TravelBulletin for August 2018 - Keeping it in the family - travel businesses run by family members,

August 2018

Bordeaux will be on everyone’s lips at this year’s French Travel Workshops.

Everyone will be talking about the beautiful Bordeaux and NouvelleAquitaine region at this year’s French Travel Workshop. And every full time travel consultant attending will receive a complimentary bottle of Bordeaux Lillet wine plus the chance to win a trip to Bordeaux and Nouvelle-Aquitaine*.

Register now to discover the wonders of Bordeaux and its region while you enjoy café and croissants with us at the Sofitel in Sydney on the 4th of September and Melbourne on the 5th.

Visit www.franceworkshop.com.au or call us on: (02) 9210 5400.

Email: trade.au@atout-france.fr

Sydney: Tues, 4th Sept. 2018.

Sofitel Wentworth 4-7pm Melbourne: Wed, 5th Sept. 2018.

Sofitel on Collins 4-7pm * Upon badge remitted until 6.00 pm in exchange of a business card.

Entry details at the Workshop entrance.

Regional Tourist Board

WIN A TRIP TO BORDEAUX AND NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE Compliments of Air France and Etihad*

2019 FRANCE RIVER CRUISING

FREE FLIGHTS FOR ALL YEAR

ALL SUITES

ALL

ALL CRUISES

of 11 days or longer

TO FRANCE* ALL RIVERS

ALL INCLUSIVE

Beautiful Bordeaux

Cognac

11 Day River Cruise and Tour Bordeaux > Bordeaux From

Pauillac

$6,695*pp all-inclusive

Médoc

Experience the romance and wonder of France’s iconic wine region in all-inclusive luxury.

Explore extraordinary landscapes and history, savour delicious French fare and experience winemaking that has been refined to an art, on this all-inclusive luxury cruise. With our exclusive Scenic Enrich you’ll also enjoy an unforgettable private classical music concert at the enchanting 13th century Château Agassac, one of the oldest winemaking establishments in the region.

France

Blaye Bourg

Gironde

10

Dordogne Libourne Bergerac

Bordeaux Bassin d’Arcachon

BOD

Arcachon

Garonne

Saint-Émilion

Cadillac Sauternes

Immerse yourself in the 5-star all-inclusive luxury of Scenic Diamond, featuring Scenic Sun Lounges, a wealth of dining options, Scenic Freechoice and Tailormade, and our exclusive Scenic Culinaire on board cooking school.

Plus, for a limited time we’re offering all guests who book early free flights to Europe, ALL year, on ALL cruises (of 11 days or longer), in ALL suites, on ALL rivers in uncompromising ALL-inclusive luxury.

Scenic Enrich, Château de la Rivière, Bordeaux

138 128 SCENIC.COM.AU

or visit SCENIC.COM.AU/AGENTS for your nearest Scenic agent *Conditions apply. Prices and offers are based on per person, twin share in AUD ex SYD/MEL/BNE/ADL/PER, are strictly limited and subject to availability until sold out. All offers are for new booking only and are not combinable with any other offer. Free Flights to France are based on an airline of Scenic’s choice. Airfares must be booked through Scenic. Advertised prices include $300pp Early Payment Discount where full payment is due by 31 Oct 2018. Prices and offers based on BOD280419.1, in a category E suite (no balcony). First non-refundable $1,000pp deposit due within 7 days of booking, a second non-refundable deposit of $2,000pp is due by 31 October or 11 months prior to departure, whichever comes first. All prices and offers are strictly limited and subject to availability. Price correct as of 08/05/18. See Europe 2019 Full-Release brochure for full terms and conditions or visit scenic.com.au/terms or scenic.com.au/europe. ABN 85 002 715 602.

List of Exhibitors at the 2018 French Travel Workshops (Free circulation between the booths)

Accommodation

Regions/Tourism Offices

AccorHotels Les Collectionneurs Club Med Domaine Les Crayères, Reims Guest Apartments Services Paris Hôtel Mercure Château Perrache, Lyon Hôtel Martinez, Cannes Hyatt France Jo&Joe Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hôtel Mama Shelter Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort

Brittany Champagne – Ardenne Dordogne Flanders Monaco Nouvelle-Aquitaine Somme

Airlines Air France KLM Etihad Airways with Abu Dhabi Tourism

Regional Tourist Board

Nouvelle-Aquitaine Tourism Dordogne Valley Biarritz – Pays Basque Cognac Bordeaux

Dordogne Tourism CroisiEurope Bordeaux Tourism Cité du Vin Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hôtel

Car Rental

Paris

Sydney Tuesday 4th September Sofitel Sydney Wentworth 61-101 Phillip Street

Melbourne Wednesday 5th September Sofitel Melbourne on Collins 25 Collins Street

Paris Region Tourist Board Restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel

Sites Cité du Vin

Cities / Tourism Offices

For inquiries: 02 9210 5400

Bordeaux Nice Paris

or email at: trade.au@atout-france.fr

DMC

www.franceworkshop.com.au

French Side Travel

Aircalin GLP Hotels New Caledonia Tourism New Caledonia Travel Connection

Tahiti

Air Tahiti Nui Sofitel French Polynesia South Pacific Management Hotels and Cruises Tahiti Tourism Tahiti Travel Connection

Cruises

Avis DriveAway Holidays Global Cars Bateaux Mouches Bateaux Parisiens Batobus Best Western Plaza Elysées Cityvision Crazy Horse Disneyland Paris Intercontinental Paris - Le Grand Jean-Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show La Réserve, Paris Le Taillevent Lido de Paris Moulin Rouge Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau

New Caledonia

Register online at

APT Barge Travel Connection Le Boat CroisiEurope Ponant Scenic Uniworld Voyages to Antiquity Viking Cruises

Tour Operators Albatross Tours Back Roads Touring Eastern Eurotours France Tourism French Travel Connection Gate 1 Travel Insight Vacations Outdoor Travel Slow Tours Tempo Holidays Top Snow Travel UTracks

Miscellaneous Alliance Française Department for Veterans’ Affairs Rail Plus Western Front Battlefields 14-18 4 roues sous 1 parapluie

August 2018

n i t i g n i p Kee y l i m a f e th

Europe

Australian Escapes

India

Win a trip to W alt Disney World Resort! see p39

Sports Travel

Contents

28 44

16 Features

66 Sports travel Cycle through Vietnam and Laos

16 NTIA 2018 Exclusive coverage from the industry’s night of nights

44 Europe

This great southern land has many hidden gems as Kerry van der Jagt discovers Luxe to less, Dilvin Yasa explores how to make the best of every budget when travelling to India

38 Cruise 39 Disney competition

28 Keeping it in the family

65 Brochures

Get to know some of Australia’s family travel businesses

42 Industry in Focus 70 Last Word

Columns

Monthly 02 From the publisher 02 State of the industry

60 India

36 Business Events News

Cover story

Donna Demaio finds out how you can best spend a day in Champagne

54 Australian Escapes

54

08 Issues and trends 32 Business view

06 Steve Jones 08 AFTA View 39 ETF View 41 CLIA View

This month’s contributors Steve Jones, Joel Katz, Jayson Westbury, Bruce Piper, Josh Oakes, David Paterson, Dilvin Yasa, Donna Demaio, Jenny Piper, Ben Piper, Ben Groundwater, Kerry van der Jagt, Sue Basedow, Paul Ramsay, Cheree Farrell, Sarah Fairburn, Jasmine O’Donoghue, Adam Bishop, Anastasia Prikhodko, Jon Murrie, Sarah Beyer, Christian Schweitzer Above – Beach image: Lucky Bay, WA ©Tourism Australia

www.travelbulletin.com.au travelBulletin is part of the Business Publishing Group family of publications

904 5,355

Avg Net Distribution per Issue

This publication is independently audited under the AMAA's CAB Total Distribution Audit.

EDITORIAL Editor in Chief and Publisher – Bruce Piper bruce.piper@travelbulletin.com.au Co-ordinating Editor – Sarah Beyer Ph: 1300 799 220 or 02 8007 6760 sarah.beyer@travelbulletin.com.au

www.travelbulletin.com.au

Advertising National Sales Manager Lisa Maroun Ph: 0405 132 575 or 02 8007 6760 lisa.maroun@travelbulletin.com.au Production Co-ordinator Sarah Beyer Ph: 1300 799 220 or 02 8007 6760 sarah.beyer@travelbulletin.com.au

DESIGN TEAM Sarah Beyer, Wendy St George ART DIRECTION and FINANCE Jenny Piper jenny.piper@travelbulletin.com.au Suite 1, Level 2, 64 Talavera Rd Macquarie Park NSW 2113 Australia PO Box 1010 Epping NSW 1710 Australia Tel: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760)

1 Apr Reporting Period: 16 Apr2017 2016––30 16Sep Sep2017 2016 - Publisher Statement

travelBulletin August 2018

1

State of the industry

From the publisher Bruce Piper

IN BRIEF

2

A picture paints a thousand words, so it is said, and that’s definitely been the case for iconic publication National Geographic.

The magazine earlier this year produced an amazing cover image of an iceberg morphing into a plastic bag (pictured), which is reflective of recent moves galvanising the travel industry into even more action against plastic.

While many tourism and travel businesses have had longstanding policies to reduce their consumption, it has been remarkable – and heartening – to see wider adoption of measures such as elimination of “first use” plastics amid rising awareness of the impact that bottles, straws and other packaging are having on the environment.

Leaders in this movement include The Travel Corporation, Marriott International, G Adventures, Intrepid, LUX* Hotels, Qantas and many more, demonstrating in the tourism sector just what can be done when a thoughtful approach is applied to our impact on the waste cycle.

AFTA record Sydney property play The Australian Federation of Travel Agents has sold its Sydney head office, achieving a record price for strata property in the NSW capital’s CBD. The decision to sell followed 36 years of occupancy in the Pitt Street premises, with the whopping sale price of $3.8 million + GST to be invested in a fund for the benefit of members, according to AFTA CEO Jayson Westbury.

The AFTA office has now relocated to a rented space at Suite 3, Level 31, 31 Market Street Sydney, with the Federation’s (02) 9287 9900 phone number and email addresses remaining unchanged.

The deal was confirmed during the 2018 AFTA annual general meeting, which saw the re-election of Helloworld Travel’s Mike Thompson as AFTA chairman for the tenth year, along with Graham Turner of Flight Centre and Travellers Choice chief executive officer Christian Hunter as the organisation’s vice-chairs. Westbury said it was

travelBulletin August 2018

Mainstream consumer brands are now joining the action, with fast food giant McDonald’s phasing out plastic straws and supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths becoming single-use plastic bag free. travelBulletin’s parent company The Business Publishing Group is also doing its bit, having created some convenient reusable shopping bags for the industry that we will be giving at this month’s at the Travel Industry Exhibition.

Come and say hello on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 August at Sydney’s Dockside venue, with this year’s show focussing on the mobile agent, luxury and MICE segments.

MEANWHILE congratulations must go to the nominees, finalists and winners of Australia’s National Travel Industry Awards, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last month with another glittering success.

The rigorous judging procedures of the not-for-profit awards once again saw excellence highlighted, and we are proud of our longstanding exclusive association with the NTIAs.

“very pleasing to confirm that AFTA remains in a strong position to deliver on policies and services for the benefit of our members and more broadly many travel industry stakeholders”.

AFTA’s board of directors now comprises Thompson, Turner and Hunter along with Jo Sully of American Express Global Business Travel, Jamie Pherous from Corporate Travel Management, David Smith from Flight Centre, Spiros Alysandratos of Consolidated Travel, Tom Manwaring, Express Travel Group, and Julie Primmer & Andrew Macfarlane of Helloworld Travel.Australian Securities and Investment Commission records confirm that Helloworld Travel CEO Andrew Burnes resigned as an AFTA director in late June, with the board now having a casual vacancy.

Entire Group adds Maldives portfolio Entire Travel Group last month confirmed the addition of a new destination to its burgeoning portfolio, with the launch

of the new Maldives Travel Connection division. The expansion complements other businesses under the Entire banner including French Travel Connection, Tahiti Travel Connection, New Caledonia Travel Connection, Spain & Portugal Travel Connection, Canada & Alaska Specialist Holidays and the recently merged CIT Holidays.

CEO Brad McDonnell said the addition was a natural extension of the company’s product range. “We have extensive experience in selling island destinations, but what really distinguishes our brands is the depth of knowledge and level of expert support they provide our travel agent partners”.

The addition follows the recent appointment of industry veteran Greg McCallum as Entire Travel Group’s sales & marketing director. It also comes amid unprecedented growth in demand for travel to the Maldives, where a hotel building boom is currently under way with more than 60 new properties expected to come on stream in the next 12 months.

Flight Centre wows the crowds in Berlin The Flight Centre Travel Group brought the star power to its 2018 Global Gathering in Berlin, Germany last month, with the annual event featuring an array of celebrities including Aussie Hollywood super-hunk Chris Hemsworth along with British comedians Jimmy Car and Michael McIntyre.

Flight Centre Global 2018 continued the event’s reputation for generosity, with the company bringing its top selling staff on flights from across the globe – including aboard a chartered Etihad Airways A380 superjumbo – to enjoy an all expenses-paid weekend as a reward for their performance in the last year.

The “Flight Klub”-themed event hosted more than 3,000 of the company’s achievers, with the aim of providing “informative and entertaining educational sessions for employees” as well as celebrating achievement, professionalism and innovation within the company. The gathering culminated in a gala ball and awards ceremony on the Saturday night presented by CEO Graham Turner, which also featured a performance by Australian pop princess

South Africa Gives Back

“

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, a team of trade partners and supporters of South African Tourism last month spent a day prepping and cooking for the less fortunate at Sydney’s OzHarvest. The 18 July event saw 67 volunteers working alongside chef Neil Perry to recognise the years Mandela fought for social justice. Yana Shvarts, South African Tourism marketing and communications manager for Australasia, said the campaign was a celebration of how to make a positive impact on the world.

We have extensive experience in selling island destinations, but what in our purpose through Intrepid Travel.”

Kylie Minogue. Other headliners during really The CEO said the move was the weekend included performer Aloe distinguishes Blacc, DJs Jonas Blue and Duke recognition that 18 to 29s are the socially responsible travellers of the Dumont, and Australian comedienne our brands future. “It no longer makes sense Claudia O’Doherty. Next year’s Flight is the depth to have two brands. Our 18 to 29s Centre Travel Group Global Gathering need the global reach that Intrepid of knowledge will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Travel has, so that we can do more... and level Intrepid closing Geckos [it] means we can have better of expert conversations with 18 to 29s about the support they Intrepid Travel last month revealed a things that matter,” he concluded. restructure of its brand portfolio which provide our will see its youth-focused Geckos brand travel agent absorbed into “big sister” Intrepid. The Industry high flyers make their moves move, effective from 01 October, will partners

”

Brad McDonnell, CEO, Entire Travel Group

see all existing Geckos Adventures trips become part of a new small group range within Intrepid, targeting 18- to 29-year old travellers.

Intrepid Group CEO James Thornton said the move “means we can have better conversations with 18 to 29s about the things that matter. He noted that Intrepid had almost four times the number of passengers in that age bracket as Geckos and is a global brand, while Geckos is almost entirely sold within Australia.

“The name will change, but our style will remain the same: authentic experiences shared in small groups, with local leaders,” said Thornton.

“While we’ve had great feedback from our 18 to 29s customers, in 2018 and beyond we’re investing more

THE last month has seen several major industry appointments, including the shock resignation of Gai Tyrrell from Hawaiian Airlines who confirmed days later that she would take the helm of the Globus Family of Brands. Globus was previously headed up by Stewart Williams, who stepped down abruptly in February for personal reasons after 30 years with the company.

Tyrrell’s appointment follows an extensive search for a “qualified, passionate and professional leader,” according to Globus Family of Brands president and CEO Scott Nisbet.

Tyrrell was appointed Hawaiian Airlines’ regional director for Australia and New Zealand in late 2014, with

Continues over page

travelBulletin August 2018

3

State of the industry Continues from previous page

HEADLINES 25 Jun Boost for India air links 25 Jun Agents key – Flight Centre 26 Jun Oman to close Aus base 26 Jun QF plans future of flight 27 Jun AFTA cancels Qld agent 27 Jun APT to offer tailor made 28 Jun Qantas chairman to leave 28 Jun TourRadar $59m injection 28 Jun Billionaires boost wealth 29 Jun Spotlight on hotel sites 29 Jun Qantas names chairman 02 Jul

Luxury Escapes out of ATAS

02 Jul

Dreamworld boss reigns

03 Jul

Ignite signs up to 7travel

03 Jul

LE questions ATAS value

04 Jul

New call to lift air limits

04 Jul

Tigerair drops Townsville

05 Jul

Virgin to fly Hobart-Perth

05 Jul

Viking expands in NZ

06 Jul

Tyrrell to leave Hawaiian

06 Jul

WWT newbuild river ship

09 Jul

Harding leaves Trafalgar

09 Jul

Reef operators campaign

10 Jul

Gai Tyrrell heads Globus

10 Jul

AC Hotels to enter Aus

10 Jul

Harding to lead Club Med

11 Jul

Intrepid, Geckos merger

11 Jul

CTM to buy Lotus Travel Grp

12 Jul

CTM’s Greater China plan

12 Jul

DXB upgrade to hit EK

13 Jul

NCL Leonardo Class order

13 Jul

Lux Escapes grows fast

16 Jul

May departures up 5.5%

16 Jul

CATO, Star NTIA prizes

17 Jul

Pandaw India expansion

17 Jul

Peregrine Africa cruise

18 Jul

ETG Maldives expansion

18 Jul

Best Western appoints MD

19 Jul

International route for NTL

19 Jul

Regional internship scheme

20 Jul

AFTA sells head office

20 Jul

VFR drives inbound travel

23 Jul

Flight Centre’s NTIA win

23 Jul

Alysandratos honoured

24 Jul

Chimu signs FC preferred

24 Jul

CBR backs SYD reforms

25 Jul

InterCon to manage Hayman

4

travelBulletin August 2018

her extensive industry career also including a stint as chief executive officer of Sabre Pacific, chief operating officer at Jetset Travelworld Group, executive general manager at Flight Centre’s FCM Travel Solutions and general manager of industry sales at Qantas Airways.

Another big move this month was the resignation of long-time Trafalgar national sales manager Rachael Harding, who is taking up a new role as general manager of Club Med in Australia and New Zealand. The widely respected Harding had been with The Travel Corporation for more than 15 years. Trafalgar is now recruiting for a replacement who will manage the company’s national sales team of nine direct reports, and in conjunction with MD Matthew Cameron-Smith will “own and manage many of the key strategic trade relationships across the industry”.

ACCC targets credit card surcharges The travel sector has been firmly in the sights of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission when it comes to the new credit card surcharging rules, with the ACCC looking to make an example of several key players caught charging more than it cost them to process client cards.

Campervan operator Cruisin’ Motorhomes was hit with a $12,600 fine over allegations it charged its Visa and MasterCard customers a 2% surcharge, despite the cost of processing the payment ranging from 0.41% to 1.48%.

Further action was foreshadowed against car rental firm Europcar, which is the subject of the first litigation to be conducted under the regulations which became effective last year for small businesses, and twelve months earlier for bigger organisations.

“Europcar did not reduce its surcharges despite being notified by its bank in July 2017 of the actual cost to accept payments by these cards. Instead, it is alleged Europcar continued to charge customers in excess of this amount, in breach of the law,” the ACCC said.

Europcar said it was disappointed at the ACCC legal action, saying it had fully cooperated with the Commission since an investigation commenced in October 2017.

“At every step we have sought to not only do the right thing by our customer but to also work openly, cooperatively and transparently with the ACCC to identify and correct this issue and to ensure the best possible outcome for all our customers,” the company said. A total of 22,602 customers were impacted, with the amount overcharged being just over $20,000 in total.

Agents explore Georgia Last month Explore Worldwide treated a group of agents to a seven-day famil in Georgia.

During the trip participants visited ancient monasteries and churches, walked the intricate network of abandoned cave towns built into the side of cliffs and dined with families in small rural villages.

Agents enjoyed a 4WD expedition through the snowcapped peaks of the Greater Caucasus, visited museums and small bars, and took a cable car above cosmopolitan Tbilisi.

Data Room

All the latest statistics from the ABS and BITRE to keep you in the loop.

Domestic On Time Performance

ARRIVALS

June 2018

Jetstar

Qantas

Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations

72.9% 71.9% 2.7%

Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations

DEPARTURES

Top 10 destinations, May 18

76.4% 76.9% 2.1%

Source

Trend (000)

Original (000)

New Zealand China USA India Singapore Malaysia UK Japan South Korea Hong Kong All inbound

113.6 122.7 63.8 29.6 36.0 30.0 61.9 38.3 24.1 25.3 763.7

107.5 89.5 48.3 38.1 37.0 32.5 31.4 25.9 20.2 18.8 609.3

Trend Apr 18/ May 18 % +0.1 +1.7 -2.0 +1.4 +0.3 -0.9 -0.8 +0.5 +0.2 +1.0 +0.3

Top 10 destinations, May 18

Trend May 17/ May 18 % +1.3 +6.9 -4.5 +20.9 -4.4 -13.0 +2.9 +6.1 -0.2 +7.6 +3.7

Source: ABS

Destination

Trend (000)

Original (000)

Indonesia USA New Zealand China UK Thailand Japan Singapore Fiji India All outbound

111.1 93.5 118.5 51.8 55.7 47.1 39.8 35.3 28.7 32.7 929.5

107.1 95.8 89.9 59.0 44.7 42.8 37.5 32.8 28.3 22.1 822.2

Trend Apr 18/ May 18 % +2.9 +1.1 +0.2 +3.1 +0.4 -1.0 +2.0 +2.0 +0.8 +0.6 +1.1

Trend May 17/ May 18 % +11.0 +3.6 -2.3 +16.3 +6.3 -3.2 +20.9 +7.9 -0.4 +10.9 +5.5

Source: ABS

ENDED DECEMBER 2017 All airlines

Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations

76.5% 78.0% 1.9%

-0.5%

76.2% 79.1% 1.0%

6%

Virgin Australia

Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations

-0.

International Passengers Carried (thousands) - December 2015 to December 2017

+4

DOMESTIC AIR MARKET

.3 %

May 2018

+2 .3%

+ 0.

Dec-17

Nov-17

Oct-17

Sep-17

Aug-17

Jul-17

Jun-17

May-17

Apr-17

Mar-17

Feb-17

Jan-17

Dec-16

Nov-16

Oct-16

Sep-16

Aug-16

Jul-16

Jun-16

May-16

Apr-16

Mar-16

Feb-16

Jan-16

.8 %

*Percentage points difference

+3

May 18

-2.7%

Total pax carried Revenue pax km (RPK) Avail seat kms (ASK) Load factor (%) Aircraft trips (000)

Growth Yr to Yr to Growth % May 17 May 18 % INBOUND OUTBOUND 4.75m 4.87m +2.6 59.22m 60.77bn +2.6 5.44bn 5.60bn +3.0 69.46bn 70.88bn +2.0 7.05bn 7.17bn +1.7 88.63bn 88.65bn +0.0 77.1 78.1 1.0* 78.4 80.0 1.6* 53.6 52.9 -1.3 641.2 637.4 -0.6

+1.1%

May 17

+2.9%

9%

-2.4%

Source: BITRE

International Air Market Share

INTERNATIONAL AIR ROUTES

International Passengers by Major Airlines - Year ended December 2017

International passengers by major airline – year ended Apr 2018

Top 10 city pairs, Apr 2018

Qantas Airways, 16.5% Qantas Airways,

City pair

16.4%

Others, 31.1%

Others, 30.7%

Jetstar, 9.1%9.1% Jetstar,

Emirates, Emirates, 8.1%8.3%

Etihad Airways, 3.1% China Southern Airlines, 3.1% China Southern Etihad Airways, 3.2% Airlines, 3.1%

Singapore Airlines, 8.0% Singapore Airlines, 8.1%

AirAsia 3.6% AirAsia X,X,4.0%

Cathay Pacific Air New Cathay Pacific Air New Zealand, 6.6% Airways, 4.6% Zealand, 6.6% Airways, 4.6% Australia, 6.1% VirginVirgin Australia, 6.0% Source: BITRE

Auckland-Sydney Singapore-Sydney Singapore-Melbourne Auckland-Melbourne Singapore-Perth Hong Kong-Sydney Auckland-Brisbane Los Angeles-Sydney Denpasar-Perth Singapore-Brisbane Top 10 City Pairs Other City Pairs ALL CITY PAIRS

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Passengers YE Apr 18 1,556,401 1,511,497 1,423,718 1,246,064 1,143,574 1,076,161 970,288 878,317 854,139 826,967 11,487,126 28,794,536 40,281,662

% of total % change 18/17 3.9 -2.4 3.8 +3.8 3.5 +2.3 3.1 +2.9 2.8 +1.1 2.7 -0.6 2.4 +0.9 2.2 -0.5 2.1 -2.7 2.1 +4.3 28.5 +0.9 71.5 +7.0 100.0 +5.2

Source: BITRE

International Passengers by Uplift/Discharge City Pairs Australian

Passengers YE Apr 17 1,594,500 1,456,682 1,391,651 1,210,850 1,131,649 1,082,742 961,209 882,337 877,855 792,621 11,382,096 26,910,038 38,292,134

travelBulletin August 2018

% of

% Change

5

State of the industry MAIN DOMESTIC ROUTES Top 10 domestic city pairs, May 2018

City pair

MelbourneSydney Brisbane-Sydney BrisbaneMelbourne Gold CoastSydney AdelaideMelbourne Melbourne-Perth Gold CoastMelbourne Adelaide-Sydney Perth-Sydney Hobart-Melbourne

Most popular websites in travel - agencies May 18 compared with Apr 18

Passengers Passengers % change YE May 17 YE May 18 (000) (000) 8,943.2

9,246.5

+3.4

4,685.0

4,786.5

+2.2

3,497.9

3,554.5

+1.6

2,704.5

2,759.8

+2.0

2,401.5

2,489.2

+3.7

2,054.3

2,053.3

-0.1

1,989.6

2,041.4

+2.6

1,880.0 1,739.7 1,595.3

1,908.3 1,719.1 1,643.0

+1.5 -1.2 +3.0

Rank Website

Visits % share May 18

Relative Rank % dif May Apr 18 to Apr

1

Webjet Australia

13.36

+4.70

1

2 3

Expedia Australia Skyscanner Australia Wotif.com Flight Centre Velocity Frequent Flyer Luxury Escapes Lastminute.com.au Cheap Flights Aus & NZ I Want That Flight!

10.23

-4.50

2

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

9.22

-3.18

3

7.79 6.14

-1.33 +2.50

4 5

4.09

+6.11

6

3.35 2.45

-1.18 -0.63

7 8

2.20

-7.73

9

2.00

+6.39

10

Source: Hitwise

Source: BITRE

AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS

International passengers through Australia’s major international airports, Apr 18 City pair Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Perth Gold Coast Adelaide Cairns Darwin Canberra (a) Townsville (b) Sunshine Coast (c) Port Hedland (d) Norfolk Island (e) ALL AIRPORTS

Passengers YE Apr 17 15,383,863 9,857,612 5,540,225 4,402,436 1,106,446 948,618 642,658 283,114 51,643 43,978 13,728 7,449 10,364 38,292,134

(a) Scheduled services recommenced Sep 2016 (c) Seasonal services only (e) Scheduled services ceased May 2017

Passengers YE Apr 18 16,305,849 10,628,053 5,842,611 4,346,951 1,075,679 989,885 673,217 260,772 89,858 46,783 13,719 7,530 755 40,281,662

% of total % change 18/17 40.5 +6.0 26.4 +7.8 14.5 +5.5 10.8 -1.3 2.7 -2.8 2.5 +4.4 1.7 +4.8 0.6 -7.9 0.2 +74.0 0.1 +6.4 0.0 -0.1 0.0 +1.1 0.0 -92.7 100.0 +5.2

(b) Scheduled services recommenced Sep 2015 (d) Scheduled services recommenced Apr 2015

Source: BITRE

Steve Jones’ Say In between watching Peter Rabbit and Paddington Bear on a trip back from the UK recently – I was in the mood for undemanding entertainment – I caught an interview with Tim Clark, the president of Emirates.

It was broadcast on the airline’s in-house radio station, so a softer interview you’d be hard pressed to find.

In it, Clark covered several issues.

Emirates’ deepening relationship with Fly Dubai and the Qantas alliance among them. So strong is the bond between Emirates and Qantas that from March our flag

6

travelBulletin August 2018

carrier felt able to re-route its A380s through Singapore, he said by way of explaining why Qantas ditched Dubai on its London route.

Leaving that to one side, Clark – one of the most experienced and respected of airline executives – turned to a particular hobby horse of mine, the economy cabin.

Emirates, he told the interviewer, was not just about the premium end of town. Sure, it’s hugely important, but with 70% of its revenue derived from economy sales, it also needs to focus on the not-so-affluent traveller.

Maybe Clark was paying lip service to his captive audience. But it didn’t seem that way. Regardless, it was refreshing to actually hear a senior executive talk more about the importance of economy class than luxury.

Conversations about the bread and butter do not take place often enough. Airlines will disagree I’m sure, but their efforts are based almost exclusively around providing an ever more comfortable first and business product even though the overwhelming majority of us don’t ever have a prayer of experiencing it.

In fairness, the economy experience is unrecognisable from the days when the only entertainment was one movie shown on a large white screen at the front of the cabin. The meal was a choice of one dish and the quality somewhat hit and miss,

“

Airlines will disagree I’m sure, but their efforts are based almost exclusively around providing an ever more comfortable first and business product...

”

with a heavy skew to the latter.

Now, almost every airline flying internationally has seat-back TVs, a choice of meals – of vastly superior quality – and a generally more convivial experience.

Yet I can’t help feeling airlines have been missing a trick with their almost obsessive quest to out-do each other to attract high-end, highmargin customers.

Notwithstanding configuration and space restrictions of an economy cabin, innovation of any real meaning has been lacking.

I’ve always thought a bar was the most obvious addition to the experience. Yes, it would bring obvious challenges, but surely not insurmountable ones. How about onboard lectures? Pre-bookable massages? These additions needn’t cost a fortune.

But maybe we are beginning to see a shift. In addition to Clark at least addressing the issue of the economy passenger, Qantas, through their Project Sunrise, is exploring what the design of future aircraft may look like on ultra-long haul flights.

Bars, crèches and exercise zones have all been mooted.

There’s a TV program I watch called “Amazing Spaces” that showcases the most extraordinary designs in the tiniest of areas on the smallest of budgets. Where there’s a will…

Issues & trends

Booking.com buys HotelsCombined Last month’s purchase of the HotelsCombined hotel metasearch site by Booking Holdings has not been widely reported, but is understood to be one of the largest technology acquisitions of an Australian-founded travel company in recent years. Sydney-based HotelsCombined

was established in 2005 by three former HotelClub staffers, Yury Shar, Brendon McQueen and Michael Doubinski, and had developed a global network of thousands of affiliate partnerships including groups such as Ryanair, SkyScanner and Momondo, which is now also part of Booking Holdings.

The company’s website aggregates pricing from hundreds of accommodation sources, promising to find the best price with a money-back guarantee.

Under its new ownership, HotelsCombined will report into Booking Holdings’ KAYAK brand, which has a range of subsidiaries including HotelsCombined has built a strong brand with Cheapflights, Mundi and Momondo. loyal customers across “HotelsCombined has built a strong brand APAC, and we believe loyal customers the team will be a great with across APAC, and we addition to KAYAK to believe the team will be a great addition further expand our to KAYAK to further worldwide metasearch expand our worldwide metasearch strategy,” said Glenn Fogel, CEO, Booking Holdings Booking Holdings ceo Glenn Fogel.

HotelsCombined ceo Hichame Assi said operating under the KAYAK umbrella “will strengthen our proposition to both customers and partners with greater scale, product breadth and innovation”.

The price paid for HotelsCombined has not been made public at this stage, but analysts speculate it is likely to be around 12 months’ worth of TTV, in the range of US$250 million to US$300 million.

There’s also significant conjecture about whether Booking. com plans to maintain the HotelsCombined brand in markets where KAYAK has a lower penetration, or instead migrate the business to its parent operation.

Another potential rationale for the deal is for Booking to drive more traffic from Google and Facebook, optimising its massive advertising spends with the platforms.

“

”

8

travelBulletin August 2018

AFTA view Jayson Westbury, chief executive AFTA

Last month the travel industry celebrated in style at the NTIA 2018, and there is no question that the NTIA continues to deliver value, respect and unconditional loyalty as the pre-eminent Australian travel industry awards for achievement and recognition.

It is fitting to note that this year, AFTA introduced a proprietary analysis matrix system to the judges’ categories and this has been developed off the back of the 10 years of experience NTIA has enjoyed.

This new system has received excellent feedback from participants and the industry more broadly and included not only university level markers, but also a distinguished panel of some 12 judges. This next level of probity has brought a new level of significance to the NTIA process and format and AFTA will now look to develop this further and ingrain a higher level of integrity in all that the NTIA does and delivers.

These key pillars are important when running an industry-based This next level of and backed awards program and probity has brought we look forward to working across all the categories as we receive a new level of the feedback and develop this significance to the intellectual property for the benefit NTIA process... of all involved.

At this year’s NTIA, AFTA was also very pleased to award a Life Membership to Spiros Alysandratos, the CEO of Consolidated Travel. Spiros has a most incredible background and career in the Australian travel industry.

Spiros’ story is one that can only inspire all us. He is not originally from Australia but an immigrant who has made Australia is home and has over the past 50 years developed and nurtured a travel business that has become a platform which many utilise and many have tried to replicate. He comes from a large family with eight siblings and his proudest treasure is now his children, who have given him some 10 grandchildren. He is the quintessential family man.

He started his career in Australia in a photographic studio where he would meet his now wife Irene and together they have built a wonderful life and family in Australia. He then started his travel business in 1967, and from humble beginnings he has built it into the very well respected and known Consolidated Travel.

Spiros strongly believes in giving back to the community, the industry and through decades of involvement with AFTA, he has built an impressive life in Australia and done this all the while with the backing and support of the travel industry.

Even today, Spiros remains a director of AFTA and supports us in every endeavour and in every way possible because he believes that an industry must have an united voice for the future, for the benefit of all. It is difficult to imagine an Australian travel industry without Spiros Alysandratos.

On a final note, I would like to extend a very warm and large congratulations to all 38 winners from NTIA 2018, a magnificence effort by them all and I am already looking forward to what will happen for NTIA 2019.

“ ”

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Issues & trends

LUX* set for growth Mauritius-based luxury hotelier LUX* Group is expecting significant expansion, with the pending launch of two additional brands as well as an expanding pipeline of new properties across the globe. Visiting Sydney last month, the company’s regional director of sales & marketing, Deepak Booneady, told travelBulletin LUX* was actively seeking new management contracts, with Australia definitely on the radar. As well as the company’s flagship five-star brand, the new additions to debut in the coming months will offer a wider range of options to property owners.

As well as establishing one or more Australian properties, the local travel trade is a key focus for LUX*, particularly for its Maldives resorts amid exceptionally strong interest in the destination.

Booneady is based at the existing LUX* Maldives South Ari Atoll, which in January 2019 will be joined by a new flagship property in North Male Atoll, with 67 double-storey villa residences. LUX* also has resorts in Mauritius, Reunion, China, the UAE and in

LUX Grand Gaube Mauritius pool

Bodrum, Turkey, with additional properties under development in Vietnam and Italy.

LUX* focuses on relaxed luxury, with a strong service culture and features to delight customers such as in-resort roasted coffee, surprise “messages in a bottle” with bonuses such as spa treatments or special dinners, in-house beach clubs and activities such as marine conservation, diving, nutrition and yoga.

Get Global success The second iteration of the Get Global trade event convened by Gary Bender of World Corporate Travel and Tourism Portfolio’s Donna Kessler has been hailed as an “unrivalled success,” with the one-day show at the Sydney International Convention Centre bringing 140 international suppliers together with almost 300 senior local and international buyers. Get Global breaks the mould of the traditional business events trade show, with no hosted buyer program and no appointments, allowing for a free flow of interactions between buyers and sellers.

Bender and Kessler are also adamant that the show maintain an exclusively outbound focus, despite strong interest in participation from a range of Australian-based suppliers.

Bender confirmed the 2018 show was a sell-out, and announced that Get Global 2019 would take place on 26 July next year.

“Having sold out of our exhibitor spaces this year, with the opportunity to sell many more, we’ll inevitably have to look for expanded

10

travelBulletin August 2018

or alternative event space for 2019,” he said, forecasting a 30% increase in both buyer and seller numbers. “When you are expecting people to leave their offices for a day or more, our focus is on delivering the best event and help create real connections, networking opportunities and the flexibility to do business,” Bender added.

This year exhibitors came from as far afield as Scotland, with a large contingent

from Hawaii as well as major participation from major hoteliers, DMCs and technology suppliers. A key innovation launched at Get Global was “beacon check-in” via the show’s dedicated smartphone app, created

by Touchpoint. The system allowed preregistered visitors to simply wave their phone on arrival to signify their presence, with Get Global the first event globally to use the feature on the EventsAIR platform.

NoVacancy takes on a new format A significant transformation of hotel industry exhibition NoVacancy was unveiled last month when it was relaunched by new owners National Media at the ICC Sydney.

Spanning 8,000m2 of space, the event was redesigned to place greater emphasis on the products and services of 160 vendors including hotels, hospitality providers and ancillary products to the hotel industry, rather than its past focus as a conference.

“Our goal in switching the event to exhibition format was to launch with 120 exhibitors and we beat that by 34% with 160

vendors and suppliers,” said Brad Langton, portfolio director for NoVacancy.

“Our attendance goal of 1,800 to 2,000 was also far surpassed with 3,387 hoteliers, speakers, media, vendors and industry suppliers attending across the two days,” he added.

Visitors were able to choose from more than 40 free-to-attend sessions with two of the four theatres utilising “silent disco” technology aimed at reducing noise clutter across the exhibition. To attract visitors, the speaking program was curated after

more than “9,000 phone calls were made to as many different hotels, motels, service apartment groups, to understand what it is they are looking for,” Langton added.

“We could potentially double the size, but we want to grow in the right areas,” he said. “We won’t know until we’ve done a good digest of this year’s event. A lot of boxes have been ticked and feedback and sentiment has been exceptionally positive.”

NoVacancy returns to the ICC Sydney 24-25 July 2019.

Issues & trends

Solomon Is… creative Tourism Solomons ceo Jo Tuamoto visited Australia last month to unveil what he described as a “seismic shift” in the destination’s marketing approach. The new “Solomon Is.” branding (pictured) is part of a wide-ranging revamp which has included the renaming of the former Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau as Tourism Solomons.

“We are confident the new branding truly characterises the destination’s identity, message, image and positioning and will provide the platform for the Solomon Islands to optimally market itself in the international arena for the next decade or more,” Tuamoto told travelBulletin.

“Solomon Is.” can be attached to just about anything – an emotion, an action, a noun or an adjective, Tuamoto enthused, making it supremely versatile and able to target specific demographics such as couples, honeymooners, adventure seekers, families and more. He noted that the tag line was also a recognition of the reality of the Solomon Islands. “It is what it is,” he said – beautiful, unspoilt, friendly and raw – rather than providing a false promise that doesn’t accurately reflect the multi-faceted destination.

“Our new branding is unique. It allows every visitor to target or tag their own travel experience, exactly as they want it to be, in the process making it uniquely theirs and uniquely Solomon Islands,” he said.

The brand is also about touching the past through the country’s multitude of traditional lifestyles and cultural icons that still exist in the face of urbanisation and commercialised mass tourism in other parts of the world.

The new marketing approach has

planned to ensure locals are able to leverage the brand and understand the importance of tourism and a warm welcome to the country’s economy.

“Solomon Is.” has been developed with a full range of tactical and brand collateral,

Solomon Islands brand launch

received overwhelming endorsement from stakeholders within the Solomon Islands, Tuamoto added. It was unveiled by Prime Minister, the Hon. Rick Hou, and such is the administration’s enthusiasm that it has been mandated to be part of any upcoming international presentations by government officials. An educational program is also

with Tourism Solomons’ relationships with the Australian trade now overseen by the newly appointed Fiona Teama, replacing the highly respected Stella Lucas who tragically drowned earlier this year alongside another colleague while scouting a new hiking program and locations for photo creative in connection with the new campaign.

Airlines feel the pilot pressure Tensions over the global pilot shortage have erupted locally, with Regional Express (Rex) accusing its larger rivals of poaching more than half its captains over the past two years.

12

travelBulletin August 2018

In an open letter, the regional carrier has blamed Qantas and Virgin Australia for compounding a situation that has hit airlines around the world, saying the “rapacious plundering” of its pilot pool was causing

crew shortages and service disruptions.

The major carriers have rejected the Rex claims and pointed to their own investment in pilot training, which has included Qantas’ February announcement that it plans a new pilot academy able to train up to 500 newcomers a year.

“It’s natural to see some movement between airlines from people seeking advancement, just like in every other industry,” a Qantas spokesperson said in response to Rex’s claims.

“No Australian airline invests more in training pilots than the Qantas Group.”

Boeing further highlighted the issue last month when it released a report forecasting demand for an extra 790,000 pilots worldwide over the next 20 years – a doubling of the current global workforce.

Qantas looks to future of long haul Exercise zones, on-board child care and self-serve cafes could all become standard features aboard flights from Australia under the latest efforts by Qantas to redefine longhaul travel.

The carrier has moved into the next stage of its “Project Sunrise” quest for non-stop flights to Europe from Australia’s east coast, and is calling for input from its frequent flyers to help design its future aircraft.

Having challenged the major aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus to create planes capable of flying from Sydney to London or New York without a stopover, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has begun speaking publicly about game-changing concepts that could be introduced at the same time, such as creating sleeping bunks in the cargo hold.

Some ideas are firmly in the category of “blue sky thinking”, but others have been put to more than 12,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer members in a survey that asks for their thoughts.

Among concepts being considered are stretch/exercise zones, communal bars, self-serve cafés, creches and work stations.

Qantas has also asked about converting several on board lavatories into more spacious “change and refresh” stations, though weight limitations would likely prevent planes carrying enough water for showers.

With travellers set to spend up to 22 hours in the air, passenger comfort and wellbeing will be critical. The airline has already engaged with global aircraft seat manufacturers, inviting them to come up with

B787 Dreamliner ©Qantas

“

The launch of direct flights from the east coast of Australia to Europe, UK and the US is going to completely revolutionise air travel...

”

concepts for next-generation Economy and Premium Economy seats for the long-haul flights. Other elements up for consideration include the future of in-flight entertainment and food and beverage concepts.

“The launch of direct flights from the east

Meet with 55+ exhibitors

coast of Australia to Europe, UK and the US is going to completely revolutionise air travel and we are keen to do the same thing with the inflight offering for passengers on board these flights,” said Qantas head of customer strategy and product development Phil Capps.

“It’s still early days and the final cabins may feature some or none of the ideas we’re asking for feedback on, but we want to have the conversation with our customers to help inform our planning. We wanted to put all options on the table,” he said.

“What sounds unconventional today may well become tomorrow’s new norm. Some ideas are more viable than others, but our strategy is to find out what the priorities are for a cross section of travellers.”

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2018 NATIONAL TRAVEL INDUSTRY AWARDS WINNERS CATEGORY 1> BEST TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP // 50 STORES OR MORE ¥ Flight Centre

CATEGORY 2> BEST NON BRANDED TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP ¥ Helloworld Business Travel

CATEGORY 3> BEST TRAVEL AGENCY RETAIL // SINGLE LOCATION ¥ Main Beach Travel

CATEGORY 4> BEST TRAVEL AGENCY RETAIL // MULTI LOCATION ¥ Phil Hoffmann Travel

CATEGORY 5> BEST TRAVEL AGENCY CORPORATE // SINGLE LOCATION ¥ DBT Corporate Travel

CATEGORY 6> BEST TRAVEL AGENCY CORPORATE // MULTI LOCATION

CATEGORY 10> BEST BUSINESS EVENTS TRAVEL AGENCY ¥ Event Travel Management

CATEGORY 11> BEST TRAVEL CONSULTANT // RETAIL ¥ Giselle Pennington Spencer Travel Southside

CATEGORY 12> BEST TRAVEL CONSULTANT // CORPORATE ¥ Nicole Hay

Show Group Enterprise

NSW

CATEGORY 13> BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER // RETAIL SINGLE LOCATION ¥ Debbi Ashes

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CATEGORY 14> BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER // RETAIL MULTI LOCATIONS ¥ Renee Nightingale Helloworld Travel Albury, Wangaratta & Wodonga NSW/VIC

CATEGORY 15> BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER // CORPORATE SINGLE LOCATION ¥ Jamie Maclean

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CATEGORY 16> BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER // CORPORATE MULTI LOCATION

¥ Corporate Travel Management

¥ Andre Moten

CATEGORY 8> BEST TRAVEL BROKER NETWORK

CATEGORY 17> YOUNG AGENT OF THE YEAR

¥ MTA - Mobile Travel Agents

¥ Courtney Ashes

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CATEGORY 19> BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE // ON-LINE ¥ Singapore Airlines

CATEGORY 20> BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE // OFF-LINE ¥ Finnair

CATEGORY 21> BEST CRUISE OPERATOR // DOMESTIC DEPLOYMENT ¥ Royal Caribbean International

CATEGORY 22> BEST CRUISE OPERATOR // INTERNATIONAL DEPLOYMENT

CATEGORY 30> BEST WHOLESALER // INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT ¥ Adventure World

CATEGORY 31> BEST AGENCY SUPPORT SERVICE ¥ Air Tickets

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¥ Royal Caribbean International

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NTIA 2018

Australia’s National Travel Industry Awards once again saw suppliers and travel agents pull out all stops in 2018, kicking up their heels to honour the successes of the last twelve months in spectacular style.

As the NTIA’s exclusive media sponsor, the Business Publishing Group including Travel Daily, Cruise Weekly, Business Events News and travelBulletin, is proud to present this special supplement showcasing the excitement of the Sydney ICC event on Saturday 21st July. While winning an NTIA award is a great achievement, the night also included the event’s largest ever pool of

16

travelBulletin August 2018

lucky door prizes courtesy of Qantas, Air New Zealand, the Star Alliance and Council of Australian Tour Operators members, plus a rocking performance by Anthony Callea which had the whole crowd up on their feet.

We congratulate AFTA on a fabulous night which has continued the event’s long tradition of encouraging and celebrating excellence in the Australian travel industry.

“The event may be put on by AFTA, but it is the industry which makes it a celebration to remember each and every year,” said AFTA CEO Jayson Westbury.

travelBulletin August 2018

17

NTIA 2018

Best Cruise Operator - International Deployment and Best Cruise Operator – Domestic Deployment: Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International continued its NTIA wining spree, claiming the awards for Best Cruise Operator – International; and Best Cruise Operator – Domestic for the third year running.

The cruise line’s team was out in force to celebrate, with its new Australian and New Zealand vice president and managing director Susan Bonner emphasising the win was a

“tremendous validation”.

Bonner said Royal Caribbean was in it “for the long term” and began its trade relationships “with the end in mind”.

“We know there should never be a onesided deal,” she said.

“We appreciate our networks and we treat the groups of people we work

with respectfully.”

Bonner acknowledged the company operated in a “very competitive industry”.

“We have constant innovation in what we bring on the ships…so we constantly think about how we can bring better and newer hardware into Australia”.

Since 2005, Royal Caribbean has received the Best Cruise Operator award nine times.

Best Car/Campervan Rental Operator: AVIS

“

I think more than ever before we felt the support of the industry and also we’ve deepened our conversations around collaboration and making sure that we’re listening and leaning in and getting a stronger partnership

”

Alison Webster, CEO – International, Qantas: Best Domestic Airline

18

travelBulletin August 2018

Jenny Lorkin, sales manager TMC Pacific for AVIS Budget Group International Group collected the Best Car/Campervan Rental Operator award at this year’s NTIAs on behalf of the AVIS Group.

“I’d really like to thank the team, as we have a new team and I would also like to thank the trade who we deliver service to right around Australia,” Lorkin said.

It’s been six years since the company last won the same award, with this year’s success coming down to “engaging the customer and always being there to surprise and delight their expectations,” Lorkin said.

WINNER 2018

Thank you!

APT – Best River Cruise Operator 2018 APT – Best Domestic Tour Operator 2018 For the fourth year in a row, APT has been voted by you, our Australian travel agent partners as the Best River Cruise Operator at the National Travel Industry Awards! We are also thrilled to have been awarded Best Domestic Tour Operator for the sixth time in the past seven years.

To say we are delighted would be an understatement, and we want to thank and acknowledge you, our valued industry partners, for recognising our efforts in creating consistently unforgettable holiday experiences. Given your expertise, knowledge and experience in the industry, we are honoured to be considered so highly and very much appreciate your ongoing support.

BEST RIVER CRUISE OPERATOR 2015-18

BEST INTERNATIONAL TOUR OPERATOR 2014-15

BEST DOMESTIC TOUR OPERATOR 2012-16 & 18

National Travel Industry Awards

National Travel Industry Awards

National Travel Industry Awards

APT7146

NTIA 2018

“

I’m just so excited. This is 30 years in the making. I started as a work experience girl when I was 18 and I’ve just kept that passion. I love what I do, I love the industry and I believe customer service is so very important

”

Best Travel Agency Manager Retail – Single Location: Debbi Ashes, Helloworld Travel Lane Cove and Young Agent of the Year: Courtney Ashes, Helloworld Lane Cove Debbi Ashes is no stranger to the NTIAs, having been a finalist every year since 2007. And although she has won several accolades before, this year provided her first opportunity for a double celebration.

“It’s a mother-daughter double,” said the Helloworld Travel Lane Cove owner manager. “It’s amazing.”

While Debbi was victorious in the Best Travel Agency Manager Retail – Single Location category, her daughter Courtney came away with the Young Agent of the Year award.

The pair attribute their success to high levels of customer service, efforts to combat online competition and their fee for service model – not to mention a strong mother-daughter working relationship.

“We work together amazingly,” Debbi said. “We mesh well, we know our boundaries, we know when to stop, we know when to shut up and we know when to push.”

“And we’ve never had a fight.”

Best Wholesaler – International Product: Adventure world Adventure World took out the win for Best Wholesaler – International Product at this years NTIAs, with Andrew Hutchinson, head of product and operations, collecting the award.

Hutchinson said the reason for the win came down to “a combination of fantastic product and experiences” along with the “very talented sales team on the road and our agents… We’re only as good as the agents we service”. Hutchinson also thanked the TTC for their support.

“To win this is just the beginning of some celebrations that will start next year,” said Hutchinson in reference to Adventure World’s upcoming 40th anniversary next year.

20

travelBulletin August 2018

Michelle Nickelson, Air New Zealand: Best Sales Executive – Industry Supplier

We go above and beyond, so our customers can too. avis is honoured to accept the award of best car or campervan rental operator for 2018. av i s . c o m . a u

2018

NTIA 2018 Best River Cruise Operator and Best Tour Operator - Domestic: APT Taking out the Best River Cruise Operator award for the sixth time in as many years was APT, taking the gong home ahead of a strong field.

Accepting the honour was APT’s Group managing director Chris Hall who was keen to communicate the continued elation despite dominating the category in recent times.

“The whole team is ecstatic. We’ve managed to maintain our dominance in this award, and it’s so important because it’s not many awards that are voted by agents and this one is,” Hall said.

“When we started in river cruising we partnered with the best and that’s AMA Waterways and through our partnership we were able to combine the best of river cruising knowledge and experience together with our fantastic distribution knowledge with travel agents across Australia and New Zealand,” he added.

APT added to its successful night by also walking away with the Best Tour Operator – Domestic award.

“

We’ve been a finalist for the last few years but this is the first time we’ve actually won.

We now feel as though we’ve accomplished something big and we’ll hopefully take this on to bigger and better things

”

Martin Edwards, general manager, Bench Africa: Best Specialty Wholesaler

WINNER 2018

Thank you!

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NTIA 2018

“

It’s been 14 years of hard work so it’s really good to be recognised for what we do

”

Sharyn Van Der Veeken, business development manager, Cornerstone Learning and Development: Best Registered Travel Industry Training Institution

Best Hotel Resort Group: Club Med Club Med’s worldwide expansion has coincided with strong growth in the Australian market, and the company’s national sales and customer relations manager Tony Soden believes the travel trade has played a big part in that success.

He sees the company’s win in the Best Hotel Resort Group category as a vindication for Club Med’s efforts to redefine its image in the Australian market.

“It shows that all the hard work we’ve done working with the trade to build up the brand for Club Med locally is paying off,” Soden said.

“We’ve doubled our business every year for the past five years which speaks for itself. This award is the icing on the cake.”

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travelBulletin August 2018

Best Travel Agency Group (50 stores or more): Flight Centre Flight Centre took out the Best Travel Agency Group (50 agents or more) category at the 2018 NTIAs, with COO Melanie Waters-Ryan collecting the award.

“It’s a humbling honour to win because we celebrate a lot internally at Flight Centre so it’s nice to get that external recognition,” WatersRyan said.

It was Flight Centre’s first win since 2013, to which she said: “We won because we got our point across to the judges about how much we do in terms of our customers, developing new products, looking after them right throughout the course of the journey.

“We’ve very committed to our people, the health, wealth and professional wellbeing of our people and the industry as a whole…We believe in a travel agent and a shop for people to go to buy travel,” she said.

“Hopefully we’re about to have a record result, a great year, great share price and record TTV.”

Best Tourist Office – International: Tourism New Zealand A healthy dose of neighbourly love helped Tourism New Zealand win this year’s award for Best Tourist Office – International.

“It’s great recognition that our neighbours still love us – that even though there are still so many other choices that can be sold, New Zealand is still a preferred destination,” said the organisation’s regional marketing communications manager for Australia Jessica Nikora.

“We continue to work really hard with travel agents to promote New Zealand and try to give them the tools they need to feel really confident in booking trips with their customers.

“We’ve got a strong recipe for success in terms of building awareness of why New Zealand is so different to Australia.”

MTA third

" Tickled pink

"

We’re “tickled pink” to be named Best Travel Broker Network.

A huge thank you to our amazing members, suppliers and staff.

NTIA 2018 Best Travel Broker Network: MTA – Mobile Travel Agents It’s been 20 years since Karen and Roy Merricks began planning a new business model for travel agents in Australia, resulting in the creation of MTA – Mobile Travel Agents.

Having won the newly created category of Best Travel Broker Network, the Queensland couple are now celebrating recognition for two decades of hard work.

“The reason we won is that we’re transparent, we’re honest about our split, we don’t nickel and dime people, and everything is all-inclusive,” Karen said.

“We’ve built a family business. MTA is a family, and we do care about our people – not only for the good times, but we also support them during the bad times.”

“

We’ve always had one guiding core principal and that was to always put the needs of your clients first and everything else will take care of itself

”

Mike Dwyer, Main Beach Travel: Best Travel Agency Retail – Single Location

WINNER 2018

WINNER OF BEST WHOLESALER INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT 2018

THANK YOU! ADVENTUREWORLD.COM

Corporate Travel Management: Best Travel Agency Manager – Corporate Multi Location and Best National Travel Management Company

Best Wholesaler – Australian Product: Qantas Holidays & Viva! Holidays Bringing home the top domestic wholesaler honour has provided a resounding endorsement for the long commitment Qantas Holidays & Viva! Holidays have made to local travel, according to Helloworld Travel executive director and head of wholesale Cinzia Burnes.

“I think Qantas Holidays has continued to believe in the domestic market and the travel that Australians do within Australia, and we have continued to put out the most comprehensive brochure range by having different brochures for different states and territories,” she said.

“I think it’s a great acknowledgement of the specialisation of our staff and the fact they put a lot of effort into organising quotes and recommendations to give travel agents.”

Among the company’s highlights this year has been the introduction of a Signature Brochure.

“It highlights the incredible properties and experiences we have in Australia and in more remote areas, and this is where customers are looking for the experience of a travel agent to organise the more unusual holidays in our country,” she said.

Roys Peak, Wanaka

traveltrade.newzealand.com

Corporate Travel Management (CTM) took out the hotly contested Best National Travel Management Company category at the NTIA awards, with the company’s chief executive officer Australia/New Zealand Laura Ruffles attributing the company’s success to its focus on customers.

“I think we won because of the recognition of everything we do with our wider teams and for our customers and within the industry,” Ruffles said.

“We’re going to continue to invest in technology and be able to win and retain our customers,” she added.

CTM’s chief operating officer ANZ, Andrew Moten, also enjoyed some personal success, winning the award for Best Travel Agency Manager – Corporate Multi Location.

“To be recognised amongst your peers is very special,” Moten said.

“The founder and managing director of Corporate Travel Management, Jamie Pherous, and our global chief operating officer Laura Ruffles have been instrumental in supporting me and acting as mentors,” he added.

Thank you and kia ora to the travel industry and all of our 100% Pure New Zealand Specialists for voting us “Best Tourist Office International” for the second year running.

Our 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme offers great opportunities and benefits for people who sell New Zealand as a destination.

For more information, visit traveltrade.newzealand.com

Cover

Australia’s travel industry is a conspicuously tight-knit community, and nowhere is this more evident than within the many family-run businesses that hold their own against larger corporate rivals. In a sector that still puts a high value on the family firm, travelBulletin looks at some of the trail-blazers whose success spans the generations.

Sun Island Tours WHEN Mediterranean and Middle Eastern tour operator Sun Island Tours first set up shop, there was plenty of “pounding the pavement”, company owner John Polyviou recalls.

His dad Lakis started the business in 1989 after spotting a gap in the market for a knowledgeable wholesaler for the Mediterranean, the second venture for his father who had already successfully started a retail agency for Greek and Cypriot VFR clients.

“Dad started Kyrenia Travel Service in 1976… he targeted the Greek and Cypriot market by opening the White Pages and posting handwritten introductory letters to each resident with a Greek sounding surname,” Polyviou said.

“The days are now gone where my father would go to the airport every night to see his clients off… and my mum Celia no longer needs to drive around Sydney delivering tickets as she used to in the 80s and 90s.”

Since its humble beginnings, Sun Island Tours has been subject to many market and technological changes, conditions the business has been forced to adapt to.

“The internet, vertical integration, e-mails, and globalisation have all affected the way we do business– mainly for the better,” Polyviou 28

travelBulletin August 2018

said. “Social media and technology have introduced a great shift in the way travellers now search, book and experience their holidays.

The new generation is able to stay connected and not lose touch with the corresponding new generation of travellers, agents, and business tools to help us keep innovating.”

Despite the fast-moving evolution of technology, Polyviou believes the true value of Sun Island Tours remains its family roots.

“We have relationships with operators that are almost 30 years running because we focus on service, and good operators are like finding gold – you never let them go,” Polyviou said. “While we’ve expanded our destination portfolio slightly, we’ve always maintained

the ‘sell what you know’ mantra, and as such we’ve always kept to selling only the Mediterranean and surrounding countries.”

The business is currently managed by Polyviou and his brother Paul, and while his dad Lakis has taken a step back from the business, he still comes into work every day at 8am sharp.

“If he’s not working he gets very anxious,” Poluviou said. “Being a family, we are already a team, meaning that decisions and collaboration can be made easily and affectively… our common goal is always to the family business, so we don’t allow politics or personal agendas to affect our performance in the market.”

n i t i g n i p Kee y l i m a f the itravel Carlingford It all started with a delayed flight.

One Sunday morning, travel agent Sue Todorovski was in Russia, her GDS wasn’t working and her clients’ flight had been delayed by 22 hours, meaning they risked missing the start of their tour.

She recruited her quick-thinking daughter, Emily Kadinski, who learnt the GDS “on the spot” and managed to

“

I thought I had definitely scared Emily off travel – the next thing I know she was posing as a Ski bunny promoting Club Med Ski Japan athe first itravel Mounties Expo... the rest is history

”

re-route these clients via Brisbane and Bangkok, delivering them to London with four hours to spare.

“I thought I had definitely scared Emily off travel – next thing I know she was posing as a Ski bunny promoting Club Med Ski Japan at the first itravel Mounties Expo…the rest is history” Sue said.

“Now I can’t get rid of her!”

While she was studying at university, Emily joined her mobile travel agent mother as a part time consultant in 2010 and five years later, the pair decided to expand and opened itravel Carlingford.

The duo has the backing of a combined

20 years’ experience in the travel industry, and the support of Tony, (Emily’s father), and her husband, Igor, who are now “the trademark tag alongs” at industry events.

The family business at itravel Carlingford has evolved in response to local demand and now specialises in cruising, luxury and group travel.

Emily has taken on the online side of the business and looks after the marketing and sales promotions, specialising in Facebook lead generations.

She is working to become the fresh face of the business by forming new corporate and group relationships.

“Emily has brought new young ideas in regards to social media and marketing to a different and expanding clientele,” Sue explained.

“She is focusing on growing and expanding the new areas of the business, whilst continuing to nurture the core luxury brand I built up.”

Emily is working hard to grow and build itravel Carlingford into “the next big thing”, with the pair hinting to “watch this space”.

The mother-daughter team agree the benefits outweigh any challenges, emphasising a shared understanding that “work is work” and “when we are here we are business owners, not mum and daughter. We have the same working relationship two co-directors would have, but a hug out back to celebrate growth is always a benefit!”

As for the next generation, Emily said she would love to bring her future children into the business.

“As much as mum tried to steer me away from travel, it’s in my blood, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!” travelBulletin August 2018

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Cover travel provider. The agency has won AFTA Agency of the Year in 2014 through to 2016; Cruise Agency of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2013 to 2017 at the CLIA Cruise Industry Awards; Best Travel Agency in 2013 to 2017

by Cruise Passenger Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards; and AFTA People’s Choice Travel Agency of the Year most recently.

Smethurst said goals for Bicton Travel this year included helping staff to identify and support preferred suppliers and to continue its focus on margin. “It’s more important

Bicton Travel With numerous awards under its belt and continuous demand, the family run retail travel agency specialising in cruising and luxury travel, Bicton Travel, has a lot to celebrate at its upcoming 20th birthday next month.

What started off as a team of two gradually grew to a team of 25 across three offices in Bicton, in the south-east of Perth, specialising in three divisions – Bicton Travel, Bicton Travel Premium and Cruisefinder.com.au.

“I started the business in August 1998,” said Carole Smethurst, founder of Bicton Travel. “I saw the opportunity to specialise in cruising after experiencing huge interest in my previous job.”

Then in 1999 when a staff member left, her son Phil Smethurst, a 19-year-old flying instructor decided to join the business and became a co-founder. “Over the years, Phil

has come forward with many fresh ideas such as the Bicton Travel Premium. It’s a small, more intimate office and well-suited to our luxury clients,” she said.

Smethurst explained that working with her son has helped create a family environment at work. “Even though we have grown over the years, the staff all feel part of the Bicton Travel family.”

Another benefit, she said, was that “either of us can take advantage of travel opportunities knowing that the other one is looking after things at home”.

“We are very lucky that we get on very well and are able to bounce off each other,” she said.

Bicton Travel is also a big winner when it comes to snapping up awards, as year on year it has proved itself a popular and ambitious

than ever for the consultants to work smarter rather than harder. When we moved into the bigger third office we allowed space for further growth, including more travel consultants,” said Smethurst.

“We work hard to make a world of difference to everyone’s holiday. The reward is hearing our clients’ feedback and shared memories, along with the huge number of repeat clients. There is nothing better than seeing clients come in to meet a travel consultant who originally booked with me back in the early days of Bicton Travel.”

Ross Garden Tours He’s one of the most familiar faces on Australian television, but green-thumbed Better Homes & Gardens presenter Graham Ross is also one of the quiet achievers of the Australian travel industry.

Graham and his wife Sandra founded Ross Garden Tours 38 years ago, and from humble beginnings as a single departure to Japan in 1980 the business has expanded to now offer high quality special-interest garden tours across Australia and the globe.

While Graham and Sandra are still involved in hosting and planning tours, the business is definitely in the hands of the next generation, with son Kent and daughter Linda running things day-to-day.

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Graham Ross told travelBulletin it had been a family business from the very early stages. As well as joining their parents on tours in the early stages, Linda – now marketing and PR director – led her first tour to the UK in 1995 at the age of 21, while Kent, who is Ross Garden Tours’ managing director, led tours across the Top End, the Outback and Fraser Island in his early 20s. The pair have been intimately involved in managing the business since 2000, with Kent later opening an office in London. Son-in-law Daniel Wheatley is also the company’s digital content manager.

Ross Garden Tours now operates about 30 tours each year. A testament to the success of the business is a staggering

Kent Marketing Kent Marketing has been putting its travel clients in the spotlight for more than 20 years, driven by its founder and CEO Geoffrey Hutton.

The industry stalwart already had more than a decade’s experience in the industry when he created the company, having developed a high profile through his roles among airlines and US travel organisations.

It’s a specialty that has proved effective ever since, culminating with his position as a past president of Visit USA Organisation Australia.

But Kent Marketing also involves a successful father-daughter partnership, one that has evolved with the career of account director Lucy Rowe.

Now president of Visit USA Organisation Australia herself, Rowe has been a part of the firm since she first helped out around the office while studying.

“Lucy worked in the company when she was going through university, so she was part of the company for several years before leaving to take up a part time position with Where magazine and Vacations & Travel magazine, in the role of sub editor,” Hutton said.

“Her first full time job was at a wealth management and stockbroking firm as a dealer’s assistant, then compliance officer, before transferring to a start-up oil and gas company where she eventually became company secretary for a number of years.”

It was this experience that brought a fresh perspective to the business.

“Having experience and insight from

repeat rate, with Graham Ross saying more than 70% of travellers each year are past passengers. It’s a very hands-on operation, heavily focused on customer satisfaction, service and personal relationships, with each departure starting with a meet and greet session at the family’s offices, a former home in the leafy northern Sydney suburb of Beecroft.

The business has evolved over the years, with the pace of itineraries slowed down to allow more relaxing time in cities, towns and their gardens. The group size has been restricted to allow passengers more time with their tour leader, with an average group size of just 18. And of course digital technology is playing an

another industry, plus as company secretary for a public company, Lucy has a wide understanding of compliance and running companies, which greatly assists in her current role as president of the Visit USA Organisation,” Hutton said.

“Lucy has also brought a fresh insight in the public relations and communications aspect of the business as well as innovative

ideas in terms of mission and event planning for our clients.”

For 20 years Kent Marketing was the GSA for America West Airlines, Cendant Hotel chains and several US rental car companies.

Following mergers and acquisitions of major

clients the company was approached to handle the promotion and public relations for the inaugural Qantas to Dallas-Fort Worth flights, organising events for Dallas, DFW Airport and Texas Tourism.

This led to contracts to represent Visit Dallas and Visit Fort Worth in the Australian/ New Zealand market. From 2014 to 2017 the company also successfully worked with Travel South USA, the marketing organisation for 12 US southern states.

Having come from an airline family and worked with her family since school days, Lucy appreciates the variety that working in tourism offers.

“We probably see more of each other than most families, so it’s lucky that we’re very close and share the same sense of humour.”

increasingly bigger role, with the business marketed through social media and a website – not to mention Australia’s largest garden club and Graham’s weekly appearances on Channel 7.

Graham Ross said working in a family business was complex, exciting, fun, stimulating, demanding and beneficial, recognising the various talents and skills of each person. “Our staff meetings are lively affairs, but we wouldn’t have it any other way”. And while it’s a long way off, it’s possible that one day a third generation will also be involved, with Linda having two children, Melaleuca (10) and Flinders (6), while Kent has a oneyear-old son named Cooper. travelBulletin August 2018

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Business view

7 critical steps

By Josh Oakes

I

n 2016 we decided that it was time for a new adventure. We had built our tour business to more than $2 million in annual revenue and we knew we were ready for a change.

How did we know?

It just felt right.

We had been regularly re-visiting our vision for our business and our life for years and in doing so, we knew that we had other things we wanted to achieve.

So, if you get to this point and you want to sell, here’s what you need to do at least 12 months prior.

1

Step out and empower your team

2

Make your numbers look awesome

Nobody is going to buy your business if they think everything revolves around you. You need to start putting the processes, systems and resources in place to ensure it’s business as usual when you’re not around.

Our story worked beautifully. We accepted an offer for the business at Melbourne airport on our way overseas on a six month trip. We navigated due diligence from the jungles of Costa Rica and finalised the sale of the business from the beaches of Ibiza. It was easy to get a prospective buyer who was already excited by our business to get excited by the lifestyle it could provide.

There are plenty of ways to do this. Chase every lead. Push hard. Get the team incentivised to hit a few ambitious targets. Stop taking cash payments and pay your whack of tax.

3

Choose your broker

We bombed this first time. We were naive, rushed the process and didn’t do our homework. This mistake cost us $6,000 and six months.

However, it did lead us to the broker that ended up getting us our result.

Everything happens for a reason, right?

We met with our first broker on a Monday and he had our business on the market by Tuesday afternoon.

It took around six weeks for us to realise that the likelihood of this guy ever selling our business was zero.

He didn’t understand our business, our numbers, he didn’t know our story, the right kind of buyer and he couldn’t answer any of the many questions an interested party was asking

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to get sale ready when they contacted him.

His strategy was: advertise and wait for the phone to ring After that failure, we met with six more brokers before finally settling on #7.

By contrast, after our first meeting, our new broker spent three months preparing our business to go on the market.

He was a numbers man and he was on the phone to us daily with another set of his questions.

By the time our company hit the market, he knew our business and our numbers better than we did.

4

Draw up a list of potential buyers

This is YOUR job, not your brokers. Yes, he or she will be compiling their own list (if they’re any good) but I will guarantee you that your list will be more full of potential. The lesson here – get involved – it’s a team effort selling your business and your input is absolutely critical.

5

Sell a dream

Don’t let anybody tell you that a business is bought and sold off a spreadsheet. No. You need to sell a vision and create a narrative about where the business is going and what life will be like holding the reins of this business. It is not a case of taking a few years’ financials and applying a formula specific to industry. This is what a buyer will aim to do – don’t accept that.

6

Don’t fudge the facts

You’ll be tempted to… and you might get away once or twice with something in that grey area or something that is ‘open to interpretation’ if you can explain it away for the most part.

But any more than once or twice and a prospective buyer is going to start losing interest. They’re going to start thinking “what else are they hiding” and they’ll go cold.

Be open and honest in the due diligence phase, but be prepared to argue a point.

7

Reduce expenses

We had one big ‘plug the leaks’ campaign 12 months before we sold and everyone in the company got involved. Our staff were requested over a one month period to take a forensic look at EVERY part of their job and ensure that: all costs were absolutely necessary and that there wasn’t a more cost effective/ smarter way of doing things.

Josh Oakes and his wife started their own Melbourne day tour company in 2006 with no experience in business or tourism. By 2016 it had grown to bringing in over $2 million annually in revenue, before they sold the business for over $1 million in 2017. They achieved this without working themselves into the ground. Josh launched thesunshinetribe.com recently, to help operators and travel professionals build their businesses while enjoying a great lifestyle.

travelBulletin August 2018

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Business view

Career in

focus Heidi Kunkel

humility and gratitude for being fortunate enough to have such amazing opportunities.

Vice President, Operations Australasia, Hilton

5. What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career?

When I worked with the team in Japan to rebuild lives after the tsunami in March 2011. Nothing else in my career compares to that experience. My respect and admiration for the Japanese people reached another level.

1. What does your role involve and how long have you been in your current position?

My role involves overseeing the operations of Hilton’s 23 trading and 9 pipeline properties and leading the company’s growth ambition across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea. I recently joined Hilton as Vice President, Operations, Australasia, based in Sydney. It is wonderful to be back in my hometown after almost 10 years abroad.

2. How did you start out in your career?

Were you always destined to work in the travel industry?

As a teenager, I was fascinated with Japan, so after university I decided to relocate to Tokyo to learn the language and immerse myself in the Japanese culture. My original plan was to stay for six months but I loved it so much I ended up living there for almost 3 years. When I moved back to Australia, I applied for a position as a Japanese tour guide at Ayers Rock Resort and worked in Japan guest services, concierge and front office. It was an incredible experience to work in one of the most unique places on earth, welcoming tourists from across the globe including Japan, Germany, USA and various parts of Asia. I knew I wanted to work with a diverse cultures, languages and experiences, so what better place than the travel industry?

3. Did you complete formal qualifications, and do you think they are important?

My parents always encouraged me to receive a tertiary education though it was my choice to go on to complete a BA at the University of Sydney and an MBA at MGSM (Macquarie Graduate School of Management). Formal

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travelBulletin August 2018

6. What factors were central to your success?

Courage, determination, tenacity, self-belief, and hard work. Having a mentor who believes in you at times when you don’t believe in yourself is invaluable.

“

Know that your career path may not be as straight and linear as you envision – the side steps and experience from such diversions can be just as beneficial

“

qualifications are definitely valuable if you make the most of them. If not, then the best life experience is life itself!

4. What do you love about your job?

The opportunity to travel the world and meet people from very diverse cultures and backgrounds. I thrive on change, diversity, and challenge and love to be on the move constantly! My job gives me a sense of

7. Did you have a mentor, and if so, how did you find them?

I was fortunate to have a mentor who believed in me and recognised that I was prepared to take risk and responsibility and supported me in my career evolution. I will always be grateful.

8. What are the keys to good business?

Treat the business as if it were your own.

Take decisions and invest resources as if it were your own.

Be tough on results and be kind to people.

9. What advice would you give to others in the industry who would like to follow in your footsteps?

Know that your career path may not be as straight and linear as you envision – the side steps and experience from such diversions can be just as beneficial. Also don’t forget you can ‘choose your boss’ … we spend a lot of time in the office, so if you see someone who you’d love to learn from and work with every day with – find out how to get into their team or into their organisation.

Partnerships: the latest innovation The last few months has seen a plethora of announcements about “innovation partnerships” as established companies attempt to kick-start their participation in the fast-evolving disruptive economy. Clearly travel is a key sector for innovation, with internet-enabled technologies such as blockchain, mobile bookings, big data and the “internet of things” providing a host of opportunities.

Air New Zealand is one of the recent movers, announcing an agreement with JetBlue Technology Ventures, itself an offshoot of US carrier JetBlue.

The Air NZ “International Innovation Partnership” aims to seek out startups with new ideas and help back their creations, with the carrier saying the deal also gives it access to “the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem”. The carrier reportedly has more than 600 people working in its internal digital division.

Another deal announced late last month has seen flight schedules data provider OAG partner

with Asia-based startup accelerator and innovation centre Plug and Play. Plug and Play has offices in Tokyo, Singapore and Jakarta as well as eight locations across China, and OAG joins existing collaborators such as Wanda Group, Philips, Audi and Cisco. Travel is a key vertical for the group, with the rich data provided by OAG’s API likely to prove fertile ground for new ideas.

Qantas earlier this year launched its own accelerator program in partnership with corporate innovation business Slingshot, seeking up to ten teams to work with QF Group mentors and pitch ideas to “streamline the travel experience, design smarter ways of working, unlock the potential of new technologies and help solve business problems”.

business events news

Melbourne’s golden star The bigger and better Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) revealed its 25% increase in event space on 8 July and, now at 70,000m2, has reclaimed its title as Australia’s largest event space.

“The MCEC won’t only be regarded as the biggest in Australia, but also the newest, plus the most unique with its approach and product offering, which is very attractive to international associations seeking the most up to date infrastructure,” said Karen Bolinger, CEO at Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB).

“The increased capacity for hosting events means we can bid for more events and larger events, more often.

On the flip side, the expansion also provides the opportunity for smaller events to have their own section of the convention centre as they can completely take over the expansion site. Ultimately the increased capacity and intelligent design creates more opportunity to tailor an event specifically to our client’s needs,” she said.

The $205 million expansion added nearly 20,000m2 of flexible, multipurpose event space, including meeting rooms, banquet rooms and the Goldfields Theatre, a 9,000m2 multi-purpose event space with a retractable 1,000 seat theatre.

Bolinger added that having a brandnew centre also means there is state of the art infrastructure, which is “really appealing to our international clients who expect the latest in technology solutions”.

Another achievement for the centre is its new interactive C2 Labs that are now available through its world-first partnership with C2 International.

The aim of each signature C2 Lab such as the Cloud, In the Dark, Pool and Barometer is to put imagination at the forefront.

For example, Sky, one of the C2 Labs, literally suspends participants six metres in the air so that the change in perspective supercharges blue sky ideas.

MCEC chief executive, Peter King said MCEC’s relationship with C2 would inspire customers by providing highly customisable and unique

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“

Ultimately the increased capacity and intelligent design creates more opportunity to tailor an event specifically to our client’s needs

“

Karen Bolinger, CEO MCB

experiences at MCEC. “This exclusive partnership is a differentiator in the competitive and contested market in which we compete both internationally and domestically,” King said.

The expansion is also set to add capacity and flexibility for both national and international clients, with the Victorian government reinforcing the economic impact of the MCEC. “It is the main reason Melbourne is the national leader in staging

increase business and tourism activity in the precinct.

“We planned for this expansion when designing the Melbourne Convention Centre a decade ago, so it is great to be finally realising what we envisioned,” O’Rourke said.

“As long-term investors in the precinct, Plenary was perfectly placed to deliver the expansion, ensuring MCEC continued its success and that South Wharf remained a food, beverage and retail destination.”

major business events, delivering $274 million to the Victorian economy each year and accounting for around 2,250 jobs in the sector,” the government stated.

“The centre is expected to attract 74,000 international visitors every year, who will spend an average of $693 each day while in Melbourne, resulting in an annual $167 million boost to our economy.”

The MCEC expansion is part of a larger South Wharf expansion project

by Plenary Group and its partners that includes a new 347-room Novotel Melbourne South Wharf and a new 1150-space multi-level car park – all fully connected and integrated with existing buildings.

Plenary Group Chairman John O’Rourke said the project would

Bolinger also added that the new Novotel South Wharf was a value add for clients.

“On-site accommodation enables conference organisers and delegates ease of access, enabling more time at the conference, or to explore Melbourne. The South Wharf precinct now has two hotels, the Novotel South Wharf which is four-star and the Pan Pacific Melbourne which is a five-star property, providing clients and delegates with more accommodation options.”

Following the opening, the MCEC hosted its first Malaria World Congress, which will be followed by more business events including the Lions Clubs International Convention in 2024, the largest cultural conference ever held in Victoria.

business e Brisbane’s record bid wins Brisbane’s economy will be boosted by over $96 million following a record year of activity from the city’s convention bureau.

The city’s Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the past year had been the Brisbane Convention Bureau’s most successful to date, with 46,000 delegates set to visit the city over 164,000 event days.

“Brisbane is home to one of the world’s best convention centres, and last financial year the Brisbane Convention Bureau worked to secure 78 conferences, including 34 international events,” Quirk said.

The conference bid wins were achieved in partnership with the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), with the BCEC general manager Bob O’Keeffe saying that the Centre generated $79.4 million in convention bid wins through its own activities.

Staging Connections rebrands Inhouse technology and production services company Staging Connections has officially rebranded its Australian business to align with parent company, Encore Event Technologies.

Tony Chamberlain, managing director of the Encore Event Technologies group for the Asia-Pacific region, said Staging Connections’ adoption of the Encore brand would bolster its competitive advantage to service event planners and premium hotels worldwide.

“A single brand reflects the mutual values of both businesses and will enable us to truly function as one of the largest AV and event production networks within the industry,” Chamberlain said.

Sydney scores a million The US-based MDRT’s inaugural Global Conference will be hosted in September 2019 at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) and is set to generate $19 million for the local economy.

“Collaboration, world-class facilities and premium services were key to attracting the cream of the crop of the world’s highest performing financial professionals,” said Geoff Donaghy, CEO of ICC Sydney.

“We look forward to rolling out the red carpet for MDRT members during their inaugural event in the Asia Pacific region.”

The MDRT conference will see some 8,000 of the world’s top earning professionals across 500 companies exchange insights and share innovative practices.

ETF view David Paterson, portfolio director, Exhibitions & Trade Fairs

MICE is a lucrative and growing area. To Bond Leung, business travel lead for specifically help businesses in this sector, Airbnb across Australia and New Zealand, the 2018 Travel Industry Exhibition, to be will talk about “Airbnb for Work”. held on the 21st and 22nd of this month, We all know the world of business travel has a focus on both exhibitors and is changing. More business travellers are seminars for the sector. looking for unique accommodation similar Four of our key MICE exhibitors are to the authentic experiences that come Conventions & Incentives New Zealand from their leisure travel. By using Airbnb (CINZ); Brisbane Marketing, which includes for work, people can “get under the skin” Brisbane Tourism Board and Brisbane of a city by understanding its culture, Convention Bureau; Scenic and find hidden gems Luxury Cruises & Tours, which through locals and just have seen great uptake in living in a neighbourhood. conferences taken onto their We’ve really In this session, Bond will ships, and Spicers Retreats. developed these be talking about Airbnb We’ve also devoted a day for Work’s new, innovative seminars [at the of seminars to the sector offerings. It will also be Travel Industry (day two, August 23). great for travel managers To really focus on what this Exhibition] in-line and travel professionals sector needs, we spoke to learn more about the with what the sector to the industry. This identified Airbnb for Work dashboard has asked for... three different areas to drill that gives more visibility to down into so we’ve really the entire employee travel developed these seminars experience. in-line with what the sector has asked for: We’ll also have Rian Smith, who is networking, Airbnb and social media.

Hootsuite’s senior key accounts and Networking strategist Julia Palmer, chief partner manager for Australia and New executive of The Business Networking Zealand, presenting on “How social Academy, will lead our session on “The is transforming Australia’s travel & Art of Networking”. Palmer is all about hospitality industry”. Rian will talk about the value of face-to-face interactions. his experience in working with Hootsuite’s Interestingly, Business Networking largest customers across various verticals Academy research shows that 75% of in partnering to leverage social media as people’s existing networks do not support a strategic advantage. Attendees can hear the results that they need, so her inspiring about his extensive client work, which interactive workshop session will be all has grown Hootsuite’s regional hospitality about how you can align your networking footprint extensively as they partner with activities with your business objectives. some big-name clients.

Because it’s interactive, the practical The MICE space is only going to keep delivery will help participants to increase growing in Australia, so we think it’s vital their confidence, build a stronger reputation those in the sector can dig deep and and consider a networking strategy aligned learn from the fantastic experiences of to their individual business outcomes. knowledge of those at the forefront.

“ “

business events news 27 Jun 27 Jun 04 Jul 04 Jul 11 Jul

Westin Coolum events push SA convention win Sydney scores a million Staging rebrands Wraps off expanded MCEC

Headlines June to July 2018 11 Jul 18 Jul 18 Jul 25 Jul 25 Jul

AC Hotel for Melbourne Syd gets ready to Get Global C2 launches labs ETM scoops top events title Sheraton refresh

travelBulletin August 2018

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Cruise

OCEANIA Regatta what a delicious surprise!

By Bruce Piper When we were planning an Alaskan cruise for our family, including three adult children and a son-in-law, there were a few must-haves. A small ship – but not too small. A short itinerary – just one week was all we could manage with the difficulty of coordinating annual leave. A variety of activities to suit different levels of adventure. And given that we were planning to get together each evening, good food and wine would also be nice.

We eventually decided on an early June departure aboard the 680-passenger Oceania Regatta, cruising the Inside Passage from Vancouver and returning to Seattle seven days later. And while the ship’s size, staterooms and itinerary ticked all our boxes, once on board we discovered that this cruise offered much more than we expected.

Oceania Regatta isn’t a brand new ship, but what it lacks in terms of whizz-bang features it more than makes up for in the warm hospitality of its crew and the fabulous on-board cuisine. At night dining options include the Grand Dining Room, with familiar favourites complementing

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travelBulletin August 2018

regional specialties in an ever-changing menu. There are also two speciality restaurants – the Italian-focused Toscana and the Polo Grill steakhouse, both of which are included at no extra cost. The 20oz porterhouse steak at the Polo Grill was a gladly accepted challenge!

Oceania makes a big feature of its cuisine, and it certainly did not disappoint – not to mention the extensive wine offering curated by a large team of on-board sommeliers who really know their stuff. A special note should be made in regard to

“

Oceania makes a big feature of its cuisine, and it certainly did not disappoint – not to mention the extensive wine offering...

”

passengers with dietary requirements – one of our kids is coeliac, and the lengths to which the culinary team on board went to accommodate her gluten-free needs were remarkable.

Our voyage saw us call at Ketchikan and Sitka in Alaska, as well as Canada’s Prince Rupert Island on the return leg southward. Shore excursions offered a great array of choice – most of the time we did things together like kayaking and an ATV excursion, while one day some of the more adventurous in our group went zip-lining. Our brief forays into the Alaskan wilderness certainly whet our appetite for a return visit in the future.

And while we are generally an active family, we were surprised to find out

how much we enjoyed the three days at sea.

One of those was spent scenic cruising the Inside Passage on a stunning day to view one of Alaska’s mighty glaciers. Regatta’s compact size allowed us to get close to the ice, and we spent several delightful hours walking the decks and watching the passing wildlife including seals and sea-lions which lounged on small icebergs – like us, without a care in the world. There really is something special about having nowhere to go and all day to get there, and the ship’s comfortable public spaces were a great place from which to do it.

We made the most of on-board activities such as shuffleboard, chess and table tennis. The late-night on-board showband in the Horizons Lounge was a lot of fun, and even enticed us onto the dance floor.

A surprising highlight was the daily trivia session before dinner, curated by zany cruise director Dottie. We formed a team with some new-found friends, and good-naturedly (well actually, pretty fiercely) competed for coveted “Big O” points which were redeemed on the last day of the cruise for some Oceania merchandise.

We thoroughly enjoyed our week aboard Regatta which offered just the right mix of relaxation and activity, alone time and family togetherness. Highly recommended, and we’ll definitely be back!

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Win a trip to Walt Disney World This month, Walt Disney World in Florida, Virgin Australia and Delta Air Lines are giving travelBulletin readers the chance to win two places on “A Very o, e d i v n i Merry Toy Story Land Christmas In a 1-m at s n i r o Mega-Fam” flying Virgin Australia blog 250 word o/meme, tell and Delta Air Lines to Walt hot p y h n i t r s o a w m Disney World Resort in Florida. ur Christ

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Cruise

New RCL head For Aussie market THE new vice president and managing director for Australia and New Zealand for Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL), Susan Bonner (pictured), believes port development remains the biggest challenge facing the cruise line over the next year.

Bonner recently told travelBulletin she was “very well aware of the capacity constraints in Sydney and will continue to bring these to the attention of all stakeholders, particularly the NSW and Federal Governments”.

“The cruise industry needs a new terminal east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as soon as possible… our support for Port Botany as an option is pragmatic, we believe a solution there is possible, but we are providing input into the government’s consideration of both options,” Bonner said.

Despite the capacity constraints, Bonner says she is looking forward to getting to know the local market in more detail and how it differs from the American market, where she

was most recently based.

“I think Australians are typically more curious and adventurous cruisers who seem to be more willing to take the road lesstravelled,” Bonner said.

“Although Americans and Aussies like to relax in very much the same way, what constitutes a thrill can be quite different.

Americans might consider a thrill as an adrenalin-pumping double-loop roller-coaster ride, while an Aussie thrill would more likely involve a connection with nature and the outdoors, something like diving or snorkelling

Wendy Wu announces first river ship build

Victoria Mekong

ASIAN travel specialists Wendy Wu Tours (WWT) confirmed it will launch its first company-owned river ship in 2020, with the new Victoria Mekong set to offer a “uniquely scenic” itinerary offering either four nights upstream or three downstream between the Mekong Delta in Vietnam and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

Construction of the four-star vessel will cost US$10m and has been part funded

by Vietnam’s Thien Minh Group for an undisclosed figure, and according to WWT founder Wendy Wu, represents an opportunity to “control our own destiny”.

“The ship will be good value, very 40

travelBulletin August 2018

comfortable, but not necessarily luxury,” she added.

Features will include 33 deluxe cabins and two “VIP suites”, along with a swimming pool and sundeck, a spa, library, games room and a restaurant with an open kitchen.

Shore excursions will focus on experiencing the regional lifestyles of locals, while on board entertainment will include cultural performances and a gala dinner. Packages on the vessel will be sold through third-party operators, with cruises due to go on sale either in late 2018 or early 2019.

in the South Pacific,” she added.

RCL is gearing up for a busy next 12 months with Ovation of the Seas preparing for its longest ever season in Australia, and Radiance of the Seas offering Royal Caribbean’s very first departure from Melbourne. Explorer of the Seas is also returning to Australia for her fourth season.

Celebrity Solstice will also return for its seventh Australian cruise season, offering four brand new South Pacific destinations in Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa, as well as its first roundtrip sailing from Auckland.

Ponant hails newest Explorer PONANT recently held a gala event in Hafnarfjordur in Iceland to welcome the arrival of Le Laperouse, the first vessel in its “Ponant Explorers” series.

The 92-cabin, all-suite, allbalcony ship combines “exceptional comfort, a sleek line and stateof-the-art technology” and will be followed later in the year by Le Champlain, and in 2019 by Le Bouganville and Le Dumont d’Urville.

The celebrations for Le Laperouse also saw the unveiling of the world first “Blue Eye” underwater passenger lounge, providing passengers with two large portholes to comfortably view the sub-aquatic world.

Ponant still has space available for its 2018/19 and 2019/20 Antarctic sailings, as well as limited Kimberley staterooms for 2019.

NCL ups Leonardo orders Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has confirmed orders for two additional 3,300-guest ships in its Project Leonardo Class fleet, due for delivery in 2026 and 2027. The 140,000 gross tonne ships will be built by Fincantieri in Italy and will become the fifth and sixth ships in the line’s next-generation Leonardo series.

“Following the Breakaway Plus Class... the highly anticipated Leonardo Class will fuel future growth with exciting and innovative offerings that will meaningfully drive demand from new and loyal returning guests alike,” said NCL president and ceo Andy Stuart.

Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings now has seven ships on order for NCL and one for sister brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises, giving it eight vessels scheduled for delivery through to 2027.

Scenic Eclipse delayed Problems at the Uljanik shipyards in Croatia have forced a delay in the launch of Scenic’s much-anticipated discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse, which will now make its debut in January next year.

“Despite the best efforts of our Scenic Eclipse build supervision team to make up construction time, we are not prepared to compromise the quality of the vessel and potentially impact guest experiences to meet the original late August 2018 launch date,” said Scenic founder and chairman Glen Moroney.

“We have apologised to affected guests for the inconvenience caused and confirmed that Scenic will provide a full refund for the cost of their Scenic Eclipse cruise and consideration of any other reasonable associated costs incurred with their travel plans.”

Affected guests will also receive a future cruise credit of 25%, while agent commissions on existing bookings will be honoured.

Seabourn mounts expedition Ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn will enter the expedition market in 2021 when it introduces the first of two new PC6 Polar Class vessels, capable of sailing the Arctic and to Antarctica. The 170m vessels will carry up to 264 guests each and have been ordered shipbuilders T.Mariotti and Damen, with the second ship to enter service in 2022.

“This is a ground-breaking moment for Seabourn and for luxury travellers, who will now find a new standard of authentic yet luxurious expedition adventures in new and amazing destinations few people will ever see,” said Seabourn president Richard Meadows.

CLIA view Joel Katz, Managing Director CLIA Australasia

Start Planning for #ChooseCruise Following the success of the #ChooseCruise hashtag in the past, this year we are announcing an exciting name change to October’s cruise month.

This multi-faceted campaign unites the cruise community on a global scale and is designed to generate widespread awareness of cruise travel and to encourage consumers to choose and book a cruise. #ChooseCruise promotes cruising as the preferred holiday choice and encourages both new and existing cruisers to book their dream cruise holiday via a CLIAaccredited travel agent.

We are inviting all CLIA travel agent members to get involved and we will give you the tips and tools you need to help encourage your clients to plan and book a cruise, whether they are embarking on their first cruise or returning to a holiday at sea or on a river.

The #ChooseCruise campaign will include trade, consumer and media activities, a dedicated #ChooseCruise microsite, featuring cruise themed information and highlighting cruise experiences. Cruisers will be encouraged to book their cruise holidays by connecting with a CLIA cruise specialist travel agent through the Cruise Agent Search function on the CLIA website.

CLIA will also deliver a marketing toolkit with customisable media releases, newsletter articles, social media tiles and infographics, which you can use to develop your own promotional material targeting local media, your database of clients (and prospective clients) and your

social media followers.

Through collaborations with Fairfax Media, News Limited, New Zealand Herald, Vacations & Travel Magazine and Cruise Passenger Magazine, October will be highlighted as an ideal time to #ChooseCruise and encourage bookings via a CLIA-accredited agent.

During the month of October, the most creative online and offline #ChooseCruise campaigns will be rewarded with several prize giveaways including cruises and Breakaway Travelclub vouchers.

This year, the campaign will once again have weekly themes, which will be the focus across our social, PR and trade channels. Week one will focus on ocean cruising, week two on river cruising, week three on luxury cruising, and week four on expedition cruising.

We encourage you to make full use of the heightened interest and coverage of cruise and to share with us how you implement #ChooseCruise. You could host a customer event, create a special #ChooseCruise shop window, set up an email or social media campaign, or create your own cruise activity.

Stay tuned to our social media channels for more information on how you can get involved in#ChooseCruise over the coming weeks and for details of our #ChooseCruise competition.

To learn more, please join us for a #ChooseCruise Webinar on 15 & 28 August.

If you are not yet a CLIA Travel Agent, it’s not too late to join and be a part of #ChooseCruise!

Headlines June & July 2018 26 Jun Carnival reveals fresh Aussie Spirit 28 Jun RCL Cruises heralds new ANZ skipper 28 Jun Princess to Cali Coast 03 Jul Seabourn doubles down on luxury 05 Jul Viking sees triple digit growth in Oz 05 Jul Eclipse debut delayed 10 Jul New RCL head eyes capacity challenges

10 Jul 12 Jul 12 Jul 17 Jul 17 Jul 19 Jul 24 Jul

Wendy Wu newbuild Ponant launches first Explorer MSC new Miami terminal NCL reveals plans for two new ships Pandaw ramps up India Celebrity gears up for revolution RCI & APT double headers at NTIA

travelBulletin August 2018

41

Industry in Focus

SKAL International Perth held a French-themed “Bastille Day” function last month sponsored by Atout France. Creative costumes, great food and wonderful company made for a fun day.

PTMs Nicole Edgar, Rosa Frigel, Mich elle Hohenberg, Michelle Smith, Ryan O’Connell (Rocky Mou ntaineer), Kerstin Rheinlander made the most of their last night in Canada on a recent Rocky Mountaineer trip hosted by Tourism Vancouver.

JAL,Travel il to Japan in conjunction with MW Tours recently hosted a fam to the s visit ded inclu The four day tour Partners and the Prince Hotels. much more. and train et bull the on el trav Imperial Palace Gardens, Mt Fuji,

Express Travel Grou p hosted 12 lucky agents from italkt Independent Trave ravel, l Group and Selec t Travel Group at Beautiful Trauma P!NK’s World Tour concer t late last month .

This team of staff from Oaks Hotels & Resorts put their minds and bodies to the ultimate test last month, walking 96km in the 2018 Kokoda Challenge Gold Coast.

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travelBulletin August 2018

August 2018 The crew from Wendy Wu enjoyed the celebrations at Traveleague’s special event in Melbourne last month, marking its 90th anniversary.

to its med a host of new faces TMS Talent recently welco mini of g nin eve an h ansion wit team, celebrating the exp ley Moley.

Ho ge, ran f gol ni /mi bar golf at Sydney’s cocktail Savenio’s Independent Travel Designers recently attended the luxury travel network’s inaugural Symposium event held at Savenio’s 29th floor offices, its new Brisbane HQ.

to Adelaide onboard nts travelled from Darwin This group of 20 travel age

by Journey Beyond. ted hos il fam t of a megaThe Ghan Expedition as par

Luxury Escapes celebrated the retu rn of the third season of Luxury Escapes: The Wor ld’s Best Holidays with a sneak peek of the TV show in Sydney recently. travelBulletin August 2018

43

Europe

�beauty, bites � bubbles� A day in champag ne

Donna Demaio explores the French region of Champagne and discovers just how much you can fit into a day in this stunning part of the country.

O

nce you’ve experienced Paris, at least a day in the Champagne region is a must.

It’s less than an hour by train, or a smidge longer by road, from the French capital – and absolutely worth the effort. There are grand Champagne houses, tucked-away bars, passionate grape-growers, exquisite eateries and, unsurprisingly, breath-taking views.

Here’s how to experience Champagne, even on a tight schedule.

VISIT A CHAMPAGNE MAKER When visiting Champagne, drop in to Jacquinot & Fils in Epernay and you may chance upon this comparatively small Champagne house on the day it is bottling its bubbles. Jean-Manuel Jacquinot, who has enthusiastically continued the wine-making tradition his grandfather began in 1947, often welcomes visitors. The estate grows

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three types of grapes including Chardonnay, with Jean-Manuel, propped at the bar, keen to share his passion and expertise in a quaint, teeny cellar on the property. If you ask kindly, there’s also the opportunity to wander through the slippery, maze-like underground chalk cellars where the wines are stored.

Prepare for muddy shoes on exit.

STAY AT A BOUTIQUE HOTEL If time permits, stay overnight. The Hotel Jean Moët is a short walk from the Epernay railway station and next door to a fine bar (see below). The recently-renovated four-star accommodation has introduced eclectic décor with a modern flair. There’s an expansive foyer in which to enjoy a generous breakfast, with bountiful natural light streaming in as you munch on your third croissant. There are large, comfortable beds in each of the 12 inviting rooms, with the most spacious showers you may ever encounter.

HANG OUT AT A COOL BAR Step next door from Hotel Jean Moët to find the intriguing C-Comme Bar with a menu peppered with tasty bites including an outstanding charcuterie platter to match

a superb selection of local wines and champagnes. With a relaxed, lounge vibe and comfy furnishings, it’s hard to leave once ensconced.

Meanwhile, locating The Perching Bar at Verzy involves trekking through the forest, trudging along an unmade path and gingerly crossing a mini-swing bridge. Your reward includes bright white and yellow leather swing chairs (and snazzy sparkling wine-coolers) hanging from the rafters inside the tiny, sustainable tree-house bar built for those who can admire nature while appreciating a local vintage.

WITNESS THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF DOM PERIGNON At the foot of the altar at the beautiful Abbey Church of Hautvillers, there’s the tombstone of the great Dom Perignon – the Benedictine monk who according to legend, created sparkling wine in the 1600s. He was cellar master at the Abbey for decades, overseeing the production of wine, and forging a reputation for perfecting fine, local drops. He’s credited with first using cork and thick glass bottles which led to the first sparkling wines.

When meandering through the cobblestone

Europe streets of this charming town, look out for Rue Dom Perignon – replete with a bold street sign depicting the Dom himself holding a glass of sparkling. A tapas-style lunch at Champagne bar Au 36 in the heart of the village features culinary specialties, a sun-drenched terrace and delectable, giant macarons.

TOUR THE CELLARS OF AN ICONIC CHAMPAGNE HOUSE The entrance to the Maison Mumm Cellars in Reims is gorgeous: a huge, modern foyer with high ceilings and quirky, vibrant Mumm-red sofas. And the cellars themselves are entrancing. This is where “Victory” champagnes that are used at major events around the world, including the Formula One Grand Prix, are stored. The cellars are dark and dank yet the stories that accompany meanderings through these tunnels are fascinating. Unsurprisingly, there is a bar at the end of the visit, where you can choose to invest in a fine wine, or simply "taste" the afternoon away.

SEE THE SIGHTS The city of Reims is positively bursting with history and great places to shop. The Gothic-style Reims Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, is where the coronations of 25 French kings took place.

Les Halles du Boulingrin is a gorgeous, restored Art Deco structure in the heart of Reims that regularly hosts fresh fruit, flower and vegetable growers right through to flea

Dom Perignon cellars, Donna Demaio

markets overflowing with knick-knacks, jewellery, ornaments, crockery and the like.

There are fashionable boutiques galore intermingled with luxury brands in the city centre. There’s also outlet-style shopping at the oddly named store Mistigriff where it can be worth hunting through the racks for discounted designer wear.

Ay is one of only 17 villages in the Champagne region with Grand Cru status – afforded as recognition for making the highest quality wines. Accordingly, you will find excellent eateries in Ay, including Rotisserie Henry IV with a menu of local delicacies including foie-gras with mash and rotisserie chicken – a dish the eatery is renowned for and often sells out of.

Perching Bar at Verzy, Donna Demaio

“

The cellars are dark and dank yet the stories that accompany meanderings through these tunnels are fascinating...

Hotel Jean Moët, Donna Demaio

“

A nifty, two-person vehicle known affectionately as the “twizzy” is an adventurous way to explore the enchanting hillsides of the region. The vehicle, also known as a “Tuk-Tuk” and collected at the Epernay Tourism office, zips along L’Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, heading to the perfect picnic spot to unfurl a blanket, unwrap a filled baguette and enjoy the calm.

Champagne producer Jean-Manuel Jacquinot, Donna Demaio

Rotisserie Henry IV, Donna Demaio

travelBulletin August 2018

45

Europe Urbino, Italy

Explore niche destinations without the crowds Small group operator Bunnik Tours has launched its new Europe program for 2019 and is offering earlybird discounts of $500 per person for all bookings made by 28 Sep and $250 per person for all bookings made by 21 December.

“Our 2018 Europe small group touring program has been selling fantastically,” said Sacha Bunnik, managing director of Bunnik Tours.

“This year we have had a 30-40% growth on our 2017 bookings. We’ve had great

results for our Europe 2019 pre-release as well, a good indication that our growth will only continue to increase next season.”

The program features three new tours plus 18 returning itineraries, and spans across Europe with trips in eastern, western, southern and northern Europe, along with Arctic Norway and Spain.

Bunnik’s new destinations include Urbino and Locorotondo in Italy, with travellers able to explore the Frasassi Caves and ancient cities, along with a new 24-day Turkey and Greece tour. Starting in Istanbul travellers explore Athens, Cappadocia, Meteora and the Greek Islands, while taking in sights of colourful bazaars, islands and clifftop monasteries.

The other popular tour is the 26-day Moscow to Prague, which travels through Russia, the Baltics and eastern Europe, where clients can explore castles, a soviet bunker and palaces. Also part of the program is the 21-day Jewels of Dalmatia, exploring Lake Bled in Slovenia and the everpopular Croatia.

Bunnik has a maximum group size of 20 passengers in Europe, allowing clients to get better views, more tour guide time and less time spent waiting.

Travel without the guilt Trafalgar has released “First Look”, an agent focused initiative which enables industry partners to offer clients a chance to save 10% on 2019 Europe & Britain guided holidays. The portfolio covering destinations in Europe and Britain

consists of activities such as shopping with a local chef in Tuscany, visiting platform 9¾ in London and medieval castles in Britain. There is also a chance to save 10% across every trip for clients that pay in full by 31 January 2019.

“After a record 2017, 2018 sales are surpassing last year’s,” said managing director of Trafalgar, Matthew Cameron Smith. “Although it’s very early days, forward bookings for 2019 are looking strong.”

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

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*Conditions apply. SEE: aptouring.com.au/SpecialDeals for full conditions. Prices are per person (pp), AUD, twin share. Prices are correct as at 13 July 2018. Prices based on EUMCR15: 15 March 2019 (Cat. E) are at an additional cost and available on select departures. Enquire for details. ALL OFFERS: Limited seats on set departures are available and are subject to availability. DEPOSITS: A first non-refundable deposit of $1,000 pp is due within 7 days of booking. ^Refers to the Grand Empress steam train which operates on all departures between April and September 2019 on Magnificent Europe. ~QANTAS FREQUENT FLYER: You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer Member to earn Qantas Points. A joining fee may apply. Membership and Qantas Points are subject to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Terms and Conditions, available at qantas.com/terms. Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn 2 Qantas Points per AU$1 spent on APT Luxury River Cruise holidays (minimum 7 day river cruise) and 1 Qantas Point per AU$1 spent on all other APT holidays. See www.aptouring.com.au/Qantas for full conditions. Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd. ABN 44 004 684 619. ATAS accreditation #A10825. APT7120

Europe

Explore top destinations Italy tops the list again as the number one destination among travellers, according to Topdeck Travel’s latest Global Youth Travel Survey. The survey found four out of five favourite destinations for young Aussies were in Europe, with Italy first, followed by Greece, Switzerland, and the UK. And when it comes to “bucket list” destinations, Greece holds the number one place in Europe with Iceland also making the top five.

Topdeck has several offers for travellers, whether the preference is to explore by land or sea. The adventures include a 27-day Summer Fun and sailing tour through France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland, along with a three-day Greece sail. Otherwise, the 13-day Bravo Italia is an ideal trip for those seeking to enjoy wine tastings in Tuscany, gondola rides in Venice or the famous pastel coloured Amalfi Coast.

Some of the other popular Topdeck trips include the 10-day Spanish Fiesta, 18-day Big Balkan, 37-day Red Star Special and the 21-day Iberian Voyager.

For more information, call 1300 886 332.

Off the beaten track with APT APT’s 2019 Europe brochure features five distinct travel styles, spanning from Portugal to Russia, with old time favourites, new itineraries and a chance to save on bookings made before 30 November.

Monika O’Reilly, APT Europe product manager said that sales for 2019 had been consistently up on 2018 since the launch of its summer program, with Europe land tours growing in popularity.

New trips for 2019 include Scotland Small Groups Discoveries tour and three new rail itineraries, France by Rail, Scandinavian Rail and Fjords, and Rhine Treasures with Swiss Peaks.

APT will also welcomed chef, author, television personality and APT ambassador, Luke Nguyen, to Europe in 2019. Luke will escort APT guests on a gastronomic holiday, offering a look at Paris and the Bordeaux region on board the MS AmaDolce.

Get to know your BDM Name: Cheree Farell How long have you been working as a BDM for Cruise Office?

18 months What is your favourite destination?

I just love visiting the USA, its such an exciting destination.

What do you love about your job?

I love representing American Queen Steamboat and Voyages to Antiquity as they are such unique products and offer something different out of the ordinary.

Riomaggiore, Itlay

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travelBulletin August 2018

What destinations are on your bucket list?

I would definitely love to visit Iceland, Norway, Turkey and the Greek Islands, I really have too many places to list!

Voyages to Antiquity invites you to enjoy an intimate, inclusive Grand Voyage experience!

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- Athens to Rome -

- Seville to Copenhagen 4 June 2019 I 29 nights

5 September 2019 I 26 nights

Free Return Economy airfare to Europe* 2 night hotel stay in Athens 21 night cruise onboard Aegean Odyssey 2 night hotel stay in Rome 18 included shore excursions

Free Return Economy airfare to Europe* 2 night hotel stay in Seville 27 night cruise onboard Aegean Odyssey Overnight onboard in Copenhagen 18 included shore excursions

Free Return Economy airfare to Europe* 2 night hotel stay in Rome 22 night cruise onboard Aegean Odyssey 2 night hotel stay in Athens 17 included shore excursions

2 May 2019 | 25 nights

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*All fares in AU dollars, per person, twin share based on category J & including onboard gratuities & port taxes (correct as of 17 July, 2018). Valid for new bookings only. Fly Free offer is based on economy class air to/from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane Adelaide & Perth only, specific airlines, routings & departure dates. Hotel & transfers between airport, port and hotel offered on dates specified on itinerary only, at the discretion of Voyages to Antiquity. Offers are capacity controlled and can be withdrawn or modified at any time without notice, and subject to availability at time of booking. Cancellation penalties & conditions apply. Prices based on payment by cash or cheque only. Travel agent service fees not included. Voyages to Antiquity reserve the right to change, correct errors, withdraw from sale any or all fares, itineraries, excursions & fees. For full terms & conditions visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com or visit your local preferred Travel Agent.

Europe

On tour // Sicily Tour: Mt Etna 4x4 Expedition, Sicily Duration: Full day tour Accessible from: Tour leaves from Messina, Sicily and we joined it as a shore excursion from Viking Orion Details: This excursion is a great way to learn about Europe’s most active volcano and get a glimpse of the effects of an eruption on the island of Sicily. Guests are transported in 4WD vehicles and taken up the mountain to

see the impact of the 2002 eruption.

Go off road to see the base of the lava flow, followed by a short drive through a grove of trees that remained as the lava flowed either side. Here you are treated to a morning tea of sweet wine and local biscuits. You then head further up the mountain to take a hike up to the craters and caves formed during the 2002 eruption. The tour then heads to a local farmhouse for a three-course lunch of meats, cheese, pasta and Sicilian dessert with wine and coffee.

Globus goes private in Europe Globus is aiming to attract more multigenerational travellers and small groups with its newly introduced private touring program, now available across its entire range of European itineraries.

The initiative allows guests to travel on a full itinerary with a dedicated tour director and private transport, without having to join others on a regular scheduled departure. Any Globus Europe itinerary can be adapted for a private booking.

Launched in April, the initiative is aimed at those who don’t favour group touring, as well as small groups of friends or family members.

Globus national marketing manager Chris Fundell said the company had been delighted with the initial response.

“Our trade partners have welcomed private tours as an extension of our current touring portfolio – with particular interest coming from families and groups wanting a more

personal experience,” Fundell said.

“Similarly, agents have seen great appeal and opportunity with this extension for multigenerational travel”.

Across its wider touring program, Globus has seen growth of 7% in 2018 European bookings compared to this time last year, Fundell said.

“The biggest growth we’re seeing is coming from Croatia and Greece, closely followed by Sicily and Southern Italy,” he said.

Cefalu, Sicily

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travelBulletin August 2018

SMALL GROUP TOURING

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Discover the culinary delights of Sarajevo on a gourmet walking tour Stay overnight right inside Plitvice Lakes National Park, only 400m from the highest waterfall Visit the Alpine Dairy Farming Museum, learning about life of herdsmen in authentic environment and tasting the locally produced cheeses 2019 DATES: 21 & 28 Apr; 5, 12, 19 & 26 May; 2, 9 & 30 Jun; 14 Jul; 4, 18 & 25 Aug; 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 Sep; 6 Oct

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Look behind the scenes of the Riga Opera.

Our backstage pass includes a champagne reception Receive a Rococo-style reception at Rundale Palace as you are escorted through the opulent apartments, before enjoying a short Baroque music concert

Learn how port is made and get to taste it at one of the city’s many port producers Taste the famous Portuguese custard tart at Antiga Confeitaria Take a cooking lesson in a beautiful Moroccan riad, then enjoy the food we’ve prepared for lunch

2019 DATES: 3, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24 & 31 May; 3, 7 & 14 Jun; 19 & 26 Jul; 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23 & 30 Aug; 6, 13, 20 & 27 Sep

2019 DATES: 23 Mar; 6, 13, 20 & 27 Apr; 1, 4, 11, 18 & 22 May; 8 & 22 Jun; 13 & 27 Jul; 10, 17, 24, 28 & 31 Aug; 7, 14, 21 & 28 Sep; 5 & 9 Oct

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*To be eligible for our $500 Europe earlybird savings you need to book, pay a deposit and applicable airfare payment by 28th Sept 2018 ($250 savings if payment made between 29th Sept 2018 and 21st Dec 2018). Savings are applicable to new bookings with travel dates from 2019 program only. All prices shown are per person based on twin share & incorporate $500 earlybird discount. Singles rooms are available at a supplement, check our website for details. Prices are correct at time of printing but are subject to change. Note air supplement may apply depending on airline availability and departure cities. Bunnik Travel Pty Ltd. ATAS accreditation #A10484 • CATO Registered Operator No. TO1078.

Europe

Regional gems of France French regions like Champagne and Provence often grab the limelight, but there are plenty of other corners of the country worth exploring in detail. Here are five gems in the south-west to consider in your next itinerary, each rich with superb food and wine.

Bordeaux The grandest city of western France is an architectural gem and home to the world’s largest urban World Heritage area. Its elegant boulevards and regal Place de la Bourse are lined with classical French buildings that form the greatest collection of heritage architecture outside Paris, while the Garonne river links the city with the world-renowned vineyards that surround it.

On the banks of the Garonne, © Nicolas Duffaure

Cognac Country Located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the medieval town of Cognac is a cluster of narrow cobbled streets alongside the river Charente. The Chateau de Cognac is the birthplace of King Francis I, but most visitors come for the legendary spirit that bears this town’s name, converging on the many famous Cognac houses like Remy Martin and Hennessy.

Chateau de Cognac, © S Pailloncy CRTNA

Basque Country With its own distinct culture and language, the French Basque Country provides an intriguing link between France and the Basque lands of northern Spain, yet somehow manages to assert a unique identity of its own. Its beaches line the Bay of Biscay and are renowned for their surf breaks, while the interior offers sleepy rural villages scattered towards the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Ciboure, © Fialeix CRTA

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Europe

Dordogne & Perigord Dordogne and Perigord offer rich landscapes of medieval villages, country chateaux and Romanesque churches, and are famous for French delicacies like foie gras and black truffles. The area is also home to some of the greatest ancient treasures of Europe, with hundreds of prehistoric sites including the renowned Lascaux Cave with its 17,000-year-old cave paintings.

Castelnaud, courtesy Atout France

Landes

Biscarrosse, Bastien Wilmotte

One of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution, Landes is tucked against the Atlantic Ocean in the region of NouvelleAquitaine. Its magnificent sandy beaches and dunes stretch for miles, while the vast pine forests and lakes of the Landes de Gascogne nature park provide a serene landscape in which to hike, cycle or kayak.

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Image credits: ©Rocky Mountaineer; ©Belmond/VSOE

Australian Escapes

Australia

UNSCRIPTED

By Kerry van der Jagt

A

ustralia is the land of superlatives – home to the world’s largest sand island (Fraser Island), largest living organism (Great Barrier Reef), whitest sand (Hyams Beach), even the biggest lobster (Kingston). But there is also a multitude of miniscule things - hidden beaches, secluded islands and lost settlements – all waiting for the curious traveller to discover. Read on to learn about the failed British settlement on Cobourg Peninsula, or the tiny island that’s a major pit stop on a heli-pub tour.

Hidden Beaches Lonely Beach, NT East Arnhem Land’s Lonely Beach looks like it was conjured by a fantasy artist as a home for hobbits. Topped by rocks and tufted in broccoli, the dome-shaped headland floats above the turquoise waters of the Arafura Sea. Aboriginal–owned Lirrwi Tourism offers day and multi-day tours into this remote region where visitors can learn about the Yolgnu people and their connection to country.

©Tourism Australia

Lucky in name and lucky by nature, this bay in Cape Le Grand National Park wins the travel trifecta for scenery, safety and secluded beachside camping. You may have to share the beach with a few hordes – of kangaroos – but since the beach stretches for five kilometres, it’s easy to find your own patch. Visit in springtime when the wildflowers are out and you’ll be the lucky one.

©Dee Kramer Photography

©Visit Victoria

Lucky Bay, WA

Mystery Bay, NSW

The seaside community of Mallacoota in Eastern Gippsland offers a threefor-one deal – a trio of quiet beaches just outside of town. There’s Quarry Beach with its banded rocks, Betka Beach for a river kayak, and finally Secret Beach with a hidden sea cave at its northern end.

The only mystery here is why more people haven’t discovered this oceanfront campsite between Narooma and Central Tilba. Camp sites are scattered through the native bush of spotted gum, acacias and banksias.

Swim, hike in the Eurobadalla National Park or simple enjoy the serenity.

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©Tourism Australia

Secret Beach, Vic

Secluded Islands

©Tourism NT

©Tourism Tasmania/Adrian Cook

Sarah Island, Tasmania

There are pub tours, then there’s Darwin’s heli pub tour, a full day visiting five of the Top End’s iconic establishments. A stop on Goat Island includes a visit to Crocrot Bistro – but not until the chopper circles the island twice so the pub proprietor can pop his pants on. If you’re after more than a pit stop Goat Island also offers basic hotel accommodation.

Not a palm tree or pub on sight, this island is for those looking for a dose of dark history while enjoying a decadent river cruise. Famous as the setting for one of Australia’s most-loved novels For the Term of his Natural Life, Sarah Island can be visited as part of a Gordon River Cruise.

Located in an isolated corner of Macquarie Harbour, all that remains of this chilling penal colony are ruins of the jail, officer’s quarters, cemetery, tannery and military barracks.

Pumpkin Island, QLD Unlike Cinderella’s pumpkin, the pumpkin Xpress transports guests reliably to this fairytale of an island in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Part of the Keppel Group of Islands, 14km off the coast from Yeppoon, the waters surrounding Pumpkin Island are rich in sea life including coral reefs, dolphins, turtles and whales (in season). Accommodation consists of five eco-friendly self-catering cottages and two beach bungalows.

©Tourism & Events Queensland

Goat Island, NT

Lost Settlements Joadja, NSW

Farina, SA

Victoria Settlement, Cobourg Peninsula, NT When the British Navy decided to build a military settlement at the top of the Top End they couldn’t have picked a worse place. Ravaged by cyclones, riddled with disease and virtually devoid of water, this ragtag settlement battled the odds from 1838 until it was abandoned in 1849. Today, the chimneys of the Cornish-style homes are still there, so too the foundations of the hospital, the powder magazines, hospital kitchen and cemetery.

In the 1800s there was a misguided saying that “rain follows the plough”.

Settled in 1878 and abandoned by the 1930s due to continuous drought the desolate buildings of Farina prove otherwise. Situated 650 kilometres north of Adelaide, the town once had hundreds of residents, two pubs, an underground bakery, a church and even a brothel.

©South Australia Tourism

©Chris Franenfeld

In a hidden valley deep in the Southern Highlands of NSW is a ghost town, forgotten and abandoned for over a hundred years.

Once home to more than 1,000 people, mostly workers on the shale mine, it was abandoned in the early 1900s when the mine closed. Today all that remains are empty houses, a roofless school, and the tall chimneys and ovens used to manufacture kerosene. Inspired by the “sly grog” of the Scottish immigrants, the current owners have established a distillery on site.

©Heather Turner

Australian escapes

travelBulletin August 2018

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Australian Escapes

Five stars for the Sunshine Coast

Christmas Island luxury wilderness Christmas Island has a new style of accommodation with the opening of Swell Lodge, offering luxury eco-accommodation perched on the rugged west coast of the island.

Swell Lodge is the first ecologically sustainable accommodation to be approved in an Australian Federal National Park and is the first of a planned eight.

The sustainably designed lodge has floor-to-ceiling windows boasting sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and is luxuriously appointed.

Guests can choose from daily activities including boat trips to the best snorkel spots, guided walks to waterfalls, beaches and blowholes, cave swims, a visit to the National Park’s research station and bird rehabilitation centre, tickets to With the island’s outdoor cinema, golf and mine and detention the access to a four-wheel-drive centre winding vehicle for island exploration.

Optional extras include yoga down, eco-tourism and massage sessions, dive is the new future for trips and fishing expeditions.

Christmas Island and They can also feast on gourmet meals prepared using has huge potential locally grown and foraged ingredients by their private French chef, Felix Legrand.

“Christmas Island is Australia’s best kept secret, a jungleclad island full of rare and unusual birds, crabs, waterfalls, turtle-nesting beaches and some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving,” said Swell Lodge co-owner Chris Bray.

“Swell Lodge has been several years in the planning and we consider now is the perfect time to launch” he said.

“With the island’s mine and detention centre winding down, eco-tourism is the new future for Christmas Island and has huge potential.”

Rates at Swell Lodge start at $690 per person per night.

A fresh five-star hotel is set to make its debut on the Sunshine Coast, following council approval of a planned integrated resort at Yaroomba Beach.

Scheduled to open in 2021, the development will include a 220-room five-star Westin Coolum Resort & Spa, as well as serviced apartments and extensive conference facilities.

It will be the first major international brand to operate in the area since the former Hyatt Regency Coolum was de-branded by its owner Clive Palmer in 2012 and has been hailed a win for the region’s tourism sector.

The resort will be about 10 minutes from the Sunshine Coast Airport.

Inspiring travel to the NT

“ ”

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Inspiring Journeys is introducing a new itinerary designed to encompass the full spectrum of the Northern Territory.

The 10-day Ultimate Territory Adventure in Style allows guests to explore Kakadu’s ancient gorges, spectacular wetlands and unique wildlife as well as taking a dip in the pristine waters of Gunlom Falls and Wangi Falls. They’ll meet Aboriginal people and gain insight about their culture before heading to the red centre to toast an Uluru sunset.

Passengers will also witness the mystical domes of Kata Tjuta through to the windblown Walpa Gorge and tuck into a decadent dining experience under the stars in Kings Canyon.

“This unique trip has been a while in the making, crafted as a salute to the positive feedback from our guests and strong growth in our Northern Territory sales,” said Hans Belle, managing director of AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys.

Australian Escapes

Scenic’s fresh additions

The stunning landscapes, ancient cultures and the unique, quirky, bucket list adventures in Australia’s Top End and the Kimberley continue to entice tourists to the regions.

In 2018, Scenic introduced a range of new additions to drive travellers to the regions.

On the 17-day South Western Tapestry itinerary from Perth, guests will stop by one of the largest, most unique and remote art installations in Australia – “Inside Australia”.

The installation is a selection of 51 metal figures based on the residents of the

local town of Menzies, which have been immortalised on the surface of Lake Ballard.

Scenic has introduced a fresh Scenic Enrich experience on all of its Scenic Kimberley programs.

At the base of the infamous Boab Prison Tree – a 1,500 year old hollow Boab, 6km south of Derby and with a girth of 14.7m – guests will sit and have a cup of tea with an Indigenous drover and hear the stories of the ancient land from a true local.

On the Treasures of the West coast

and the Pilbara, Broome and Monkey Mia itinerary, Scenic has debuted a Port Headland harbour cruise.

Passengers will join the local Seafarer Association for a tour of the association’s facilities and then take to the water amongst the massive cargo ships and freighters which service the mining community of Pilbara.

In Norfolk Island, there’s also the new opportunity to play a round of golf on the only course in the world to be located within a World Heritage-listed site.

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Built for Discovery We started our design process around our dual Xplorer tenders. These are the safari jeeps of the sea.

Rugged and comfortable, they take you up rivers, onto beaches and through narrow shoals to get you up close and personal with nature. We aim to get you ashore at least twice a day with ease.

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India

W Goa – Rockpool Down

W Goa – Living Room

Oberoi – Amarvillas

Rambagh Palace

Samode Haveli

Lakhori restaurant Maharajas Express dining

Kerala Alleppey

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Majuli cycle

India

From palace suites and opulent train journeys to scenic trails in breathtaking countryside, living like royalty is possible at every price point, writes Dilvin Yasa.

India

Luxe to less

D

reaming about running away and ‘finding yourself’ in India? There’s no reason why that long-awaited spiritual awakening can’t occur at a floating palace in Udaipur or in a nightclub in Goa (particularly in a nightclub in Goa) rather than at an ashram on a hilltop. The key, of course, is finding what best suits your budget and booking accordingly…

Excess all areas There’s no better way to unleash your inner maharaja than by checking into the five-star comfort of Oberoi Amarvilas – a decadent property designed so that every room and suite enjoys unobstructed views of nearby Taj Mahal, or by hanging your hat at Taj’s Rambagh Palace, Jaipur a former hunting lodge and royal residence which rests upon a manicured 19-hectare plot complete with stunning peacocks, fountains and a lush croquet lawn. The properties aren’t quite up there with Shakti Leti 360°’s $4,120 for an all-inclusive three-night mountaintop lodge stay in the Kumaon region of the Western Central Himalayas, but still deliver goods for the “just drove my sports car into my swimming pool because I felt like it” crowd.

Of course, if you prefer less water-logged modes of transport, booking a four- to eightday trip across Northern India on the exotic Maharajas’ Express, considered one of the finest luxury train journeys in the world, might just be your tonic, as could a hot air balloon ride in Jaipur (commonly known as the Pink City) where you can explore the wonders of the city’s palaces, forts, temples and gardens without breaking a sweat.

Yet, no matter how you choose to get around, make sure you book a table at either Wasabi by Morimoto, The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai, or, for those craving something a little more traditional with a

contemporary spin, at Indian Accent, a New Delhi restaurant consistently voted the top place to dine in the country.

Middle of the road Whether you’re into raucous nights or lazy days by the sea, W Goa is friend to all, with a handy sweet spot on a relatively quiet hilltop position above picturesque Vagator Beach.

Expect the usual slick W vibe with a strong design aesthetic, a fashionable crowd and mouth-watering on-site restaurants, but relax

“

Whether you’re into raucous nights or lazy days by the sea, W Goa is friend to all...

”

in the knowledge you’re only 20 minutes away from the colour of Anjuna market, nightclubs and houseboat cruises. Prefer to be further north? Check into Samode Haveli, Jaipur, a 300-year-old haveli transformed into a heritage hotel decorated in true Rajasthani style, right in the heart of the city.

If Jaipur or Jodhpur is your bolthole, there’s no better way to experience your surrounds than by enjoying a camel safari across Rajasthan’s Thar desert and camping out under a canopy of stars (okay, and the odd luxury tent). For balance (and India is all about balance), back it up with a trip to Kerala, where a bounty of converted rice boats wait for you to traverse the region’s backwaters, taking in endless paddy fields, quaint villages and rural temples.

Now happily, many of the country’s top restaurants fall within this price bracket, but if you must choose only two, make it Gunpowder in Goa, a bohemian eatery serving up a strong selection of regional and

southern Indian cuisine, or Lakhori in New Delhi. Located in a traditional house in the late-Mughal style in Old Delhi, it’s a firm favourite with both travellers and locals alike.

Cheap as chips Fantasising about checking into a $12-a-night bedsit with rodents to keep you warm at night? There’s no shortage of accommodation which sits at this level, but if you care to pay a little more (less than $100 a night), you can opt for a room at Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, a restored 17th century mansion in Udaipur with panoramic lake views, antique furniture, and happily, air conditioning. Over in pricier-thanaverage Mumbai, Abode Bombay, a designdriven boutique hotel in trendy Colaba offers guests everything from a spa and wellness centre and a library to a café and wi-fi from $88 for a double.

Free Temples and festivals are, of course, a dime a dozen across the country (don’t miss experiencing Holi in Vrindavan), but for an experience to remember, hire a bicycle in Majuli, the world’s largest inhabited river island in the Brahmaputra River, Assum, and spend a couple of days exploring the jaw-dropping landscape. For those who prefer a brisk walk (or let’s face it, an exhausted stagger), The Valley of the Flowers Trek, Uttarakhand is not to be missed.

And while street foods can be enjoyed for little more than a few cents, your health will thank you for bypassing the roadside stalls and instead popping into cheap and cheerful eateries such as Sarvi in Byculla, Mumbai, or by visiting Amritsar’s Golden Temple, where the kitchen feeds around 100,000 people a day as part of a centuries-old tradition to feed the poor and engage the community in service. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even find yourself, write that best-selling book about the self that was found and move up a couple of notches into “drive a sports car into swimming pool” territory? travelBulletin August 2018

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India

Unleash your wild side Intrepid travellers looking to immerse themselves in India, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka will be swept away by the latest brochure released by tour operator Natural Focus Safaris.

The updated 2018/19 offering takes visitors to the far corners of the countries, where they can experience everything from temples to tigers, either with a group or at their own pace.

Small group tours on offer include the return of the popular 18-day Tigers and Southern Delights Tour, along with the 17-day Taj, Temples and Tigers Tour, with general manager AnneMarie Zambelli personally escorting a maximum of 16 guests on each journey.

Adventure seekers looking for a more personalised approach can use the brochure as inspiration to create their own exotic experience, outlining a range of accommodation, transport and touring options to suit every taste and budget.

Popular experiences outlined include visits to the history-soaked region of Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, along with explorations of the Himalayan foothills, options to soak up Bhutan’s Buddhist culture, safari experiences in Nepal, plus the chance to unearth the cultural treasures of Sri Lanka.

India Tourism restructures India Tourism is now serving the Australian market from Singapore after the closure of its Sydney office last month as part of a worldwide rationalisation. Seven India Tourism offices worldwide are being closed as part of the shake-up, with representation consolidated into the organisation’s remaining offices in Singapore, New York, Dubai, Frankfurt, Beijing, Tokyo and London.

While the Indian Consulate General in Sydney will still be able to provide brochures and other materials, the Singapore office will take responsibility for promotional activities, advertising and seminars. The Singapore office can be contacted on +65 6235 3800 or via info@indiatourism.com.sg

Air deal opens routes to India

Australia is poised to expand its air links with India after striking an open-capacity air deal covering major airports in both countries. The liberalised air services arrangements were announced jointly by Transport Minister Michael McCormack and his Tourism counterpart Steven Ciobo in June, paving the way for new routes and services between Australia and what is now

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the world’s fastest growing major economy.

“India is currently our seventh most valuable international tourism market with 302,200 visitors contributing $1.43 billion to the Australian economy in 2017,” Ciobo said.

“This valuable market continues to grow and it is estimated that by 2026-27 Australia will welcome more than 640,000 Indians to our shores,” he said. “This new aviation

agreement ensures we have capacity to facilitate this outstanding growth.”

The new air services arrangements enable Australian airlines to operate unlimited services between Australia and the six major metropolitan airports in India, and for Indian airlines to operate unlimited services between India and six airports in Australia.

“These air services arrangements provide a foundation for airlines to increase direct flights between Australia and India, in line with the growing scale and profile of the Indian market over the long term,” Ciobo said.

Qantas currently offers codeshare services to India with Jet Airways, linking its Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok flights with the Indian carrier’s services to Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Air India and Jet Airways have not said how they might exploit the new air services agreement.

A Qantas spokesperson said the current codeshare arrangements were working well, though “India is a market where the high grow rates are worth monitoring”.

Colourful India & The Ganges River

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MAYAPUR

KALNA

GUPTIPARA

KOLKATA

• Explore the Hare Krishna headquarters • Visit Saint Mother Teresa former home

Book by 3 September & save $1,300 per couple

For more information or to book:

CALL 1300 230 234 Visit avalonwaterways.com.au *Terms & conditions apply

Luxurious accommodations

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All meals on board

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Beer & wine with lunch & dinner

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Choice of daily sightseeing

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India

Experience life like a local Adventure World Travel has added 11 new, specially curated Indian journeys led by local experts to its portfolio of global experiences.

Travellers to the country will have the chance to experience a range of cultural interactions with the locals including tea plantation visits, learning about Indian literature, history and art, as well as the chance to enjoy the sensory experience that is the Holi Festival.

Managing director at Adventure World Travel, Neil Rogers said the new tours were not only unique but a great selling tool for agents.

“This collection is completely unique and not available anywhere else, giving our agent partners a selling opportunity for clients who are looking to completely immerse themselves in the Indian culture,” he said. “Our vast knowledge of the country and its heritage ensures our guests will have an exclusive journey they will treasure for a lifetime.”

For those looking for a true taste of Indian hospitality, the popular 10-day My Big Fat Indian Wedding itinerary offers an exclusive look inside the colourful, spiritual production that is Indian weddings.

Operating from 14 November 2018, guests will not only have the chance to experience the rituals involved in an Indian wedding, but also savour a range of local food at the ceremony itself.

© Adventure World

Postcard from... India

India Tourism’s slogan is ‘Incredible India’ and it rings . true in every sense of the word backdrop of vibrant colours, ging chan ly tant cons With its nds and delicious smells, ‘beyond interesting’ sights, sou ors with what can only the destination provides its visit sensory overload.I was zing be described as a truly ama a recently while participating Indi hern privileged to explore nort

by Banyan Tours & Travel and in a Virtuoso study tour hosted TAJ Resorts Hotels & Palaces. y amazing sights and My itinerary was filled with man It’s hard to choose a highlight incredible, unique experiences. pick just a few, I would have from the trip but if I really must being sprinkled with rose al, to include a visit to the Taj Mah ce in Udaipur, being met Pala Lake petals on arrival at the TAJ iving a priest’s blessing in a by decorated elephants and rece Jaipur.

300-year-old Krishna temple in will treasure forever I ce rien expe Topping off an Chris Hemsworth while - enjoying direct eye contact with my way home! How could a transiting through Singapore on trip get any better?

From Sue Basedow, MTA Travel

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travelBulletin August 2018

Brochures

crystal Cruises has released a new mini brochure outlining an expanded season of 11 in-depth journeys exploring Canada and Alaska aboard Crystal Symphony. The journeys offer a range of breath-taking experiences from the beautiful scenery of the Alaskan Fjords to the hustle and bustle of San Francisco, or the serenity of the vineyards of Santa Barbara. And of course all of these journeys boast the hallmarks of every Crystal Cruise, with countless inclusions, complementary wifi and acclaimed dining options.

SOU TH AMERICA FLY, CRUISE AND STAY HOLIDAYS

1 180430 Cruiseco Collections South America.indd 1

5/6/18 8:50 am

Unique Rail Journeys LUXURY AND ICONIC TRAIN JOURNEYS OF THE WORLD

LUXURY COLLECTION

2018 – 2019

No other holiday lets one experience the joy of the journey quite like rail. Qantas Holidays has released a new brochure outlining some of the most scenic Unique Rail Journeys available. Re-live the golden age of luxury train travel on itineraries that range from the pristine lakes of Canada, wilds of Africa, charming villages in Spain and castles in Scotland to name a few. Soak in the scenery all while relaxing on some of the world’s most luxurious trains.

Cruiseco has designed a “one stop shop” of hand selected South American holiday experiences to help make choosing the right holiday easier. The new South American Collection brochure is a regionfocussed catalogue of fly, cruise, stay holidays, from 11 different cruise brands across destinations from Cape Horn at the bottom of the continent to Rio de Janeiro. There’s a cruise to suit each traveller’s style, desired itinerary and price point.

Adventure specialist Peregrine Adventures last month revealed it would add Africa to its rapidly expanding adventure cruising program. Their updated brochure outlines new Africa itineraries, including cruises on some of Africa’s wild rivers, and around some of the world’s most picturesque islands in the Seychelles. Peregrine offers a unique and low-impact alternative to conventional cruising, utilising small ships and visiting untouched destinations in small groups.

Globus has launched is 2019 Americas brochure featuring a plethora of exiting itineraries that highlight the best of the United States, Canada and Latin America. The trips offer travellers a variety of options from the 10-day Spirit of the American Wild West trip which explores Native American history and the raw beauty of Central USA, or the 12-day New England trip where travellers experience both the huge scale of NY, the quaintness of Lake Placid and everything in between.

Silversea last month revealed an all-new 2019 European Collection brochure, showcasing over 100 ports in 40 different countries across Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia and Russia, or the Mediterranean. The all-inclusive itineraries make use of five of Silversea’s intimate and luxurious ships, as well as numerous overnight stays and late departures so that cruisers can immerse themselves in local cultures and iconic destinations.

Hot on the heels of inaugurating a brand new ship last month, Ponant has released a huge 72-page brochure.

It features brand-new itineraries spanning the globe, with a particular focus on Latin America and the balmy Caribbean. Trips include opportunities to scuba dive the shimmering seabeds of the Grenadines, experience one of the man-made wonders of the world as you transit the Panama canal, visit ancient Mayan sights or explore glacial Chilean fjords.

Luxury Gold has officially launched its 2019 Worldwide Collection brochure containing more than 50 luxury guided tours with a distinct focus on personalisation and exclusivity for each guest. Itineraries include Ireland, Russia, and America’s Northwest. The new brochure also introduces the option for guests to tailor-make bespoke independent journeys in destinations across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa.

travelBulletin August 2018

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Sports travel

Vietnam Laos

Cycle

By Ben Groundwater

T

he looks on the locals’ faces say it all. What are these people doing? Why would rich Westerners, the lucky few who have all the money in the world, who have all the freedom to travel in whichever way they please, be travelling by bike? Why would they be tackling these steep hills and these sticky, sultry valleys under their own steam when they could be driving a car?

It’s a fair point. I can’t say I haven’t wondered it a few times myself as I’ve strained to get to the top of a rise, as rivers of sweat have cascaded off me like one of the tropical deluges we’ve seen gathering on the horizon, as I’ve puffed and panted to reach yet another goal.

Why do this? Why ride a bike from Hanoi to Luang Prabang? Why use a form of transport that around here is a necessity rather than a pleasure when it could all be so different?

The answer, obviously, is in the experience. It’s in the challenge. It’s in the scent of wood smoke and spice that you catch on your ride, in the sight of rice paddies and ramshackle houses that glide by. It’s in the slow passage of time that a journey on a bike demands.

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This is how you see South-East Asia. And I mean, really see it. Feel it. Taste it. A bicycle offers a window into this world that no other form of transport can. It sets you at the same pace as the lives being lived around you. It brings waves from farmers, smiles from kids.

It also takes you far from the path most trodden. The route from Hanoi to Luang Prabang begins in the big city, in the madness of the Vietnamese capital, but the high rises and the heavy traffic very quickly disappear, and what’s left is rural South-East Asia, charming and friendly and quiet.

Our first day of pedalling is a gentle one,

with no hills to worry about, not too much traffic to be a concern. With the safety net of a support vehicle behind us, our modest peloton sets off at an easy pace, taking in the scenery, enjoying stretching our legs, getting the feel for the bikes, a feel for the road. We cruise through villages. We roll past farms.

These bikes might seem strange to the locals, but this journey isn’t unique. There are actually plenty of cycling tours in SouthEast Asia, and indeed in the rest of the world.

This is a hugely popular way to get around for travellers of all ages, a way to combine

Sports travel

©Richard l’Anson

fitness with fun, to add a new element to the travel experience.

Our journey is being managed by World Expeditions, which means the route is planned out, the accommodation is booked, the food and water is supplied and the support vehicle is in place. All we have to do is ride. And we do.

Vietnam is a breeze. The few days it takes us to pedal west to the Laos border are pleasant and flat, with frequent stops for iced coffees, with plenty of time to catch our breath and take in the scenery.

There are no fancy hotels out here.

Most nights we’re in modest guesthouses, spending muggy evenings wandering small towns. Later in the trip things will become even more rustic, when we spend a few nights off the grid in a Lao village called Muong Ngoi.

That, however, is over the hill. Over plenty of hills. No sooner have we crossed the border at Na Meo, earning a few raised

eyebrows from bored guards, we hit a set of mountains known affectionately as the “Lao Alps”, and things get serious. This is no longer a gentle pedal but a sweaty slog, with powerful climbs interspersed with blissful downhill glides.

“

There are no fancy hotels out here. Most nights are spent in modest guesthouses, spending muggy evenings wandering small towns

”

We stop overnight in Vieng Xai, a dusty village that was once the headquarters of the feared Pathet Laos. We power up more hills and coast through more valleys before

All images courtesy of World Expeditions except where noted

hitching a ride in the support vehicle to Sam Nuea, deep into rural Laos.

There’s a beautiful idle to life here, with work days dictated by the sun, deep pleasure taken over meals of sticky rice and vegetables, and the almost indescribable magnificence of a cold Beerlao at the end of a long day. We rest weary limbs at night, telling yarns in open-air restaurants, leaning back in plastic chairs and reliving the ride.

We spend a rest day in a rural village with no phone reception or wifi, just mattresses on the floor of a wooden hut, dining with the local chief. And then, finally, we jump back astride those bikes and make our triumphant way into Luang Prabang, Laos’s cultural capital, where a fancy hotel and a good meal awaits.

This is the big city, comparatively, but the looks from the people by the side of the road don’t change. Confusion reigns at the sight of our puffing, Lycra-clad peloton. We’re a strange sight. But we’re also pretty pleased.

©Richard l’Anson

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Sports travel

Watch the ponies through a new dawn P&O Cruises is offering punters the chance to attend Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on 6 November and take in a seven-night sailing on board the Pacific Dawn, departing and returning to Brisbane with a single port stop in Melbourne between 2-8 November.

Packages start from $1,099 per person twin share and include all major facilities on the ship such as kids clubs, cinemas, adults only comedy club, and a plethora of eateries like the Curry House, Nic & Toni’s, and Mexicana. A variety of accommodation

Q&A

excursions while in Melbourne such as visits to Philip Island to watch the Penguin Parade, and explorations of the Dandenong Ranges on board the iconic Puffing Billy railway.

The only element not included on the cruise is a guarantee of which horse will win on Cup Day, that part is down to your skill and Lady Luck. Giddy-up!

Australians have always been mad for sports in any form, from swimming to rugby.

But selling travel to sports events can be more complex than it might first appear. travelBulletin sat down with Paul Ramsay from Travel and Sports Australia (TASA) to get the low-down on how agents can sell these bucket-list experiences.

Is there much interest among Australians to travel to watch sport?

Sports and events travel is very popular.

We’ve been in the sports and event business for over 32 years and every year builds on the last. It’s a standalone market that’s very specialist. People might be willing to book flights to America themselves, but when it comes to sports and events, they still want to use a travel agent.

What destinations are most popular for sports travel?

Most of our business for domestic sport comes from the Australian Open, the Melbourne Cup, the AFL Grand Final and the Formula 1. When it comes to overseas travel, people go to the UK for Wimbledon, Royal Ascot or the English Premier League, and to the US for the Masters and the NBA. And every four years we also have a huge demand for the Rugby and FIFA World Cups.

What sort of travellers are going to sporting events overseas?

We tend to see a lot of travellers in the 45-55 year-old and above range wanting to

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options are also on offer. Guests can choose Oceanview, Suite, Mini Suite, or Balcony rooms.

Ticket price includes admission to the Melbourne Cup, with the opportunity available to upgrade and attend the exclusive P&O Enclosure at the Flemington Racecourse.

Outside of the race, P&O offers other land

travelBulletin August 2018

travel to see the US Masters, Wimbledon, and Royal Ascot. In the last four years though we have seen a big increase in young people travelling to watch the English Premier League or the NBA. Live streaming has definitely had an influence, as well as social media where they can engage with players.

Do people tend to travel just for sport or do they combine it with other activities?

Years ago a family would plan a holiday in line with school holidays, and they would decide to go to Disney in Orlando or California and as a secondary activity they might see an ice hockey, baseball or basketball game. These days we are finding that if there’s a really good weekend with a lot of big games they will plan the trip around that fixture.

What should an agent be mindful of when creating a sports travel itinerary?

Sports and events travel is complex, mainly because of the difficulty in securing tickets to premium events. It’s essential to do your due diligence on who you are sourcing

the tickets from.

Particularly with big events in the US and the UK, lots of legitimate looking but unscrupulous sites will pop up and offer you good deals.

We’ve heard of horror stories where a client turned up to a game with what they thought was a legitimate e-ticket but they were turned away and we had their agent ringing us asking if we could secure a ticket for them. Make sure that the site you are buying from has an approved contract to sell and distribute tickets to that event.

You can buy through us at TASA because we are approved contracted sellers for most events.

The other thing to be mindful of is timing. Sporting tickets start at a certain price and as demand outstrips supply, prices will increase. Try to secure tickets as soon as the fixtures for that sport are released. At TASA, we will purchase tickets in advance to popular events so that we have enough for the demand. Tickets are the hardest thing to secure – procure them first and then you can bundle airfares and accommodation and other experiences.

Sports travel

See the Ashes in style Premium Sport Tours is offering Aussie cricket fans the chance to join the prestigious Ashes tour during August and September next year, with the company offering fully escorted three-week tours accompanied by a tour manager and past Australian test player (as yet unnamed for 2019).

Packages include admission to two test matches and sightseeing around Europe before, between, and after the matches.

The specific destinations for the 2019 tour are still being determined.

Premium Sport Tours’ previous packages in 2015 included trips to the Greek Islands, Croatia & Switzerland, and in 2013 the itinerary took the escorted group through Spain, France and Scotland.

All packages include first-class accommodation, touring/sightseeing via luxury coach, pre-match functions, welcome/farewell dinners, and tickets to all five days of two test matches in the five-match series.

Few details have been released about the 2019 series however the venues for the five-test series have been confirmed

Floating towards Tokyo 2020

as Headingley, Lord’s, Old Trafford and The Oval.

Any cricket fans interested in booking a spot on the next Premium Sports Tours’ Ashes tour can register their interest at www.sporttours.com.au/ashes-tour-2019

JTB Group Japan, one of the largest travel agents in Japan, has revealed plans to charter the 260-metre long, 2,000 passenger Sun Princess from 23 July to 10 August to serve as a floating hotel during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Port of Yokohama.

The ship will be docked only a 10-minute walk away from the Yokohama Stadium which will host a range of Olympic events including baseball and soccer.

Helping travellers with the rest between sporting fixtures is Sun Princess’ luxury beds which have been developed exclusively for Princess by US sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus.

Gullivers scores big with Rugby fans

Specialist sports travel operator Gullivers Sport Travel has announced a range of packages available for Rugby Union fans wanting to attend the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup in Japan, including supporters and weekend tours.

More than 20 separate itineraries are on offer for the Rugby World Cup that combine the thrill of watching the sporting code’s pinnacle event with a number of immersive elements.

One such adventure is a culinary tour hosted by celebrity chef Adam Liaw, who

takes groups through his favourite markets and restaurants in Tokyo, as well as encouraging travellers to get their hands dirty in the kitchen under his expert tutelage during two locally inspired cooking classes.

For footy fans looking to add a touch of luxury to the trip, Gullivers also has a 10-day Silversea cruise sailing around Japan, preceding a seven-day tour on land and two Rugby World Cup Semi Final fixtures.

For the purists who simply want to be consumed by Rugby the entire trip, they can choose packages that boast their sporting idols as travel companions. A range of escorted tours are available that include a host of high-profile ex-Wallabies stars such as former captain Stirling Mortlock, Phil Waugh, Brett Papworth, Dan Crowley and Tony Shaw.

Trips provide a range of three- to five-star hotel accommodation in combination with a wide selection of matches including Pools, Quarters, Semis and Finals.

Next year will mark the ninth time Gullivers has been the official travel agent for the Rugby World Cup, which will run from 20 September to 2 November 2019. travelBulletin August 2018

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Last word

We love trawling through the Travel Daily Window Seat archives. Here are some gems from 2010: OFFICIALS at Adelaide Zoo have withdrawn an advertising campaign which offered free entry to all redheads to highlight the plight of orang-utans. “We had a campaign over the school holidays because of orang-utans being an endangered species – and so are human redheads,” said Zoos SA spokesman Kevin Evans. “We seem to be getting quite a bit of a negative reaction. People are possibly more sensitive about it than we thought.” He said the zoo had dropped the ads but will continue to offer free entry to ‘rangas’ for the next two weeks.

LEAVING on time is important but not as important as ice hockey to some Canadians. Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu said the carrier was forced to delay a flight from Vancouver during the recent Winter Olympics, because passengers watching the end of the gold medal final between Canada and the USA on airport TVs ignored repeated calls to board.

A MAN is facing charges in Korea after allegedly phoning in a fake bomb threat in order to delay his flight because he was running late. According to local media reports the 40-year-old rang the airport from a pay phone while he was rushing for the flight at Gimpo airport, which was already on high alert because of the upcoming G20 summit. The aircraft was delayed for two hours – meaning he managed to board and fly to the resort island of Jeju. However police traced the call to the pay phone and were able to identify the man from CCTV footage, with an arrest planned for when he returns from holiday.

Unscramble HOW many words can you make out of these nine letters? Every word needs to include an ‘I’, have four letters or more and not be a proper noun or a plural. You can only use each letter once.

There’s also one word that uses all nine letters.

Good – 16 words Very good – 20 words Excellent – 23 words

T S O C I I R U T Answers: cist, citrus, coir, coitus, curio, cutis, ictus, iris, otitis, rictus, riot, roti, rustic, stir, stoic, strict, suit, suitor, tiro, tourist, touristic, tricot, trio, truistic, uric.

Funnies Flashback

Where In the World Courtesy Kristen Wong

THIS otherworldly looking marsh is part of the world’s largest wetland area, and despite its martian appearance, it is completely natural (and of this world). Also kniwn as ‘the home of the cranes’ this spot is home to one of the rarest species of crane in the world, and is though to be a symbol of luck! Do you know where in the world this crimson landscape lies? If you can get lucky and name it and where it’s located, you can win a double movie pass! If you think you’ve got it, send your answer to comps@travelbulletin.com.au.

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travelBulletin August 2018

Discover Bordeaux like a local Journey there by train

Incredible food & wine, beautiful countryside and more are all waiting for you when you travel to Bordeaux.

Located in the heart of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Bordeaux is now just over 2 hours from Paris by train when you choose to journey there on the new TGV Atlantique service launched in 2017!

Whether you want to experience Bordeaux on a day-trip from Paris or take your time and spend a few nights, your options are endless with 21 daily round trips between Paris and Bordeaux. Plus the TGV France network connecting more than 230 destinations and travelling at speeds of up to 300km/h gives you more flexibility than ever before!

If Bordeaux wasn’t already enticing enough, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has over a hundred thousand hectares of vineyards and a number of public museums, parks & cathedrals to wander through.

So what are you waiting for? Your unique Bordeaux Experience awaits!

Image credits: ©Shutterstock/Javarman; ©Shutterstock/RossHelen

www.raileurope.com.au/visit-france

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