MAY 2021
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MAY 2021
AFTA NAVIGATES THE COVID-19 STORM Tom Manwaring discusses the current state of play for the organisation, and where it is heading.
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CONTENTS
HOW WOULD YOU REIMAGINE TRAVEL?
10
SingaporeTravelSpecialist.com
COVER STORY 10 AFTA navigates the COVID-19 storm AFTA Chairman Tom Manwaring, CEO of Express Travel Group, has led the Federation through a perfect storm over the last 12 months. Bruce Piper sat down with him to discuss the current state of play for the organisation and where it is heading.
MONTHLY 02 State of the industry 06 Issues and trends 16 Cruise 24 Last word
COLUMNS 02 From the publisher 06 AFTA View 18 CLIA View
FEATURES 20 Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Cruises has taken the wraps off its newest addition to its fleet, Celebrity Beyond, and it will bring with it a host of new features, writes Sarah Beyer.
16
20
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This month’s contributors Joel Katz, Tom Manwaring Bottom left image: Hurtigruten’s Antarctica expeditions ©Karsten Bidstrup Bottom right image: Celebrity Beyond ©Celebrity Cruises
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travelBulletin MAY 2021
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STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
From the publisher Bruce Piper
IN BRIEF
2
“WE KNOW it’s tough” is perhaps the understatement of the year, but it was all the concrete information that the AFTA Board was able to offer to its members in a recent update, following the first in-person meeting of directors in more than a year. Fortunately since then there have been several key developments – not least the opening of applications for the highly anticipated Round Two of the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support grants program. Worth $130 million to the industry, for all its imperfections the scheme comes along with the vital recognition by the Government that travel cannot return to normal trading until international borders open. And that recognition is looking increasingly important, with vaccine hesitancy, the ham-fisted rollout and surges in overseas COVID-19 cases making a full resumption of international travel seemingly further off every day. On top of that looms the spectre of a possible Federal election perhaps by the end of the year – which I presume is behind political rhetoric in recent days stressing the importance of keeping our COVID-safe bubble intact
NZ travel bubble opens THE highly anticipated opening of quarantinefree travel between Australia and New Zealand on 19 April was described as “Monumental Monday” by Air New Zealand, which suggested the milestone marked the first day of the carrier’s revival. Qantas was similarly enthusiastic about the resumption of trans-Tasman services, which followed
travelBulletin MAY 2021
– no doubt playing to the populist crowd which has seen Governments in New Zealand, WA and Queensland returned with thumping majorities. However every cloud has a silver lining, as they say, and the simplicity of the application process for the second round of the grants scheme has been a welcome change - and augurs well for perhaps a third and fourth round on a quarterly basis going forward. All eyes will be on the Federal Budget next week to see if there is further support – and meanwhile many of those who are able to stop bewailing our fate have actually found that things are perhaps improving. Consumer sentiment around travel appears strong, borne out by high levels of enquiry and bookings through New Zealand ski and touring operators. One perpetually gloomy reader told travelBulletin that April had been his best month in a long time – but true to form added “but what will May be like?” AFTA for its part is maintaining the rage, with Chairman Tom Manwaring giving us an insight into the new post-COVID world in this month’s cover story – and it’s a future that the industry needs to be preparing for now.
medical advice to NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern that “trans-Tasman travel is now considered low risk”. However she warned of “continue, pause or suspend” protocols which meant that those undertaking travel from either country will do so under the guidance of ‘flyer beware’. Hundreds of services have now operated safely, as Air NZ, Qantas and Jetstar poured new capacity onto the route – in contrast to
Virgin Australia which at this stage has not resumed any international flying. Tourism Australia responded by launching its first post-pandemic international campaign targeting Kiwis, and now New Zealand has also launched its second travel bubble, this time with the Cook Islands.
TAT’S HOW IT’S DONE!
Tourism 2030 panel TOURISM Minister Dan Tehan last month announced a new Reimagining the Visitor Economy panel, led by his long-time ALP predecessor Martin Ferguson. The group will “continue the work which commenced in 2018 on the development of the Tourism 2030 long term strategy,” Tehan said, after the project was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel’s wide-ranging remit will cover domestic and international tourism, business and major events, international students, short-term overseas workers, hospitality, aviation and the accommodation sector, with consultation to be invited from across the industry in the coming months.
“
THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Royal Thai Consulate took part in a beach and underwater clean-up event in Sydney Harbour last month, with TAT’s Natnipa Nagavajara and Sudarat Sepsamutr strapping on the neoprene, tanks and flippers to help out. Participants were rewarded with waterside Thai massages, a delicious Thai lunch and a dance performance at Taronga Zoo.
The days of waiting on the phones for hours to in 2018, with Flight Centre only confirming do a simple her departure after Travel point-toPartners agents noticed point rail automatic email responses indicating she was no longer booking with the company. and make The Independent Brands absolutely no division includes Travel Associates at Home, Travel money are Partners and Flight Centre over...now Independent, which the rail becomes company said was “now an additional re-emerging with new technology, differentiated Cameron leaves FCTG and very packaged products and TRAVEL Partners General a connected home for all important Manager Kate Cameron travel entrepreneurs to product was a surprise victim of rebuild their businesses”. a restructure within Flight for travel Centre’s newly formed advisors Rail Tickets is back Independent Brands division, which is now being overseen by Astrid Richardson. Cameron had been with Helloworld Business Travel for about a decade prior to joining Travel Partners
”
Russell Carstensen, Managing Director, Aeronology
TECHNOLOGY innovator Aeronology has scooped up the defunct Rail Tickets brand which was formerly part of Helloworld’s wholesale division before its
previous GSA deal with Rail Europe was terminated. Aeronology MD Russell Carstensen, who has registered Rail Tickets as a trade mark, said his company’s platform was now being significantly enhanced to add rail functionality, noting that over the next few years train trips were expected to comprise as much as 25% of international transactions. “The days of waiting on the phones to do a simple point-to-point rail booking and make absolutely no money are over...now rail becomes an additional and very important product for travel advisors,” he said. Rail Tickets will be embedded into every part of the Aeronology platform “so rail will be part of the travel Continues over page
travelBulletin MAY 2021
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STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
advisor’s sales process, even with wholesale airfares,” he promised.
Nexus Hols closure
Vale Isi Leibler
MAIN DOMESTIC ROUTES
VISITOR ARRIVALS
Top 10 domestic city pairs, February 2021
City pair
Passengers Passengers % change YE Feb 20 YE Feb 21 (000) (000)
Melbourne-Sydney Brisbane-Sydney Brisbane-Cairns Brisbane-Melbourne Brisbane-Townsville Ballina-Sydney Gold Coast-Melbourne Adelaide-Sydney Brisbane-Mackay Adelaide-Melbourne ALL CITY PAIRS
9,119.2 4,813.2 1,287.2 3,604.6 1,027.1 436.7 2,107.0 1,868.1 783.9 2,531.2 61,279.9
980.6 741.2 671.8 523.5 457.5 370.1 355.9 349.6 347.1 322.2 13,252.4
-89.2 -84.6 -47.8 -85.5 -55.5 -15.3 -83.1 -81.3 -55.7 -87.3 -78.4
RESIDENT RETURNS
Top 10 destinations, February 2021
Top 10 destinations, February 2021
Country of residence
Original
Country of stay
Original
New Zealand USA United Kingdom India Tonga China Singapore Philippines Hong Kong France ALL VISITOR ARRIVALS
1,570 670 630 320 270 250 210 200 130 120 6,260
New Zealand India United Kingdom USA China Papua New Guinea Singapore Hong Kong Pakistan Indonesia ALL RETURNS
1,630 670 600 490 420 340 290 250 230 190 8,390
% change - original Feb 20/ Feb 21 -98.2 -99.1 -99.3 -99.2 -70 -98.8 -99.1 -98.1 -99.5 -99.2 -99.1
Source: ABS
% change - original Feb 20/ Feb 21 -98.7 -98.9 -97.4 -99.2 -99.0 -95.3 -98.8 -97.3 -96.3 -99.8 -98.9
Source: ABS
Source: BITRE
-80 .6 -91 % .5 %
DOMESTIC AIR MARKET
. 0%
”
February 2021
Feb 20
Growth % -78.4 -78.9 -71.4 -21.2* -62.9
*Percentage points difference
%
4.37m 4.92bn 6.52bn 75.5 48.4
Growth Year end Year end Feb 20 Feb 21 % 1.62m -62.9 61.28m 13.25m 1.72bn -65.1 71.39bn 15.07bn 2.91bn -55.3 88.26bn 25.26bn 58.9 -16.6* 80.9 59.7 25.9 -46.4 635.0 235.8
4.8
Total pax carried Revenue pax km (RPK) Available seat kms (ASK) Load factor (%) Aircraft trips (000)
Feb 21
-9
Nexus Holidays liquidators, BRI Ferrier
DATA ROOM
-7 9
THE founder and long-time CEO of the Jetset Travel Group, Isi Leibler, died last month in Israel aged 87. Leibler was a pioneer of the Australian retail travel sector, with Jetset in its 1970s, 80s and 90s heyday described as “the colossus of the Australian travel agents, tour wholesalers and consolidators”. Jetset was a long time local GSA for carriers
“
[Nexus Holidays] has insufficient assets available to meet its liabilities... as such the company is unable to deliver on previously booked holiday packages and tours
including American Airlines, China Airlines, TWA and El Al Israel Airlines, and among many notable achievements had a key partnership with the Australian Council of Trade Unions when it was led by former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. The group grew to become one of the largest travel agency networks in Australia, much of which still survives today as part of Helloworld Travel Limited. In addition to wholesaling and retailing, Jetset Fares & Ticketing conducted a longstanding rivalry with Concorde to be the country’s leading consolidator. Leibler sold the majority of the Jetset business to Air New Zealand in 1986. As well as his business interests in travel, Leibler was a strong advocate for the Australian Jewish community, acting as a longtime leader of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. He retired to Israel in 1999.
-95.1%
LONG-TIME international tour operator Nexus Holidays has been placed into administration, with the company saying it had been “significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, where trading has been limited due to travel restrictions”. Nexus, whose directors are Toronto, Canada-based Matthew Wang and Honglei Chu from NSW, was ATAS accredited until mid-2020, when its participation in the scheme was terminated. The liquidators, Jonathon Keenan and Peter Krejci from BRI Ferrier, said “the available financial information indicates that the company has insufficient assets available
to meet its liabilities... as such, the company is unable to deliver on previously booked holiday packages and tours”. Nexus Holidays was a significant supplier to several industry retailers including Luxury Escapes, Inspiring Vacations and Webjet Exclusives, with a global portfolio of group tours in China, Southeast Asia, the Subcontinent, North America and cruising.
-92.9%
Continues from previous page
-9 5.4 %
Source: BITRE
-9 2
.4 %
-92.5% -93.0%
INTERNATIONAL AIR MARKET SHARE Share of passengers carried – February 2021
HEADLINES
Singapore Airlines, 16.8% Others, 23.0%
INTERNATIONAL AIR ROUTES
Top 10 city pairs, year end February 2021 City pair
01 Apr 06 Apr 06 Apr 07 Apr 08 Apr 09 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr
4
AFTA CEO to depart the organisation CDC relaxes travel rules Arden reveals NZ-Aus bubble details Spending up two points Tourism Australia targets Kiwis Flight Centre shake up Govt details Round 2 of agents grants Round 2 funding just the start Virgin plots 7-Eleven pact Strong jump in spending
travelBulletin MAY 2021
15 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr
QF flags higher than expected capacity Airlines map growth plan Savenio tweaks model AVMIN expands its tech Flight Centre launches brand campaign HLO reports 80% slide in TTV for Q3 CTM gains momentum Rail Tickets is back Nexus Holidays ceases trading SIN/HKG bubble for Australia
Air Niugini, 2.4%
Qatar Airways, 16.2%
China Eastern Airlines, 2.5% Eithad Airways, 3.0% SriLankan Airlines, 3.6% United Airlines, 4.2% Air New Zealand, 13.8%
China Southern Airlines, 5.8% Emirates, 8.6%
Source: BITRE
Auckland-Sydney Doha-Sydney Auckland-Melbourne Singapore-Sydney Singapore-Melbourne Auckland-Brisbane Doha-Melbourne Dubai-Sydney Los Angeles-Sydney Singapore-Perth Top 10 City Pairs Other City Pairs ALL CITY PAIRS
Passengers YE Feb 20 1,590,899 521,142 1,243,131 1,546,293 1,609,972 951,371 316,468 762,844 910,978 1,139,538 10,592,636 31,545,419 42,138,055
Passengers YE Feb 21 119,463 101,047 86,992 81,081 73,589 71,938 66,483 64,720 64,401 56,081 785,795 1,676,014 2,461,809
% of total % change 21/20 4.9 -92.5 4.1 -80.6 3.5 -93.0 3.3 -94.8 3.0 -95.4 2.9 -92.4 2.7 -79.0 2.6 -91.5 2.6 -92.9 2.3 -95.1 31.9 -92.6 68.1 -94.7 100.0 -94.2
Source: BITRE
travelBulletin MAY 2021
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ISSUES & TRENDS
AFTA VIEW Tom Manwaring, Interim Executive Chair Australian Federation of Travel Agents
The Arkaba Walk ©Wild Bush Luxury
EXPERIENCE CO GOES PREMIUM EXPERIENCE Co has brought The Maria Island Walk and Wild Bush Luxury into its tourism portfolio, propelling the company into the premium adventure segment. Tasmania’s The Maria Island Walk, located on its mountainous namesake island in the Tasman Sea, and Wild Bush Luxury, owner of four premium walks throughout Australia, will both augment Experience’s core Great Barrier Reef and skydiving operations. “These acquisitions allow us to extend our company’s geographic reach into SA, NT and Tasmania and grow our customer base into the 50-plus age group,” said the company’s Chief Executive Officer John O’Sullivan. “We are also excited by the opportunity to learn from what has been done by these two companies in the conservation and We are also excited... arena build on the [to] build on the opportunity to connect our opportunity to guests with connect our guests the natural with the natural environment as we are currently environment... doing with our research and education work John O'Sullivan, Chief on the Great Executive Officer, Experience Co Barrier Reef.”
“ ”
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travelBulletin MAY 2021
ONE of the hardest things to achieve in the midst of a crisis is finding and taking the time to think and to plan. When you are so focussed on survival, time out to think can seem an indulgence. There’s no doubt that the way we all operate needs to keep changing as we move towards a fee-for-service model. As you will have read in this month’s cover story, the need to drive change to embrace a base of positive income, rather than a majority reliance on commission, will continue to grow. We know that consumers are going to be relying on travel agents even more heavily in the future due to COVID-19. Even with domestic travel, state and territory shutdowns have highlighted the value of travel agent to consumers as they try to make sense of it all. This, of course, will become even more of a focus once international travel opens up again. The need for confidence in vaccinations and a “be ready to travel“ mantra for our customers becomes a common goal across the agency landscape. AFTA and the AFTA Board has always allocated time to strategise and to imagine what the future might be and how we might be able together to shape it for the benefit of all members. AFTA has also always relied on and celebrated the power of collaboration. These times, like no other, have showcased the critical importance of pooling resources, ideas and networks for impact. An additional $130 million has been directed our sector’s way, shared with ATEC and CATO as part of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program bringing the total to $258 million. The significance of this achievement should not be underestimated. We continue to work closely with CATO, CLIA, and ATEC as well as TTF, ACCI, BCA and other industry representative groups. We continue to work with, support and be inspired by our members. We continue to fight for ongoing support. We’re not underestimating the challenges ahead, but we do know that together we are stronger.
AVALON TELLS A NEW STORY AVALON Waterways has a released a range of new cruises, each hosted by famous authors and musicians. The new Storyteller Series of cruises will sail across 2021 and 2022 on Europe’s waterways including the Rhine, Danube and Seine Rivers, on Avalon Waterways highest-rated itineraries. Celebrity hosts include Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series of novels, Candace Bushnell, author of
the Sex and the City anthology, Gillian Flynn who wrote Gone Girl, among other titles, Edwin McCain, a chart-topping singersongwriter and more. According to Managing Director of Avalon Waterways, Pam Hoffee, the new series “invites travellers to enhance the storytelling tapestry of their lives by embarking on incredible, ‘once upon a river’ holidays.” “Through this special series of sailings, Avalon guests get to spend a week in Europe
with their favourite storytellers. They’re invited to meet legends in legendary landscapes.” The Storyteller Series departures will operate with no more than 160 guests, and travellers will get a chance to meet with the celebrities in special gatherings, like booksignings, concerts and Q&A sessions, as well as casual encounters with them while on the ship or in port. For more details visit avalonwaterways.com.au.
Celebrating five years of service from Adelaide As we continue our commitment to Australia and your clients, we thank you for your valuable support throughout our five years of flying from Adelaide. We are proud to have flown more than 230,000 passengers from Adelaide since our launch.
RIDGETOP TOUR FLINDERS RANGES & OUTBACK
CURIOUS ABOUT SOUTH AUSTRALIA? SOUTH AUSTRALIA IS THE COMPLETE AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE. FROM THE CITY OF ADELAIDE AND INTO THE DIVERSE REGIONS, THERE IS SOMETHING ON OFFER FOR EVERY TRAVELLER.
SAMPLE EPICUREAN DELIGHTS STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE Discover some of Australia’s most awarded restaurants dishing up dinner with a side of theatre on the Fleurieu Peninsula, sample port from your birth year in the Barossa and pluck produce straight from the ocean on the Eyre Peninsula.
ENCOUNTER WILDLIFE IN THE WILD South Australia is one of the best places in the world to get up-close to unique Australian wildlife. Come face-to-face with an apex predator on an adrenaline-fueled shark cage dive on the Eyre Peninsula, dive in and swim with dolphins off the coast of Adelaide or explore Kangaroo Island’s abundant native wildlife.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS Secluded serenity beckons from Kangaroo Island where you can soak in ocean views while you soak in the tub, or cruise down the Murray River on your own luxurious houseboat. Fall asleep under a million stars in the outback or go glamping in nature on the Limestone Coast.
DISCOVER OUR BOUTIQUE METROPOLIS With a labyrinth of laneways lined with speakeasys, picturesque seaside promenades throbbing with life, swish roof top bars and a wickedly indulgent festival season, Adelaide is a modern playground waiting to be discovered. FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO PARTY From week-long feasts of food to a non-stop month of parties and adrenaline fuelled sporting events, South Australia’s world-class events showcase our exceptional food and wine, sport, art and vibrant city life. LEARN MORE AT TRADE.SOUTHAUSTRALIA.COM
COVER
AFTA NAVIGATES THE COVID-19 STORM AFTA Chairman Tom Manwaring, CEO of Express Travel Group, has led the Federation through a perfect storm over the last 12 months – including the departure of two CEOs, a global pandemic, border closures, refund demands and a 95% downturn in travel industry revenue. Amidst the chaos he’s also been navigating his own business through the minefield. Bruce Piper sat down with him to discuss the current state of play for the organisation and where it is heading.
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I
T’S an understatement to say that COVID19 has changed everything, and in line with the industry it represents, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) would have to have been one of the country’s most impacted organisations. Its role as an advocate for the travel sector has proven to never be more important, while at the same time its finances were put under severe strain as it moved to support its decimated membership base by suspending fees. The shock departures of Jayson Westbury a year ago, and then just last month his successor Darren Rudd, have seen Manwaring and the AFTA Board take a much more active role. However rather than dwelling on the past, the irrepressible AFTA Chairman is determined to look to the future – both immediate and longer-term. And despite the ups and downs the organisation has experienced, he is quick to point out the significant gains that have been achieved.
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COVER SUCCESS IN A YEAR OF PAIN TB: Clearly achieving $258 million so far in Federal support for the travel industry has been a hardfought battle – how do you feel about the overall outcome? Tom: We have had, in the last 14 months of COVID-19, serious action from the government acknowledging that we are one of the few sectors that requires continued support in line with the suppression of travel activity. So that’s a very positive thing, and a hard-worked outcome by AFTA, ATEC, CATO and our agency community. As a Board we pay tribute to our travel agent members from across the country who have met with their local members as part of the ongoing grass-roots campaign. The fantastic support and activity was outstanding, creating a swell of awareness and reaction never previously seen. But it’s clearly not over. AFTA is continuing the fight for funding support from July to December. TB: While the grant have been a big focus, I presume there are other areas of activity too? Tom: Of course. AFTA is also working with IATA regarding the agent criteria which has to be lodged by September. Part of this is a request: we want IATA to roll over the processes from 2020 because agency revenue still remains down 80-95%. Chargebacks, credit voucher risk and refunds are also important issues. Given the volume of credits by airlines, tour operators and cruise companies, chargebacks have the potential to be a tsunami – relating directly to agent viability and also a heavy risk impact on the ATAS brand. A number of suppliers, having gone into liquidation, have referred customers to credit
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travelBulletin MAY 2021
card chargebacks as the refund mechanism. Some $500,000 is being refunded through the ACS insurance product via our insurer, IPP UK, throughout May, which is great. But there’s also been double/triple dipping, customers making chargeback claims as well as seeking credits or refunds. It’s not simple. Global merchant card agreements dictating process collide with auto agent debt claims. The travel agent, who is not holding the funds, gets smashed. And business insurance cover is impossible to get in COVID-risk conditions. TB: What are some other things on AFTA’s agenda? Tom: Member survival has been the top focus. But there are plenty of other issues, including recognition that the “Travel Service Industry” has a value of $45 billion. We need a national training skills-based curriculum, with school leaver programs highlighting careers in the travel industry. Agents collect $1 billion a year in Passenger Movement Charges, so negotiating for some of that to be returned through skills support is an ongoing discussion. Then there’s the student and university market – as well as inbound, these students also visit home regularly so they are vital. We need to continually drive for change within our industry to shift the agent base income to positive earnings, not delayed commission. Other things on the agenda include partnerships, supporting airlines and cruise companies, tour operators and so on through the agent distribution and service providers, all aimed to reignite the travel sector. Agency distribution must be recognised – it’s not an “auto cost saving bucket”. Consumers want choice, service, personal contact, as we restart travel through COVID.
“
Our sector relies on product and public confidence. The last thing we want to happen is people planning trips, only to get caught because the flights are suddenly shut down. All we’re saying is give us a roadmap, possible dates, like late 2021 bookings for 2022 travel
”
Tom Manwaring, Chairman, AFTA
TB: And what about borders – you recently controversially suggested the trans-Tasman travel bubble might have come too soon. Could you expand on that? Tom: We need a far clearer position around global travel processes. Easy to say...of course we all want international travel to begin as quickly and safely as possible. In Australia and NZ, where we have escaped most of the major impacts of the pandemic, a local bubble seems an appropriate start. Domestic cruise would be a great start too. However our sector relies on product and public confidence. The last thing we want to happen is people planning trips, only to get caught because the flights are suddenly shut down. All we’re
Tom Manwaring, Express Travel Group
saying is give us a roadmap, possible dates, like late 2021 bookings for 2022 travel. If international borders snap shut once or twice, that will be a disaster that will set us back more than six months. It will completely sap confidence in travel. We also really need UK, Europe and USA capacity to open for business, to have enough supply for the agency industry to survive. We would hope we would be flying and cruising in scale for the Northern Summer of 2022 – that’s what I see as very doable, given that vaccination should be
far more widespread in six to nine months. Booking patterns for that travel would then flow in the last quarter of 2021, so we would start to see cash coming through the agency distribution networks.
REPRESENTATION ACROSS THE BOARD… TB: The AFTA Board is controlled by the big travel groups. How is AFTA getting the balance right on the needs of both small and large agencies? Tom: AFTA has evolved over the last 64 years and will continue to
do so, representing all members and levels of businesses. One of the key factors considered by Governments when we are lobbying focuses on job protection and job creation. A large percentage of the people within travel are employed by the listed companies. So it’s a combination – everybody’s important. There are now 11 Directors, comprising representatives of large public companies and mediumsized independents, most of which started as small businesses. Some are global now and Australia should be very proud of that. But all of
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COVER our Board are fully aware of the pressure points of small business – they’re all intimately involved with business and its challenges. I might mention here that the Board provide their time and effort at no fee, work very hard, outside of their own business commitments, and have not been part of the grant system to date. I’m not trying to blow our own trumpet, just supporting my comments about the Board representing all parts of the agency system. And I’m just clarifying that point for some members, whose emails seem to think otherwise. Notwithstanding all that, we also accept that the current constitution needs some tweaking – not a wholesale revision, just some tweaks. Member engagement has to be strong, and more direct state exposure for the Board is planned.
Christian Hunter, Travellers Choice
David Padman, Helloworld Travel
Graham Turner, Flight Centre
David Greenland, Reed & Mackay
David Smith, Flight Centre
Joanne Sully, American Express Business Travel
Julie Primmer, Helloworld Travel
Shelley Beasley, Webjet
Laura Ruffles, Corporate Travel Management
Spiros Alysandratos, Consolidated Travel
SHOW ME THE MONEY! TB: AFTA’s move to waive fees in 2020/21 has certainly supported members, but left the organisation with no income. What’s the status of the Federation’s finances? Tom: The AFTA Board considered the financial position of our members very early, with the onset of the pandemic in the first week of February 2020. And the decision was to waive the membership fees for the year. We were one of just a few associations to do this, and I think it has been appreciated by the members. The Board stepped up to do a lot more work than before – weekly and monthly meetings, budget reviews, Government submissions, industry crisis action and so on. In doing this financial strength of AFTA came to the fore. The office sale in previous years and relocation provided a long 14
travelBulletin MAY 2021
The AFTA Board
term financial strength to allow for membership fees to be waived for a year, some $2.2 million of income. The balance sheet is diminished but strong, to provide support for the post-COVID rebuild. Full details will be discussed at the July AGM. TB: And what about 2021 – why should members actually put their hands in their pockets, particularly in the current environment? Tom: We are in the process of sending out invoices to members now. The renewal process will be the same as the 2019 year – members submit their renewal details, and then pay the invoice and so on. New members are very welcome, especially those that received the first grant payment! The $258 million in industryspecific funding should in itself explain why current and new
members should be proud to join. But as I mentioned there’s a lot more going on with IATA, WTAAA, the ACCC, ATAS review, skills plan, refunds, chargebacks, borders and more. Over the past 14 months, our access and recognition in Canberra has greatly improved. It is critical that we retain that activity. The position of ATAS, along with the wind-up of ACS effective 30 June, are also current projects. AFTA will survive and thrive after this, as our industry will.
A NEW CEO FOR AFTA... TB: So presumably at some stage there will be a new CEO for the Federation. What are the biggest challenges for that person? Tom: There definitely will be a new CEO. I’m already receiving
“
Moving into the postCOVID period there will be a high requirement for qualified professional advice. In any other industry, you pay for that advice and that’s something we all have to get our head around - can our industry position itself to charge reasonable professional fees?
”
Tom Manwaring, Chairman, AFTA
calls and emails from people, so it’s well sought-after – it’s a leading travel action and industry advocacy position. The criteria for the new person will be slightly different – we’re switching the focus a little, given the changing landscape, and in line with members’ feedback. A lot has changed in 12 months. We will find the right candidate, holding industry, political and management strengths. The board will also remain in a semiexecutive position and continue dealing with the government and industry on major policy and strategic issues. TB: What sort of changes do you expect the new CEO to be facing? Tom: Right throughout COVID, travel agents have proved themselves essential to consumers – this is something that really gets traction when we talk to politicians about the reality of the massive support agents have provided. Moving into the post-COVID period there will be a high requirement for qualified professional advice. In any other industry, you pay for that advice and that’s something we all have to get our head around – can our industry position itself to charge reasonable professional fees? Distribution and service is changing, but customers will follow the structural changes with less shop fronts and more personal selling. We’ll see stronger corporate business, product innovations, and of course new health and travel processes. We also expect a strong growth phase post-COVID. As an industry we are actually attuned to constant change, both in people skills and technology. We are a highly technology-driven and evolving industry – in fact
the resilience of the sector has been unbelievable in the last 14 months; I don’t think many other industries would have survived, facing such a shut down. And that has all been underpinned by the tremendous strength of the professional agents out there. While many are in hibernation now, they will come out strong.
UP TO OUR NECKS IN IT... TB: How have you coped personally with the strains of the last 14 months? Tom: It’s been a very emotional time. I think we all deserve to recognise our emotions. I like to shout at the ocean – it relieves pressure and makes you feel small! I have great support from my wife Julie, family, staff and friends which all helps as we work through this crisis. The environment we had in Melbourne, particularly the 114 day lockdown, was a very busy, tough period – hence the ocean shouting in my one hour of exercise... We all feel for the members, especially given we’re all going through the same experiences. But we will only succeed by sticking together, by staying on the same page and having a common strategy – voicing positive messages about what we do in our industry, which is make people happy. Travel is a happy place. I’m sitting on planes lately (in economy class of course), and I’ll sit next to business people or holiday makers, and they are excited about getting on an airplane. Even those going on a bloody business trip! And then multiply that tenfold with regard to leisure travel. Our customers will come back strong, and so will our industry, so we need to be travel ready.
travelBulletin MAY 2021
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CRUISE
NEW STRUCTURE, SAME EXPERTISE FOR HURTIGRUTEN HURTIGRUTEN’S currently underway strategic structural change will deliver operational specialisation and will also allow clients to identify the cruise line’s two different brands – Hurtigruten Coastal Express and Hurtigruten Expedition – Managing Director APAC Damian Perry told travelBulletin. Rolling out now across the world, the structural change will emphasise the difference in operational expertise between the two brands, with Perry adding it will result in a sharper execution of both products for clients, as well as a nimbler workforce. “The reason to [split the business] is to create an agile way of working where we have the right people in the right roles,” he said. “You need to have an in-depth specialised skill-set to run Coastal Express at the best level, and you need the same expertise to run Expedition sailings around the world in warm and cold waters. “It’s meant we’ve had to bring different expertise into the business over time to be able to deliver on our promise.” An additional result of the change is a full pipeline of concepts and expansion, which Perry believes
Hurtigruten’s Expedition arm will focus on its sailings around the world in warm and cold waters ©Karsten Bidstrup
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The Coastal Express part of the business will focus on the classic Norwegian voyages that the line originally was known for ©Agurtxane Concellon
will deliver “a huge amount of change in the marketplace”. “You’re going to see a lot of action in the next six to 12 months, and that could be more destinations, broader destinations, that could be operational expertise, expansion of our core pillars, you’ll see a whole lot of things happen.” Revealing Australia has been a part of “every single strategic conversation that comes up” at Hurtigruten, Perry said the country could feature among the cruise line’s expansion. “People want us to be here...we have a lot of engagement already with key people in this part of the world,” he enthused. “When we have these conversations from a local level, we get such a positive and open response, because they love what we do, they’ve seen how we commit to local communities around the world and they want us to bring it to their region.” The change will also allow Hurtigruten to grow either side of the business as necessary, with different markets able to create business plans centred on their strong points. “You might find in some markets, Expedition is a far stronger product than Coastal Express, or vice versa, so you might find those markets create business plans that focus on that strength and grow that area more aggressively. “For Australia, we grew off the back of Norwegian Coastal Express and created enough awareness that people were interested in doing the Scandinavian and Nordic experiences.”
ONCE UPON A RIVER... Introducing Avalon’s Storyteller Series
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CRUISE American bill introduced NEWLY introduced legislation in the United States Senate would overrule the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and allow cruising to restart by July. The Careful Resumption Under Improved Safety Enhancements (CRUISE) Act was introduced last month by Alaska’s Dan Sullivan and Florida’s Marco Rubio, which would revoke the CDC’s current order, and require it to provide COVID-19 mitigation guidance for cruise lines to safely resume.
Cruiseco music cruise partnership over AFTER a decade of jointly welcoming thousands of music lovers, Cruiseco’s long-running partnership with music cruise specialists Choose Your Cruise is over, following the former’s acquisition by Helloworld. The two companies couldn’t reach an agreement that worked for both of them, according to a statement from Helloworld. The annual events have included the popular Bravo Cruise N Groove, Cruisin’ Country, and Rock the Boat voyages, generally involving full charters of Royal Caribbean International vessels.
Seabourn to Australia SEABOURN Cruise Line has announced Seabourn Odyssey will voyage in Australia in 2022/2023, as well as the Caribbean, New Zealand and the Panama Canal. With a range of itineraries from seven to 35 days, Odyssey will sail in local waters during the peak whale-watching season from December 2022 to March 2023, with five 16-day voyages between Sydney and Auckland.
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CLIA VIEW
Joel Katz, Managing Director CLIA Australasia
UPPING THE PRESSURE FOR RESUMPTION IN RECENT weeks CLIA and our cruise line members have been tackling further important discussions with governments on both sides of the Tasman, pressing for an urgent revival for our industry. In each case, we continue to outline our vision for a responsible resumption of cruising in this region and highlight the devasting impact the cruise suspension has had on local jobs. We have been presenting the extensive new health measures that cruise lines have developed in response to the pandemic and have underscored the success that cruise lines have had where such measures are already up and running – like Singapore, where more than 100,000 people have sailed safely since November without a single confirmed case of COVID-19. We’ve also been busy in the media, appearing on television, radio and in print to highlight the urgent need for a path forward and build confidence around the health
measures that will underpin future operations. It’s a complex and demanding process, and one that is taking our entire focus right now. But we also need the backing of our stakeholders and the wider cruise community. To help travel agents and other stakeholders reinforce our message, CLIA has refreshed and expanded its #WeAreCruise web pages, which include a new fact sheet on our Model for Responsible Sailing. This guide explains the health measures cruise lines have adopted globally and our vision for their implementation in Australia and New Zealand. We’re also preparing to ramp up lobbying as part of CLIA’s Ready Set Sail initiative, and we’ll be calling on our travel agent members and other supporters to get involved in a targeted campaign to pressure leaders at the state and federal levels. New online facilities will help you take part, simply and effectively, so keep an eye on WeAreCruise.org to find out more.
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CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY CRUISES
A SHIP THAT GOES BEYOND Celebrity Cruises has taken the wraps off its newest addition to its fleet, Celebrity Beyond, and it will bring with it a host of new features, writes Sarah Beyer.
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR THE outdoors has always been a place where you can be restored and Celebrity has sought to bring its guests even closer with the salty sea air and endless blue ocean. Compared to Beyond’s sister ships in the Edge Series, the Sunset Bar onboard is 180% larger. Laid out across two storeys, its location at the aft of the ship offers incredible views of the surrounding ocean or shoreside when in port. The bar has a Moroccaninspired feel thanks to Nate Berkus and Tom Wright from WKK, and features terraces and plush daybed niches while also connecting easily to the alfresco dining area of Oceanview Café. Another area of the ship where guests are invited to connect with the outdoors is the Rooftop Garden. Travellers can unwind in the float pools that are
cantilevered to extend 2m over the water, thanks to Kelly Hoppen and Tom Wright’s design, or else recline in the loungers and day beds that surround them. The Rooftop Garden also offers plenty of spots to relax with a book in shaded seating areas, or challenge a friend to a game of giant chess. When you’re surrounded by the ocean, its not hard to want to take a swim, and the Main Pool on Celebrity Beyond gives guests a range of options. Swim a few lengths in the 25-yard lap pool, hide away for some privacy in one of the eight cabanas which are elevated slightly above the pool deck and repositioned for a better view of the pool and ocean, compared to on other Edge series ships, or enjoy a soak in one of the two storey martini-shaped hot tubs. Finally, when it comes to the outdoors, nothing can compete with the views offered on the cantilevered Magic Carpet where you can drink, dine or just relax.
This page, clockwise from top: The Sunset Bar is 180% larger on board Celebrity Beyond. Relax and unwind in the pools which are cantilevered 2m over the edge of the ship at the Rooftop Garden. The Main Pool has a larger outward-facing deck on Beyond, as well as offering eight private cabanas.
C
ELEBRITY Cruises has a pipeline of new ships coming into service in the next few years and Celebrity Beyond is the latest in its revolutionary Edge ships, joining Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex. Beyond will debut in April next year with a maiden voyage from Southampton, England, and is aptly named, with Celebrity Cruises taking its innovative outward-facing design even further, aiming to create a closer connection between guests, the sea and what is on the horizon. The designers and architects who worked on the two first Edge series ships were brought back for Beyond, but their roles were expanded, and the ship was designed entirely in 3D. Not only were their roles enlarged, but the ship itself has been as well, with Beyond one deck taller and 20m wider than its Edge series sisters, and showing off a sleeker profile.
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All renders courtesy of Celebrity Cruises.
travelBulletin MAY 2021
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CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY CRUISES LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATION
From top: The Retreat Sundeck stretches across two storeys on Celebrity Beyond. Luminae at The Retreat has a new design and has been moved to the front of the ship. The two-storey Edge Villas are luxuriously furnished and each have their own plunge pool. All renders courtesy of Celebrity Cruises.
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CELEBRITY Beyond features 179 more suites and staterooms than its Edge series sisters, including double the number of Infinite Verandas which are designed for solo travellers. The cruise line’s ship within a ship concept, The Retreat, has also been expanded and redesigned. In The Retreat, travellers enjoy suite accommodation, as well as private dining, exclusive spaces and a range of services and amenities. The Retreat Sundeck now stretches across two levels outdoors, and a second hot tub has been added. The private restaurant, Luminae at The Retreat, has a new design and has been repositioned to the front of the ship so diners can enjoy panoramic views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, while they indulge in meals from the exclusive menu created by Michelinstarred chef Daniel Boulud. A 24-hour concierge gives The Retreat guests more time to enjoy Beyond, taking care of any arrangements on or off the ship. In terms of suite accommodations, highlights include the two-storey Edge Villas which have their own plunge pools, and the Iconic Suites which are the largest in the fleet. Guests staying in this part of the ship also receive premium drinks, streaming wi-fi, service charges, a shore excursion credit, and an onboard credit to use however they choose. Beyond also introduces a new type of suite to the Celebrity fleet, the AquaClass Sky Suites. The rooms combine the best of the AquaClass stateroom experiences, with access to the luxurious spaces, services and amenities of The Retreat. These rooms are perfect for those who want to nourish their mind, body and spirit on holidays, located just steps from the lift to the Spa, private verandas, eco-friendly bath products and yoga mats provided. Travellers not staying in The Retreat or AquaClass Sky Suites are still spoilt for choice, with favourite accommodations returning such as AquaClass, Concierge Class, Infinite Veranda and Singles.
From left: Michelinstarred chef Daniel Boulud. Boulud will debut Le Voyage restaurant on Celebrity Beyond. Gwyneth Paltrow is Celebrity Cruises’ Wellbeing Advisor.
CELEBRITY RECRUITS A-LIST TALENT CELEBRITY has sought to bring a new level of luxury to Celebrity Beyond, and that hasn’t stopped with the amenities and spaces on board the ship, but extends to the way the cruise line has elevated wellness on board, with a new partnership with actress and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow. The new AquaClass Sky Suites are one aspect of this partnership, but Gwyneth Paltrow’s role as Wellbeing Advisor will also see AquaClass guests across the entire fleet treated to new onboard wellness offerings including fitness kits from Paltrow’s goop brand, while all travellers can experience curated wellness programming from the team at goop. A-list talent has also been added to the culinary team, with Celebrity’s Global Culinary Ambassador
Welcome,
BEYOND
MORE SPACE. MORE LUXURY. MORE CONNECTED.
chef Daniel Boulud bringing his first signature restaurant at sea to Beyond, called Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. The venue offers a menu inspired by flavours around the world, paired with the most awarded wine collection at sea, with recommendations by expert sommeliers and a farewell treat to top off your dining experience. Boulud has also exerted his influence on the other restaurants onboard, with the main restaurant providing four complimentary dining options – Normandie, Tuscan, Cosmopolitan and Cyprus. Each restaurant’s menu changes nightly, inspired by the regions they represent, and offers its own ambience. Celebrity Beyond will cruise the Mediterranean and Caribbean in 2022. To learn more or book your client’s luxury holiday, CLICK HERE.
CELEBRITY BEYOND.SM The third ship in our revolutionary Edge® Series takes our innovative outward-facing design further than ever, creating an even closer connection between you, the sea, and every exciting place on the horizon. Unwind in expanded open-air spaces, like our terraced Sunset Bar that’s nearly twice the size as before. Savor fine dining that rivals anything you’d find on land, now including the new Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. And discover new ways to renew on two luxurious levels at The Retreat® Sundeck. Mediterranean and Caribbean 2022 sailings now open for booking.
LEARN MORE AT THECELEBRITYCOMMITMENT.COM.AU OR CALL 1-800-754-500. All images of Celebrity BeyondSM are artistic renderings based on current development concepts, whichare subject to change without notice. Celebrity Beyond and Beyond are trademarks of Celebrity Cruises. ©2021 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.
LAST WORD
Norwegian Coastal Express
SUDOKU
Tricky
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, column, 3×3 box.
Funnies Flashback We’ve trawled through the Travel Daily Window Seat archives to give you blast from the past. Here’s a gem from 04 Aug 2014. ANYBODY who has ever griped about sitting next to overweight pax on a plane will be thankful they weren’t on this flight. Doing the rounds online is a photo of 29 Japanese sumo wrestlers tightly packing into a turboprop aircraft on their way to a training camp on the island of Okinoshima. After landing in the Shimane Prefecture, the group lumbered from the plane and on to a similarly packed bus. The group’s Twitter account saw the humour in the situation, jokingly labelling their trip as cramped.
Explore the heart of Coastal Norway
www.sudokuoftheday.com – visit them and get a new Sudoku every day!
FUNNY FESTIVALS ROTARY HENLEY ON TODD REGATTA, AUSTRALIA THE Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta is possibly the only boat race in the world to be cancelled due to the presence of water. Held annually in Alice Springs, the regatta requires teams to race in ‘boats’ on the dry bed of the Todd River. Participants can build and race their own boats, or alternatively are provided a boat and equipment depending on the event, making sure no one misses out on the fun.
Held on the third Saturday in August each year, the Henley on Todd Regatta features a range of events including the Mini Yacht, Rowing 8’s Head of the River, Surf Rescue, where teams paddle/shovel a paddle board on rails to rescue a team member in ‘distress’ and Kayak, where solo racers navigate a slalom course to win. The event is run as a fundraiser for Rotary Clubs in the Northern Territory.
©Lisa Hatz
Mother’s Day
Sale
travelBulletin MAY 2021
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Norwegian Coastal Voyages
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