YELLOWSTONE National Park is expected to reopen within the next two weeks, following damaging floods (TD 16 Jun).
Most of Yellowstone will reopen to tourists faster than originally expected after the record floods pounded the region last week.
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MORE incentives are needed to increase sustainable aviation fuel production, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Calling for governments to urgently put in place large-scale inducements, IATA believes 30 billion litres of SAF production is the tipping point possible by the end of the decade with effective incentives, and follows a major QF investment (TD 20 Jun).
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oneworld alliance expands, major NSW ecotourism plan, Tassie booking surge, AC to BKK and BOM, NZ chief departs and much more
Click here to download Travel Daily for Tuesday 21st June 2022
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THE oneworld airline alliance is set to expand further in the Middle East, with the addition of Muscat-based Oman Air which is expected to be implemented into the network in 2024.
The oneworld Governing Board elected Oman Air as a member-designate in Doha this week on the sidelines of the IATA AGM, with the carrier’s accession backed by Qatar Airways which will provide guidance and support for the carrier’s integration.
Members of Oman Air’s Sindbad frequent flyer program will be able to earn and burn points on all oneworld member carriers, while higher tier members will also be able to access oneworld lounges across the globe.
The deal was signed by oneworld CEO Rob Gurney, who said “with its network in Muscat and award-winning customer service, Oman Air will reinforce our position as the premier airline alliance for global travellers”.
Oman Air, which operates a fleet of over 40 Boeing 737, Boeing 787 and Airbus A330s, will be the third new member of the alliance in five years, with Royal Air Maroc joining in Apr 2020 followed by Alaska Airlines last year.
The agreement will add new destinations to the global oneworld map including Duqm and Khasab in Oman as well as Chittagong in Bangladesh, along with connections via five oneworld member hubs: Amman, Colombo, Doha, Kuala Lumpur and London Heathrow.
Oneworld members will also gain access to Oman Air lounges at Muscat, Salalah and Bangkok.
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THE NSW Government has proposed a major $56 million investment into the state’s Dorrigo National Park inland from the north coast, including a new multi-day walk and visitor centre, that promises to put NSW on the global ecotourism map.
The four-day Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk will consist of three suspension bridges and 46km of walking track that winds through Dorrigo and Bindarri National Parks, past waterfalls, giant old trees, and wild rivers.
Travellers will be able to stay at four purpose-built communal low impact walkers’ huts and camping areas with tent platforms and composting toilet, owned and operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Also part of the proposal, the Arc Rainforest Centre will feature energy-efficient, sustainable design and recycled materials, a boardwalk and lookout over the World Heritage rainforest, flexible event spaces, and spiralling walkways that connect to the existing 6km Wonga Walk and the new Dorrigo Great Walk.
The aim of the project is to connect more people to nature and Aboriginal culture, breathe life back into ageing infrastructure, generate ongoing jobs, and increase tourism revenue to help regional NSW towns recover from drought, the 2019-20 bushfires and COVID-19.
NSW Environment Minister, James Griffin, said the project was part of the biggest capital investment program in the state’s national parks ever, adding that the rainforest at Dorrigo is “even more spectacular than the Daintree”.
“This is about having people come to national parks as tourists, and leave as conservationists,” he said.
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DEMAND for booked nights to Tasmania for the next three months is up by close to 40% on the same period last year, according to new figures from Tourism Tasmania’s COVID-19 recovery update report.
The state’s capital led the way by accounting for 18,607 nights, up 55% on last year, followed by the state’s north west (6,607 nights), Freycinet (6,422), Launceston (6,082), the north east coast (3,805) and Bruny Island (3,537).
While Hobart experienced strong growth compared to last year, the biggest proportional leap in booked nights was actually claimed by the state’s west coast, which grew by 71%, while the eastern shore made good ground by jumping 55%, ahead of Freycnet (49%), and King Island (46%).
Meanwhile in Hobart strong bookings recorded for mid-Jun were fuelled by the popular Dark Mofo festival, with bookings peaking on the weekend during the month.
In the north of the state, Launceston also gained some traction in Jun due to the Australian Musical Theatre Festival, AFL games and Launceston Running Festival.
The report claimed that Tasmania continues to maintain its brand position, including perceptions of being a “meaningful” and “different” domestic destination.
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PAUL McLean, Air New Zealand’s GM of Sales in Australia, has made the difficult decision to leave the carrier for personal reasons, with his departure effective immediately.
Group GM Sales Kathryn Robertson paid tribute to McLean, saying after rejoining Air NZ last year (TD 22 Apr 2021) he had since done a “great job steering the Australia team through the extended lockdowns and into our restart as borders opened”.
“I know he will be hugely missed by the Air NZ team and our partners,” Robertson said.
While a permanent replacement is sought, NZ Manager Commercial Strategy in Australia, Michael “Zorby” Zorbas will be covering the GM role.
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TOURISM Australia is this month offering travel advisors the opportunity to win one of 10 $250 Prezzee gift cards by undertaking part of the Aussie Specialist training program.
To enter, complete the Introduction to Australia curriculum and share your feedback about the training.
That will unlock over 20 more modules and opportunities to earn reward points, while at the same time building knowledge to sell clients higher value holidays.
For more information see the last page of today’s Travel Daily.
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AUSTRALIA & Beyond Holidays (AABH) has added activities to its AABH Hotels booking platform, with the addition said to make the portal a “one stop shop” for travel advisors, according to Managing Partner Simon Bernardi.
AABH Hotels already offers comprehensive content from Hotelbeds, Innstant Travel, Webjet Fitruums and Destinations of the World, with an additional major Australian wholesaler also set to be added shortly.
“Our range is extremely competitive especially against some of the airline points offers that are being heavily promoted currently,” Bernardi said.
Designed specifically for travel agents, pricing is offered in nett Australian dollars with no deposits, and payments due once a booking falls within the cancellation period.
Bernardi said AABH also specialises in groups and tailor-made domestic itineraries – queries via simon@aabh.com.au.
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QANTAS has reintroduced its First Class product on flights to and from Singapore, with the return of its revamped Airbus A380 aircraft (TD 15 Mar) on the Sydney-Singapore-London route.
The premium cabin features 14 First Suites, 70 Business Suites and 60 Premium Economy seats, along with 341 Economy seats.
QF’s First Lounge at Changi Airport has reopened, with Chief Customer Officer Stephanie Tully welcoming the return of the facility which had only just opened prior to the pandemic.
The lounge has capacity for 240 guests and offers a Neil Perry fine dining experience inspired by Singapore’s culinary scene.
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