News in Brief: Wednesday October 15
InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto has announced its schedule of activities for the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, which will kick off with the Caulfield Cup on October 18.
The hotel will launch its Sounds of Spring Racing musical series of after parties, where local musicians and artists will provide entertainment at the party locations, along with a range of food and beverage choices on the menu for guests to enjoy.
The Rialto is also providing race-themed activities to pamper guests during the Carnival, including partnerships with Rakis on Collins, where guests can receive in-house salon service on the mornings before Derby Day and Melbourne Cup.
Insight Vacations is offering savings of up to $400 per couple when booking an escorted journey of 10 days or more, along with airfares to Europe or Britain with either Qantas or Emirates.
Agents can also combine this offer for clients with brochure discounts such as the Early Payment Discount of 10% per person, with the savings applicable to a range of itineraries, including the 11-day Majestic Europe and 22-day Britain & Ireland Discovery tours.
Emirates is changing its afternoon Perth to Dubai flight to a later departure time, making it easier for passengers to obtain onward connections to destinations across Europe and the US.
As of October 27, Emirates’ EK423, one of the daily flights from Perth to Dubai, will move to 5.50pm, shortening the stopover times for Western Australian travellers, with destinations such as Rome, Paris, Manchester and Washington now offering improved connections due to the later flight time.
Brisbane Airport Corporation has won the Corporate Citizenship category in the 2014 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards at City Hall last night, while its CEO Julieanne Alroe was named Business Person of the Year.
Associate Professor Dimity Dornan AO, founder of the Hear and Say Centres for Deaf Children, was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement award, with her not-for-profit clinics now supporting over 650 children across six centres.
Solomon Airlines has released its new Northern Winter timetable, which will make it easier for Australian and New Zealand travellers to connect to the Solomon Islands, and beyond to Vanuatu and Nadi.
As of November 17, making connections to Honiara and other domestic services will be made easier, with the improved schedule stemming from the airline’s flights to Honiara being pushed back to a 10am departure on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Travellers can view the new timetable here.
European Waterways has released its 2015 brochure, which highlights the company’s 18 cruise itineraries throughout France, Italy, Holland and the British Isles.
Enlarged to 62 pages, the brochure features maps and information on cruise routes and daily itineraries, explanations of hotel barging, and themed cruises such as its new World War One Commemorative cruise aboard the La Belle Epoque, as well as including a new DVD.
Castaway Island Fiji has been named one of the top family resorts for Australians in 2014 by the readers of Holidays with Kids magazine, as well as the number one family resort in Fiji, while Outrigger on the Lagoon came in third.
Readers ranked resorts based on activities and facilities for kids, childcare and staff hospitality, standard of accommodation, location, accessibility, safety, family fun, value for money and overall experience.
Castaway Island received the award based on a variety of features, but especially its Family Beach Bure on the sand that sleeps up to 10, the water sports and the immersive kids’ club.
Beyond Travel are expanding its Sydney team, moving offices to accommodate plans for growing staff and company development.
The new office is located at Suite 2, Level 4, 83-97 Kippax St in Surry Hills, with relocation occurring on October 17 and 18.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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