Latest travel industry updates

Hotel and Accommodation

Crowne Terrigal revamp

The conference and event facilities at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific on the NSW Central Coast are set to undergo a major revamp. In June and July, the meeting and break-out rooms will receive fresh carpets and interiors, while bar and coffee facilities as well as audio-visual equipment will all be upgraded.

 

Marriott Moxy to Melbourne

Marriott International will debut its Moxy brand of hotels in Australia in 2021. The new-build

Moxy Melbourne South Yarra will feature 180 guestrooms, and social spaces including a lounge, rooftop bar, co-working space and meeting studio as well as 24/7 self-service grab-and-go food and drinks and a gym.

 

Airlines and Aviation

Earn Qantas points as you sleep

Qantas frequent flyers can now earn points while they sleep as the carrier has added a new feature to its Wellbeing app. The ‘Sleep Health Challenge’ rewards healthy lifestyle choices by offering members bonus points when they limit their screen time before bed. To earn points, members must download the Wellbeing app, set their bedtime and put their phones down at least half an hour before going to sleep and don’t touch them again until the next morning. Five points are awarded each time a user records successful sleep data. The aim is to encourage regular sleeping patterns and healthy sleep practices.

 

Cathay updates onboard dining

Cathay Pacific is updating its menu offering across all cabin classes. The carriers new ‘Hong Kong Flavours’ dining series is available from February through April. First class guests can opt for braised abalone with flower shiitake or choy sum-layered bean curd, while business class travellers will appreciate dishes such as roasted duck with lai fun rice noodles in soup. Economy meals will include steamed halibut with Tai O preserved mustard greens and jasmine rice.

 

Cathay adds yoga sanctuary in Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific has added a new wellness experience for business class travellers at Hong Kong Airport. Located at The Pier business class lounge, the Sanctuary by Pure Yoga offers two ways to relax pre-flight. The Body Sanctuary offers guided yoga videos and a space to stretch-out pre-flight, while in The Mind Sanctuary guests can either sit and meditate in cushioned pods with noise-cancelling headphones or try ‘gazing meditation’ focusing on graphics projected onto the wall.

 

Qantas researches flights of the future

Qantas teamed up with Sydney University’s Charles Perkins Centre to research what features travellers most want on ultra long-haul flights. The data reveals health and wellness factors were key for customers on a long-haul flight, particularly mindfulness and “separation of experience”. High on travellers’ wish lists were space to stretch or do gentle exercise to promote circulation; access to wireless noise-cancelling headphones; cabin designs that include both seat and non-seat spaces and in-flight cafes.

 

Meanwhile on the ground, Qantas is making changes to its free business class Chauffeur Drive service. Effective from 1 March, the carrier will no longer offer the chauffeur service in New Zealand or Singapore. Although still available on its London Heathrow route, complimentary journey distance will be reduced from 70 miles to 50 with travellers required to pay the driver for any additional distance. Bookings remain open until 1 March 2019, and any such booking for travel through to 1 March 2020 will be honoured.