News in Brief: Thursday August 14
Portuscale Cruises have released a new 2 for 1 offer on its 45 Day Suez Sojourn. Departing 4 January-17 February 2015 the vessel will travel from Barcelona to Newcastle.
With the first guest paying full fare, the companion only pays for port charges and any other fees. The offer runs until 15 September 2014 and there are strictly limited availabilities.
Airberlin will be the first German airline to offer an auction for Business Class upgrades on long-haul flights. Guests will be given the opportunity to bid for an upgrade to Business Class 72 hours before departure .
Passengers can check the website to see whether an auction is available for their flight and then submit a bid, finding out at least 12 hours prior to departure whether their bid was successful
As of next year Australians will be given the chance to explore Asia and the Pacific on-board Seabourn’s ultra-luxurious fleet.
The 2015-16 program, offers guests a world of luxury as its three ships sail on 70 different itineraries visiting all seven continents. The cruises range from 10 to 97 days and feature 25 destinations which are either maiden visits or ports that Seabourn has not sailed to for some years.
Scenic Tours are holding a series of free world information sessions nationwide from 3 to 25 September. In partnership with local travel agents, Scenic Tours will be promoting a range of its destinations including Africa, Antarctica, China, Japan, Europe and South America.
Sessions will take place in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, and offers guests a chance to find out more about the range of Scenic Tours products on offer at a time that suits them.
Seabreeze Resort has won the New Zealand Restaurant Challenge as part of Friendship Week. The competition ran from the 1 to 9 August with nine restaraunts competing.
Restaraunts were given the task to design a dish that would encompass the best of both Samoan and New Zealand foods. The wining dish was created by head Chef Sili presented Hapuku (commonly known as Groper) wrapped in wafer thin local bacon and topped with a shaved Papaya and radish Salsa.
Artist Lawrence Argent, has designed a 30-foot polar bear sculpture that will sit on the top deck of the world’s most advanced cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas.
The Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship left the enclosed building hall at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg with the hard-to-miss eight tonne bear sculpture situated on the exterior deck of the ship. This is the first glimpse into the 2,980 piece, multi-million dollar art collection that has been curated for Quantum of the Seas.
Qantas Frequent Flyer has officially launched its new online qantaspoints.com. Featuring an online mall stocked with premium global brands the website will continue to expand what’s on offer to its diverse member base.
Qantaspoints.com is a direct reflection of the Qantas Frequent Flyer programs success in recent years, particularly with its range of partners, number of members and the increasing volume of points earned through activities other than flying.
Princess Cruises has announced it will honour the role that the iconic television show The Love Boat has played in its history by naming the original cast members as godparents of its new cruise ship Regal Princess.
The original Love Boat cast members – who played Captain Stubing, Gopher, Isaac, Doc, Julie and Vicki – will reunite to christen the new ship in Fort Lauderdale on November 5 this year. The ceremony will officially launch the golden anniversary celebrations for Princess Cruises, which will celebrate five decades of operation throughout 2015.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airberlin portuscale cruises scenic tours seabourn seabreeze resortLatest News
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...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
Bonza’s future on knife edge
It would seem a long road back from here, perhaps a knife's edge is too much credit.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.
Amora Hotels & Resorts set to double APAC portfolio, announces new Sydney office
Staff in the new Sydney office have been welcomed by a week of rain on the forecast.
RIU opens Chicago hotel and rooftop bar a few steps from the world-famous Magnificent Mile
Rooftop cocktails hold a dear place in your heart? Look no further than RIU Chicago.
How can travel agents best sell cruises? Uniworld’s Alice Ager tells all: Travel Weekly TV
Agents, you don't want to miss this. Yes, that's the case with everything in the newsletter, but we really mean it here!
South Africa bookings are back in action
It's a wrap! South Africa in the news with resumed flights, film fest and booking tech.
Agents’ chance to score free spot on Intrepid trip to Antarctica
This is the trip of a lifetime, even if you are scared of the cold!
Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes
Bonza's days appear to be numbered as the low-cost carrier today announced mass cancellations around the country.
Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event
Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.
Pullman Sydney Penrith ties up with Trilogy Hotels, announces new GM
The crew from Trilogy hotels doing their best impression of the Penrith front row here.
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.