Off the Wing - News

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From Donna's Desk

Don't underestimate value of a travel agent - Contrary to what you might have heard, travel agents aren't obsolete! Sure, much of today's focus, including my own, is on the Internet, but many travelers still rely on agents. And for good reason. Although an agent charges a few dollars, professional assistance in travel is often well worth the cost.

First, to a basic point: For the most part, a travel agent can't get you any better deals than you can find for yourself through diligent online searching.

But a travel agent like DBT or Cruisescene can save you time, provide valuable counsel and help you out when something goes wrong.

The No. 1 reason most consumers use travel agents is to take advantage of their specialized knowledge on:

Destinations. Good travel agents do know destinations -- and what they don't know first-hand they can find through databases designed for agency use.

Local deals. You can easily waste a lot of time with airlines that don't serve your home airport and tours that may be great from New York but are lousy from your area. A good travel agent bypasses that problem by keeping tabs on the travel suppliers that actually serve your area and offer attractive deals to its residents.

Good deals. Good agents know what's available through the same Internet sites you might visit on your own. In addition, agents can search their "GDS" computer reservation systems, not available to the public. And cruise lines and tour operators constantly bombard agents with e-mails and faxes about special promotions.

Airline tricks. Some international air ticketing rules are arcane, and a good travel agent knows cost-cutting tricks, including pricing a ticket in a foreign country rather than U.S. dollars, finding fares that allow free stopovers and such, that you could never find online.

They also can save you time and that's the main reason so many business travelers rely on agents to make their travel arrangements.

When something goes wrong, either before you leave or when you're already on your trip, a travel agent is your best source of help. You don't make repeated calls to a voice response system or stand in an endless airport line, instead, as soon as you encounter a problem, call your travel agent.

When people ask how to find a good agent, my answer is, "The same way you find a good accountant, stockbroker or auto mechanic -- word of mouth."

A travel agent is a professional, just as those others are professionals, and the best way to find one is through other satisfied clients. Please recommend DBT and Cruisescene to all your friends and colleagues. Our team is eager to service your every travel need!

Welcome to our “Money Talk” section , a new regular feature that looks at the Australian dollar and its effect on the industry. $AUD1.00 = US87.96c

Airline News

QF boosts service fees - THE Qantas Industry Centre has announced a new charging regime for service fees effective 02 Jul. From that date a $50 (incl GST) ticketing fee will apply for both domestic and international travel, applicable to tickets facilitated by the QIC, including reissues. $50 will also be charged for name corrections, agent rebated travel and net remit adjustments, with QF saying the revisions reflect “general market conditions and ongoing costs”. Involuntary reissues due to QF int'l schedule changes, Net to Net reissues and Automated Point of Sale reissues where discounts have changed will be exempt from fees, but Additional Fare, Tax and Change Fee collections will apply as well as the service fee.

Qantas ponders a fleet spin-off - QANTAS is considering placing its aircraft fleet in a separate management company as it ponders another multi-billion-dollar order for at least 70 new aircraft. Other spin-offs under consideration include the airline's frequent flyer scheme and freight operations. Industry sources say the carrier has a request for a proposal on the fleet management venture in the market, and expectations are that management will make a submission to the board in the next few months. It is not clear whether Qantas would retain a majority shareholding in the proposed company, or whether any of the private equity companies that were part of failed takeover bid would be involved.

EK stay free deal - EMIRATES is offering first and business class passengers flying to or via Dubai from 15 Jun-31 Aug free accommodation packages. First class passengers will receive two complimentary nights in a deluxe room at the Ritz Carlton Dubai while business passengers an overnight stay at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and both will also receive a US$100 credit for use at their hotel or a Sundowner dune dinner safari. The airline said the move was in-line with its continued efforts to promote Dubai as a world-class tourist destination.

Emirates to launch water limousine airport transfer service in VENICE - Known for many firsts, the Emirates would soon launch water limousine airport transfer service. Come July 1, the unique transfer would be for departure and arrivals in Venice, the land known for canals. The Emirates' Water Limousine will be available exclusively to Emirates' first and business class passengers arriving in and departing from Venice. Passengers will be transported in comfort aboard partially enclosed Riva-style boats from a dedicated pontoon next to Venice International Airport. The short and scenic ride from the airport, on the Italian Mainland, to the Venetian archipelago avoids the sometimes heavily congested journey by road. The introduction of the Emirates' Water Limousine also means passengers can reach hotels using one mode of transport rather than two. Normally, passengers would take a car from the airport and then require a public water taxi for the final leg of the journey. The water limousine airport transfer service will initially be operated on a trial basis and reviewed after three months.

Emirates' third gateway into Italy – Now Venice, supplementing the existing daily services to Milan and Rome. The new five-times-a-week service will connect the catchment area around Venice, including the Italian cities of Verona, Trieste, Florence and Bologna, as well as the neighboring country of Slovenia, with the Emirates international network via Dubai. Emirates will operate an Airbus A330-200 on the route which will offer a weekly capacity of just under 2,000 seats, plus 91 tons of cargo, in each direction.

Etihad launches Brisbane flights - Etihad will launch flights from Brisbane in September with a three times weekly service to Abu Dhabi via Singapore. It will be the carrier's second Australian port, after Sydney. The airline will operate a 262-capacity two cabin A330-200 aircraft. The stopover in Singapore will be one hour.

GA boosts Bali - GARUDA Indonesia will add a new Wed flight from Sydney to Bali starting from 20 th June. The move brings GA's Sydney services to Denpasar to five per week, and follows the recent Jetstar announcement that it would add two additional flights on the route.

QR orders 80 A350s - QATAR Airways has become the single largest purchaser of the new Airbus A350 commercial jet with confirmation of a US$16billion deal for 80 of the aircraft. Meanwhile the carrier has also increased its order of Airbus A380s from two to five.

Jetstar bound for Bali as market rebounds - QANTAS subsidiary Jetstar plans to double its flights from Sydney to Bali following the recovery of the Australian tourist market to the island. "Bali is bouncing back in the tourism stakes from the tragic events of recent years”. Bali is already one of Jetstar's strongest international markets. It services the island with A330 aircraft seating 303 in two classes.

Qantas launches Melbourne – Shanghai service - This is the first time Qantas has offered non-stop services between Melbourne and Shanghai. MELBOURNE - Qantas has announced it would introduce a new service between Melbourne and Shanghai, offering two flights a week on the route from March 2008.

“These new services present Victoria with a great opportunity, providing the state with a direct connection to the world's fastest growing aviation market, where business and tourism links are expanding rapidly,” John Borghetti, executive GM of Qantas. Two A330 aircraft will service the Melbourne-Shanghai route and they operate from Shanghai on Mondays and Fridays, with the return services departing Melbourne on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Qantas chair quits, CEO stays - Qantas Airways chairwoman Margaret Jackson is to resign following the collapse of an A$11billion (US$9 billion) takeover bid for the carrier. Australia's richest man, James Packer, will also step down from the board. The airline's CEO, Geoff Dixon, however, will remain until at least July 2009. The rest of the airline's management team will likewise stay. The bid from Airline Partners Australia (APA) collapsed after six months due to lack of support from shareholders. The APA consortium included Australian bank Macquarie Bank and the US private equity firm Texas Pacific Group. They admitted defeat in May after missing a deadline to secure 50 percent of acceptances from Qantas shareholders. The board of Qantas backed the bid and its members have been under pressure from unions and some shareholders to resign over the way they handled it. Jackson will leave Qantas by the end of this year.

Etihad Allegations TRADE ADVICE - Etihad Airways wishes to ensure that you have all the correct facts available and wants to assure you that the safety and comfort of our customers and staff is our number one priority. On a flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi on 26 April three passengers engaged in offensive behaviour. Complaints included sexual assault, indecent exposure and abuse of Cabin Crew. Despite repeated requests and warnings the three men continued to behave inappropriately causing significant concern to staff and passengers. The three men were subsequently detained on arrival and the court's decision was announced on Monday 4 June. Two of the defendants were found guilty of sexual harassment and all three passengers have been deported by the UAE Government. The Etihad staff involved in this incident have been given time off work and offered counselling. There is false information in some of the media coverage around the case. Specifically, Etihad Airways wishes to respond to false allegations that passengers need to purchase a permit to consume alcohol on board. You do not need a permit to consume alcohol served by the airline. Like all leading international airlines, Etihad Airways supports the responsible serving of alcohol in-flight. The airline offers a world-class selection of food and alcoholic beverages which it serves responsibly to passengers during flights. As with all international airlines, passengers are not permitted to drink duty free alcohol on board because this affects the cabin crew's ability to monitor and regulate the consumption of alcohol by passengers. Etihad Airways will continue to treat reports of alleged assault on our staff extremely seriously. We support prosecutions by the authorities, where there is sufficient evidence, anywhere in the world. We will continue to uphold a zero tolerance policy towards disruptive passengers. Once again, Etihad want to assure you that the safety and comfort of our customers and staff is our number one priority.

JAPAN - Japan Airlines (JAL) has launched codesharing on the Osaka - Brisbane - Sydney - Osaka route on flights operated by Jetstar (JQ) - JAL's ‘JL' designator will be placed on Jetstar flights which operate daily on the triangular routing linking Japan and Australia. The codeshare agreement only covers economy class on these flights. Fares issued by JAL under the codeshare will be inclusive of meals and soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks and additional snacks will be available for purchase onboard.

Rex Port Lincoln service boost Port Lincoln to Adelaide - REGIONAL Express has struck a deal with the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula to start eight more flights per week between Port Lincoln and Adelaide from 16 Jul. The new schedule will include early morning flights to Adelaide Mon-Fri and late evening flights on Sun-Fri. As part of the deal the Council has agreed to rebate part of the head tax where annual passenger numbers exceed specified thresholds for the next financial year.

Alitalia flies into Australia with MAS - Alitalia has returned to the Australian market following the establishment of a code share agreement with Malaysia Airlines, which offers convenient access to Rome and a wide range of destinations throughout Italy and elsewhere in Europe. Effective immediately, Alitalia has access to seats on Malaysia Airlines flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to Rome, via Kuala Lumpur, departing every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Airlines upgrade business-class cabins - Afraid of losing their best customers, several of the world's biggest airlines are spending millions to dress up their international business-class cabins with cushier seats, more lie-flat beds, gourmet food and high-tech entertainment. American Airlines (AMR), British Airways, Delta Air Lines (DAL) and United Airlines (UAUA) are among the major carriers that have started or plan to announce major upgrades to their international business cabins at next week's National Business Travel Association convention in Boston. Premium cabins on international flights are crucial profit centers for an industry that only recently began climbing out of a post-9/11 slump. Last-minute, round-trip business-class fares between Europe and the USA generally cost $10,000 or more. Premium passengers on an international flight typically account for 10% of the seats, but more than 30% of the revenue, says analyst Henry Harteveldt of Forrester Research. "European and Asian carriers are already investing in their business-class cabins," he says. "It's critical that the U.S. airlines reinvest in the cabins for passengers who make them money." Meanwhile, several U.S. and European start-up airlines offering cut-rate business-class flights across the Atlantic are threatening traditional carriers' market share. Start-ups Eos, Maxjet and Silverjet offer all-business-class flights between New York and London for about half what major airlines charge. French start-up L'Avion offers cut-rate business-class flights between New York and Paris.

The majors are being forced to raise the bar on luxury to justify steeper fares. Examples:

•British Airways . BA is spending $2 million a plane to outfit its 100 long-haul Boeing 747s and 777s with wider, lie-flat seats and individual entertainment systems that can play up to 100 films and TV shows. Besides meals, the new business cabin has a self-serve kitchen stocked with sandwiches, salads, fruit, snacks and drinks.

•American . The USA's biggest airline plans to finish retrofitting the business cabin on its Boeing 767s with lie-flat seats by year-end. It will also start retrofitting the Boeing 777s it flies to Tokyo.

•United. It will unveil its new international business-class cabin at the NBTA convention and will start retrofitting its international fleet late this year.

•Lufthansa. The German carrier will start all-business-class flights between Newark and Frankfurt in October with 44 lie-flat seats per jet.

•Delta. It will take delivery early next year on new Boeing 777s with lie-flat seats and digital players at every seat of its business cabin for movies, TV shows and music. Delta's Boeing 767 fleet will be retrofitted later.

Frequent Flyer Update

Virgin Blue Velocity Launches New Partner - Saville Hotel Group - To celebrate being Velocity's newest hotel partner, Saville Hotel Group is offering Velocity Members double Velocity Points for Qualifying Stays at Saville Hotels in Australia between 1 July 2007 and 31 August 2007. In addition to this, you will also receive a complimentary bottle of wine. That's 6 Velocity Points per dollar spent on accommodation charges.

Money Talks

Rumours & Gossip

Buyers in holding pattern on Hobart airport - THE Tasmanian Government will sell its Hobart International Airport for between $117 and $140 million in the next six to 12 months, making it the last state-owned capital city airport to be sold to private enterprise.

Singapore's Changi Airport Terminal 3 to start operations in 2008 - Changi's 3rd airport terminal is set to commence flight operations on January 9, 2008.

POLICE in Japan have arrested a 34-year-old air traveller because he ignored a pilot's order to turn off his five mobile phones. A police spokesperson said that Naoyuki Shimoda, who's also been linked to organised crime, “repeatedly used his mobile phones despite the captain's order not to use them,” sparking the arrest. After an investigation the man admitted the offence, but told investigators it “took him a while to turn off the mobile phones”. Reports don't say why he needed to carry five phones.

CAR rental firms take note - The Vatican yesterday issued a new set of road rules, including Ten Commandments for drivers. Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road said cars “tend to bring out the primitive side of human beings, thereby producing rather unpleasant results”. The list warns that cars can be an “occasion of sin” and urges readers to “charitably convince people not to drive if they're not fit to do so”. There's bad news for those who like to drive their rental vehicles off a bit too fast at the lights - no. 5 reads “cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination”. The document also strongly encourages drivers to pray while on the road - hopefully without closing their eyes.

SYD increases fees - SYDNEY Airport has announced an increase to its Ground Transport Access Fees by 50c for public passenger vehicles picking up passengers from the airport. The new fees are effective from 01 Jul 07 with coaches now paying $10.50, buses $5.50, mini buses $3.50, hire cars $3.00 and taxis $2.50. The airport said it's the first fee increase since 2004.

Australia signs air deal with Sri Lanka - AUSTRALIA has entered into a new air services arrangement with Sri Lanka which will pave the way for daily services between the two countries. Deputy prime minister Mark Vaile, said the expanded agreement will enable SriLankan Airlines to operate daily flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth as well as up to four services per week to another main gateway.

At the same time Australian airlines will be able to operate a total of 13 flights per week between Australia and Sri Lanka on previously agreed routes. Vaile said the deal will also allow airlines of both countries to enter into cooperative marketing arrangements with airline partners of their choice, “to enter and/or develop their presence in the Australia-Sri Lanka market.”

Travel Tips

DBT Team recommends all our travellers exercise a Workout in-flight. Tips for business (and frequent) travellers click here

Safety regulations on Hand Luggage from/to/via Australia

EFFECTIVE: 31 MARCH 2007 “REMINDER” , the following safety regulations on hand luggage apply for all international flights from / to and via Australia.

•  Passengers may continue to carry liquids, gels and sprays in your hand luggage in packages of up to 100 ml in volume. These must be packed in transparent, re-sealable plastic bags of up to one litre in volume. One bag is permitted per person.

•  The exceptions to this are baby food (if travelling together with a baby or small child), special dietary requirements (e.g. for medical purposes) and medication that is required during the flight. These items can be transported additionally to the plastic container.

The following items will be screened separately at security control:

- The transparent plastic bag, with maximum volume of 100 ml each

- Laptops and electronic equipment (mp3 players, mobile phones, etc.)

- Jackets and coats

- All items purchased in airport shops

For passengers connecting in Australia : For Liquids, Gels and Sprays from duty free shops or from in-flight sales some additional regulations may apply. Further Information can be found here:

http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/security/aviation/LAG/index.aspx

Hotels Update

Starwood opens first upscale international hotel in Guiyang - GUIYANG - Starwood Hotels & Resorts has opened its 23rd Sheraton hotel in China with the opening of Sheraton Guiyang Hotel - the first upscale international hotel in Guiyang. The hotel has easy access to key transportation points to connect to various cities in China and internationally - 15 minutes from the Guiyang International Airport and only 5 minutes from the railway station.The hotel features 346 spacious guestrooms, including 41 suites and a Presidential suite. Sheraton Guiyang offers over 1370 square meters of meeting and function space to meet various event needs, including 10-person business meetings and banquets for up to 500 persons.

The Westin Guangzhou opens - GUANGZHOU - The Westin Guangzhou, in Tian He District, opens this month. The Westin Guangzhou is located in the city's central business district next to landmark CITIC Plaza. The hotel's 28 signature Renewal Rooms are larger than 71 sq meters and feature an executive work area with oversized desk, Herman Miller chairs and Bose wave radio. For meetings and banquets, the Westin has 13,000 square feet of meeting and function space equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The hotel is part of a multi-purpose development of two towers - the second housing premium office units.

Novotel Sydney Olympic Park Wins 2007 Best Environmental Initiative - The Novotel Hotel Sydney Olympic Park proudly celebrated its reputation as a 'green hotel' when it was awarded the 'Best Environment Initiative' award at the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) NSW Awards for Excellence 2007. The Novotel has won several awards for its environmental initiatives since its inception in 2000. It was the first Hotel to be awarded ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems certification and has set new benchmarks for environmental operation of hotels Australia wide. The Novotel also boasts Australia's largest centralised solar hot water system for commercial use and comprehensive programs regarding waste management, energy & water conservation, air quality and noise pollution. This award reinforces the commitment of the Hotel to continue being an industry leader in combining consideration and care for the environment while exceeding the needs of their customers and the demands of business.

Conference & Venue News

New Unique Venue: SYDNEY - studiotwenty4 @ 24 Hickson Road; Walsh Bay, The Rocks, Sydney.

Call our DBT Conference & Incentive Specialists Samantha or Jacqui at DBT on 02 98885555 to enquire about any one of the following Conference or Incentive deals.

Cruisenews

QE2 sold to Dubai World to become floating hotel - The QE2 will cease to be an ocean-going liner in November 2008 after being sold to Dubai World for $118 million (US$100 million). QE2 will stop sailing next year. The world's most famous ship, the Queen Elizabeth 2, will leave the Cunard fleet in autumn 2008. As part of a $100 million deal, the QE2 will be delivered to Dubai, where she will be refurbished and adapted to become a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination at The Palm Jumeirah man-made island. The ship, which has sailed the world's seas for almost 40 years and travelled over 5 million miles, is Cunard's longest-serving ship. "After such an illustrious career, we feel that the time will be right for her to leave the fleet next year," said Cunard president and managing director Carol Marlow in a letter to agents. "However, she will not disappear. She has been purchased by Istithmar, the investment arm of Dubai World and a wholly owned company of the Government of Dubai. "We think it very important that QE2 should end her ocean–going career with dignity. "Cunard are, therefore, very pleased to have secured a permanent home for her that will enable future generations to continue to experience fully both the ship and her history." The QE2 was launched by The Queen in September 1967 and has undertaken 25 world cruises and crossed the Atlantic over 800 times. She will remain with the Cunard fleet until November 11 2008, when she will leave her homeport of Southampton for the last time to commence her final voyage to Dubai. Two itinerary changes have been made in order to celebrate her historic departure. These affect Canary Islands Splendour and Taste of the Mediterranean II. These new Farewell Voyages, including her final voyage to Dubai, will be on sale from 2pm on June 27.

Peter bans smoking - PETER Deilmann Cruises has announced a non-smoking policy across its European river cruising fleet for 2008. The new policy will restrict smoking in all areas inside the vessel, effective from the start of the season in Mar 2008. The firm said the change was a result of new laws in Europe which are evolving to ban smoking indoors with Peter Podesta, md of Deilmann's Australian GSA Classic Voyages, saying the firm was “adjusting our policy to reflect this shift in sentiment”. Smoking will still be permitted on the open decks of the vessels.

Freestyle for Holland America - HOLLAND America Line has formally launched a fleet-wide flexible dining regime similar to NCL's Freestyle concept. The HAL arrangement, titled As You Wish, lets passengers choose between traditional pre-set seating and what it calls a “completely flexible dining schedule”. One level of the vessels' two-tier restaurants will offer open dining from 5.15 to 9pm. The other level will host two seatings, early and main. The new concept has been trialled on Noordam and HAL says feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Passengers will be asked to choose their dining option when they make a booking. Those opting for the flexible arrangement will be able to make a booking up to 4pm on the day, or simply front up at any time during the 5.15 to 9pm period. As You Wish will be available on HAL's 13 ships from set dates between 11 October this year (Noordam) and 05 July next year (Prinsendam).

Need a Holiday ?

Take a look at our destination holiday news and specials - here Updated every Wednesday!

Thought for the day:

"To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that." Mother Teresa (1910-1997) Macedonian missionary and Nobel Peace Prize winner

Thought for Everyday:

"Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate." John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) 35th president of the United States