Although the tragic events that unfolded at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall over the weekend are expected to impact tourism to Kenya, Nairobi-based Wildlife Safari has stressed it will continue to operate.

“As a tour operator, we want to inform travel agents this act of terrorism will not stop tourism to Kenya, which is what the terrorists want to happen,” managing director Trevor Fernandes said.

He stressed that the Australian Government’s SmartTraveller service advises to “Exercise a high degree of caution”, with its “Do not travel” warning applying only to regions bordering Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Wildlife Safari does not venture near any unsafe areas and is “closely monitoring” the situation, he added.

In a bid to get more agents exploring its new brochures, Wendy Wu Tours has introduced an official launch website featuring details of its 2014/15 product range and a competition to mark its release.

The site www.letuswuyou.com.au will be live for five days, ending October 1, with agents to answer a question posted online in 25 words or less to be in the running to win one of five places on a three-night holiday to Shanghai departing November 7.

The push will begin with the delivery of brochure packs co to agencies between September 23 and 25. The gift boxes will contain “special treats” for agents and all four Wendy Wu Tours 2014 brochures.

Cunard has released a range of shorter voyages during Queen Mary 2's circumnavigation of Australia early next year. 

Three new sectors include a 13-night cruise from Brisbane to Fremantle, departing February 21, for $3249 per person twin share, a 15-night Sydney to Fremantle voyage from $3719, departing February 19 and a 19-night trip departing Sydney to Adelaide on February 19 from $4699. 

Travel Counsellors has appointed Adele Hamilton, formerly of American Express Business Travel, to the role of business development manager.

Expedia’s Travel Agent Affiliate Program is offering 25% commission on activities and transfers when booked in conjunction with a hotel until the end of October.

“Activity bookings have grown dramatically this year,” manager Stuart Udy said. “Airport transfers are already popular but there’s great interest in tours, sightseeing, and theatre tickets worldwide.”

Tourism New Zealand has appointed an event specialist as country manager of its new Jakarta-based office.

Christian Sidharta will join in November from HRG Singapore, a corporate travel management company where he is manager, events services. He previously worked for New Zealand Journeys in Singapore and General Travel in NZ.

The tourism agency has also appointed a marketing communications manager in Indonesia, Aristo Kristandyo, and a PR manager, Mardiana Budi. Tourism NZ has identified Indonesia as one of three key emerging markets.

The Australian Tourism Export Council has urged tourism operators to register for the business to business workshops at its annual Meeting Place event, with the morning workshops now full and those in the afternoon selling fast.

The event will be held at The Star in Sydney on December 3 to 5.

As the AFL Grand Final approaches, Accor expects its Melbourne CBD properties to be at or close to 100% occupancy over the weekend of the sporting event.

Grand Final Saturday is among the hotel firm’s top three busiest occupancy periods of the year in Melbourne.

InterContinental Hotels Group has confirmed the appointment of Mark Irwin to the role of general manager at its Hong Kong Island Hotel Indigo property.