Qantas resumes flights from Melbourne
Qantas has announced that it will increase international flights from Melbourne beginning Monday and reintroduce Melbourne-London services beginning this Saturday, for the first time in 20…
Qantas debuts Melbourne-New Delhi flights in December
Qantas is doubling down on its move into India, launching direct flights between Melbourne and New Delhi for the first time in its history alongside a new service from Sydney set to start…
Fully vaccinated Singaporeans can enter Sydney & Melbourne quarantine free
Australians were free to travel overseas without prior approval from the country’s federal government from last Monday (November 1, 2021).
AIME partners with CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park to host 2022 event
AIME, the leading meetings and conventions event in the Asia Pacific region, has announced CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park as the official venue to host its 2022 Welcome Event, to be held on…
Here’s what to know as Melbourne welcomes vaccinated Sydney residents without quarantine
Travel restrictions between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's largest cities, eased on 20 October as Victoria opened its borders to fully vaccinated residents from New South Wales
Qantas and Virgin cancel flights in and out of Melbourne
Dozens of flights to and from Melbourne today have been cancelled following a rise in COVID-19 case numbers.
Rex seeks to stimulate demand with Melbourne-Sydney fare sale
Regional Express (Rex) has gatecrashed the country’s busiest domestic airline route between Sydney and Melbourne.
Virgin Australia launches unprecedented sales on Sydney-Melbourne
Virgin Australia has launched unprecedented low fare sales between Australia’s two largest cities.
Virgin Australia launches a sales blitz for airfares to Melbourne
Virgin Australia has just launched a sales blitz with fares to Melbourne only starting at $75 including baggage, seat selection and frequent flyer points.
Rex offers USD49 Sydney-Melbourne fares, business class at USD199
With its first Sydney-Melbourne flights barely three weeks away, Regional Express is showing just how heated competition could get on Australia's most popular route.
Emirates resumes flights to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne
Emirates has announced today that it will resume flights in and out of Australia, reversing a decision it made only a week ago.
Melbourne To Resume International Flights from December 7
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said Melbourne will once again welcome overseas flights.
Furry friends on Citadines on Bourke Melbourne’s mind
Having recently welcomed dogs to a selection of apartments at Somerset on Elizabeth Melbourne, The Ascott is now spreading the hound joy to its sister property, Citadines on Bourke…
Hot hotel openings: Sofitel’s 5-star debut in Melbourne and more
On this week's hot hotels round-up, Accor debuts a USD 130 million 5-star hotel in Melbourne, Four Seasons welcomes guests in Hawaii and The Luxury Collection opens a palatial retreat in…
Accor opens Melbourne’s newest five-star hotel
Hotel Chadstone Melbourne, MGallery by Sofitel, has opened for business, with the property's first guests checking-in on 1 November.
The five-star, AUS130 million hotel was opened on…
“Innovative yet mindful” Oakwood launches sky high property in Melbourne
Corporate and business accommodations expert Oakwood, has announced their latest antipodean location today with the launch of its second Oakwood Hotel & Apartments in Australia located…
onefinestay launches in Sydney, Melbourne and… Mykonos
Private rental brand and Accor Group subsidiary onefinestay, has unveiled a glut of new sites to its global portfolio of luxury destinations today, with the announcement it will add 22…
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts push global growth with marquee Melbourne signing
Marriott International have announced the signing of Le Méridien Melbourne, in partnership with owner and developer Jinshan Investment Group. Slated to open in 2020, the 235-room hotel will…
Qatar Airways flies A380 to Melbourne
Qatar Airways has started flying its largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, to Melbourne.
The double-decker aircraft was introduced to the Australian city for the first time on 1 July 2017,…
Where to Stay: including the new Conrad Osaka, Raffles London and Shangri-La Melbourne
Conrad Osaka
Location: Floors 33-40 of the Nakanoshima Festival Complex, between Osaka's Umeda and Namba districts
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 164
Facilities: Four restaurants, a 40th…
Melbourne Airport unveils T4 upgrade
Melbourne Airport has revealed its new-look Terminal 4 to travellers flying on Tigerair.
The enhancements made to the end of the terminal's Pier F have almost doubled the available…
Air New Zealand opens new Melbourne lounge
Air New Zealand opened a new, larger lounge at Melbourne Airport this week.
Located on the ground floor of the terminal, the lounge follows the design concept first seen at Air New…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Bangkok, New York, Melbourne and more…
Mercure Bangkok Makkasan
Location: Next to Makkasan station, the main downtown hub for Bangkok's Airport Rail Link
Grade: Upper-midscale
Keys: 180
Facilities: Outdoor pool with…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Melbourne, St Petersburg, Marbella and more
Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands (pictured above)
Location: Part of the Marina Tower complex on Pearl River Road, in Melbourne’s Docklands area
Grade: Midscale
Keys: 273…
W Hotels to debut in Melbourne
W Hotels, the former Starwood luxury brand now operated by Marriott, has unveiled plans to make its debut in Melbourne in 2020.
The new-build property will rise on Collins Street in…
Melbourne hotels exceed 80% occupancy
Melbourne's hotel sector continues to boom, with rates rising and occupancy in excess of 80%.
Publishing the city's preliminary results for December 2016, hotel analysts STR revealed…
AccorHotels adds upscale apartments in Melbourne
AccorHotels will open a new apartment hotel in Melbourne next month.
The Sebel Melbourne Moorabbin, which is a new-build upscale property, is scheduled to open its doors in January…
Hainan Airlines opens first two routes to Melbourne
Hainan Airlines launched its first flights to Melbourne this week, from two Chinese cities.
On Tuesday (8 November 2016), the carrier kicked off a new twice weekly service from Xi'an…
Starwood brings Aloft brand to Melbourne
Starwood has signed an agreement to debut its Aloft brand in Melbourne.
Scheduled to open in early 2019, the new-build hotel will form the centrepiece of the 402 Chapel development,…
Emirates promises shorter flight times to Melbourne from the UK
Passengers travelling to Melbourne, Australia from the UK will now have another direct flight option with Emirates announcing that flights EK408 and EK409 will begin operating as nonstop…
Emirates de-links KL from Melbourne
Emirates will cease operating its Dubai-Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne service later this year, as it opts to cut out the Malaysian capital and fly direct to Australia.
The re-routing, which…
Melbourne Airport trials self-boarding gates
Melbourne Airport is aiming to speed up its passenger flows with the trial of a new self-service boarding system.
In partnership with technology provider SITA, the airport now allows…
Melbourne convention centre to expand by 40%
Plans have been unveiled for a significant expansion of the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
The project will add nearly 20,000m² of event space to the facility,…
Etihad Airways opens premium lounge opens at Melbourne
Etihad Airways has officially opened its new premium lounge at Melbourne Airport.
A new expansive lounge has a seating capacity for up to 133 guests, the largest premium lounge…
Etihad opens new Melbourne lounge
Etihad Airways has opened its new Premium Lounge at Melbourne Airport.
Measuring 800m² and with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlook the runway, the new facility is the airline’s…
Air China to connect Shenzhen with Melbourne
Following the recent launch of the first flights between Shenzhen and Sydney, Air China has applied for permission to launch services from the southern Chinese city to Melbourne.
In…
Australian Open boosts Melbourne hotels
Hotels in Melbourne experienced significant increases in occupancy and average daily rate (ADR) during the recent Australian Open tennis tournament.
According to data from STR Global,…
Jetstar adds more Melbourne flights
Jetstar will expand its operations at Melbourne's Avalon Airport next year, with the launch of flights to Hobart and Adelaide.
The new service to Adelaide will commence on 27 March…
Scoot launches first flights to Melbourne
Scoot touched down in Melbourne for the first time on 1 November 2015.
The Singapore-based low-cost carrier received a traditional water cannon welcome on Sunday, when its Boeing 787…
Etihad to launch A380 flights to Melbourne
Etihad Airways will commence daily Airbus A380 services to Melbourne next summer.
Launching on 1 June 2016, the 496-seat double-decker jet will operate as flights EY460/461 - one of…
Melbourne named ‘Most Liveable’ for five years
A recent study reported that Melbourne remains the only city in the world to have topped the Economist’s Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index for the fifth year in a row.…
Melbourne tourism gets a shot-in-the-arm with Etihad’s new service
The new daily service route launched by Etihad Airways to Melbourne is boosting tourism as well as to the state’s visitor economy, according to minister for tourism and major events,…
Etihad launches second daily Melbourne flight
Etihad Airways’ second daily flight to Melbourne will launch on Saturday.
The new service, EY462, will depart Abu Dhabi at 1030 and touch down in Melbourne at 0605 the next day. The…
Company launches Hindi tours in Melbourne
Safir Tours has launched the first ever Hindi language tours in Melbourne.
Designed for Indian visitors to the Australian city, including the large VFR (visiting friends and…
Air China flies to Melbourne and Montreal
Air China is expanding its long-haul international network with the launch of two new routes, to Melbourne and Montreal.
The new direct Beijing-Melbourne service will commence on 1…
Ritz-Carlton hits new heights in Melbourne
Ritz-Carlton has signed a new property in Melbourne which is set to become the highest luxury hotel in Australia.
Located on Spencer Street, the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne will form part…
AirAsia finally gets approval for Bali-Melbourne flight
AirAsia has finally received permission to launch its direct Bali-Melbourne service and will commence flights on 18 March.
The route, which will be the first operated by new…
Rydges adds new hotel in Melbourne
Rydges will launch its third hotel in Melbourne next month.
Following a rebranding and refurbishment of the former Urban St Kilda hotel, the new Rydges St Kilda will launch on 2…
Etihad goes double daily to Melbourne
Etihad Airways will continue its expansion in Australia next year with the launch of a second daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne.
Commencing on 1 August 2015, the additional…
Scoot moves into Melbourne
Singapore-based low-cost carrier Scoot has revealed that it will launch its first flights to Melbourne next year.
Commencing on 1 November 2015, the airline will use its brand new…
Wyndham launches flagship hotel in Melbourne
Wyndham Hotel Group has opened a new hotel in Melbourne, which it says will now be the company's flagship property in the city.
The new Wyndham Hotel Melbourne is located on the…
Mantra to manage large hotel complex in Melbourne
Mantra Group is set to manage an 844-room complex in Melbourne.
The Australian hotelier has been appointed to operate the Bell City development, which is currently managed by Rydges.…
DoubleTree debuts in Melbourne
Hilton has opened its first DoubleTree hotel in Melbourne.
The new DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne Flinders Street marks a rebranding of the former Citigate Melbourne. It reopens…
Accor takes over Hilton Melbourne
Accor has signed an agreement to take over the Hilton on the Park hotel in Melbourne.
The 419-room city centre hotel will now be rebranded, re-emerging as the Pullman Melbourne on the…
Indo AirAsia X to launch with Melbourne flights
Indonesia AirAsia Extra, the latest regional long-haul unit from the AirAsia group, will commence services in December, initially flying between Bali and Melbourne.
Having received…
Work starts on Melbourne’s new Parkroyal
A ground-breaking ceremony was held recently to mark the start of construction on a new tower in the Melbourne Docklands area, which will house the city's new Parkroyal hotel.
The new…
Qantas reschedules London-Melbourne A380 service
Formula 1 racing driver Daniel Ricciardo was on hand as Qantas Ambassador to launch the airline’s new schedule for its London to Melbourne A380 service.
The reschedule means the…
Royal Brunei flies Dreamliner to Melbourne
Royal Brunei Airlines has launched Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights to Melbourne.
The new fuel-efficient, twin-aisle jet touched down at Melbourne Airport for the first time on Thursday,…
Qatar Airways boosts Melbourne capacity
Qatar Airways has increased capacity on its Melbourne route, with the deployment of a Boeing 777-300 aircraft to the Australian city.
The new wide-body aircraft features 335 seats in…
Sheraton returns to Melbourne
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has opened a new Sheraton hotel in Melbourne.
Located on Little Collins Street in the centre of Australia's second biggest city, the new Sheraton…
Islamic Art Museum opens in Melbourne
Australia has built its first Islamic art museum - Islamic Museum of Australia. This was officially opened in Melbourne.
Louise Asher, minister for innovation, minister for tourism…
Virgin Australia opens new Melbourne lounge
Virgin Australia has unveiled its revamped lounge at Melbourne Airport.
The old lounge has undergone a six-month renovation project, which saw the facility double in size to become…
Langham Melbourne unveils new balcony rooms
The Langham Melbourne has unveiled six new grand balcony rooms, each of which offers a 19m² private balcony overlooking the city skyline.
Located on the 10th floor of the hotel, the…
New IT systems at Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport has rolled out a new passenger IT system.
The Australian hub has completed a switch to SITA's AirportConnect Open platform, which will power all 275 workstations,…
Minor to add fifth Oaks hotel in Melbourne
Minor Hotel Group has unveiled plans for its fifth Oaks property in Melbourne.
Set to open within the next two months, the Oaks Pinnacle is a new-build 10-storey extended stay hotel…
Melbourne relaunches observation wheel
The Melbourne Star has reopened, almost five years after the attraction was first launched.
At 120 metres high, the observation wheel is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere, and…
Second Parkroyal to open in Melbourne
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has announced plans to open its second Parkroyal hotel in Melbourne.
Launching in 2016, the 281-room Parkroyal Melbourne will be located in a 37-storey tower…
Etihad boosts Melbourne capacity
Etihad Airways will add more capacity on its Abu Dhabi-Melbourne route next month, with the introduction of a new Boeing 777-300ER on the route. The aircraft will start operating the…
Etihad boosts Melbourne capacity
Etihad Airways will add more capacity on its Abu Dhabi-Melbourne route next month, with the introduction of a new Boeing 777-300ER on the route.
The aircraft will start operating the…
Peppers signs central Melbourne hotel
Mantra Group has signed a new Peppers property in the centre of Melbourne.
The company will manage the new five-star hotel located at the M Docklands development, which is being…
Melbourne hits the right social media note
Tourism bosses in Melbourne, Australia have hailed a ‘remote control tourist’ campaign a success after its website and YouTube views soared.
More than 103,000 people visited Tourism…
China Southern boosts Melbourne route
China Southern Airlines is boosting its presence in Melbourne with the addition of more flights and the deployment of a new aircraft to the city.
From 26 October 2013, the…
MAS adds third daily Melbourne flight
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will increase the frequency of its flights to Melbourne later this year.
The Kuala Lumpur-based national carrier currently flies to the Australian city twice a…
Virgin adds Melbourne-Hamilton Island flights
Virgin Australia has announced plans to launch direct flights between Melbourne and Hamilton Island, in Queensland's Whitsunday Islands.
From 15 August 2013, the airline will commence…
Tune makes commitment to Melbourne
Tune Hotels has announced plans to open its first hotel in Melbourne, and use the city as its operational headquarters for Australia and New Zealand.
The announcement was made in the…
Melbourne Airport unveils major expansion plan
Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport will be expanded, with plans for a third runway and a new rail link to help cope with a sharp rise in passenger numbers.
A draft master plan for the…
Major revamp for Melbourne Aquarium
Merlin Entertainments is planning a major refurbishment of the Melbourne Aquarium.
The company will spend AU$8 million (US$8.2m) on the five month renovation of the aquarium, which…
Melbourne MICE body rebrands
The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has embarked on a major rebranding exercise, with changes to its name and logo.
The MICE body has removed the word 'visitors' from…
Thousands of Indian MICE delegates descend on Melbourne
More than 4,000 Indian delegates arrived in Melbourne Monday for the Amway India Leadership Seminar 2012 in what will be the largest Indian incentive group ever to be hosted in Australia.…
Emirates A380 heading to Melbourne, Auckland
Emirates has commenced daily Airbus A380 direct flights from Dubai to Melbourne and on to Auckland.
The inaugural flight had senior dignitaries which included Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’…
Sichuan Airlines to connect Chengdu and Melbourne
Sichuan Airlines is expected to launch direct services between Chengdu and Melbourne, according to a statement from Tourism Australia.
Though no precise details were given, the agency is…
Melbourne hosts huge Asian fam trip
Melbourne is hosting a major Asian familiarisation trip this week.
The Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCVB), in collaboration with Tourism Victoria, has brought 70 Asian buyers…
Major makeover for Novotel Melbourne
Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley has unveiled the results of its AU$5.6 million (US$5.8m) refurbishment.
The hotel revamped all 200 guestrooms over the course of four months, fitting them…
Melbourne IQ showcased in Washington DC
Victorian Minister for Health David Davis, in conjunction with the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), recently launched Melbourne IQ at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.…
Stamford Plaza Melbourne completes major refurb
Stamford Hotels & Resorts has completed a major refurbished project at its Melbourne property, Stamford Plaza Melbourne.
The US$12 million, 18-month revamp encompassed all 283 suites…
Qatar Airways brings on a flavour of jazz in Melbourne
Qatar Airways brought in a flavour of Jazz in the city down under, Melbourne with the sponsorship of the world renowned Melbourne International Jazz Festival, which kicked off in the…
Qatar Airways sponsors Melbourne Jazz Festival
Qatar Airways has sponsored the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, which kicked off in the Australian city on Friday.
The airline, which operates daily flights between Melbourne and…
Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne plans major refurbishment
The Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, is planning a significant restoration and refurbishment programme as part of a multi-million dollar re-branding initiative announced by…
Mercure Melbourne completes refurb
The Mercure Melbourne Spring Street has completed its AU$4 million (US$3.9 million) refurbishment of 164 rooms, becoming the first hotel in Australia to feature the new Mercure design…
Grand Hyatt Melbourne completes major refurb
Grand Hyatt Melbourne has completed the final phase of a complete interior refurbishment. The transformation process began in 2008, and has seen the hotel completely refreshed with new upper…
Passenger traffic down in Melbourne
Domestic passenger traffic levels at Melbourne Airport took a knock in August due to the Tiger Airways Australia suspension. The number of passengers travelling through Melbourne,…
Mantra Melbourne unveils new apartments
Mantra on the Park, Melbourne has unveiled a AU$4 million (US$4.1 million) upgrade to its apartments. All 144 one- and two-bedroom apartments have seen a full refurbishment which includes…
Melbourne bags three major events
The city of Melbourne has been awarded the right to host three major events. Announced today by the State of Victoria's Minister for Tourism & Major Events, Louise Asher, the city will…
Melbourne hosts 36 million dollar conference
Melbourne is the chosen destination for one of the world's largest and medical conferences in 2014, the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC). The four-day conference will attract…
Air India’s Melbourne route hangs on Dreamliners
Air India said direct flights to Melbourne are ''a priority'' as the embattled state-owned carrier prepares to take delivery of new planes it hopes can turn around its flagging fortunes.The…
Green guide released for Melbourne events industry
In a business climate where corporate social responsibility is increasingly important to company profitability, environmental practices matter. The events industry has a reputably poor track…
Air India Melbourne flights get green light
Air India will commence direct flights to Melbourne from New Delhi later this year, following approval from India's aviation regulator.According to Australian Business Traveller, a Melbourne…
PARKROYAL opens at Melbourne airport
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has announced the opening of the PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport. Previously known as the Hilton Melbourne Airport, the hotel, which launched on Friday, offers 276…
Royal Brunei opens Melbourne office
Royal Brunei Airlines has opened a new office in Melbourne. In a ceremony officiated by HE Hj Adnan Hj Mohd Jaafar, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam in Australia and Riaz Moiz,…
Royal Brunei launches flights to Melbourne
Royal Brunei Airlines launched a new service to Melbourne today. The services will operate four times a week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) on the airline's Boeing 777…
ExecuJet to open new Melbourne facility
ExecuJet Australasia has announced plans to expand its existing maintenance facility at Essendon Airport in Melbourne, Australia. The current facility occupies a private hangar spanning…
Melbourne may open F1 season as Bahrain hangs in balance
Melbourne may become the opening race on this year's F1 calendar as continuing social unrest in Bahrain threatens plans for the 2011 season's Middle East curtain-raiser. Australian…
UK passenger numbers to Melbourne soar in 2010
Melbourne Airport saw a 20 percent increase from UK passengers last year, according to the latest airport figures. Strong December results saw a record breaking 27.7 million travellers…
PARKROYAL returns to Melbourne
PARKROYAL will return to Melbourne with the rebranding of Hilton Melbourne Airport to become the PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport on 1 April 2011. This will become Pan Pacific Hotels Group's…
Melbourne Marriott to unveil US$10 million revamp
The Melbourne Marriott Hotel will next month unveil a AU$10 million (US$10 million) refurbishment.Following the 2008 renovation of the hotel's bar and the addition of two new…
Melbourne launches Business Events Marketing e-Kit
The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has unveiled its latest product offering, the Melbourne Business Events Marketing e-Kit.Working with IE Media, MCVB has created a…
Citadines offers new Melbourne City Explorer app
Citadines on Bourke Melbourne has launched a new app to allow its guests to learn more about the Victorian state capital. The Citadines Melbourne City Explorer iPhone App offers information…
Langham Melbourne unveils Terrace Rooms
The Langham Melbourne has added a new range of luxury accommodation into the city, with the launch of its new Terrace Rooms. Unique among Melbourne hotels, the new rooms offer an…
Royal Brunei launches UK Melbourne flights
Royal Brunei Airlines is launching flights from the UK to Melbourne from 29 March 2011. The four-times weekly service will depart the UK, via Bandar Seri Begawan to Melbourne. "With the…
Melbourne crosses fingers for Air India service
Air India's route expansion plans to Melbourne are looking unsteady as permission to fly the route was denied by the Civil Aviation Ministry for a second time last week. However,…
Grand Hyatt Melbourne unveils revamped rooms
Grand Hyatt Melbourne is pleased to announce that the interior redesign of the hotel's premium suites, the Grand Club Lounge and the Club floors (the hotel's top seven floors) are now…
Grand opening for Crown Metropol Melbourne
20 Apr 10 (TravMedia.com): This evening, Crown's new 658 room hotel, Crown Metropol, was officially opened by Crown Limited's Executive Chairman, James Packer and the…
Tiger to operate base at Melbourne Avalon
Monday 19 April 2010: Melbourne based Tiger Airways Australia Pty Ltd (a fully-owned subsidiary of Tiger Airways Holdings Limited1), today announced its third base for Australia and new…
Westin Melbourne offers carbon off-setting for meetings
30 Mar 10 (TravMedia.com): The Westin Melbourne has today unveiled a new initiative that now offers the option to offset the carbon emissions generated from hotel stays or business…
‘Golf ball-sized hail’ hits Melbourne
A storm has unloaded hail stones the size of golf balls on Melbourne, bringing the city to a standstill on Saturday, Channel NewsAsia has reported. The storm unleashed 19mm of rain…
WORLDHOTELS opens new Melbourne Office
(Hong Kong, 2 March, 2010): WORLDHOTELS, the global marketing and distribution network for independent hotels and hospitality brands, has opened a new sales office in…
Melbourne’s secures another major event
26 Feb 10 (TravMedia.com): The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has overcome strong competition from Sydney and Singapore to secure the Healthcare Information and Management…
Melbourne to host UN Conference
22 Feb 10 (TravMedia.com): Melbourne has secured a prestigious UN Meeting, marking the first time the event has ever been held in Australia.More than 1,200 delegates will be…
Tahiti Tourism hosts Melbourne lunch
Traditional Tahitian cuisine set off by Mai Tai cocktails and Mum champagne provided guests from Melbourne's top incentive houses with a taste of Tahiti and her islands at the city's stylish…
Travelodge opens in Melbourne docklands
18 Feb 10 (TravMedia.com): Toga Hospitality is proud to announce the opening of a new hotel in Melbourne, Travelodge Docklands is welcoming guests on 22 February, 2010 with $99*…
Day spa launches at InterCon Melbourne
17 Feb 10 (TravMedia.com): Luxury spa operator East Day Spa today announced the Melbourne opening of its unique Eastern-influenced day spa at the city's grandest heritage hotel,…
Crown opens new Melbourne conference centre
Wednesday 3 February 2009 (TravMedia.com): Today, the Honourable Tim Holding, MP, Minister for Tourism and Major Events and David Courtney, Crown's Chief Executive…
Qantas commences London-Melbourne A380 services
MELBOURNE, 19 January 2010: Qantas this week commenced Melbourne to London A380 services with the inaugural Melbourne to London via Singapore service departing yesterday evening.Qantas…
Qantas commences London-Melbourne A380 services
MELBOURNE, 19 January 2010: Qantas this week commenced Melbourne to London A380 services with the inaugural Melbourne to London via Singapore service departing yesterday evening.Qantas…
Qantas starts A380 services from Melbourne to London
Qantas this week commenced Melbourne to London A380 services with the inaugural Melbourne to London via Singapore service departing yesterday evening.Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr…
Melbourne swelters in record temperatures
Residents of Melbourne have sweltered through the city's hottest night in more than a century as warm winds swept the city in Australia's southeast. Bloomberg reported that temperatures in…
Melbourne Airport implements Sensis A-SMGCS
EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Sensis Corporation's Advanced - Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS) at Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport…
Mantra upgrades Melbourne hotels
11 Jan 10 (TravMedia.com): Leading Australian leisure and corporate accommodation provider Mantra Group has enhanced the guest experience for visitors to Melbourne, upgrading four of…
Qantas to launch London-Melbourne A380 services
MELBOURNE,22 December 2009: Qantas announced today it had taken delivery of its fifth newA380 aircraft, with a sixth to arrive in coming days, and would commence…
Qantas to launch London-Melbourne A380 services
MELBOURNE, 22 December 2009: Qantas announced today it had taken delivery of its fifth new A380 aircraft, with a sixth to arrive in coming days, and would commence A380…
Viva Macau arrives in Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia - Viva Macau Airlines, Macau's international award-winning airline, celebrated the commencement of twice weekly direct Economy and Business class services…
Qantas to commence flight trials in Melbourne
MELBOURNE, 3 DECEMBER 2009: Qantas' B737-800 Melbourne services are now more environmentally efficient as a result of the deployment of Required Navigational Performance (RNP)…
Melbourne expects UK visitor boom in 2010
International visitors to Melbourne have increased by four per cent to the end of August this year, following a raft of new airline route launches which are also encouraging British…
Tiger boosts Melbourne hotels
17 November 2009: Melbourne's hotels last week enjoyed their best week of 2009, thanks to a Tiger Woods led tourism boom. Accor, the largest hotel operator in Melbourne (operating…
Sydney-Melbourne Touring in new PR campaign
09 Nov 09 (TravMedia.com): Sydney-Melbourne Touring has appointed Klick Communications to deliver a PR and social media campaign that illuminates the variety of experiences unique to the…
New skincare products at Park Hyatt Melbourne
25 Oct 09 (TravMedia.com): 30 Years of waiting is over with the introduction of the world's most innovative skincare brands into Park Club Health & Day Spa at Park Hyatt Melbourne.…
Melbourne subway death
A man who jumped from a moving train on Melbourne's city loop was killed after he fell between the carriage and platform and was dragged onto the tracks, police say. Witnesses told…
Wheel disintegrates in Melbourne landing
Safety investigators are looking at a "wheel disintegration" on a Virgin Blue plane as it landed in Melbourne on Wednesday. The Australian Transport Safety Board is investigating the…
Mercure Caroline Springs opens in Melbourne
15 Oct 09 (TravMedia.com): Melbourne's emerging north-west precinct has its first 4-star international hotel and the Mercure Caroline Springs is offering an opening 'Suite Caroline' special…
Melbourne launches AIME pre-touring programme
Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has added one of Australia's premium wine regions to its AIME 2010 Pre Touring Program for hosted buyers. The Yarra Valley, located just…
Westin Melbourne welcomes celebrity chef
14 Oct 09 (TravMedia.com): Acclaimed chef Ben O'Donoghue will take over the reigns at The Westin Melbourne's award winning Allegro Restaurant in November. Over four days, Ben will…
Sky Lounge Melbourne hotel opens sky-high restaurant
Central Sky Lounge, one of Melbourne's newest hotels, is cooking up a storm with head chef Phil Gaby in charge of their new sky-high restaurant.Constructed atop the historic old…
Milestone MICE win for Melbourne
23 Sep 09 (TravMedia.com): Melbourne will welcome 800 industrial relations professionals and academics in 2013, after winning the right to host the Asian Regional Congress of the…
Crown Towers, Melbourne, completes refurb
The Crown Towers hotel in Melbourne has completed a comprehensive enhancement of its rooms and suites. The AU$65 million (US$54 million) project has introduced new beds with leather…
China Southern ups Melbourne-Guangzhou flights
China Southern Airlines has introduced a third weekly flight from Melbourne to Guangzhou from now until the end of March 2010. The new schedule, which introduces a Saturday…
AirAsia X to increase Melbourne flights
Malaysian low-cost carrier, AirAsia X, has announced that it will increase services on its Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne route from daily to 11 per week. The carrier launched the route…
Melbourne’s Hotel Windsor plans return to former glory
Melbourne's Hotel Windsor has announced an AU$260 million (US$215 million) development proposal aimed at securing the future of the city's only 19th century grand hotel. Highlights of the…
Melbourne air traffic rises in 2008-09
Passenger numbers at Melbourne Airport rose 2.1% in the 2008-2009 financial year, the Australian Financial Review reported. Both domestic and international arrivals rose during the…
Melbourne to get huge transport boost
Melbourne residents will wake up this week to a significantly enhanced local transportation network, with over 230 new train services added to their already growing metropolitan system.…
SIA’s A380 planned for Melbourne
Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it will begin flying its Airbus A380 on the Singapore-Melbourne route in late September. The superjumbo will replace SIA's Boeing 747-400 for the three weekly…
Melbourne trams too long for platform
The Victorian government has been accused of pulling up short with its new trams. According to a Sydney Morning Herald report, the new trams are about 32 metres long - two metres longer…
Melbourne tops liveability in Asia-Pac
Australian cities occupy five of the top 20 places in a British survey ranking the liveability of 140 of the world's major centres. Melbourne ranked third in the world, behind Vancouver…
Deluxe Floor added to Hilton Melbourne Airport
The Hilton Melbourne Airport has introduced a Deluxe Floor. The 70-room 9th floor was transformed into the Deluxe Floor, offering views across the city skyline and airport complex. The…
Centr@l Sky Lounge rises on Melbourne city skyline
Currently being constructed atop the old bus terminal on Therry Street, Melbourne, the Centr@l Sky Lounge Apartment Hotel is the newest addition to the Melbourne city skyline. Due…
New Hilton set for Melbourne
The new Hilton Melbourne South Wharf hotel will open on 16 April. Located in the city's evolving South Wharf district, near the new Melbourne Convention Centre, the 20 storeys…
Etihad launches Melbourne services
Etihad Airways has launched its maiden flight to from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne's Tullamarine airport. The launch of the new daily service - Etihad's third Australian destination after…
Etihad gets in Aussie spirit ahead of Melbourne launch
Etihad Airways has hosted an Australian-themed reception in the UAE capital.The event, held at the Emirates Palace hotel, was co-hosted by well-known TV celebrities Dannii Minogue…
Fresh tremor hits Melbourne
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake has hit Melbourne, shaking buildings and homes across the city for the second time in as many weeks. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that yesterday's quake…
Shut Adelaide down, says Melbourne mayor
The new Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, has said that Adelaide has so little going for it that the city should be "shut down".The Age reported that Doyle, who has been…
Earthquake hits Melbourne
Australia's Victoria state was struck by a 4.7 magnitude earthquake on Saturday. The quake hit about 90km southeast of the state capital, Melbourne, where tremors were felt but no…
Melbourne heat buckles wheel
Melbourne's latest attraction, the Southern Star observation wheel, has reportedly buckled and cracked during the heatwave that is gripping the city. According to a Sydney Morning…
Melbourne faces worst heat wave in a century
Melbourne is preparing for its longest and hottest heat wave in a century, Bloomberg reported. The Victorian capital may have four days of temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius from today,…
Melbourne mulls Olympic bid
Melbourne is considering a bid to bring the Olympic Games to the city in 2024 or 2028, Bernama reported. Victoria state premier, John Brumby, is said to support an…
Hilton forms partnership to promote Melbourne to the world
Three Hilton hotels in Melbourne have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) with Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCVB) to assist in promoting Melbourne as the key…
Southern Star arrives on Melbourne skyline
The Southern Star observation wheel has opened in Melbourne, providing an iconic new landmark for the city, and a spectacular addition to its skyline. On Saturday, 20…
Westin Melbourne bought for US$109 million
Malaysian property developer, TA Enterprise Bhd, is buying the Westin Melbourne Hotel, for MYR389 million (US$109.5 million), the Business Times has reported.The…
InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto opens
From 15 December 2008, the newly renovated InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto will open its doors. Following a AU$60 million (US$39.8 million) transformation by the Joseph Pang…
AirAsia X takes off to Melbourne
AirAsia X's long-awaited first flight from to Melbourne took off yesterday. The flights from Kuala Lumpur will initially be served four times a week, though will rise to daily during…
Central hits new heights in Melbourne
Brisbane-based hotel chain, Central Apartments & Hotels has announced plans to launch a new property in the heights of Melbourne. The brand new Centr@l Sky Lounge Apartment Hotel in…
Pacific Blue commences Melbourne-Auckland
Virgin Blue's international subsidiary Pacific Blue has launched its first non-stop service from Melbourne to Auckland. The move makes Pacific Blue the first low-cost carrier to operate the…
Jetstar adds Sydney, Melbourne connections
Low-cost carrier Jetstar will introduce more services from its major domestic Australian hubs of Sydney and Melbourne from 26 October, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation has reported.…
AirAsia X plots Melbourne-London flights
Following the announcement that it will start Kuala Lumpur (KL) to Melbourne services from 12 November, Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia X, has said it plans to fly Australians…
AirAsia X direct to Melbourne
Long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X has announced the launch of direct services between KL and Melbourne. Services will start in November, initially with four return flights per…
Tiger to fly Melbourne-Perth twice a day
Tiger Airways has announced that it will fly twice daily services between Melbourne and Perth, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation has reported. Starting 2 October, Tiger will add…
Skal Melbourne goes to zoo
Skal Melbourne has held its July luncheon in the Bong Su Room at Melbourne Zoo. The event was part of a series of themed luncheons in the Skal Melbourne calendar, the next event being…
Etihad to start Melbourne services
Etihad Airways yesterday announced the launch of direct daily services between Melbourne and Abu Dhabi from March next year. Melbourne will become Etihad's third Aussie destination,…
Melbourne leaves others green with envy
Commissioned by the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCVB), the report details the initiatives operators involved with staging business events in the city are adopting towards…
Amway incentive in Melbourne
Amway Greater China is rewarding 7,000 of its top sales people this month in Melbourne. This is the seventh incentive from Amway's operations in Asia since 2005. In the past three years…
Ascott opens Somerset in Melbourne
The Ascott Group (Ascott) has officially opened Somerset Gordon Heights in Melbourne's Central Business District. It said residents at Somerset Gordon Heights stand to enjoy "two…
Melbourne GP to flag off at later time
Organisers of the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix have flagged a later start to the race next year to prevent the event from heading offshore, AFP reported.Ron Walker, Australian…
New Melbourne venue opens
The new Melbourne Convention Centre - centrepiece of an AU$1.4 billion development in South Wharf, central Melbourne - has unveiled a new identity.Sitting adjacent to…
Business tourism on the agenda in Melbourne this week
Business tourism and the expected growth of business events in Australia andthe region will be the key focus for more than 6,000 people gathering this week in Melbourne for the Asia…
No more F1 for Melbourne?
Australia looks likely to lose its Formula One Grand Prix to India, Russia or South Korea, according to reports quoting F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.Ecclestone was quoted saying by…
Avalon Melbourne’s second airport
The airport, already home to Jetstar domestic, could get cheap flights to Malaysia from late next year with AirAsiaX launching flights there, the report said.The Malaysian…
Tiger’s den in Melbourne
Passengers will benefit from the straightforward check-in and boarding process withTiger Airways' aircraft parked right up front of the terminal, a release said.Terminal Four is…
Melbourne tailors to Tiger
Melbourne Airport terminal 4 won't be equipped with "unnecessary extras" such as business lounges or aerobridges, with aircraft instead being parked "right up in front of the…
Volcanic Ash Cloud Forces Airlines To Cancels Fiji Flights
The eruption of Tonga’s underwater volcano over the weekend is causing airlines to cancel flights between Australia and Fiji.
Jetstar Starts Services to Phuket, Holydays in Thailand Are Back
Thailand holidays are back, with Jetstar’s first flight to Phuket since borders reopened, departing from Sydney on Wednesday and Melbourne yesterday.
Qantas Resumes Flights To Johannesburg After A Lengthy Absence
Qantas will resume its operation in South Africa, with the flight landing to Johannesburg for the first time since early 2020 and the first “rescue flights” to bring Australians back home.
Airline Start-Up In Australia: What Makes It So Challenging?
Bonza, a new low-cost airline with big plans for Australia, will launch in mid-2022.
Emirates Reopens 20 More Airport Lounges
Experience a truly relaxing time before your flight at one of Emirates’ lounges, with more scheduled to reopen soon.
Cathay Pacific Has Cut Flights To Australia
Since operating and travel limitations continue to affect Cathay Pacific’s scheduling, the airline has decided to terminate nearly all flights between Australia and Hong Kong effective…
Qantas Returns A380 Sooner To Relieve B787 Pilots
Qantas is speeding up the first of its iconic A380 superjumbos back into service this month to relieve pressure on pilots of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners in Queensland.
AIME confirms Australian Convention Bureaux for 2022 Event
Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), the leading meetings and conventions event in the Asia Pacific region, has today revealed that almost all of Australia’s Convention Bureaux…
Airline fees negatively impact consumer and travel businesses – AFTA
Fee changes, which predominantly relate to airline commissions, will have a detrimental impact on choices for Australian consumers, according to the Australian Federation of Travel Agents…
Qantas Restarts Sydney-Singapore-London Flights
On March 27 of 2022, Qantas’ flagship QF1 flight from Sydney to London will once again have a stopover in Singapore, with the return of the Airbus A380 on June 19.
Virgin Australia Takes-Off With First International Flight
With its new daily Fiji service, Virgin Australia has restarted commercial international flights for the first time since the beginning of the COVID crisis.
Qantas Launches Direct Flights To Rome In 2022
Last September, Qantas announced a significant change to the non-stop Perth to London flight, suspending Australia’s only non-stop flights to the UK, citing Western Australia border…
Virgin Australia Announces Partnership With United Airlines
Virgin Australia Group said today that it will partner with United Airlines beginning in April 2022, increasing the number of U.S. destinations Virgin Australia customers can access while…
Omicron Pushes Back Airline Industry’s Recovery
According to airline and airport officials, new travel restrictions imposed by the Omicron coronavirus variant have delayed the embryonic recovery in international flights, causing delays…
Virgin Australia Launches Celebration Sale As Queensland Reopens
As the Queensland border reopens, Virgin Australia has unveiled a major sale on flights to the state, with some fares as low as $59.
India signs air bubble pact with Australia. Here’s what you need to know
Australia has finally joined the list of countries that has a travel bubble with India
Qantas Sydney to Delhi inaugural flight takes off
A nonstop Qantas flight from Sydney to Delhi took off on Monday morning, marking the airline’s first journey to the Indian metropolis in more than 40 years.
Fiji Welcomes Fully Vaccinated Australians
Concerns about the Omicron strain and additional coronavirus restrictions have indeed been raised not only in Australia but all throughout the world.
Qantas Secures Crucial Regulated Longreach Route
The Queensland government has renewed its contract with Qantas to continue serving the northern Queensland communities of Longreach, Barcaldine, and Blackall for another five years.
Qantas CEO reveals WA Premier promise on Perth to London flight restart
Premier Mark McGowan promised Qantas head Alan Joyce that the Perth-to-London flight would return.
Air New Zealand set to take off in January
Air New Zealand has welcomed the news that from 17 January 2022, New Zealanders will be able to travel to and from Australia
Air New Zealand cancels 1000 flights due to trans-Tasman uncertainty
Due to ongoing border uncertainty between New Zealand and Australia, Air New Zealand has cancelled over 1000 flights between the two countries until December 31, 2021.
Virgin Australia to add seven aircraft to meet growing demand
Virgin Australia said on Thursday that it would add seven additional Boeing Co 737 NG aircraft to its fleet, practically returning it to pre-pandemic levels, to achieve a one-third share of…
Australia opens for fully vaccinated international students
Next month, Australia will be open to fully vaccinated international travellers, students, working holidaymakers, and provisional family visa holders.
Rex finally announces the addition of Brisbane to its network
Rex Airlines is expanding beyond regional flights, adding Brisbane to its domestic network as the independent airline pursues Australia’s so-called “Golden Triangle.”
Rex rolls out wi-fi on its 737 fleet
As it resumed flights between major cities yesterday, Rex has begun gradually putting out Wi-Fi connection equipment throughout its fleet of Boeing 737-800NG aircraft.
Australia’s travel bubble with Japan and South Korea to start soon
Australia will soon open to two additional countries as the national vaccination rate prepares to reach 90%.
Post-pandemic travel, the hidden cost of testing
Mandatory Covid testing will add hundreds of dollars to the expense of a solo vacation overseas and thousands to the cost of a family vacation.
Sydney Airport to sell for USD 17 billion
Sydney Airport said it had agreed to USD 17.5 billion takeover bid by an Australian investor consortium, just days after reopening to international travel
Qatar Airways launches rediscover Europe promotion from $1409 return
For the first time since the reopening of Australia’s international border, Qatar Airways will be offering special tickets and discounts for travel between February 1 and October 31 in 2022,…
Epidemiologist calls for arrival airport testing in Australia
One of Australia’s leading epidemiologists has called for international arrivals to be tested for COVID-19 before leaving the airport.
Emirates increases services to Australia as borders reopened
With Australia's borders now open to international travellers, Emirates is celebrating by expanding its operations in the country.
Which airlines are operating international flights from Sydney?
More flights will depart Australia beginning this month, as Qantas and Jetstar have moved forwards the restart of some international routes.
Virgin Australia launches 1.7M fares sale on the network
Virgin Australia has launched over one million new discount fares across dozens of domestic and international destinations in advance of easing border restrictions and the approaching summer…
Its official! Vaccinated Australians can enter Singapore on November 8
Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority has announced the expansion of the country's Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme to include Australian passengers.
Thailand finally opens to vaccinated Australians from November
After announcing the country's re-opening to a list of countries that did not include Australia one week ago, Thailand's government has just altered that list to include Australians.
Rex launches sale cheap fares over Christmas going for just $69
Rex is offering a major bargain to celebrate the reopening of Australia's state borders to bring families together in time for Christmas.
Virgin Australia bookings surge after domestic border opening
Following the Victorian and Queensland governments' plan to reopen borders, Virgin Australia has seen a spike in website traffic and booking demand.
Australia-Singapore ‘travel bubble’ by November
Morrison stated that Australia's travel arrangement with Singapore would be similar to the one it established earlier last week with New Zealand's South Island.
Virgin Australia bookings surge after domestic border opening
Following the Victorian and Queensland governments' plan to reopen borders, Virgin Australia has seen a spike in website traffic and booking demand.
Qantas plans to commence ‘Project Sunrise’ flights by 2024
If all goes according to plan, Qantas will fly non-stop from Sydney to London, Paris, and New York City in just over 18 hours as early as 2024 as reported by Executive Traveller.
Virgin Australia brings international flight schedule forward
Flights between Australia and Fiji will resume one week earlier than previously scheduled, thanks to an announcement from Fiji on their tourism reopening plan.
Qantas launches super sale for domestic flights
Qantas has launched a promotional sale for some flights in response to states and territories reopening domestic borders ahead of Christmas.
Qantas and Virgin’s bring forward flight schedules
Qantas has moved international flights to London and Los Angeles forwards by nearly three weeks, with flights to these locations now departing on November 1.
How NSW decision to abolish quarantine will affect other states
NSW will be the first state to accept international travellers without requiring mandatory quarantine.
Cambodia reopening for international travellers set this Q4
The Cambodian government is gearing up to reopen to fully vaccinated tourists in the Q4 2021.
Is Australia a big enough market to support another airline?
Bonza promises to be the independent low-cost airline that many Australian consumers have wished for. Still, some are sceptical that the market can support another operator.
Podcast Super Seven Series – Charles Van Rensberg & Herbie Rosenberg
Episode No 7, is a cracker to complete this present series, two stalwarts of the African travel industry tell us where to go.
Standard International names Amber Asher as chief executive officer, Amar Lalvani as executive chairman
The Standard has announced its appointment of Amber Asher to CEO of Standard International, parent company of Standard Hotels, Bunkhouse and Peri Hotels and Amar Lalvani to executive…
New ultra-low-cost airline Bonza to launch in Australia next year
"Bonza" will be Australia's sole independent low-cost airline specialising in regional leisure destinations, with a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets equipped with all-economy seats.
Qantas confirms nonstop Darwin-London service
When international flights resume on November 14 following the reopening of Australia's border, Qantas has confirmed it will run its flagship direct service from Australia to London via…
Emirates to back Airbus A380 to Australia
According to Executive Traveller, Emirates plans to resume its flights to Australia with Airbus A380s following the country's return of international travel.
Lewis flew Singapore Airlines business class on her birthday
This Greyhound travelled in business class on Singapore Airlines from Sydney to Europe via Singapore. Lewis, an ex-racing greyhound, "is a graduate of Melbourne's Greyt Greys Rescue," and…
Australia to reopen international border in November
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that the international border will reopen in November, initially permitting travel for vaccinated citizens and their relatives.
Virgin Australia resumes flights to Fiji
There will be daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Fiji's Nadi Airport in late December, with Virgin Australia joining the list of airlines planning to restart foreign…
Qantas updated flight schedule shows interstate travel back on
Qantas has revised its flight schedule as millions of people in Australia's southeast prepare to escape from lengthy COVID lockdowns.
Federal government aid for international aviation to continue
Another $184 million will be given to international aviation by the federal government until March 2022 to help the industry weather the current economic downturn.
Qantas, Jetstar launch promo as states set to reopen
Jetstar and Qantas have launched a promo to entice travellers back to the skies as New South Wales and Victoria get ready to reopen.
Qantas website international flight searchers spike
Searches for flights on Qantas' website have tripled, indicating that Australians are eager to return to international travel.
Trans-Tasman bubble may reopen next year, but not the same as before
Experts say the trans-Tasman bubble is unlikely to reopen as Australia battles the highly contagious Delta variant.
How September 11 changed air travel
Saturday marked the 20th anniversary of the terrorist event that forever changed air travel, and I thought what better way to commemorate this day than by remembering what air travel was…
Standard International to open new hotels as CEO remains optimistic in hospitality
Amar Lalvani, CEO of Standard International (parent company of the Standard Hotels), has expressed optimism in the hospitality business amidst the ongoing challenges.
Qatar Airways launches sale from $1,399 to London and more
Award-winning Qatar Airways has taken the lead to launch a six-day sale leading up the potential re-opening of the international borders in December.
Here is Qantas’ new international flight schedule
Qantas has published the first international flights on Monday, December 20, 2021, resuming service after a whopping 21 months of absence.
Qantas CEO: A380 ‘perfect’ to meet pent-up demand for flying
As the Delta variant forces governments around the world to reintroduce coronavirus travel restrictions, global aviation is still struggling to recover from the pandemic.
Virgin Australia puts one million seats on sale
Virgin Australia has launched a sale with booking availability for travel until June next year, sale fares can be booked to popular destinations from now until midnight this Friday, or until…
Fiji Airways to resume Australia flights by December 2021
Fiji Airways intends to resume flights to Australia "before Christmas" in 2021.
Rex postpones jet deliveries until lockdowns ends
Regional Express has postponed the delivery of four additional jet aircraft to fly between major cities, citing the travel industry as too volatile to continue its domestic market expansion…
Qantas plans international lounges reopening
Qantas has announced plans to reopen its international flagship lounges in Singapore, London, and Los Angeles in preparation for the resumption of Qantas international flights in December.
What the future of flying looks like post lockdown
Comes Christmas, it may be cheaper to go and visit friends and relatives in London than flying from Sydney to Perth “provided the state opens its border”.
Virgin Australia to offer more value in economy
Virgin Australia has launched three new economy fares today: Economy Choice, Economy Flex, and Economy Lite, each with its own set of booking options.
International aviation sector may well leave Australia behind
Brisbane Airport’s CEO has said international airlines “may well leave Australia behind” as vaccinated nations begin to remove COVID restrictions now.
Podcast: Overview Vanuatu
Composed of 83 spectacular islands, the archipelago of Vanuatu features an authentic and unique blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich culture and friendly locals. After just a short plane…
Rex considering legal options against Qantas
Regional Express is considering legal action to combat what it believes is capacity dumping and predatory pricing by Qantas on the carrier's now grounded domestic routes and core regional…
Lockdowns are once Again Posing a threat to Australia’s Airlines
Greater Sydney's lockdown has been extended until at least the 28 of August, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed.
Sydney lockdown could last until September
Experts have warned Sydneysiders to brace for another two months of lockdown restrictions because authorities waited too long to go hard.
AstraZeneca-vaccinated Aussie may face hurdle to travel to Europe
Australians vaccinated with the AstraZeneca jab face potential problems visiting Europe, thanks to a quirk in the European Union's vaccine approval process.
Velocity Frequent Flyer member on track to fly to space
The dream of flying to space is one giant leap closer to reality for Velocity Frequent Flyer member, Scott Copeland from Melbourne.
Airlines are slowly recovering: Which countries are bouncing back
Floats were leaving the aircraft storage facilities to spend months at the warm, dry desert sunshine.
Rex to lease two more B737 for further network expansion
Rex has announced plans to secure two additional Boeing 737NG (Next Generation) aircraft through a new lease agreement with a lessor.
Become an SA expert: How to sell Adelaide and beyond
Looking to become an SA expert? Discover the best training resources, South Australian itineraries and commissionable experiences in this handy guide. Wine, wildlife and pristine landscapes…
10 of South Australia’s most Instaworthy locations
South Australia: Where the water is pink, gardens bloom below the Earth’s surface and kangaroos hop among the vineyards. Sound paradisaical? That’s because it is! To prove it, we’ve rounded…
Warning for five interstate Virgin flights
Passengers on five different flights between three states are being forced into isolation after a Virgin Australia cabin crew member tested positive to Covid-19.
Sydney flights cancelled as states impose border restrictions
Sydney Airport was a ghost town yesterday morning as more than 90 flights arriving in the city have been cancelled today.
As capacity war continues, Jetstar starts Brisbane–Perth service
Jetstar will compete with rival Virgin and Qantas and launch five return services between Brisbane and Perth in time for the summer season.
Discover South Australia on these four road trips from Adelaide
Road trips are the ultimate way to unearth South Australia’s natural wonders, and there’s no better place to gear up than the vineyard city of Adelaide. Empower your clients to embrace the…
Rex revises forecast to full-year loss
Rex said on Wednesday (9 June) that it is now forecasting a full-year loss of A$15 million due to ongoing lockdowns in various parts of Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NSW’s AUD50m bid to make project sunrise a Sydney-only venture
The NSW government secretly offered $50 million to Qantas in exchange for the business making Project Sunrise a Sydney exclusive for five years and retaining its base in the state.
The future of travel bubbles in APAC
Industry analysts predict stronger recovery for APAC business travel in the third and fourth quarter of this year.
Qantas CEO makes a bold prediction as domestic demand soars
Qantas says while the COVID-19 lockdown in Victoria will affect its business, it's still seeing strong demand in other parts of the nation.
Qantas ponders free flights and points as vaccination incentive
Qantas is considering giving free flight vouchers or frequent flyer points to people who have had Covid-19 shots, joining a growing list of businesses offering vaccination incentives to…
Qantas adds seven new routes and puts Dreamliner on domestic
Qantas has announced a further expansion of its ever-growing domestic network. The Australian airline confirmed start dates for seven new domestic routes.
New Zealand halts travel bubble with Australia’s Victoria state
New Zealand has now suspended quarantine-free travel with Australia’s Victoria state over a new coronavirus cluster this week
After the Covid blow, Virgin expands its flight schedule
Virgin will be running 700 extra flights across Australia by October, including on five new routes focused on the country's north.
The Australasian hotel industries greatest challenge – skilled manpower
Adelaide SkyCity recently hosted the 12th AHICE (Australasian Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition) with leading industry experts at the most prestigious hotel conference in…
Vaccinated travellers won’t be allowed to fly due to blood-clot
Last week rumours that vaccinated people will be barred from flying because of blood-clot fears were circulating on social media.
Virgin Australia updates short-haul international network
After the federal budget released last week and the shifting projection of the opening of the international border, Virgin Australia also announced changes to its short-haul international.
Qantas to launch new routes and increase flights in Adelaide
Adelaide will be the home base of five Embraer E190 aircraft as Qantas continues to boost domestic flights in response to growing leisure and corporate travel demand.
ACCC seeks to block Qantas, Japan Airlines alliance
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided against a proposed joint business agreement between Qantas and Japan Airlines, saying the alliance "breaches…
Qantas to keep HQ in Sydney, Jetstar head office in Melborne
Qantas has committed to keeping its headquarters in Sydney and the Jetstar office in Melbourne following a property footprint review.
Jetstar launches sale where travellers can snap up free return
Jetstar has launched a flash sale offering jetsetters flights across Australia for as little as AUD55 and the chance to snap up return flights for free.
Comedian shocked to find his Qantas ticket costs $1 billion!
Comedian Dave O'Neil got the shock of his life when he bought a Qantas ticket 'with extra leg room' for a Melbourne to Perth flight, and the price came up as $1billion.
NSW Premier calls health minister border claims “rubbish.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has derided the federal health minister's warning that mass vaccination won't lead to the borders opening as "the biggest load of rubbish I ever heard".
Virgin Australia shapes growth strategies to aid tourism recovery
Virgin Australia Group has announced fast-tracked plans to acquire new aircraft, create more frontline jobs and grow its network to further support domestic tourism.
Influencer pleads guilty for threatening to blow up plane when asked to pay for wine
On Wednesday, Hannah Lee Pierson, 31, pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour disruptive conduct at a Christchurch court over the November 7, 2020, inflight incident.
Saraid Carey is the new general manager of Hyatt Regency Brisbane
Hyatt Regency Brisbane has announced that Saraid Carey assumed the position of general manager.
5 things to do in South Australia when borders reopen
There are a lot of things to do in South Australia that travellers can look forward to once the country’s borders reopen.
Vaccination will not guarantee we can start international travel
Overseas travel could be off the cards for Australians even after Covid-19 vaccines are rolled out across the country.
Small ship expedition cruising emerges from COVID-19 as a clear winner
TD speaks with Monique Ponfoort, CEO of Aurora Expeditions, to share her journey and thoughts for the future
Regional Express to launch Sydney-Canberra flights from April 19
Regional Express is poised to break Qantas' current monopoly on the Sydney-Canberra route with the launch of its own flights to the capital city starting 19 April.
Kia Ora New Zealand! The two-way travel bubble is a go
Australians will be able to travel across the ditch without having to quarantine upon arrival or on their return to Australia.
How is pandemic-related consumer behaviour impacting travel?
As travel companies eye industry recovery, they are also watching what consumer behaviours, triggered by the pandemic, might stick around in longer term.
AstraZeneca’s Australia-made COVID-19 vaccine doses get TGA nod
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had given the go-ahead to the biotech giant CSL Limited to produce AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Queensland tourism operators stumble again with business recovery
After the snap lockdown was announced yesterday for greater Brisbane, thousands of people started cancelling their Queensland holiday plans.
Qantas boss: Governments ‘to insist’ on vaccines for flying
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has told the BBC that "governments are going to insist" on vaccines for international travellers.
Details of the Australian government’s AUD1.2 billion ‘Ticket to Recovery’
Australian travellers will have access to hundreds of thousands of half-price airfares to more than a dozen tourism-reliant regions, subsidised by the government as part of the package…
Qantas launches Mystery Flight Experiences
Qantas announced on Wednesday the latest innovative offer to combat the closure of international borders by offering a series of flights.
Even Better With You! This new campaign is welcoming interstate travellers to experience new Brisbane
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is welcoming visitors back to Brisbane with the launch of an interstate domestic tourism campaign highlighting the city’s appealing new attributes
Former WHO epidemiologist urges Australia to shut borders
Australia should shut its borders to overseas travellers immediately and build specialist quarantine centres, according to a former World Health Organisation epidemiologist.
Cathay Pacific to axe flights to Australia except for Sydney
Cathay Pacific Airways has announced they will be axing all flights to Australia, except routes servicing Sydney, following Hong Kong’s plan to introduce tough new quarantine rules on…
Qantas allows more flexible flying
Qantas is now offering more flexibility to customers wanting to change their travel dates, now allowing unlimited flight changes until January 2022.
Virgin Australia Cancel all Short Haul International Flights
Virgin announced yesterday all short-haul international services would be cancelled until June 19.
Is International Air Travel Shutting Down Yet Again?
I am seeing everyday changes that it may mean for the next couple of months, connectivity may become increasingly difficult.
AIME Cancels 2021 Event Due COVID-19 Implications
Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has today announced the cancellation of the 2021 event, which was scheduled to be hosted at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre…
Australia to remain close for some time despite vaccine roll out
Australia’s other COVID-19 containment measures, such as border restrictions, “will have to continue for some time” as the vaccine is rolled out.
Australia Moves COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout to Early March
With the community transmission not giving up, particularly in Sydney, Melbourne, and now Brisbane where from 6:00pm tonight people living in greater Brisbane, will be required to stay home…
Qantas plans to restart international scheduled flights in July
Qantas is re-opening international flight bookings on all its regular routes from July 1, 2021.
Air New Zealand begins quarantine-free flights to Brisbane
Air New Zealand has announced it will operate first quarantine-free flight from Auckland to Brisbane on 7 January
Accor announces new hotels opening in Australia and New Zealand for 2021
Sofitel Adelaide, and two brand new The Sebel properties, 2021 will be a strong year of new hotel openings for Accor in the Pacific.
Achieve competitive advantage with Hotel API
Various Travel Agencies and businesses collect a tremendous amount of data from their niche websites. Not only do they understand that to gain an edge in the market they must access their…
Podcast: Together Apart: Living in Lockdown
When COVID-19 hit the Victorian capital Melbourne in a big way earlier in 2020, it had a dramatic impact on the lives of Melburnians. Featuring: Steve Collins & Belinda Jackson
How Qantas is offering fast-track to higher status to attract corporate travellers
The move could help boost Qantas’ market share in lucrative corporate and high-end leisure travel as domestic flights ramp up in Australia due to the reopening of state borders
Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin add additional flights
With the re-opening of the NSW borders for Victoria, Australian carriers have announced several additional flights between the two states.
Qantas and Jetstar will operate a combined…
Far East Hospitality excites with expansion plans in APAC
Far East Hospitality has announced that it will forge ahead with its local and regional expansion plans with three properties – Oasia Resort Sentosa, Far East Village Hotel Yokohama, and…
Coronavirus outbreak in Adelaide puts in limbo borders re-opening
Since this is the first outbreak since April, the state authorities have ramped up testing and brought in new restrictions.
Podcast: Stay in a lighthouse keepers cottage in Gippsland
Featuring: Paul Chai.. It seems strange to wish for bad weather on a trip, but I’m happy to see a squall heading my way. I am sitting on the back porch of the assistant lighthouse keeper’s…
Australia mulls to reopen state borders in time for the holidays
Australia is planning to reopen state borders by Christmas as well as ways to bring citizens home from abroad safely.
How to treat COVID-19? A nasal spray is 93%
A novel nasal treatment developed to boost the natural human immune system to fight common colds and flu has proved remarkably successful in reducing COVID-19 viral replication test results,…
Changing course: Qantas mulls shifting headquarters from Sydney in new cost reduction drive
Qantas Airways is considering shifting its headquarters from Sydney in an effort to cut costs as the pandemic forces it to scale down operations
Ovolo South Yarra: A place where retro chic and pop-art meet
Ovolo Group continues its expansion with the announcement of Ovolo South Yarra
P&O Cruises Australia extends its pause in operations to December
P&O Cruises Australia is extending its rolling pause in operations from Australia to 2 December this year as the cruise line continues to take guidance from authorities, public health…
The state of Australia’s tourism sector
Australia’s tourism sector has predominantly high contribution of more than 10% to the Australian economy making the country as the fourth largest contributor in the sector of Asia-Pacific…
Intrepid Travel officially endorsed by Reconciliation Australia
Things are looking grim in Australia at the moment with talks of a second wave hitting Melbourne in the state of Victoria and Sydney being on high alert in NSW. It’s taking a toll on a lot…
Qatar Airways flights to Venice, Dublin, Milan and Rome
Qatar Airways has announced that the airline will be resuming its flights to Venice, Italy starting from 15 July 2020.
Emirates resumes flights to nine destinations
Emirates has resumed its operations of scheduled flights to nine destinations.
“The distribution market will never be the same,” Aeronology CEO on long term development contract with TravelSky
Aeronology, a new travel technology based in Melbourne, has announced a global API/GDS distribution relationship with TravelSky, China’s largest airline GDS.
Virgin Australia set to go into voluntary administration after failing to secure government lifeline
Virgin Australia has reportedly filed for voluntary administration, overwhelmed by massive debt brought on by the coronavirus lockdowns. An airline spokesman wouldn’t comment today…
Etihad announces additional special passenger flights
Etihad Airways has announced a series of special passenger flights from Abu Dhabi to Brussels, Dublin, London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita and Zurich, in addition to those previously…
Emirates airline suspends flights to more cities, taking total past 100
Dubai’s Emirates airline announced it would suspend flights to dozens more cities, including New York, Delhi and Melbourne, taking its total route closures past 100, in a bid to…
The impact of COVID-19 on hotel occupancy in APAC
Reflecting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels in the Asia Pacific region reported a significant decline in occupancy but fairly steady room rates during February 2020, according to…
Associations Round Table at AIME 2020 reimagines model through creativity
Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) – the leading meetings and incentives event in the region – has revealed insights off the back of an industry-first Associations Round…
Plaza Premium Lounge expands in Australia with new addition at Sydney airport
Plaza Premium Lounge has rolled out its newest space offering at Sydney Airport’s International Terminal. It is the brand’s third addition in Australia joining locations in Melbourne and…
Coronavirus: Qantas announces leadership pay cuts and network capacity reduction
Qantas Group has announced that CEO, Alan Joyce, will take "no salary" for the remainder of 2020, along with a range of sizeable cuts to its international services (reducing capacity by…
AIME bucks industry challenges
Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), held in Melbourne from 17–19 February, has successfully delivered an invigorating industry event, with over 2,500 visitors and 300…
AirAsia X unveils first-ever long haul free seat sale
Fly extra long on AirAsia for less than ever before, as the airline goes the extra mile to offer guests zero-fare seats for the first time ever on many popular long-haul destinations,…
Gaining ground in Asia: Connexus Travel signs deal with Aeronology to boost growth
Hong Kong-based Connexus Travel (formally known as Swire Travel), one of the largest corporate travel businesses in Greater China, has signed a long-term technology sharing agreement…
Centrepiece comes to life at AIME 2020
Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP) – home to some of Australia’s top sporting and entertainment events – has announced it will showcase its highly anticipated new convention…
Final countdown begins for AIME 2020
Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) – the leading meetings and incentives event in the region – will open its doors next week to showcase a bigger event in 2020 than seen…
Qantas takes off from Golden Gate to Sunshine state
San Franciscans flew direct from San Francisco to Brisbane for the first time, with Qantas operating a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on a brand-new route. The 13-hour 45 minute, 11,367km…
Victoria’s popular tourism experiences safe for visitors
Victoria’s most popular tourist destinations and attractions are open, safe and welcoming visitors from near and far. While bushfires have had a significant impact in parts of far east…
Trivago could pay millions for duping consumers
Hotel price aggregator Trivago is facing potentially a multi-million dollar fine after it was found that it breached Australian Consumer Law by misleading consumers with its ads.
Virgin Australia signs codeshare deal with ANA
Virgin Australia and All Nippon Airways (ANA) will implement codeshare flights and launch reciprocal frequent flyer benefits for their members. ANA guests will be able to codeshare on…
Cruise industry gears up for bushfire recovery
Australia’s cruise industry continues to operate at full capacity and has united with other tourism sectors in planning for the recovery of communities impacted by fires. Cruise Lines…
Surfs up at AIME 2020
The Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) Insider has revealed that URBNSURF will make a splash at AIME 2020. Australia’s very first surf park is set to exhibit at its…
Travel tech this week: Flying taxis by 2023 and more
For this week’s travel tech stories, Uber and Hyundai showed a glimpse of the future of transportation with flying taxis. Companies strive for expansion with start-up The Guild raising new…
Australian fires curb nation’s tourism
Operators have predicted that this terrible disaster will cost the tourism industry hundreds of millions.
Green measures, route expansion and other feathers in Royal Brunei Airlines’ cap
Already flying one of the youngest and eco-friendly fleets in the world, Royal Brunei Airlines has unveiled plans to introduce a host of new eco measures throughout 2020 to ensure the…
10,000 mile magic: British Airways takes family on journey of a lifetime
As its centenary year draws to a close, British Airways has waved its magic wand for the 100th time to take a very deserving customer on the trip of a lifetime to Australia to surprise…
Face-to-face meetings still trump tech-facilitated interactions
An overwhelming majority (91%) of event planners value face-to-face meetings more than video interactions or conference calls, according to the latest research from Accor.
Ink Hotels: The right brand in the right place
Hospitality firm Next Story Group has announced the opening of its first property under the Ink Hotels brand.
Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank, found in Melbourne’s hip waterfront hub, is a…
Fear of loneliness holds back people to travel solo
Most of us remember travelling with family or friends, travel trends are changing: in recent years, more people have embraced solo travel to satisfy the desire for alone time.
TD’s Anthony Gallagher meets Richard Branson inviting Aussies to join the fun on Scarlet Lady maiden voyage
Richard Branson made sure that Australians will be able to join the maiden voyage of Scarlet Lady in April 2020 as his cruise line Virgin Voyages partnered with Virgin Australia that will…
33% more Brits are flying over New Year this year
British travellers are, on the whole, travelling more since last year with a 33% increase in people flying between 30 December 2019 and 7 January 2020
G Adventures increases Asia footprint
Melbourne-headquartered G Adventures says it will strengthen sales activities across Asia. After a record year for bookings from Asian travellers, the company’s director of emerging…
Tourism Australia invites Indians to ‘Experience the game and beyond’ at ICC T20 World Cup 2020
With India having emerged as the fastest growing inbound market for the nation Down Under, Tourism Australia launched its dedicated campaign to drive Indian visitors for the sports…
Passenger service charge reduced in Malaysia
AirAsia has introduced a reduced passenger service charge (PSC) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) and other international airports in Malaysia. The move follows last…
Accor embarks on bold dual venture with Victorian ‘Brady’ family
Accor, together with prominent Victorian ‘Brady’ family of Amber Property Group, has made a major dual hotel announcement. Entering the hotel scene for the first time, the Brady family…
Gastronomical wellbeing in the air
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Singapore-based wellness brand COMO Shambhala have co-created specially curated wellness dishes on selected flights. The wellness cuisine, to be available…
“Quarter of rooms under construction in APAC carry a Hilton flag”: Matt Fry, Hilton
In August Hilton announced that by the middle of 2019 the company has signed up 120 new hotels in APAC Keen to discover more I spoke to the Hilton's SVP of development in Asia, Matt Fry to…
Asia’s top ten cities for meetings & events
CWT M&E, CWT’s MICE division, has unveiled its top ten of the best locations for holding meetings and events in the Asia Pacific, ahead of the publication of WT’s 2020 Meetings &…
The world by wheels: The longest, most epic road trips
From movies like Almost Famous, Little Miss Sunshine and the classic Thelma and Louise, road trips are a great way to see the world.
“Positioned to grow”: Qantas new SVP of Asia talks market share, cabin upgrades and the Qantas Channel
Back at the end of June, Qantas unveiled John Simeone as its new senior vice president for Asia and Papua New Guinea, based in Singapore. To find out more about the new role, I snatched a…
Sansiri raises stake in Standard International to drive expansion in Thailand
Sansiri, Thailand’s leading real estate developer, announced its investment to increase its shareholding in Standard International Holdings (SIH), the parent company of The Standard, an…
Luxury Escapes launches ‘Experiences’ platform for travellers in Asia
Australian travel deals company Luxury Escapes has announced the launch of its new category-leading product, Experiences. Building on the e-commerce platform’s extensive partnerships…
“A smarter way for travellers to immerse themselves in their destinations”: Luxury Escapes launches ‘Experiences’
Luxury Escapes has announced the launch of its new category-leading product, Experiences.
Building on the e-commerce platform’s extensive partnerships with some of the world’s best known…
QANTAS opens updated business lounge at Changi Airport
Australian carrier QANTAS announced that it flung open the doors of its newly expanded, refurbished and updated Business Lounge this week.
Qantas International Acting CEO Mr Naren Kumar…
AmEx’s Hotel Monitor 2020 report predicts highest room rate growth for APAC in Bengaluru
The recent Hotel Monitor 2020 report by American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) with the support of Global Business Consulting (GBC) predicts highest room rate growth for Bengaluru…
Srilankan bullish on Colombo-Delhi route, unveils third freqeuncy
SriLankan Airlines has announced additional frequencies between Colombo and Delhi to take its total weekly offerings between the two capitals to 18 flights. Apart from the existing two…
Ormond Hotels to debut first boutique property, The Chow Kit, in Kuala Lumpur
Opening in the heart of old Kuala Lumpur, The Chow Kit - an Ormond Hotel, will boast 113 rooms and suites in the eponymous Chow Kit neighbourhood. Known for its bustling market and local…
Qantas secretly selling first class seats on Airbnb
Qantas has revealed that it secretly put up first class seats for sale on Airbnb for as low as USD 20. However, these flights can only be redeemed only with Qantas points.
Bullseye: AIME targets international MICE professionals with 2020 Hosted Buyer Program
Following the great success of AIME 2019, the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), in February, has announced the launch of its 2020 Hosted Buyer Program.
With over 100…
Qantas Points Plane: Seats that will not cost you a cent
Qantas has launched its new flight where seats do not cost money – but there’s a catch!
Hot hotel openings: “Where the well-heeled flock for a getaway”
In this week’s edition of hot hotel openings, we’ve got properties from Meliá Hotels International, Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, Holiday Inn & Suites and Hyatt.
Genting: Dreams of mermaids and unicorns
Cruise heavyweight Genting, has unveiled artwork outlining the concept and good looks of its latest arrival’s new hull design, the 75,338 -ton, 1,870 capacity Explorer Dream, ahead of its…
Here are the top destinations for bleisure travel
Tokyo ranks first out of 26 cities in the region for its combination of business and leisure—or bleisure—appeal for travellers.
On the double: IHG opens second voco in the UK
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed a franchise agreement to debut voco, its new upscale brand in the West Midland’s town of Solihull.
MICE: When 12 heads are better than one
BestCities Global Alliance, a community of 12 cities around the world, dedicated to the betterment of international conferences and meetings, believes, naturally, that the right partner is…
AIME puts luxury MICE in its crosshairs
Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), has unveiled some of the big names from the world of luxury travel who will put their unique venues and destinations into the limelight of…
MICE work if you can get it: Five tips for matching venues to your event
Putting on any type of event can be a daunting business. There are so many variables involved – many unique to each specific location – that a MICE newbie can easily find themselves out of…
AccorHotels rallies with Serena Williams and Tennis Australia
AccorHotels has announced an exclusive three-year deal with Tennis Australia and re-signs Serena Williams as Official Ambassador in Australia.
Trivago confesses to false advertising in Australia
Trivago has admitted that it led customers into believing that the results page shows the lowest prices in the “more deals” section.
Deal or no deal: eNett CEO on his once-in-a-lifetime pitch in a taxi
They say that you should know your business inside out for you will never know when an opportunity strikes. Learn from Anthony Hynes, founder and CEO of payment firm eNett, who seized his…
X marks the spot: AirAsia X Indonesia is no more
Following the release of its financial results for Q3 of 2018, AirAsia revealed that AirAsia X Indonesia (IAAX) will end its scheduled operations in the New Year to become a non-scheduled…
Guiyang city, China, sees outbound growth rate of 389%: Ctrip travel report
According to the report on 2017 China's Outbound Tourism, jointly released by China Tourism Academy and Ctrip, Chinese citizens made over 130 million outbound trips in 2017, spending USD…
Delhi up: Air Canada boosts network with daily flights to Indian capital
Air Canada has boosted service on four routes from Vancouver this week by increasing its service to Delhi to a year round daily operation as of 2 June 2019.
AVANI signs second hotel in Busan, South Korea
AVANI Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing for its second South Korean property, located in Busan’s city centre.
Singapore Airlines and Tourism Australia sign AUD 11 million marketing deal
Singapore Airlines and Tourism Australia have re-affirmed their commercial ties with a three-year strategic marketing deal.
St Regis Hotels & Resorts ready for Australian debut in 2022
St Regis Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of The St. Regis Melbourne, marking the first hotel in Australia for the renowned luxury brand.
Explorer Dream joins the Dream Cruises fleet as pathfinder
“Explorer Dream”, a 75,338 gross ton, 1,870 passenger cruise ship, will join the Dream Cruises family in spring 2019 in the role of pathfinder for the brand’s global aspirations.
Cosmos launches 25 exotic itineraries across four continents
UK-based escort touring provider, Cosmos, has launched 25 new tours to exotic destinations in South and Central America, Asia, Africa and the South Pacific.
Emirates announces new codeshare agreement with Jetstar Pacific
Emirates and Jetstar Pacific have announced a new codeshare agreement expanding the existing partnership between the two carriers.
The Cotswolds collection: Onefinestay adds 13 new homes to UK portfolio
Following on from the expansion of its Australasian and European network, London based private rental company onefinestay has turned its attentions back home with the announcement of new…
AVANI continues expansion with second hotel in Malaysia
AVANI Hotels and Resorts has announced its latest property scheduled to open in Kota Kinabalu, as part of its continued expansion in Asia.
“Delighted by the support our brand enjoys from India”: Mandarin Oriental’s CMO
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group recently launched a new global initiative, Mindful Meetings, designed to enhance and energise meetings and conferences with solutions based on five key…
1300 Danish volunteers become ‘Rethink hosts’ for cruise guests in Aarhus
Cruise guests arrving in the Port of Aarhus will be welcome by a team of volunteering local hosts.
Swiss-Belhotel and SIA reward KrisFlyers with triple mile points
Swiss-Belhotel and Singapore Airlines launch new promotion rewards in Australia and New Zealand.
Netflights.com lists the 20 best airport lounges in the world
To help avoid these airport blues, Netflights.com has taken a sneak peek into airport lounges around the world, to see if your time can be spent being less stressed and more travel happy.
W Hotels plants Australian roots with W Brisbane
W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, enters Australia with the opening of W Brisbane in one of its fastest-growing cities.
Swiss-Belhotel reveals ambitious global plan with up to 70 hotels in the pipeline
Global hospitality management chain Swiss-Belhotel International has revealed its ambitious expansion plan of launching at least 60 new hotels and resorts worldwide in the next few years.
Air France and Qantas rekindles partnership, sharing more than 200 weekly flights
After dropping codeshare flights five years ago when the airline forged a global alliance with Emirates, Qantas has reinstated its codeshare agreement with Air France, giving passengers more…
SilkAir merges with SIA as part of a three-year transformation strategy
Last year, Tiger Air was merged into the Scoot brand when owner Singapore Airlines (SIA) took a 56% ownership of the company. Now SIA has announced that its other subsidiary, regional…
Audley Travel grabs first place at the Great Australian Challenge
The Great Australian Challenge, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Tourism Australia’s annual agent event, took place on Tuesday 1 May at London’s Hippodrome in Leicester Square. The competition…
MICE – The top four hotels for meetings & events in Sydney
When it comes to Australian cities, there is no doubt Sydney has the highest international profile. Canberra may be the country capital but, I think we can all agree, Sydney has the…
AirAsia partners with Sarawak Tourism Board to support cornerstone music festivals
AirAsia is partnering with the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) for the upcoming Borneo Jazz Festival to be held in Miri on 11-13 May and the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) taking place…
China Airlines new code share partnership to drive closer links between France and Taiwan
Following the announcement towards the end of last year of Air France’s partnership with Vietnam Airlines, the French carrier has released details of another Asian collaboration, this time…
Howzat! AVANI’s latest opening makes a hat-trick in Oceania
After the completion of AVANI Metropolis Auckland Residences in New Zealand October 2017, AVANI Hotels & Resorts have returned to Oceania to open their second site in Australia, and…
SIA “step-up frequency” of Singapore-Canberra-Wellington services
Singapore Airlines were the first airline to run a regular service from Singapore to Canberra and Wellington, when it established the route in September 2016, but the success of ‘Capital…
Qantas means business in Perth with a new direct flight to London, new lounge and a new take on passenger wellness
In a journey set to go down in aviation history, Qantas has hardwired Perth to London, with the completion of the first direct commercial flight between the Australia and the UK.
Book, bid and win: UpsellGuru enhances up-selling strategy for hoteliers
UpsellGuru, based in Germany with a satellite office in Malaysia, has become a favourite of boutique chains and independent brands in the luxury side of hospitality for this reason. Launched…
Flight Centre releases 2018 Australia travel trends
To celebrate Australia Day, Flight Centre has released findings from its second annual Australia Travel Trends Report with the latest stats, trends and predictions around travel to…
TEST Knowledge is power: knowledge program set to shake up AIME
Provocative and inspiring sessions by industry experts and thought leaders are at the core of the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo’s (AIME) highly anticipated Knowledge Program…
Knowledge is power: knowledge program set to shake up AIME
Provocative and inspiring sessions by industry experts and thought leaders are at the core of the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo’s (AIME) highly anticipated Knowledge Program for…
Malaysia Airlines to resume flights to Brisbane
Malaysia Airlines has announced that it will be reinstating direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Brisbane from 6 June 2018.
The service will run four times a week, providing 120,000…
Serena Williams returns to Australian Open with AccorHotels
AccorHotels, an Official Partner of the Australian Open, has for the third year in a row signed on tennis superstar Serena Williams as its Official Ambassador for the tournament, as the new…
Philippine Airlines enters 2018 with ‘Great Winter Seat Sale’
Philippine Airlines (PAL) offers value for money on return flights to Asian and Australasian destinations with its 'Great Winter Seat Sale.' All daily flights on the airline’s new Boeing…
Qantas opens lounge at Heathrow
Qantas is welcoming customers into the new Qantas London Lounge at Heathrow Airport from today.
Located at London Heathrow Terminal 3, it opens as the airline is counts down to its…
Premier unveils 2018 Australia & New Zealand brochure
Premier Holidays has unveiled its 2018 Australia and New Zealand brochure.
It includes tours valid for travel until March 2019 and the operator's new Smart Choice brand is featured for…
Dazzling sun or cosy fires? Six contrasting tips for the festive season
Whether it’s escaping the winter chill, or embracing it wholeheartedly, Worldhotels has the ideal locale to suggest for guests at the end of 2017.
Who won what at the AccorHotels 2017 Pacific Franchise Awards?
Pullman Reef Hotel & Casino hosted the AccorHotels Pacific Franchise Conference on 23 & 24 November which was attended by over 100 franchisees, potential owners and industry movers…
Etihad’s Swiss flights become Boeing 787 Dreamliner services
Etihad Airways’ flights to and from Switzerland will become an all-Boeing 787 Dreamliner operation with the aircraft being deployed on the Abu Dhabi – Geneva route, from 25 March 2018.…
Sunshine Coast Aviation Partnership forges new tourism opportunities
Earlier this month, Visit Sunshine Coast’s sub-regional panel unanimously approved an extensive drive market campaign designed to maintain the record numbers of visitors coming to the…
Disney’s record smashing attraction ‘Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N’ hits Oz
Cityneon Holdings Limited has revealed today the Minister for Tourism and Major Events - Victorian Government, The Hon. John Eren MP; The Walt Disney Company Australia/New Zealand managing…
Travelzoo uncovers the secret travel habits of Hong Kong
Travelzoo, a global publisher of exclusive travel offers, has disclosed the travel preferences of Hong Kong travellers. The information is based upon data derived from their first half-year…
QT Hotels – Ultimate Honeymoon Destinations
Now that the wedding date has been set, the venues and catering have been booked, and the dresses and tuxedos have been selected, it is time for the best part of the wedding planning…
Philippine Airlines launches B777-300ER on London-Manila route
Philippine Airlines has launched the new B777-300ER aircraft on the London - Manila route.
While the inaugural flight left Heathrow on 19 September, daily flights for the B777-300ER start…
MICE costs rising
Overall cost per attendee per day for meetings and events around the globe increased in 2017 and is expected to continue rising next year, according to the 2018 Meetings and Events Future…
China Southern Airlines announces flights to Cairns
China Southern Airlines is launching its fifth Australian route this December, opening up Queensland’s tropical north to UK passengers.
The new route will fly from Heathrow to…
Singapore air traffic keeps climbing
Traffic at Singapore's Changi Airport continued to increase in July, driven by demand for routes to and from India.
The Southeast Asian gateway airport handled 5.42 million passengers…
Qantas posts second highest underlying profit in the company’s history.
Qantas has just released its 2016/17 financial results, with a statutory pre-tax profit of $1.18 billion and an "underlying profit before tax" of $1.4 billion. That was 8.6% lower than last…
The latest appointments, including CWT’s new managing director for Asia
BINDU BHATIA has been named as Carlson Wagonlit Travel's new managing director for Asia Pacific, effective 1 September. She succeeds Kai Chan, who will be leaving the company. Ms Bhatia,…
Zhengzhou gets first Australian connection
Zhengzhou, the capital of central China's Henan province, will get its first direct connection to Australia later this year.
Jetstar has announced plans to start flying direct to the…
PAL to fly non-stop to New Zealand
Philippine Airlines will launch direct flights to New Zealand later this year, reducing the current travelling time between Manila and Auckland by more than two hours.
The national…
Vietnam embarks on Australian tourism roadshow
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has kicked off a three-city roadshow in Australia.
Supported by Singapore Airlines, the Vietnam Tourism Roadshow will include events…
Australia’s Mantra Group agrees artistic acquisition
Mantra Group, the Australian hotel company, has entered into an agreement to acquire the Art Series Hotel Group.
The deal with the Deague Group is worth approximately AU$52.5 million…
BEER WE GO! Four Points Best Brews Around the World Brew Off Kicks Off International Beer Day
One of Marriott International's Fastest Growing Hotel Brands Celebrates Beer Around the Globe -with Events to Take Place in New York City, Cancun, Kelowna, Melbourne, Nairobi and…
The latest appointments, including new female heads at India Tourism and WTTC
RAVNEET KAUR has become the new chair and managing director of the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), becoming the first women to hold the role. In a 29-year career, Ms Kaur…
Oman Air spreads wings in Asia Pacific
Oman Air has expanded its Asia Pacific network with the signing of a codeshare partnership with Malaysia Airlines.
Effective immediately, Oman Air passengers will be able to connect…
Qantas responds to rising Japanese demand
Qantas is responding to rising demand for travel between Australia and Japan with the launch of a new seasonal service to Osaka.
The airline has revealed plans to operate direct flights…
AccorHotels plans first double-decker hotel
AccorHotels has revealed plans for its first "vertical dual hotel", with a new tower in Australia featuring a Novotel sitting on top of an ibis.
Scheduled to open in central Melbourne…
Sri Lanka to welcome first ever A380 flight
Emirates will operate a one-off Airbus A380 flight to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport next month, marking the first time the world's largest passenger aircraft has flown to…
Hong Kong air traffic rises in first half of 2017
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) experienced rising passenger traffic and flight movements in the first half of 2017.
According to the latest data from Hong Kong's Airport Authority…
Travellanda sees sharp rise in Australian sales
Travellanda, the global bedbank, has reported a sharp increase in its Australian sales and plans to ramp up is operations in the country.
In the most recent fiscal year ending 31 March…
Where to Stay: new hotels from Fairmont, Regent, Hilton and more
Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon
Location: Singapore's Little India district
Grade: Midscale
Keys: 328
Facilities: Restaurant, 24-hour "grab and go" F&B outlet, fitness…
Philippine Airlines ranks amongst top ten most improved airlines
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been recognised as being among the World's 10 Most Improved Airlines, a category within the Skytrax World Airline Awards.
The airline was ranked at six,…
Where to Stay: new hotels in Vietnam, China and Australia
Fusion Resort Phu Quoc
Location: Cua Can Bay in the north of southern Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 97 pool villas with up to five bedrooms
Facilities: Several…
Cathay connects to Mongolia with MIAT
Cathay Pacific is now offering passengers the chance to fly to Mongolia, following the start of a new codeshare agreement with MIAT, the Mongolian national carrier.
Effective 12 July…
Philippine Airlines is AFL Europe official partner
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced that it is the Official Airline Partner of AFL Europe.
The partnership will assist the ongoing development of Australian Football in Europe,…
Inaugural Qatar Airways flight lands at Dublin Airport
Dublin has welcomed the first Qatar Airways flight from Doha.
To celebrate this special occasion, the airline flew its next-generation Airbus A350 aircraft to Dublin, giving guests and key…
Philippine Airlines reconfigures A330s
Philippine Airlines has converted the layout of eight A330-300 aircraft and introduced a new cabin product on nine of its international destinations.
This comes ahead of the launch of…
Philippine Airlines introduces premium economy on A330s
Philippine Airlines has started to reconfigure its Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a new three-class layout, which includes the introduction of its new premium economy class.
The…
Hyatt ramps up roll-out of lifestyle brands
Hyatt is accelerating the expansion of two of its so-called "lifestyle" brands, Hyatt Place and Hyatt House.
In the first six months of 2017 the company opened 19 new hotels under…
Eco-friendly hotel brand to launch in Australia
Marriott International has revealed plans to launch its eco-friendly Element Hotels brand in Australia.
The company has penned a management deal for a new-build hotel located in…
Jetstar’s Dreamliner takes off to Vietnam
Australia's Jetstar Airways has launched its first flights to Vietnam, using its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
The inaugural service departed this week and Jetstar will now operate…
Asian air route updates from AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Air Astana and more
AirAsia launches Borneo's new intra-island route
Where? Kuching (Malaysia) to Pontianak (Indonesia)
When? Daily, effective immediately
Who? AirAsia
Why? Low-cost carrier expands…
Hong Kong Airlines spreads wings Down Under
Hong Kong Airlines has enhanced its presence in Australia and New Zealand with the launch of a major new codeshare partnership with Virgin Australia.
The new agreement will enable the…
Asian air route updates: including Singapore Airlines’ latest European connection…
SIA expands A350 network in Europe
Where? Singapore to Stockholm (Sweden)
When? Five times a week, effective immediately
Who? Singapore Airlines
Why? SIA continues to utilise its new…
Asian air route updates: new flights from JAL, Air Astana, China Southern and more…
China Southern adds Shenzhen's first link to Melbourne
Where? Shenzhen (China) to Melbourne (Australia)
When? Twice a week, effective immediately (rising to three times a week on 3 July…
Pacific Explorer transformation begins
The final countdown is on for next month's debut of P&O Cruises' Pacific Explorer, with the ship's multi-million dollar transformation underway in Singapore.
During her 12-day dry…
AccorHotels partners Cirque du Soleil during tour Down Under
AccorHotels has become the "Official Accommodation Partner" of Cirque du Soleil's tour of Australia and New Zealand, which kicks off on 1 September 2017.
As part of the arrangement,…
Virgin Australia adds new Canadian connections
Virgin Australia's passengers are now being offered connections to three major Canadian cities, via the airline's trans-Pacific flights to Los Angeles.
A new codeshare agreement with…
Asian air route updates: new flights from AirAsia X, SriLankan, SilkAir and more…
Thai Lion links Bangkok with Bali
Where? Bangkok Don Mueang (Thailand) to Denpasar (Indonesia)
When? Daily, effective 1 July 2017
Who? Thai Lion Air
Why? Connecting two of Southeast…
The latest appointments from Carlson Rezidor, Fiji Airways and more…
ERIC DE NEEF has been named as Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group's new executive vice president, global chief branding & commercial officer. While he will be based in Brussels, de Neef…
Emirates goes triple daily on Brisbane route
Emirates will continue to expand its Australian operations later this year, with the launch of a third daily service to Brisbane.
Commencing on 1 December 2017, the new direct flight…
Asian air route updates: new flights from Norwegian, Spring, Air China and more…
Spring adds low-cost link between key Asian cities
Where? Shanghai Pudong (China) to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
When? Four times a week, effective immediately
Who? Spring Airlines
Why?…
Philippines Airlines to operate Boeing 777-300ER on London to Manila route
From mid-December this year a Philippines Airlines (PAL) Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will serve the daily London to Manila route.
PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime J.…
Asian air route updates: new flights from Korean Air, Vietjet, Air Canada and more…
Korean Air connects Seoul with Spain
Where? Seoul (South Korea) to Barcelona (Spain)
When? Three times a week, effective immediately
Who? Korean Air
Why? Rising demand for flights…
Air Canada expands APAC links from Vancouver
Air Canada has continued to expand its trans-Pacific connections from Vancouver, with the launch of a new route to Asia Pacific.
The airline has already announced plans to launch new…
Emirates opens larger lounge in Bangkok
Emirates passengers are now able to relax in a larger lounge at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The expanded Emirates Airport Lounge at Thailand's main international gateway reopened…
Airbnb Finds Families Prefer Traveling to New Destinations Each Year
Perhaps 2017 is the year to move on from the annual trip to the lake house, or at least shake things up a bit with a second family vacation to Kyoto or Bordeaux. According to a recent survey…
RCCL new Quantum class ship to sail from Asia-Pacific
Royal Caribbean International has unveiled future plans for the first Quantum Ultra-class ship to be based in the Asia-Pacific region. Set to be launched in spring 2019, the yet-to-be-named…
APT offers savings on Australia and New Zealand holidays
APT is offering agents the chance to offer savings of up to GBP1,000 (approx US$1,280) per couple on a selection of Premium and Luxury escorted holidays to Australia and New Zealand.…
SIA expands European network with Air France-KLM
Singapore Airlines has signed a deal that will significantly expand its route network in Europe.
The national carrier has penned a Memorandum of Understanding with Air France-KLM to…
The latest appointments, including Cathay Pacific’s new CEO
RUPERT HOGG has been appointed CEO of Cathay Pacific, officially replacing Ivan Chu on 1 May. Hogg, who previously served as the airline's chief operating officer, will now lead Cathay…
Etihad plays host to the world’s 50 best chefs in Australia
Many of the world’s best chefs and culinary media have experienced Etihad Airways’ award-winning hospitality on their way to Australia for the announcement of The World’s 50 Best…
Cunard Announces Voyages for 2019
Luxury cruise brand, Cunard, has today unveiled its January to May 2019 programme called the 'Oceans of Discovery' which will include a voyage to Alaska. This will be the first time that the…
Virgin Australia kicks off new trans-Pacific route
Virgin Australia launched a new trans-Pacific route this week, flying direct between Melbourne and Los Angeles.
The inaugural service departed at 1130 on 4 April 2017 and landed at…
John Borghetti leads Virgin Australia into bright new era
After six years at the helm of Virgin Australia, John Borghetti is as charming, polished and passionate about the airline as ever. He has led the company through many substantial challenges,…
Four Points to arrive in New Zealand
Marriott International has unveiled plans to launch its Four Points by Sheraton brand in New Zealand.
The company has penned a deal for the Four Points by Sheraton Auckland, which is…
Intrepid Group appoints new CEO
Intrepid Travel Co-founder Darrell Wade has appointed a young successor to take over the role of Chief Executive Officer as part the company’s long-term vision to grow sustainable tourism.…
Asian air route updates: Virgin Australia, Thai Lion, Air India and more…
Bangladesh gets low-cost Dubai link
Where? Dubai (UAE) to Sylhet (Bangladesh)
When? Four times a week, effective immediately (rising to six per week in May 2017)
Who? Flydubai
Why? New…
Aussie flyer injured by headphone fire
A woman suffered burns to her face after her headphones caught fire on a flight to Australia.
Channel NewsAsia reports that the passenger was listening to her own battery-operated…
Etihad to fly largest aircraft to Paris
Etihad Airways has confirmed that it will deploy its largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, on its Abu Dhabi-Paris route this summer.
The double-decker jet will operate one of the…
The latest appointments from AccorHotels, Six Senses and more
GILLIAN MILLAR has been appointed as AccorHotels' new senior vice president for New Zealand, Fiji & French Polynesia. Ms Millar rejoined AccorHotels in 2012 following its merger with…
Cunard to spend record two months in Australia
Cunard has released details of its 2019 international cruise programme, which will include a record two-month season in Australia.
Australians will be able to choose from 27 local…
Foodie Mania Heads to Sea with Rise in Culinary Cruises
Australians' appetite for food has reached the high seas with P&O Cruises revealing a record number of families are sailing away on Food and Wine cruises.
In response to growing…
Garuda boosts Australian routes
Garuda Indonesia will increase its flights to Australia this summer, providing more connections to and from Jakarta and Bali.
In a joint press conference with Tourism Australia, the…
Qantas forms Asian connections with Israel
Qantas and El Al have formed a new partnership aimed at improving flight connectivity between Australia and Israel.
Under the new agreement, the national carriers will connect with…
Asian air route updates: AirAsia, Tigerair, Jetstar Pacific and more
Chinese travellers get more flights to Malaysia
Where? Guangzhou (China) to Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
When? Twice a week, effective immediately
Who? Sichuan Airlines
Why? Chinese carrier…
Asian air route updates: Tigerair Taiwan, Sichuan Airlines and more
Jeju gets new budget service from Taiwan
Where? Taipei (Taiwan) to Jeju, pictured (South Korea)
When? Twice a day, effective 28 March 2017
Who? Tigerair Taiwan
Why? Low-cost carrier…
AccorHotels seeks sporting boost with Rugby League World Cup
AccorHotels is aiming to enhance its fan base in Oceania by partnering the Rugby League World Cup.
The hotel group has become the Official Accommodation Partner of the tournament,…
Etihad reports year of sustained growth as it evolves into EAG
Etihad Airways delivered another year of sustained growth in 2016, helped by new aircraft, additional frequencies and the introduction of further world-class products.
The airline…
Australia considers high-speed Hyperloop
The Australian government is considering plans to use Elon Musk's Hyperloop as an ultra-high-speed way of connecting Sydney and Melbourne.
The Hyperloop was suggested this week in a…
Malaysia’s YTL acquires London hotel
Malaysia's YTL Hotels has acquired a Marriott-branded property in London.
The 74-room Threadneedles Hotel, which is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, is located in London's…
Tigerair Australia withdraws from Bali
Tigerair Australia has suspended all flights to Bali, less than a year after it started flying to the island.
The low-cost carrier said the decision had been taken after Indonesian…
Singapore air traffic soars to record levels
Singapore's Changi Airport experienced a strong year in 2016, handling record numbers of passengers and flights.
According to official data released this week, a total of 58.7 million…
Australian hotel rates hit record high
Hotels in Australia are cashing in on strong demand by raising room rates to record levels.
According to the latest data from STR, the country's average daily rate (ADR) reached…
Qantas adds new capital connection to China
Qantas’ Asian expansion strategy took another step forward today (25 January 2017) with the relaunch of direct flights to China’s capital city, Beijing.
The Australian national carrier…
Philippine Airlines sheds seats to capture premium market
Philippine Airlines will remove more than 100 seats from some of its aircraft in a bid to woo more premium passengers.
Eight of the national carrier's 414-seat Airbus A330-300s will be…
Asian air route updates: HK Express, Tianjin Airlines and more
HK Express completes Pacific island double
Where? Hong Kong to Saipan (Northern Mariara Islands)
When? Three times a week, effective immediately
Who? HK Express
Why? New leisure travel…
Australia’s Jetstar plans first flights to Vietnam
Vietnam's tourism industry will get a lift this year when Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar launches its first two routes to the country.
In May 2017, Jetstar will start operating…
Travelodge arrives in Asia
Travelodge will make its debut in Asia next month with the opening of a new hotel in Hong Kong.
A 126-room midscale property on Nathan Road, currently operating as the Hotel Rainbow,…
Emirates to launch daily service to Croatia
Emirates will introduce a daily flight from Dubai to Zagreb (ZAG), the capital of Croatia from June 1, 2017.
The new southeast European destination will be served by an Emirates Boeing…
APT offers two new cruise holidays to New Zealand in 2017
Tour operator APT is offering a choice of two new ocean cruise holidays around New Zealand in 2017.
Available in APT’s two travel styles – Luxury or Premium - each journey has been hand…
Hyatt brings new lifestyle brand to Australia
Hyatt's newest hotel brand, Hyatt Centric, will enter Australia following the signing of a deal for a new property in Tasmania.
Scheduled to open in 2019, Hyatt Centric Hobart will be…
New Zealand gets multiple Chinese connections
New Zealand is set to welcome even more Chinese visitors, following the start of a series of new flights to Auckland.
The HNA Group recently launched two new routes that saw the arrival…
APT celebrates 90th anniversary with cruise sale
Tour operator APT is popping the cork on a huge year in 2017, celebrating 90 years from running a local bus route in Melbourne to cruising the Danube.
To mark the occasion, APT is…
AccorHotels acquires 15 Australian hotels
AccorHotels has reached a new agreement for the restructuring of its Australian portfolio, which will include the acquisition of 15 ibis hotels in the country.
Under the terms of the…
Qantas boosts Japan with new Narita service
Qantas has expanded its presence in Japan with the launch of new direct flights linking Melbourne with Tokyo's Narita Airport.
The new daily service, which is being operated using a…
SIA adds more flights to Ahmedabad, Dhaka
Singapore Airlines will increase its services to several Asia Pacific destinations next summer.
For the 2017 summer season, which runs from 26 March to 28 October, SIA will increase…
Tianjin Airlines welcomes Auckland aircraft
China's Tianjin Airlines has taken delivery of its second long-haul aircraft, ahead of the launch of its inaugural flights to Auckland this month.
The new Airbus A330-200 aircraft arrived…
Air Canada codeshares across Australasia
Air Canada has signed a new agreement with Virgin Australia that will allow it to codeshare on multiple flights across Australia and New Zealand.
Scheduled to commence in early 2017,…
China Southern connects to another Australian city
China Southern Airlines launched its first flight to Adelaide this week.
The Guangzhou-based airline touched down in the Australian city on 13 December, marking mainland China’s first…
Qatar Airways reveals latest A380 destination
Qatar Airways has revealed that Melbourne will become the next destination to be served by its largest aircraft, the Airbus A380.
Commencing on 30 June 2017, the 517-seat…
Qantas reveals first Dreamliner route
Qantas has revealed that the trans-Pacific route between Melbourne and Los Angeles will be the first to be operated by its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The long-haul jet's inaugural…
Etihad wins top A380 accolade
Airbus, manufacturer of the A380 aircraft, has presented Etihad Airways with the award for ‘Top Operational Excellence’ for A380 operations in 2015-2016.
The Etihad Airways A380 fleet…
Jetstar adds festive flights to Asia
Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar has announced plans to increase the number of flights it offers over the festive season, including extra capacity to Asia.
Until the end of January…
airberlin gets first connections to New Zealand
airberlin is now offering passengers the chance to connect to New Zealand for the first time, following the expansion of its codeshare partnership with Virgin Australia.
The two…
Qatar Airways adds two more Asia Pacific destinations
Qatar Airways will add two more Asia Pacific destinations to its route map in 2017, as part of a major expansion of its network.
The Doha-based airline will commence its first ever…
Vietnam Airlines welcomes 10th Dreamliner
Vietnam Airlines has celebrated the delivery of its 10th Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The new long-haul jet touched down in Hanoi last week and will initially be deployed on the airline's…
Vietnam Airlines to deploy new Dreamliner on London route
Vietnam Airlines has celebrated the delivery of the flag carrier’s 10th Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Hanoi, with the new aircraft set to be deployed on the airline’s services to London Heathrow…
Mantra signs five in Australia & NZ
Australia's Mantra Group has added five more hotels to its portfolio.
The new signings cover two of its brands - upscale Mantra and luxury Peppers - and five destinations, including…
Qatar Airways adds 158 more seats daily to Cape Town
Qatar Airways has increased daily capacity to the popular family holiday destination Cape Town, with the introduction of a Boeing 777 serving the route from this month. This means an…
Rewards up for grabs with Travel 2’s China bookings incentive
Travel 2 is giving agents the chance to win one of three £200 credits on their T2 Rewards card as part of its Discover China Southern Airlines with Travel 2 campaign.
The T2 Rewards Card…
Onyx sees “Airbnb” shift in serviced apartment sector
The serviced apartment industry’s traditional long-stay model is changing, with more people now opting to use such properties for short breaks.
This is according to Duncan Webb, Onyx…
Onyx looks to future following transformation
Onyx Hospitality Group expects to expand its portfolio by approximately 50% to more than 100 hotels across Asia Pacific and the Middle East by 2023.
Ten years on from the start of a…
Sri Lanka eyes future as global air hub
A teardrop in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka's unique geographic location could allow it to become a global aviation hub in the coming years.
Speaking to Travel Daily at the World Travel…
Brits set to flock to New Zealand this winter
Gulf carrier Emirates has revealed a huge rise in the number of travel bookings from the UK to New Zealand this winter, with Auckland seeing increases of up to 113% year-on-year. …
Etihad introduces six new Business Class amenity kit designs
Etihad Airways has introduced an updated collection of new destination-inspired Business Class amenity kit designs based on iconic cities on its extensive global network. The new range…
Qantas ramps up UK sales presence
Qantas is expanding its UK sales team with the addition of six new staff members who, as of this month, will take on the following roles: account manager Specialist Markets, leisure account…
Kuwait’s Action Hotels signs deal for new Oz property
Kuwait-based Action Hotels has signed a deal to develop its latest property in Australia - a US$69 million four-star hotel at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Action Hotels…
Etihad Airways goes daily to Madrid
Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi – Madrid route will operate daily with the introduction of three new flights each week, effective 1 June 2017.
The additional frequencies underscore the…
Etihad Airways and TA bring world’s culinary elite Down Under
Etihad Airways has signed an agreement with Tourism Australia to be the Official Airline Partner of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards in 2017.
Under the agreement, the airline will…
China Eastern flies to Brisbane
China Eastern Airlines will launch a new route linking Shanghai with Brisbane on 16 December.
The carrier will operate the non-stop service four times a week (outbound every Tuesday,…
Etihad goes double daily to Dublin year round
Etihad Airways will introduce a daily year-round service between Abu Dhabi and Dublin from 1 April, 2017, increasing the frequency on the route to 14 flights a week.
The second daily…
Tigerair boosts Brisbane with new aircraft and routes
Tigerair Australia has announced plans to base a third aircraft in Brisbane, enabling it to launch two new routes from the city.
From late March 2017, the low-cost carrier will deploy a…
Malaysia’s YTL Hotels expands UK portfolio
YTL Hotels has acquired three properties in Edinburgh, Berkshire and London, strengthening the company’s market position in the United Kingdom.
“We have worked hard to build a brand…
Air India adds Australian flights due to “overwhelming” demand
Air India will introduce three more flights to Australia next year.
The Economic Times reported the national carrier's chairman & managing director, Ashwani Lohani, as confirming…
Etihad Airways collaborates with leading fashion and skincare brands
Etihad Airways has revealed its new First Class amenity kits, designed in partnership with two leading brands from the worlds of fashion and beauty: internationally renowned fashion designer…
Travel 2 offers agents luxury incentive
Travel 2 is giving agents the chance to win one of five items worth £400 including a luxury watch, or handbag with its latest campaign, ‘Cathay Pacific – The Life Well Travelled’.
The…
Xiamen Airlines achieves double first in US
Xiamen Airlines' inaugural flight to Seattle takes off on Monday 26 September 2016, marking two milestones in the development of air connectivity between China and the US.
Not only will…
Virgin Australia spreads wings east and west
Virgin Australia has revealed plans to revise and expand its long-haul routes, both east across the Pacific and west across the Indian Ocean.
Commencing in 2017, the airline will…
Etihad named ‘Best International Airline – Offline’ at Kiwi agent awards
Etihad Airways was named ‘Best International Airline – Offline’ at the 2016 Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) National Travel Industry Awards held in Auckland on 10…
China Southern plans second Brisbane service
China Southern Airlines will launch its second scheduled service to Brisbane later this year.
The carrier has applied for permission to launch daily services from Shenzhen to the…
China’s Capital Airlines spreads wings to Russia
Capital Airlines, the fast-expanding Chinese carrier, is planning to launch its first ever flight to Russia in 2017.
The airline, which forms part of the HNA Group, has applied for…
THAI postpones A350’s international launch
Thai Airways International (THAI) has delayed the launch of its brand new Airbus A350 on the Bangkok-Melbourne route.
Following a series of short-haul services to Chiang Mai, the…
New deal to provide WTM delegates with discounted hotel rates
Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has signed a global agreement with HotelMap to give delegates attending any of its travel events access to state-of-the-art hotel booking.
The agreement…
Trafalgar launches South Pacific brochure online
Trafalgar’s new 2017 South Pacific programme, which comprises guided holidays across Australia and New Zealand, has launched online, and sees the introduction of a brand new Australian…
THAI enters A350 era
Thai Airways International (THAI) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350 aircraft, marking the start of a major new phase in the national carrier's fleet modernisation strategy.
The…
Air China to link Sydney with Chengdu
Air China has confirmed plans to launch a new direct service between Chengdu and Sydney.
At a press conference in Chengdu on Thursday, the airline revealed that the new route would…
Qingdao gets connected with new long-haul flights
The Chinese port city of Qingdao will soon be accessible from more parts of the world, following the launch of a series of new international flights.
China Eastern Airlines recently…
Etihad announces flights to Venice
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will expand its services to Italy with a daily flight to Marco Polo Airport.
The new service will begin from 30 October…
Etihad creates new bridge to Venice
Etihad Airways will expand its Italian network this autumn with the launch of a new direct service to Venice.
Effective 30 October 2016, Etihad's flights will replace Alitalia's…
China Southern to start flying to Adelaide
China Southern will launch direct flights between Guangzhou and Adelaide by the end of the year.
Due to commence on 12 December 2016, the new service will run three times a week,…
Travellers still pay too much for flights – Sabre
More than 40% of travellers pay above the average airfare when booking a flight, a new study has revealed.
According to data from Sabre, many travellers still aren't able to find the…
Australian prison hotel to offer nights behind bars
Visitors to Australia will soon be able to spend the night behind bars, without the need to get arrested first.
The historic Pentridge Prison, which is located just 8km from central…
Sichuan Airlines plans NZ flights
Sichuan Airlines is planning to launch its first flights to New Zealand.
The Chengdu-based carrier has applied to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for permission to…
雅乐轩品牌来到墨尔本
近日，喜达屋（Starwood）新签订一份协议，将把其雅乐轩酒店品牌带至墨尔本。
墨尔本南亚拉雅乐轩酒店计划于2019年前期开业，酒店将位于402教堂开发项目的中心，位于南亚拉地区。酒店距离墨尔本机场约40分钟车程。…
Etihad opens new First and Business lounge at LAX
Etihad Airways has officially opened its new First and Business Class Lounge within the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Together with…
Etihad supports Arab Film Festival Australia
Etihad Airways and Arab Film Festival Australia are joining forces again in 2016 to bring the best of contemporary Arab cinema to Australian audiences.
The 13th annual Arab Film Festival…
SilverNeedle continues Sage expansion in Australia
SilverNeedle Hospitality has continued to expand its Sage Hotels brand in Australia with the signing of a new property in Melbourne.
The new Sage Hotel Ringwood will form part of new…
Starwood signs second Four Points in Sydney
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed its second new Four Points hotel in Sydney in the space of a month.
Following a deal penned earlier in June for the 297-room Four Points by…
Tianjin Airlines touches down in the UK
Tianjin Airlines has celebrated the launch of its first flight to the UK, which arrived at London's Gatwick Airport on Saturday.
The new route marks the next step in the carrier's…
Starwood signs beachfront Westin in Queensland
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to manage a new-build Westin resort on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Scheduled to open in 2021, the Westin Coolum Resort & Spa…
Starwood signs new Four Points hotel in Sydney
Starwood has signed an agreement for a brand new Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Sydney.
Following the recent announcement that the existing Four Points hotel at Darling Harbour will…
Tianjin Airlines launches first long-haul flights
Tianjin Airlines launched its first ever long-haul flights on Monday, with the start of a new service to Moscow.
The Chinese carrier, which forms part of the HNA Group, will now…
Etihad upgrades Australian routes with newest aircraft
Etihad Airways has upgraded its Australian network with the deployment of new aircraft to two destinations.
The UAE-based airline’s Airbus A380 will touch down in Melbourne today (2 July…
Etihad Airways opens its first class lounge and spa
Etihad Airways recently opened its new first class lounge and spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 3.
The lounge is an ultra-exclusive lifestyle environment showcasing…
首都航空开通沈阳－墨尔本航线
中国海南航空集团子公司北京首都航空将于今年开开通其首条澳大利亚航线。
9月29日开始，首都航空将运营一周三趟沈阳－墨尔本航班，经停青岛。
在计划下，航班将于每周二、四、六15:25出发，并于次日08:25抵达墨尔本。返程航班将于每周三、五、日10:25出发，并将于23:35返回沈阳。
首都航空将使用211座的空客A330飞机执飞，飞机为商务舱33座、经济舱178座。…
China’s Capital Airlines flies to Australia
Capital Airlines, a subsidiary of China’s HNA Group, will make its debut in Australia later this year.
Commencing on 29 September 2016, the airline will operate three weekly flights…
Hyatt launches new brand in Southeast Asia
A new Hyatt Place hotel has opened in Phuket, marking the brand's arrival in Southeast Asia.
Hyatt Place Phuket Patong is a 161-room beachfront hotel, located in the centre of Phuket's…
SilverNeedle unveils Next hotel in Australia
SilverNeedle has signed an agreement for another Next hotel in Australia.
The contract with QIC Global Real Estate will see the new-build hotel rise in Melbourne, as part of a…
Qatar Airways adds fourth destination Down Under
Qatar Airways touched down in Adelaide for the first time on 3 May 2016, marking the airline's fourth destination in Australia.
The airline's group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker,…
雅高澳大利亚新增4座酒店
作为澳大利亚最大酒店运营商的雅高酒店（AccorHotels），继续在澳大利亚扩张着酒店业务，将新增4座酒店。
本周，在墨尔本澳大拉西亚酒店业展会上，雅高正式宣布将在悉尼、墨尔本和布里斯班新建两座酒店。…
Carlson Rezidor targets multiple new hotels in Oceania
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has announced plans to significantly expand its portfolio in Oceania.
At the 2016 Australasia Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition (AHICE) in…
AccorHotels adds four in Australia
AccorHotels, which is already Australia's largest hotel operator, has continued to expand its nationwide portfolio with the addition of four new properties.
Announced at the…
Etihad’s A380 debuts in India
Etihad Airways has started flying its Airbus A380 aircraft to India, with the launch of a new daily service to Mumbai.
Flight EY204 from Abu Dhabi landed at the Indian city's…
China Southern plans second Australian route from Shenzhen
China Southern Airlines has applied for permission to launch direct flights between Shenzhen and Melbourne.
If approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the new…
AirAsia X adds more flights to eight destinations
AirAsia X has unveiled plans for a major expansion of its operations, with additional flights to eight destinations across the Asia Pacific region.
The Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost…
Air China to link Shenzhen with Frankfurt
Air China will launch a new non-stop service between Shenzhen and Frankfurt next month.
Commencing on 20 May 2016, the airline will operate the route three times a week using a…
Tianjin Airlines kicks off long-haul era with Moscow flights
Tianjin Airlines will launch its first long-haul flights to Moscow this summer.
The Chinese airline, which forms part of the HNA Group, will commence services from Tianjin to Moscow…
Royal Brunei unveils new fare structure
Royal Brunei Airlines unveiled a new fare structure, including a series of new options for economy and business class passengers, increased baggage allowance and more mileage earning…
Sichuan Tourism unveils global cuisine campaigns
A series of new campaigns have been launched to highlight the best of Sichuan cuisine.
The Sichuan Provincial Tourism Development Committee and Sichuan Provincial Department of…
Hyatt doubles up at Shenzhen Airport
Hyatt has opened two new hotels at Shenzhen's Bao'an International Airport.
The new Hyatt Place Shenzhen Airport and Hyatt House Shenzhen Airport both opened this week, adding almost 280…
Holiday Inn Express debuts in Australia
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) will open its first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Australia on Monday 11 April.
The new Holiday Inn Express Sydney Macquarie Park is the first of 15…
Lufthansa and SWISS expand Asian networks with SIA
Singapore Airlines and the Lufthansa Group have announced a series of new Asian codeshare flights.
The two companies formed a commercial joint venture in November 2015 which has…
Tigerair Australia touches down in Asia
Tigerair Australia embarks on its first flights to Asia today (23 March 2016), with two the launch of three flights to Bali.
The low-cost carrier's first Bali-bound flight departed…
Xiamen Airlines reveals new long-haul routes
China’s Xiamen Airlines is stepping up its long-haul expansion with plans to launch flights to Vancouver, Seattle, New York and Melbourne in the coming months.
The airline launched its…
Etihad Airways, Taste Festivals roll out global partnership
Etihad Airways will highlight its culinary experiences – inflight and in its airport lounges – through a new multi-year partnership with Taste Festivals Ltd.
The airline, together…
NZ PM breaks ground on new Park Hyatt Auckland
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key oversaw the start of construction on a new Park Hyatt hotel in Auckland today (9 March).
The PM took part in a ground-breaking ceremony at the…
Qantas launches agent giveaway
Qantas has launched ‘The Great Qantas Giveaway’ – a prize draw that is exclusive to travel agents.
For a limited time only, agents who make an eligible Qantas booking before 31 May will…
Qatar celebrates arrival of inaugural Doha to Sydney flight
Qatar Airways has celebrated the arrival of its first flight from Doha to Sydney, making this the airline’s third gateway into Australia.
A delegation of VIPs from Qatar, including…
Ritz-Carlton to open at The Star Sydney
Ritz-Carlton will return to Sydney as part of a major expansion of The Star development, it has been revealed.
At the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne…
Emirates launches new golf tournament with ATPI
ATPI Group and Emirates have launched a new golf tournament, the ATPI Emirates Global Golf Challenge.
Open by invitation to clients of the ATPI Group, the ATPI Emirates Global Golf…
United to go “all-Dreamliner” on Australasia routes
United Airlines will start operating its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on all routes to Australia and New Zealand this year.
2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the US carrier's first flights to…
Tigerair Australia welcomes new aircraft for Bali flights
Tigerair Australia has unveiled the first of three Boeing 737-800 aircraft to be based at Melbourne Airport, ahead of the airline’s new direct services to Bali.
The new single-aisle…
Qantas launches incentives promotion for UK agents
Australian airline Qantas is offering UK travel agents the opportunity to enter an exclusive prize draw.
For a limited time only, agents who book and ticket an eligible Qantas flight…
Etihad Airways launches ‘The Residence’ for Kuwait travellers
Etihad Airways recently announced its decision to launch ‘The Residences’ for passengers from Kuwait.
The Residence feature a living room, double bedroom, and separate ensuite shower…
Emirates to add second A380 flight to Perth
Emirates will commence a second daily Airbus A380 service to Perth on 1 August.
The 519-seat, three-class A380 will replace the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that currently operates flights…
Emirates boosts its services to Athens
Emirates recently unveiled plans to boost capacity to Athens with addition of a second daily flight.
The new service will commence from 1 March 2016. The addition of a second daily…
Etihad Airways closes 2015 on a strong growth note
The last year turned out to be a successful close for Etihad Airways.
The airline carried 17.4 million passengers resulting in a significant increase of 17% over 2014, and operated…
Tigerair teams up with Flight Centre in Australia
Tigerair Australia and Flight Centre Travel Group have formed a new partnership aimed at promoting the airline’s services and offers to the travel agency's customers in Australia.
The…