News In Brief

Carnival Cruise Lines’ record sales

Carnival Cruise Lines has reported record sales, while also setting an all-time high for the number of guests booked in a single month.  The cruise line took bookings for more than 565,000 guests in the month of January 2014, 17 percent more than the same period last year.  The website carnival.com also hit a record 13 million visits during a one-month period.  Across Carnival Cruise Lines 24-ship fleet, operating three to 23 day voyages, bookings were at unprecedented levels.

Dubai to tax tourists

Travellers visiting Dubai will pay a tourism tax as of 31 March 2014 in an effort for the country to raise funds for new programs to bring more commerce and visitors into the city.  A daily tax of up to AED20 (A$6.10) will be charged to any tourist staying at local hotel or any other tourist accommodation, according to state news agency WAM.  The tax dubbed as the Tourist Dirham, could raise annual revenues by as much as AED 330 million.

Thai AirAsia X to spread its wings and fly

AirAsia X’s  associate company Thai AirAsia X has received approval from the Department of Civil Aviation of Thailand for the Air Operator’s Certificate (“AOC”), which will allow application for operating permits to intended international routes.  Once these permits are obtained the airline will announce the commencement date of commercial operations from its hub in Bangkok.  Thai AirAsia X will operate two leased Airbus A330-300s with 377 seats for its first year of operations and will commence services from Don Mueng International Airport, Bangkok.

Adina to open in Frankfurt

Frankfurt will soon have a second Adina Apartment Hotel, part of the Toga Hotels family of brands, which is being built in the business and financial hub.  Located in Europaviertel, the 180 room hotel will consist of studios and apartments featuring fully equipped kitchens, laundries and comfortable living spaces.  Boasting skyline views of Frankfurt, the property will have all the regular features including 24-hour reception, restaurant and bar, room service, conference rooms and a fitness room.

TripAdvisor revamps flights feature

TripAdvisor , has redesigned its flights search product to include travellers in-flight insights, amenities information and candid photos, coupled with the ability to scan for the lowest prices for airlines globally. TripAdvisor Flights General Manager Bryan Saltzburg said in addition to helping travellers find the lowest fares, the new TripAdvisor Flights experience provides transparency into the complete in-flight experience.

Bentours itinerary complements Sochi games

With the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, fast approaching, Bentours has released an itinerary that is the perfect addition for travellers visiting the Games.  The new 21-day Russia & Lapland Highlights tour is priced from AU$7,724 and journeys around the incredible architecture of Moscow and St Petersburg, showcases northern Finland’s rich Sami culture and takes a memorable voyage along Scandinavia’s most breathtaking coast – the Norwegian fjords.

 MSC cruise packages made easy

MSC Cruises Signature Series take the hard work out of planning a cruise holiday.  The fly/land/cruise packages for 2014-2015 make it easier for travellers to plan their cruise holiday from Australia, with everything included in the one price.  The packages are flexible so if guests can extend their holiday if they wish.  Packages include (prices per person, twin share from Australia) 26-night Adriatic & Black Sea Odyssey, from $5494; 20-night Miami to Rio or return from Rio, from $5019; 39-night Celtic Kingdom, Iceland and Arctic Fjords, from $8957; 17-night Grand Caribbean Getaway, from $3981; 21-night Canary Island Classic, from $4649 and much more.

 Sofitel Fiji gets family friendly in style

To further enhance its family appeal, the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa has completed a two year room renovation to reveal its refreshed family room category, Luxury Family room.  The 16 new Luxury Family rooms are geared towards families looking for a bit more luxury, enjoy outdoor living, freedom and added entertainment options.  Located on the ground floor, the rooms have direct access to the beach, lawn and world-famous lagoon pool.  The Luxury Family rooms compliment the nine Superior Family Rooms.

Seabreeze Resort, Samoa named Top Resort for Romance

The 2014 Travellers’ Choice Awards has acknowledged Samoa’s boutiqueSeabreeze Resort in the top 25 resorts in the South Pacific for Romance, based on reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers.  Seabreeze Resort is the only Samoan resort to win any of the 2014 awards, and owner Wendy Booth is both thrilled and honoured to be voted by their guests.  The award adds to a number of accolades from around the world, making the resort one of the most sought after for romance in Samoa.

 NZ TIA CEO to step down

Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chairman Grant Lilly has announced at the end of March, Martin Snedden will step down from the role as CEO.  Mr Snedden said that his involvement with New Zealand Cricket has been increasing recently and it has become unrealistic to carry out both roles effectively.  Mr Sneddon came on board as TIA CEO in June 2012 and during his time there led the development of the Tourism 2025 growth framework. “On behalf of TIA’s board of directors, I would like wish Martin all the best for his future and thank him for his efforts at TIA,” Mr Lilly said.

Uniworld extends early booking savings

Guests booking on select Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection can save up to $1000 per couple with the early booking savings extended to departures until 28 February 2014.  A deposit at time of booking will qualify quests on selected 2014 Uniworld Europe & Russia departures, and all 2014 China, Vietnam and Cambodia departures.   The offer is valid unless sold out prior.

Winter wonderland at Sapporo Snow Festival

One of Japan’s largest winter events, the 65^th Sapporo Snow Festival, will turn Sapporo into a winter dreamland from 5 to 11 February 2014.  Every winter, about two million visitors come to Sapporo to see the range of snow and ice sculptures that line Odori Park, the grounds at Community Dome Tsudome, and along the main street in Susukino.  Niseko-based SkiJapan is offering two coach departures for snow enthusiasts whilst the seven-day array of snow and ice sculptures takes place at numerous locations in Sapporo.

Source: KarryOn

·   The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) renewed its partnership with PhoCusWright, the leading global travel industry research authority. The affiliation will continue to help deliver key research findings on the Asia Pacific travel marketplace.

·  Meetings industry veterans Patrick Delaney and Pádraic Gilligan have now launched SoolElla, a boutique consultancy offering “another viewpoint” on meetings and events.

• Starwood Hotels & Resorts launched its rapidly growing Four Points brand in Charleston, the capital of West Virginia.
• American Airlines and US Airways will drop year-round, daily nonstop flights from Washington's Reagan National Airport to Detroit, San Diego and 15 other cities. They will also end nonstop flights from New York's LaGuardia Airport to Atlanta, Cleveland and Minneapolis but will add service from LaGuardia to 10 other cities.
• Southwest Airlines flew 7.4 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in January 2014, a 2.2 percent increase from the 7.3 billion RPMs flown in January 2013.
• SpiceJet, a low-cost carrier based in India, has plans to order 38 Boeing 737 Max jets.
• Taipei became Emirates’ newest passenger destination on Monday.
• Malaysia Airlines will shift all of its flights to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central later this year.