1) Despite revenue rise VA dips to $84 million loss
Virgin Australia has posted an $84 million first-half loss, however outperformed rival Qantas in total group revenue growth and yield. The loss was down on last year’s $23 million profit, attributed to the 4.5 percent rise in operating costs largely due to fuel and foreign exchange. Carbon tax added $27 million to the airline’s costs which due to the current competitive market was not recovered from its customers. Virgin Australia Chief Executive John Borghetti said the increase in capacity by both Virgin and Qantas is “making domestic aviation unprofitable”.Read more here.2) Orient-Express rebrands as Belmond
On 10 March, Orient-Express Hotels Ltd will embark on the most exciting journey thus far as its range of hotels, trains and river cruises will be renamed Belmond. The rebrand will not change each property’s unique personality and exceptional service, however is designed to make the collection easier to recognise and explore.
3) VA’s new MEL lounge
Travellers can now relax, refuel and recharge in the stylish and contemporary newVirgin Australia Lounge in Melbourne Airport. Designed to enhance the travel experience for leisure and business travellers, the lounge features new service elements including a Wine Bar, an Espresso Bar and the first Premium Valet service at Melbourne domestic airport. The lounge has doubled in size over the six-month transformation to become the most expansive in the Virgin Australia network. The airline will continue to enhance the lounge experience and service by opening its first ‘Premium Exit’ in July this year, allowing guests to move seamlessly to their departure gate through a dedicated security screening point.
4) QF FF reaffirms commitment to loyalty
Qantas’ some 10 million frequent flyer members have been reassured by the airline that recent measures to cut $2 billion in costs would not impact on Qantas points balance or cause points to expire. The program re-iterated its plans to move forward in rewarding its members by introducing more ways to earn and redeem points, the launch of a new business loyalty program Aquire on 31 March 2014, added features and benefits for Qantas Cash, opening new stylish lounges, upgrades on the Airbus A330 fleet and the introduction of new member communities like the recently launched epiQure.
5) Gold Coast bed tax economically reckless
Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) apposed the proposed bed tax on the Gold Coast as it would have a major negative impact on the wider economy. Labelling the proposal as “economically reckless”, TAA Managing Director Rodger Powell said that bed taxes had been introduced and then withdrawn in other cities because of the demonstrable negative effects the tax had on the city or region. “The proposal would be because the tax would not only dissuade international visitors from coming to Australia, it would give domestic travellers yet another reason for travelling overseas,” Mr Powell added.
6) Celebrity Cruises ‘Pick Your Perk’ promo
This March, guests booking on Celebrity have the choice of bonus additions to their cruise with the ‘Pick Your Perk’ promotion. Valid on bookings made until 31 March 2014 in an Oceanview stateroom, Balcony stateroom, Concierge Class, Aqua Class or Suite on selected Celebrity Cruises world-wide voyages of four nights or longer. The perks include a choice of free classic beverage package for two, free gratuities for two, up to US$300 on-board credit or up to AU$600 Air Savings when flights are booked through Choice Air (Australian residents only).7) Pick the right insurance for your travel
Travel insurance companies are preparing for a busy month ahead as travellers down under escape the oncoming winter for warmer destinations. Spokesperson for insurance comparison website, comparethemarket.com.au Grant Waldeck said they expect peak comparisons in March; however still warns that not everyone is booking travel insurance to match their needs, or booking any at all.Read more here.
8) DL program revamp is money for miles
Delta Air Lines has revamped its loyalty program Delta Skymiles to offer its members reward miles based on how much money is spent rather than on the number of miles flown. Depending on the member’s status level, under the changes members can earn between five and 11 miles per dollar spent. Members who get points through their Skymiles credit cards will not be affected by the changes.
9) Temples and tents tempt travellers in Cambodia
Travellers visiting Cambodia’s Banteay Chhmar temples can now enjoy a unique stay at the new luxury tented accommodation, introduced in the remote region by Khiri Travel. The initiative of the tented accommodation is done with cooperation from the local community who help with tent setup, maintenance and providing hospitality. The Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts also support the initiative as the GHF’s Banteay Chhmar Conservation Training Project aims to save the last great Angkorian temple complex in Cambodia. Banteay Chhmar temples were built in the late 12th or early 13th century.
10) Trafalgar increases commissions
Agents booking Trafalgar across the month of March can enjoy an increased commission to 15 percent across the entire guided holiday portfolio. The additional commission incentive coincides with the end of the Early Payment Discount featuring savings of up to $1270 per person available on its 2014 Europe and Britain programme. The company reaffirms its agents are centric, equipping them with the right tools to confidently book holidays for their clients. Trafalgar Australia Managing Director Matthew Cameron-Smith said “as we come off one of our biggest years to date, we really wanted to show our appreciation to the industry for their continued support and endorsement of our insider positioning.”
11) What’s going on in #Room753 at Peppers Broadbeach?
As part of a landmark new Tourism & Events Queensland (TEQ) initiative titled ‘#Room753’, 22 high profile Bloggers, Instagrammers and videographers will base themselves at Peppers Broadbeach to inspire high-profile digital opinion-makers from across the globe. The deluxe ocean view suite will be home to the Bloggers, Instagrammers and videographers for a week as they explore Queensland destinations on itineraries designed to match their passions and inspire creativity. The purpose of #Room753 is ‘rest, recuperation and writing’ with a magnificent panoramic backdrop of Broadbeach to complete the picture. #Room753 translates to Room ‘Q.L.D.’, based on the corresponding numbers and letters on a phone touchpad.
12) New PR manager at Complete Travel Marketing
Complete Travel Marketing has appointed Lena Froelich as the new PR, Media & Communications Manager. Ms Froelich will look after all PR & Media related activities for the extensive existing portfolio of clients currently held by the travel and tourism representation company. Having previously worked in travel marketing & PR for several years, most recently at Aviareps Oceania where she managed the Mauritius Tourism and Monaco Tourism accounts amongst others, Ms Froelich brings an extensive background to the role.
13) Your own private butler at Centara
Centara Grand has pushed its level of luxury service by introducing a 24/7 butler service for guests staying in the private suites and villas. The personal butler will be available around the clock to look after the well-being and special requests of Centara’s guests. Each butler comes with an accomplished a training programme provided by Paul Brown, former butler to Queen Elizabeth II.
This article was sourced from carryon
