Corporate Travel Management (CTM) has bolstered its business with new acquisitions Chambers Travel in Europe and Diplomat Travel in the USA for a combined $52.6 million.

The company said the acquisitions were in line with a “strategic plan to establish a strong base in the UK and European markets and continue to expand in North America”.

Funded by a fully underwritten Entitlement Offer to eligible shareholders at $8.80 led by Morgans Corporate Limited, the acquisitions are to take effect from January 2 2015 and will contribute some $4 million EBITDA over the six months trading period to CTM’s 2015 annual results.

CTM has estimated the company’s FY15 to be above $45 million, based on the new acquisitions plus its initial guidance of more than $41 million.

Alastair Fernie has joined Ecruising in a created position of executive general manager which will see him have overall responsibility for the day to day operation of the Australian business. Fernie was previously general manager of Harvey’s Choice Holidays and launched Harvey’s Choice Cruising before creating The Cruise Team wholesale business for the integrated JTG then Helloworld retail group. 

It was a double celebration for Switzerland yesterday, marking St Nicholas Day and welcoming new tourism director, ANZ, Mark Wettstein.

The country will also mark 150 years of winter tourism in 2015, as well as the launch of its Grand Tour promoting self-drive holidays to off the beaten track destinations across 2000kms guided by an iPad app, and a new rail itinerary with similar offerings.

Creative Holidays and Dubai Tourism are running an exclusive comp with Travel Today, giving away a $150 restaurant voucher, high tea or cooking class for this week’s ‘culinary’ 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.

Bookings have officially opened for the premiere voyage and premiere sailings of Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam, due for delivery in February 2016.

Open for reservations from December 2, the first sailings include one seven-day cruise followed by a six cruise series of 12-day itineraries throughout the Mediterranean.

Helloworld is celebrating the first anniversary of helloworld.com.au, delivering on the group’s omni-channel strategy for its agents.

From channeling online enquiries to agents through the Expert Search and Agent Locator, the company is proud of its growing brand awareness and using the website to capture market space for its agents.

This year, two of Finnair’s Airbus 321 Sharklet aircraft take to the skies in Christmas livery. They have already flown to many of Finnair’s European destinations, as well as other destinations such as Dubai.

Finnair has been the Official Airline of Santa Claus since 1983, acting as a partner of the Santa Claus Foundation, with the airline taking its world tour to destinations including Europe, China, Japan and Korea.

Website lastminute.com.au has launched a new Secret Hotels App which allows for Australia’s best hotel brands to sell last minute rooms, that may otherwise remain empty, at an affordable rate.

The Secret Hotels App caters for the consumer demand of travel ‘on the go’ and provides for the growing market of spontaneous travellers, with customers able to book a ‘secret hotel’ today, tonight, tomorrow (up to 72 hours out) – at rates of up to 40% off.

Leading Aussie travel writer Rob McFarland is running a two-day intensive workshop for aspiring writers in Sydney on January 17 and 24 2015, sharing tips on recognizing good travel writing, generating story angles, editing effectively and more.

With a the correspondence version of the course also available, writers worldwide are able to learn about the art of travel writing and pitching stories, with McFarland boasting six writing awards including Travel Writer of the Year.

Convertible Caravans has just released its new 2015 brochure, showcasing the brand’s unique product offerings and going into detail about journeys throughout Europe, led by an expert concierge with no more than 20 other travellers.

To celebrate the launch of the new 2015 brochure, Convertible Caravans is offering a $500 bonus commission when agents book eight or more participants travelling together on the same Classic Caravan itinerary in 2015, with the offer available until December 31.

Rosie Holidays’ 2015/16 Fiji Brochure is now available to order via the tifs website or via brochureorders@au.pinpoint.biz, with an extensive range of properties, including new resorts, a dedicated weddings section and more features all included.

To celebrate the launch of the new brochure, Rosie Holidays has released a collection of offers showcasing the Fiji range, including the new-to-brochure Sheraton Resort & Spa Tokoriki.

StayWell Hospitality Group has announced the introduction of free in-room Wi-Fi across Park Regis and Leisure Inn properties from January, 2015, with up to five devices able to connect at one time.

Available across 11 properties across Australia, the initiative is part of a $1 million technology upgrade that is being rolled out over the coming year.

Holiday Inn Perth has announced plans for a $12 million refurbishment to commence in January 2015, with the renovation including upgrades to guest rooms and public spaces, as well as a new al fresco dining area on the street level.

Emirates is launching its own wine programme, with over 1.2 million bottles aging in the airlines’ own cellar, with some only ready for cracking open post 2020.

Representing a long-term investment of over US$500 million to date, Emirates’ wine programme is a critical component of its inflight dining experience, with a team of Emirates experts working directly with some of the world’s most prestigious chateaus and vineyards to handpick and secure the wines served onboard.

Train travel will be an even more cost-effective way to explore Europe next year with Rail Plus today revealing that children up to 11 years of age will for the first time travel free on all Eurail passes in 2015.

Children between four and 11 will now travel free of charge on all Eurail Select, Regional, One Country and Global passes issue from January 1 2015, however the company reminds customers that while children can travel free, reservations are still necessary.

Also new in 2015 is the introduction of a First Class travel option for Eurail Youth Pass holders, previously restricted to traveling in Second Class.