Qantas has launched a sale on flights to one of Australians’ favourite destinations: Bali.
Travellers heading to the wildly popular holiday island, where Aussies are the top foreign visitors, can score discounted flights departing Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra.
The cheapest sale fares start from $639 economy return for select travel periods between January and June next year.
Those travelling to Bali in late-January looking for a bit more luxury can get their hands on business class from $2449.
The sale will run for one week until midnight on Thursday, December 14, unless sold out prior.
All Qantas fares include checked baggage, complimentary food and beverages, and seat selection.
It’s the latest in a string of announcements from the national carrier this week.
Qantas launched a domestic Christmas sale on Tuesday.
There are more than 40 routes on sale under $150, with economy fares starting from $109 one-way. That sale ends midnight Tuesday, December 12.
Qantas has also unveiled two Christmas-themed aircraft, where passengers will receive double frequent flyer points for flying on board until the end of December.
The aircraft are QantasLink’s Q400 “Dasher-8” and 737 “Roo-dolph”, which will fly across the domestic and regional network.
From this month, Qantas’ “wine time” will be brought forward from 4pm to midday for the first time in the airline’s history.
Domestic customers travelling in economy will be offered a choice of complimentary Australian wine or beer at the new earlier time to have with their lunch or afternoon snacks.
On Wednesday, Qantas announced a partnership with Ticketek, which will allow frequent flyers to use their points to book concerts and other events from March next year.
As of now, members will receive access to exclusive pre-sales and special offers, as well as new packages that combine event tickets with flights and hotels.
Australians urged to behave in Bali
The Australian government has urged travellers to listen to Indonesia’s pleas to behave in Bali.
Bali has seriously cracked down on tourists not following its local customs and laws this year.
An official tourist dos and don’ts list was released, a hotline was established for anyone to dob in misbehaving travellers, a special task force was set up to monitor foreigners’ activities, and next year a tourist tax will be introduced.
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts told news.com.au last week one thing that was “really clear” from authorities in Bali was their request for Australians to respect religious sites.
“If you’re going to a religious site in Bali, a temple or something like that, respect the dress standards,” he said.
“Don’t go for that Instagram shot in a bikini at that kind of location because culturally that’s not going to be appreciated by locals.”
Indonesian Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Made Ayu Marthini told news.com.au in October
her message to Australians was that they were welcome in Indonesia as they always had been, but to not take advantage of Indonesian hospitality.
“Tourists should always research any destination, in Indonesia or elsewhere, before travelling,” she said, adding their message was one of common sense.
“We ask that all guests respect the culture, local laws, customs, the nature and our people as responsible travellers.”
Referring specifically to two rules on the dos and don’ts list, Mrs Marthini said tourists should not be wearing bikinis to temples or riding motorbikes without helmets and ignoring other road rules.
“If you ride a motorbike, just as in Australia, you should have a helmet and a license for your safety as well as that of other motorists,” she said.
“If you go to a temple, just as you would if you go to a church or a mosque, dress respectfully.
“We ask that tourists respect local laws. Indonesians are very accommodating, warm and friendly, we ask that you respect them, not take advantage of Indonesian hospitality.”