Turbulence September 2014 by Sean Simmons Travel

turbulence travel news th at wi l l e xc it e y o u

SEPTEMBER 2014

PRODUCED BY SEAN SIMMONS TRAVEL

Welcome to the September Edition!

EXCLUSIVE DEAL

Welcome to September’s edition of Turbulence, brought to you with a “Spring” in our step as the weather starts to warm up!! It’s heating up in Melbourne too as we fast approach the AFL Grand Final – an amazing time to be in the sporting capital of Australia – make sure you call us ASAP if you want accommodation in the city, as already, rooms are selling out faster than you can throw a footy ball across the MCG!

This edition is packed to the rafters –

• make sure you check out the fantastic 2015 Early Bird airfares with Etihad, • our awesome feature property, offering an EXCLUSIVE deal to Turbulence subscribers • all the latest industry news and much, MUCH more!! Happy Reading!!

F INAL IST 2013 & 2014

New Government campaign takes ATAS message to consumers A new consumer campaign launched recently promoting the benefits of booking with an ATAS-accredited travel agent, with the multi-channel push to carry the tagline Pack some peace of mind. The government advertising campaign aims to boost awareness of the newly de-regulated travel industry and flags ATAS accreditation as a sign of “quality, reliable advice” when booking a holiday. “The government campaign amplifies and reinforces our messaging about the value of booking through accredited travel providers,” Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) chief executive Jayson Westbury said.

Sean Simmons Travel and Intercontinental Sydney have teamed up this month to extend an exclusive SPECIAL OFFER at Intercontinental Sydney. If you book a City Side Room in the month of September for business or personal use, you can upgrade to the Deluxe Eastern Harbour View Room at a special rate of $20 per additional night. Bookings are subject to availability and are applicable for new bookings only

“The government campaign amplifies and reinforces our messaging about the value of booking through accredited travel providers,”

For all bookings email enquiries@seanstravel.com.au

FEATURED PROPERTY THE ATURA HOTEL

“It is also pleasing to see that a number of the individual brands are incorporating ATAS into their own advertising efforts.” Westbury also highlighted the launch of the Find an ATAS travel agent web search directory to enable consumers to easily find an accredited agent. Pack some peace of mind is running across radio, internet and print with AFTA to continue working with state and federal governments in order to promote the new scheme and grow awareness of the significant shifts underway in the industry. “Australia is leading the way with these reforms,” Westbury said. “In addition to providing a more flexible and equitable framework which accommodates the significant diversity of the Australian travel industry while embracing the multiple ways consumers purchase travel, these changes further elevate the professionalism of our industry which is important for agents and consumers alike.” As an ATAS-accredited agent, Sean Simmons Travel always listen to what the customers want and need and provide expert and tailored services.

CONTACT THE SEAN SIMMONS TRAVEL CONSULTING TEAM ON:

Phone: +61 3 9429 3294 (local) Toll Free: 1300 391 590 (interstate) Fax: +61 3 9429 3293 Email: enquiries@seanstravel.com.au Suite 6, 53 Coppin Street, Richmond VIC 3121 seansimmons travel.com.au ABN 48153795129 TCF 10343 TRAVEL AGENT LICENSE VIC 33025 IATA 02-3 6275 4

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FEATURED PROPERTY

GET WET ‘N’ WILD $283.00 PER ROOM PER NIGHT 2 Adults $417.00 PER ROOM PER NIGHT 2 Adults & 2 Children

Discover the Atura hotel Australia’s newest & coolest accommodation in Western Sydney Innovative technology, edgy design, Atura Hotel is the talk of Sydney’s West. Located in the green belt of Prospect in Western Sydney with easy access off the M4 motorway Atura Hotel is close to a large number of Business Park precincts, adjacent to the new and exciting Sydney Wet ’n’ Wild Sydney Eastern Creek Raceway, Blacktown International Sportspark and only 10 minutes from Parramatta. Atura Blacktown provides travellers a unique high value experience with an emphasis on connectivity and community. There is FREE wifi thru the hotel, high energy public spaces including the Roadhouse Bar & Grill with great food & drinks at good prices, a free business centre of Apple iMac’s and free printing, Games & Relaxation living zones, a little shop of treats Grab & Go pantry and hip outdoor courtyard pool area with bar and seating.

SEAN SIMMONS RECOMMENDS

CheckMyTrip

Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney is home to 42 thrill-seeking rides including the world’s tallest and most exciting water slide and Atura Blacktown is the ideal place to chill out (or warm up!) after a day spent on the rides. This Wet ‘n’ Wild package includes Wet ‘n’ Wild day pass tickets, overnight accommodation, a delicious buffet breakfast and we’ll even throw in a tube of our special Atura Sunscreen. Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney re-opens for their 2014/15 season on 19 September 2014. Book now to ensure a hot shower & the coolest hotel room in Western Sydney is waiting for you after your new-season Wet ‘n’ Wild jaunt. Here’s what you will receive: • Overnight accommodation in a King Room with a fold out double couch for the kids • Breakfast at the Roadhouse Bar & Grill • ‘one day’ tickets to Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney • Complimentary Atura sunscreen Booking Period

Powered by our technology partner, Amadeus, CheckMyTrip is a user-friendly interface on the web and smartphone applications allowing you the ability to view real-time itinerary information. Save your upcoming trips, view past trips and get real-time trip information.

8 September, 2014 to 28 February, 2015 Stay Period • 19th September 2014 to 05th October 2014 (Available 7 days a week)

Along with immediate, real-time itinerary information and trip tools, CheckMyTrip also offers other information in context with your journey including local weather, currency exchange rates, dialling codes, aircraft information, event guides and more.

• 06th October 2014 to 30th November 2014 (Friday, Saturday and Sundays ONLY) • 01st December 2014 to 31st January 2015 (Available 7 days a week) • 01st February 2015 to 31st March 2015 (Friday, Saturday and Sundays ONLY)

Visit CheckMyTrip.com and register or simply download the smartphone app.

“Airplane travel is nature’s way of making you look like your passport photo.”

Terms & Conditions Subject to availability. This offer is valid from the 2014/15 Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney reopen in September 2014. Minimum of 2 adults per room.

- Al Gore

CONTACT THE SEAN SIMMONS TRAVEL CONSULTING TEAM ON:

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FLIGHT DISCOUNT Etihad Early Bird Sale

Virgin Australia Updates Virgin Australia Launches Business Class on Trans-Tasman and Pacific Island Routes

Don’t miss these great Early Bird fares for travel in 2015 to a range of exciting destinations in Europe, the Middle East and the USA.

Virgin Australia recently announced the introduction of Business Class on all Trans-Tasman and Pacific Island routes from early 2015. From March next year, guests will be able to experience Virgin Australia’s award-winning Business Class product on a number of new routes, with Sydney-Auckland to be the first to launch.

Guests will be able to enjoy: • A choice of 3 meal options, including a vegetarian option, and our Café Service • Over 750 hours of onboard entertainment, including Live TV • Dedicated childcare assistance, thanks to our Onboard Nanny • Convenient access to US Pre-Clearance in Abu Dhabi for guests travelling to the USA^ • Seamless domestic connections with our partner, Virgin Australia. Economy Class fares from AUD* Flying to

Sydney

Melbourne

Brisbane

Perth

London

$1,753

$1,738

$1,761

$1,715

Rome

$1,541

$1,526

$1,544

$1,503

Paris

$1,567

$1,552

$1,569

$1,529

Abu Dhabi

$1,836

$1,821

$1,838

$1,797

Amsterdam

$1,532

$1,517

$1,534

$1,496

Athens

$1,550

$1,535

$1,554

$1,512

Beirut

$1,853

$1,837

$1,854

$1,814

Belgrade

$1,518

$1,503

$1,520

$1,480

Dublin

$1,506

$1,488

$1,506

$1,466

Frankfurt

$1,610

$1,595

$1,612

$1,572

Istanbul

$1,504

$1,489

$1,508

$1,466

Madrid

$1,528

$1,514

$1,532

$1,490

New York

$2,261

$2,246

$2,284

$2,243

Terms and conditions apply. Fare levels displayed include return Coral Economy Class low season lead-in airfare, fuel and applicable taxes per person correct as at 05SEP14. Valid for sale until 31OCT14. Valid for travel from 01FEB15 to 31OCT15. Fare levels may vary due to currency fluctuations and are subject to availability, flight restrictions and booking confirmation. Blackout periods apply. Nil minimum stay; maximum stay is 12 months. Booking a credit card feels may apply.

SEAN’S TRAVEL TIPS

How to Claim the TRS Airport Refund on Australian GST An estimated 1.3 million Australians fly overseas each year, and almost half of those are on business trips. Yet we have to wonder how many of these travellers realise they can get a full GST refund on everything from laptops, smartphones and cameras to watches, jewellery and shoes. It’s called the Tourist Refund Scheme or TRS. Created for tourists but also available to locals, the TRS provides a full GST refund issued at any Australian international airport. Provided you follow a few simple guidelines the TRS will see that 10% GST sales tax land right back in your pocket or purse. Ladies, you’ll be happy to know that purses are also eligible for the GST rebate! The TRS refund offices are located past customs at the airport (called ‘airside’, in travelgeek-speak) so you’ll need to check in for your flight and make your way through customs before heading to the TSR refund office. There can be a bit of a queue, especially in the mornings, so allow plenty of time – consider making the TRS refund office your first stop, even before you hit the lounge. Show the TRS officers your purchases and your invoice, and hand over your credit card or bank account details so the 10% GST can be refunded (you can also ask for a cheque, but that can take three weeks to be processed and posted to you). Here’s where we have to sound a caveat: the TRS is intended for products that are not coming back into Australia.

There are four simple rules for claiming the TRS refund 1. The goods have to be over $300 in value. This can be one item costing over $300, or several products totalling over $300 which have been bought from the same retailer (with the same Australian Business Number). 2. They have to be bought within 60 days of your departure. So if you’ve got an overseas trip coming up, this could be the right time to buy your new laptop or camera. You can use this gear before you fly – it doesn’t need to stay sitting sealed in the box. 3. You have to bring the goods to the airport as carry-on baggage. You can’t stow them in your checked luggage. That’s because you need to present the gear at the airport TRS office. 4. You have to bring the invoice with you. There’s no special GST refund paperwork or duty-free forms to be issued at the store, just the everyday invoice. However, any tax invoice exceeding $1,000 will need to include your address. This isn’t normal practice at many stores, so don’t get caught out.

CONTACT THE SEAN SIMMONS TRAVEL CONSULTING TEAM ON:

The progressive roll out will see ten aircraft in the airline’s Boeing 737 fleet be refitted with the 2-2 Business class seating configuration, as well as the introduction of priority services including priority check-in and boarding. This extension to TransTasman and Pacific Island routes, including Virgin Samoa, will complete the airline’s premium service offering across its mainline domestic and international network. Virgin Australia expects the progressive roll out of Business Class to be complete by April 2015. Business Class seats on Sydney to Auckland services are expected to go on sale before the end of year.

Virgin Australia to Allow Gadgets on Flights Virgin Australia, which offers in flight entertainment which streams to a passengers tablet or phone via Wi-Fi, has applied for approvals for devices to be used in all phases of flight. Virgin Australia chief customer officer Mark Hassell said the airline looked forward to delivering the initiative for its guests. “In-flight entertainment is a key driver of customer satisfaction, and this application marks the next phase of the product evolution,” he said.

Virgin Australia: new lounges coming for Perth and Darwin in 2015 2015 will be a big year for Virgin Australia’s airport lounge network with new lounges for Perth and Darwin along with an expanded lounge in Brisbane. Darwin will open in March 2015, Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti tells Australian Business Traveller, as part of a $60 million revamp of Darwin International Airport. The 150-seat lounge will be around the same size as its Gold Coast sibling and join an enlarged Qantas Club at the NT capital. But the prize of 2015 will be the new facilities at Perth, which will open “the moment we move into the new terminal” Borghetti says. “At this stage that’s looking like mid-2015, somewhere between May and July”. Perth will not only gain a flagship lounge along the same lines as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, “it’ll be the first airport where we roll out our new check-in system” Borghetti explains. “This is really a whole new on-ground experience” he says of the system, which will aim to close the gap against Qantas’ Smarter Faster check-in facility. The new Perth lounge is woven into Perth Airport’s plan for new domestic terminals, an international pier and a third runway. As previously reported, around March 2015 Virgin will double the size of its Brisbane Airport lounge and add a fast-track Premium Entry facility modelled along the same lines as that of its flagship lounge at Sydney. This will let business travellers and top-tier Velocity Frequent Flyers enter the lounge straight from the kerbside valet service, without having to enter the main terminal. Designed for travellers with only cabin bags, passengers still have the option of using Premium Entry after completing the traditional bag drop formalities – although in Brisbane, there’s already a priority screening lane adjacent to priority check-in. Virgin’s Melbourne lounge will gain its own ‘Premium Exit’ facility in mid-September. In effect a mirrored version of the Sydney lounge’s Premium Entry, the Premium Exit will have two dedicated screening lanes to provide a time-saving direct path from the bustling lounge to the northern departure gates 1-10. As the Melbourne Lounge is located ahead of security, top-tier travellers currently have to exit the lounge, walk through the terminal and then proceed through the regular screening point.

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INDUSTRY NEWS NEW IMMIGRATION LAWS FOR MINORS TRAVELLING TO SOUTH AFRICA Effective 01 October 2014, The South African Government will implement new immigration laws which stipulate stringent documentation requirements for persons under 18 travelling to South Africa, regardless of nationality and whether travelling with both parents, a single parent, with other adults or travelling unaccompanied. In addition to a valid passport, minors will also need to present an “unabridged” original birth certificate plus additional documents granting approval for travel by the absent parent or parents, or documentation showing why such a document from the absent parent is not required. Anyone travelling to South Africa will be impacted by these new rules. Please ensure the process outlined above is followed to ensure travel plans are not interrupted by the implementation of these new requirements. The above information should be used as a guide only. Visa and other entry and exit conditions change regularly. It is strongly recommended guests contact the nearest Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of South Africa, for the most up-to-date information.

DEVICES NOW ALLOWED ON TAKE OFF, LANDING In welcome news for flyers who love their devices, no longer will work, movies or music be interrupted during takeoff and touch down. Qantas and Virgin have revised their electronic device policies to allow passengers to use their smart phones, tablets and laptops in flight mode from gate-to-gate. Previously devices could only be switched on when the aircraft was cruising and had to be turned off during taxiing and through much of the climb and descent. It comes after the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority released new guidelines on the safe use of personal electronic devices on planes in June. The authority found, on the advice of airline experts, manufacturers and pilot associations, that devices in flight mode did not interfere with the aircraft. However, mobile phones still can’t be used to make calls or send texts from the air. Both major Australian airlines are bringing the change in from Tuesday afternoon. The new policy applies to all domestic and international Qantas flights, while Virgin Australia domestic and shorthaul international flights will be allowed gate-to-gate device access.

STUDY FINDS AUSTRALIA PASSPORT PHOTO ERRORS Australian passport-issuing officers are no better at identifying if someone is holding a fake passport photo than the average person, new research has found. A study of Australian passport office staff by a team of psychologists has showed a 15 per cent error rate in matching the person to their passport photo. Tests were carried out by researchers from the universities of NSW, Aberdeen and York. Passport officers had to decide whether or not a photograph of an individual presented on their computer screen matched the face of a person standing in front of their desk. In 15 per cent of trials the officers decided that the photograph on their screen matched the face of the person in front of them, when in fact the photograph showed an entirely different person. The findings suggest a single passport photo is not sufficient for security systems to be accurate.

Professor Mike Burton, from Aberdeen University, said psychologists identified about a decade ago that in general people are not very good at matching a person to an image on a security document. “Familiar faces trigger special processes in our brain we would recognise a member of our family, a friend or a famous face within a crowd, in a multitude of guises, venues, angles or lighting conditions. But when it comes to identifying a stranger it’s another story. The question we asked was does this fundamental brain process that occurs have any real importance for situations such as controlling passport issuing, and we found that it does.” In a second test, the passport officers were asked to match current face photos to images taken two years ago. Error rates on this task rose to 20 per cent - the same result as a group of untrained student volunteers who were also tested.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA REVEALS NEW MENU FOR AIRPORT LOUNGES Virgin Australia has made a long-awaited upgrade to the preflight meals at its airport lounges, with “six original menus” to be rolled out over the coming months. The airline promises that these will in turn “continue to be refreshed to ensure variety and choice to the broad range of taste buds that enter the lounges every day.” Next month will also see the launch of themed ‘Afternoon Pop Up’ menus including options such as classic Vietnamese bahn mi with roast pork, pickled carrot, cucumber chili torched salmon nigiri with teriyaki sauce, seasoned sesame seeds and Japanese mayonnaise. Virgin Australia exec Mark Hassell says the new menu features “well-balanced dishes that are fresh, unique and full of flavour.” In addition to classic bacon and eggs, Virgin’s new lounge menu includes baked beans and hash browns...

Burton said the ability to accurately match a face to an image is “not necessarily something that can be trained”. “It seems that it is a fundamental brain process and that some people are simply more adept at it than others. Our conclusion would be that focusing on training security staff may be ploughing efforts in the wrong direction. Instead we should be looking at the selection process and potentially employing tests such as the ones we conducted in the study to help us recruit people who are innately better at this process,” he said. Because of the study, the Australian Passport Office now sets face-matching tests when recruiting staff and when selecting facial comparison experts. “It seems strange that we expect a single passport shot to encompass a person and allow us to consistently recognise them. Could there, in fact, be an argument for our passports to contain a multitude of images, taken at different angles, in different lighting and formats? This is certainly something our study is examining,” he said.

WORKERS NOT TURNING OFF WHILE ON HOLIDAY

Café style breakfast

... and roast beef

rolls.

More than half of office workers check their emails while on holiday, according to a new survey. Figures show that 52% will log in for work when they should officially be chilling out and 26% of those said they would respond to emails. Researchers, who quizzed 1000 UK-based office workers, found that younger employees were the most conscientious, with 38% of them claiming to read and respond to emails when they are away, compared with 29% of people aged 45-54. Among those aged 3544, 45% said they let their out-of-office message do what it’s intended for and never checked their emails. Women were also more relaxed than men during their time off, with 54% saying they never looked at work emails, compared with 42% of men. Reading work emails had caused 36% of couples to fall out and 70% of women confessed to having a problem with their other halves checking their emails on holiday compared with 58% of men who saw it as an issue. As workplaces become busier, annual leave becomes more of a luxury, but the reality is that many office workers cannot completely turn off.

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Greek yoghurt shots and vegetable co ld pressed juic es

Travellers can also look forward to mid-morning serves of ‘Greek yoghurt shots with muesli and fresh fruit toppings’ plus cold-pressed vegetable juices. Also on the menu are: • Roast Peking duck pancakes served with cucumber, spring onion and hoisin sauce • Fresh pumpkin tortellini with creamy pesto sauce and shredded parmesan • Authentic Vietnamese beef pho with noodles, bean shoots, coriander, mint and chilli Qantas has long held the lead in the domestic lounge stakes with its Qantas Club and Qantas Business Lounge network, both of which have offered more substantial meals and a greater variety of dishes from month to month, including daily ‘Island Dining’ specials of a morning and evening in the business lounges.

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