News in Brief: Tuesday July 1

News in Brief: Tuesday July 1
By admin


Magellan Travel Group has today welcomed 10 new members, taking its network to 114.

The new additions are: Aus World Travel in Perth; Discovery Travel in Cammeray, NSW; Lidstrom & Clyne Travel in Sandringham, VIC; Mary Rossi Travel in Sydney, NSW; PBT Travel in Chatswood, NSW; Travel Centre Bendigo in VIC; Travel on Crown in Wollongong, NSW; Travel Experience.com in Mareeba and Atherton, QLD; World Corporate Travel (WCT) and Zeppelin Travel in Benowa, Queensland.

 

International air capacity into and out of Australia rose 8.9% in April year on year, with load factors also edging up one percentage point to 76% for the month.

Qantas maintained the largest share of the market with 16.6% of the total followed by Emirates with 9.7%, Singapore Airlines with 9%, Air New Zealand with 7.8% and Virgin Australia with 7.4%.

However, the Qantas Group’s overall share of the market slipped from 25.8% in April 2013 to 24.6% in April 2014.

Meanwhile, low cost carriers saw their share of the market creep up from 14.2% in April 2013 to 15.5% in April 2014.

 

G Adventures will expand its range of sailing itineraries for 2014/15 to include Turkey, British Virgin Islands and Cuba.

The adventure operator said the growth comes on the back of a strong few years for the adventure operator’s sailing program which has quadrupled in size since 2004.

 

Scenic Tours has launched its 2015 USA program which includes two new itineraries and a range of new cultural and dining experiences.

“Our USA program is only in its third year but our wide range of itineraries, which appeal to history, nature, culture and food lovers alike, are proving extremely popular,” general manager Aleisha Fittler said.

The operator is offering earlybird deals on bookings made by 30 November 2014, including free return flights to USA including taxes. 

 

The 2015 brochure from Rocky Mountaineer outlines 25 reasons to experience one of the operator’s rail journeys during its 25th season.

“Our life changing experiences are built on the 4S’s – scenery, service, sweet and savory and socialisation,” vice president global marketing Hubert Wat said.

“Guests from  around the world will enjoy the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies in style with 24 departures on our Coastal Passage route,  cruise and rail options with Holland America and an expanded selection of Circle Journeys encompassing the very best of rail travel.”

 

Rolf Huber, formerly of South African Airways, has joined African Wildlife and Natural Focus Safaris as business development manager for Victoria, to start in the role on July 2.

 

Travelport has signed a new, multi-year, global full content agreement with Hilton Worldwide.

The renewed deal ensures that Hilton’s 4,112 hotels, resorts and timeshare properties will continue to be made available through Travelport’s travel commerce platform to travel agency customers worldwide.   

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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