, major events and convention business are also needed to build a stronger, year-round appeal of Port Stephens outside the popular summer period, the report says.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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