Doha, Qatar – Qatar Airways, the Global Partner and Official Airline of F1®, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, announced today the launch of its fan packages for the upcoming FIA Formula One World Championship™. The packages allow fans travelling from more than 40 countries to be up-close to high-octane action and enjoy unique experiences.
From the beginning to end of their journey, the packages are designed for fans to enjoy a seamless motorsport extravaganza, with the inclusion of return flights, hotel accommodation, F1® Paddock Club or Grandstand race tickets, and return airport transfers for all global races (excluding Qatar). Packages are available for purchase at: qatarairways.com/f1.
This year, fans are also encouraged to experience guided track tours, pit lane walks and more with the F1® Paddock Club™ packages, featuring savings of up to 20 per cent on global race packages. One of the best spots to watch the action, offering world-class cuisine and free-flowing beverages, the Paddock Club™ is the pinnacle of F1® hospitality. In addition, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can collect Avios and Qpoints on all fan packages, accumulating rewards to use towards future travel and experiences while helping them retain and quickly reach their next tier. Members can also purchase their package using Cash + Avios.
As compared to more conventional forms of travel, AT has greater per capita consumption and economic impact for regional development, and is becoming increasingly popular in Europe, the U.S., and elsewhere, globally. AT is especially popular amongst wealthy individuals who value the importance of contributing to the local communities through travel. While demand for AT in Japan has been growing in line with increases in inbound travel, there remains a shortage of skilled guides and appropriate infrastructure conducive to welcoming international visitors.
Kammui and Japan Airlines (OTC: JAPSY) has entered a strategic alliance involving various initiatives to enhance AT in Japan with the goal of developing the market for premium tourism, with a focus on inbound travelers. Kammui and JAL will leverage their respective strengths to create premium content encouraging travelers to reconnect to nature in innovative ways and inspire more people to experiences Japan’s nature.
In cooperation with the Japan Adventure Tourism Association (JATO), where JAL belongs as one of the regular members, and the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the largest industry organization in the AT field, JAL and Kammui will work together to develop human resources capable of promoting AT, with the goal of promoting world-class AT in Japan. The partnership will focus on developing individuals with the ability to act as leaders in their respective regions and build and promote networks in each region to enhance AT within Japan.
JAL will start offering Kammui experiences through JAL Dynamic Package, a travel product allowing customers to combine airline tickets, accommodation, activities, transportation, and other travel products. JAL will start by offering 8 AT experiences from within Kammui’s selection of more than 300 unique experiences covering a wide variety of regions of Japan. Kammui and JAL are aiming to offer new value for travelers to Japan allowing them to enjoy authentic once-in-a-lifetime experiences combining nature and culture.
Qantas Frequent Flyers can now earn and use points on premium train trips around Australia including The Ghan, Indian Pacific and the Great Southern – marking the first time Classic Reward Seats have been offered on the ground.
From today, members can use points to book Classic Rail Reward seats or earn 1 point per $1 spent on Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions journeys.
Journey Beyond offers extended overnight rail holidays that traverse some of Australia’s most picturesque and iconic landscapes such as the Red Centre, Blue Mountains and east coast. The all-inclusive high-end expeditions include bespoke menus inspired by the places the trains travel through and the opportunity for guests to explore beyond the tracks with immersive Off Train Excursions before returning to their onboard accommodation and world-class hospitality.
Qantas Loyalty CEO, Olivia Wirth said at a time when Australians are planning domestic holidays more than ever the partnership with Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions provides even more choice for frequent flyers to use their Qantas Points.
“Ninety per cent of our members want to use their points for travel so the ability to explore the country by rail is an exciting alternative for frequent flyers and a real drawcard for our program,” Ms Wirth said.
“Whether members are redeeming points on flights, hotel bookings, holiday packages or now rail travel, we’re always evolving and innovating to meet the needs of our 13 million members and help bring them closer to their next dream trip.”
Journey Beyond Chief Executive Officer, Chris Tallent said the announcement reflected a coming together of two great Australian brands.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Qantas Frequent Flyer and provide people who love to travel with greater value when they choose a premium rail holiday experience,” Mr Tallent said.
“Like Qantas, Journey Beyond is in the business of taking people to incredible places across the country and curating unique experiences that forge lasting memories.
“As the first travel partner to offer Classic Reward Seats outside of flights, with the launch of our ‘Classic Rail’ Rewards, we look forward to growing our partnership with Qantas and sharing the joy of travel with our guests.”
Bookings are now available for rail travel next year with the Great Southern’s second season being extended by two weeks into February and the once-a-week Ghan service becoming a twice-weekly service from May to August. Work is currently underway to see the Indian Pacific return with its weekly journeys from mid-February.
Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent on all Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions or use points to book twin and single Gold Cabins on The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern starting from 100,000 Qantas Points.
AIRPORT NARITA, TOKYO, JAPAN - 2017/05/06: Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner landing at Tokyo Narita airport. (Photo by Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Air New Zealand has put a hold on new bookings on international services into New Zealand following a request from the New Zealand Government.
The move is to help ensure the country is able to provide quarantine accommodation for inbound passengers for the required 14-day period.
As well as the temporary hold on new bookings for the next three weeks, the airline is also looking at aligning daily arrivals with the capacity available at managed isolation facilities. This may mean some customers will need to be moved to another flight.
Air New Zealand Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Cam Wallace says the airline has been working closely with the government to understand how it can support the government’s efforts to contain COVID-19 at the border.
“We accept this is a necessary short-term measure given the limited capacity in quarantine facilities and we’re keen to do what we can to help New Zealand’s continued success in its fight against COVID-19.”
The airline is proactively contacting customers affected by these changes from today. The Air New Zealand contact centre is currently experiencing very high demand, and customers are also welcome to contact the airline via its social media channels. Customers booked via a travel agent, including a third-party website (e.g. Expedia, Booking.com) should speak directly with their agent.
Air New Zealand is grateful to customers for their patience while it works through these changes.
Outbound Air New Zealand services from New Zealand to international ports are not affected by the New Zealand Government restrictions. Domestic services are not impacted.
AIRPORT NARITA, TOKYO, JAPAN – 2017/05/06: Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner landing at Tokyo Narita airport. (Photo by Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Brand remains category leader after 35 years as it enters new markets and achieves largest pipeline in brand history
MCLEAN, Va. – This month, Hampton by Hilton continues to lead the upper-midscale category worldwide as the brand celebrates its 2,500th open hotel with Hampton by Hilton Lima San Isidro in Peru. The milestone opening demonstrates Hampton’s successful global growth strategy over the past 35 years – high-quality and thoughtfully designed accommodations, award-winning customer service culture and value-added amenities – all backed by the industry-leading 100 percent Hampton Guarantee™. Hilton’s largest brand now offers nearly 260,000 rooms worldwide across 27 countries and territories.
And, with more than 700 properties and more than 93,000 rooms in its pipeline – the largest ever in brand history and within the Hilton enterprise – Hampton is helping propel Hilton’s growth during its dynamic 100th anniversary year.
“Hampton by Hilton’s enduring global success as a guest favorite is a testament to the brand’s pioneering nature, high guest service standards and robust expansion efforts,” said Shruti Gandhi Buckley, global head, Hampton by Hilton. “The opening of Hampton’s 2,500th property demonstrates the brand’s winning growth strategy, based on three core pillars: commitment to delivering unparalleled customer service, category leading product and amenity innovation and Hilton’s ongoing investment in the brand.”
A key to Hampton by Hilton’s global success is the brand’s regionalization of hotel prototypes and room designs to meet the diverse needs of its customers. Though each property is unique based on local market-based variations, each stay comes with consistent friendly and thoughtful service, complimentary hot breakfast, free WiFi and a passionate commitment to guest satisfaction backed by the 100 percent Hampton Guarantee, making the brand a favorite for travelers worldwide.
Hampton by Hilton celebrates its 2,500th open property with the brand’s first hotel in Peru, Hampton by Hilton Lima San Isidro
