July/August Screen time brings rewards

It’s no secret that film and TV can provide an escapism from daily life, but it can also plant a seed for future travel plans.

I found myself reminiscing on my time spent in sunny Sydney and the dusty red Outback whilst watching Ten Pound Poms, and was immediately curious when I read the news about Australia increasing the maximum age for its popular Working Holiday Visas, from 30 to 35, from July 1.

And it seems I am not the only one, as research from Tourism Australia found that 45% of 25- to 34-year-olds wish they had taken a gap year when they had the chance, pointing to weather (30%), lifestyle (27%) and new experiences (23%) as the top reasons to live and work Down Under.

I was also thrilled to see Canada's Newfoundland get some attention on BBC's recent Race Across the World series, having spent some time there last year. The series shone a spotlight on the country's unique and vast landscapes, but also how expensive taxi rides are!

We have a soft spot for Canada and are excited about our new Canada SuperHub. See sellingtravel.co.uk for a wealth of inspirational content – from the Yukon’s glittering gold rush history to Québec’s French flair. We’ve also included a dedicated SellingCanadasection in this issue, hot on the heels of Rendez-vous Canada in Québec City in June, the country's leading travel trade event. SellingCanadawas delighted to once again sponsor the Brits Party. It was great to meet with so many tour operators and UK reps.

But back to the silver screen: the chatter at our recent Selling Travel Connect: Cincy Region evening was that a certain Robert De Niro is spending time in downtown Cincinnati filming for new gangster movie TheWiseGuys, set in 1950s New York. I wonder if he had a famous Cincy Chili whilst he was shooting?

Meanwhile, it's great to see so many agents continuing to support our Connect events and build such great relationships with suppliers. We’ll be hosting events on The Caribbean and Rotana Hotels in July and August.

We hope to see you there...

Portugal PASTELS IN PORTO

Renaissance Hotels has debuted in Portugal with the opening of Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel. A member of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, it is located in Lapa, one of the most historic neighbourhoods in Porto. It has 163 guest rooms and suites with panoramic views of the city skyline and the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel’s neighbouring Lapa Church dates back 260 years while the Liberal Porto route details points of interest from The Siege of Porto in 1832. marriott.com

Norway FAMILY STYLE

Perfect for big groups or multi-generational families, Villa Inkognito in Oslo’s vibrant West End is an 11-suite retreat located next door to the recently-opened Sommerro, Oslo’s first luxury neighbourhood hotel. The villa is available to book in its entirety or on an individual room basis, with guests able to enjoy all amenities that include seven restaurants and bars, a 100-seat gilded theatre, a wellness space with historic public baths and Oslo’s first year-round rooftop pool. sommerrohouse.com