New Routes & Seats: Jetstar has launched non-stop Melbourne–Colombo, adding 50,000+ return seats a year and reflecting strong Aussie demand for Sri Lanka. Scenic Drives: North Queensland’s Gillies Highway is being spotlighted for its 263 curves over 12 miles, rainforest and crater-lake views—perfect for a road-trip hit list. Luxury Travel: Abercrombie & Kent is selling a limited 50-passenger “Seven Continents by Private Jet” trip starting January 2028, with stops including Uluru and Antarctica. Airline Updates: SWISS is phasing out the Airbus A220-100 (keeping the A220-300 fleet), with travellers urged to track aircraft before retirements. Travel Safety: Japan’s twin earthquakes (no tsunami, Shinkansen running) are framed as unlikely to disrupt most tourist plans outside the immediate impact zones. Wildlife & Health: Australia’s bird-flu response continues with efforts to vaccinate penguins as cases rise. Tourism Costs: Pacific nations are urged to ditch diesel—renewables could cut costs by nearly $1b a year, with the transition paying for itself in just over a decade.