The Zeppelin Times 4CRB Travel Show

The Zeppelin Times 4CRB Travel Show Saturday 7 April, 10am on 89.3FM ‘Chicago, Chicago!’ Air NZ confirms non-stop service Frank Sinatra sang about it, there’s a musical based on it – and now Air New Zealand will fly there, with a new non-stop service between Auckland and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport beginning in November.

From 30 November 2018 Air New Zealand will operate the new route three times weekly, year-round with its new-configuration B787- 9 Dreamliner aircraft. Flight time will be approximately 15 hours northbound and just over 16 hours southbound.

For Australian travellers, it’s a new, fast way of heading straight into America’s third-largest city. The new service will provide Aussies with a realtively seamless experience, transiting Chicago is an exciting destination with a lot provide an opportunity to explore deeper into through Auckland where customers can to offer. The city has a colourful history, along US.” remain in the same terminal and eligible with great museums and architecture, world- customers are able to use Air New Zealand’s renowned jazz and famous dishes including The new Auckland – Chicago route forms part flagship international lounge. the iconic deep-dish pizza. of the airline’s alliance with United Airlines on flights between New Zealand and Mainland Along with connections from Sydney, Brisbane “We expect Chicago to be an attractive option USA. The alliance commenced in 2016 and and Melbourne, this new route will provide for Australians and Kiwis wanting to explore the airlines say it has opened up more travel customers in Perth, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold the city or head on to other North American options for New Zealand and US travellers Coast and the Sunshine Coast with a one- destinations,” Air New Zealand chief executive than ever before. stop travel option to visit Chicago compared Christopher Luxon said. to current options which require them to Air New Zealand’s new flights to Chicago are undertake transit stops in both Australia and “More than one million Australians travel on sale now. the US. to the US every year so this new route will

The Professional Centre, Suite 1, 189 Ashmore Road, Benowa, Gold Coast QLD 4217 Phone: (07) 555 79 888 | Free Call: 1300 786 888 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.zt.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/zeppelintravel The Zeppelin Times 4CRB Travel Show Saturday 7 April, 10am on 89.3FM Nationwide survey shows wide support for Games

Most Australians believe the 2018 biggest sporting events and tourism Commonwealth Games, due to open drawcards. tomorrow in the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast, will expose Australia “The long-term benefits of having the and Queensland to the world, a new incredible beauty of the Gold Coast and nationwide survey by pollster Nielsen South-East Queensland beamed into has found. living rooms across the world every day in terms of the potential for increased The poll, commissioned by the Tourism visitation cannot be underestimated. & Transport Forum Australia (TTF), found that many Australians believe the “The Commonwealth Games will well biggest long-term benefit of the Games and truly put the Gold Coast on the will be the promotion of the Gold Coast global tourism map.” on the global stage (40%), beating improved infrastructure and services Osmond said Aussies were looking (22%) and additional jobs and economic forward to watching the traditional growth (14%). blue ribbon sports of swimming and athletics. When asked whether the 2018 Commonwealth Games would help “When asked what top three events promote Australia to the world, 71% people are most keen to watch, our said yes, 11% said no and 18% were not poll found that swimming was a clear sure, the survey found. favourite with 70% of respondents putting it on their list, followed by An unusual result was revealed when athletics (54%) and gymnastics (40%),” respondents were asked: “Do you think she said. the 2018 Commonwealth Games will help promote Australia to the world?” “There is also quite a bit of interest More Queensland-based respondents in a range of other sports, with many answered “No” to that question than looking forward to the diving (31%), residents of any other state – and fewer rugby sevens (19%) and basketball Queenslanders answered “Yes”. That’s (19%).” despite the fact the event is being held in Queensland.

TTF chief executive Margy Osmond has no doubt the Games will focus attention on the host city.

“For the next month, the Gold Coast will be the epicentre of global sport with the eyes of the world on the Commonwealth Games,” she commented.

“With an anticipated audience of more than 1.5 billion people, it is easy to see why so many people believe the legacy of the 2018 Commonwealth Games will be the global exposure of the Gold Coast as it hosts one of the world’s

April Fool’s Day was unusually confusing this a 30-metre walk from the top deck of Pacific need to wear headsets. Then, off they go! year, falling on Easter Day – but the travel Aria to sister ship Pacific Eden on a cable industry didn’t let the Easter bunny (or even stretched 40-metres high above the sea. the Easter bilby) get in the way of a spate of April Fool jokes. Adrenaline-loving guests can take part in the ultimate balancing act during select cruises in Virgin Australia let the world know it had 2019 when the two ships are sailing alongside started offering Virgin Australia Spin Class, each other off the coast of New South Wales. “the world’s first in-flight cycling studio”. (WATCH THE VIDEO www.zt.com.au/blog) A media release stated: “P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the launch of “We’ve partnered with Virgin Active to help ‘Walk the Wire’ was aimed at Cruiselings with our guests work up a sweat in the sky on long a sense of adventure and fun, particularly haul flights, and even earn Velocity Frequent those who had conquered all of the activities Flyer Points for every kilometre they cycle, at P&O’s signature adventure park at sea, The and enjoy exclusive change room and shower Edge, which includes walk the plank, a flying Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, in an Australian- facilities to refresh before returning to their fox and funnel climb. first, announced it is now providing staff with seat. Gear up to try Spin Class for yourself!” (WATCH THE VIDEO www.zt.com.au/blog) the option of a water desk.

Virgin Active Cycle Head Coach, Emma “Our many loyal guests have told us they’re “Effective from today, the new program will Masters said: “Each Spin Class has been looking for unique, high-energy experiences see staff donning their wetsuits and working designed to achieve optimal in-flight heart to make their cruise memorable and to from the aquarium’s feature tanks in a bid rate and maximum calorie after-burn in the capture that perfect holiday photo moment. to diversify work arrangements and increase case of the Jetlag Buster and Spin & Sleep So, we decided to give our fun-loving guests productivity.” classes. For those looking to relax, the Cruise the ultimate onboard activity across two P&O in the Clouds options provides a more laid- ships.” Media quoted general manager of Sea back workout.” Life Sydney, Richard Dilly, saying staff were Sound plausible? delighted. As often, today’s April Fool joke may turn into tomorrow’s reality. Meanwhile, Jetstar reported: “We can’t “It’s time to bid farewell to standing desks. believe our friends in Japan are getting away Humans have a natural affinity to water as it Perhaps 50 Shades of Wax will become reality. with this! Karaoke has taken off on Jetstar provides a sense of calm and clarity — two It’s the latest from Madame Tussauds Sydney, Japan domestic flights “Don’t miss out on this sentiments that are vital to productivity and which announced on Sunday it was launching classic Japanese experience, now available at worker satisfaction,” he said. something new. 30,000 feet.” Just don’t try to recharge your phone at your “Madame Tussauds Sydney is now home to And here’s the proof! desk. the ‘50 Shades of Wax’ room – an adult-only experience that reveals what your favourite celebrities look like without their clothes on!”

Facebook readers reacted swiftly, some taken in by the jest and calling it “gross” and “tacky” – others outing it as an April Fool gag – and one or two hoping it was true.

The new experience was said to be open after hours, available to adults only. Tickets cost AUD 69 per person. Proof that April Fool’s Day has reached Japan, Not to be outdone, P&O Cruises revealed that is. the “thrill-seeking activity of a lifetime” with the launch of “Walk the Wire” – touted as What the world really needs is virtual reality the world’s first tightrope walk between two for cats – and Zoos Victoria is here to help. As cruise ships as they glide side-by-side on the part of its Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife campaign, Pacific Ocean. in partnership with RSPCA Victoria, it has inaugurated VR for cats. Obviously, the cats The safety-harness-equipped activity involves