THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

 

By Kate Webster onkarryon

1) QF and PG codeshare opens South East Asia

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Qantas has opened up South East Asia with their new codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways.  Starting 30 March 2014, travellers can book on Bangkok Airways services from Bangkok and Singapore to six new destinations in Thailand, including Ko Samui, Chiang Mai and Phuket.  As a step forward in delivering on the airline’s strategy, Qantas International Chief Executive Officer Simon Hickey said the codeshare offers the best options for customers travelling between Australia and Asia.  Both airlines are working towards a reciprocal agreement which will enable Bangkok Airways customers to book on Qantas international services from Bangkok and Singapore to Australia, and on a number of routes on Qantas’ domestic network.  The codeshare is subject to regulatory approval.

2) QF adds regional routes

Qantas has announced five new regional routes on its domestic network in an effort to provide passengers more direct services.  The routes include Brisbane to Port Macquarie, Melbourne to Coffs Harbour, Sydney to Hervey Bay, Sydney to Hamilton Island and Brisbane to Miles.  Qantas Domestic Chief Executive Officer Lyell Strambi said the new routes were great news for tourism in Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Hervey Bay, Hamilton Island and Miles.  Tickets on the new flights are available for sale now on qantas.com or through travel agents.

3) Tourism NZ new trade site 100%

To create a consistent look and feel, Tourism New Zealand has launched a new trade website aligned with newzeland.com.  The website is a valuable tool for travel sellers as it offers a primary  source of information about New Zealand, from how to sell it, training tools and resources such as online modules and the 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist programme.  The launch of the new site was prompted by the need to provide relevant and current resources and tools to 100 percent promote New Zealand.

4) From style to suites

From the catwalk to hotel room, that is what Chanel’s head Karl Lagerfeld is thinking of doing.  The plan is to design a 270 room hotel in the ritzy Macau in China.  It is expected that the ultimate luxury will continue from the runway to the rooms, as Mr Lagerfeld’s quoted Coco Chanel, saying ‘I only make dresses I would wear.’ And I make only rooms where I would like to sleep. It’s as simple as that.”  The hotel would not be open until 2017, and the costs per night will be interesting to see.

5) Win a trip to Vegas with Multi Currency Cash Passport™

Multi Currency Cash Passport™ are giving 10 lucky Helloworld Ltd group consultants the chance to win their place on a week-long famil to fabulous Las Vegas and Palm Springs, with help from their friends at  the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Plus a $500 Cash Passport to get the dice rolling while you are there!  You don’t even need lady luck on your side to have the best chance of winning, all you have to do is sell Multi Currency Cash Passport™, it’s easy!  

6) Pre-registration for P&O Britannia

In preparation for the launch of P&O Cruises World Cruising’s new ship Britannia, the company is already taking pre-registrations on the maiden 2015-2016 program.  Due to start on 14 March 2015, Britannia’s first cruise is a 14 night journey from Southampton through the western Mediterranean region while visiting seven popular ports including Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome, Gibraltar, Ajaccio (Corsica) and Seville and Cartagena in Spain.  Prices start from $1799 per person twin share.

7) Fiji wedding winners

The winners have been announced for Tourism Fiji‘s social media competition as part of the Fiji tourism expo 8 May 2014.  The lucky couple beat 470 other global participants to the Fijian Wedding prize valued at over $30,000FJD.  The competition tied in nicely with the tourism expo as it will showcase a number of professional wedding planners and service suppliers. The lucky winners can be viewed at http://bit.ly/FijiWINNER

8) Centara Villas Samui new GM

Mr Timothy Rawlinson has been appointed as the General Manager of Centara Villas Samui.  Announced by Centara Hotels & Resorts Chief Executive Officer Thirayuth Chirathivat, Mr Rawlinson comes from his recent position as the Operations Manager at Maafushivaru Resort Maldives, and previously has worked in the travel industry for over 20 years and in several renowned restaurants in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.