Opinion
- Treating customers like this is unAustralian
  
  Travel agent Sarah Gohlke is unimpressed with how some people in the trade are operating…
  
  I write this out of complete frustration and an intolerance for injustice. Read more »
- Insurance rip-off…
  
  Queensland hostel operator Brent Gemmell is unimpressed with the constant rise of insurance premiums…
  
  What is happening with our insurance? As an industry we have been stung well over the top for a long time now. But this year we have reached new heights. Read more »
- ‘Australia must cut prices and re-enchant backpackers’
  
  Australian tourism operators need to get real and drop their prices, while the country as a whole needs to ease backpackers’ visa restrictions and improve its promotional efforts, according to travel writer David Whitley. Read more »
- McEvoy positive for year ahead
  
  After a “challenging” 2011, this year will be one of “opportunity”, according to Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy. Read more »
- From commissions to Koreans: ABiC debates continue
  
  After Sydney’s successful Adventure and Backpacker Industry Conference drew to a close last Thursday, operators took the rare chance of all being in town together to arrange an extra informal meeting to further discuss some of the burning issues to have arisen from the conference. Read more »
- Just a brainstorm in a schooner…
  
  Scotty’s Beach House owner Boyd Scott suggests that while most of the industry is in Sydney for expo week, it makes perfect sense to hold an informal brainstorming session on how best to put Australia back in the tourist`s eye. Read more »
- ATA’s tribute to the newly retired Ken Hart
  
  Greg Zammit from Adventure Tours Australia bids farewell to his business partner of 22 years, Ken Hart, who retired two weeks ago. Read more »
- The widening gap between UK school-leavers and Australia
  
  Tom Griffiths, founder of Gapyear.com, argues that those students who miss out on a University place are also missing out on a gap year in Australia due to an industry system that fails them. Read more »
- Tourism? But Australia’s got mining…
  
  Scotty’s Beach House owner Boyd Scott argues Australia’s tourism industry is sinking into irrelevance while the country’s decision-makers are blinded by the mining boom.
  
  “And don`t forget to say “G`day” to `em: you wouldn`t want to make a liar of me, now, would you?” So ended an amiable Paul Hogan Tourism Australia ad, where he told us Aussies how to treat the hordes of international tourists that he`d lured over here with his famous “Shrimp on the barbie” ad campaign. Read more »
- It’s time for tough questions and positive leadership
  
  Destination Melbourne chief executive Chris Buckingham argues that James Packer’s uncomfortable home truths about Australia’s tourism industry should be listened to.
  
  James Packer was strident in his views on the state of the Australian tourism industry over the weekend. One of the richest men in the country did not have a lot of good things to say.
  
  Read more »
- A little help please Julia
  
  Honestly, I would rather eat a jar of Marmite than talk about politics so believe me when I say, this isn’t a political rant…
  Read more »
- Queensland fails tourism moment of truth
  
  Traveltrends.biz editor Martin Kelly says Queensland has a lot to offer – but the sunshine state must face up to a few home truths.
  
  The political thought police are back in action in Queensland – and the news is all bad for the state’s tourism industry, which needs honesty, not self-deception, in what is shaping as a pivotal period in its history. Read more »

Qantas says sorry with free flights

Qantas today announced a special offer of a free flight for customers affected by the recent grounding, marking the first phase of a package of measures to apologise to disrupted travellers.

Under the terms of the offer, customers who purchased their tickets in Australia for travel between 5pm on Saturday 29 October and midnight on Monday 31 October, and whose flight was disrupted, are eligible for a free trip on any domestic or trans-Tasman route.

Bookings can be made from 30 November 2011 for travel between 14 December 2011 and 14 December 2013, subject to seat availability. Flights must be booked at least two weeks prior to travel but no more than three months before the first travel date.

Qantas will contact disrupted customers to advise them how to claim their ticket.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said: “Throughout the long period of industrial activity we have been acutely aware of the impact on our customers.

“Now that no more industrial action can take place, and the cloud of further strike action has lifted, we are 100% focused on what matters to customers: getting them to their destinations, safely, on time and in comfort, and rewarding their loyalty to Qantas.

“This ticket offer is one of a range of initiatives we will be launching as a way of saying sorry as we move forward into this period of stability.

“Customers can now book Qantas flights with absolute confidence. Over the coming months, in addition to these special measures, we will continue to introduce new aircraft, launch new routes and invest in lounges, in-flight entertainment, food and wine.

“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused over recent months and last weekend in particular – however, we are excited about the short and long-term future for Qantas.”

Qantas has committed to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that customers will be compensated for all reasonable losses as a direct result of the disruption caused by the fleet grounding.

By Andrew Westbrook · November 6th, 2011 at 4:39 pm