Thousands of visitors have flocked to Noosa this holiday season making it one of the hot spots this summer season, whilst Surfers Paradise has been left deserted.

A new law legalizing civil unions in Hawaii is expected to lead to an upsurge in gay and lesbian travel to the state, meaning a windfall for the islands’ hotels, resorts and event planners.

Thailand has once again been affected by floods, with heavy rain in the past week inundating tens of thousands of homes in southern Thailand including tourism areas.

Orbitz Worldwide has signed a letter of agreement with its largest shareholder, Travelport Limited to deliver a one-time payment of up to $3 million.

Ireland’s tourism industry has taken a turn in a positive direction with the number of overseas visitors visiting its shores increasing by seven percent for the year 2011.

The travel industry created jobs for 2.7 percent more people last year with 13,500 more people recruited to work in the sector compared to 2010.

Industry association IATA reported November 2011 saw international air passenger traffic slow and freight transport drop compared to last year because of the current poor economic environment.

US airline stocks have ended a challenging year in the red with 2012 expected to be just as difficult reported MarketWatch.

Multigenerational travel is one of the hottest trends in travel and hospitality with travel agents benefiting most from the need to help navigate the logistical needs of such travellers.

Virgin Australia has welcomed a 5.1 percent jump in international capacity for the month of November 2011 while its competitor, Qantas continued to feel the effects of strikes during the prior month with a 1.5 percent rise in seat capacity over the same period.

A recent survey has revealed that Australians would prefer to travel in the company of a person with bad body odour than with parents and the sounds of their screaming children.

Ringing in the New Year with a new deal, Thai Airways International (THAI) and Turkish Airlines announced the completion of a new code share agreement which would see cooperation on flights between Bangkok to Istanbul and Bangkok to Australia.

STX France has confirmed that they have received an order for two 888-passenger oceangoing vessels from the newly formed Viking Ocean Cruises.

Qantas operations continued to pick up pace over the holidays with the carrier announcing it would commence trials on its Q Streaming and Wi-Fi tech this year while also paying out thousands to customers who were injured during mid-air plunges in October 2008.

In such a competitive industry, airline bosses of four major UK-based carriers have united and warned the government that the Air Passenger Duty (APD) will impact on employment and the economy as the airlines enter the new European Union-backed Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

In an unpopular turn of events for Ryanair, the low-cost carrier has received the most consumer votes for the number one airline they would most like to erase from the listing, according to a recent business travellers poll.

The health of popular tourist destination the Maldives has come under threat as the government ordered the closure of its luxury spa’s and massage parlors in the Islands capital Male and surrounding Islands.

Making major steps towards the completion of the A350, Airbus has delivered the first major airframe section of the aircraft to the Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France.

Beijing Capital International Airport has a brand new co-located check in area for members of the SkyTeam alliance, making travelling through the airport easier for passengers.

The increase in direct flights from China to New Zealand has attributed a 1.7 percent increase in overseas arrivals for the month of November compared to the same month last year.

Christchurch Airport has reopened after two major earthquakes forced the airport to cease operations earlier today.

It was the year that saw Australia’s flag carrier cease operations for an entire weekend, the 12 month period that witnessed the power of Rugby on tourism and 365 days that welcomed the arrival of several new low-cost carriers.

Keeping up with growing demand on the trans-Tasman route, Jetstar today launched flights between Sydney and Wellington.

Trends in the job market place for travel reveal downturn in inbound travel jobs but an increased demand for business travel job candidates and cruise specialists according to inPlace Recruitment managing director Sandra Chiles.