News in Brief: Friday November 21
Cunard has received a range of honours in the 30th anniversary edition of the Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships Guide.
Cunard was awarded two of the top ranking places in the “Top 3 Large Resort Ships” category for Queen Mary 2’s Grills Suites and Queen Elizabeth, while Queen Mary 2 was crowned the winner in the new categories “Most Luxurious Suites” and “Best Cruise Ship Spas”.
Chinese travellers have voted Qantas as boasting the “Best Cabin Crew” in the 2014 iDEALShanghai Awards, with country manager for China Andrew Hogg saying it was a “testament to the hard work of our crew.”
The award was judged by more than 100,000 people in Shanghai across all categories, and evaluated by a group of reporters, columnists and lifestyle writers.
European aerospace giant Airbus is poised to sign a deal to deliver 50 long-haul carriers to US Delta Airlines in a contract worth $US14 billion ($A15.15 billion) at catalogue prices, sources have reported.
Under the terms of the deal, Airbus will deliver 25 A350-900s, the company's new long-haul carrier that this month received certification from the US Federal Aviation Authority, while the other 25 will be A330-neos, a close source disclosed on the condition of anonymity.
On Wednesday night, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International hosted a joint Partner Appreciation event, attended by over 150 agents, wholesalers, hoteliers and media guests.
Guests were treated to Thai hospitality including head and shoulder massages, Asian inspired morsels and a number of exuberant and colourful performances by the Thai Classical dance group, with the evening held to thank the industry for their ongoing support of Thailand, as well as inviting them to renew their love of Thailand with the launch of the 2015 ‘Discover Thainess’ campaign.
There were numerous prizes won on the evening including 2 economy return air tickets to Thailand with THAI plus multiple hotel accommodation prizes.
Westfield has unveiled 18 new dining and retail destinations for LAX Terminal 6 in partnership with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), including 11 Los Angeles area concepts and 13 concepts new to the airport.
The global developer is transforming the traveller experience at LAX by adding luxury retail, sophisticated dining and world-class design and amenities at terminals 1, 2, 3, 6 and Tom Bradley International Terminal.
New additions to the Terminal 6 line-up include old-world Italian cuisine Osteria by Fabio Viviani, The Habit Burger Grill, XpresSpa pampering services, MAC Cosmetics and Point the Way Café with its world-class craft beers.
Etihad Airways has been named CAPA Airline of the Year at the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellent 2014, hosted in Antwerp, Belgium recently.
The award is given to the carrier that has had the greatest impact on the development of the global airline industry, acting as a strategic leader and setting an international benchmark for others to follow.
On The Go Tours recently hosted a group of Flight Centre agents from around the world on an eight-day ‘Colombo, Caves & Kandy’ adventure through UNESCO rich Sri Lanka.
The group enjoyed visits to sacred and ancient cities and tea plantations, the Dambulla Rock Temple, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Temple of the Tooth Relic and Udawalawe National Park, where they had close encounters with the Sri Lankan Elephant, leopard and Sri Lankan Sloth Bear.
Infinity Holidays will release their new 15-16 Indian Ocean brochure on December 1, 2014.
The brochure will feature ‘Something Special’ and ‘Family Recipe’ pages as well as an additional 4 pages on Mauritius.
In the meantime, you can view the brochure online here.
Destination Gippsland is encouraging technology-tired urban dwellers to escape the busy city streets and escape to Gippsland.
The region in considered an ideal E-Tox destination for busy tech-addicts needing to relax as areas receive limited mobile and internet coverage, leaving no excuse not to head outdoors.
Etihad Airways' new Airbus A380 First Class product, called First Apartments, has been recognised at the annual Society of British and International Design (SBID) Awards 2014.
The patent-pending design for Etihad Airways' new A380 First Class cabins was entered under the category of Best Entertainment Space but took home the most coveted award of the evening, Overall Design Award 2014.
itravel is excited to announce the opening of Itravel Medowie which will be the second store for the Itravel Raymond Terrace owners Greg & Glenda Higginbottom.
Itravel Raymond Terrace and Itravel Medowie owner Greg Higginbottom said, “I am thrilled to announce the opening of Itravel Medowie. Our team is excited to be part of the Itravel group”, stated.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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