News in Brief: Thursday September 25
Anderson Vacations has announced new itineraries for 2015 offering visitors to the Canadian Rockies province of Alberta new experiences in Calgary, and south to the famed Badlands.
“For the first time, Anderson Vacations will provide coach transfers from Calgary to Drumheller, the dinosaur capital of the world, where visitors can visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology and Rosedale Suspension Bridge for a view of the eerie Hoodoos, and the Badlands natural rock formations,” Travel Alberta marketing development director of Australia Lizzie Doyle said.
The new tours will begin on June 1, 2015, running until September 30.
In line with its fleet planning, the LATAM Airlines Group plans to launch new international flights in 2015, strengthening connectivity between Latin America, North America and Europe.
New flights include daily flights from Santiago to Milan with LAN, with a layover in Sao Paulo, TAM direct flights between Sao Paulo and Cancun Mexico, and flights between Sao Paulo and Barcelona, Spain.
By the end of 2015, LAN Airlines will also become the first airline in the Americas to receive delivery of the newly launched Airbus A350.
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As part of the new Fiji Airways global brand positioning Welcome To Our Home, the airline is offering an individual, couple or family the opportunity to spend a week in the comfort of a Fijian family home.
The chosen travellers will be flown to the tropical island location, where they will get to experience the Fijian culture in a home away from home, giving Aussies without the chance to travel a rare opportunity.
To nominate someone who deserves a break in a tropical Fijian home, or find out more, visit https://ourhome.fijiairways.com/.
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Bench International's operations & groups director Julie De Palo has marked 15 years with the African safari operator.
Ms De Palo, who is currently Bench's longest-serving employee, said that the unique selling points of the tours include the size of Bench's groups. For 2015 Bench will commence its escorted tours to southern Africa on May 12, 2015 and to east Africa on September 10, 2015.
Magellan Travel Group has welcomed the addition of a new outlet this October. Southlands Travel & Cruise (formerly Jetset Southlands) from the ACT.
Off Road Caves Safari, owned and operated by Australian Jay Whyte, has recorded substantial growth since its beginnings two years.
Adding two new vehicles to the fleet, Off Road Cave Safari and Sigatoka River Safari founder and managing director, Jay Whyte said “We started the Off Road Cave Safari in late 2012 and we had only two ATV’s that could seat 10 people. Less than a year later we built a new spacious Off Road vehicle that could seat up to 12 people and featured tiered seating enabling all on board spectacular views. I can’t believe just over one year later, we have had to add two more vehicles."
With the arrival of the new vehicles, Off Road Cave Safari can now accommodate a total of 30 passengers on each of its morning and afternoon tours.
Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket and Centara Karon Resort Phuket have taken the number 2 and 3 spots in the top ten family resorts in Thailand as voted by the readers of family magazine Holidays with Kids.
Centara Hotels & Resorts are proud to have one four and one five star property recognised in this highly sought-after award. The two resorts, both located in Phuket are aimed at accomodating the family market.
Outrigger Enterprises Group announced today that it has purchased the Konotta Island Resort situated in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll of the Republic of Maldives from Crystal Lagoon Pvt Ltd.
The transaction was closed in the Maldives on September 23, 2014, for an undisclosed amount and was brokered by Jones Lang LaSalle’s Singapore-based Hotels and Hospitality Group acting as exclusive adviser to the vendor.
Following a property renovation, the hotel is expected to open as the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort in July 2015.
Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) is delighted to announce that Katie Lahey AM will become its next Chair.
Lahey will assume the role of Chair when the term of incumbent Hon. Bruce Baird AM expires in late November.
“Lahey is an outstanding appointment and is one of Australia’s pre-eminent business leaders with an extraordinary record of achievement over many years,” Baird said.
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) has announced its new baggage allowance policy for all classes of travel.
THAI, executive vice president of commercial, Flg.Off. Suraphon Israngura Na Ayuthya said that in order to increase competitiveness and service level, effective from today, THAI is implementing a new policy to allow an additional 10 kilograms of checked baggage for all classes of travel on all THAI flights, except on flights to and from the United States of America.
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