News in Brief: Thursday September 5
Air New Zealand will be allowed to acquire an additional 6% of Virgin Australia after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not appose the deal.
The ACCC said the acquisition would not result in competition issues as Air NZ will still not have the ability to control or influence the decision making at Virgin Australia.
Accor has confirmed it is to operate the majority of Qantas' domestic lounges under an expanded management deal to be rolled out from November.
The hospitality firm has managed the airline's first and business lounges at Sydney and Melbourne Airports for more than five years, and will now also oversee its domestic lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth.
Accor also manages Qantas' newly refurbished lounge in Singapore.
Luxury operator Abercrombie & Kent will handle all Australian land operations for cruise lines Seabourn, Crystal and Silversea during the 2013/14 season.
Travellers Choice has added the New South Wales town of Mudgee to its expanding network as Mudgee Travel & Cruise became its latest member shareholder.
The agency's co-owner Glenn Box said the network's management stability and ethos had prompted the decision.
Polar cruise specialist One Ocean Expeditions has confirmed the appointment of Richard Cunningham as its permanent Australia-based sales, marketing and PR manager.
The move will enable the company to better service its growing list of wholesale and specialist retail partners in both Australia and New Zealand, according to founder and chief executive Andrew Prossin.
Formerly the manager of Active Travel, Cunningham takes up his new position this month.
Intrepid has launched a South America sale with discounts of 15% available on "most trips" across the continent.
The offer is valid for all new bookings made between now and September 30 for departures up to February 28.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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