1) CLIA expands partnerships
Wild Earth Travel and the South Pacific Cruise Alliance are the newest members to join Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia. Wild Earth Travel is an Australasian small ship and expedition cruise wholesaler which represents numerous CLIA member lines around the globe. The South Pacific Cruise Alliance is a Tahiti-based organisation designed to encourage the growth of cruising throughout the South Pacific region, including American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Kingdom of Tonga, Tahiti, Pitcairn and Samoa. CLIA Australasia General Manager Brett Jardine said the expansion of CLIA’s executive partner ranks reflected increasing recognition of the value of the cruising industry and the benefits that CLIA could offer its members.
2) APT’s impressive Europe
New ships, more departures and new touring options will make river cruise line APT’s European program the best so far. Hot off the press and hitting travel agencies on 1 May, the 254 page Europe River Cruising 2015 brochure features a total of 61 itineraries ranging from eight to 35 days, with journeys covering 14 waterways, five seas and the length and breadth of Europe.
3) High Arctic wildlife with AA
Adventure Associates are offering an in-depth exploration of Svalbard with Henrik Løvendahl on a rare 9-day expedition of the Norwegian archipelago. On board the historic 12-passenger ice-strengthened Swedish vessel M/S Malmö, passengers will explore the wildlife capital of the High Arctic. This special voyage is designed to offer travellers a quality exploratory wildlife program, aiming to spend as much time ashore as possible. The voyage will focus on the fjords and islands of North Spitsbergen, which offer abundant bird life and the chance to encounter polar bears and reindeer. Prices for the once only departure on 29 July 2014 start from $9490 per person twin-share.
4) Are you on track for Vegas?
Have you been selling Multi Currency Cash Passport™ for your chance to win a place on the week long famil to fabulous Las Vegas and Palm Springs? You still have until 15 May 2014 to make your way to the top. Why don’t you check out the leaderboard to see how you’re tracking.
5) P&O’s shares the love locally
Australian cruise line P&O Cruises has continued to expand its local offerings with the announcement of another new regional port in 2015. Victoria’s picturesque Mornington Peninsula will be the next maiden port of call with a new four-night P&O SeaBreak cruising from Sydney to Mornington on 16 March 2015. The Mornington Peninsula adds to the growing line-up of regional ports with P&O Cruises following the announcement of calls to New South Wales’ Hunter Valley wine region and Eden on the state’s south coast, Portland on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, and the Sunshine Coast port of Mooloolaba.
6) Ireland tickled … pink?
The typically green country of Ireland will transform for a massive pink celebration as Irish cycling fans prepare for the epic spectacle that is the Giro d’Italia. Beginning in Belfast on 8 May, the Grande Partenza or ‘big start’ of 2014 Giro d’Italia will see over 200 elite cyclists from across the globe fight for the pink jersey in opening stages over lush green countryside, three major cities and dozens of towns and villages on the island of Ireland. The event ends in Dublin on 11 May.
7) MH370 search scaled back
The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been scaled back as the air search is called off. Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, said that it was highly unlikely that searchers would find any debris on the ocean surface. The Prime Minister, however, said that the underwater search for flight MH370 would continue.
8) Excited about Arabia
The Arabian Travel Market in Dubai will be where online wholesaler Excite Holidays will launch its new Web Services product. ExciteConnect is the Web Services channel of Excite Holidays and its cutting-edge technology is capable of delivering high-quality accommodation, activities and transfer services to global travel companies. ExciteConnect is able to provide the most competitive rates for over 250,000 hotels and apartments, more than 5,500 activities and a wide range of transfer options through a combination of direct contracts and filtration of content from worldwide sources.
9) Keith Prowse appointment
Keith Prowse Travel, Australia’s premier sports, entertainment and conference travel specialists, has appointed Mr Dan Penner to the position of Supplier Partnerships & Product Manager. As a sports enthusiast, Mr Penner said he was excited to be joining Keith Prowse Travel and expanding on their product range in Sports and Entertainment while also building on the great experiences the KPT team has in the office and increasing current Special Interest Groups. Dan joins the KPT team from Helloworld Limited where he worked as Contract Manager, Land and Hotels.
10) Marriot expands China presence
The opening of Jixian Marriott Hotel has taken the total number of properties under the iconic Marriott Hotels brand in China to 16. The hotel is located in Jixian, in the northern part of Tianjin and also close to Beijing, and is in close proximity to a variety of leisure travel attractions including the Pan Mountain, Great Wall, golf courses, ski parks and natural parks. Under a long-term management agreement with Saint Light Investment Group, the hotel is a pioneer in Greater China for embracing sustainable tourism. Jixian Marriott Hotel offers 282 spacious guestrooms, inclusive of 8 suites and 8 villas, that are equipped with luxurious furnishing, state-of-the-art amenities and picturesque views of Jixian resort area.
11) LGBT tourism ahead in Aus
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) tourism has surged in value to more than USD$200 billion annual spending, promoting a new global initiative here in Australia. Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia (GALTA) has announced a joint initiative with Out Now – the organisation behind the world’s leading global LGBT tourism network, forging a strategic reciprocal alliance with ONBC – Out Now Business Class. The new alliance will offer GALTA members complimentary 12 months membership with ONBC – including unlimited online staff training utilising the OutNow.travel online staff training certification program. President of GALTA Rod Stringer said “this new partnership makes good sense for GALTA members as our members are at the forefront of LGBT tourism development in our region, and we are looking forward to developing this relationship to benefit all.”
12) Accor building 8th Novotel in NZ
Currently under construction in New Plymouth is New Zealand’s eighth Novotelhotel. The new 100-room Novotel New Plymouth is scheduled to open early next year. The $22 million hotel development for Accor will feature a mix of executive and studio rooms, one-bedroom apartments and a penthouse suite, three food and beverage outlets, two meeting rooms, a swimming pool, gymnasium and day spa. Accor New Zealand, Fiji and Japan Vice President of Operations, Garth Simmons, said the property is a key development for the Taranaki region, which will positively add to New Zealand’s hotel industry and wider economy.
13) EY boosts Middle East
Etihad Airways will boost its services in the Middle East, offering guests greater flexibility to choose from conveniently timed flights. The airline’s services to Beirut and Amman will increase from 18 flights per week to triple daily starting 2 July 2014. Building on the success of existing services, the additional flights will add over 800 seats per week between Abu Dhabi and the two Arab capitals. The flights will be operated by an A320 aircraft fitted with 16 Pearl Business Class seats and 120 Coral Economy Class seats.
14) Countdown on for FTE
This time next week will be the official launch of the inaugural Fijian Tourism Expo (FTE) being held at the Denarau Island Convention Centre. The Expo will see more than 16,000 business appointments between local exhibitors and the some 150 international buyers attending the event. With one week until the expo commences, international buyers have already begun arriving in Fiji to commence pre-FTE familiarisation trips, with more arriving throughout the following days. The Fijian Tourism Expo has sold out, with more than 260 properties and 150 international buyers attending the show, being held from 5 to 8 May at the new Denarau Island Convention Centre.
15) Aus front row for firey eclipse
Australians will get a front row viewing of the Ring of Fire, where the sun will transform from burning ball into a floating fiery ring as the moon drifts across its path, creating an eclipse, where only the outskirts of the sun will be visible. The best place in Australia to see the most of the eclipse will be in Hobart, starting at 3.51pm, but sadly for the rest of us, we will only get a partial view.
16) Noma regains top restaurant title
René Redzepi celebrates Noma’s return to the top spot in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. Attica in Melbourne has been awarded Best Restaurant in Australasia, sponsored by Acqua Panna, at No.32. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards is an event widely considered to be the highlight of the global gastronomic calendar. Noma chef-owner René Redzepi was recognised as top for his highly original, sometimes visceral version of new Nordic cuisine.
17) Vivid Ideas gets creative
Creative leaders and emerging talent, across a program of more than 200 events, spanning 14 creative industries have teamed up with their ideas ahead of Vivid 2014. The Southern Hemisphere’s largest festival of light, music and ideas is less than a month away and Destination NSW, the festival’s owners and managers, announced the largest ever Vivid Ideas line-up. The new program elements toVivid Ideas 2014 complement a strong line-up of keynotes from international and local luminaries, as well as deep-dive workshops. Six new Vivid Ideas 2014 keynote speakers have been announced including grandson of Ray and Charles, Eames Demetrios; renowned scholar, historian and founder of the Big History David Christian; CEO and co-founder of EpiBone, the world’s first company growing living human bones for skeletal reconstruction, Nina Tandon; digital effects genius Hao Li, and guest speakers from Tomorrow’s Toys and Future Shock.
Was sourced from carryon
