Monday 08 August 2016 Issue 3367

I n c o r p o r a t i n g Ta b s o n Tr a v e l

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VA Back To VanuatuVirgin Australia resumed services to Vanuatu on Sun, saying a team of safety experts was satisfied with the condition of the runway at Port Vila.“Guests should be aware that if the condition of the runway deteriorates as a result of the adverse weather, services in and out of Port Vila will be suspended and this could mean changes to their travel plans at short notice,” the carrier says.

British Booze BanA British low-cost airline is banning the sale of alcohol on flights before 0800, as the UK continues looking at ways to tackle unsocial behaviour in the air. Jet2.com has said it will ban alcohol in the morning to try and tackle ‘disrup-tive and abusive behaviour’, and it’s calling on fellow airlines to follow suit. Britain’s aviation minister recently an-nounced plans to review how alcohol is sold in airports following a number of incidents involving rowdy passengers.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) has just given Kiwi travel agents 66 reasons to sell their cli-ents to the sunshine state with to-day’s launch of Queensland’s events calendar.It is the first time the state has mar-keted its ‘It’s Live In Queensland’ cal-endar to the international market, and TEQ says the events cover every genre and every corner of the sate ‘from the coast to the outback’.The campaign is designed to get more Kiwis to visit and stay lon-ger. The year-round line-up features mega events such as the 2018 Com-monwealth Games, and next year’s Brisbane Global Tens and the Rugby League World Cup as well as the CMC Rocks country festival.“We’re expecting it to be a real cata-lyst for travel from New Zealand to events outside of the traditional win-ter peak travel period,” says TEQ’s Leanne Coddington. “It’s going to give New Zealanders new reasons to visit Queensland, and to stay longer.”Agents too are set to benefit, she says. “They can package pre-and post- events and they can make com-mission, commission, commission;

commission on the events, commis-sion on the hotels and commission on the land product,” quips Coddington.Air New Zealand has welcomed the TEQ move. “It’s fantastic to see TEQ showcasing the breadth and depth of events being staged right across Queensland, beyond the well-known events,” says NZ’s Annabelle Fowler.

. . . More To QLDGiven the huge repeat Kiwi visitation to Queensland, Coddington says the campaign will also highlight the wide range of events on in the state each year. “There’s a misconception Kiwis know all there is about Queensland—but this shows them the depth, and another layer, to our tourism offering.”The STO is planning to roll out initia-tives to make it easier for the trade to sell QLD’s event platform. “It’s re-ally events bringing the destination to life and inspiring visitors to experi-ence the best destination on earth . . . Queensland,” adds Coddington.Events from ballet in the rainforest to the BNE Global 10s make up the ‘It’s Live In Queensland’ line-up. Pictured at today’s launch is, from left, All Black Jerome Kaino, TEQ chief executive

Leanne Coddington, New Zealand manager Sally Holyer and Kiwi league legend Tawera Nikau. Flight Centre’s Jenny Wallis is pictured on left with well-known Kiwi actor Roy Billing, TEQ’s Leanne Coddington and Ro Roberts from Flight Centre.

Sixty-Six Reasons To Sell QLD

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American Airlines has finalised its sales team in New Zealand, with the appointment of a national account manager and sales support.Elaine Patton (pictured left) has been appointed national account manager, and has knowledge of the industry through her seven years as account manager at Air New Zealand. She’s also worked in travel and tourism in South Africa and Europe.Koby Lee Jonas (pictured right) has been appointed as sales support, and joins AA with 12 years’ experience in the industry, including nine years in airline operations, sales and ticketing at Emirates.

NZ Aussie SaleAir New Zealand has Australia flights on sale for 48 hours. One-way Seat + Bag flights start from $179 to Mel-bourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast; $259 to Adelaide; $269 to Cairns; and $449 to Perth. See GDS or airnzagent.co.nz

Norfolk Famil SpaceOceania Tourism Group has two spaces available on a famil to Norfolk Island (04-07 Sep). Highlights of the trip include Emily Bay, a guided tour of the national park that ends at the Captain Cook Memorial, Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama, wine tasting at the Two Chimneys Winery, and the famous ‘car rally’. For details email ross@oceaniatourismgroup.com

Hertz Most TrustedHertz New Zealand has taken out top honours in the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Car Rental Company category 2016.

QF OZ Fare SaleQantas has one-way Australia fares from $199 ex Auckland to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. The levels are for sales to midnight tonight and trav-el 24 Aug-15 Dec and 06 Feb-20 Jun.

More Hotels In RioBrazil’s Rio de Janeiro has gained 38 hotels and more than 9500 hotel rooms since being named host of the Olympic Games, according to new fig-ures released by STR. Preliminary fig-ures for Jul 2016 showed 28,314 rooms in 171 hotels in Rio; while in Oct 2009, when it was awarded the games, the market comprised 18,760 rooms in 133 properties. In addition to prepara-tions for the Olympics, Rio’s hotel sup-ply has grown substantially as a result of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, adds STR, with its hotel room supply increas-ing 5.9% to 21,383 rooms in the year leading up to the event (Jun 2013-Jun 2014). Brazilian officials have esti-mated that 350,000 to 500,000 tourists will visit Rio during the Olympics; and STR analysts believe this will result in Rio hotels gaining a significant boost in performance.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce has told media the carrier doesn’t want the eight A380s it still has on order with Airbus, fuelling further spec-ulation that the A380 programme is heading downhill. “Our intention is that we’re not tak-ing those aircraft,” Joyce told media at the CAPA Australia Pacific Summit. “We believe there’s a network for 12 that’s very good and works very well. We struggle with a network for the next eight.”Airbus announced a cut in produc-tion of the superjumbo last month, although the manufacturer has in-sisted it’s only a short-term move. QF has reportedly pushed back delivery

Qantas: No More A380s Thanks

of its remaining A380s for two years, as have other airline customers, and Emirates is said to be the only com-mitted buyer of the aircraft. Its or-ders account for around half of the backlog.

. . . 787 PER-LONJoyce also said at the CAPA confer-ence that the carrier is considering using its new Dreamliner to launch a direct London-Perth link.QF is due to receive its first 787 next year, and such a flight would be among the longest in the world. Other routes being considered for the 787 include Melbourne-Dallas and Sydney-Chicago, Joyce said.

AA Now 5% CommissionAmerican Airlines is increasing its base commission on fares sold in New Zealand from 3% to 5%, in line with its joint business partner Qan-tas. The new commission is effective from today for international pub-lished airfares (non-corporate fares).

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Antarctic Photo Cruise With AuroraAurora Expeditions is introducing a new Antarctic photography experience on an expedition to Antarctica and South Georgia this Nov, as part of a new partnership with the Canon Collective. The experience is suitable for photographers of all levels, says Aurora, and will feature an on-board photography programme by professional photographers Joshua Holko and Martyn Lucas. The 18-day Photographer’s First Light expedi-tion departs Santiago on 19 Nov 2016, and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile on 06 Dec. Prices start from USD14,300pp including on-board accommoda-tion and meals, daily excursions, expert guides, photography workshops, and use of Canon’s latest equipment.

Houston Cruise MistakeThe Bayport Cruise Terminal in Houston has been labelled an ‘ex-pensive mistake’, with the Port of Houston apparently giving up on the project they’ve poured USD108 mil-lion into since 1999. The terminal was last used in Apr, and most ships opt instead to call at Galveston, which is almost three hours closer to the Gulf of Mexico. Port commis-sioners have now voted to sell the gangway system used to board pas-sengers at the terminal, according to local reports.

Disney Cans Port PlansDisney Cruise Line has reportedly cancelled its plans to develop a port at Egg Island, an uninhabited Bahamas island, following protests from nearby residents as the island is a nesting ground for turtles. Resi-dents eventually hope to have the island designated as a sanctuary, open to fishing, diving and other recreational activities, but protected from development, say reports.

Aussies Trust ScenicScenic says it has been voted one of Australia’s most trusted cruise operators in the Reader’s Digest 2016 Trusted Brands Survey.

Following more than two years of planning and consultations, Crystal Cruises’ first-ever, sold-out North-west Passage voyage will feature nearly two dozen specialists in Arctic wildlife, terrain, culture and climate during the 32-day journey from Seward, Alaska to New York; and the line has added a second departure due to demand. The voyage will also allow clients to enjoy ‘Unexpected Adventures’ where the ship’s captain will position the vessel to take advantage of opportuni-ties, such as Zodiac outings to view glaciers, kayaking in protected bays,

trekking the tundra with an expert guide and helicopter flights to view the Arctic landscape from the air. In addition, expedition teams will be on the lookout for wildlife sightings along the way, and will alert guests to visible polar bears, whales and other wildlife whenever possible. The specialists, including guest lectur-er and expedition leaders, will include the likes of marine biologists, divers, climatologists, naturalists, videogra-phers, an archaeologist and more. Clients can join the second depar-ture in 2017 with prices starting at USD25,509pp d/o.

GO’s Latest DealsGO Holidays has onboard credits and 50% reduced deposits on cruises of seven nights or more with Carnival Australia, Princess, P&O World Cruis-ing and Cunard for sales to 15 Aug. Highlights include a 14-night Portu-gal, Italy & Spain cruise, priced from $2359pp t/s and sailing roundtrip from Southampton; and a seven-night Pacific Island Hopper cruise roundtrip from Brisbane and travelling to Noumea, Mare and Port Vila, priced from $1259pp t/s. GO has details.

New Murray River CruiseCaptain Cook Cruises is next year launching a new Murray River cruise. Departing once a month from 21 Apr 2017, the seven-night Upper Mur-raylands Cruise will explore Australia’s outback history and will visit the likes of Waikerie, Morgan and Swan Reach where guests will be taken on guided walks and visits to historic muse-ums. There will also be a number of wine tastings on offer; the chance to learn about Aboriginal history; and visit a native wildlife shelter, to name a few. Fares start from $1902pp t/s. See murrayprincess.com.au

Crystal’s New NW Passage A Hit

Carnival LIVE ShowcaseCarnival Cruise Line has revealed its initial 2017 Carnival LIVE line-up featuring country music stars Tim McGraw and Little Big Town along with comedians Jay Leno and Jeff Foxworthy, who will perform on seven different ships departing from five US homeports, advises Francis Travel Marketing. The performances will be held in the ships’ main show lounges which range in capacity from 900 to 1300; while tickets range in price from USD30 to USD80 for gen-eral admission and between USD100 and USD300 for VIP tickets. E-mail reservations@ftmcruise.co.nz

Aussie Author OnboardSeaDream has a seven-day sailing from Rome’s Civitavecchia to Cannes where clients will be able to meet Austra-lian author Fiona McIntosh onboard SeaDream I. Those onboard will have the chance to learn about what inspired each of McIntosh’s 30-plus novels and children’s books as well as what she has in mind for the future. This cruise will include visits to Sorrento, the Isle of Capri, Corsica and the French Riviera and is priced from USD4926pp t/s. See seadream.com

e-mail evie@tabsontravel.co.nz

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Aussie 48hr sale on nowLet your customers choose how they fly to Aussie with Seats to Suit.

Book your clients todayTravel periods and conditions apply. Seat available via airnzagent.co.nz only.

Hurry sale ends midnight 9 August

2016

SPANTO In PMRAgents in the Palmerston North area will have the chance to win a trip to Tahiti at the SPANTO event on Tue night. Tourism boards from Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti and Vanuatu will be on hand with updates about the destina-tions, and drinks and nibbles will be served. Everyone who attends will go in the draw to win the Tahiti prize, includ-ing Air New Zealand flights and stays at Manava Suites Resort Tahiti, Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa and Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort. See industry diary for details and for last-minute registrations email info@spanto.org.nz

NZ UK/Europe ExtendsAir New Zealand has extended sales of its shortlife economy, premium economy and business premier fares to select UK and Europe destinations, through to 29 Aug. Travel periods have also been amended, and econo-my destinations updated. See GDS or airnzagent.co.nz

World Journeys is giving agents the chance to win one of two trips to Africa, including luxury safa-ris and experiences like staying among the gorillas in Uganda, in an ‘unprecedented’ new Epic Africa Sales Incentive.The top selling agent will win a 20-night trip for two to Africa in-cluding flights with SAA, while the runner-up will win a nine-night trip for two.“These incentive prizes are abso-lutely unprecedented in my years of experience, with amazing inclusions such as The Blue Train or Rovos

Rail, a gourmet Winelands package, two nights at the Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge amongst the mountain gorillas of Uganda, luxury safaris with andBeyond, Wilderness Safaris, Great Plains and Ultimate Safaris (Namibia), plus luxury hotel nights in Cape Town and more,” says World Journeys director Ange Pirie.To be eligible, bookings need to in-clude at least two of the participating experiences, plus a flight with SAA (which doesn’t need to be booked with World Journeys). Bookings must be deposited 01 Aug-15 Dec.To help get agents selling, World Journeys has produced a range of s a l e s to o l s i n c lu d i n g f ly -ers, posters, and images or video. For details see worldjourneys.co.nz/ africa-incentive/

Major Africa Agent Prizes Up For Grabs

Beer’s On Four PointsFour Points is celebrating Beer Day all through Aug at its 200+ locations around the world. Guests will receive a coaster on arrival which can be redeemed for bonuses including local brews, specialty coffee, a signature treat or snack; while all hotels are giving away bottle openers and other items while supplies last. Each hotel will also highlight a local brew which both guests and visitors can enjoy.

Free Rio E-bookLonely Planet has released a free new e-book guide to exploring Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the 2016 Olympic Games. Celebrate Rio is complete with 85 pages of Rio’s culture, sights, sounds and tastes, landscapes, beach-es, festivals and events. Highlights include a run down on everything to see and do in each of the neighbour-hoods that are home to games venues, including Copacabana and Leme, De-odoro, and Zona Norte to name a few; while special chapters include Family Travel in Rio, LGBT Rio and Accessible Rio, which offers advice to travellers with disabilities. And for those look-ing to eat and drink their way around the city, Flavours of Rio serves up the best food venues and Drinks of Bra-zil features the top bars, night clubs and open-air cafes. The guide can be downloaded at lonelyplanet.com/brazil/rio-de-janeiro

Free Ski PassesThe luxury Chedi Andermatt is offering travellers free ski passes for bookings made by 31 Oct, says Switzerland Tourism. Clients will be offered up to two free passes per room for the duration of their stay, for stays 09 Jan-23 Apr 2017. A minimum three-night stay applies. See chediandermatt.com

Fri 15 May 15 P3Mon 08 Aug 16 p5

News & Product

IndustryDiaryAUGUSTSPANTO roadshowPalmerston North: Tue 09, The Distinction Hotel. 1730.New Plymouth: Wed 10, Novotel Hobson Hotel, 1730.

‘California Dreaming’ Agent BreakfastAuckland: Mon 22, Ostro Brasserie, 0700-0900

Lindblad Expeditions Agent BreakfastsAuckland North: Tue 23, Takapuna Boating Club, 0715.Auckland South: Wed 24, Urban Soul Cafe, 0715,Wellington: Thu 25, Amora Hotel, 0715,

SEPTEMBERBula Marau Fiji Roadshow - Couples & LuxuryTauranga: Mon 05, Mills Reef Winery, 0700-0930.Hamilton: Mon 05, Ferrybank Reception Centre, 1730-2015.Christchurch: Tue 06, Peppers Clearwater Resort, 1730-2015.Wellington: Wed 07, InterContinental Hotel, 1730-2015.Auckland: Thu 08, Pullman Hotel, 1730-2015.Auckland North Shore: Fri 09, QBE Stadium, 0700-0930.

Discover AmadeusAuckland: Tue 13, Rydges, 59 Federal Street, Cnr Kingston Street, 0800-1115.

The Travel Corporation 2017 Launch EventAuckland: Wed 21, venue tbc.

Destination NSW Agent Quiz NightsAuckland: Tue 27, Albion, 119 Hobson Street, CBD, 1730-1900.Christchurch: Wed 28, Lonestar Riccarton, 364 Riccarton Road, 1730-1900.

Ayers Rock AstronomyAstronomy enthusiasts of all ages can discover the Australian Outback sky at Ayers Rock Resort’s upcoming Uluru Astronomy Weekend 26-28 Aug. The stargazing weekend will include family activities and demonstrations, an outdoor cinema experience under the stars, astro-photography, Aboriginal astronomy and navigation, Einstein’s theory on space and more. Clients can also book in for Signature Events, such as a bush tucker-inspired dinner under the stars complete with a traditional Aboriginal dance performance and guided tours of the night sky. Room rates over the weekend start from AUD266 per room per night for a minimum three-night stay at the Outback Pioneer Hotel. See ayersrockresort.com.au

Brooklyn Choc TourA Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours has launched a new chocolate tour, which visits the best of the bor-ough’s small-batch makers, says NYC & Company. The 4.5 hour guided bus tour visits chocolat-iers including Jacques Torres, the Chocolate Room, Raaka Choco-late, Baked and Li-Lac Chocolates, and at each stop guests sample the wares, meet the chocolat-iers and get a behind-the-scenes look at the production process. See asliceofbrooklyn.com

Airways Trains SaudisAirways is training a group of 30 Saudi Arabian students to be air traffic controllers. It’s the fourth group of students to be trained by Airways from Saudi’s General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA), in a move Airways says helps fill a critical gap in the Middle East region for the training of air traffic controllers. The students will spend their first year in New Zealand studying Eng-lish before commencing a 12-month air traffic control course at Airways’ Palmerston North training campus.

Carton House BonusesIreland’s Carton House resort is celebrating its 10th anniversary by offering a range of special offers this Aug, including complimen-tary upgrades, special B&B rates, free activities and complimentary wine on arrival. It is located just 20 minutes from Dublin’s city centre. See cartonhouse.com

New Universal TicketsClients can now book their 2017 (northern) summer holiday to Uni-versal Orlando Resort, including a visit to the destination’s new-est water theme park experience, Volcano Bay, as the new Universal Orlando 3-Park Explorer Ticket is now on sale for travel dates begin-ning 01 Jun 2017. Offering clients 14 consecutive days of unlimited park access to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the all-new Volcano Bay as well as admission to select live entertain-ment at Universal CityWalk, prices start at USD279.99 for adults and USD269.99 for children.

Coral Coast WildflowersT h e i n la nd are a s of Weste r n Australia’s Coral Coast are now in full bloom as wildflowers are cur-rently blanketing the region, advises Tourism Australia. From Perth to Geraldton, Carnarvon, Exmouth and Coral Bay, clients can enjoy the bright colours. CLICK HERE for more.

Three major musicals will soon be in close proximity for Kiwis when Sydney becomes home to Aladdin, My Fair Lady and Dream Lover, says Destination NSW. The Australian premiere of Aladdin will take the stage at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 12 Aug, and has been adapted from the Disney classic. It features ‘exhilarating choreography, show-stopping musical numbers and astounding visual effects’, as well as a cast that includes New Zealand’s George Henare playing the Sultan.My Fair Lady (directed by Julie An-drews) will play at the Joan Suther-land Theatre, Sydney Opera House from 30 Aug for a strictly limited

season, and celebrates the 60th an-niversary of the musical. Later in Sep Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical will debut at the Lyric Theatre, and tells the story of Bobby Darin and his movie star wife, Sandra Dee. It will feature an 18-piece band that will bring Darin’s songbook to life.“There are a range of fantastic pro-ductions that have been secured for Sydney kicking off this spring, providing the perfect opportunity for visitors from New Zealand to experi-ence world-class musicals just across the ditch in Sydney, Australia’s capital for art, culture and theatre,” says Des-tination NSW chief executive Sandra Chipchase.GO Holidays has packages available for all three shows.

Sydney On Stage: Musical Premieres

Visit queensland.com/events

SEE AUSTRALIA’S BEST LIVE EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA’S BEST

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