News in Brief: Monday November 3
InterContinental Sydney Double Bay has confirmed it will open its doors days ahead of schedule, now slated to open on Thursday 6 November. The opening marks Sydney’s first major hotel launch in years, and will be the only five-star property for the city outside the CBD. The hotel will offer 140-guest rooms as well as a number of function and meeting spaces including a swanky Rooftop Pool and Lounge.
Tourist arrivals to Malaysia have continued to grow despite a challenging year, with the country welcoming 16.1 million people from January to July this year, taking it one step closer to its goal of 28 million tourists target for 2014.
The country registered a hike of 9.7% compared to 14.7 million tourist arrivals for the same period last year, with the biggest tourist generating market being Singapore, bringing over 8 million visitors.
Indonesia, China, Brunei, Thailand, India, Australia and the Philippines are among the other top tourist generating markets, with Malaysia reporting over 2.2 million tourist arrivals in July alone.
Carnival Cruise Lines’ president and CEO Gerry Cahill has announced that he is retiring as of November 30, following 20 years of service with the company that saw the cruise line’s fleet grow to 24.
Cahill has been CEO of the cruise brand since 2007, during which he introduced the Dream Class, a new class of ships that included Carnival Dream, and overseeing a range of new cruising features such as Funship 2.0 ship enhancements and Carnival LIVE concert series.
Scoopon Travel's Gordy Bayne was a guest at the Emirates marque at Derby Day at the Flemington racecourse and even nabbed a pic with the coveted Cup and EK's Dean Cleaver. This year the Emirates marque had Germany as their ‘destination partner’ and as always, was the place to be. Celebrities flocked to the marque, even ‘the Bachelor’ made an appearance alongside many of the AFL royalty and faces from Channel 7.
A camera-shy koala has helped Tropical North Queensland hit 100,000 fans on its Facebook page, with Tourism Tropical North Queensland director destination content Kate Duffy saying it was the first time she had seen a koala refuse to pose for photos.
“The image of Tiana hiding behind a tree at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas struck a chord with our Facebook fans when we challenged them to caption the quirky photo for us,” she said.
“We welcome contributions from the public who can share their photos on our Facebook page, or tag their photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #exploreTNQ.”
The South African cricket team was in Sydney last week ahead of their KFC T20 International Series match against Australia on November 9 at Stadium Australia, with the players taking some time out in Sydney Harbour, including taking the opportunity to enjoy a BridgeClimb.
The KFC T20 International Series kick starts Australia’s biggest ever summer of cricket with Sydney set to host the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015, when the South African team will return to Sydney to take on the West Indies in their first match at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ at Universal Orlando Resort has been named in the ‘Top ten unforgettable family travel experiences for 2015’ by Lonely Planet.
Located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, visitors can explore Hogwarts castle, taste a Butterbeer and enjoy the Harry Potter ride, with the Universal Studios Florida opening ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley’ next door to the resort, with its own host of entertainment and attractions.
STA Travel and United Airlines have this week teamed up to announce Aussie travellers are now able to book non-stop flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles on board United’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with STA Travel excited to offer this new flight option to its customers.
STA Travel’s ‘STAn’ Kombi van headed out to Melbourne airport to meet with United Airlines’ senior vice-president Dave Hilfman and director for Australia and New Zealand Alison Espley to mark the occasion, with the flight running six days a week and replacing the current route that sees United’s Melbourne to LA flights go via Sydney with a one-hour stopover.
Travel Alberta has partnered with Rocky Mountaineer to showcase A Taste of Alberta at Sydney’s Shangri-La Hotel on December 3, which will highlight the cuisine served on board the Rocky Mountaineer, along with the various activities and specials offered on the trips.
Agents will be placed into cooking groups and allocated one sous chef from Sydney Cooking School to assist them in preparing some of Rocky Mountaineer chef Jean Pierre’s classic dishes, while official airline partner for the event Air New Zealand will give away a return trip for two to Canada, including a ground prize provided by Rocky Mountaineer and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Agents wanting to RSVP for the event can register online can do so here.
The Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments has released a special ‘Paddington Tea’ and a family apartment package in celebration of the English release of the new Paddington Bear film, with the special available from November 1 until the end of December.
The special tea menu includes scones with English Marmalade and finger sandwiches with a Paddington twist, with five pound of every Paddington Tea booked going to Action Medical Research, for which Paddington Bear has been the official mascot for over 35 years.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]