www.traveldaily.com.au Monday 4th January 2021 SQ digital trial Labor blasts grant scheme Today’s issue of TD SINGAPORE Airlines has started This is the first issue of Travel THE already challenging year,” said trials on a new digital health Daily for 2021, and we want to has joined the chorus of AFTA Chairman Tom Manwaring. verification process which links to wish all of our readers all the voices concerned about the While appreciating and valuing an IATA platform to automatically best for what surely must be implementation of the $128m the spirit of the scheme, he said check the authenticity of an improvement on the last 12 travel agent support scheme (TD “the design of the program has passenger COVID-19 tests. months! 01 Dec), citing “significant issues failed in its noble purpose,” citing Initially being piloted for travel Today’s issue has five pages with the way the program is disparity in the support tiers from Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, of news including our popular proposed to operate”. (TD 17 Dec) and other problems customers who take pre-flight PUZZLE page. coronavirus tests at selected Just before Christmas, Shadow around eligibility. clinics in each city will be given Minister for Tourism, Don Farrell, The issues mean many agencies C&M closure either digital or paper health wrote to the outgoing Simon who report based on TTV will Schembri has certificates with a QR code. Birmingham and his replacement receive the maximum $100,000 MELISSA confirmed the shutdown of the Airport check-in staff and Dan Tehan (see page three), grant under the program, which C&M Travel Recruitment office in immigration authorities in describing “disbelief and anger” will in turn see the $128 million Sydney, after more than 20 years Singapore will be able to verify from agents about the way the only support 1,280 businesses. working in travel recruitment. that the certificates are genuine payments are calculated. Adding to the frustration for Schembri, whose commitment via a secure mobile app, and thus The ALP move came the day agents over the holiday period was highlighted last year as a key ensure that the customers meet after AFTA confirmed that it had was a scheduled 11-day outage in supporter of the Travel Industry Singapore’s entry requirements. not been given the opportunity the PRODA identity system used Hub Survive & Revive sessions The back-end information to review and comment on the to lodge applications, which only (TD 19 Mar), will take a break and is being provided by IATA’s detail of the support package came online again today. enjoy time with her family. Timatic registry, as part of the before the implementation was An incorrect help line number She said she was grateful for her Association’s modular Travel Pass announced (TD breaking news). listed on the required “certificate time in travel, telling TD “I count solution which aims to allow “As a result there are multiple of tax information” from the Tax myself very lucky to have assisted travellers to manage their trips flaws in the approach which are Office also meant it was difficult some of the most inspiring in line with COVID-19 testing and creating unnecessary confusion to obtain clarification of the leaders in our industry”. vaccination requirements. and strain at the end of an details required for applications.

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Travel Daily e [email protected] t 1300 799 220 w www.traveldaily.com.au page 1 Monday 4th January 2021 EK Premium Economy launch Vale Fiona Tansley Ponant NZ cruises THE relentless efforts of Ponant EMIRATES has unveiled its long- The latest EK superjumbo also Chair Sarina Bratton to lobby for anticipated Premium Economy features slightly larger First a restart of small ship cruising in product, which is rolling out on class private suites, a refreshed the region have proven fruitful, six new Airbus A380s, as well as Business class cabin and onboard with the line’s Le Laperouse given some of its Boeing 777X aircraft lounge, and updated Economy approval to operate domestic NZ due to join the fleet in 2023. seats with leather headrests and voyages from next month. The first A380 with the new flexible side panels to provide The initial voyage, a 14-night cabin arrived last week, with optimum in-flight support. Chatham Island and Subantarctic EK President Tim Clark saying The new EK A380 premium Islands expedition, is scheduled “while others cut back, Emirates economy cabin can be viewed at to depart on 08 Feb, with is working hard to restore the traveldaily.com.au/videos. subsequent coastal departures products and services that we’ve planned taking in Stewart Island, had to suspend or adjust due Rex looks livery Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound to pandemic precautions, and THE Australian travel sector REGIONAL Express has taken and Dusky Sound. introduce new offerings and is mourning the death of Fiona Bratton said “this is an enhancements”. delivery of the first of its Boeing Tansley (nee Reading) who lost 737-800NG jet aircraft in full Rex important step forward and it He said the Emirates Premium her battle with cancer on 30 Dec. takes us closer to the time when Economy product had been livery, with the plane touching Tansley (pictured), known to down in Sydney on Christmas Eve. borders re-open and cruising developed in line with the many industry friends as Fifi, resumes in ”. carrier’s brand positioning as a The airline’s second 737 is worked with Qantas for more currently being painted in Wagga Cruise Lines International “full-service airline of the highest than 20 years between 1987 and Association (CLIA) Australasia quality,” with 56 seats in an A380 Wagga, with the remaining 2007, and was one of the carrier’s four jets on order undergoing MD Joel Katz said the domestic in a 2-4-2 cabin layout at the front most highly regarded sales operations planned by Ponant of the main deck. scheduled checks and will arrive executives before she moved to in the country over the next three in NZ were an example of the New Zealand to start a family carefully controlled regional months, according to Rex Deputy with her husband Nick. Norfolk quarantine Chairman John Sharp. approach proposed for the Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a resumption of restricted cruise VISITORS to Norfolk Island “The livery of Australia’s celebration of her life will be held operations in the region. from Greater Sydney, Central favourite regional airline is now in Sydney later in 2021. He confirmed that CLIA had Coast, Illawarra, the Shoalhaven, emblazoned on a 737, ready for outlined extensive new health Nepean and the Blue Mountains take-off...it’s an historic moment.” protocols to governments on region are now required to Rex expects to operate its first Hands On Journeys both sides of the Tasman as part quarantine for 14 days at home or Melbourne-Sydney flight on 01 cancels AFTA/ATAS Mar, with Brisbane to be added of a global response to COVID-19 in rental accommodation at their HANDS On Journeys has to the carrier’s new capital city jet by the cruise industry. own cost. confirmed its voluntary The island’s authorities said they network after Easter. withdrawal from AFTA and ATAS, SA hotel breaches were responding to the Northern with founder Simla Sooboodoo Beaches COVID-19 cluster, and telling Travel Daily she has pulled ALMOST 100 security guards would continue to monitor the out because with health concerns have been stood down or sacked situation with a view to hopefully and continued travel restrictions, in after breaching removing the quarantine “it wouldn’t be possible to run a a variety of protocols while requirement as soon as possible. Hands On Journeys kind of tour overseeing the state’s COVID-19 any time soon”. quarantine hotel program. The irrepressible Sooboodoo A list of breaches was provided INTRODUCING THE has pivoted to a floristry business by SA Police Commissioner called SLAK Flowers which Grant Stevens to a parliamentary TRAVEL DAILY TRAINING provides opportunities for the committee last month, with the ACADEMY ‘HUB’ homeless (TD 10 Nov), with a details released by the state formal launch planned for Feb. opposition yesterday. Transgressions cited included Your one-stop home for Southwest adds sleeping on the job, a failure travel industry training. to wear personal protective US-BASED low cost carrier equipment, turning up to work More modules added across 2020 Southwest Airlines is expanding and 2021. intoxicated, posting videos from its presence in California, with inside medi-hotels on social planned additions including media, and impersonating a services to Santa Barbara (SBA) military officer to obtain parking and Fresno (FAT) in Q2 2021. privileges. Travel Daily e [email protected] t 1300 799 220 w www.traveldaily.com.au page 2 Need a distraction amid the doom and gloom? Check out our daily puzzle page. Monday 4th January 2021 Murray still open Tehan takes over tourism MURRAY River Paddlesteamers Window Managing Director Rohan Burgess AUSTRALIA has a new Trade Victorian perspective and fresh has blasted the Victorian COVID and Tourism Minister following set of eyes to the ongoing Seat Hotline for allegedly misinforming a recent cabinet reshuffle, with challenges facing the tourism Victorians that they are currently Dan Tehan assuming the portfolio sector,” she said. ANYBODY keen to travel to forbidden from sailing on the from who had Meanwhile, Australian Tourism Donald Trump International Murray River due to COVID. spent more than two years in the Industry Council Executive Airport? Well your bizarre “The river is open for business role (TD breaking news 18 Dec). Director Simon Westaway said wish may soon be a reality if as long as people do not land The Victorian-based Tehan Tehan’s appointment arrives at White House sources are any on the northern side of the was previously the Minister for a “critical” time for the tourism indication, with the outgoing river,” Burgess said, while also Education for over two years and sector regarding policy positions. Commander-in-chief reportedly flagging the company expects to before that was Minister of Social “Tourism is a major economic enquiring about the idea. receive an exemption to operate Services for seven months. pillar, employing one in 12 The sources, who wished accommodated cruises which Upon being sworn in as the new Australians, but the financial to remain anonymous, have moor on the NSW side of the Minister in charge of Tourism, and operational challenges now suggested the likely targets for river before cruises recommence Tehan noted he would “work before us due to the impacts of the Trumpian rebrand would again in Feb. hard” to grow and promote COVID remain,” he said. either be Miami International Current government health Australia’s tourism sector “Sustaining open domestic Airport, Fort Lauderdale- advice states that a person may through what continues to be a borders and the confidence Hollywood International or Palm leave Victoria to travel along very challenging period for the that they stay open is what gets Beach International. the Murray River, but only if the industry. Australians truly travelling and If any renaming were to be person does not set foot on the “My electorate of Wannon is a again we call for a nationally approved, the latter suggestion banks of the Murray River on the popular tourist destination, so I consistent approach to virus of the three has been tipped NSW side of the river. have seen first-hand the jobs and hotspots,” Westaway added. as the hot favourite, with businesses that it supports and On exiting his position as Republican Party official its importance to the life of our Tourism Minister, Simon Christian Ziegler suggesting Contiki slashes 2021 nation and, in particular, regional Birmingham heralded the Federal it would become a “South CONTIKI is currently giving communities,” he said. Government’s ongoing plan to Florida gateway for the former guests up to 30% off 2021 trips “Australia is a world-leading support the tourism industry, president’s adoring fans”. to anywhere in the world when tourist destination that offers including targeted assistance Whether or not all of the hub’s bookings are made by 07 Jan. incredible attractions, activities packages and $231.6 million in décor would need to rebranded Trips costing less than $1,500 and services, I will be proud to funding for Tourism Australia to orange remains unknown. per person under the deal include represent Australian tourism to ramp up domestic marketing. the seven-day NZ North Island the world,” Tehan added. Off-Grid tour which explores Tourism and Transport Forum Rotorua, Auckland, Raglan, as (TTF) Chief Executive Officer well as the eight-day Croatia Margy Osmond labelled Tehan’s Keep your clients inspired Island Sail Plus package, taking in appointment as a “strong choice” cities like Dubrovnik, Hvar & Split. from the government. with keep dreaming... The promotion is also applicable “TTF has a good relationship A weekly e-magazine with destination with Contiki’s no-risk $99 deposit. with new Tourism Minister Tehan Call 1300 856 157 for further who will bring a strong regional features, puzzles and more. information on the promo. Shangri-La covers MSC unveils 2022 HOTELIER the Shangri-La Group MSC Cruises has unveiled will now cover the bill of any more information about its 2022 associated COVID-19 health costs collection, which will officially be for international guests staying at open for sale soon. any of its four hotels in Singapore Details include a series of via a green lane agreement or for seven-night cruises in the those with an Air Travel Pass. Mediterranean, special long The company stated it was one cruises from Genoa in Italy, two- of the first international hotel to 21-night sailings in Nth Europe businesses to introduce such a & two ships in the Caribbean. product, with medical emergency MSC also revealed that for the medical coverage of up to first time, two vessels will be SGD250,000 (A$245,450). based in Asia in 2022. ©Destination NSW Travel Daily e [email protected] t 1300 799 220 w www.traveldaily.com.au page 3 Sudoku MEDIUM THE aim of Sudoku is to complete the entire grid using the numbers 1-9. Each number can only be used once in each row, once in each column, and once in each of the 3×3 boxes.

Monday 4th January 2021 Where in the world? ©Darb02 www.sudokuoftheday.com – visit them and get a new Sudoku every day! every Sudoku a new get – visit them and www.sudokuoftheday.com

THIS is an indoor stadium, home ground of an NFL team. Whose mascot is this? built with a special plastic roof The roof of the stadium and walls in order to allow was originally designed to be teams to continue to play even retractable but that was too in inclement weather (which expensive - they used plastic the city where it is located in instead and it is the largest in experiences during winter, with North America. cold temperatures and snow). Do you know where in the It was built in 2016 and is the world this stadium is? Pick the nation COUNTRIES have unique geography, ethnicities and cultures which come together to often form very distinctive symbols. Based off the four different symbols and famous faces, see if you can figure out which country they represent. 1 2 THIS mascot was “hatched” in wears the cap and uniform of the 2005, designed by a school child team and, according to his nine- whose entry won a competition year-old designer, is “strong and sponsored by the sports team eats almost everything.” he represents. Do you know whose mascot “Screech” is a bald eagle, who this is?

ANSWERS 18 DEC 3 4 Pub quiz: 1 Seattle, 2 Sweden, 3 Las Vegas, 4 Queensland, 5 Cairns Airport, 6 British Columbia and Yukon, 7 Inuit, 8 Arctic, 9 Under, Iceland’s population is 364,000, 10 Denmark and Germany, 11 Goulburn (goal + burn) Whose flag is this: Georgia Unscramble: afoot, fain, faint, fair, farm, faro, fiat, firm, foam, font, foot, footman, forint, form, formant, format, FORMATION, fort, frit, from, front, info, inform, infra, motif, naif, raft, rift, roof

Travel Daily e [email protected] t 1300 799 220 w www.traveldaily.com.au page 4 Read about the change to Celebrity’s pricing and what Aurora is doing to protect ©Richard l’Anson ©Celebrity Cruises deposits in the December issue of travelBulletin.

Monday 4th January 2021 Globus/Cosmos deal Coral plots growth Hopping ahead with more GLOBUS and sister brand CORAL Expeditions has Cosmos are offering a range announced plans to expand its of early booking incentives domestic itineraries this month for Europe and North America and reintroduce Coral Adventurer itineraries departing in 2022. to the market, revealing new The deals include 10% discounts sailings exploring South Australia, on Globus Europe & North as well as the coral reefs and America trips, 5% reductions islands of WA and Queensland. across Cosmos Europe & North The new voyages include a America itineraries, and all 2022 12-night cruise from Cairns to product at 2021 prices when Brisbane departing 22 Jan and deposits are made. exploring the Great Barrier Reef Additionally, Globus is offering and the Coral Sea, priced from $140pp savings on group $6,990ppts for a Stateroom. bookings of 10 people or more, Also on offer is a 10-night while $70pp discounts are Adelaide to Adelaide departing available on Cosmos 2022 tours. 10 Feb, and visiting Kangaroo, The promotion ends 31 Jan. Hopkins & Wedge Islands. TASMANIA-BASED brewery personalised experience, by tour company, The Brew Hop, keeping our group numbers BROCHURES has expanded its range of tours small, everybody gets a high level in 2021, offering new visits to of interaction with the people at WELCOME to Brochures of the Week, Travel Daily’s Monday feature. breweries, distilleries and cider the breweries and distilleries. If your firm is releasing a new brochure you’d like to make the industry mills across the state. “With Tasmania re-opening, we aware of, send a brief description summarising its features and The company had initially see this as a great time to start itineraries, including a PDF of the front cover, and contact details to only offered walking tours of offering a service that lets people [email protected]. Hobart’s independent breweries, see as much as they can, with as Contiki Holidays - 2021 Australia Shambles, T-Bone and Hobart much ease as possible,” Westlake Contiki Holidays has gone to press with its 2021 Brewing Co, but on the back of added. Australia brochure. Contiki’s program hinges on growing market demand, this Pictured: Some beer tasting in the pillars of “living like a local”, such as enjoying has expanded to more than 40 action on a Brew Hop tour. breakfast with koalas and sailing the Whitsundays. breweries, 30 distilleries and 10 Trips also stay in style in funky beachfront hostels, cider-houses in Tasmania. include small groups varying from 10 to 30 Stoking particular interest are Fraser coast cruise travellers; and journeying with the ultimate travel breweries located in the north TASMAN Venture has guides, all of whom are Australian locals. Cultural, of the state which are typically introduced a new private charter and wellness experiences are also highlighted. difficult to access, with The Brew experience for the Fraser Coast, offering travellers multi-day Wendy Wu Tours - 2021-22 China Hop offering the only drive tours Wendy Wu Tours’ new 2021-22 China brochure of the attractions, making it cruises of Fraser Island and Lady provides a range of tours to the country, as well easier for travellers to visit. Elliot Island on the Southern as surrounding destinations such as South Korea, “There are some fantastic Great Barrier Reef. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet. The season will see producers in Tasmania, and we One-, two- and three-day Wendy Wu host a number of tour styles, such as wanted to be able to have people sailings are on offer, and classic, taking travellers to the tourist hotspots; see them in their environment, includes meals, cruises of less private, allowing guests their own personal guide; talking about what they love,” than 12 passengers, and all and go beyond, taking journeyers off the beaten said owner Harrison Westlake. activity equipment hire such as path. There are also tail0r-made tours available. “We’re proud to offer a snorkelling gear and kayaks.

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