ΔΙΕΘΝΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΠΟΙΚΙΛΗΣ ΥΛΗΣ - ΕΔΡΑ: ΑΘΗΝΑ

Ει βούλει καλώς ακούειν, μάθε καλώς λέγειν, μαθών δε καλώς λέγειν, πειρώ καλώς πράττειν, και ούτω καρπώση το καλώς ακούειν. (Επίκτητος)

(Αν θέλεις να σε επαινούν, μάθε πρώτα να λες καλά λόγια, και αφού μάθεις να λες καλά λόγια, να κάνεις καλές πράξεις, και τότε θα ακούς καλά λόγια για εσένα).

Δευτέρα 28 Ιουλίου 2014

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW


1. IATA CEO ‘outraged’ following MH17 tragedy

IATA CEO, Tony Tyler has spoken out following the MH17 tragedy, calling the incident “an outrage”.“For over four days we witnessed appalling sights from the crash scene,”IATA CEO, Tony Tyler said.                      “Governments must set aside their differences and treat the victims and their families with the dignity they deserve – and this includes urgently securing the site.” 

2. Is Qantas breaking up with Jetstar?

Qantas is reportedly considering splitting its domestic and international operations in a bid to attract more foreign investment.
According to a report in the Australian Financial Review, the airline is considering to adopt a similar structure to that of its biggest domestic competitor, Virgin Australia following the Senate’s changes to the Qantas Sale Act last week.
The newspaper reports sources had indicated that Qantas was looking at its options as part of a structural review of its operations following big losses this year. Options may also include selling off its frequent-flyer business or Jetstar as part of the review, which according to analysts quoted in the report, “would be a positive for the airline”. 

3. Massive ROI in tourism marketing

A new report has revealed that for every incremental $1m spent on international tourism marketing, up to $16m in spend is generated by foreign tourists and 89 additional jobs are created.
The report “Estimates of the Return on Marketing Investment for Australian Inbound Tourism”, produced by industry researchers, Webber Quantitative Consulting, for Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA), highlights the importance of “government advocacy” across the tourism industry.
The report estimates that a $10m increase in inbound marketing and promotional budget would increase visitor numbers by up to 72,500, increase tourist expenditure by between $130m to $160m, and increase the number of tourism and hospitality jobs by over 1,800. 

4. CWT Uses Mobile to Harness Traveller Loyalty

Carlson Wagonlit Travel will integrate its Travel Gamification into its mobile app, CWT To Go. According to the company, the system will allow companies to make better travel decisions and drive savings on-the-go.    “Travel Gamification is a tool travel managers can use to positively reinforce behaviour compliant with their travel program. Providing travellers access to the tool via CWT To Go will help them understand the impact of their purchasing decisions, providing travel managers further opportunity to educate and influence their travellers to support the goals of their travel program,”
Joel Wartgow, senior director, CWT Solutions Group, Americas, said. 
Travel Gamification uses customised, competitive game-style elements to influence desired traveller behaviours and drive savings in corporate travel environments.
“As supplier pricing appears likely to increase through 2014, it’s more important than ever for travel managers to find innovative solutions to drive savings.”
Travel Gamification in CWT To Go will be available to companies that engage CWT Solutions Group in their Travel Gamification programs.

5. AVIS Scholarship deadline looming

Travel agents only have until 31 July to apply to win the prestigious Avis Travel Agent Scholarship. The winner of the 18th annual Scholarship will receive a range of educational and travel-related prizes valued in excess of $40,000, including Business Class flights to New York, a scholarship to study at Southern Cross University with financial support of up to $8,000, training modules from the Cruise Lines International Australasia, plus more. The awards programme is open to all leisure and corporate travel consultants, regardless of their current position, level of experience or commercial affiliations. To apply, agents can go to www.avisscholarship.com and register details. Every applicant also wins a two-day weekend rental voucher from Avis.

6. 1000th World Heritage Site unveiled

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has officially named Botswana’s Okavango Delta its 1000th World Heritage Site. A natural wonder, the Okavango Delta is a maze of lagoons and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife. Known as “the river that never finds the sea”, it lies at the heart of the Kalahari Desert. &Beyond has four lodges in the Okavango Delta where guests can explore the World Heritage Site by dugout canoe, on foot, on game drive or by helicopter.

7. AFTA Chairman re-appointed

Mike Thompson (helloworld) was re-reelected unanimously as the Chairman of the AFTA board of directors at last week’s AFTA AGM. In addition two Vice Chair positions were elected and they again were unanimous with Elizabeth Gaines (helloworld) and Graham Turner (Flight Centre) taking the positions. As a result of the recent resignation of Peter Brady (CWT) the board invited Tom Manwaring of Orient Express Travel Group to fill the casual vacancy.
“The AFTA board has shown great solidarity of purpose over the past few years and one of the reasons for this is the consistency of Mike Thompson as Chairman”
Jayson Westbury, AFTA Chief Executive said.
“I am delighted to have been re-elected Chairman of AFTA, a role that I greatly enjoy within an industry that I love” said Mike Thompson Chairman.

The addition of Tom Manwaring to the board will “clearly increase the representation across a diverse travel agency community in Australia” Westbury said.
The board will come together for the first time in September to consider the “many issues facing the industry at this time”, according to AFTA.

8. Emirates says Namaste

Emirates has commenced its first scheduled Airbus A380 service to India with a daily flight between Dubai and Mumbai earlier this week.
“Mumbai was one of the first destinations on our route network when we launched in 1985. In the past 29 years, we have flown over 42 million passengers between India and the UAE and so it is quite fitting that the city becomes our 29th A380 destination. Now our customers on the route can experience the luxury, the quietness and the outstanding service onboard an Emirates A380, in addition to the other four daily services we will continue to operate to the city,” Emirates’ Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean said.

9. Club Med launches new resort in Maldives

Club Med has announced the launch of brand new resort – the Finolhu Villas; an exclusive eco-chic “paradise” in the Maldives. The new resort is due to open in February 2015 and will include a collection of 52 waterfront Villas and serves as “testament to Club Meds’ commitment to offering travellers more upscale, all-inclusive holiday experiences”, according to the all-inclusive operator.
The stand-alone Resort will offer guests refined, luxury facilities and services as well as access to its nearby, Kani Premium Resort.
“For Australian honeymooners seeking the trip of a lifetime, or anyone else planning a romantic getaway, Finolhu Villas without a doubt offers one of the most exclusive and idyllic settings in the world,” Madeleine Clow, Club Med Australia and New Zealand General Manager said.

10. Accor double points on offer


Accor hotels has launched a ‘Get Double’ campaign for its Asia Pacific hotels that will provide registered members of Le Club Accorhotels with double points for eligible stays until 1 November 2014. The promotion includes more than 500 of Accor’s Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Sebel, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis hotels across Asia Pacific, from luxury city-centre hotels to relaxed beachside resorts.
Was sourced from carryon