Qantas to allow inflight text and email

Qantas will allow passengers on domestic flights to send and receive texts and emails before the end of the year following “overwhelming” demand.

Qantas has been working on a system with AeroMobile since April 2007. “An overwhelming majority of passengers involved in the evaluation indicated they wanted access to in-flight connectivity on an ongoing basis.” said Executive General Manager John Borghetti.

The technology will be installed on a number of domestic B767-300 and A330-200 aircraft. Emirates have also launched the service.

Christchurch- New Zealand

Christchurch, gateway city to the South Island of New Zealand is a superb destination for conferences, with an excellent choice of venues, accommodation and activities to meet all budgets and meeting sizes.

It’s easy to get to with Qantas, Virgin and Air New Zealand all flying from most capital cities. It’s easy to get around and easy to get from, to the mountains, coasts, rivers and plains beyond. More than 2000 hotel accommodation beds are located 10 minutes walk from the Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand's largest and only purpose-built convention space.

And, Christchurch’s international airport is only 15 minutes from the CBD.

Christchurch matches exciting experiences with extremely good value, including some of the lowest hotel accommodation rates in Australasia. As Christchurch is keenly focused on the tourism industry, its infrastructure is well-established, with everything from quality coach operations to world-class staging, lighting and sound technicians.

There is great diversity in conference venue styles from Outrigger at Clearwater Resort to the University of Canterbury. The alpine regions with venues such as Terrace Downs High Country Resort, and the thermal pools and spa pleasures of the Heritage Hotel in Hanmer Springs are a short distance from the city.

Other exciting group activities to partake in are Skiing at Mount Hutt, Whale watching at Kaikoura and the French settlement of Akaroa.

To find out more about Christchurch as an meeting or conference destination call our dedicated groups department now on 1800 999 733 or send an email.

Accor Trials Green Scheme

Accor Hotels is trialing a consumer scheme which is looking to better communicate environmental messages to guests and to educate its staff on the benefits of energy saving measures.

The hotel group is in a global testing phase of the project called Green Shield with the training of housekeeping staff a central theme.

New messages in rooms will also be updated with the standard “please re-use your towels” replaced with harder hitting messages highlighting the tangible benefits of the positive action.

Accor is aiming to achieve a five per cent re-use of towels across the networks which it has estimated will save $4.8 million, the equivalent of 5.8 million trees planted.

The results will be announced on April 22, Accor’s annual Earth Guest Day where is concentrates its efforts on green projects. ‘The key to Green Shield is educating housekeeping staff, rather than just the guests, because there is no point asking guests to help out if the housekeeper just brings new towels anyway.” McGrath said.

Seven Australian hotels are trialing Green Shield including the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney and Mecure Brisbane and Perth.