By Kate Webster in KarryOn
1) NZ LAX transit changes
Travellers flying to London with Air New Zealand on NZ1 and NZ2 required to transit through Los Angeles LAX will experience a smoother journey due to new changes in the process. Passengers will no longer have to complete immigration in the arrivals hall, rather if baggage has been through-checked, customers will be separately processed by US Customs and Border Protection into a dedicated transit lounge where they will remain until re-boarding the aircraft. Those travelling Business Premier will have the option to remain in a premium transit area or complete fast tracked immigration processing and proceed through security to the Air New Zealand Lounge if they wish.
All customers must still meet all entry requirements, including having a current visa or ESTA where applicable.
2) London’s top sites attract more visitors
VisitBritain’s four-year Olympics strategy is on track as visitors to London’s top sites have increased by 12 percent, according to recent figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA).
The top tourist attraction in 2013 was The British Museum, enjoying 20 percent more visitors through its doors to a total of 6,701,036. The National Gallery wasn’t far behind with just over 6 million visitors, up 14 percent on the previous year. Keeping with the attraction of culture and history was the Natural History Museum, which attracted over 5.3 million visitors. In total, 76 percent of visitors to London enjoyed a range of world-class museums and galleries.
3) GA takes SkyTeam Alliance to 20
Garuda Indonesia had become the 20th airline to join global airline allianceSkyTeam, strengthening the alliance presence in the Southeast Asia and Australia. Garuda will add 40 new destinations to SkyTeam’s global network which now totals 1,064 destinations worldwide. Garuda Indonesia President Emirsyah Satar said “joining SkyTeam is part of Garuda Indonesia’s progressive transformation program throughout all aspects of the company.” The new alliance will allow Garuda passengers more global reach with a seamless and convenient travel experience.
4) EK bolsters Europe commitment at ITB Berlin
Emirates commitment to the European travel and aviation market has been reinforced with the airline’s commitment for the 20th year to trade show ITB Berlin this year. The largest trade show presence outside of the airline’s Dubai base, ITB Berlin kicked off yesterday 5 March and will run until 9 March. Emirates have been a part of European skies, cities and communities since it began operations to London Gatwick in 1987.
5) Singapore visitor’s trial SmartGate
Singaporean travellers arriving in Australia can now access the SmartGate option as Customs and Border Protection trials Singaporean e-passport holders aged 16 years and over the use of the self-processing facilities in Australia’s eight major airports. Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon Andrew Robb said “the extension to Singaporean travellers will make them the first Asian nation to use this state-of-the-art technology.” Last year, 385,300 Singaporeans visited Australia from, an increase of 12.1 percent on the previous year.
6) Peppers, Mantra and Breakfree brings the bargains
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| The newly rebranded Mantra Wollongong |
Entering a season of new events, celebrating newly refurbished hotels and launching decadent gourmet getaways comes with some bargain deals offered by Peppers, Mantra and Breakfree hotels, retreats and resorts across Australia and New Zealand. Deals range from family fun at the Gold Coast to Mother’s Day lunches and high tea treats in New South Wales. For more information on the details, visit the Peppers, Mantra or Breakfree websites.
7) China allows Great Wall graffiti
China is combating the problem of graffiti on the Great Wall by launching a radical new approach of allowing the graffiti in a section of the wall, in an aim to prevent overall damage. A specific graffiti area will be established at the Mutianyu section of the wall where visitors will be free to leave their mark. The hope is to containing the scribbling, which, according to reports, is more likely to be in foreign languages (mostly English) than it is Chinese. The idea is also being entertained to set up an electronic touch-screen graffiti wall in the future, something that has proved popular in China in the past.
8) Aussies get 25 percent off at Affina
As the USA beckons Aussie travellers, the Affinia Hotels in New York City and Washington DC is offering visitors from Australia up to 25 percent discount on their stay between now and 31 August 2014. The savings are off best available hotel rates and exclusively for Australian visitors. Book four consecutive nights and receive 20 percent off each hotel’s best available rate or book seven consecutive nights or more and receive 25 percent off hotel’s best available rate. Reservations can be made at www.affinia.com using promotional code AUST14.
9) Helen Wong’s galloping sale
As part of its ongoing “Year of the Horse” celebrations for 2014, Helen Wong’s Tours has slashed the prices of its China and Vietnam group tours by $200 per person. To be eligible to cash in on the savings, customers are urged to gallop in to book as the deals apply to bookings and deposits made before 4 April 2014 for travel from 1 May until the 30 November 2014.
10) Cunards grand 175 years
Cunard Cruise Lines has released details of the voyages and events planned in 2015 to celebrate 175 years of grand British maritime history. Marking the 175thanniversary, the cruise line is offering a series of commemorative cruises on sale in Australia on 14 March. In a salute to Cunard’s “spiritual home” Liverpool, the current fleet will take part in a historic three-day event from 24 May 2015. Celebrations will begin at Cunard’s homeport on 3 May 2015, when Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria will sail into Southampton together and depart later that day in formation.
