Airlines/Airports.
Australia is opening international borders
Australia is opening to international business travellers and tourists on 21 February, after nearly two years of border closures. Travellers must have had two doses of a COVID vaccine to gain entry. To read the border opening announcement click here, or visit CTM’s COVID Hub for the latest travel advice and updates to help make your trip as smooth as possible.
New Zealand border re-opening plan announced
Jacinda Arden has announced New Zealand’s plan to ease COVID-related border restrictions. The first step of the five-stage reopening plan will commence on 11:59 pm on 27 February, under this step fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and visa holders from Australia will be allowed to enter New Zealand, however, they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days. The next steps in the plan will unfold over the coming months with the final step scheduled for October 2022. This final step will see visitors from anywhere in the world allowed to enter New Zealand. Read more.
Emirates’ A380 returns to Melbourne
After two years, Melbourne has now seen the return of Emirates’ superjumbo, A380. Sydney was the first to see the return of the luxury A380 back in December with Brisbane expected to follow in July 2022.
Virgin reactivates Velocity redemptions on Singapore Airlines
As of Monday 7th February, Virgin Australia frequent flyers can once again use their Velocity Points to book flights on Singapore Airlines to over 30 countries. The redemption ability will be rolled out in stages beginning with economy class only, while Velocity redemptions on premium economy, business and first-class bookings are expected to follow shortly after.
Qantas Airbus A380s returns to the skies
On January 11, Qantas’ A380 took to the sky for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The jet will service the Sydney-Los Angeles route initially three times a week. More A380s are expected to take to the skies as further restrictions ease. Qantas plans to have six A380s in its Sydney hangers by the end of the year.
Air New Zealand resumes flights to the Cook Islands
Air New Zealand has reconvened daily flights between Auckland and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands subsequent to the resumption of a travel bubble between the two countries. The first flight took place on 14 January. The re-boot of travel between the two nations is great news for Kiwis and the Cook Island’s economy alike. Read more.
Queensland welcomes quarantine free international travel
Fully vaccinated international travellers can now enter Queensland without needing to quarantine. This includes working holidaymakers and students travelling from all eligible international locations on relevant visas as well as Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members. The change is set to have a positive impact on the state’s tourism industry with international traveller’s being worth $6.1b to the state’s visitor economy pre-COVID-19. Read more.
Queensland domestic borders open for good
As of Saturday, 15 January, Queensland’s interstate borders are open to all. Travellers can now enter Queensland without applying for border passes, obtaining negative COVID tests, or being subjected to quarantine. Checkpoint infrastructure has been removed and police will no longer staff the road border locations. Read more.
Qantas waves Frequent Flyer membership cost
Qantas has made it free to join their Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards program when making a booking online. The normal cost of joining Qantas’ Frequent Flyer program is $99.50, which will be waved as part of this special promotion to attract new members. Read more.
Etihad commences sustainability program for corporate travel
Etihad has launched a sustainability program to help companies reduce the environmental impact of corporate travel. The sustainability program is called “Corporate Conscious Choices”, it allows corporations to earn Corporate Conscious points, add green surcharges to travel tickets, and invest in sustainable aviation fuel. The aim of the program is to take sustainable action and encourage other corporations to do the same when it comes to corporate travel. Read more.
Hotels.
QT Hotels & Resorts unveils QT Newcastle opening for April 2022
QT Hotels & Resorts has unveil the first look of the highly-anticipated QT Newcastle. The designer hotel collection’s first regional hotel will open its doors in April 2022. Enriching the respected history of Newcastle’s East End, QT Newcastle is housed within the heritage-listed, 113-year-old David Jones building on Hunter Mall. With 104 guest rooms and suites, public areas and private function spaces, the hotel will also boast a yet-to-be-revealed signature dining concept and a rooftop bar with sweeping views at every vantage point. Read more.
Accor’s new Australian openings in 2022
Accor is set to open two new hotels in Sydney’s CBD including the Porter House Hotel on Castlereagh Street and Hotel Morris on Pitt Street. The Porter Hotel will include a combined hotel and residential apartments which will intertwine with the 1870s heritage-listed Porter House from which the hotel takes its name and design inspiration. Onsite facilities include a lobby, pool and fitness centre, two restaurants, a fourth-floor bar with a roving art gallery, meeting and private dining facilities and a business centre. Accor will open Hotel Morris following the refurbishment of Sydney CBD’s historic 1929-built West End Hotel at 412 Pitt Street. The hotel will feature 82 rooms, an impressive rooftop bar, and a ground-floor restaurant and bar on Pitt Street.
Accor welcomes new hotel in Wellington
Accor’s newly built hotel, The Sebel Wellington Lower Hutt is offers 60 fully serviced studios and one-bedroom apartments. The accommodation offers stylish and inviting interiors making them a great stay for leisure and business travellers alike. The hotel is just a short drive from Wellington International Airport and includes a restaurant and bar to appease all guests. Read more.
Travelodge opens new hotel in Hurstville
TFE Hotels’ Travelodge has recently opened a new 124-room hotel in Hurstville within Sydney’s southwest. The hotel features a rooftop bar and restaurant, a large corporate function space, and a ground floor food offering. The hotel showcases a new design direction with the interior designed by leading studio Chada utilising a smart functional design, high ceilings, strong attention to detail, and natural light in every room. Read more.
Hyatt Centric open in Melbourne
Hyatt has recently opened their fourth hotel in Melbourne, Hyatt Centric. The hotel is centrally located on Downie Street and Flinders Lane within the CBD and stands 25 stories high. The hotel features stunning views and contemporary architecture making it a desirable stay whether travelling for business or pleasure. Read more.
Information on this page is sourced from third party sources. While effort is taken to verify the accuracy of this information, CTM recommends that travellers seek independent advice and/or information from their CTM travel consultant, CTM travel tools, or direct from their chosen travel suppliers relating to the status of supplier services, schedules and booking conditions as information may change regularly.
