Travel spending plummets

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THE latest News Corp Australia consumer travel spending index (pictured) clearly demonstrates the slump in demand, with the figures now including data for the week commencing 09 Mar.

According to News Corporation Industry Head Travel Omri Godjin the results indicate consumer spending is down to half of normal levels.

“Unfortunately, as everyone reading this knows, there is

MSC denies COVID

MSC Cruises has hit back at claims by WA Premier Mark McGowan that its Magnifica, currently in Fremantle, has passengers infected with coronavirus (TD yesterday).

The company said nobody on board is in isolation or has fever or respiratory issues.

SeaLink suspends

SEALINK has temporarily suspended its non-essential services across the country, including the suspension of all Captain Cook Cruises in Perth, on the Murray and Sydney Harbour from today until 31 May.

Kingfisher Bay Resort and Eurong Beach Resort are closed to new arrivals, and the company has also suspended departures of Fraser Island, Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Sightseeing tours. worse to come - we have here captured just one day of trading after the announcement of 14day quarantine for international travellers arriving in Australia,” Godjin said.

The data, shared exclusively with Travel Daily, is an index of consumer spend with major brands across accommodation, air, cruise, OTAs, travel agents and tour companies.

Godjin said the information was part of work being done to assist News clients better understand the total retail travel market, with additional weekly data available.

Sabre reductions

SABRE Corporation will remove over $200 million in cash costs from the business in 2020 in an effort to strengthen its financial position, with staff and directors taking a pay cut in response to the current industry conditions.

Specific cuts are being negotiated on a country-bycountry basis, while Sabre is also offering voluntary unpaid time off, voluntary severance & a voluntary early retirement program.

Tas to turn away

TASMANIAN Premier Peter Gutwein said the state would turn away all but residents and essential travellers who arrive in the state on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne from today.