21/05/2023
Welcome to Umapped! For those of you travelling with us domestic and abroad, you will now enjoy our new itinerary app, called Umapped, and is so user friendly you wont be able to stop looking at it, it's so easy to use!
All you need to do is download the App from the App Store on your iphone, tablet or laptop, register your email details, create a password and you're ready to go. Once your itinerary is published from our end you will receive an email to advise you that your itinerary is ready. You will be able to see all your flights, e-tickets, car rental vouchers, hotel information, tour information, rail tickets and all the necessary vouchers will be attached.
This is a fantastic new and easy way to travel and you don’t need Wi-Fi once it's downloaded.
You will automatically be advised for any flight schedule changes, delays or gate changes, weather information and you can message direct to us and we can message you back all through the App. (Wi-Fi required)
So look out for it, download the app and get ready to be excited!
27/04/2023
Complete Travel Services turns 25 today!
Today is a milestone for Complete Travel Services as we celebrate our 25th anniversary of business. Who would of thought after the last few years we would survive to enjoy this special occasion. Thank you to ALL our loyal clients for all your travel business over the years, it's because of you, that we enjoy what we do. Looking forward to servicing you for many more years to come.
Regards Alison
5/06/2022
COVID-19 DPD scrapped
THE Australian Government is seeking to address skilled worker shortages and ongoing airport delays by cutting the red tape needed to enter the country. Yesterday, Australia’s Federal Home Affairs Minister, Clare O’Neil, confirmed the scrapping of the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) for travellers to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status following changes to the Biosecurity Act. The update will become active from this Wednesday 6/7/22, and follows medical advice from the Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, who said it was “no longer necessary for travellers to declare their vaccine status as part of our management of COVID.” O’Neil added the latest changes would lighten the stress currently experienced by Australian travellers in what continues to be a challenging travel environment. “I know anyone who has travelled internationally since the borders have opened will find this as one less thing to worry about - especially as more Aussies get back to travelling overseas,” O’Neil said. “Removing these requirements will not only reduce delays in our airports but will encourage more visitors and skilled workers to choose Australia as a destination,” she added.
The Minister also noted that after listening to feedback about the DPD, “it needs a lot more work to make it user-friendly”, confirming that the plan is still for the digital form to replace the paper based incoming passenger card “in time”. Those arriving by sea will also benefit, no longer needing to complete a Maritime Travel Declaration, however airlines, cruise ship operators and other countries may still have specific requirements to comply with.
COVID-19 DPD scrapped
THE Australian Government is seeking to address skilled worker shortages and ongoing airport delays by cutting the red tape needed to enter the country. Yesterday, Australia’s Federal Home Affairs Minister, Clare O’Neil, confirmed the scrapping of the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) for travellers to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status following changes to the Biosecurity Act. The update will become active from this Wednesday 6/7/22, and follows medical advice from the Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, who said it was “no longer necessary for travellers to declare their vaccine status as part of our management of COVID.” O’Neil added the latest changes would lighten the stress currently experienced by Australian travellers in what continues to be a challenging travel environment. “I know anyone who has travelled internationally since the borders have opened will find this as one less thing to worry about - especially as more Aussies get back to travelling overseas,” O’Neil said. “Removing these requirements will not only reduce delays in our airports but will encourage more visitors and skilled workers to choose Australia as a destination,” she added.
The Minister also noted that after listening to feedback about the DPD, “it needs a lot more work to make it user-friendly”, confirming that the plan is still for the digital form to replace the paper based incoming passenger card “in time”. Those arriving by sea will also benefit, no longer needing to complete a Maritime Travel Declaration, however airlines, cruise ship operators and other countries may still have specific requirements to comply with.
25/04/2022
Greece relaxes Covid 19 rules!
Greece is the latest European country to remove all COVID related entry requirements for inbound travelers, with the measures to be formally scrapped from 02 May 22. The move arrives in time for the country’s busy summer holiday period, with Greece authorities also agreeing to get rid of all internal vaccine passport requirements from 02 May until at least September, in a bid to incentivise more international travelers. Great news!
Greece relaxes Covid 19 rules!
Greece is the latest European country to remove all COVID related entry requirements for inbound travelers, with the measures to be formally scrapped from 02 May 22. The move arrives in time for the country’s busy summer holiday period, with Greece authorities also agreeing to get rid of all internal vaccine passport requirements from 02 May until at least September, in a bid to incentivise more international travelers. Great news!
16/03/2022
NZ to reopen to Australia from April 13
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced Australians can resume regular travel to New Zealand from April 13.
The country has held firm to tight border restrictions through the COVID-19 pandemic, with a largely shut borders for two years.
However, the arrival of the infectious Omicron variant - sending local cases skyrocketing - has lessened the need for a wall to keep the virus out.
Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said Wednesday's announcement was the most exciting moment for the industry in two years.
"We are ready to roll out the green and gold carpet ... we have missed you," he said.
Currently, only Kiwis, regular residents and some critical workers are able to enter NZ without spending a week in quarantine. That will change from 11.59pm on April 12, when vaccinated Australians can travel.
Traveler's from visa waiver countries and valid visa can follow from 11.59pm on May 1.
"We have now received guidance that it is safe to significantly bring forward the next stage of border reopening work," Ms Ardern said.
She said the border plan wouldn't be changing, which is music to the ears of the decimated tourism industry.
Time to dust off the snow skis and gear, pack your bags, call Complete Travel to book your flights and accommodation!
Monday 14/03/2022
Australia's cruise ban on brink of lifting
Australia's ban on cruise ships is set to lift in weeks, finally breathing life into a multi-billion-dollar industry left high and dry for two years. The Federal Government is expected to this week confirm the ban will end on April 17, at which point management of the cruise liners and passengers will be handed over to state governments. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is keen to get the giant white ships sailing back into into Sydney Harbour, with the virus-enforced hiatus estimated to have cost Australia's cruise industry 18,000 jobs and $5 billion in lost revenue. "It has made no sense to me that we can have a situation right now where people can fly overseas, jump on a cruise and come home, but we can't go cruising from our own country," Mr Perrottet said.
State and territory governments are now in planning to get health protocols ready to support a safe return to cruising. Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said an official announcement confirming the lifting of the ban could be made this week.
Australia's cruise ban on brink of lifting
Australia's ban on cruise ships is set to lift in weeks, finally breathing life into a multi-billion-dollar industry left high and dry for two years. The Federal Government is expected to this week confirm the ban will end on April 17, at which point management of the cruise liners and passengers will be handed over to state governments. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is keen to get the giant white ships sailing back into into Sydney Harbour, with the virus-enforced hiatus estimated to have cost Australia's cruise industry 18,000 jobs and $5 billion in lost revenue. "It has made no sense to me that we can have a situation right now where people can fly overseas, jump on a cruise and come home, but we can't go cruising from our own country," Mr Perrottet said.
State and territory governments are now in planning to get health protocols ready to support a safe return to cruising. Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said an official announcement confirming the lifting of the ban could be made this week.
March 10/03/2022
Time to travel! News today both Germany & France have lifted ALL restrictions into both countries. So now is the time to book that river cruise you've dreamed about or if we are holding a credit for you, let us help you get going! Call a consultant now on 03 9826 1009 to arrange your flights and cabin reservations as they are filling up fast. (There may be some precautions onboard, so be aware).
Monday 28/2/2022.
(We at Complete Travel can certainly agree with this article below. We are just treading water currently and we need the cruise industry to open up back here in Australia and let's get back to normal.)
SA travel identity calls for more support
South Australian travel industry identity Phil Hoffmann has urged the federal government to maintain financial support for the sector as it continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Hoffmann met with federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham on Monday at a roundtable event in Adelaide. He said the unique circumstances of Australia's outbound travel sector, alongside the significant lag in revenue flow to travel agents, meant ongoing support was a must.
"On top of the international travel ban, the suspension of cruise and the stop-start domestic border situation, we are effectively entering our fourth year of significant business impact," he said in a statement.
"We had to refund almost half our revenue in 2019 for travel that couldn't be undertaken in 2020.
"We have had a hard lockdown of 700-plus days as a result of Australians not being able to travel internationally, further aggravated by the various domestic border closures."
Mr Hoffmann said while it was fantastic that international travel in and out of Australia was starting up again, it was going to be many months before it returned to pre-COVID levels.
He said travel businesses also routinely waited six to nine months before they received final payments, so the industry was "in for a long, hard 2022".
"This is the fourth year of financial impact for Australia's travel businesses," he said.
"The Omicron variant meant terrible trading conditions in December and January and while there's been a slight uptick in bookings since the relaxation of international borders, it's going to take time for travel to get back to where it was."
Mr Hoffmann said agents needed the ban on cruises to be lifted so that ships could return and also needed ongoing government support.
He said that should include the immediate release of funds remaining from the first two rounds of the Consumer Travel Support Program.
BREAKING NEWS!
November 1st 2021 is a new beginning for Complete Travel Services. Today we launch our new corporate logo along with the announcement of our new head office, located at Suite 108, 12 Corporate Drive Heatherton 3202 in Victoria.
We are very excited to re-establish ourselves as a leader once again in the travel industry. We are looking forward to once again sending our valued clients off overseas again under our guidance and expertise. Our phone number is still the same, 03 9826 1009, so call Alison to arrange a office tour and to book your next trip.
November 1st 2021 is a new beginning for Complete Travel Services. Today we launch our new corporate logo along with the announcement of our new head office, located at Suite 108, 12 Corporate Drive Heatherton 3202 in Victoria.
We are very excited to re-establish ourselves as a leader once again in the travel industry. We are looking forward to once again sending our valued clients off overseas again under our guidance and expertise. Our phone number is still the same, 03 9826 1009, so call Alison to arrange a office tour and to book your next trip.
*COVID-19 and your passport!
Now is the time to check your passport's expiry date! As of October 2021, there were over one million expired passports in Australia, and it could take up to six to eight weeks to receive a new one. Don't leave it to the last minute before you leave! Below is information now required by Australian law in regard to overseas travel.
Please be sure that the name on your Covid-19 vaccination certificate is exactly the same as that on your passport. To link your passport to your vaccination certificate you first must have a MyGov account and follow the prompts or for further assistance visit a Medicare office near you. (middle name in passport and initial on vaccination certificate will still link according to Medicare)
What is the International COVID-19 vaccination certificate? (ICVC).....The ICVC is an Australian issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate, is a free and secure way to prove your COVID-19 vaccination history when you travel across borders overseas.
You can do this from the MyGov, Medicare site as well. You will need your passport, passport number and expiry date, fill in the online form. If you've done it correctly it will be seen as a PDF file with a QR code. This is now linked to your passport. Print off the form and keep it with you before and while you travel.
Please call us if you need to know where you can get your COVID-19 PCR test done before travel and we can help with a test center near you. Please note that costs vary between testing facilities.
Don't worry, call us and we can talk you through the process, or click on the link below for more information.
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/COVID-19