News in Brief: Monday September 15
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has been awarded the title of Best Luxury River Cruise Line in the 2014 Cruise International Awards.
This is the third year running that Uniworld has received the title, which was celebrated in a ceremony at the Roof Gardens in Kensington, London.
Uniworld was also awarded the Readers’ Choice Award for best Culinary Cruise Line in the 2014 SAVEUR Culinary Travel Awards last week.
Mercure Hunter Valley Resort has unveiled a new restaurant, éléments, in a transformation from the former Hunter Valley Steakhouse Restaurant.
The name was derived from the natural elements of fire, water and soil components that resonate with the Hunter Valley region, with executive chef Jean Marc Pollet’s menu blending classic French cuisine with Australian produce.
Apple has announced its new near field communication (NFC)-based Apple Pay feature, which allows travellers to use NFC payments in duty-free shops and at some terminals to book travel services and purchase event tickets.
The industry expects the new Apple phones and Apple Watch to play a major role in streamlining the air travel experience, with experts predicting that passengers will board with tap and go and thumbprint technology in the future.
Kuala Lumpur has won the bid to host The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) 2020 World Congress, bringing national haemophilia organisations and clinicians from around the world to the destination.
According to Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, the biennial WFH World Congress will generate almost AUD $19 million in economic impact, with around 4300 delegates from over 125 countries in attendance.
For those unable to attend the Anzac Day services but still wish to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign in Turkey, Beyond Travel is offering tours around the Gallipoli peninsula and battlefields throughout 2015.
The 11-day Classical Turkey escorted tour is a round-trip from Istanbul, including Gallipoli and other highlights such as Canakkale, Ephesus and the capital Ankara, with seven departures scheduled for between May and November 2015, starting from $1700.
There is also a 12-day tour departing Istanbul on July 28 2015, which includes entrance to attend the memorial service to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine on August 6.
Creative Cruising is running a competition for travel agents to experience a share of the 22 million cruise passengers booked this year with a South Pacific agent incentive.
Every Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara booking agents make with Creative Cruising will provide an entry to the draw, with bookings to be made and deposited between September 1 and October 31.
The winning agent will win an eight-night South Pacific cruise to New Caledonia onboard the Celebrity Solstice departing March 14 2015, as well as $500 onboard credit and all meals included.
Scenic Tours has treated a group of travel agents to a 19-day famil in South America, travelling from Chile to Peru via Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
The group enjoyed highlights such as the rail travel to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, and the city of Cuzco, before visiting Lake Titicaca and the floating islands of Uros.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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