News in Brief: Friday July 18

News in Brief: Friday July 18
By admin


Accor has released its first-half 2014 revenue, with business remaining favourable in most of the Group’s markets and revenue totalling more than AUD $4.7 million.

The figure represents growth of 2.8% on a like-for-like basis in every region except France, which saw a 1.8% decline.

“Accor saw good momentum in the first half despite a French market that continued to be unfavourably impacted by changes in tax legislation,” chairman and chief executive officer Sebastien Bazin said.

 

Princess Cruises is the company of choice for one in two Australians taking a transTasman voyage according to recent figures.

The latest Cruise Lines International Association Australasia figures shows that a record 98,914 Australians took a cruise to New Zealand in 2013, with half these passengers travelling with Princess Cruises.

Set for another popular season this summer, the cruising company offers round-trip cruises to New Zealand on four ships sailing from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

With a yearlong tally of 210 visits to North and South Islands ports in 2014, numbers are expected to rise by almost 10 percent to reach 230 in 2015.

 

Globus has announced three new appointments in its sales and marketing teams.

Nigel Balm has been appointed regional sales manager for Australia, overseeing a team of nine area sales managers nationally. With years of experience in the industry as well as the company, Nigel brings a wealth of knowledge to this new role.

Sally Krantz has also been appointed area sales manager of Victoria South and Linda Lopresti has replaced Nigel Balm as marketing coordinator, based in Sydney.

 

YTL Hotels has announced the launch of the KASARA brand, a collection of unique hotels, resorts and residences in locations in Asia and beyond.

KASARA promises an experience of luxury, authenticity and timelessness, with each destination inspiring the design of the property.

Leading the launch is the new KASARA Niseko village townhouse; a top class accommodation nestled in the renown leisure and adventure holiday destination of Niseko Village.

 

Virgin Samoa has released some fantastic airfares to the South Pacific’s hottest emerging destination, Samoa. 

On sale from 12th of May – 26th of May or until sold out, fares start from $288 one way and $354 return from Brisbane or Sydney.

Adele Leathan from Samoa Tourism Authority said “there’s no better time to head on over to the Treasured Islands of the South Pacific as we have brand new properties that have just opened up along the beautiful south coast of Upolu, which we have renamed the Romance Coast.”

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