News in Brief: Tuesday March 19
Travelport has signed a multi-year global content deal with China Eastern Airlines and its subsidiary Shanghai Airlines that will ensure Galileo and Worldspan agents have access to both carrier's web fares and published inventory. The airline's have also upgraded their GDS connectivity "to the highest level" that will allow agents to view and sell last seat availability.
Bookings to Europe with Excite Holidays have climbed 72% in the first two months of the year, the online wholesaler has claimed. Mykonos and Nice have led the growth with sales up 66% with Barcelone up 50%, Amsterdam 32%, Prague 40% and the Amalfi Coast 36%.
Former Travel Corporation stalwart Steve Richards has joined Best Western Australasia as general manager of sales and marketing. Richards, who replaces Kimi Anderson, spent 10 years working in senior management roles for Contiki, Creative Holidays, Inspiring Journeys and AAT Kings.
Meanwhile, Best Western has named Barry Fleischmann as the latest recruit for its brand development team. He was previously based in the US where he helped develop the Cambria Suites brand for Choice Hotels International.
The new Australia and New Zealand program from Contiki features 11 Aussie itineraries and seven thrill-seeking tours across the ditch. The program features onboard WiFi and power points to charge iPods and iPhones aboard the coaches and continues the backstage pass concept that was introduced last year.
Qantas has enabled the booking functionality for its new Chauffeur Drive and Dubai Connect services, introduced as a result of its pending alliance with Emirates. Eligible customers can book both services via ‘Manage Your Booking' on qantas.com with GDS booking capability for Chauffeur Drive to be introduced later this year.
Melbourne-based disability travel firm Ozmates has expanded into Sydney, with the aim of using the NSW capital as a platform to expand its services Australiawide.
The awarding of grants in the first round of the Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund has been described as a "small, but significant" step in the improvement of Australia's accommodation product.
Accommodation Association of Australia chief executive Richard Munro said the program delivers on Tourism Australia's 2020 potential which underlines the need for greater quality rather than quantity in regional areas. However, he added that the funding is "spread relatively thin".
Cruise Holidays is offering the chance to win an oceanview cabin on Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas, departing Sydney on November 10 for a nine-night South Pacific sailing. All entrants must answer three questions about their cruise history and preferences at www.cruiseholidays.com.au.
The South Australian Tourism Industry Council is seeking expressions of interest in a three-day workshop entitled "Improve your Business Performance Online". Based on the its tourism e-Kit, the workshop is designed to help operators improve online performance, communication, profitability and opportunities.
Those interested in participating should click here (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8KNSTQ5). It is priced at $100 for members and $150 for non-members.
Taiwan Tourism Bureau is seeking to build on the destination's popularity as a cycling destination with a new partnership with Taichung-based bicycle maufacturer Giant on a year-long ‘bike2Taiwan' online promotion. A new website, located at www.bike2taiwan.net, offers information in English, Chinese and Japanese on Taiwan's more than 4,000kms of bikeways.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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