News in Brief: Friday August 22

News in Brief: Friday August 22
By admin


Etihad Airways has announced changes to its schedule between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg effective October 26, which includes new daily departure options from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg and return, to provide travellers with improved opportunity to connect onwards to regional networks.

The new schedule will also provide travellers with a significant increase in weekly connections between Johannesburg and a number of key Asian business and leisure destinations on the airline’s fast growing global network including Chengdu (China), Singapore and Phuket (Thailand).

General manager, South Africa, Xenia Adamou said “The new schedule means that we are now able to provide daily departures, ensuring that our business and leisure travellers benefit from greater connectivity and flexibility when flying between South Africa and the UAE.”

"2558556-3x2-940x627.jpg"

The Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne has completed its latest Refurbishment by Evolution program, which featured new glass panels in the lobby, 184 rooms, bathrooms and lifts.

General manager Steve Finlayson said the work was undertaken quietly over several months without impacting on the hotel’s 90% occupancy rate, with the upgrade program to continue enhancing the property.

The program included some ‘invisible’ works too, including high speed wifi internet capability, new rooftop air-conditioning cooler unit and new lifts.

"RooftopSpa650.jpg"

Malaysia Airlines has announced its premium guests travelling on Domestic will soon enjoy a newly improved lounge experience when the Domestic Golden Lounge KLIA reopens tomorrow.

The lounge will offer guests enhanced seating capacity, new look food and beverage counters, new service offerings including a spa, refurbished restrooms and international socket plugs for convenience of guests.

"Main-Lounge.jpg"

Park Hyatt Melbourne has announced the appointment of Edwina San to the position of director of sales and marketing, following seven years as general manager of commercial partnerships with Melbourne Convention Bureau.

"Edwina-San-photo.jpg"

APT and Travelmarvel have each announced they will be expanding operations in Asia, with the addition of two new river ships in Myanmar, Burma, one for each brand.

APT’s new ship, RV Samatha, is a high end luxury vessel with 30 suites, while Travelmarvel’s ship, RV Princess Panhwar, will be feature 36 suites, with both vessels including fine dining, spas, sundecks and massage facilities.

Both riverships will operate 15-day itineraries between Yangon and Mandalay from January 2016.

"GC_Burma_AMA_AmaPura_Ship-Exterior_APT_AmaPura-Artist-Rendering_LR.jpg"

Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd (SCDL) and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) have commissioned advertising agency Mojo and Taxi Film Productions to film the natural icons of the region for a new campaign with the theme ‘Naturally Refreshing’.

Attractions such as Glass House Mountains, Noose National Park and the historic Hinterland town of Montville will be filmed to showcase the region’s diverse magnetisms, with the campaign to be launched later this year.

Footage from the shoot will be used extensively on TV and through other traditional and online media as well as across Sunshine Coast Destination’s online and social media channels in a bid to encourage markets of Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand to visit the destination.

"9-2454812-dronesrainbow_t460.jpg"

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

Latest News

  • Tourism

Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs

Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull is departing the agency with effect from Friday May 10. Over the past three years, Turnbull played an instrumental role in driving growth, with one of the agency’s most significant achievements being the increase in visitor spend. Under her leadership, Tourism WA achieved a record breaking $17.7 billion in […]

  • Travel Agents

DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign

DriveAway has launched its Brit-Euro Blitz: Explore the UK, Europe & Ireland campaign, designed to inspire travellers to uncover the beauty and diversity of those destinations during May and June. The campaign arrives amidst a surge in popularity for destinations across the UK, Europe and Ireland, with year-to-date increases averaging around 30%. Notably, cities such […]

  • Road & Rail

Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern

Great Southern’s Fly and Stay Free special offer will have travellers taking in the views along the east coast between Adelaide and Brisbane next summer. This bright orange locomotive chases the summer sun, sharing the incredible coastline with those who want to experience it by train. The journey reflects the best of Australia, from charming […]

  • Tourism

Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips

Gen Z travellers prefer to limit alcohol when overseas and have an increased reliance on TikTok when planning a trip, according to a report by StudentUniverse, the world’s largest online travel retailer for young people. The State of Student & Youth Travel Report for 2024 delved into the latest travel sentiments amongst those aged 18-25 […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]