Tag Archive for: Tours

JL, MH deepen ties

JAPAN Airlines and Malaysia Airlines this morning announced an expansion of their codeshare operations, with MH planning to launch new non-stop flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo Haneda from 14 Aug this year.

The move is a reaffirmation of the strategic Joint Business Partnership entered into by the oneworld members in Jul 2020.

The pact will see the JL code placed on the new route, while MH will codeshare on connecting flights to Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Okinawa and destinations in North America.

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TD breaking news – AFTA announces new major sponsor for NTIA 2022

Singapore Airlines steps up to support the travel industry.

The major sponsor of the 2022 National Travel Industry Awards will be Singapore Airlines, with the Australian Federation of Travel Agents thanking the carrier for its “incredible support”.

The highly anticipated NTIAs are scheduled for Saturday 15 October at the International Convention Centre Sydney, with AFTA CEO Dean Long saying “following the tumultous past two years due to COVID-19, it’s so important we come together to celebrate and acknowledge the innovation, determination and resilience of our people and sector”.

Singapore Airlines GM Agency Sales, Greg McJarrow, said the carrier was delighted to take on the major sponsorship role for the industry’s night of nights.

“The challenges of the past two years have been unfathomable, and to have the opportunity to support AFTA with the return of NTIA was an easy decision and is something we are incredibly proud to be able to do,” McJarrow said.

More details in tomorrow’s issue of Travel Daily.

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A&K adds Crystal to group

ABERCROMBIE & Kent MD Australia, Debra Fox, has hailed the overnight news revealing the acquisition of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony by the company, saying “this further investment and expansion by A&K in delivering exceptional guest experiences is more outstanding news for both our trade partners and guests”.

The deal’s revelation followed an auction last week in which the ships were sold by the administrators of the collapsed Genting Hong Kong to an at the time unknown buyer for US$103 million (Serenity) and US$25 million (Symphony).

It’s now been confirmed that A&K Travel Group, the parent company of Abercrombie & Kent owned by Geoffrey Kent and former Silversea Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, has also acquired the Crystal Cruises brand, with plans to relaunch operations in 2023.

Both ships will undergo a refurbishment, and Crystal will report alongside A&K to Cristina Levis, former Silversea Expeditions President who is CEO of A&K Travel Group Limited.

Geoffrey Kent will chair Crystal alongside d’Ovidio, and said “the idea of combining the unparalleled onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the extraordinary tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been successfully providing for our guests for the past 60 years, fills me with excitement, enthusiasm and pride”.

Levis said the acquisition of Crystal had been challenging, but “the satisfaction of having this jewel in our family is the best payoff for all the hard work and efforts of the A&K team”.

She said the group looked forward to welcoming past Crystal and A&K guests onboard, as well as any clients seeking “rewarding luxury experiences”.

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Source: traveldaily

EY ups Abu Dhabi appeal

ETIHAD Airways has sweetened the pot for Australian travellers mulling a trip via the UAE, unveiling discounted and complementary hotel nights for those stopping over in Abu Dhabi.

Through the revamped Etihad Stopovers promotion, Aussies can access 40% discounts on the price of selected premium four- and five-star hotels, or a free one- or two-night stay in a range of three- or four-star participating hotels.

“The Etihad Stopover has always been extremely popular, especially for guests looking to break up ultra-long haul travel with a couple of days enjoying the wonders of Abu Dhabi,” the airline’s Senior Vice President Global Sales Martin Drew said.

“Our new offers enhance that proposition even further, allowing guests to discover our beautiful Emirate with all of its diverse attractions,” he added.

Participating premium hotels in the campaign include Courtyard by Marriott WTC Abu Dhabi, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, and Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, while free nights are on offer at properties like TRYP by Wyndham Abu Dhabi, Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche, and Centro Al Manhal Abu Dhabi.

The city has been working hard during the travel shutdown to improve its appeal as a stopover destination, spurred on by strong gains made by rival cities in the region such as Doha in Qatar.

Attractions for travellers to check out in Abu Dhabi include new cycling courses constructed on Al Hudayriyat Island, as well as many new and emerging golf courses for sports lovers.

More details on EY’s offer HERE.

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Air NZ restarts 14 routes

THE international schedule for Air New Zealand is edging closer to a pre-pandemic look, with 14 more overseas routes to be launched over the next 16 days.

In preparation for the busy Jul holiday period, Air New Zealand has flagged plans to reintroduce a number of Australian services, bringing its international capacity back to 60% of 2019 volumes.

Auckland services include flights to Adelaide three/four times a week from 06 Jul, three-times weekly to Cairns from 05 Jul, twice weekly flights to Hobart from 07 Jul and services to the Sunshine Coast from 09 Jul.

Meanwhile, flights linking Christchurch and the Gold Coast will start up again on 03 Jul, operating two/four times a week, while the popular ski resort city of Queenstown will see services recommence even sooner, with flights linking Sydney (25 Jun), Melbourne (24 Jun) and Brisbane (24 Jun) starting from tomorrow.

Destinations like Honolulu, Houston, and Tahiti will also once again be linked from New Zealand over the next two weeks after enduring a hiatus of more than 800 days.

The ramping-up of services will also see the Boeing 777-300 aircraft brought back, and the hiring of more than 2,000 New Zealanders as pilots, flight attendants, and ground staff.

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queensland NEEDS to compete

THE Queensland Tourism Industry Reference Panel has recommended the creation of a Business Events Strategy, as part of an action plan to speed up Queensland’s post-pandemic recovery and ensure the long-term success of the state’s visitor economy.

At the request of the Queensland Government, the panel made a series of recommendations, including an $80 million increase for the events and destination marketing fund, in its ‘Towards 2023: Reshaping Queensland’s visitor economy to welcome the world’ report released this week.

Australia’s business events sector is worth around $35.7 billion the report highlighted, but only 16% of the country’s business events are hosted in Queensland, compared to 55% in NSW and Victoria, collectively.

The panel recommends a Business Events Strategy to ensure a strong return on the $14 million the state government has allocated to bids for conference and business events over the next two years.

The panel said the strategy should identify Queensland’s comparative advantages and diverse offerings; identify and deliver conferences that align with the particular assets and capacities of a destination; and better align the efforts of relevant government departments and convention bureaus.

The funding, which is usually allocated annually, should also be committed on a three or four-year basis to better align with the business event bidding cycle, the panel suggested.

In a snapshot of what Queensland’s business events sector will look like in 2032 if the recommendations are followed, the panel envisions “our calendar will include major events and global business gatherings; visitors will crisscross the state, including via electric vehicleenabled touring routes” – click here to view the full action plan.

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Travellers Choice heads to Melbourne

TRAVELLERS Choice will host its 2022 conference in Melbourne, with the highly anticipated event scheduled for 25-27 Nov.

It will be the first time in three years that the group’s travel agency members and preferred partners have been brought together in person.

“During the pandemic we used a variety of technology solutions to ensure our members stayed connected with colleagues, management and suppliers,” said MD Christian Hunter.

“Nevertheless, as we all know, nothing can replace the human touch,” he said, with more info to be released in coming months.

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