Big fat road & rail wrap
Buckle up folks, its Thursday! Which means you get to catch up on all the latest news and current affairs concerning just about every mode of transport that isn’t a plane.
Take Time to Enjoy a Walk Japan Tour During the Rugby World Cup 2019
As interest surrounding the Rugby World Cup 2019 grows to reach fever pitch during the event later this year, attention is increasingly falling on the host nation, Japan, and the opportunities for the sport’s fans to make the most of their visit.
Walk Japan, which has been established for over 25 years, is the leading provider of small group walking tours, both guided and self-guided, that provide authentic and fulfilling experiences of this still little-understood and under-explored but wonderful country, its delightful people, intriguing culture and fascinating beauty.
Fans can make their visit extraordinary by sojourning between matches with Walk Japan and experience Japan at ease and in depth by joining either the company’s top-rated Tour Leaders on a guided tour or travelling on a self-guided tour.
A variety of off-the-beaten-track itineraries to enjoy include: following in the footsteps of samurai and monks along venerable byways and on ancient pilgrimages; walking through little-visited, lush countryside of paddy fields and verdant forests dotted with charming hamlets and ancient shrines; and visiting onsen hot spring towns, remote islands and sleepy fishing villages.
Warm welcomes are always extended at Walk Japan’s atmospheric, traditional Japanese inns, which also serve delicious, regional cuisine that always reflects the season. Onsen hot spring baths feature frequently and provide a delightful and relaxing way to savour the end of each day.
For more info, go here.
Catch the provenance express to Orange F.O.O.D Week
Running from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 April 2019, the PROVENANCE EXPRESS is a dedicated train carriage of up to 40 foodie aficionados from Sydney to Orange during the 2019 Orange F.O.O.D Week festival. The carefully curated and hosted itinerary has a unique focus on local organic and biodynamic food and wine experiences, as well as visits to sustainable farms, vineyards and orchard gates.
The PROVENANCE EXPRESS itinerary has been hand-selected and jam-packed with foodie adventures aimed at immersing guests in the abundant Orange region during harvest and vintage in Autumn, a spectacular time of the year to visit.
The journey commences on Friday 5 April from the Country Platform at Sydney Central Station, with a five-hour slow travel experience in a dedicated rail carriage that includes a Prosecco & Pastries breakfast followed by an onboard organic wine and artisanal cheese tasting hosted by a local vigneron and producer.
Busabout’s 2019 All-Stars famil location has been announced and its EPIC!
Busabout, the flexible travel experts, are proud to announce that the top 15 selling agents in Australia will be headed for Ibiza on the 2019 Busabout All Stars famil as well as Rome, Florence and the Cinque Terre. Winners will be announced by the 15th of May 2019, with this trip of a lifetime scheduled to take place in late May to early June.
To qualify for this bucket-list worthy trip, agents simply have to keep doing what they do best – selling Busabout, Haggis & Shamrocker trips! Agents will earn points for every trip sold from July 1, 2018 until March 31, 2019. Every Hop-on Hop-off pass will earn them 4 points (including Europe, USA & Small Group Adventures), whilst all other Busabout, Haggis & Shamrocker trips equal 1 point towards this epic trip. To qualify, each selling agent will need to sell a minimum of 10 Hop-on Hop-off trips and 20 Busabout trips overall.
With amazing stretches of golden sand to explore by day and world renowned superclubs to party at by night, Ibiza is the perfect place for an All Star.
Agents can kick off a stellar selling season with this incredible trip to aspire to. The more points accumulated, the higher the chance of winning a spot on the what will be the best Busabout famil yet!
For more information visit https://www.busabout.com/all-stars
Rail Europe Announces Rocky Mountaineer Incentive Winners!
Rail Europe has announced Ben Hurth-Gye of Flight Centre Young NSW and Cat Parker from House of Travel Remuera NZ as winners of the latest Rocky Mountaineer incentive program.
Scoring the most points from Rocky Mountaineer bookings between April and November last year, both Cat and Ben have won themselves two seats each for themselves and a travel buddy to experience the GoldLeaf Service, plus $1000 towards their airfares!
Pictured: Ben Hurth-Gye with his prize.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
road and railLatest News
Gen Z and millennials on track for rise in Europe rail trips, says TruTravels
Despite what you think, Gen Z and Millennials are not 'off the rails', but instead want a fast track to Europe.
$230m joint Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel prepares to open
Dear all business travellers, you're Melbourne experience just got a whole lot better.
Envoyage premieres Worldwide 2024 in Santiago
There has been a warm reception for 300 attendees at Envoyage's gabfest in Santiago, Chile.
Disney Destinations launches epic Aussie agent incentive
Everyone needs a bit of Disney in their life (apparently) and agents can get their next dose for free here.
IPW 2024: 960,000 Aussies took the trek to the Land of the Free last year
Nearly 6,000 travel industry reps descend on LA. Thankfully for all of their bosses, it's not in Vegas.
Nauru Airlines offers new direct flights from Brisbane to Palau on ‘Paradise Express’
No more island hopping to Palau as Nauru Airlines hits this boundary six.
Etihad Airways boosts connectivity with five interline partnerships
Etihad high fives itself with interline partnerships announcing a handful of new airlines, including Rex.
Discover the enchantment of India – A tale of timeless cities
Whether you're game enough to test out the street food or not, we recon India should be top of your list.
Qantas cops $100m penalty with passengers to get $20m back over cancelled flights
Qantas cops a $100m civil penalty, passengers to get back $20m over cancelled flights to resolve ACCC court battle.
Body found off Sydney Heads suspected to be missing cruiser
Tragic developments onboard Pacific Adventure this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours ‘Wonderlust Sale’ offers the wonders of the world for less
More for less... Great news for all apart from Wendy's wallet.
Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand
Booking.com launches new AI feature in Aus. We're hoping AI never gets the nuance involved with writing these jokes.
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
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 […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...