TravelBulletin for March 2021 - Sarina Bratton's dive into the deep end of officialdom, why Fiji by Travel Bulletin

MARCH 2021

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DIVING

INTO THE DEEP END OF OFFICIALDOM Sarina Bratton’s expedition into the bureaucratic wilderness to try and get cruising started in New Zealand and Australia.

CONTENTS

HOW WOULD YOU REIMAGINE TRAVEL?

SingaporeTravelSpecialist.com

COVER STORY 12 Diving into the deep end of officialdom As one of Australia’s expedition cruising pioneers, Sarina Bratton is well-accustomed to exploring unfamiliar landscapes, however over the last 12 months she has been encountering new frontiers of a different type, in a dogged battle with bureaucracies on both sides of the Tasman as she attempted to find a way forward for a cruise restart in the COVID-19 world where we find ourselves. Bruce Piper investigates.

MONTHLY 02 State of the industry 08 Issues and trends 20 Cruise 28 Last word

COLUMNS 02 From the publisher 08 AFTA View 21 CLIA View

FEATURES 22 Fiji

There are seven reasons Fiji should be the next destination you holiday, writes Sarah Beyer.

Become a Singapore Travel Specialist today by completing the new online training modules

This month’s contributors Joel Katz, Darren Rudd Top image: Ponant’s Le Laperouse in New Zealand ©Studio PONANT / Nathalie Michel Bottom right image: Fiji’s islands ©Tourism Fiji

REGISTER NOW Complete all modules by 31 March 2021, to receive your Singapore Travel Specialist certificate and go into a draw to win a trip to Singapore and more

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travelBulletin MARCH 2021

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

From the publisher Bruce Piper

IN BRIEF

I’M going to call it – I think that we might be at the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 nightmare. I know it’s a bold prediction, with Australia right at the start of the vaccination curve, but things are moving quickly and so I want to get in first because I believe by next month’s issue things will be looking considerably brighter. There has rightly been a strong focus on infection rates and deaths from coronavirus around the world, but despite extensive research there is still so much we don’t know about this modern-day plague. In particular, there has been no real opportunity to study reinfection rates, and plenty of caution from the medical community about our ability to manage the COVID-19 scourge. It’s only a matter of weeks since the first vaccines started to be distributed in countries like the USA and UK where infections are rife, but initial indications are that the mass inoculation programs are actually proving much more effective than predicted. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that in the USA, for example, cases of COVID-19 infection fell 77% within the first six weeks of

Tucan Travel ceases trading LONGSTANDING adventure travel specialist Tucan Travel became another victim of COVID19 early last month, when the company’s owners placed it into voluntary administration after concluding that “there is unlikely to be any normal international leisure travel until 2022”. The Australian-founded business, which had its head office in London, has not

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

the vaccine rollouts. That’s a much higher percentage than the 15% of the population who had received the jabs, with experts postulating that natural immunity from those who had previously been infected is “far more common than can be measured by testing”. At those rates some are predicting normal life will be able to resume in America as soon as next month. In Australia, of course, we are behind the curve, partly because we are starting our vaccination program later, but also because the strategies enabled by our island status have meant much less of the population has been exposed to the virus. Nevertheless, the rapid rollout promised by the Government will see all vulnerable Australians who wish to be immunised against COVID-19 vaccinated by the end of April. There will be no more excuses for jittery state premiers to close borders at the drop of a hat, and the data should give the most cautious Government medico confidence to recommend border bubbles, quarantine easings and the recommencement of international travel. Fingers and toes crossed.

operated any tours since March last year, and had “faithfully tried to support people and balance their needs”. In particular Tucan noted that there was no satisfactory solution for tour operators to be able to address the number of clients seeking immediate full refunds, with the supply chain involving many pre-paid contracts which are not refundable or transferrable. “In addition many of the smaller overseas

hotels and service providers that specialist tour operators support are in an even worse situation, they simply do not have the resources to repay what is owed to tour operators until they are able to reopen their business and earn money again,” Tucan said. About 250 customers in Australia and New Zealand are owed almost $700,000 from the local business, with a number of travel agents also caught up in the collapse of the ATAS-accredited firm.

QF flags Oct return QANTAS reported a $1.47 billion loss for the six months to December, but CEO Alan Joyce was upbeat about the future prospects for the carrier, particularly as the COVID-19 vaccines roll out. The QF report also confirmed clear expectations and plans for a return to international flying, with the carrier’s Executive Manager of Global Sales & Distribution, Igor Kwiatkowski confirming that flights to all but three of QF’s pre-COVID international destinations would resume operations on 31 October. Moreover, flights to New Zealand are “still expected to ramp up significantly” from 1 July 2021, he said. Qantas also updated its waiver policies to provide significantly more flexibility, as well as extending credit vouchers for travel through to 31 December 2023.

Luxury Escapes deal LUXURY Escapes says the acquisition last month of New York-based Porter & Sail

TRULY GREAT TRAVEL ADVICE

“

Qantas is now planning to restart regular international passenger flights to most of its destinations from late October... this date aligns with the expected timeframe for Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout to be effectively complete

”

Igor Kwiatkowski, Executive Manager Sales & Distribution, Qantas

THE team at Melbourne’s FBI Travel last month were treated to the ultimate in insight, with 92-year-old Szaja Chaskiel addressing the company’s monthly online Zoom gathering. Holocaust survivor Szaja, who is the father of FBI Travel CEO Mark Chaskiel, gave the team practical advice on “survival during tough times and overcoming adversity despite the odds”. “We can learn so much from Szaja and those like him who despite the hell they lived through were determined to make the world a better place for the next generation,” said FBI’s Director of Leisure Sales, Danny Englman.

will help it “supercharge investment in mobile and app development”. Porter & Sail, founded in 2015, has as business model seeing it partner with hotels via a smartphone app to encourage in-house spending, as well as buy discounted credits for future stays. Luxury Escapes members will in the future be able to arrange early checkins, make restaurant reservations, pay for room upgrades and local experiences during their holidays, with instant credit card charging and confirmation to provide a “frictionless, best-in-class experience”.

Porter & Sail CEO Caitlin Zaino will join the Luxury Escapes team in the role of GM of Guest Experience.

EK to fine agents EMIRATES is the latest carrier to impose a fee for making flight bookings via traditional GDS platforms, last month confirming the new impost for anyone who not using the new Emirates Gateway NDC platform. The airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, said the move was a “milestone in our plans to cater to a dynamic marketplace by providing trade partners with a choice Continues over page

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Sourced 22 Feb 2021

$2.26

$15.59

Helloworld Travel

Flight Centre

-1% vs 1 month ago -45% vs 1 year ago

$5.37

3% vs a month ago -58% vs a year ago

$1.700

Webjet

Regional Express <

13% vs 1 month ago -57% vs 1 year ago

-1% vs a month ago 50% vs a year ago

$18.94

RESIDENT RETURNS

Top 10 destinations, December 2020

Country of residence

Original

Country of stay

Original

New Zealand USA United Kingdom Singapore Hong Kong China India Indonesia Tonga Papua New Guinea ALL VISITOR ARRIVALS

2,520 1,000 880 470 330 320 320 180 160 160 8,820

New Zealand United Kingdom USA India Papua New Guinea Singapore China Hong Kong Indonesia Philippines ALL RETURNS

2,190 1,240 1,180 890 710 660 630 560 390 260 14,300

% change - original Dec 19/ Dec 20 -98.2 -99.0 -99.3 -99.2 -99.1 -99.7 -99.3 -99.3 -88.1 -96.8 -99.2

Source: ABS

$4.82

Corporate Travel Management

Qantas

-75

1% vs a month ago -20% vs a year ago

14% vs 1 month ago 21% vs 1 year ago

.2 %

-82

.3 % -76.0%

Source: ASX

DOMESTIC AIR MARKET

-79

December 2020

Growth % -68.3 -68.8 -62.9 -12.9* -55.7

-8 0.1 %

.3 %

5.26m 6.20bn 7.52bn 82.5 52.1

Growth Year end Year end Dec 19 Dec 20 % 2.18m -58.6 61.39m 19.44m 2.54bn -59.0 71.50bn 22.30bn 3.86bn -48.6 88.55bn 32.86bn 65.8 -16.7* 80.8 67.9 30.3 -42.0 636.7 282.3

.5%

-7 8

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

Dec 20

-77.1%

Dec 19

-7 7

INTERNATIONAL AIR MARKET SHARE Share of passengers carried – December 2020

HEADLINES Selling New Zealand easier Qld accommodation agency collapses Ponant NZ cruise season terminated Tucan Travel ceases trading Qantas and Alliance ink new leasing deal Global role for Londregan Scams hit $128m grant scheme Vax certificates raise hopes Push for industry reform New Globus vaccine policy

Singapore Airlines, 15.7%

11 Feb 12 Feb 15 Feb 16 Feb 17 Feb 17 Feb 17 Feb 18 Feb 19 Feb 22 Feb

Luxury Escapes acquires Openings prompt flight frenzy Tucan creditors meeting Inspire 100% Helloworld-owned Webjet reports $112m half year loss CTM confident of rebound Travel urges MP contact today Fly365 refunds clarity No bail for dodgy agent Emirates to charge GDS fee

Qatar Airways, 13.1%

Etihad Airways, 3.2% China Eastern Airlines, 3.2% Air New Zealand, 12.1%

SriLankan Airlines, 3.5% United Airlines, 3.8% China Southern Airlines, 5.6%

INTERNATIONAL AIR ROUTES

Top 10 city pairs, year end December 2020 City pair

Others, 26.4%

Cathay Pacific Airways, 3.2%

.0 %

-75.6% -75.9%

*Percentage points difference

Source: BITRE

01 Feb 02 Feb 03 Feb 03 Feb 04 Feb 04 Feb 05 Feb 08 Feb 09 Feb 10 Feb

% change - original Dec 19/ Dec 20 -98.2 -96.3 -98.3 -97.4 -92.3 -98.1 -98.2 -96.1 -99.6 -98.4 -98.1

Source: ABS

ADELAIDE travel agent Max Najar may finally be able to move on, after a former contractor who defrauded

VISITOR ARRIVALS

Jail for fraudster

TRAVEL COMPANIES ASX SHARE PRICE

THE Globus Family of Brands last month became one of the first major tour operators to release a policy around COVID-19 vaccines, confirming that once operations resume it will require evidence of immunisation or a

”

Max Najar, Axis Travel

DATA ROOM

Globus jab mandate

“

What you did to me, my family, my business, my valued clients, my trusted suppliers and the entire travel industry was morally reprehensible

his Axis Travel business and clients was denied bail pending sentencing on a range of fraud charges. Arthur Zacharias was the subject of a years-long investigation by police, facilitated by Najar and supported by Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers and other industry colleagues, ultimately pleading guilty to 19 counts of dishonestly dealing with property. Najar told the court of the “orchestrated and cruel” scheme perpetrated by Zacharias, who had “stolen five years of my life”. The Axis Travel owner told travelBulletin that in retrospect his strategy of rescuing clients and repaying suppliers from his personal funds had been vindicated. The fraudster remains in prison before his sentencing early this month, with Najar saying we was pleased to have “done my part to remove him from the travel industry”.

of connection options and differentiated products and benefits across channels”. Kazin claimed the new platform would provide a “wide range of additional content and options for travel agents,” such as dedicated promotional fares, the ability to sell excess baggage and “faster access to new ancillary products”. From 01 July EK bookings via GDS platforms will incur a levy of between US$14 and US$25 per sector, depending on flight length.

negative coronavirus test result within 72 hours of departure. Without vaccination or a negative test, travellers will not be able to join their planned Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways or Monograms trip, the company said, noting that it would also facilitate – and cover the cost of – any additional COVID-19 testing during a trip if clients show symptoms. Globus is also aiming to build confidence in bookings by shortening the final payment window for all of its brands to 45 days prior to departure, while the company’s Peace of Mind plan allows trips to be shifted to any other 2021 or 2022 date, destination or itinerary without penalty.

Continues from previous page

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

Passengers YE Dec 19 1,602,232 1,537,148 1,629,492 1,251,457 1,131,233 955,385 908,540 1,195,224 964,447 764,199 11,939,357 30,569,098 42,508,455

Passengers YE Dec 20 390,681 333,097 323,881 301,251 258,939 219,638 218,441 212,103 198,187 189,344 2,645,562 6,656,524 9,302,086

% of total % change 20/19 4.2 -75.6 3.6 -78.3 3.5 -80.1 3.2 -75.9 2.8 -77.1 2.4 -77.0 2.3 -76.0 2.3 -82.3 2.1 -79.5 2.0 -75.2 28.4 -77.8 71.6 -78.2 100.0 -78.1

Source: BITRE

Emirates, 10.1% Source: BITRE

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS

AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER SPEND ON TRAVEL: NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA INDEX

International passengers through Australia’s major international airports, December 2020

(a) Scheduled passenger services commenced Dec ‘18 (b) Scheduled services (seasonal) recommenced Nov ‘18 (c) Scheduled services recommenced Sep ‘19

(d) Seasonal services only (e) Scheduled services ceased Sep ‘18

-78 -75 -73 -75 -77 -78 -72 -69 -65 -66 -52 -50 -56 -57 -68 -62 -67 -69 -67 -66 -64

-20

-60

-80

21 D ec 28 D ec 04 J an 11 J an 18 J an 25 J an 01 F eb

-40

07 D ec 14 D ec

Passengers % of total % change YE Dec 20 20/19 3,782,877 40.7 -77.6 2,434,451 26.2 -78.5 1,388,208 14.9 -78.4 978,960 10.5 -77.6 240,959 2.6 -78.6 207,744 2.2 -77.9 119,221 1.3 -81.7 82,543 0.9 -80.3 47,424 0.5 -81.5 13,011 0.1 -84.7 4,194 0.0 -41.1 1,671 0.0 -81.2 823 0.0 -22.0 .. .. .. .. .. .. 9,302,086 100.0 -78.1

23 N ov 30 N ov

Passengers YE Dec 19 Sydney 16,890,441 Melbourne 11,318,644 Brisbane 6,425,564 Perth 4,363,180 Adelaide 1,128,592 Gold Coast 940,995 Cairns 651,824 Avalon (a) 417,962 Darwin 256,030 Canberra 85,069 Newcastle (b) 7,124 Port Hedland 8,891 Norfolk Island (c) 1,055 Sunshine Coast (d) 13,084 Townsville (e) .. ALL AIRPORTS 42,508,455

14 S ep 21 S ep 28 S ep 05 O ct 12 O ct 19 O ct 26 O ct 02 N ov 09 N ov 16 N ov

City

Source: News Corp

-100

Source: BITRE

DOMESTIC AIRPORTS

DOMESTIC AIRFARES

Domestic passenger movements, December 2020 Airport Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Perth Adelaide Cairns Gold Coast Canberra Hobart Townsville TOTAL TOP TEN AIRPORTS TOTAL DOMESTIC NETWORK

Passengers YE Dec 19 (000) 27,575.7 25,996.6 17,584.2 8,286.2 7,387.7 4,155.5 5,569.7 3,154.4 2,781.7 1,666.0 104,157.7 122,778.9

Passengers YE Dec 20 (000) 7,461.4 6,501.5 6,387.6 2,977.4 2,348.6 1,588.8 1,529.4 893.8 879.7 766.9 31,355.2 38,883.4

% of total 19.2 16.7 16.4 7.7 6.0 4.1 3.9 2.3 2.3 2.0 80.6 100.0

Real domestic airfare index, July 2003 = 100

% change 20/19 -72.9 -75.0 -63.7 -64.1 -68.2 -61.8 -72.5 -71.7 -68.4 -54.0 -69.9 -68.3

Survey month January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020 January 2021 February 2021

Source: BITRE

Business fare 81.6 79.1 81.6 100.3 90.6 91.4 83.2 96.3 88.9 92.0 77.7 70.2 70.5

Restricted Economy fare 100.5 101.4 101.8 114.5 115.5 116.2 106.2 109.6 109.7 108.8 105.5 100.8 100.6

69.9

98.8

Nurture your return.

Best discount % 61.3 62.2 83.5 85.5 84.4 91.9 74.9 81.5 79.7 75.6 80.4 78.9 66.5 62.1

Your bookings are secure.

Your deals are amazing.

Your customers love you.

Source: BITRE

MAIN DOMESTIC ROUTES Top 10 domestic city pairs, December 2020

City pair

.9% 49 -43

.0 %

-7 5

.5 % -75

.3%

-76

-74 .

-69.3 %

. 2% -

-7 4. 2 %

-73.0 %

Melbourne-Sydney Brisbane-Sydney Brisbane-Melbourne Brisbane-Cairns Gold Coast-Sydney Adelaide-Melbourne Adelaide-Sydney Melbourne-Perth Gold Coast-Melbourne Brisbane-Townsville ALL CITY PAIRS Source: BITRE

©FreeVectorMaps

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

Passengers Passengers % change YE Dec 19 YE Dec 20 (000) (000) 9,181.9

2,249.8

-75.5

4,821.0 3,608.7 1,292.7 2,733.1 2,538.1 1,878.7 2,110.1 2,122.2 1,018.1 61,389.4

1,299.7 928.8 728.8 701.7 609.5 576.9 544.0 513.6 509.6 19,441.7

-73.0 -74.3 -43.6 -74.3 -76.0 -69.3 -74.2 -75.8 -49.9 -68.3

Expedia TAAP, we’ve got your back. ENJOY TODAY

www.expedia.com.au/taap

ISSUES & TRENDS

MINISTER PUSHES CATO AGENDA THE message brought by the Council of Australian Tour Operators to a meeting in Canberra last month with new Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Dan Tehan clearly resonated, with Tehan interrupting the discussion by saying “the Treasurer needs to hear this”. CATO Chairman Dennis Bunnik joined with the organisation’s GM Brett Jardine and board member Entire Travel Group CEO Brad McDonnell at the meeting, and told travelBulletin the aim was to explain the complex nature of the travel industry and the key role the land supply sector plays in the ecosystem. Bunnik said the delegation From left: Brad McDonnell, CEO Entire was grateful Travel Group; Dennis Bunnik, CATO Chair; for the Minister Tehan; Brett Jardine CATO MD opportunity to engage with the country’s senior leadership, with Tehan facilitating a meeting the same day with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. “We were able to explain the importance of protecting highly skilled jobs and their key to ensuring continued business operations, enabling the redemption of travel credits for consumers and allowing Australians to travel safely once borders reopen,” he said. Other issues highlighted included CATO’s longstanding relationship with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the key role tour operators played in helping repatriate Australians during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. The meeting was part of a pincer movement in the nation’s capital, with AFTA CEO Darren Rudd also at Parliament House to meet with political leaders. Bunnik said he had briefed Rudd on the outcomes of the meetings, to ensure the two organisations were “working together to ensure aligned messaging”.

AFTA VIEW Darren Rudd, Chief Executive Officer Australian Federation of Travel Agents

I WOULD like to thank everyone who completed the AFTA Survey in February. We received a tremendous response rate with over 1,500 smallto medium-size businesses completing the survey. The results are powerful and will be used as the basis of ministerial briefings, party room briefings and strategic media as we continue to fight for ongoing financial assistance. The survey confirms what we know, that international borders closures have had a devastating impact on travel agencies, tour operators and wholesalers. 94% of travel businesses have experienced a revenue decline exceeding 90%. The survey highlighted that for small to medium size businesses there will be an 82% decline in the number of staff employed if JobKeeper is not extended, forcing a significant proportion of staff from travel agents, tour operator and wholesale businesses out of business (32%) and many well-trained and experienced travel agents into unemployment. A further 52% are unsure about their business’ future should JobKeeper not be extended. The important question we are proposing to government is who will look after existing bookings if travel businesses cease to operate? Our current ask of government is two-fold. Firstly, we recommend that the government immediately announce an extension of the JobKeeper program for eligible businesses in the travel sector until one full quarter after the re-opening of international travel. Secondly, AFTA recommends that any funds not allocated in the first round of the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program be dispersed through a second program round with an amended payment scale to address issues identified in the initial round. Whilst we do not yet know what the government will decide, I would like to reassure you that the AFTA team, supported by the AFTA board and in collaboration with organisations like CATO, CLIA, TTF, the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Chamber of Commerce continue to meet with key political and departmental decision makers. We are doing all that we can for the survival of the travel and tourism sector.

2021 GROWTH FOR CT PARTNERS THE CT Partners buying network has seen the addition of two new agencies so far this year, with both recognising the “close working collaboration between our members and the full transparency of supplier payments,” according to the group’s Chairman Barry Mayo. The new members include In Travel, a 100% Indigenous owned and managed TMC with offices in Melbourne and Perth, along with TRIBE Travel Group, which was recently formed in Victoria by industry veterans Kelly Gelfland and Leon Burman – previously from Magellan member Encore Journeys and before that etm group. In Travel MD Dwayne Good, who was previously also in a joint

venture with Helloworld Travel Limited to operate Inspire Travel Management, said he believed joining CT partners gave the group access to better buying power, market leading solutions and stronger supplier relationships. “In these uncertain times, being part of a collaborative network means we are not alone.” CT Partners also confirmed the extension of its long-standing partnership with Qantas, in the form of a new three-year commercial agreement. QF Executive Manager Global Sales & Distribution, Igor Kwiatkowski, said “we are delighted to continue working together, focusing on opportunities that benefit our customers as the travel industry recovers”.

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travelBulletin MARCH 2021

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ISSUES & TRENDS

PANDEMIC EATS PROFITS BUT OUTLOOK IS POSITIVE THE phrase “preparing for recovery” appears to be the most common theme emerging from the latest round of financial reporting by many of the major travel brands. While the bottom-line figures for most businesses paint a grim reality of the extreme nature of the travel shutdown, the devil in the detail has been how these big players have been able to successfully bunker down during the COVID-19 storm, in preparation for recovery. Closing stores, cutting costs, furloughing or cutting staff have all been part of the hibernation paradigm, with companies hopeful of a rebound and reward down the track when travel in the main becomes possible again due to vaccinations and pent-up demand leads to a dominant resurgence of the sector. While the two big travel agencies both posted major drops in Total Transaction Value (TTV) for the six months to 31 December 2020, Flight Centre plummeting by 88% to $1.53 billion and

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

Helloworld declining by 87.8% to $433 million, both have been quick to imbue confidence with shareholders that their strategic cost reductions and investments will ultimately lead them back into the black when vaccines reach an advanced state of rollout. Despite the last six-months of 2020 incurring a loss of $317 million, Flight Centre for example said it was now a leaner and more efficient organisation, boasting a lengthy liquidity runway and solid growth prospects through its leisure shop networks, which are being supported by omni-channel offerings. The company also pointed to a variety of encouraging green shoots beginning to sprout throughout the business, such as some of its smaller businesses becoming profitable again like Ignite Australia, 99 Bikes and Avmin. Flight Centre was also buoyed by new flagship account wins in the corporate travel space which would likely see an accelerated TTV recovery for the

second half of the financial year. “In both the leisure and corporate sectors, we have continued to invest in new and legacy models and have proactively delivered innovative tech-backed-by-people solutions to customers of these legacy businesses,” Managing Director Graham Turner said. Flight Centre said its optimism has also been driven by a record revenue growth in December 2020, a COVID-19 period record of $33.5 million for a month typically one of the quietest trading months. Meanwhile Helloworld Managing Director Andrew Burnes said the company had remained “largely intact” despite the acute pressures placed on the business by the health crisis. Burnes confirmed Helloworld had the requisite liquidity to maintain operations until the end of 2022 based on the current burn rate and said key restructuring decisions, like the sale of its US wholesale division, strategic acquisitions such as Cruiseco

for a bargain price and its forecast rapid recovery in cruise bookings would hold the company in good stead for a strong recovery. Meanwhile Corporate Travel Management also haemorrhaged TTV at a similar rate, reporting an 88% drop to $403.8 million for the six months to 31 December 2020 when compared to the previous corresponding period, delivering an EBITDA loss of $15.7 million during the same period. The company’s Managing Director Jamie Pherous said

“

The devil in the detail has been how these big players have been able to bunker down during the COVID-19 storm

”

that while the results were disappointing, they were not unexpected, and pointed to Europe and the United States as being the prime movers of recovery given how fast they were rolling out vaccinations. According to the company’s internal projections, the United States is expected to achieve pre-variant herd immunity by 24 April, while the United Kingdom is currently on track to deliver the same result by 10 July, a significant margin ahead of Australia which CTM estimates will reach the same milestone much later, on 8 December. Acquisitions were cited as another key pillar of CTM’s recovery strategy, spruiking the recent purchase of Travel & Transport for US$200 million as one that would enable the business to be the leading mid-market corporate travel manager in the world. Online travel agency Webjet saw the biggest proportional drop in TTV out of all the

big players, posting a mammoth 90% drop, as well as a statutory loss of $112 million for the six months to December 2020. CEO John Guscic said despite the obvious financial damage of COVID-19, Webjet enjoyed an enviable cash position that could see it operate for many years at the current burn rate, and was also bullish about the prospect of a sharp rebound in leisure and domestic travel. The OTA’s chief also suggested its WebBeds business, a major growth division before the pandemic struck, would be “critical” in its rebound and was likely to propel Webjet to a larger market share and toward stronger profitability following the crisis. “Webjet has significant brand strength and superior technology offerings and is focused on increasing its market share leadership as domestic leisure markets reopen and physical stores decline,” Guscic said.

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COVER

DIVING

INTO THE DEEP END OF OFFICIALDOM

Sarina Bratton’s expedition into the bureaucratic wilderness As one of Australia’s expedition cruising pioneers, Sarina Bratton is well-accustomed to exploring unfamiliar landscapes. She has launched two cruise lines in Australia, pioneering the sector with a passion to discover new worlds and take her passengers along for the ride. However over the last 12 months she has been encountering new frontiers of a different type, in a dogged battle with bureaucracies on both sides of the Tasman as she attempted to find a way forward for a cruise restart in the COVID-19 world where we find ourselves. Bruce Piper investigates.

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

YEAR into the pandemic, everyone in the travel industry has learnt many hard lessons. We’ve learnt how to subsist on massively reduced income, how to deal with unemployment, redundancies, negotiating over leases, refunds, credits and more. But one of the main things that Sarina Bratton has quickly learnt is “that I would never want to be a politician or a professional lobbyist”. Despite that, she has been a tireless advocate for the restart of the cruise sector, at least twice getting tantalisingly close to facilitating recommencements in Australia and New Zealand. But it’s been quite a journey, and unfortunately it’s not over just yet.

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

COVER Bratton spoke to travelBulletin about her experiences over the last year, as she has relentlessly continued to advocate for the industry. Her long battle has involved a huge amount of tireless work behind the scenes, navigating the intricacies of national and state bureaucracies, with much learning about “the risk averse nature of Governments and, oftentime, political ideology getting in the way of reality”. Despite the situation in 2020 being unprecedented, Bratton is perhaps one of the best people to have had working on this problem, being no stranger to the intricacies of approvals required to get cruising going. She first came to prominence in the sector as far back as 1997 with the launch of Norwegian Capricorn Line locally – a venture which was ultimately shortlived due to changes in the ownership of its parent company. That experience only whetted her appetite, with Bratton back four years later in 2004 with the launch of Orion Expedition Cruises, bringing Australia’s unique remote landscapes – as well as other regional destinations – within reach of cruisers from across the globe. Orion ultimately became part of Lindblad Expeditions in 2013, with Bratton selling her stake and then joining Ponant as its Asia-Pacific Chair at the end of that same year. She’s played a key role with the French cruise line in internationalising its market, riding a wave of massive expansion which has seen the Ponant fleet grow fourfold to now comprise 12 vessels. But helping the line’s billionaire owners to grow the business over the previous six years was clearly nothing compared to the challenges wrought by COVID-19.

THE STORY SO FAR... AS CORONAVIRUS closed in and the World Health Organization declared it to be a pandemic, Ponant had its ships all over the world. Like the rest of the travel and cruise industry, the major issue initially was repatriation of guests, so the company started to return all vessels to port and disembark passengers before borders were closed – and then get the airlines that were still flying to deliver them to their home countries. At the time there were some local deployments under way, including Le Laperouse which was operating in New Zealand. In a perhaps uncharacteristically tolerant move, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that vessels sailing

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in Kiwi waters were allowed to complete their current itinerary – but observing the rapid escalation of the pandemic and border closures in other parts of the world, Ponant decided to immediately stop the sailing. Guests were disembarked in Wellington to enable them to board commercial flights home to the USA, Europe and Australia before the airlines stopped flying. “We received some media flak over this decision, given Prime Minister Ardern’s agreement for cruise ships to continue with their itineraries,” Bratton told travelBulletin. “But in hindsight, many people and particularly our guests realised that our quick actions resulted in the best outcomes.” Ponant also persevered with cruising in Europe for some months, launching a range of domestic itineraries with strict protocols. However the winter upsurge of COVID-19 put paid to that. “We decided to stop operating as it became too difficult to establish and manage

the ‘bubble’ on our ships,” Bratton lamented. Once the immediate issues were dealt with in terms of repatriations, the Ponant chief broke out her little black book. After her long experience in the industry, she has many contacts. “I quickly identified those people whom I knew personally and who were in a position to assist, guide and/or influence. I owe a lot of drinks to a lot of people!” she said. Something else that happened in those early days of the pandemic was the formation of the Tourism Restart Taskforce, a high-powered group established by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to provide advice on the short-, mediumand long-term priorities required to rebuild the sector. Bratton joined up to represent the cruise sector, alongside other luminaries such as Flight Centre’s Skroo Turner, Jacqui Walshe from The Walshe Group, Tourism Australia Chairman Bob East, Denis Pierce representing the Australian

Tourism Export Council, and Geoff Donaghy, head of Sydney’s International Convention Centre. Bratton’s participation in the Taskforce meant that cruise – particularly expedition cruise – had a seat at the table, and perhaps an elevated entree to government. But she’s adamant that she was just one of many people in cruise who were engaging with officialdom.

“

The Tourism Restart Taskforce has been incredibly valuable because it did provide opportunity to engage with government and peers from the different sectors of the tourism industry

”

Sarina Bratton, Chairman Asia Pacific, Ponant

Sarina Bratton is no stranger to the intricacies of getting approvals for the start of cruising, helming the launch of Norwegian Capricorn Line and Orion Expedition Cruises.

29 Apr 2020 Bratton named as member of Tourism Restart Taskforce

13 Jul 2020 Ponfoort resigns as MD Asia Pacific

18 Jun 2020 New Ponant health protocols unveiled

24 Jul 2020 Bratton cites “breakthrough” in talks with a state government re Kimberley resumption, in collaboration over protocols with APT

14 Jul 2020 Series of Iceland circumnavigations announced ex Reykjavik for Jul and Aug

03 Aug 2020 Ponant recommences Arctic operations ex Svalbard

14 Sep 2020 Sister brand Paul Gauguin joins CLIA

12 Aug 2020 Le Champlain arrives in Croatia to offer weekly cruises ex Dubrovnik 31 Jul 2020 Five Le Boreal Arctic voyages scheduled for Sep 2020

05 Nov 2020 17 cases aboard Le Jacques Cartier cruising out of Marseille, France

09 Oct 2020 Bratton suggests possible late Dec season in NZ after approval given for Heritage Expeditions

01 Feb 2021 NZ Government warns Le Laperouse not to enter NZ waters 12 Feb 2021 Eight new Australian coastal voyages announced by Ponant

03 Feb 2021 NZ Government confirms season is not permitted to operate because of declined visas 23 Dec 2020 NZ Government grants conditional approval for Feb 2021 cruise restart

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COVER This page: Ponant’s Le Laperouse was all set for a New Zealand season, beginning in February which would sail with New Zealandonly passengers ©Studio PONANT / Nathalie Michel Opposite page top: Le Laperouse was sailing from New Caledonia to Auckland to begin its season when only two days away from arrival the ship was told to turn back ©FreeVector Maps.com Opposite page bottom: The smiling assasin Kiwi Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi denied the visas of 61 of the crew onboard Le Laperouse

“The majors have established lobbyists, and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) was engaging with government departments where possible,” Bratton noted. However a key issue was that in those early stages, with heavily negative mainstream media coverage of various outbreaks, cruise was a very dirty word. “The Tourism Restart Taskforce has been incredibly valuable because it did provide opportunity to engage with government and peers from the different sectors of the tourism industry,” she said. But more than that, “importantly it also helped me to personally get a realistic view as to just where

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our industry was sitting in terms of priority in the overall tourism sector, the perceived importance of our sector of the industry, and what support – if any – we could expect from the Government.” “The outlook was grim,” she concluded.

SO CLOSE, AND YET SO FAR... UNDAUNTED by the seemingly insurmountable difficulties facing the sector, Bratton pressed on. As the pandemic unfolded it became increasingly clear that domestic cruising would be the only option on the table – but that was also heavily complicated by the

divergent approaches being taken by various Australian states. With the Kimberley being a key part of Bratton’s industry experience, and strong demand for local itineraries, Western Australia became a focus, and it appears to have come within a hair’s breadth of success. “We tried so hard, got the right support and got so close in the second quarter of 2020 to getting our ship operating intrastate ‘bubble expeditions’ in WA, for West Australians only,” she revealed. “This would have been a significant breakthrough, and I was singularly focused on getting the expedition sector recognised, as a safe starting point for government.” Despite ultimately being

unsuccessful, the WA experience was instrumental in getting better understanding and appreciation of what the expedition sector could do at various government levels – at least in Australia. And that experience appeared to be bearing fruit across the Tasman just before Christmas, when the industry was elated to hear that the New Zealand Ministry of Health had granted approval for a February domestic cruise season. travelBulletin readers reacted with joy at the 23 December announcement, with a number saying that after a torrid year it was “the best present they could have received”. The program was set to commence on 08 February, with Le Laperouse to operate exclusively in New Zealand waters, carrying only NZ passengers. The company noted that “permission to operate the program follows months of intensive engagement with the NZ Ministry of Health”. Demand was huge, with the seven-voyage season quickly selling out, providing a much welcome stimulus to the languishing Kiwi tourism and travel sector. Le Laperouse, which at the time was located near Jakarta, began steaming towards New Zealand, with its crew undergoing regular COVID19 testing in accordance with exhaustive protocols agreed with Kiwi officialdom. However on 28 January, after travelling 4,000 nautical miles, and just two days before NZ Health Protection officers were due to test all crew upon arrival in Auckland, Ponant was advised that the NZ Immigration Department would not issue visas for the 61 hotel crew on board. In a Yes Ministerstyle flurry of paper shuffling, it suddenly became apparent to Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi that those on board included “hairdressers, bartenders and masseuses” – jobs which he thought could be better done by New Zealanders, with those roles “not considered critical to the ship’s entry”. That’s despite the crew also being trained in safety procedures and those all-important COVID19 protocols, and the fact that 14 Kiwis had been engaged as expedition guides, musicians and an onboard nurse. The ship was ordered not to enter New Zealand waters, on threats of arrest for the crew and Ponant management – and being low on fuel, diverted to New Caledonia as last ditch attempts were made to salvage the situation. Those efforts included a rapid recruitment program in hopes of satisfying Faafoi’s last-minute demands, but travelBulletin understands that after widely

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COVER advertising for the 61 roles, just 16 applications were received, 14 of them from people with no hospitality experience, and none at all holding the requisite safety training certificates. With inbound tourism being such a vital part of the NZ economy, it might have been expected that the country’s Tourism Minister Stuart Nash would have some input, but he declined to respond to questions about the issue from travelBulletin, instead just noting that “the Government spokesperson on this is the Minister of Immigration”. Having exhausted every option, Ponant was forced to pull the pin, leading to the cancellation of seven voyages, the loss of millions of dollars in direct economic spending, and creating massive uncertainty for the future of the sector and its huge array of suppliers across New Zealand. Bratton, whose early career included a stint as an elite high diver (she actually holds Australian medals in Springboard and Platform Diving, Trampolining and Gymnastics), said: “I’ve never been knocked down in a

“

In the short term, I am more concerned about the damage that NZ has done to themselves with the global cruising community...I’m very concerned about whether there will be a 2021/22 season operating

”

Sarina Bratton, Chairman Asia Pacific, Ponant

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

boxing ring, however I have had good experience in diving...not always perfectly. I felt like I had been pushed off the 10 metre tower and landed flat on my back. That hurts intensely. The best thing you can do is check that you haven’t broken anything, talk to your coach, regroup, walk back to the base of the tower and slowly make your way up to the top again.” Will Ponant return to New Zealand? Bratton is surprisingly sanguine about prospects for deployments going forward, saying NZ is definitely still part of the plan for future years. But “in the short term, I am more concerned about the damage that NZ has done to themselves with the global cruising community. We need a whole-of-industry approach to the NZ Government to establish a clear consultation process and map a way forward,” she said. And given the Government’s current attitude, “I’m very concerned about whether there will be a 2021/22 season operating”. It hasn’t been universally bad. “While our unexpected experience

with the Immigration Department was painful, we had built good and respectful relationships within the Ministry of Health and Maritime NZ. These continue,” Bratton noted. However “the Immigration Department’s current processes do not work for the cruise industry. Unless these are changed, it will be difficult for the industry to resume activity in the country.”

HOPE ON THE HORIZON…

Images from top: Ponant will have two ships in Australia in 2021/22 including Le Laperouse ©Ponant / Nick Rains The high-yielding nature of expedition cruising makes it very attractive to destinations, despite small passenger numbers ©Ponant / Nick Rains Ponant has been very close to getting a Kimberley season started ©Ponant / Nick Rains

WITH New Zealand off the agenda, Bratton is clearly optimistic about a changed sentiment around cruising in Australia, and Ponant has released a significantly expanded domestic program for sale. “We know there is support in different governments for expedition cruising to resume. It is perceived as a more scalable and manageable starting point. The high-yielding nature of the business is meaningful to destinations, despite small passenger numbers,” she said. “I feel we will be successful in getting a Kimberley season operating. There may be a delay in getting it started, however the support we have received from certain governments has been very encouraging. If we can pave the way, then this will open up opportunity for the industry.” CLIA and other stakeholders, including Ponant, have been working closely with the Federal Department of Health on a Framework for the Resumption of Cruising, she confirmed. “This staged approach will allow the states and territory to make independent decisions on the scale of operations that they are comfortable to support, with very strict health protocols and risk mitigation.” Bratton also paid tribute to colleagues across the industry, saying that contrary to some perceptions that she was leading

a one-woman crusade, there were many others by her side. “As I said previously, I owe a lot of people a lot of drinks in gratitude for their help. CLIA and Joel Katz have been very supportive, likewise Kevin O’Sullivan and the NZ Cruise Association, and Aaron Russ, owner of Wild Earth Travel who had three charters with us. The various tourism bodies that we have worked with have been exceptional. The NZ trade and our suppliers – everyone engaged in and benefitting from our business has been behind us, urging us to keep going.” There have also been some silver linings – in particular the upcoming deployment of two Ponant ships in local waters. “I’ve been advocating for two ships in Asia-Pacific for some time now,” Bratton said. “COVID did us a favour in realising that.” Not only that, despite the New Zealand debacle, the experience has seen Ponant recognise that it is able to create exciting itineraries in NZ that appeal to local cruisers – in contrast to international guests who generally prefer more mainstream ports. New Zealand is definitely still part of Ponant’s aspirations – “with 12 expedition ships covering the globe, we want to be in NZ and share the country’s beauty with many,” she said. Whatever the ultimate outcome, it is clear that Bratton is a formidable force of persistence who is determined to see the battle through. “Cruising, and especially expedition cruising, is in my blood,” she said. “We need to win this current battle and get our industry operational again. Our trade partners, our suppliers, our guests are all relying on us,” Bratton noted. “Once we get cruise restarted, I’ll start to concentrate on my golf again.” travelBulletin MARCH 2021

CRUISE

AZAMARA SEEING GUESTS RETURNING AZAMARA’S customers are beginning to develop confidence as the year progresses, the cruise line’s newly appointed President Carol Cabezas has told travelBulletin. Promoted from Chief Operating Officer to President following the cruise line’s sale to Sycamore Partners, Cabezas said Azamara had witnessed the best northern winter booking position it has ever seen, with early year tentativeness displaced by robust booking activity beginning in the northern autumn last year. “People haven’t been able to cruise for two years once they’re able to get back onto a ship... you’re taking all that pent-up demand for nearly two years and putting it into the winter of 2021- 22,” she explained.

Protocols underpinning MSC’s success UNWAVERING health and safety protocols are underpinning MSC Cruises’ restart, Managing Director Australasia Alessandro Guerreri told travelBulletin. Having been sailing without incident for more than six months, Guerreri said MSC’s protocols were continuing to evolve alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, with the cruise line having “set the standard for health and safety”. “Our protocols are changing and adapting to consider the evolution of the pandemic,” he said. “In the short-term, we are doing whatever we can to show our health and safety protocols are strong enough to cruise, and Grandiosa is a good example.”

RIVIERA FLIPS TO TRAVEL THE WORLD TRAVEL The World (TTW) has secured the representation of European cruise line Riviera Travel River Cruises, just 12 months after appointing Cruise Traveller as its exclusive general sales agent in the local market. Riviera Travel Channel Director Stuart Milan said TTW was appointed to take the cruise line to the “next level” in Australia’s highly competitive cruise market, adding the agreement would also “boost opportunities for local travel agents and expand our product suite”. Milan thanked Riviera’s previous representatives for their efforts but said the cruise line is resetting its approach to “structure an aggressive strategy that will amplify Riviera Travel’s imprint on the local market”. “Riviera Travel is the leading river cruise brand in the UK, where we are based, and we are aware we have some strong competitors in the Australian market, but we are confident the robust marketing and industry muscle of TTW will strengthen our

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

position here and build on our unique points of difference and compelling price-leader proposition,” he said. TTW Executive Chairman Andrew Millmore said his company had a record of forging lucrative trade relationships for travel companies, particularly cruise lines and their trade partners, as well as heightening brand awareness.

Coral begins inaugural South Australia season CORAL Expeditions’ inaugural season in South Australia kicked off last month, with authorities in the state saying the move is an “important step forward for the industry and the eventual safe return of cruise”. A 10-day voyage along the remote South Australian coast was undertaken by Coral Adventurer, just a week after Coral was buoyed by the striking of a new partnership with the National Roads and Motorists Association (NRMA).

Royal Singapore season extended QUANTUM of the Seas’ Singapore season has been extended until June, Royal Caribbean International confirmed. Following the success of the safe cruises pilot program, Quantum will remain in Singapore for at least another four months. The two-, three-, and four-night cruises are available for bookings for locals only, and will continue to operate with mandatory COVID19 testing and safety protocols.

Princess 2022-23 Aussie summer revealed PRINCESS Cruises will deploy two Royal-class ships from Sydney for its 2022-23 Australian summer season of sailings, the cruise line has revealed. Vessels will also homeport in Melbourne and Brisbane, with a new Round World Cruise to also depart from Australia. Other highlights of the season will include Grand Princess making her debut in the country, sailing out of Melbourne.

CLIA VIEW

Joel Katz, Managing Director CLIA Australasia

ACHIEVEMENTS AMID THE CHALLENGES THE past year has brought upheaval like no other for our industry, shutting down a thriving international cruise sector and causing immeasurable hardship for our travel agent partners. Yet as we approach a solemn landmark of 12 months without international cruise operations in Australia and New Zealand, it’s also clear the extraordinary challenges of the global pandemic have brought incredible achievements in response. Never before have we been so united and so focused on a common goal, and though it was hard to envisage amid the media firestorm of the time, this unity was evident even in the earliest days of the crisis. It was evident in the global response to the declaration of a pandemic and the immediate measures agreed by cruise lines internationally. It was evident in the monumental effort cruise lines made to overcome closing borders and safely repatriate guests and crew. And it was evident in the

difficult decision cruise lines made to suspend operations globally and work towards greater long-term solutions. Today, this united approach has resulted in what is perhaps the most comprehensive and far-reaching COVID-19 policy of any industry outside the health sector. Our cruise lines set out to create the most extensive health measures they could in order to uphold safety on board our ships, and, utilising some of the best medical minds available internationally, that’s exactly what they’ve achieved. Though our ships might remain at anchor in many parts of the world, the new health protocols adopted by CLIA cruise lines globally form a solid foundation to not only uphold health and safety but also restore confidence from governments and the travelling public. Whatever challenges are ahead, we now move forward having achieved far more than we might have envisaged only a few months ago, and with a unity that is stronger than ever.

HEADLINES FEBRUARY 2021 01 Feb 03 Feb 09 Feb 24 Feb

NZ Government blocks Ponant season Celebrity confirms Australasia 2022/23 Tehan urges cruise booking confidence Cruiseco’s $319k price tag

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

FIJI

SEVEN REASONS FIJI SHOULD BE TOP OF YOUR DESTINATION WISHLIST When you’re planning your travels for borders opening, there are some great reasons to have Fiji at the top of your list, writes Sarah Beyer.

Opposite page: Fiji is made up of over 300 islands, with white sand and stunning beaches, along with lush rainforests, stunning waterfalls and rugged coastline. There’s a resort and activity to suit every price point, from luxe to budget, and every kind of traveller, from multigenerational families to romantic couples ©Tourism Fiji

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

FTER the year we had in 2020, and with not a lot of certainty for the future of travelling overseas, it can be hard to be enthusiastic about planning a holiday. But studies have shown that actively looking forward to things is really important for our mental health so now is the perfect time to plan a trip. When it comes to your next holiday, safety, relaxation, time with family and giving back are all important when choosing the destination and luckily, Fiji ticks all those boxes!

1. SAFETY AS WE’VE discovered living in Australia, being an island makes it much easier to protect ourselves from COVID, and that’s even more true for Fiji. Of the few cases that the nation has had, almost all have been associated with travellers coming from overseas in the early days of the pandemic, or have been picked up in quarantine since it was implemented in July 2020. As of the beginning of February this year, it had been 291 days since the last case outside of quarantine. Once the borders open safely, you can be assured that there are no low levels of COVID circling undetected in Fiji!

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FIJI 2. CARE FIJI COMMITMENT UNFORTUNATELY we know that COVID isn’t necessarily going to disappear when we resume travelling, even if we have vaccines to protect us. So in order to keep travellers safe, Tourism Fiji has introduced the Care Fiji Commitment, a program which includes enhanced safety, health and hygiene protocols. The program follows the World Health Organisation guidelines to ensure thorough and consistent risk mitigation measures are practiced throughout the islands. These include testing, clear procedures for suspected cases, drop-in fever clinics, Wellness Ambassadors who help implement protocols and provide peace of mind for travellers with COVID-19 questions and a contact tracing app. Over 200 of Fiji’s resorts, restaurants, tour operators and attractions have gone through training as part of the Care Fiji Commitment. The program also asks guests to postpone their travel if they feel unwell, and adhere to social distancing and mask regulations where required when they are in Fiji.

3. PROXIMITY BORDERS are likely to open up first to close destinations, like the Pacific and New Zealand, meaning most likely we’ll be able to travel to them sooner than the US and Europe. If you’re itching to get out of Australia, Fiji is nice and close to our shores, with flights only just over 3.5 hours from most of the Aussie east coast.

4. OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE FIJI is a destination that pleases everyone. Across the nation there are options to suit multi-generation families travelling together, whether they are on small or big budgets, including residences and family-friendly resorts. If you’re someone who wants to get your heart pumping on your holiday, Fiji offers adventurous trekking, diving or surfing. There are romantic getaways in villas and private islands. Cruise buffs can experience small ship cruising around the country’s islands, and there are options for long stays or short breaks, depending on how much time you have.

5. ISLAND BEAUTY WHILE Fiji’s white sands and turquoise waters are probably what you imagine when planning a trip, the nation also has stunning waterfalls, lush tropical rainforests, rugged coastline and drastic mountain tops. The island of Taveuni is often referred to as the ‘garden island’, with 80% of its surface covered by rainforest. That said,

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

FIJI

Images clockwise from left, all images ©Tourism Fiji unless specified: Fiji isn’t just islands and beaches, with plenty of lush tropical rainforests. Fijians are some of the happiest people in the world and are keen to welcome visitors to their island home. There’s something for everyone in Fiji, from luxury spa treatments to adventurous trekking and surfing ©Chris McLennan Fiji is a perfect family holiday destination, with activities for all the kids, and nannies or kids clubs in almost every resort.

if beaches are more your jam, Fiji is made up of 333 islands so you’re sure to find one that tickles your fancy. And with so many but a fairly small population, more often than not you’re likely to find a beach all to yourself. Certainly they’ll never be overcrowded (something which is even more important in a postCOVID world). The islands are also warm year-round, with temperatures ranging from 26° to 31°C and have plenty of fresh produce and locally-caught fish.

6. FAMILY-FRIENDLY ALTHOUGH there certainly is something for everyone in Fiji, when it comes to family-friendly options, the nation is an absolute standout. Nearly every hotel and resort has nannies or a kids club, meaning mum and dad can have a holiday as well (and get a break from the endless home schooling that 2020 seemed to bring). Passing down culture and community is very important to the Fijian people, and that is reflected in the way that they look after children. You can be assured that your kids won’t just be entertained at kids club, but also taught about the wider world,

including learning local traditions and getting involved in conservation projects, such as those at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Treasure Island Resort, VOMO and Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort.

7. LOCAL SMILES TOURISM is a huge part of the Fijian economy, contributing almost 40% of the nation’s GDP. One in eight Fijians works in tourism and the sector is the most significant industry among Fiji’s international trade sectors. It is understandable then that the measures implemented to protect the nation from the pandemic have had a huge impact on the locals. Despite the hardships, Fijians are resilient. According to the Gallup International Global Survey on Happiness, Hope and Optimism, Fijians are the happiest in the world, and many hotels have pitched in to help out villages and raise funds to support the community. Visiting Fiji once borders open will help inject some needed dollars into the economy, and you can be assured that the Fijian people will be ready to welcome you as always with their famous welcoming smiles.

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

FIJI

VOMO’S NEW VILLAS HOT PROPERTY LUXURY private island resort VOMO is seeing a huge upswing in bookings of its private residence accommodation for 2021 and 2022, despite the ongoing pandemic. Many of the bookings are from families wanting to catch up with extended relatives, as well as groups of friends. VOMO has also recently added

two new private residences, both currently under construction and due to be completed next month. Guests can choose from the new four-bedroom Talei Taki residence, or the five-bedroom Reef House, in addition to the four private residences already available to book. All villas are on the beachfront and have views of the south Pacific and Yasawa

Islands. Travellers who choose to stay in the residences are still very much part of the resort experience, with all meals included at the island’s two restaurants, as well as the option to dine in their villa if they wish. Agents are urged to encourage their clients to book soon if they don’t want to miss out.

The BeacHouse, one of VOMO’s private residences

Six Senses connects guests

BAREFOOT KUATA EXPANDS THE shutdown of travel has provided Fijian resort Barefoot Kuata the chance to proceed with a planned $1.2 million development without impacting guests. The resort, located on an island in the Yasawas, has added ten new Deluxe Beachfront Bures, all with private beach access and built with consideration of their impact on the environment. Barefoot Kuata’s Director and Project Manager Gareth Van Eyssen said he hopes the new development will help the resort to tap into the Australian and New Zealand visitor markets.

SIX Senses Fiji has introduced a range of new experiences, called Reconnect with Six Senses. The programs aim to encourage guests to reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them, through wellness programs, reconnection days and rituals and talks. In the Reconnect with Nature experience, travellers explore Malolo by hiking to the top of the island with a guide who will point out native flora and fauna, sail to the reef, visit the resort’s garden and more.

WWW.FIJI.TRAVEL 26

travelBulletin MARCH 2021

LAST WORD

SUDOKU

Fiendish

The aim of Sudoku is to complete the entire grid using the numbers 1-9. Each number can only be used once in each row, column, 3×3 box.

Funnies Flashback We’ve trawled through the Travel Daily Window Seat archives to give you a blast from the past. Here’s a gem from 1 July 2014: MAINSTREAM media has been reporting recently on a risqué new travel trend - “Topless Travel Selfies”. As the name suggests, the craze involves female travellers marking their presence at a tourist landmark via a shirtless selfie with their back to camera. Travel insurers have advised travellers to “think about the consequences of what they’re doing and to take steps to make sure they don’t get in trouble”. Travel safety specialist Phil Sylvester urged caution, saying “think of it this way, if you’re uncovered you’re not covered.”

www.sudokuoftheday.com – visit them and get a new Sudoku every day!

WHERE IN THE WORLD NO YOUR eyes are not deceiving you, that is a boat sitting smack bang in the middle of residential high rise towers. This intriguing marine vessel is not an actual ocean-going ship which somehow got lost, it’s actually a shopping mall, disguised as a boat. The thinking behind having a boatshaped shopping centre is a nod to the area’s former function as one of the largest and busiest docks in Asia. Today the centre has over 300 shops and a number of themed ‘worlds’. Do you know where this is?

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Don’t get left behind With the increased availability of vaccines, and plenty of pent-up demand, is your business ready to take advantage of the travel bounceback? Agents need to know a product or destination to recommend it, so get your business front of mind with the Travel Daily Training Academy. To find out more about our range of training options to suit every budget CLICK HERE, and for an information pack email training@traveldaily.com.au

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