News in Brief: Wednesday June 25

News in Brief: Wednesday June 25
By admin


The Star Alliance board has officially approved Air India as a new member, with the carrier due to join on July 11.

Air India becomes the first Indian airline to join a global airline alliance. It will add a total of 400 daily flights and 35 new destinations in India to the Star Alliance network.

“We restarted the re-integration with Air India in December last year and just half a year later we are ready to confirm the official joining date," chief operating officer Jeffrey Goh said.

"We are pleased to be providing our existing customers improved access to a region which includes the world’s fifth largest domestic aviation market”.

 

The Federal Government’s decision to continue funding the Survey of Tourist Accommodation for another year has been welcomed by Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA), but the organisation has called for the allocation of long-term funding.

The announcement earlier this month that the Australian Bureau of Statistics would scrap the survey due to funding constraints was criticised by TAA and other sectors of the industry, because with hotel and tourism infrastructure relying heavily on the statistics to justify investments.

However, minister for trade and tourism Andrew Robb confirmed that Austrade will fund the ABS survey in 2014/15.

“The Minister and his team are to be congratulated for their rapid intervention, but we are concerned that the extension is currently just for one year, with Austrade charged to work with industry to find a sustainable funding model.”

 

Royal Caribbean has appointed Sean Treacy to the role of regional commercial director Asia-Pacific based in the Sydney office.

Treacy, who transfers from the Miami office, will oversee revenue, deployment, sales, marketing and PR across Australia and New Zealand.

 

Travelport has announces a new long-term agreement with United Airlines, adding to the availability of the airline’s inventory and prices.

The deal also provides access to ancillary products through merchandising technology offered under the Travelport Merchandising Platform umbrella.

 

Gow Gates and International Passenger Protection will hold a workshop to provide information on their three new insolvency products – Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance, End Supplier Insurance and Travel Agent & Intermediary Failure Insurance.

It will take place on Wednesday July 2 at Swissotel Sydney.

 

Sofitel Luxury Hotels has appointed Tracy Martin as director of sales and marketing for Sofitel New Zealand. 

Based at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, Martin will be responsible for the overall sales and marketing leadership for the Sofitel brand in New Zealand, including the openings of the upcoming Sofitel Wellington and Sofitel So Auckland.

 

Club Med has launched its first luxury beach Resort in China on an exclusive island in the South China Sea neighbouring Hong Kong and Macau.

Dong'ao Island Resort features two zones – a Premium Club Med Resort and an exclusive 5Trident Luxury Space.

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

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