Travel Weekly

30/09/2025

Join Travel Weekly TV as we talk to AmaWaterways River Cruises co-owner and chief brand ambassador Kristin Karst about their new and pioneering Columbia itineraries.

The AmaMagdalena is the first-ever luxury river cruise ship to navigate the iconic Magdalena River in Colombia, and marked a historic milestone not only for the company but also for the development of sustainable tourism in the region.

Kristin also shares how she turned her passion for river cruising into a 30-ship cruise line, and how river cruising can have a positive impact on the lives of the locals.

https://travelweekly.com.au/watch-travel-weekly-tv-interviews-kristin-karst-amawaterways/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9IM3j75Uik

Join Travel Weekly as we talk to AmaWaterways co-owner and chief brand ambassador Kristin Karst about their new and pioneering Columbia itineraries.Kristin s...

30/09/2025

Virgin Australia has appointed Matthew Ongarello as its new group head of public relations and brand, marking his return to the airline after serving at Virgin Group in London.

From check-in counter to checking every headline, Matthew Ongarello’s career has really taken off.

29/09/2025

Thailand is one of Australia’s most renowned holiday destinations, with a wide variety of things to see and do – from immersing yourself in the country’s culture and religion to trying local food, exploring nature and adventure experiences.

But there’s far more to this magnificent country than the traditional Thai hotspots.

Sometimes the less you know the better when it comes to tourist destinations.

29/09/2025

Limelight Arts Travel offers expert-led, small group journeys filled with knowledge and inspiration that invite travellers to slow down and see more.

If your clients are after indulgent tours filled with art, history and culture, a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and expert-led journeys with plenty of stops en route – look no further.

These journeys are for a certain calibre of traveller - ones with very good taste.

28/09/2025

There was a buzz in the air in Amman this week as the travel industry across the globe gathered for the highly anticipated GX Community Tourism Summit

The applause was thunderous when G Adventures and National Geographic Expeditions announced the launch of a new, premium travel style – National Geographic Signature with G Adventures – a bold move set to disrupt the luxury travel market.

National Geographic Signature with G Adventures is a bold move set to disrupt the luxury travel market.

19/09/2025

Women in Travel Awards: ‘Reach New Heights means empowerment and equality'

Tech is a vital part of the travel industry, but one not traditionally associated with women. InTravel Group’s Sonia Teohaere has been breaking that mould by doing what she loves every day – working in travel and technology.

Entries are currently open for our 2025 awards, enter here: https://womenintravel.com.au/
On-time entries close on Thursday 2 October 2025.

https://travelweekly.com.au/women-in-travel-reach-new-heights-means-empowerment-and-equality-says-intravel-groups-sonia-teohaere/

With just two weeks until on-time entries close, hopefully interviews like this will help encourage women from all areas of the travel industry to apply or nominate!

08/09/2025

American Express is making huge changes to its Membership Rewards, hiking the cost of international airline transfers by up to 50 per cent for some partners.

These changes come just weeks after CBA announced it would be eliminating all but one of its airline and hotel program partners.

Will other loyalty programs follow suit?

You'll soon need up to 50% more points to fetch the same quantity of airline rewards.

08/09/2025

Destination Canada unveiled its new global brand platform, 'Canada, naturally', to Australian trade and media in Sydney last week, as part of the three-day Focus Canada Australia 2025 program.

The Canadian speakers evoked the country’s friendliness, open spaces, and connection to nature as key selling points of the destination. The event also called on the Australian trade and media to support the shared priorities of growing off-season travel, encouraging longer journeys, boosting regional dispersal, and showcasing authentic Indigenous and community-led tourism.

With the brand's pillars of open spaces, open hearts and open minds, it's time to open your diaries for a Canada trip!

07/09/2025

Last week, Travel Weekly sat down with Anna Fawcett, GM APAC of Global Touring, following the announcement that Topdeck Travel will move exclusively to small group tours from April 2026.

Anna spoke about the research behind the decision, what Gen Z travellers want, and what agents can expect.

Read the interview here:

Whilst tour providers can guarantee the size of the group, unfortunately no one can guarantee the quality.

04/09/2025

EXCLUSIVE: ‘We need a united voice, not a broken one’

Helloworld Travel Limited executive director Cinzia Burnes has pushed back against claims that the Australian Travel Industry Association is only for “big companies,” highlighting the 2,500 small businesses her group represents and her focus on lobbying for their interests.

In an interview with Travel Weekly, Burnes emphasised the importance of unity when it comes to industry advocacy - particularly on issues such as the RBA’s proposed card surcharge ban.

She also said she would support the creation of an advisor-only group, provided it works in collaboration with ATIA rather than in opposition.

Read the full story here: https://travelweekly.com.au/exclusive-we-need-a-united-voice-not-a-broken-one-cinzia-burnes-rejects-perception-atia-is-for-big-companies-only/

04/09/2025

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has celebrated 10 years of growth in Asia Pacific, which also coincides with the official opening of its new Sydney office. Congratulations NCL!

We are trying to find out whether this was one big ribbon or multiple little ones - we will report back.

04/09/2025

Minor Hotels Australasia has appointed Russell Cool as director of operations & franchise for its diverse portfolio of properties, overseeing commercial performance, strategic plan implementation, franchise growth, new property onboarding, and more.

https://travelweekly.com.au/minor-hotels-appoints-russell-cool-as-director-of-operations-and-franchise/