News in Brief: Monday October 27
Air Canada has launched a flash sale until 29 October, reducing business class fares to Vancouver and Toronto by up to 33% in a new Companion Fare sale.
Prices for a Sydney-Vancouver Business Class ticket start from $4497 per person (plus taxes of approx $1080) – a saving of more than $2200 on the standard published 90-day advance purchase fare. Sydney-Toronto business class starts from $5897 per person. Discounts are based on two people travelling together between 2 December 2014 and 31 January 2015.
Fans of Harry Potter can now check-in to the Wizard Chamber at London’s Georgian House, complete with cauldron, fireplace and an owl figurine. Travellers who book the Harry Potter Tour Package will also enjoy a “Muggle Walking Tour” and a Warner Brothers Studio Tour on the making of the popular film franchise. Guests are advised to BYOW – bring your own wand. Pic: Georgian House.
AAT Kings will be rewarding the top 15 sellers with a trip to Tasmania in March 2015.
Agents need to book any AAT Kings guided holiday or Inspiring Journey from the 2015/16 Australia brochure with an Early Payment Discount before February 9, 2015.
For every new guest booking, consultants will receive a ‘Tassie Devil’ icon and once they’ve collected four, they’ll go into the running to win a place on next year’s coveted famil.
Bench International has announced it will allow customers to defer travel without penalty if they find the Ebola disease has affected the areas to which they planned travel.
The offer applies to those who have already booked and paid either in full or paid deposits, and have discovered that Ebola has affected the region before departing, while the operator encourages travellers to south and east Africa to continue with travel plans as these regions remain unaffected.
Sunshine Coast Destination Limited (SCDL) and seven local tourism operators recently held a trade mission in Auckland and Christchurch, providing updates and training to over 150 retail and wholesale travel agents, product managers and key industry and media contacts.
With the aim of increasing visitation from New Zealand, the trade show also launched the new Vacation Migration campaign, giving guests a sneak peak of what they can expect in market from early next year.
Excite Holidays has reported a huge increase in bookings from its agent network for Aussies who are heading abroad for Christmas and New Year, with many travellers heading to destinations including Oahu, New York, Las Vegas, London, Singapore and Paris.
Even taking into account fluctuations in the Australian dollar, the per night spend with Excite Holidays for bookings to Oahu has so far increased by 24%, 32% for Las Vegas and 17% for Los Angeles.
Sunlover Holidays recently announced TravelManagers as its number two best-selling Megastar travel agency for highest value sales for the 2013/2014 year, making it the second consecutive year the company has won this title.
Sunlover Holidays celebrated with its top 15 high performing travel agencies at a Gala Dinner hosted on both Hayman and Hamilton Islands, with TravelManagers also receiving an award at the STARS Gala Dinner for being third-best selling travel agency for Territory Discoveries.
Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and title-sponsored by China Construction Bank (CCB), the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival is set to open with a four-day party from October 30 to November 2.
Offering over 1000 culinary items, including wine, award-winning Chinese dishes and Michelin-starred meals, the event will transform the runway of the former Hong Kong International Airport into wine-themed streets and villages to celebrate the beginning of the month-long festival.
In preparation for the Boxing Day release of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, five of Australia’s most dedicated Hobbit fans will be treated to a five-day adventure to New Zealand to meet director Peter Jackson, watch a preview screening and visit some of the filming locations.
The five Australians – Alex O’Brien, Jennifer Fancett, Robery Audet, Michael Hudson and Amy Earl – are among 75 global winners of The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contest, which is a collaboration of Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line, MGM, Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand.
Wendy Wu Tours has reported an increase in passenger numbers for 2014, as well as a boost to forward bookings for 2015, following the introduction of ‘Deluxe India Holidays’ and new fully inclusive group tours.
Also included in the 2015-16 India brochure is a dedicated family section, with itineraries that highlight child-friendly activities while educating them on different cultures, including Bollywood performances and jeep safaris in Ranthambore National Park.
Peregrine Adventures is expanding its itineraries as it puts the focus on Bangladesh and Ladakh in its new program for 2015.
Venturing into Bangladesh for the first time, Peregrine is one of the only tour operators offering travellers trips here, while the Ladakh Explorer trips will run during cultural festivals, allowing travellers to celebrate with the locals.
Peregrine’s Bangladesh trip is 12 days long, while the Ladakh Explorer is 10 days, with four departures available for each in 2015.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News
P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu
P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]
Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan
Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]
Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role
Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]
Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]
Government urges Aussies to ‘reconsider’ plans to visit Noumea as New Caledonia death toll hits five
The government has updated its advice for Aussies who may be considering New Caledonia during this time.
Situation ‘dire’ for Air Vanuatu as rival carriers look to swoop on flailing airline
Like a bird with no wings, Air Vanuatu is grounded as its only Boeing 737 heads to Melbourne after being repossessed.
Vivid Sydney will light up the Harbour City’s food scene
Local and international culinary stars will descend on Sydney for Vivid Food. Post-event hangovers a given...
Experience Co appoints Matthew Vince as the new interim head of marketing
We are still trying to confirm whether it is Matthew himself in the lead image, will report back.
Hotel Review: Atlantis The Palm – Luxury for the whole family
Of course ever parent knows the real luxury experiences come when you find a way to leave the kids somewhere.
Bridgerton is back! Live the REAL Colin & Penelope experience
The real Penelope experience would be falling in love with someone who doesn't love you back but that's hard to market.
Sailing the Sun: Six nights aboard Princess’ first Sphere Class ship
Cruising has always been extravagant and the Sun is no different, apart from riff raff like us being let on board.
Australian tourists are big spenders globally on experiences and nightlife, Mastercard report finds
Aussies do their bit for the global economy by propping up bars across the world. It's a proud day for us all.
Sydney confirms position as Australia’s No. 1 business events host
Surprise surprise... Sydney Harbour and the Opera House come up trumps. Can you tell we live here?
Luke Mangan launches Bistrot Bisou, in Hotel Indigo, his first Melbourne restaurant in over a decade
The news means we're due a trip to Melbourne, but we'll wait for winter to past first!
Surf magazine Tracks hunt for grommets to launch Airb’n’b-style platform for surfers
Three young surfers on an all expenses paid surf trip on the Aussie coast.... What could go wrong?
Luxury cruise ship Paspaley Pearl by Ponant has appointed a new team of industry experts
Paspaley Pearl by Ponant will offer a gem of a cruise, as the new team shows by their pearly whites.
Memphis Tourism brings blues to Sydney as it adds Jack Daniels to sponsor roster
Memphis Tourism would win the award for coolest sponsor if there was one. But there isn't.
Jetstar and Qantas perception ratings soar following Bonza’s implosion
Forget what your mum told you, you can make yourself look better by making others look bad.
Train over Plane – Journey Beyond releases The Overland’s 2025 season
Clickety-clack, more than a century on track. Unlike the Overland, our poetry is not in demand.
AmaWaterways launches Australian operations at Sydney office with panoramic Harbour views
You should click on this article for the content but it's also okay if you just want to see someone cut a ribbon.
Travel insurance expert’s top 3 tips for Aussies stranded in New Caledonia amid riots
Despite appearances, being stranded in a luxury resort isn't all milk and honey.
Perfect Somewheres: Hotels.com celebrates best-in-class venues for guest experiences
Surprisingly, no hotels with bed bugs were represented in the top 1% of top hotels.
Airports boss says $1.7 billion Budget innovation fund will “kickstart” domestic manufacture of sustainable aviation fuel
Time to start saving up your waste - Australia is about to become a hub of biofuel innovation!
Apparent launches ‘All heart, no hassle’ campaign for Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller
Despite appearances, even the most severe-looking businessperson wants heart in their travel.
Indaba 2024: Losing out on memory, South Africa Tourism hands its fate to children
South Africa Tourism's chief marketing officer reminds us all we were once joyful children and not grumpy adults.
ACA & CLIA join forces ahead of Australian Tourism Exchange
Watch your back Kyle and Jackie 'O' - a new power couple is in town.
South Africa eyes affordable tourism to grow market
In an unlikely move, South African Tourism is actually encouraging young people to travel MORE.
ATIA applauds government’s fast-track passport announcement
Excellent news if you've ever experienced the sheer horror of realising you don't have a functioning passport.
DayAway names Aussie partners for luxury community based membership
Tired of dining with the riff raff? Get yourself a DayAway membership and slip into a life of luxury.
Silversea expands Nova Class with Silver Ray
Be prepared - this article has more silver than your local jewellers!
Tourism Tasmania CEO says a trip to Tassie could cure your Aurora Australis FOMO
With images like these - you're bound to regret being asleep during Australia's version of the northern lights.
Flight searches to Ho Chi Minh City skyrocket by 246% as city strengthens ties to Oz
We aren't endorsing ditching your work to look at flights to Ho Chi Minh but we're also not not endorsing it.
On Location: Rejoice! It’s Your Daily Wrap Of Africa’s Travel Indaba
Spare a moment to think about the cleaner who had to pick up all the confetti after this one kicked off.
Lack of budget spend will hit international visitor recovery, says Australian Tourism Industry Council
We've done the monotonous trawl through budget reports so you don't have to. You can thank us later!
On Location: Expedia CEO assures AI will not replace human roles, announces AI text assistant
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unless its announced at a big conference, then it'll probably be reported.
VietJet walks away from Bonza investment, administrators look to maximise chance of survival
VietJet's making big plays in Australia but is drawing the line at buying a defunct airline.