News in Brief: Monday December 8
Creative Holidays and Dubai Tourism has kicked off the second instalment of its exclusive comp with Travel Today, giving away a $150 spa voucher for this week’s ‘spa & relaxation’ theme.
To enter, answer these five questions and send your answers to competition@themisfits.media by the end of the week. Winners will be notified by Travel Today.
The first Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER has touched down in Sydney Airport from Hong Kong, marking a boost in airline capacity on the popular route.
With 28 flights a week between Sydney and Hong Kong, the 2014 Skytrax Airline of the Year has deployed Airbus A330-300s on all its services until now, with the larger Boeings now to be used on three flights a week, before moving to daily deployment from February 2015.
TripAdvisor has announced the appointment of Heather Leisman to the role of vice president, industry marketing, with Leisman to be responsible for global marketing to the hospitality industry.
She will bring with her more than 19 years of experience in the travel industry, joining TripAdvisor from HotelTonight.
The who’s who of the Aussie travel industry gathered at Langham Hotel Sydney recently to celebrate The Travel Authority’s Decade of Success.
As the first hotel to hold an event in the new Langham Hotel Sydney, The Travel Authority and guests revelled in the makeover, while marking the significant decade, punctuated with winning Best Travel Agency Corporate – Multi Location at this year’s National Travel Industry Awards.
Princess Cruises has made it even easier for agents to contact the cruise line for advice with the launch of a new ‘click to chat’ option on its trade website OneSource.
The feature has been launched in NSW, with other states to follow this month, with agents able to instantly message Princess Cruises with their queries without having to pick up the phone.
Best Western has launched a 20% off deal until December 24 for guests who book two or more nights at one of the 170 hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Visiting the website, guests can save with the discount, as well as earning 1000 bonus Best Western Rewards points to spend at other hotels.
Abercrombie & Kent has released two exclusive and specially designed cruise tours in Europe on board the Amadeus Silver II along the Rhine and Crystal Serenity in the Mediterranean and Aegean.
With a limit of 10 guests on each departure, the 26 and 24-day tours take in spectacular sites from Amsterdam and Basel, to Greece and Turkey.
Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) has appointed Brad Smith as chief sales officer, a role that will see Smith be responsible for the direction and management of the sales and distribution department, with a focus on driving revenue and fostering partnerships.
Smith previously worked as general manager of assistance and networks at AGA, and has a wealth of experience to bring to the position.
Tourism Ireland recently wrapped up its Australia and New Zealand 2014 Roadshow, which took place across a number of major cities from November 23 to December 3.
A group of 14 delegates represented a range of tourism experiences in Ireland, and met with hundreds of travel agents, tour operators and journalists throughout the eight-day workshop and networking events.
At each event consultants had the opportunity to earn a place on a familiarisation to Ireland with Tourism Ireland’s airline partner for the events, Emirates, giving ten travel consultants the chance to experience all Ireland has to offer first hand in 2015.
Hertz has introduced a new technology to its Hertz 24/7 cars in Australia, allowing members in Sydney and the Gold Coast to use their mobile phones to unlock a range of vehicles, including Volkswagen Golfs and BMWs.
The new PinPads remove the need for membership cards of keyfobs, allowing registered customers to book and unlock cars using just their mobile phones and the Hertz 24/7 app, while Near Field Communication technology allows the car to be unlocked with the mobile device.
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.