June 2019
THAILAND USA CHRISTMAS & WINTER HOLIDAYS SKIING NEW ZEALAND
The mobile travel business that works
for you..
- 24/7 free emergency helpdesk - Open choice of suppliers Let’s chat 1300 682 000
Awarded Best Travel Broker Network 2018
- No ticket issue fees - Choose your own GDS |
mtatravel.com.au/joinus
Contents
16
40
48 Features
60 New Zealand
Mouthwatering adventures await in Thailand, writes Dilvin Yasa
40 USA Jenny Piper shares her most memorable moments
48 Christmas and winter markets Anastasia Prikhodko discovers the joys that await those who brave the cold in the Baltics
56 Skiing Discover the top northern hemisphere ski resorts
20 Business view
Sheriden Rhodes rides from the mountains to the sea
34 Thailand
56
Cover story 16 When two plus two’s not you Caroline Riches explores the challenges of travelling as a single parent
24 Business Events News 26 Cruise 47 Brochures 64 Last Word
Columns 02 From the publisher
Monthly
06 Steve Jones
02 State of the industry
25 MEA View
08 Issues and trends
08 AFTA View 30 CLIA View
This month’s contributors Steve Jones, Joel Katz, Jayson Westbury, Brian Johnston, Sheriden Rhodes, Jenny Piper, Dilvin Yasa, Mark Carter, Carly Smith, Tietse Stelma, Sarah Beyer, Robyn Johnson, Caroline Riches Left – ©Intrepid Travel, bottom left – ©Aspen Ski Company
EDITORIAL Editor in Chief and Publisher – Bruce Piper Co-ordinating Editor + Production – Sarah Beyer Ph: 1300 799 220 or 02 8007 6760 sarah.beyer@traveldaily.com.au
6,770 5,355
Avg Net Distribution per Issue
This publication is independently audited under the AMAA's CAB Total Distribution Audit.
1 Apr Reporting Period: 16 Apr2018 2016to– 31 16 Mar Sep 2019 2016 - Publisher Statement
Editorial team – Jasmine O’Donoghue, Adam Bishop, Anastasia Prikhodko, Sarah Fairburn, Nick O’Donoghue
Advertising National Sales Manager Lisa Maroun Ph: 0405 132 575 or 02 8007 6760 lisa.maroun@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
ART Design – Sarah Beyer, Wendy St George
www.travelbulletin.com.au
Publishing Director – Jenny Piper
travelBulletin is part of the Business Publishing Group family of publications
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
1
State of the industry
From the publisher Bruce Piper
IN BRIEF
2
Firstly a word of thanks to the sponsors and attendees at the inaugural Travel Daily Sustainability Summit which took place just as the April edition of travelBulletin arrived from the printers. The huge response from across the industry was quite overwhelming, and we are already planning a bigger and better Summit for April 2020. Clearly the themes of sustainability hit a chord, with the event featuring a wide variety of topics ranging from the environment through to animal treatment, sustainable business practices, community development and much more. The first industry Sustainability Awards were also a big hit, and provided recognition for some of the companies that are going above and beyond to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy travelling the planet. One of the presentations which seemed to particularly strike a chord with delegates was one by Ross Piper – yes, he’s my brother – who is the head of one of Australia’s major ethically investing superannuation funds. Ross spoke about the increasing focus of the global financial community on more than just the dollar – providing further evidence of the importance of embedding sustainable practices at all levels of our operations. Also intriguing was his revelation that corporate culture is one of the indicators used by investors when making decisions about where to deploy capital, and confirmation that at least one Australian publicly
John O’Sullivan steps aside Tourism Australia will enter a new era this month with the departure of Managing Director, John O’Sullivan after five years in the role. O’Sullivan has been appointed as CEO and Executive Director of the ASX-listed activities specialist, Experience Co Limited. O’Sullivan said he was leaving with mixed emotions, “but I feel I’m leaving the organisation in a really good position. Australian tourism is performing well, with international arrivals and spending both at record levels. We’ve reshaped our marketing narrative. Our Tourism 2020 journey is nearly complete...and I firmly believe Tourism Australia is driving the right strategy to take the industry to new levels,” O’Sullivan said.
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
listed travel company had been the subject of “robust discussions at board level” over perceptions of an unhealthy internal culture. MEANWHILE I can’t let this month’s column pass without at least a fleeting reference to the now thankfully over Federal Election. The result, which saw the LiberalNational Coalition retain power with an increased majority, will certainly not please everyone, but there is no doubt that many in the travel industry breathed a sigh of relief. ALP Leader Bill Shorten’s threats to retirement savings and property values clearly weighed heavily on consumer confidence, and led to a significant slowdown in travel spending in the lead-up to the 18 May poll. Fingers crossed this dark cloud lifts quickly. FINALLY I’ve never had the courage to admit to my wife how much I paid for tickets to attend the musical Hamilton when we visited New York a couple of years ago. It truly was the hottest ticket in town, and without being more specific, our seats up in the gods did cost more than a week’s accommodation. So you can imagine my delight at the news that Sydney has managed to secure a season of the show which will see George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and other US founding fathers take the stage down under. It is a great story set to great music, and I can’t wait to see the local version – hopefully this time without taking out a second mortgage. Highly recommended.
In his new role he will take over from Bob East, who has been acting as Experience Co CEO since February this year when the company reported the sudden departure of Anthony Ritter at the same time as a profit downgrade. East will remain as Chairman of both Experience Co and Tourism Australia. O’Sullivan will see a significant salary bump as Experience Co CEO, with a base salary of $500,000 plus the potential to earn another $500,000 as part of the company’s short- and long-term incentive schemes.
Hunter Travel Group’s big deal Brett and Louise Dann have finally confirmed the long-rumoured expansion of their travel agency network,
with a new joint venture with the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland boosting the Hunter Travel Group’s overall portfolio to 40 stores nationwide. The new JV will incorporate RACQ Travel and RACT Travel, which Hunter Travel Group (HTG) has managed since 2010, to create Australia’s largest motoring association travel group with 21 locations serving almost two million members across the country. Hunter Travel Group’s existing 19-strong Helloworld Travel and Cruise Travel Centre businesses remain under separate HTG ownership, and HTG will manage both businesses to leverage an annual TTV in excess of $200 million. The transaction is set to be finalised on 1 July this year, with RACQ outlets to maintain existing shop front branding and retail teams. “However there will be a new framework of enhanced systems which will make the service delivery more efficient,” Brett Dann promised.
Flight Centre warning Slower than expected trading conditions, particularly in the Australian leisure market, were cited by Flight Centre last month as one of the key reasons for a profit downgrade, with the company now expecting its full year result to be between $335 million and $360 million – about 14% less than the previously forecast range of up to $420 million. The company said the challenging local trading climate had coincided with a “period of significant change and disruption” over the last two years, including the deployment of its new Sabre GDS platform, the introduction of a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement governing front line sales staff wages, and the shock consolidation of its brands which saw the demise of Cruiseabout. “While these changes are now embedded and additional plans are in place to address short-term market challenges relating to soft TTV growth, costs and margin contraction within the leisure business, the benefits that are expected to flow from these initiatives are not yet being realised,” the company said. MD Graham Turner noted that despite the challenges in the local market, strong trading
Hawaiian Air SYD milestone
The Australian Hawaiian Airlines team hosted a stellar line-up of travel industry VIPs at a special lunch last month to mark the 15th anniversary of the carrier’s non-stop services between Sydney and Honolulu. Debuting on 17 May 2014, the Australian route has now expanded to encompass nonstop flights from Brisbane, as well as a recently expanded codeshare and reciprocal frequent flyer partnership with Virgin Australia. The carrier also highlighted its extensive “one-stop” options to the US mainland, utilised by more than 20% of its Australian passengers. A total of 13 ports are available such as New York, Long Beach, Portland, Phoenix, San Francisco and the recently added Boston.
“
in the USA and UK highlighted the company’s “emergence as a world leader in corporate travel and our changing earnings profile”.
”
higher fuel costs compared to last year. Revenue for the three months to 31 March was up 2.3% to $4.4 billion, despite the timing of Easter this year which shifted some sales into the fourth quarter. The carrier also announced it had come to an agreement with Melbourne Airport for the sale of its terminal in the Victorian capital for $355 million. The transaction includes a 10-year access agreement for Qantas domestic services. However “options to operate some international flights from Terminal 1 outside of peak domestic times will be assessed,” the company said – with these services presumably to be operated by other carriers under the new ownership. The month also saw the announcement that QF would deploy its new 787-9 aircraft on the Sydney-San Francisco
The benefits that are expected Qantas MEL divestment to flow from these Flight Centre wasn’t the only travel initiatives are and tourism business to report tough conditions last month, with Qantas not yet being also revealing it was working hard to offset the impact of significantly realised Graham Turner, Managing Director, Flight Centre
route, putting another nail in the coffin of the airline’s venerable 747 fleet. Other Qantas news last month included the innovation of a “Points Plane” – a service on which all seats will be sold as rewards under the QF Frequent Flyer Program. The first service will utilise an A380 flying from Melbourne to Tokyo Narita on 21 October 2019, with Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth saying if the concept was successful more Points Planes would operate more regularly to domestic and international destinations “in the near future”. And finally Qantas confirmed the appointment of its Chief Financial Officer, Tino La Spina, as the replacement for Head of International, Alison Webster, who departed abruptly last month.
Silversea book-cooker Silversea Cruises hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons last month, as details of a long-running alleged fraud by a former employee were aired in court. A criminal case against Mary Ann Abellanoza saw her charged with almost 100 offences including “deliberately obtaining a financial Continues over page
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
3
State of the industry Continues from previous page
HEADLINES 23 Apr Sri Lanka travel update 23 Apr Travel growth continues 24 Apr Ensemble’s new local GM 24 Apr GBT expands Booking range 26 Apr FCTG “challenging climate” 26 Apr ANZAC Day figures down 29 Apr Australia no. 3 for NCL 29 Apr Best Western SureStay 30 Apr Hawke pushes for action 30 Apr China still on horizon: NCL 30 Apr VA defers B737 MAX order 01 May New CEO of QF Int’l named 01 May HTG expands to 40 stores 01 May Culture key for FLT, HLO 02 May Bestjet facing legal action 02 May Cruising growth plateaus 03 May Hurtigruten local office 03 May Jetstar to South Korea 06 May O’Sullivan to head EXP 06 May Cruiseco targets NZ 07 May QF to operate 787-9 to SFO 07 May TTC portal optimised 07 May Silversea hit $3.5m fraud
advantage by deception” and “dealing with the proceeds of crime”. Abellanoza allegedly misappropriated more than $3.5 million from Silversea’s Australian office over a four-year period, in an elaborate scam involving the issuing of fake invoices and direction of payments to creditors and the Australian Tax Office into bank accounts she and her husband held. Silversea has launched civil action to recover the money, which Abellanoza apparently told her husband was due to gambling windfalls.
Virgin profit downgrade Virgin Australia has announced a network review which is expected to see the axing of a number of poorly performing routes, after reporting that its underlying earnings are expected to be down at least $100 million on last year’s results. The downgrade to a forecast $35.6 million loss puts the carrier firmly into the red, with CEO Paul Scurrah citing “the uncertainty of revenue trading conditions in the domestic market” along with fuel and foreign exchange impacts worth more than $160 million.
“Demand has weakened in both the corporate and leisure sectors, driven by lower levels of consumer and business confidence, consumer spending and the impact of the Federal Election,” he said. “While we have continued to grow revenue, this announcement shows that our business needs to become more resilient to challenges such as weaker demand, high fuel prices and the foreign exchange environment”. Other actions being taken include a restructuring of Virgin’s Boeing 737 MAX order, in the light of the global grounding of these aircraft following two fatal crashes. Scurrah has deferred delivery of the first VA 737 MAX 8 from November this year until July 2021, and also converted an additional 15 of the MAX 8 variant to the larger MAX 10s. “The restructure results in a significant deferral of capital expenditure and provides access to the superior economic benefits of the MAX 10 aircraft,” the airline said. The changes mean the first of 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft will now arrive in July 2021, while the beleaguered MAX 8 variant, of which Virgin has 23 on order, are now scheduled to arrive in February 2025.
08 May Australia leads in luxury 08 May Virgin’s Sharp departure 09 May Qantas trading update 09 May Agents key to travel spend 09 May QF selling MEL terminal 10 May Platinum Travel NZ deal 10 May UK Govt plots new air levy 13 May Adventurer in Darwin 13 May QF to operate FF-only flight 14 May Avalon short cruise success 14 May TNZ adds visitor insights 15 May NT seeing tourism boom 15 May Marriott keeps growing 16 May Labor’s tourism pledge 16 May Google travel platform push 17 May QF expands channel regos 17 May VA hit by weak confidence 20 May 2019 NTIA finalists revealed 20 May Industry hails poll result 21 May Chile makes Aussie push 21 May SYD likely for HA 787-8 22 May Aussies flock to Japan 22 May Serko eyes growth up north
4
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
GATE 7 celebrates 21 years Tourism and travel representation specialist Gate 7 last month celebrated a milestone in fine style, with a lavish carnival-themed dress-up event in Sydney to commemorate 21 years in business. Established in the Bondi apartment of founder Jo Palmer (pictured with colleagues Dani Marsland and Danielle Tuffield), the business has grown to service the needs of a diverse client portfolio, as an integral part of the “story of explosive growth in outbound travel from Australia and New Zealand” over the past two decades or so, Palmer said. The evening saw the unveiling of a new Gate 7 logo and website, as well as a new dedicated Gate 7 Events division which leverages the group’s hard-won expertise in running scores of roadshows, gala dinners, parties and celebrations for its clients over the years.
Data Room
All the latest statistics from the ABS and BITRE to keep you in the loop.
Domestic On Time Performance
ARRIVALS
March 2019
Source
Jetstar 77.0% 75.2% 1.9%
Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations
Trend (000)
China 120.0 New Zealand 119.1 USA 70.1 UK 58.7 Japan 40.0 Singapore 38.1 India 31.0 Malaysia 30.2 South Korea 24.5 Hong Kong 24.5 All inbound 777.9
Qantas
Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations
RETURNS
Top 10 destinations, March 2019
78.4% 80.2% 2.7%
Original (000) 124.4 109.9 89.2 74.0 53.5 38.6 34.0 30.3 26.1 23.1 836.30
Trend Feb 19/ Mar 19 % -0.1 +0.4 +0.8 -1.1 +-0.2 +0.0 +0.0 -0.7 +2.4 -1.0 +0.0
Top 10 destinations March 2019 Destination
Trend Mar 18/ Mar 19 % +0.8 +4.6 +6.5 -6.1 +5.6 +5.7 +7.6 -6.5 +1.4 -2.8 +2.2
Trend (000)
New Zealand 120.5 Indonesia 107.2 USA 87.3 Thailand 46.5 China 50.0 India 35.4 Singapore 33.2 Japan 39.7 Vietnam 25.2 Hong Kong 20.8 All outbound 926.5
Source: ABS
Original (000)
Trend Feb 19/ Mar 19 % -0.3 -0.8 -1.1 +0.1 -1.2 +1.2 +0.1 -0.4 -1.1 -0.1 -0.3
134.8 91.9 61.4 41.7 41.3 37.9 34.6 34.3 29.3 23.3 753.5
Trend Mar 18/ Mar 19 % +2.4 +2.8 -3.9 -3.1 +3.5 +10.7 -2.2 +2.7 -6.8 +3.0 +2.0
Source: ABS
ENDED DECEMBER 2017 All airlines
Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations
78.4% 80.0% 2.2%
-1.6%
79.4% 81.5% 2.2%
.9%
Virgin Australia
Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations
+8
International Passengers Carried (thousands) - December 2015 to December 2017
+5
DOMESTIC AIR MARKET
.4 %
March 2019
- 3. 4
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
+1 2.2 %
.2 %
*Percentage points difference
+1
Mar 19
% +5.3
Total pax carried Revenue pax km (RPK) Avail seat kms (ASK) Load factor (%) Aircraft trips (000)
Growth Yr to Yr to Growth % Mar 18 Mar 19 % INBOUND OUTBOUND 5.22m 5.06m -3.1 60.47m 60.88bn +0.7 5.94bn 5.73bn -3.6 70.53bn 70.94bn +0.6 7.38bn 7.27bn -1.5 88.31bn 88.31bn +0.0 80.4 78.7 -1.7* 79.9 80.3 0.5* 53.7 53.7 -0.2 636.9 629.4 -1.2
-2.3%
Mar 18
+1.5%
%
+0.4%
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 Feb 2019
Top 10 city pairs, February 2019
Qantas Airways, 17.3% Qantas Airways,
City pair
16.4%
Others, 31.9%
Others, 30.7%
Jetstar, 8.8%9.1% Jetstar,
Emirates, Singapore Airlines,8.3% 8.1%
Qatar Airways, 2.8% China Southern Airlines, 3.1% AirAsia X, 3.0% Etihad Airways, 3.2%
Singapore Emirates, 7.6% Airlines, 8.1%
AirAsia X, 4.0% China Southern Airlines, 3.2%
Cathay Pacific Air New Cathay Pacific Air New Zealand, 6.7% Airways, 4.4% Zealand, 6.6% Airways, 4.6% Australia, 6.3% VirginVirgin Australia, 6.0% Source: BITRE
Singapore-Melbourne Auckland-Sydney Singapore-Sydney Auckland-Melbourne Hong Kong-Sydney Singapore-Perth Auckland-Brisbane Denpasar-Perth Los Angeles-Sydney Singapore-Brisbane Top 10 City Pairs Other City Pairs ALL CITY PAIRS
Year ended
Year ended
Year ended
Passengers % of total % change YE Feb 19 19/18 1,588,292 3.8 +12.2 1,571,708 3.8 +0.4 1,512,648 3.6 +1.2 1,256,308 3.0 +1.5 1,173,746 2.8 +8.9 1,122,616 2.7 -2.3 941,986 2.3 -3.4 887,991 2.1 +5.3 868,302 2.1 -1.6 867,603 2.1 +5.4 11,791,200 28.2 +2.9 30,040,972 71.8 +5.6 41,832,172 100.0 +4.8
Source: BITRE
International Passengers by Uplift/Discharge City Pairs Australian
Passengers YE Feb 18 1,415,343 1,564,688 1,494,807 1,237,266 1,078,036 1,149,192 974,638 843,291 882,570 823,408 11,463,239 28,452,741 39,915,980
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
% of
% Change
5
State of the industry MAIN DOMESTIC ROUTES Top 10 domestic city pairs, March 2019
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 Feb 19 compared with Jan 19
Passengers Passengers % change YE Mar 18 YE Mar 19 (000) (000)
Rank Website
1
9,191.7
9,242.9
+0.6
4,770.0
4,811.8
+0.9
3,555.8
3,580.0
+0.7
2,758.6
2,696.2
-2.3
2,475.2
2,511.5
+1.5
2,042.7
2,116.9
+3.6
2,036.1
2,064.2
+1.4
9
1,898.3 1,716.7 1,644.0
1,892.5 1,702.9 1,654.7
-0.3 -0.8 +0.7
10
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Webjet Australia Skyscanner Australia Expedia Australia Wotif.com Flight Centre Velocity Frequent Flyer Luxury Escapes Google Flights Cheap Flights Aus & NZ I Want That Flight!
Visits % share Feb 19
Relative Rank % dif Feb Jan 19 to Jan
12.45
+2.80
10.37
+2.17
3
9.44 6.51 6.04
-7.50 -3.56 +1.24
2 4 5
4.67
+27.21
6
3.26 2.74
-3.48 +0.17
7 8
1.93
-13.01
9
1.88
-0.03
*
City pair
1
* denotes not in top 10
Source: Hitwise
Source: BITRE
AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS
International passengers through Australia’s major international airports, February 2019
Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Perth Adelaide Gold Coast Cairns Darwin Avalon (a) Canberra (b) Sunshine Coast (c) Port Hedland Townsville (d) Newcastle (e) Norfolk Island (f) ALL AIRPORTS
Passengers YE Feb 18 16,152,693 10,457,255 5,781,362 4,362,432 979,364 1,078,415 674,164 269,322 .. 86,467 13,719 7,486 50,343 .. 2,958 39,915,980
Passengers YE Feb 19 16,839,453 11,291,404 6,169,746 4,371,319 1,034,410 1,009,764 660,839 225,650 101,581 91,167 14,303 8,588 7,261 6,687 .. 41,832,172
% of total % change 19/18 40.3 +4.3 27.0 +8.0 14.7 +6.7 10.4 +0.2 2.5 +5.6 2.4 -6.4 1.6 -2.0 0.5 -16.2 0.2 .. 0.2 +5.4 0.0 +4.3 0.0 +14.7 0.0 -85.6 0.0 .. .. .. 100.0 +4.8
(a) Scheduled passenger services commenced Dec 2018 (d) Scheduled services ceased Sep 2018 (b) Scheduled services recommenced Sep 2016 (e) Scheduled services recommenced Nov 2018 (c) Seasonal services only (f) Scheduled services ceased May 2017
Source: BITRE
Steve Jones’ Say Agents have grown accustomed to disruptive change. That doesn’t make such change any more palatable, but they are at least accustomed to it, hardened even. From the advent of online booking platforms which dramatically swept away traditional models, the transition from paper to e-tickets, and the inexorable decline of airline commissions, retailers have been forced to adapt, largely successfully. So we come to the Qantas Channel, the Qantas Distribution
6
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
Platform (QDP) and, more widely, IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC), a trio of developments that will radically alter the distribution of the airline’s product. The foundation of this most recent upheaval is the NDC, an industry “standard” that was ratified by IATA seven years ago. At its core is the ability for third parties, including retail agents, to access far richer content through sophisticated technology connecting airlines and agents. Qantas’s version of the NDC is the Qantas Distribution Platform, with the Qantas Channel essentially an agreement between the carrier and agent. So far, so good, despite the obvious complexities and associated head scratching that come with such technological advancements. But make no mistake. Despite the apparent widespread buy-in from “key industry partners”, agents are anxious and bewildered. During the course of writing a piece for this month’s travelBulletin, and having spoken to several corporate agents, it became clear that far from lauding and embracing this new era of distribution of Qantas inventory, many are in a state of confusion and uncertainty. For starters, what choice do agents have other than to sign up to the
“
Agents will no longer receive GDS segment rebates on Qantas bookings once the Qantas Channel is switched on... one group of agents estimated it will lose many millions in revenue
”
Qantas Channel? With the carrier charging agents a hefty $17.50 if they book outside the channel, to remain on the outer would border on financial recklessness. Central to the unrest is an expectation – verbally articulated but seemingly not official as yet – that agents will no longer receive GDS segment rebates on Qantas bookings once the Qantas Channel is switched on. That would be a significant blow. One group of agents estimated it will lose many millions in revenue, an amount it will have to claw back from somewhere. Exacerbating the issue is that information appears to be in short supply. Qantas has told agents to speak to their GDS provider about the rebates, while the GDSs have apparently instructed agents to seek better commercial terms from Qantas. It has left agents frustrated and unsure of the commercial realities of the Qantas Channel. Furthermore, agents are in the dark over the timeframe of this rich content which is to emerge from the QDP. It’s clear that more robust information and greater clarity would not have gone amiss. Surely agents deserve some straight talking from the airline and their GDS providers.
Book London Now Edwardian Hotels Luxury
TAAP so Easy
Win $1,000 worth of Travel Points ENJOY TODAY
www.expedia.com.au/taap 1800 726 618 expedia-au@ discovertheworld.com.au
Issues & trends
AFTA view Jayson Westbury, chief executive AFTA
Fiji GETS HAPPY TOURISM Fiji had plenty of reasons to celebrate during last month’s annual Fiji Tourism Expo (FTE), with record numbers of buyers and exhibitors in attendance as the country marked new highs in inbound visitor numbers during 2018. While the Australian market is still by far Fiji’s main source of tourists, concerted efforts by Tourism Fiji CEO Matt Stoeckel to broaden the arrivals base are paying off, with significant growth out of the USA, Canada, Japan and Greater China. Stoeckel, who has been in the role for about three years, has also presided over the ongoing expansion of Fiji’s tourism product, with ongoing stability and consistent airlift seeing lots of investment in new and upgraded resorts, activities and other innovations. Examples detailed during FTE included the FJ$45 million upgrade of the Sofitel Denarau Resort & Spa, as well as FJ$3.5 million being spent on an 80-passenger luxury catamaran for the newly established South Sea Sailing operation run by South Sea Cruises. Ground operator Tourism Transport Fiji is also boosting its fleet of coaches, mini-buses and other vehicles, including the addition of new dedicated 13-seat luxury transfer vans as well as vehicles able to carry wheelchair-bound passengers. Fiji Airways CEO Andrew Viljoen, who is also Chair of Tourism Fiji, highlighted the much-anticipated arrival later this year of two Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft with lie-flat business class seats, wi-fi and the latest inflight entertainment systems. These aircraft will operate daily flights to Nadi from Sydney, as well as six times per week from Los Angeles – and in turn facilitate the deployment of other wide-bodied aircraft into a new charter division which will target emerging markets such as Vancouver and Shanghai. More than 170 international buyers and media attended FTE, conducting thousands of pre-scheduled appointments with just over 100 exhibitors, alongside other key industry partners. A key marketing message was Tourism Fiji’s ‘Bulanaires’ concept, celebrating the true wealth of the country in the tagline “where happiness finds you” through relationships with key influencers such as US Survivor host, Jeff Probst. “We want to make the intangible tangible by showing and shining the light on stories of Fijian hospitality,” Stoeckel told travelBulletin. The luxury sector is one of several key targets for Tourism Fiji going forward, following the opening of new properties such as Six Senses Fiji, Kokomo, Momi Bay and upgrades at Vomo Island and many others. “I feel there’s really been a step change in our product,” Stoeckel concluded.
8
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
Australians have decided the outcome of the 46th Federal Parliament in last month’s election and in spite of all of the polls leading into the contest, Prime Minister Morrison and the Coalition have formed a government with a majority in the lower house, in a win that many did not believe would happen. At the time of writing this piece the full details of the new Morrison government had not been declared but the good message for the travel and tourism industry is that this new government will be a government that supports our industry. Prime Minister Morrison has a tourism pedigree having been the Managing Director of Tourism Australia for several years and we can hope going forward that our sector will be on his mind in a positive way as policies and concepts are further developed and implemented. For our friends in the Labor Party, no doubt there will be some sobering moments as they look back at how things could have been different. A new opposition leader will soon emerge, though at the All this points to time of writing this, the result more money in is not known. It is difficult to know which way it will go as the Aussies’ pockets party has a new system and good returns for Labor for electing a leader. retirees which will For the travel and tourism industry, we remain connected enable many people to many of the Labor members to consider a holiday who have been re-elected and will continue to work with both sides of politics. The other important element in this outcome is the policies the Coalition campaigned on, including personal tax cuts, should flow on to support the travel industry in particular. Consumer confidence appears to be holding and may improve as the dust settles on this election and markets look to be reacting well. All this points to more money in Aussies’ pockets and good returns for retirees which will enable many people to consider a holiday. I feel that with this election now behind us, we should see a continued thirst for travel, both corporate and leisure, over the remainder of this year and into 2020. On a more current industry matter, the NTIA 2019 is full steam ahead and many will be making the journey to the Qantas Campus in Mascot to present before the judging panel in the quest for the win. This year we have the biggest program ever, with the addition of new categories and of course for the first time the CATO Awards will be incorporated into the NTIA judging process and awards night on 20 July. Each year we do all that we can to ensure that NTIA remains relevant and valued across the entire Australian travel industry and I have no doubt that 2019 will be a terrific year for all involved.
“
”
See many more pictures from the Sustainability Summit on p32-33
Plastic-free just the start of sustainability Ditching plastic packaging and boosting the uptake of carbon off-sets on airline tickets are just the tip of the metaphorical iceberg when it comes to sustainability in the travel industry. Delegates at travelBulletin’s inaugural Sustainability Summit in Sydney on 30 April, heard from industry leaders about strengthening the long-term viability of the travel trade against the threats posed by overtourism, poor corporate governance, animal tourism and disruptors like Airbnb and Uber.
Overtourism Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam claimed governments around the globe “have been sleeping” on the issue of overtourism, warning the issue was a threat to both the environment and the industry. “They [governments] have been completely missing the problems both on value operation and the challenges of overtourism but I think they are waking up now,” he said. “The combination of politicians who are waking up to this, price mechanisms, and the people’s changing mindsets are quite a powerful combination and that makes me feel very positive about it,” Intrepid’s Regional Director APAC Brett Mitchell agreed governments needed to up their game, but tour operators also needed “educate travellers...who will ultimately make the right decisions”.
Governance Businesses operating within the travel industry that are looking to expand are set to have access to investment from Australia’s superannuation sector over the coming years. However, Christian Super CEO Ross Piper warned that those with poor corporate cultures will find cash hard to come by. “Engagement in sustainability for any business is not only a moral and ethical question, but it’s now closely linked with core long-term business values, social licence to operate and profitability,” Piper said. “The investment market cares deeply about organisational culture. “Any company that is attracting press around culture – for better or for worse – will be on the radar in some way, shape or form. “Our ethics committees had a robust discussion about one of the listed travel companies and again we have a very broad portfolio as any pension fund would have, so it’s on the radar,” he said.
Animal welfare Adventure World Travel’s Head of Product & Operations Andrew Hutchinson told delegates at the Sustainability Summit that research showed more than 100 million people worldwide visit cruel animal attractions each year. “That’s a staggering amount of people and it gives you a sense of scale of the problem,”
he said. “There are approximately 560,000 animals in wildlife tourist attractions around the world, with animal abuse occurring in approximately three-quarters of attractions studied, with abuse including animals being taken from their mothers, forced to perform tricks, animal rides, and animals forced to remain passive for selfies.” Hutchinson said travellers need to research wildlife tourism before going to attractions and their use social media effectively when instances of animal cruelty are spotted to help “spread the word”.
Disruptors Cosmos and Avalon UK Chief Executive Officer Giles Hawke called for increased regulation of new market entrants, including Airbnb and Uber, claiming they have been driving overtourism, while harming the destinations they operate in by pricing locals out of the market. “The concept of it is good,” he said. “The reality is it’s probably gone further out of control than Airbnb might have expected. “The way that Airbnb talk about it is people get to go places, to live like the locals and live in the local community. “The reality is that in a number of places there are whole apartment blocks taken up by Airbnb, people just letting out their apartments, so they’re not living like locals, they’re just with a bunch of other tourists.”
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
9
NTIA2019 FINALISTS
CAT 1 > BEST TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP // 50 OUTLETS OR MORE
CAT 11 > BEST TRAVEL CONSULTANT // LEISURE
• Flight Centre • Helloworld Travel • Travellers Choice
• • • • •
CAT 2 > BEST NON BRANDED TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP • • • • •
Australian Travel Agents Co-operative (ATAC) CT Partners Independent Travel Group Magellan Travel Travel Associates
CAT 3 > BEST TRAVEL AGENCY LEISURE // SINGLE LOCATION • • • • •
Helloworld Travel Hunter Travel Group Helloworld Travel Mackay & Mt Pleasant italktravel & cruise East Doncaster, Fountain Gate & Mt Waverley Phil Hoffmann Travel Travelcall
CAT 5 > BEST TRAVEL AGENCY CORPORATE // SINGLE LOCATION • • • • •
Acland Travel Anywhere Travel Complete Business Travel Helloworld Business Travel, Newcastle Corporate Traveltoo
CAT 6 > BEST TRAVEL AGENCY CORPORATE // MULTI LOCATION • • • • •
Corporate Traveller Flight Centre Business Travel Goldman Travel Corporation Stage & Screen Travel Services The Travel Authority
American Express Global Business Travel Corporate Travel Management FCM Travel Solutions QBT
CAT 8 > BEST MOBILE TRAVEL ADVISOR NETWORK • • • • •
MTA - Mobile Travel Agents Smartflyer Australia Travel Counsellors Travel Partners TravelManagers Australia
Cruise Guru Fly365.com flybuys Travel Global Journeys TripADeal
www.cruiseguru.com.au www.fly365.com www.flybuystravel.com.au www.globaljourneys.com www.tripadeal.com.au
CAT 10 > BEST BUSINESS EVENTS TRAVEL AGENCY • • • • •
CAT 12 > BEST TRAVEL CONSULTANT // CORPORATE • • • • •
Helena Jamieson Paula Lafferty Sam Skinner Sarah Hackett Veronika Panzic
Sanford International Travel Orbit World Travel FBI Travel DBT Corporate Travel Show Group Enterprise
• • • • •
Debbi Ashes Gada Selim Gary Seignior Julie Avery Matt Grigg
Helloworld Travel Lane Cove Helloworld Travel Miranda Hampton Travel & Cruise Brighton Travel World Flight Centre Heidelberg
NSW QLD VIC NSW WA
NSW NSW VIC VIC VIC
CAT 14 > BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER // LEISURE MULTI LOCATION • Bridie Clark • Leah Temple • Louise Dann • Natalie Cherry
italktravel & cruise East Doncaster, Fountain Gate & Mt Waverley Temple Travel Group trading as Hellworld Travel, Bowral, Shellharbour, Macarthur Square & Campbelltown Mall and Going Global Narellan Hunter Travel Group Noosa Cruise and Travel, Cooroy Cruise and Travel
VIC NSW NSW QLD
CAT 15 > BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER // CORPORATE SINGLE LOCATION • • • • •
Christopher Goddard Jame Maclean Katrina connor Ronit Leshetz Susan Connor
Maxim’s Travel Corporate Traveller Cathedral Place American Express Global Business Travel FBI Travel Corporate Travel Management
• • • • •
Belinda Le Breton Kate Narracott Kathy Millett Kelly Ayers Robyn Sinfield
TravelManagers MTA - Mobile Travel Agents TravelManagers MTA - Mobile Travel Agents Home Travel Company / Savenio
NSW QLD NSW VIC VIC
American Express Global Business Travel Directions Conferences & Incentive Management Event Travel Management The Events Authority TRIBE Travel & Events
NSW QLD WA NSW TAS
CAT 17 > YOUNG AGENT OF THE YEAR • • • • •
Abby Thomas Annabel Edgecome Ariel Rose McKiernan Courtney Kynoch Patrick Hull
italktravel & cruise Blue Mountains Flight Centre Indooroopilly Kempsey Travel & Cruise Helloworld Travel Lane Cove Orbit World Travel
CAT 18 > BEST DOMESTIC AIRLINE
CAT 9 > BEST ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCY // OTA • • • • •
NSW QLD WA TAS QLD
CAT 16 > BEST MOBILE TRAVEL ADVISOR
CAT 7 > BEST NATIONAL TRAVEL MANAGEMENT COMPANY • • • •
Helloworld Travel Lane Cove Global Journeys Bicton Travel Flight Centre Devonport Travel By Wyndham
CAT 13 > BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER // LEISURE SINGLE LOCATION
Cherry Picked Travel East Burwood Travel & Cruise Helloworld Travel Lake Haven Helloworld Travel Lane Cove Main Beach Travel
CAT 4 > BEST TRAVEL AGENCY LEISURE // MULTI LOCATION • • • • •
Courtney Kynoch Hannah Campbell Mike Drew Rebecca Knowles Sophie Krauel
• Qantas Airways • Virgin Australia
CAT 19 > BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE // ON-LINE • • • • •
Air New Zealand Emirates Qantas Airways Qatar Airways Singapore Airlines
CAT 20 > BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE // OFF-LINE • • • •
Finnair Lufthansa German Airlines Oman Air Swiss International Air lines
NSW QLD NSW NSW QLD
CAT 21 > BEST CRUISE OPERATOR // DOMESTIC DEPLOYMENT
CAT 33 > BEST SALES EXECUTIVE // CRUISE
• • • • •
• • • • •
Carnival Cruise Lines Celebrity Cruises P&O Cruises Australia Princess Cruises Royal Caribbean International
Helen Courias Julie Rogers Rachaelle Tyrrell Richard Waugh Walter Nand
Princess Cruises Ponant Yacht Cruises & Luxury Expeditions Princess Cruises P&O Cruises Avalon Waterways
CAT 22 > BEST CRUISE OPERATOR // INTERNATIONAL DEPLOYMENT
CAT 34 > BEST SALES EXECUTIVE // AIR
• • • • •
• • • • •
Norwegian Cruise Line Princess Cruises Royal Caribbean International Silversea Viking Cruises
Elizabeth Hutchison Lisa Manera Michelle Nickelson Stella Hritis Will Wightman
Air New Zealand Finnair Air New Zealand Air New Zealand Etihad
CAT 23 > BEST RIVER CRUISE OPERATOR
CAT 35 > BEST HOTEL/RESORT GROUP
• APT • Avalon Waterways • Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• • • • •
CAT 24 > BEST TOUR OPERATOR // DOMESTIC • • • • •
• • • • •
• • • • •
• • • • •
• • • • •
• • • • •
Express Travel Group Tramada Systems Travel Counsellors Travelport Tour Atlas
Christine Steel Elizabeth Moore Jacinta Lane Jade Ashton Laura Jago
Travel Focus Group Flight Centre George Street Sydney Tewantin Travel Cruise Travel Centre - Hunter Travel Group Helloworld Travel Kotara
Crandon Keddie Jos Bauk Kelly Pinkerton Leanne Flannagan Smith Rebecca Hausler
Cathie Rice Travel Peregrine Travel Centre Student Flights Shellharbour Back Track Adventures Temora Travel
• • • • •
Adventure World Expedia TAAP Qantas Holidays & Viva! Holidays Tempo Holidays Wendy Wu Tours
Dayana Brooke Hannah Campbell Jo Gostin Lisa Campany Michelle Barker
The Sustainable Traveller Global Journeys FBI Travel Flight Centre Edgecliff Jayes Travel
• Jenny Tucker • Kelly West
Travel Partners Noller & Turner Travel Associates
CAT 44 > CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR // FIT
• • • • •
• • • •
Air Tickets Cover-More Travel Insurance Qantas Agency Connect Sabre Virgin Australia Industry Support
CAT 32 > BEST SALES EXECUTIVE // LAND Karen Newbury Kat Nitarski Nathan Sexton Tenille Hunt Vanessa Green
WA WA NSW QLD NSW
NSW QLD VIC NSW NSW
CAT 43 > CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR // SKI
CAT 31 > BEST AGENCY SUPPORT SERVICE
• • • • •
NSW NSW QLD NSW NSW
CAT 42 > CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR // GROUP TOURING
Expedia TAAP Infinity Holidays Qantas Holidays & Viva! Holidays Sunlover Holidays
CAT 30 > BEST WHOLESALER // INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT • • • • •
Express Academy New Distribution Capability Phenix Travelport Trip Assist Tour Atlas
CAT 41 > CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR // ADVENTURE
Entire Travel Group Greece & Mediterranean Travel Centre Inside Japan Tours Sno’n’Ski V Travel Network
CAT 29 > BEST WHOLESALER // AUSTRALIAN PRODUCT • • • •
Catherine Marshall Helen Hayes Roderick Eime Steve Madgwuick Tayla Gentle
CAT 39 > EMIRATES TRAVEL CONSULTANT SCHOLARSHIP
Japan National Tourism Organization Singapore Tourism Board Tourism Fiji Tourism New Zealand Visit California
CAT 28 > BEST SPECIALTY WHOLESALER • • • • •
TAFE NSW TAFE Queensland TAFE SA Travel Training Australia William Angliss Institute
CAT 38 > BEST TRAVEL AGENT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
Avis Britz Campervan Rentals Europcar Hertz Thrifty Car & Truck Rental
CAT 27 > BEST TOURIST OFFICE // INTERNATIONAL • • • • •
AccorHotels Luxe Brands Club Med Shangri La Hotels and Resorts Marriot International The Leading Hotels of the World
CAT 37 > BEST TRAVEL WRITER // CONSUMER
Bunnik Tours Contiki G Adventures Insight Vacations Wandering the World
CAT 26 > BEST CAR/CAMPERVAN RENTAL OPERATOR • • • • •
NSW WA QLD NSW VIC
CAT 36 > BEST REGISTERED TRAVEL INDUSTRY TRAINING INSTITUTION
AAT Kings APT Contiki Inspiring Journeys Topdeck Travel
CAT 25 > BEST TOUR OPERATOR // INTERNATIONAL • • • • •
NSW NSW NSW QLD NSW
APT On The Go Tours Topdeck Travel Chimu Adventures Insight Vacations
QLD QLD NSW VIC NSW
Ash Chawla Kieran Mackenzie Mathieu Cadart Michelle Barker
Global Sports Travel and Tours Altitude Travel Tea Gardens Ucango Pelican Waters Jayes Travel
NSW QLD
QLD NSW QLD NSW
Issues & trends
Questions over Qantas channel With the Qantas Channel set to make a major change to the way that airlines and agents do business, there is still unrest and uncertainty over what this new landscape actually means for businesses. Steve Jones explains. Airlines the world over have long recoiled at their cost of distribution. It is, in the main, unavoidable expenditure, with third party distribution integral to the practicalities of selling airfares. But that hasn’t stopped executives paying bills through gritted teeth, all the while pondering just how and where they can reduce spend without impacting sales. At the sharp end of cost-cutting initiatives has traditionally been travel agents, with commission eroded, and in some cases eliminated. But what also irks airline boardrooms are the fees paid to Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), a pivotal but expensive cog in the distribution chain.
12
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
The International Air Transport Association said it is “aware of industry estimates” that airlines hand over more than US$7b (A$10b) each year to GDSs. Yet times are changing, albeit slowly. With the creation of the Qantas Distribution Platform (QDP) and associated launch on 1 August of the Qantas Channel, deals between the airline and Sabre, Amadeus and Travelport are evolving. Unfortunately for agents, it is they who are likely to suffer the consequences of such a shifting commercial landscape, at least initially. With the carrier reshaping its technology to utilise IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC), it is understood GDSs will receive reduced fees from Qantas. The knock-on effect will be the disappearance of rebates the technology firms pay
agents. A crucial revenue stream in an era of ever-dwindling commission is about to dry up. Given business travellers’ reliance on Qantas, travel management companies are likely to suffer more than leisure agents. And it is smaller and mid-size corporate agencies who are particularly vexed. In addition to the loss of rebates, they are convinced Qantas and the GDSs have “looked after” the bigger players to help offset the financial loss and to avoid a “fuss in the market”. Meanwhile, smaller TMCs feel they have been left in limbo. Anger and frustration is simmering. “I don’t understand why Flight Centre and CTM are not making a big deal of this which makes me think they have already been looked after,” one agent told travelBulletin who is set lose $100,000
“
Qantas is paying less to the GDSs and therefore the GDSs are saying they can’t pay us. This is a massive loss of income for an agency of our size, and as big a deal as losing commission...
”
Anonymous travel agent from the agency’s bottom line. “Qantas is paying less to the GDSs and therefore the GDSs are saying they can’t pay us. This is a massive loss of income for an agency of our size, and as big a deal as losing commission. I don’t think many agents are really understanding that.” One network of agents estimated it will lose up to $4m in revenue from GDS rebates. “Qantas has made this change and altered the commercial model but they are not taking responsibility for it,” one manager said. GDSs declined to discuss specific arrangements although Travelport acknowledged commercial models are changing as the industry adapts to a new world of distribution. “If value is recognized, then it should be rewarded accordingly, however this may come with a change to the model we have all been used to. We are going through a period of change in terms of economic models, full content, private channel, airline incentivizing NDC, and we anticipate more experimentation to come,” said Scott Barber, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand, Travelport. But in addition to the loss of rebates, there is irritation among agents over a perceived lack of information about the benefits the Qantas Channel may bring. The airline has spoken of the QDP and the “enriched content” that will flow though the channel, but some insist little in the way of identifiable earnings potential has emerged. Joint Managing Director of the Goldman Group, Anthony Goldman, told
travelBulletin it was “disappointing” that Qantas, who he described as a major partner, “has not managed to articulate the overall plan to agents”. “At this stage, the Channel will result in little benefit to us and mean a loss of crucial GDS rebates on Qantas sectors,” he said. “Qantas do talk about the benefits the Channel will have but have failed to provide real tangible examples of how agents will be able to use the Channel to maximise earnings.” Some, however, are taking a more philosophical view. Peter Hosper, Managing Director of The Travel Authority Group, likened the loss of rebates to commission cutting. As then, the industry must “reinvent itself”, he said. “Ultimately this is no different from when we went to zero commission domestically and we had to start charging a fee,” Hosper said. “That was a big learning curve for agents, and this will be something similar. The expectation is that the QDP and Qantas Channel will create opportunities for extra revenue and commission. That is what Qantas is flagging.” Reho Travel Managing Director Karsten Horne admitted to feeling “uneasy”, adding agents were losing a revenue stream without being able to demonstrate to clients exactly what new products it could offer. Until that happens, raising fees would be difficult, he suggested. Nevertheless, he remained optimistic. “Providing the benefits really are there, that’s when fees can come in and we should be able to recover the GDS fees,” he said. CTM Founder and Managing Director Jamie Pherous agreed that agents could prosper. He declined to comment on any new deal it had struck with Qantas, or quantify any loss from GDS rebates, but suggested agents could financially benefit from the new product to flow from the QDP. Sales of ancillaries products in particular are highly valued by airlines and they will be prepared to pay, Pherous said. Qantas acknowledged that any transition “can be difficult” and on its website conceded that agents’ commercial relationship with GDSs “may be impacted”. But the carrier told travelBulletin it has “no visibility” of the arrangements between GDSs and agents, and declined
to reveal details of its own terms with technology providers. “The Qantas Channel is very much an outcome of our vision, however, it would not have been possible without entering new agreements with our GDS and technology partners,” Qantas’ Executive Manager of Sales and Distribution, Igor Kwiatkowski said. As for new content, the airline said the QDP has the capability to offer it today, and will be progressively implemented over the next 12 months as “GDS and technology providers continue their NDC rollouts”. Special offers for frequent flyers, dynamic agent commissions and additional price points will all feature. The carrier has also told agents that the QDP and Qantas Channel is far from a project to cut costs. “Our approach to QDP is solely an investment in the indirect channel, ensuring our agency partners have access to a wide range of innovative and new content,” Kwiatkowski said. “Our investment in this program will ensure the that gap between our indirect and direct distribution systems capabilities does not continue to widen.” He added: “The QDP is about providing more through indirect channels than is available today and we are only scratching the surface on what new commercial opportunities this will present.” The next 12 months will go some way to determining what those opportunities may be.
“
The QDP is about providing more through indirect channels than is available today and we are only scratching the surface on what new commercial opportunities this will present
”
Igor Kwiatkowski, Executive Manager of Sales and Distribution, Qantas
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
13
Issues & trends
Coral Expeditions latest adventure With a total value of US$73 million, Coral Expeditions’ latest addition, Coral Adventurer, is the largest of the fleet and represents a new direction in design, facilities and passenger comfort for the cruise line. Welcomed into Darwin last month amid pomp and ceremony, the 160-passenger, 5,600 tonne vessel has 58 staterooms and two suites with guests at the ceremony taking a tour of the ship ahead of her onwards departure to East Indonesia and the Spice Islands. Speaking at the ceremony, Mark Fifield, Group General Manager of Coral Expeditions said “it’s an exciting day to finally have our newly built vessel Coral Adventurer in Australian waters. “After completing her successful seatrials in March, she performed exceptionally well on her maiden voyage where loyal guests enjoyed her unique and also familiar expedition capabilities. “Coral Expeditions, with its focus on the Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, the Indonesian Islands and Arnhem Land
sailings, is proud to be able to contribute substantially to developing both the capability and the economic value through tourism to the northern Australian tourism economy and the communities we visit on our voyages,“ Fifield added. Coral Adventurer remains true to her expedition roots and is designed to take travellers to unspoilt destinations not
accessible to large ships and not often touched by tourists. The cruise line is committed to working harmoniously with communities with shore excursions created to promote local interaction and cultural exchange. Upon her return from East Indonesia, Coral Adventurer will homeport in Darwin for a fivemonth season cruising the Kimberley region.
Helloworld wraps up mega conference The 2019 Helloworld (HLO) Travel Owner Managers Conference and Helloworld Business Travel Summit in Vietnam took place last month over three days in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The double-header event saw 700 attendees make their way to the city, comprised of agents, supplier partners and staff from Australia and New Zealand, with the conference embracing the theme, “Our Evolution Continues”. Included in the schedule was an awards ceremony hosted by Australian musician Kate Ceberano that saw the best performing branded and associate agents recognised for excellence across numerous categories. The event also saw a special business travel networking dinner held at Xu Restaurant, as well as a range of keynote presentations delivered by senior HLO executives including the company’s Chief
14
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
Executive Officer Andrew Burnes. The mega conference concluded at the Gem Centre for a Farewell Party Night sponsored by Air New Zealand, which saw a giant hall decorated to pay homage to traditional Vietnamese culture. Guests partied the night away to the classic rock‘n’roll vocal styling of Australian musical icon Jimmy Barnes, who at one stage was joined by fellow performer Kate Ceberano to slam out some popular Aussie hits. The conference wrapped up with the announcement that Helloworld will hold its annual summit in Perth next year from 14 to 16 May 2020. Sponsors this year included Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air New Zealand, and World’s Leading Cruise Lines.
David Padman, Julie Emcee Sonia Kruger with John Constable and , nes Bur rew And , Primmer ry Moffitt. Har t gen Sar r keynote speake
EUROPEAN Grand Journeys
CRYSTAL INSIGHTS WITH KAREN CHRISTENSEN
When you have all the time in the world, there is no better way to spend it than aboard a luxurious Crystal Cruise on an extended Grand Journey. Explore the myriad of cultures, intertwining histories and breathtaking beauty of Europe’s most desirable and elusive shores aboard Crystal Serenity. A delectable collection of sailings have been combined to take advantage of the best of the Mediterranean with culinary delicacies, art and architecture and transformative cultural experiences that will be forever etched in one’s memories.
Karen Christensen Senior Vice President & Managing Director Australia & New Zealand
Come aboard and indulge in the priceless luxuries of the all-inclusive Crystal Experience. EUROPE
MEDITERRANEAN GRAND JOURNEY
Monte Carlo Marseilles Barcelona
Sorrento
LISBON Valencia
Malaga
Livorno Piombino Rome (Civitavecchia)
Palma de Mallorca
Catania
ATHENS IONIAN SEA
AFRICA Gibraltar
AFRICA
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Santorini
ATHENS TO LISBON ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY 20 Nights | 23 October, 2019 Set sail from Greece bound for the Balearic Isles and Costa del Sol; en route, explore the artful treasures of Italy, the jet-set glamour of the French Riviera and the romance of Provence. Enjoy overnights in Livorno, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Crystal Cruises will put you in the middle of it all. Fares from US$10,315pp*
FO R M O R E I N FO RM ATIO N , TO BO O K O R TO R E C E I V E A B R O CH URE, CO N TACT CRYSTA L.
SIGNATURE HALLMARKS
• • • • •
Acclaimed dining in up to seven dining† venues Unlimited select fine wines, champagnes and premium spirits Gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff Onboard Crystal Visions Enrichment Series Unlimited Wi-Fi/ Internet Access
1300 059 262
C R Y S TA LC R U I S E S . C O M
Fares are cruise-only, per person, in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy, apply to new bookings only and include taxes, fees and port charges. Fares include Book Now Savings, must be booked by 30 June, 19. Solo Traveller Fares available on request. †Crystal Cruises offers each guest the opportunity to dine at least once on a complimentary basis in Prego and at least once in Umi Uma or the Sushi Bar. Additional reservations including “walk-in” visits are subject to a US$30 per person fee, subject to availability. Optional dining in the Vintage Room attracts an additional fee. Cruise-only fare does not include land programs. You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn Qantas Points. A joining fee may apply. Membership and points are subject to the T&Cs of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program available at qantas.com/terms. All offers may not be combinable with other promotions, apply to first two full-fare guests in stateroom or suite, are capacity-controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. All fares, itineraries, programs, policies and shore excursions are subject to change and correct at time of printing. Restrictions apply. For complete Terms & Conditions, visit crystalcruises.com/legal. ©2019 Crystal Cruises, LLC. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas.
Cover
When two plus two’s not you
©Intrepid Travel
16
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
F
amily models in the western table in a restaurant. There are fewer world are changing at a pace choices to make, less decisions to be made, never before seen in history. less people to consult, and kids become Blended families, large families extraordinarily responsible when they have to and children with two mums or help out their mum alone,” she said. “They two dads – it’s all become so all have to be given tasks. We’re a team.” normal. But the biggest change Travelling alone with just one child is for of all is the number of single her, even more sacred. “When I get to go parents around – in Australia it’s one in six; on a trip with just one of my children, my in the UK and the US, the figure jumps to relationship with that child is deepened so one in four. incredibly. You think you know your kids but But research family holidays online and when you spend a few days alone with them, you would have no idea this was the case. there’s a whole lot you learn about them.” Do a quick Google search on “family travel” Back in 2017, the emerging trend for solo and click on the Images tab. Rows and rows parent travel got Dyan McKie, Brand and of beautiful white families greet you and Product Manager – Family Adventures at 90% of the time, there are two parents – a Intrepid Group thinking. The company had mum and a dad – and two children, a boy recently launched solo traveller tours and its and a girl. sales teams around the world were receiving The travel industry should reflect our enquiries about the possibility of tours for dreams and also our needs, but in terms single parents as well. As Intrepid’s brand of one-parent families, it doesn’t appear and product manager of family travel and a aligned with either. Marketing purely to two single mum herself, McKie started listening parents and their two kids not only sends to parents in solo parenting forums and the message to solo parents that they Facebook groups. Time and time again she shouldn’t travel alone with their children, but came across the question: “Are there any to some it also suggests they can’t. tour operators or travel companies that cater Holidays With Kids Editor Aleney de specifically for one-parent families?” Winter says if the travel industry ignores the McKie scoured the internet and growing number of solo parents, it will be discovered that while tour operators and at its peril, not least because many of them cruise lines were targeting solo travellers, have the desire to travel and the income to solo parents were left standing at the dock. make it happen. While many one-parent families go on “There is a tours, cruises and misconception that single packages designed parents can’t afford to for families, they’re travel,” she said. “While not always a good fit There is a misconception for various reasons. In some are doing it tough, the majority of solo that single parents can’t hotels, a solo parent parents in Australia work must pay the same afford to travel and have a disposable price as two parents income to spend on travel. for the same room; To not factor them in is many deals, such as Aleney de Winter, losing business.” “kids eat free” are Editor, Holidays with Kids But while many parents designed around one travel alone with their paying adult per child; children out of necessity, more and more and many activities offered in resorts rely on are also doing it though choice. De Winter is an accompanying grown up, which is tricky one of them, and she sees it as a growing if you’re on your own and have two children trend. “It’s becoming harder and harder wanting to do different things. to align parents’ working schedules and Plus, hanging around nuclear families on children’s school and leisure schedules. It holiday can be confronting and isolating for might be that mum takes one child on a trip, single parents and their children. After all, then does another trip later in the year with everyone wants companionship and people another child. It’s a different world.” to play with, no matter their age. De Winter sees many benefits of “After spending some time researching, travelling as a solo parent. I realised the market was lacking poorly in “There’s one room, one taxi, a smaller this space,” said McKie. “The way I felt the
“ ”
There are more parents travelling solo with their children than ever before, but by the way the travel industry markets to families, you’d never know it. Isn’t it about time tour operators, hotels and cruises paid more attention to this rapidly growing demographic? Caroline Riches takes a closer look.
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
17
Cover industry was marketing for families was very archaic; there didn’t seem to be anybody catering for solo parents despite this demand and I thought, you know what, this has legs.”
“
The way I felt the industry was marketing for families was very archaic; there didn’t seem to be anybody catering for solo parents despite this demand
”
Dyan McKie, Brand & Product Manager - Family Adventures, Intrepid Group In 2018 Intrepid launched family holidays for solo parents, which took groups of 16 maximum to six destinations: Egypt, Morocco, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam and India. The destinations were chosen carefully; they promised exotic and colourful adventure but were places parents may feel a little daunted travelling around alone with their children. Intrepid’s solo parent tours follow the same itineraries as the company’s family tours, but are slightly adapted to cater for different needs. “We brief our leaders in a different way,” said McKie. “On family trips, families tend to wander off on their own in the downtime. But on the solo parent trips, tour leaders need to be aware that the group will most likely want to stay together or may require more guidance to fill in that free time. Being solo parents in a foreign land, they may not feel confident enough to go off and have dinner with their child by themselves. Leaders on solo parent trips also need to be across how the group is bonding; they may need to work a bit harder to engage the children and the adults as a group at the beginning.” They also need to be prepared for some heavy lifting. “Parents travelling by themselves may need that extra help carrying luggage and getting everything organised, whereas if you have two parents, they tend to bounce off each other,” added McKie. “So for leaders, there’s a heightened awareness on those particular departures.” Being the first adventure travel tour operator to run trips out of Australia designed specifically for solo parents, the market is watching eagerly to see how Intrepid performs in this space. 18
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
So far, the numbers stack up. While Intrepid’s family range saw a 26% increase in 2018, the solo parent bookings saw a 40% increase. From one departure per tour in 2018, numbers are already rising; six solo parent trips will go to Egypt in 2019, eight in 2020. McKie says Intrepid expects to increase both the number of destinations and the number of departures over coming years. Other tour operators may not be far behind. With everything taken care of, from the safety and organisation to hands-on help and socialisation, formal tours are a great option for one-parent families. Founder of family travel agency byokids. com.au, Leah Squire says she believes the travel industry is waking up to the needs of solo parents, slowly but surely. “We’ve been doing family travel for 13 years and back when we started there was no product for anyone outside the nuclear
©NCL
family,” she said. “We’ve always had lots of enquiries from solo parents but it’s been slow to filter through. Companies have to sit up and realise the value of their demographic before they make a change but we are starting to see that change – in both the marketing and the pricing.” Cruise lines have started giving a nod to solo parents in their marketing campaigns. Norwegian Cruise Line is one of them, promoting the kids activities and youth program, family-friendly accommodation and “dining for all” that make cruises “one of the best holidays for a single parent”. A cruise is certainly a good option for any parent seeking a break from never-ending chores and myriad ways to keep their kids entertained. But there is more that could be done to assist solo parents on board ship, such as large communal tables in dining rooms where single parents can mingle, and in-room babysitting. Some cruises lines,
pay for the price of the room on their own, which hikes up the rate per person. “If they’re marketing it to a family of four, why would they want to give it to a family of three for cheaper? I understand that,” said De Winter at Holidays With Kids. “Similarly, airlines simply want seats on a plane paid for. “But there has to be some way of making it a bit more economical for solo parents. Paying per person or per child as opposed to per seat or per room seems a lot more egalitarian.” Being inclusive to solo parent families is not just in the deals and the prices; it’s also in the service. This starts with training, so that hospitality staff come with an inclusive, open attitude. “If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me, ‘can’t your partner look after the kids while you’re doing that?’. It leaves me fuming,” said Bryan. “Staff need to make solo parents feel more welcome and supported.”
©Intrepid Travel
“
Staff need to make solo parents feel more welcome and supported
”
Barbara Bryan, blogger, singlemum.com.au ©NCL
such as Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises, already offer this service for a fee. Solo parent blogger and influencer Barbara Bryan of singlemum.com.au travels extensively with her two daughters, and homeschools them along the way. She recommends cruises as a fantastic way for solo parents to find some downtime. But she says babysitting services are lacking, particularly when it comes to shore excursions; many cruise lines will only care for children if the parent remains on ship. “If you want to do things like visit cities, it would be great to see some reliable babysitting services so solo parents can enjoy the experience with the confidence their children are being cared for,” she said. Many hotels and resorts could also improve their childcare and activity program to better support solo parents, she adds. “With some activities the parent must accompany the child and if you have more than one child and they want to do different
things, you’re outnumbered and you can’t do it,” says Bryan. “There needs to be better ways to support one-parent families. And often improving those holiday options is a great way for the hotel to make more money.” Family meal packages can also be grating for solo parents. “Kids eat free” deals are usually based on one paying adult per child, which is “cheating a little”, says Squire at byokids.com.au. “Hotels should no longer price their family meal packages based on two adults in a room, but instead ‘two kids per room eat free’, which seems more fair. Thankfully, many hotels are moving to this model, and we hope it will become widespread.” Making accommodation more affordable for solo parent families, however, is more tricky. Hotels have to have a room paid for and of course it’s going to work out cheaper if that cost is shared between two adults. It’s not that solo travellers or solo parents pay a supplement, it’s just that they have to
At the domestic level, perhaps the best way for the travel industry to be more inclusive for solo parent families is to think small. One-off events could be a great way to start. “Hotels could organise their own retreats for one-parent families,” suggested De Winter. “Cooking retreats, health retreats or mind, body and soul sessions – programs like these could work really well for solo parents with fun programs running alongside for the children.” But while solo parents wait for the market to really wake up to their needs, they will do what parents have always done: band together. Many families love holidaying together – to share the load and the good times – and with solo parent families, this makes even more sense. Plus there’s always safety in numbers. Social media has made it easy for one-parent families to organise their own group tours. “Solo parents are rallying together more than ever on social media to form groups of people who want to travel together and do likeminded things,” said De Winter. “It makes perfect sense.” travelBulletin JUNE 2019
19
Business view
Career in
focus Tietse Stelma
5. What were some of the greatest challenges you’ve had in your career? Starting a new tour operator in Melbourne in 2010 from nothing was pretty challenging. In many ways the Australian travel industry is quite set in its ways and is not always that open to newcomers. However, with the early support of some key travel agents and clients we managed to make headway and turned a profit within six months of operations.
CEO and Co-Founder 50 Degrees North
1. What does your role involve and how long have you been in your current position? My role is to be an entrepreneur, motivator and provide inspiration to our clients, our partner travel agents, our staff and our suppliers. I started 50 Degrees North in 2010 as a one-man company, and we have now grown to be a business with a global presence with offices in Melbourne, Lillehammer and Vancouver. We employ 35 passionate people across these three offices, most of whom are of Scandinavian heritage. 2. How did you start out in your career? Were you always destined to work in the travel industry? My travel industry career started in 1990 as a night time receptionist at Hotel Royal Christiania (now Clarion Hotel The Hub) in Oslo. The hotel was one of three 5-star properties in Oslo and I remember well receiving guests like Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger and the Italian national football team. One memorable experience was bringing room service to Grace Jones in the Royal Suite. Growing up in Norway, I am one of five siblings and the only non-academic. My career in the travel industry was not a conscious choice, but rather a result of my desire to do something different and be adventurous. 3. Did you complete formal qualifications, and do you think they are important? After year 12 I did a couple of years of finance, economics and marketing at postgraduate institutions in Oslo before I started working for an adventure travel company taking Norwegians to climb peaks in the Himalayas, Argentina and cycling along the Silk Road in China. 20
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
6. What factors were central to your success? Daring to take the plunge, belief in the venture we started and not giving up are three central factors to the success of 50 Degrees North. Also, passion for what we do ranks very high, and has become ever more important as we grow.
“
Daring to take the plunge, belief in the venture we started and not giving up are three central factors to the success of 50 Degrees North
”
Later in life I also completed an MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Swinburne University in Melbourne. I certainly think formal education is important, as it widens your perspective and gives you that all important theoretical background. 4. What do you love about your job? I love leading a team of very dedicated and professional colleagues who are also passionate about what they do. And I really enjoy being part of one of the largest ‘Scandinavian’ workplaces in Melbourne.
7. Did you have a mentor, and if so, how did you find them? I have not had a mentor as such but, I believe in always paying attention to how others succeed and fail. That has taught me a thing or two and helped me stake out the right direction for 50 Degrees North. Over the last few years as the business has continued to grow, I have joined a TEC group, which is a group of CEOs and business owners from different industries and backgrounds who come together once a month to share business insights. 8. What are the keys to good business? Have your eyes and ears open. Listen to advice and dare to be different. And most importantly treat your clients, colleagues and suppliers with the respect and care you would yourself like to be treated. 9. What advice would you give to others in the industry who would like to follow in your footsteps? For those who want to start a new tour operator in today’s market; do your research, think niche, be different, be passionate and be bold.
tramada rethinks the NDC With the establishment of IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) comes a better way for travel agents to manage flight bookings, while also allowing airlines to offer their products through multiple channels. While companies that employ NDC options can offer personalised fares and customised bundle offers, Global Director of Product and Engineering for tramada Systems, Bjorn Bohme, says the travel technology company has been working to build a system for users designed to streamline and automate the post-booking process. “In tramada, content from multiple booking sources is automatically merged into the booking it belongs to,” he said. “A booking in tramada can contain both NDC and GDS content, as well as Expedia TAAP content…there is no ‘shopping experience’ in tramada because the solution is 100% post-booking.” According to Bohme, tramada-enabled TMCs and travel agencies can offer personalised fares and offers to their clients and travellers, while at the same time having “robust, scalable, secure, and automated post-booking process” such as the application of service fees and creation and sending itineraries and invoices, regardless of booking source. tramada’s reporting option also offers agents the chance to compare GDS margins with NDC ones, allowing users to improve their overall margins by breaking down the information per bundle to more closely analyse. This approach to “structured data” is vital to personalising offers and data, says Bohme. For more information, see tramada.com.
Unrivalled support for your new travel business Whether you’re finding your first clients or growing your existing travel business, our Business Partnership Managers are here for you. With years of experience, strong partner supplier relationships and the backing of our National Partnership Office, you’ll have all the support you need. Our Business Partnership Managers are always ready to help you, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. They’ll work with you to develop a business plan and provide one-on-one, ongoing support. It’s time to take control of your travel career and create your own travel business with the best support in the industry. Left to right: Alison, WA/SA; Julie, Northern NSW; Despina, VIC; Suzanne (National Partnership Office); Kellie, VIC/TAS; Karen, QLD; Julia, NSW; Sally, ACT/Southern NSW; Leah, VIC; Graciela (National Partnership Office); Noree, QLD & Northern NSW/NT
Earn. Travel. Live. More. Talk to us on 1800 019 599 Email join.us@travelmanagers.com.au
Business view
Adding Value to travel By Mark Carter
T
oday we are living in the ‘experience economy’ and travel is a significant expense that today’s society puts value in, as these quotes below demonstrate: “The value of travel is not just the travel but what the travel makes of you,” said Robin Sharma. Tenzing Norgay reflected, “To travel, to experience and to learn, that is to live.” And according to Siji Menon, “It’s not the price, it’s the value that matters.” So what is the experience economy? Harvard Business Review summarises the evolution of the economy over time like this: • Agrarian economy: make a cake yourself with raw ingredients • Goods based economy: pay for prepackaged ingredients for ease • Service economy: having other specialists make the cake for you • Experience economy: it’s about packaged, total memorable events where the cake is likely thrown in for free. When it comes to travel, we can see that same evolution: • Local holidays • Packaged holidays • Specialist agents organizing everything, including itineraries • Next level trips and tours with bundled excursions and experiences galore For travel agents, you are perfectly placed to lead the charge towards the experience economy. In order to encourage this change and growth in customers viewing society as in the experience economy, Qualtrics (a leading experience management company) suggests that businesses focus on turning customers into fanatics, products into obsessions, employees into ambassadors and brands into religions. I suggest owners and managers of travel businesses take the time to sit down and brainstorm ways to tap into the talent in your business and leverage the tools available in the market in order to bring growth and provide more value for your customers in the experience economy. The experience economy brings to life the mantra ‘it’s not about the price, it’s about the value.’ So what is value? For almost two decades I’ve researched the concept of value
22
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
and I’ve found it is perception-based and individual to each person.
“
Take the time to sit down and brainstorm ways to tap into the talent in your business and leverage the tool available in order to bring growth and provide more value for your customers in the experience economy
”
That said I believe that businesses can have an holistic model that allows value to be created for all. The keys to this model are: • Tangible value: measurable impact, dollars, percentages, numbers and time • Emotional value: build and share stories, engage the senses, personalisation and unique innovation • Service value: solve problems, deliver long term positive possibilities, impact communities and respect the environment • Relationship value: the manner in which you operate, character traits, including spreading kindness and love My challenge to you is to consider how you and your team can contribute to these four different factors that build a wholistic sense of value for customers. Remember in this experience economy, value is vital!
Twenty years ago, Mark Carter worked for Contiki Holidays as industry trainer and leader across Europe. Today he’s a sought after speaker with global experience. He’s accredited in a plethora of behavioral science, leadership and sales tools in addition to two decades hands on global experience as a leading professional in the field of human development. You can access more of Marks content via his website & social channels: www.markcarter.com.au
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE Jake Cassar, Travel Counsellor
I have more time to put my heart into my customers bookings, which is something I couldn’t do in a retail store. I’m there for them when they need it and I don’t have to think about targets or other pressures that come with working 9-5. I’ve got a travel agency in my laptop now and I take it with me wherever I go. If I look back, I could have done it six years ago...
With 25 years of skin in the game, we know a thing or two about running a successful home-based travel agency. You’re in the best hands possible when it comes to working for yourself, but not by yourself. We provide a platform which allows travel agents to build a profitable tour-operating business rather than investing in store front for online booking website.
Why travel agents choose Travel Counsellors • Ongoing and unlimited support – Accounts paid, flights ticketed, dedicated business coach, marketing activity on your behalf.
• 100% Financial Protection for you and your customers
• Award winning Tech – Phenix and myTC app
• Global and inclusive community 1,800 agents and 400+ Head Office staff
• 24/7 Duty Office in Manchester, UK
Change your life. Call now on 1300 889 123 or visit people.travelcounsellors.com/au/
business events news
Thailand: a MICE sanctuary
C
ultural diversity, green landscapes, secluded beaches and local aromatic food with a spicy edge, makes Thailand an old-time favourite destination for MICE and business travellers. With a flight time of around nine hours from Sydney to Bangkok, the destination is conveniently located for Australian event planners seeking to take groups abroad. Early this year, in response to its increasing popularity, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) launched a new campaign to attract over 4,000 business events travellers to Thailand over the next four years. The campaign provides site visit support for meeting and incentive organisers of events with upwards of 80 guests and more flexibility around financial support. TCEB’s representative Nicole Tingey, Director of Clockwise Consulting said the new campaign has completely changed how event buyers view Thailand as a destination for their business events. “The Thai MICE sector is mature and contains a deep understanding of the needs of Australian business events – built from experience,” said Tingey. “That experience combined with incredible value-for-money means it is a great destination for Australian buyers. “Whilst Thailand enjoys fantastic leisure market awareness, asking people to send hundreds for a conference requires more education. “TCEB, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International and the Royal Thai ConsulateGeneral, Sydney are working together to provide real support to develop Thailand as a successful business events destination for Australian buyers,” she said. Additionally, Thai Airways International recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TCEB to support MICE travel. This collaboration was initiated to
24
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
promote Thailand’s MICE industry so that it “may become the MICE industry centre for the ASEAN region”. As Thailand’s MICE sector continues to grow, Banyan Tree Phuket resort has also recently opened its newly renovated 454m2 event venue, The Lagoon Deck. The space features floor to ceiling windows and 180° views overlooking the resort’s main lagoon and surroundings. The Lagoon Deck is equipped for celebrations for up to 500 guests, dinners for up to 300 guests, and corporate meetings for up to 220 guests. Pillar-free and purpose built to host activities of all kinds, the venue combines the surrounding outdoor space with a large interior, capable of hosting a range of events from intimate Board of Directors retreats, to large corporate incentive groups, to weddings. “The prospect of offering a completely new venue to host our international clientele and guests in this beautiful ballroom washed in natural daylight and moonlight with water views, is truly exciting,” said Sriram Kailasam, Area General Manager at the resort. “The imagination and creativity of the event organisers has no limits,” said Kailasam. Thailand is also home to Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), comprising of restaurants, meeting areas, a VIP lounge, business centre and exhibition spaces, capable of hosting up to 20,000 guests. Additionally, Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Udon Thani at 2,900m2 holds up to 5,000 guests. The Tung Sri Muang Grand Ballroom has a capacity for 600 guests, and for smaller events, the room divides into two equal sections as Grand Ballroom 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 300 persons. There are five additional meeting rooms, each with a capacity of up to 80 guests per room. For a slightly larger event, the Ban Phue Banquet
“
Experience combined with incredible value-formoney means [Thailand] is a great destination
”
Nicole Tingey, Director of Clockwise Consulting
Room will hold 100 guests while the Na Yung has capacity for 200 guests. Located on the east coast of Thailand is Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), part of Royal Cliff Hotels Group. PEACH can cater up to 10,000 people whilst the Royal Cliff has over 1,000 guest rooms and suites. The two venues are located within five minutes of each other. Additional facilities also include a helicopter landing pad, multiple outdoor areas for themed functions including tropical gardens, exclusive beaches, and a fully equipped business centre. “From events hosted on Thailand’s famous beaches, to roof-top bars for 500 people overlooking Bangkok’s lights, there is much to learn and re-learn about Thai MICE offerings,” concluded Tingey.
business e EEAA commit to young stars THE Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia is committed to developing young leaders for the industry, CEO Joyce DiMascio told delegates at the launch of the organisation’s Young Stars Meet-up Series. The Meet-up Series, which was launched at the offices of Informa Australia early May, was developed by the EEAA’s Young Stars Committee, to create new styles of learning and networking opportunities for emerging talent in the industry. “Our goal is to bring talented young professionals, who will lead the future of the industry, into mainstream discussions and knowledge-sharing both on and off stage,” DiMascio said.
M&OP on charm offensive Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP) showcased its new conference and event centre in late April at the Executive PA Summit, in Brisbane’s Royal International Convention Centre. From 2022, the home of the Australian Open Tennis Championships will serve up a new destination for event organisers, featuring a 2,000m2 pillarless ballroom, an 800m2 pre-function area, a 250-seat auditorium and an outdoor terrace. M&OP General Manager Premier Events and Experiences Lara Burnes said the new centre offered a “blank canvas” for organisers “to create more meaningful, powerful and memorable moments”.
Government called on The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) Forward Calendar of International Business Events Jan 2019 report has highlighted that for the business events industry to grow further, political parties need to support the industry with better policies. The report also states that approximately one in four international bids are lost due to financial incentives offered by competitors. Other attributing factors were high costs of holding an event in Australia including airfares, visas, accommodation, political factors and event delivery. In order to grow the business events industry, the AACB has made the following suggestions – expand Tourism Australia’s bid fund program with additional investment to $10m per year; reduce the cost and complexity of visitor visas and invest in robust business events metric.
MEA view
Robyn Johnson, Chief Executive Officer Meeting and Events Australia
RESEARCH IDENTIFIES SKILLS GAPS Meetings & Events Australia conducted research into the Australian events industry and found a clear need to attract younger people to event management. The first study identified there were skills shortages across all sectors of the events industry and that event management appeared twice in the top five list of skills shortages at both the mid and senior levels. The findings of our 2018 study indicated that these shortages have grown by 5% at the mid-level and nearly 3% at the senior event management level over the past 12 months. This disturbing outcome indicates the need for more structured training is growing steadily. The second survey indicated that the gap is growing and that there is an increase in attracting school leavers to event management. Our research posed an important question. What should we do to future proof the sector? There are a number of courses offered at TAFE and colleges around Australia and as the industry’ registered training organisation, MEA introduced a Diploma of Event Management. But is this enough to ensure that Australia has a robust supply of well-trained event professionals that want a career in event management? We need to ask ourselves this. Do we understand that we are all collectively responsible for growing and developing our people, and for providing a workplace environment that appeals to a younger generation – with strategies to keep them challenged, offer flexible working arrangements and foster development?
business events news 23 Apr Luxperience famil launch 23 Apr EEAA 2019 forum 30 Apr M&OP on charm offensive 30 Apr NT business boost 07 May Government called on
This issue is not limited to the Australian events industry – it is a global problem. With the global economy growing by 3.7% in 2017 the downside is finding and keeping talent. MEA is working on programs to support the development of young event professionals and to promote the industry as a career option for school leavers. MEA conducts ‘Career Insights’ days across the country and is often invited to attend schools to present on the diverse range of careers paths in the event sector. MEA has recently launched an Event Essential course which is an introductory curriculum aimed at newcomers to the industry or to those who are interested in an event career but are unsure of what it entails. MEA conducts two-day workshops every 10 weeks on event related topics that can be attended either face-to-face or online which enables students and event professionals to access the program from all around Australia. The skills acquired via MEA’s professional development programs provide a strong base of knowledge that can also be transferred to many other occupations. We need to ensure that we retain our members (your staff) by following up with identifiable career paths and other incentives so that they know that they are valued and respected for their skills and experience. MEA is conducting a third survey on skills in the coming months and will analyse this new information and compare it with the previous data collected to identify the trends in the skills gaps.
Headlines April and May 2019 07 May CHC turning point 14 May EEAA commits to young stars 14 May Star’s new Freshtival 21 May NZ focused on sustainability 21 May NZ business boom
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
25
Cruise
Alaska full of Joy Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) recently celebrated the inaugural US sailing of their newly renovated ship Norwegian Joy, as she relocates from homeporting in Shanghai to Alaskan waters. The vessel underwent a US$50 million renovation to make the transition, taking Joy from a ship specifically built for the Chinese market and making her almost identical to her sister-ship Norwegian Bliss. As part of the revamp, all the carpet was replaced, along with the addition of 13 new bar and dining locations, replacing some of the casino and shopping spaces onboard. On the top deck of the ship, the race-track was widened in spots to allow more opportunities for overtaking and a number of new pools and water attractions have been installed in place of the peace garden that was on the Chinese-iteration of Joy. travelBulletin was lucky enough to experience the ship on her inaugural US sailing, along with Australian trade partners, agents and media from across the globe. Joy now has a total of 18 dining options and 19 bars and lounges. The Garden Café is the only buffet and offers a huge range of different cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including an omelette station in the mornings and a pasta station at lunch. At restaurants Taste and Savour, cruisers are treated to am excellent dining experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner, especially impressive since they are complimentary. The menu is a la carte and served with fine linen and a great range of menu options. A similar experience is in store at Manhattan, which is only open for dinner. If the included dining options weren’t enough, foodies will be in heaven at the huge range of specialty restaurants that are available. Seafood, Italian, French, Texan barbeque and teppanyaki and more are available to eat at for an extra charge. Our favourites were definitely Ocean Blue, the seafood-focused restaurants, and Q Texas Smokehouse
26
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
“
Families will also love the range of activities to keep kids of all ages happy, from the racetrack, lasertag and the Galaxy Pavilion featuring virtual reality gaming
”
which not only offers finger-licking (literally) mains like ribs and brisket but also includes live country music which will have you tapping your toes. Speaking of entertainment, Joy is the first ship to show the musical Footloose at sea. The performance is a lot of fun, with excellent choreography and that familiar soundtrack. Joy also features Elements, which combines acrobatics and dance to keep you entertained. Families will also love the range of activities to keep kids of all ages happy, from the race-track, laser-tag and the Galaxy Pavilion featuring virtual reality gaming. The race-track and laser tag are included for those guests staying in the Haven, but cost additional for other guests. The Haven is another feature which makes Joy perfect for families, particularly those travelling with many generations. Almost a ship within a ship, guests of the Haven could spend their whole cruise not venturing out to the rest of the ship, with its own pool, lounge and restaurant. Although Joy can accommodate up to 3,804 guests, with the huge
range of public spaces, it never feels overcrowded. And for Aussies, it can be a great way to experience Alaska. The destination is one that Nicole Costantin, Vice President Sales, Australia and New Zealand, NCL believes will appeal to Australians, with its soft adventure experiences perfect for families. For NCL, transforming Joy and having her join Bliss in Alaska is just the next piece of the puzzle. Joy is one of the youngest ships to undergo a renovation of this magnitude, but the decision was prompted by the incredible success that her sister-ship Bliss has had. “Bliss was so successful in her launch that there wasn’t any space,” said Steve Odell, Senior Vice President and Managing Director Asia Pacific of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH). “Now having two ships here and getting into a third season there’s a lot of opportunity.” With Joy joining Bliss, the line has effectively doubled its beds in the region, giving Aussies plenty of opportunities to experience the destination.
The exlusive Haven pool
Galaxy Pavilion
Q Texas Smokehouse
AG E
NT I
NC EN WIN AN TIV EDUCATIONAL TO ARGENTINA
& BRAZIL VALUED AT $20,000 EIGHT PLACES TO BE WON!
Book your clients on an A&K journey before 15 June 2019 (for travel in 2019) and you could be winging your way to Latin America with Air New Zealand for a fabulous all-luxury 11 Day Abercrombie & Kent educational, travelling from Buenos Aires, through the Ibera Wetlands and Iguazu Falls to Rio de Janeiro this August/September. For the full prize itinerary and competition details, visit www.abercrombiekent.com.au/agenteducational
www.abercrombiekent.com.au
E
Cruise
Infrastructure bites cruise growth Growth in the Australian cruising sector ground to a screeching halt in 2018, with passenger numbers overall up less than 1% to 1.345 million, according to the Cruise Lines International Association 2018 Australian Ocean Source Market Report which was released last month. While still a record in terms of overall numbers, the figure indicated the impact of cruise infrastructure constraints, particularly in Sydney, which have clearly had a key influence on deployment decisions by the major cruise lines. The long haul fly-cruise market out of Australia showed growth of 3.4% to 315,000 passengers, but that wasn’t nearly enough to offset flat capacity growth for domestic cruising, which only expanded by 0.1% for the year, making the net growth figure just 0.9% – following a decade of strong year-on-year industry expansion. And the bad news isn’t over for domestic cruising, with CLIA
“
While still a record in terms of overall numbers, the figure indicated the impact of cruise infrastructure constraints, particularly in Sydney, which have clearly had a key influence on deployment decisions by the major cruise lines
”
Chairman and head of Carnival Australasia, Sture Myrmell, predicting that the 2019 figures will potentially indicate negative growth, before recovering in 2020 once the new Brisbane Cruise Terminal comes online. Speaking at the release of the report, Myrmell noted other cruise related projects announced in Cairns, Eden and Broome which he said would help “reignite growth in the homeport market”. CLIA also highlighted the world-leading market penetration rate of cruising, with 5.8% of the population taking an ocean cruise in 2018 – or the equivalent of almost one in every 17 Australians. By comparison, the cruise penetration rate is 4.0% in the USA, 3.0% in the UK and 2.8% in Germany. But Australia’s growth rate was significantly lower than the global average of 6.7%, with 2018 seeing 28.5 million cruisers worldwide. Australasia was the fourth largest source market in
the world last year, with 5.1% of passengers coming from the region which “punches well above its weight” given its relatively small population. The most popular long-haul cruise destination for Australians in 2018 was the Mediterranean, where 74,000 Aussies experienced a voyage. That was just ahead of the next most popular region of Asia, with 72,000 Australian passengers. About 37,000 Aussies cruised in Alaska – a figure expected to expand in 2019 as cruise lines bolster their capacity in the region, while 35,000 Aussies cruised in the Baltics and Northern Europe. Rounding out the global footprint, 28,000 Australians experienced a Caribbean voyage last year, just ahead of the 25,000 who cruised in Hawaii/ North America. A total of 22,000 Australians undertook a world cruise, transatlantic voyage or an expedition cruise. CLIA also highlighted the
Where in the world are Aussies cruising? WORLD, TRANSATLANTIC, EXPEDITION 22k pax
BALTICS, NORTHERN EUROPE 35k pax
ALASKA
ASIA THE MEDITERRANEAN
37k pax
72k pax
HAWAII, NORTH AMERICA
74k pax
25k pax THE CARIBBEAN SOUTH PACIFIC AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST, OTHER 14k pax
PANAMA, CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
AUSTRALIA 467k pax
28
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
28k pax
434k pax
NEW ZEALAND 129k pax
8k pax
Cruise Length On average, Australians cruised for 8.8 days (down from 9.1 days in 2017). Cruises of 8-13 days remained the most popular, accounting for 39 per cent of the market, though shorter cruises of up to seven days grew the strongest, up 10
% by Duration
2018
11%
17%
2017
12%
15%
1-3 Days
20%
39%
18%
4-6 Days
6%
42%
7 Days
8-13 Days
6%
14 Days
15-20 Days
4% 5%
3%
3%
21+ Days
Caribbean and Australia appealed to younger cruisers, while middle-aged cruisers were more likely to be attracted to New Zealand, Asia and the Mediterranean.
Cruise length according to age and destination
The average age increased to the 60s for passengers on longer cruises to Northern Europe, Alaska and Expedition Destinations as well as on Transatlantic and world cruises.
20.0
Africa/Middle East/Other
Average length of cruise (days)
18.0
AUTHENTIC LUXURY TRAVEL
China Transatlantic/World Cruise South America
16.0 14.0
Central Med Western Med
New Zealand
10.0 8.0
Expedition Destinations
Asia
12.0
Baltics Northern Europe
Eastern Med
Canada/New England
Pacific Hawaii Caribbean
6.0
Alaska
NA West Coast
4.0
LET US TAKE YOU CLOSER TO THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF OUR WORLD
Australia
42
44
46
48
50
52
54
56
58
60
62
64
66
68
70
Average age of cruiser (years)
Note: This report is based on 2018 calendar year passenger statistics provided by CLIA’s ocean Cruise Line members, representing over 95 per cent of the global cruise industry capacity, plus additional data collected from non-CLIA Cruise Lines. The research is based on a methodology that is used in similar studies around the world. The consistency of approach facilitates comparisons with other major cruise markets. Data points below 2000 are not shown.
expanding cruise market across Australia. 40% of the market. NSW remained the largest source of cruise Despite the relative softness 2018, voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. CLIA supports policies and practices that fosterof a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment and is dedicated to promoting theAustralasia cruise travel experience. passengers, accounting for Managing CLIA Economic, environmental and cultural sustainability is of the utmost importance to the cruise industry. We support local notof justall by cruisers, bringing guests and crew to their shores but by using local services and goods our ships. justeconomies over half Director, Joel on Katz was We sustain +1.1M jobs and US$134B in economic impact worldwide. Every day, the global cruise industry is hard at work but protecting its share upbeat aboutstewardship, the future. the declined environment and strengthening local destinations through bold leadership, innovative and strongas strategic For more information about CLIA and the Cruise Industry “Cruising visit www.cruising.org.au slightly otherpartnerships. states and continues to Cruising continues territories contributed more exceptionally popular to be exceptionally be to the total. Queensland among Australian travellers popular among grew to 22% of ocean after many years of growth cruise passengers, followed and world-leading market Australian by Victoria with 13%, 5% penetration. A lack of travellers after for Western Australia, berthing capacity in Sydney many years of 4% for South Australia, has hampered cruise lines’ while Tasmania, the ACT growth and world- efforts to expand their and Northern Territory operations in local waters, leading market comprised about 3% of but the increasing number penetration... passenger numbers. The of Australians flying to average age of Australian ports overseas shows the the increasing cruisers was 49 last year, market is still strong and number of but there was a strong holds great potential for the correlation between age future,” he said. Australians flying and length of cruise, with Katz noted that to ports overseas passengers on longer cruise lines had already shows the market announced significant new cruises to Northern Europe, Alaska and expedition vessel deployments in this is still strong destinations more likely to region from the 2020-21 and holds great be in their 60s. season, with smaller, older potential for the The report analysed ships to be replaced with average cruise length, newer, larger options. He future which reduced slightly highlighted the “urgent from 9.1 days last year infrastructure priority” of to 8.8 days in 2017. That Sydney capacity for the Joel Katz, most likely reflected an cruise sector in Australasia, Managing Director, CLIA Australasia increasing number of short adding that the industry break itineraries in local looked forward to further waters. Cruises of 8-13 days remained announcements on the NSW Government’s the most popular, accounting for almost Cruise Development Plan.
“
”
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
29
SAILING CLOSE TO HOME Aboard the iconic Silver Muse, guests will be able to complete an incredible circumnavigation of Australia over 50 days when combining three voyages from Sydney to Sydney. They will discover the delights of Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia whilst visiting 30 different ports of call in the process. Pink Beach, Komodo Komodo Ende, Flores
Lembar
Dili
Bali Kupang
Thursday Island
Darwin
Cairns Airlie Beach
Broome
Fremantle
Geraldton
Mooloolaba Brisbane Melbourne Nelson
Adelaide
Busselton Albany
Kangaroo Island
Sydney Wellington
Burnie Cruising Milford Sound Doubtful Sound
Akaroa
Port Chalmers
Stewart Island
50-DAY CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF AUSTRALIA SILVER MUSE | SYDNEY ROUNDTRIP | 31 OCT 2020 ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISE FARES FROM AU$27,890PP*
INCLUDED IN YOUR CIRCUMNAVIGATION FARE • • • • • •
US$1,000 shipboard credit per guest 2 Exclusive Shore-side events 1 night pre cruise hotel in Sydney Luggage and laundry service Unlimited WiFi Business Class air from AU$1,000PP
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK CONTACT YOUR BDM OR SILVERSEA ON +61 2 9255 0600 | SILVERSEA.COM * Visa service for Australian guests only. All information herein correct at time of print, subject to change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Silversea reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions. Visit silversea.com for full offer details and complete Terms and Conditions.
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
29
Cruise Hurtigruten Aussie office Norwegian-based cruise line Hurtigruten flagged plans to open a dedicated Australian office to help capitalise on local growth opportunities identified in the local market. The expansion plan will see a sales, marketing and operations team recruited, as well as the establishment of a dedicated local website. The cruise line, renowned for its commitment to sustainability, has sourced an estimated 60,000 guest nights from the Australian market in 2019, many of which were secured via travel agents. “The exclusively operational Hurtigruten Australia/NZ team will be passionate like-minded experts and leaders,” said the company’s Managing Director APAC Region Damian Perry. No details have yet been released on the timing and location of the new office.
Cruise lines to blame? The majority of passengers injured on a cruise ship blame the cruise line for the accident, according to a study by US law firm Farah and Farah. A survey of 1,100 cruise travellers found 54% of respondents who said they had been involved in a cruise ship mishap believed cruise ship operators deserved a portion of the responsibility. The same study also found that 66% of men and 32% of women involved in accidents admitted that drinking was a factor in the cause of the incidents. Areas most likely to be setting for cruise ship misadventure was the outdoor swimming pool area, accounting for 30.9% of accidents, followed by the cabin/hallway (29.9%), bars and clubs (28.9%) and gymnasiums (23.7%).
Aqua doubles down Boutique cruise line Aqua Expeditions has announced the addition of two ships to its fleet, including its first ever coastal vessel. The fully refurbished Aqua Blu will be permanently based in the East Indonesian Archipelago servicing year-round departures commencing 16 November, servicing Raja Ampat, Bali-Komodo National Park and the Ambon & Spice Islands on seven-night voyages. Meanwhile new-build river cruise ship Aqua Nera will enter service for Aqua on 1 August 2020 and specialise in sailings of the Peruvian Amazon.
30
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
CLIA view Joel Katz, Managing Director CLIA Australasia
Aus is missing out on cruise growth With elections behind us and governments returned in both Canberra and New South Wales, it’s now time to put the focus back on the big issues facing Australia’s cruise industry and the work that must be done to return us to strong growth. As CLIA has been warning for some time, a shortage of berthing space in Sydney is hampering our sector’s development and preventing Australia from reaping the full benefits of a thriving world cruise industry. Nowhere is this shown more starkly than in the figures CLIA released last month in our Australian Source Market Report for 2018, which revealed Australian passenger growth of just 0.9% last year. After decades of double-digit increases, the long run of expansion we’ve become accustomed to appears to have hit a ceiling. In all, a total of 1.35 million Australians took a cruise last year, or 5.8% of the population. It’s still the best result we’ve ever achieved and gives us one of the highest market penetration rates in the world, but it’s only a touch above the total shown in 2017. Given the total number of cruise passengers worldwide increased by 6.7% to 28.5 million last year, we’re well behind the growth seen in other countries. Most tellingly, the number of Australians cruising in local waters (Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific) grew by just 0.1% over 2017, and this is where the impact of the berthing
issue is most obvious. With Sydney’s International Cruise Terminal almost fully booked over the peak summer season and the White Bay Cruise Terminal restricted to ships that can fit beneath the Harbour Bridge, cruise lines have very little ability to deploy more capacity for local cruising. Fortunately, Australia’s appetite for cruising remains strong. A healthy 3.4% growth in the number of Australians taking fly-cruise options in destinations outside our local region tells us that demand is still there. That’s one of the reasons we’re confident cruising will continue to grow in the Australian market, even if numbers remain subdued for the year ahead. New developments like the opening of a new International Cruise Terminal in Brisbane next year and significant new vessel deployments in this region from the 2020-21 season will help deliver new capacity and fuel further growth. But the key issue of berthing infrastructure in Sydney remains a problem. The cruise industry has welcomed the NSW Government’s Cruise Development Plan and is looking forward to seeing details of its business case for a third Sydney terminal. With elections dealt with, what we need to see now is a commitment from all levels of government to progress this plan as swiftly as possible and develop policy settings that help Australia reap the benefits of cruising, not just in Sydney but all over the country.
Headlines April & May 2019 17 Apr Cruise overtourism fear unjust 24 Apr Newcastle funds withdrawn 26 Apr CLIA applauds Auckland decision 29 Apr Trade key for NCL in Australia 01 May Cruise needs to do more: Skjeldam 03 May Aus cruise numbers flatline 03 May Scenic Eclipse relocates
06 May NZ sets new growth record 06 May CruisePro launches in NZ 08 May Aus to welcome MedallionClass 10 May Aqua Exp adds two vessels 10 May Coral marks global push 13 May Seabourn unveils expedition suites 15 May Avalon: “time to take our share”
201 Europe's Leading Cruise Line
201 Europe's Leading Cruise Line
Sustainability summit
32
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
30 April 2019
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
33
Thailand
A foodie’s guide to Thailand
From humble food carts to Michelinstar restaurants, there’s no better way to experience the Land of Smiles than through its diverse culinary scene, writes Dilvin Yasa.
t’s a rare person who hasn’t quivered at the sight of a steaming bowl of phad kee mao being placed before them and a rarer person still who doesn’t go weak at the knees of a week-long eating adventure in Thailand – a 513,120km2 wonderland of decadent royal palaces, tropical beaches, ancient ruins and yes, some of the best cuisine going on Planet Earth. Travelling to the Kingdom just to gorge your way around it? Not only is it a thing, it’s an artform you should take seriously.
Thai food: a brief history It’s easy enough to claim sorcery as the main influence of Thai cuisine (how else can you explain your dependence on Friday nights at your local?), but it actually has its roots in China, many mainstay dishes such as khao kha moo (stewed pork with rice) and kuai-tiao rat na (noodles topped with thick sauce) first brought across by first the Hokkien people in the 15th century and then the Teochew people in the 18th century.
©Baannai Hotel
34
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
Thailand Don’t make the mistake of thinking the food will be similar across the nation either; the cuisine is influenced heavily by neighbouring countries so that typical dishes in mountainous northern Thailand go heavy on aromatic spices and share dishes with Laos, Cambodia and Burma. Southern Thailand (bordering Malaysia, yet also influenced by Indonesia) is the place to go for eye-watering spice as well as curries which use liberal amounts of coconut milk, and eastern Thailand is influenced by its Vietnamese neighbours. The average diner will be most familiar with dishes hailing from central Thailand – just think plenty of coconut milk and rice as far as the eye can see. You didn’t come all this way to eat Pad Thai, did you? A gastronomical journey from humble street stands to Michelin-star restaurants awaits for those ready to take the plunge.
“
A gastronomical journey from humble street stands to Michelin-star restaurants awaits for those ready to take the plunge
”
Street life
With the cost of making fresh food far higher than anything you’re likely to find street-side, locals are far more likely to purchase their meals from a humble cart, a stall in the market or an old-school shophouse, and even the dingiest of alley ways and backstreets buzz 24/7 with sizzling street food options. Street food culture has its heart in Bangkok of course, and a great place to start is in Banglamphu in the city’s old town, or Yaowarat (Chinatown), a district considered to be the birthplace of the popular style of eating and home to firm favourites Lek & Rut and T&K restaurants where barbequed seafood is king. Pad Thai Thip Samai is said to have the best pad Thai in Bangkok, while Elvis Suki is always busy. Khao Man Gai (chicken rice), Tom Yum Goong (spicy seafood soup) and for those who are feeling brave, Gaeng Tai Pla (essentially, a fiery curry comprised of fermented fish entrails, fish, eggplant and bamboo shoot) are all great options to try, but remember to only ever order food from
stalls with a long queue of locals waiting for a bite, order food at the busiest time of day when food isn’t likely to sit out in the heat, and watch that the vendor is handling and serving food in a sanitary way.
Everyday cuisine Let’s face it, you would have to be seriously unlucky to get bad Thai food at this price point (unless you’re ordering from a touristheavy restaurant with a menu written in English, that is). To save yourself any potential heartache, it’s a good idea to consult the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list which is essentially a list of places serving exceptional food for next to nix (58 eateries in Bangkok made it onto the list this year) and get thee to a tuk tuk. On the list? Baannai Hotel which serves old family favourites in a stunning Thai wooden house with decorated garden, and Phuket’s Mor Mu Dong, a rustic joint pleasing the masses with local seafood options. Just remember flavour profiles are a matter of preference so be sure to say ‘Mai pet’ if you’d like them to the be less generous with their use of chilli (no promises, of course).
Bangkok’s Yaowarat (Chinatown)
Star-struck You’ve eaten like a pig in a trough in the street of Bangkok and dined at the beachside cafes of Phuket, so now what? If you’ve got a few extra coins left in your pocket, you can head to one of 27 restaurants awarded a Michelin star in its 2019 guide (26 in Bangkok and one in Phuket) – 10 more restaurants with stars than the previous year. Two-starred Suhring, continues to make some of the biggest noise with its German tasting menu, as does Gaggan with its focus on global fusion (an establishment also awarded two stars), but those looking for classic Thai fare with a fine dining twist need look no further than Bo.lan or Siam Wisdom, both Bangkok restaurants having received one Michelin star respectively for their creative takes on classic Thai cuisine. Heading to sunny Phuket? You’ll need a seat at Trisara Resort’s farm-to-table restaurant, Pru. The great thing about Michelin star restaurants in Thailand of course is that they’re still ridiculously affordable – you can even get Michelin-starred street food from Raan Jay Fai, the street food crab omelette specialist – leaving you plenty of dough to shop, stay in five-star accommodation and live it up like a one-percenter. The land of smiles indeed.
Look for street vendors with big queues
Siam Wisdom
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
35
Thailand
Oodles of noodles They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and with a culinary reputation as one of the best in the world, Australians can whet their appetites for a taste of Thailand at the Night Noodle Markets Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne over the coming months. Tourism Authority of Thailand is one of the sponsors of the bustling Asian street food festival and will have a Thai corner at each of the events with fun activities for visitors to interact with. The Night Noodle Markets will be in Brisbane’s South Bank from 24 July to 2 August, Sydney’s Hyde Park from 4 October to 21 October and Melbourne’s Birrarung Marr from 7 November to 24 November.
Thai-riffic Thai Airways Thailand is one of Australia’s favourite destinations with more than 800,000 Aussies flying into the country every year. The nation’s national carrier, Thai Airways International has long been a dominant player on routes out of Australia and having recently picked up three TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, its popularity is no surprise. Thai Airways offers flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth to Thailand’s capital Bangkok. The airline was named among Asia’s top nine carriers, by the travel review site. For the third successive year the group’s regional subsidiary, Thai Smile
Taste of Thailand Thailand’s rich culinary history is one of the key attractions for visitors, and gastronomic tourism is growing rapidly in the country. Stemming from the ancient traditions of Siam, Thai cuisine has evolved into one of the world’s most popular, evolving along with the country. With a growing gastronomic tourism industry, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a new Hello Taste Thailand guidebook to whet the appetite of visitors planning their next trip. The guide, which has been developed with seasoned gastronomic tour companies provides 10 new epicurean adventures for tourists to enjoy while immersing themselves in Thai culture. The tours take guests to meet food producers, eating festivals, restaurants and special places that have strong links to special foods combined with tastings and opportunities to watch chefs prepare Thailand’s signature dishes. The guide outlines a series of programs that will leave guests hungry for more, including the one-day ‘Taste the More Natural Side of Chiang Mai’ tasting tour that lets visitors experience a more authentic side of the ancient capital’s rich culinary history, or the two-day ‘Phuket’s Perfect Combination’, which gives tourists a chance to prepare, cook and learn about new Thai dishes and drinks, and eat plenty. The Hello Taste of Thailand guidebook can be downloaded at amazingthailand.com.au/brochures.
36
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
Chiang Mai
Airways was named as Thailand’s number one airline, with the low-cost fully-serviced carrier also landing on TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice list of premier regional airlines in Asia. Aussies’ infatuation with Thailand has also attracted the attention of budget carrier, AirAsia, who will commence a Brisbane to Bangkok service using its Thai AirAsia X brand, from 25 June, with four weekly flights. The Centre for Aviation has reported that AirAsia is also open to the possibility of launching more services to cater for Australians’ enthusiasm for the Land of Smiles.
Thailand
Q&A
Aussies seem to continue to love the Land of Smiles so we sat down with Thailand expert agent, Carly Smith from Helloworld Travel Toowoomba City what her top tips and advice for selling Thailand is.
Is there much interest among Australians for travel to Thailand? There is still a fair bit of interest among Australians for Thailand from those who have been to Bali and the South Pacific. Part of the reason is that it’s an incredibly affordable destination.
Markets, Grand Palace and Ayutthaya, then spending 8-10 nights in Phuket and doing the Island Hopping to Phi Phi Island, James Bond Island, Krabi etc, the Simon Cabaret Show, Fantasea Show, and spending money at the Patong A Top markets.
Which destinations in Thailand are most popular? Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui are always the most popular, however those returning to Thailand tend to look at places like Khao Lak, Krabi, Pattaya and right up north in Chiang Mai for the Hill Tribe Villages.
What sort of travellers are visiting Thailand? Honeymooners, families, young couples and even the retired. Thailand is great because it can suit any type of traveller looking for any kind of holiday, from a flopand-drop to more adventurous experiences.
What are the must-see highlights for first time travellers? Spending 3 or 4 nights in Bangkok to do the Bridge over River Kwai, Floating
Is there any particular time of year that is best to travel to Thailand? The best time to travel to Thailand would be from November through to April, however April can be extremely hot.
What do you love about Thailand? The food! Authentic Thai food is so delicious and there is such a variety of different flavours, depending on where in the country you are visiting. And the people of course, they are always so friendly and make a trip to Thailand so memorable. What are your top three tips for selling Thailand? 1. Be on the look-out for stay/pay deals as they are always good value. 2. Grab a bargain for your client by keeping an eye out for exclusive deals with 5-star properties selling at 4-star rates. 3. Find the best inclusions with dinner, massages and resort credits.
Thailand
Thailand’s MichelinQuality restaurants Mezzaluna Bangkok Bangkok’s Mezzaluna takes top class dining to a whole new level, the 65th at Tower Club, lebua, to be precise. The two Michelin Star restaurant offers guests breathtaking 180-degree views over the city combined with innovative fine Europeanstyle culinary experiences. Chef Ryuki Kawasaki uses seasonal ingredients from international growers and local artisanal producers to produce tasting menus are reinvented on a daily basis and paired with wines to deliver an unforgettable experience.
PRU Phuket PRU was Phuket’s first restaurant to earn a Michelin star in 2019, and has become a mustvisit stopover for foodies visiting the island. Inspired by Phuket’s culinary past, PRU is driven to elevate farm to table cooking to a whole new level, formulating menus using produce from its own farm combined with other fresh ingredients from local sources. In head chef Jim Ophorst, PRU has one of the most highly rated young chefs in the world, and he has been a driving force in revolutionising the island’s food scene.
David’s Kitchen Chiang Mai Davids’s Kitchen at 909 in Thailand’s ancient capital, Chiang Mai, prides itself on serving up some of the best food and hospitality diners will find anywhere in country. Partners in the culinary powerhouse that is David’s Kitchen, David Gordon, Khun Prom and Chef O aim to deliver classic French cuisine “with an Asian accent”. With Chiang Mai being included in the 2020 Michelin Guide for Thailand, David’s Kitchen will most likely earn itself a star for the high quality of its dishes and services.
38
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
USA
Stars + str ipes mem orable moments Jenny Piper reveals some of the most memorable experiences she’s had in the land of stars and stripes. I love the USA, it is my favourite place to visit. I have been lucky enough to travel there regularly through work and leisure. I love the diversity of the country – its people, the landscape and the culture. Every city is different and there are some absolutely spectacular natural wonders to see – which most Aussies probably don’t get to. In this job we are privileged to be shown some amazing places and experiences, so I’m indulging myself and sharing my top six memorable USA experiences!
40
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
Yellowstone National Park A visit to Yellowstone in winter is quite a treat. Most of the roads in the park are closed and access to Old Faithful Geyser is by over snow transport only. We did a twoday snowmobile tour – overnighting at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, seeing the geyser and getting to visit some of the thermal areas, spotting wildlife and seeing the snow-covered meadows, frozen lakes and waterfalls. The highlight was coming across a herd of bison on our return leg. We had the amazing experience of being only metres away from them as we shared the road.
USA
Portland, Oregon
Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine Bar Harbor is often visited as a port of call on a Canada & New England cruise, but it’s worth staying a bit longer. Take a boat tour on Lulu’s Lobster Boat to see how they catch lobsters then tuck into some for dinner at one of the many great restaurants in town. A highlight of Bar Harbor is the nearby Acadia National Park taking up 19,000 hectares along the Atlantic Coast. It has a vast network of old carriage ways which have been maintained so visitors can cycle or walk to experience the beautiful woodlands, lakes and rocky beaches. There is also an abundance of walking trails.
For those who love food Portland is one of the most interesting places in the country to eat. The culinary scene offers something for all tastes and budgets. Known for its, food trucks, it’s also home to VooDoo donuts – a must try. We took a walk along Division Street, the hottest neighbourhood in Portland, with ForkTown Food tours, trying dishes from around the world and stopping by an urban winery to try some local blends including of course, Oregon Pinot Noir. For coffee lovers Portland is way ahead in the coffee snob stakes with micro roasters and famous baristas abounding throughout the city. Highly recommended is a stroll around town with ‘Third Wave Coffee tours’ trying different brews and styles and learning all about the third wave of coffee. Portland is also famous for its beer having more craft breweries than any other US city as well as a vibrant art scene with loads of galleries to peruse.
New York For the brave, get a tattoo at the parlour where the celebrities do! Bang Bang NYC has inked the likes of Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus just to name a few. Appointments do need to be made months in advance, but it is quite the experience, not to mention the ultimate souvenir!
of fun, exhilarating and definitely gets the adrenaline pumping. Not like any other jet boat ride!
Sedona, Arizona This desert town is a couple of hours from Phoenix and is known for its spectacular red rocks and forest land – an amazing place to stay. Visited for its new age spiritual scene, arts culture and outdoor activities there is so much you can do. Hiking, mountain biking or exploring off the beaten track on an ATV are just a few of the activities on offer. For something a bit different try a visit to ‘Bearizona’ a few hours north near Williams. Visitors drive through about 4km of pine forest enclosures viewing various North American animals in their natural habitat – including wolves, bison and of course bears! There is also a walk-through zoo with many other animals to see such as otters and badgers. Well worth the drive!
Niagara Falls, NY Everyone who visits Niagara Falls invariably ends up doing Maid of the Mist and other must-do falls experiences. But for those who like a thrill and don’t mind getting wet then a Whirlpool Jet Boat tour is a memorable adventure. Located 10 minutes from the falls in historic Lewiston, the 45-minute ride on the powerful jet boat takes you up the lower Niagara River (downstream from the falls) through the Niagara Gorge to the Niagara Whirlpool, and on to the ‘Devils Hole’ class 5 rapids, with 4-6m waves. You are guaranteed to get wet no matter how hard you try not to – a poncho just doesn’t cut it. But it’s loads
I could go on because I have been thoroughly spoilt – ATV tour in Alaska, skiing in Northstar, Lake Tahoe, Nantucket Island, cycling across the Golden Gate bridge and of course Disneyland! I have seen a lot of the US but I still feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface of this diverse country.
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
41
USA
Walk down the roads less trodden
French quarter New Orleans
Small group travel operator Back-Roads Touring has unveiled a new range of adventures in North America, offering seven brand new itineraries across California, New England, the Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and Deep South regions in 2020. The expansion into North America arrives off the back of a successful entry into Asia in 2018, and the company is focused on placing an emphasis on travelling to less well-known American destinations as well as offering many culinary treats for food and wine lovers along the way. “We know travellers have an interest in exploring the US in a small group setting, so we’re excited to offer the opportunity to do so with a company they know and trust,” said Back-Roads Touring General Manager-Global Sales, David Gendle. “Each experience has been carefully curated based on customer and agent feedback, our most popular experiences on other Back-Roads tours and the desire to explore North America at a deeper level, showcasing quintessential North American cuisines, cultures and architectural wonders,” he added. “Our tours provide the perfect combination of expert commentary from our guides, unique experiences and sites, and opportunities to explore the destination at leisure, offering both our loyal and new customers the experience of a lifetime that they’re sure to love.” Highlights of the new program of five- to 11-day itineraries include taking a breathtaking train ride on the historic Mt Washington Cog Railway, enjoying a tasty food tour of New Orleans’ iconic French Quarter, and getting a dose of military history by walking in the footsteps of the soldiers who served in the American Civil War at the Gettysburg Battlefield. For further details on each of the Back-Road tours available, visit backroadstouring.com/tours/north-america.
42
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
America’s hidden treasures
For those wanting to tick off a collection of US bucket list destinations all in one adventure, Cosmos Tours’ 10-day America’s Greatest Treasures itinerary will scratch many of those long-suffering itches. The tour travels through the western states of Wyoming, Utah, South Dakota and Colorado, visiting some of America’s must-see tourist attractions in the region like the iconic Mount Rushmore, the volcanic Yellowstone National Park, and the awe-inspiring Grand Teton National Park. Travellers are able to follow in the footsteps of famous characters from American folklore in the region, such as Native American legend Chief Crazy Horse and the gunslinging antics of Wild Bill Hickok. Fans of the cult HBO hit TV drama Deadwood will also have the opportunity to revel in the once lawless gold camp, with a scheduled city tour delivering visitors many of the amazing stories. The package is priced from $2,099 per person twin share and includes accommodation, hotel taxes, and private coach.
Sell your way to USA
Why read about the United States when you can travel there in person instead? A collaboration between American Airlines and five USA destination partners is currently giving agents the chance to do just that by participating in the Sell your Way to the USA campaign. There are 15 spots up for grabs across five famils, with points allocated for all return flights ticketed to North America with American Airlines, as well as any land content to Oregon, Nevada, New England, Anchorage or Washington DC. But hurry because the incentive ends 14 June, with agents able retroactively track their sales back to the start date of the campaign. To register, email lara@canuckiwi.com.
USA
Take a bigger bite of The Big Apple NYC & Company has declared 2019 “A Monumental Year”, laying down a global mission to put the spotlight on New York City as a must-see destination in 2019/20. The global push coincides with a raft of new tourism developments in the city across a broad range of entertainment sectors. “There are several large-scale developments and openings set to debut along with new hotels, attractions, dining, retail, culture as well as NYC hosting World Pride in June 2019, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Stonewall – the beginning of the modern day gay rights movement,” said Managing Director, Tourism Development, Established Markets for NYC & Company, Reginald Charlot. “We know it’s a lot to keep up with the ever-changing NYC landscape – each year there are so many hotel openings, new attractions and products or exhibitions to see,” he added. The sales and marketing push included a recent delegation to Australia which saw representatives from Bike Rent NYC, Empire State Building, Hilton New York Midtown and Hudson Yards and The Ride visit down under to promote NYC to Aussie agents. The mission last month saw the group visit Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, running training sessions, educationals and events for agents over a week-long period. In 2018, New York City welcomed 720,000 Australians, a great bulk of which were repeat visitors, contributing to a total global visitation record for the city of 65.2 million travellers.
North America UNVEILED
ONTARIO Niagara Falls
See the best of North America with simplicity & ease
2
NEW YORK Corning
on a Cosmos tour! We take care of all the essentials (comfy accommodation, transportation, friendly guides & must-see sightseeing) so our guest can get
2 New York City
PENNSYLVANIA
NEW JERSEY 1 Philadelphia
out there and focus on living life to the full.
Atlantic Ocean
Whether they dream of seeing the bright lights of
2 Washington DC Area
New York City, feeling the pulsating rhythm of the deep South or exploring the depths of the colossal Grand Canyon, Cosmos can take them there! Our passion is to help shape memories our guest can relive time and time again!
MARYLAND
NEW YORK, NIAGARA FALLS & WASHINGTON DC
8 days | New York City to Washington DC
From $2,149*
per person twin share, departing 13/03/20
2020 North America
Out Now! For bookings call 1300 130 134 or visit CosmosTours.com.au
ALASKA Skagway SOUTH DAKOTA
Glacier Bay
MINNESOTA ONTARIO
WISCONSIN West Yellowstone 2 Yellowstone N.P. Mount Rushmore Mitchell 1 2 Minneapolis 1 Cody Mall of Pierre 1 Keystone Jackson 1 America WYOMING 1 Salt Lake City NEVADA
Badlands N.P.
Madison Corn Palace
Pacific Ocean
NEW YORK 1 Niagara Falls
BRITISH COLUMBIA
7
Ketchikan
ALBERTA
Philadelphia
Washington DC Area 2 ILLINOIS
Bryce Canyon N.P.
Atlantic Ocean
1 PENNSYLVANIA 2 New York City Dearborn
2 Chicago
UTAH CALIFORNIA
MICHIGAN
Save $300
Juneau
Mount Robson
Inside Passage
MARYLAND
Las 1 Cedar City Vegas Zion N.P. 2 1 Grand Canyon N.P.
1 Jasper National Park Columbia Icefield
Lillooet
Sun 1 Lake Louise 1 Whistler 1 Peaks 2 Banff National Park Kamloops Yoho National Park Victoria 2 1 2 Glacier Vancouver
2 Los Angeles ARIZONA
National Park
TRANS-AMERICAN ADVENTURE
CANADIAN & ALASKAN MASTERPIECE
From $5,599
Now from $5,672*
24 days | New York City to Los Angeles
19 days | Vancouver return
*
per person twin share, departing 08/05/20
Comfy hotels
*Terms & conditions apply.
per person twin share, departing 25/04/20
|
Coach with Wi-Fi
|
Knowledgeable guides
|
Must-see sights
per couple
USA
Enjoy some true southern hospitality
Nashville
Aficionados of jazz and peach iced tea will jump at the chance to explore America’s south through states such as Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana via Adventure World’s Handpicked Southern USA tour. The region is renowned for its interesting history, charming architecture and the friendly people responsible for birthing the idiom, “southern hospitality”. The 10-night self-drive adventure will see travellers heading through the cultural meccas of Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans,
tapping across the spiritual home of Blues, as well as the picturesque coastal cities of Country and Gospel music in Nashville, with Charleston and Savannah. scheduled visits The Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul It kicks off in Atlanta where major tourist Museum, and naturally, the home of the late drawcards include visiting the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the Coca Cola Museum Elvis Presley, Graceland. and the College Football Hall of Fame. The adventure culminates in the cultural The journey then continues to historic hub of New Orleans where visitors will enjoy Savannah, home to many historical buildings. a walking excursion of the French Quarter, Further highlights include stops at Asheville America’s oldest neighbourhood. where sights include the Blue Ridge Parkway Leading in at $2,439 per person, the and the Grandfather Mountain that towers trip includes 10-nights accommodation, over North Carolina. 10-days car rental, and entry to scheduled Music-lovers will find themselves toe tourist attractions.
On tour // ARIZONA Tour: Lower Antelope Canyon Operator: Ken’s Tours Duration: One hour Accessible from: Antelope Canyon is a short drive from Page, Arizona, on the border between Arizona and Utah. Details: Antelope Canyon is famously that rock feature on the old Windows’ desktop background, but the opportunity to experience this natural formation in person is one not to be missed. You can choose from a tour of lower or upper Antelope Canyon – both are spectacular, but the lower canyon requires slightly more climbing of ladders which appealed to us, as well as being cheaper to visit. You need to be part of a tour to see
46
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
either though, as they are on Navajo land. Antelope Canyon has grown in popularity recently, so make sure you book in advance to reserve your spot. You will also probably experience some crowds, but the local tour guides are very adept at pacing you nicely through the canyon. Our guide even offered to take our photo at a number of photogenic spots, and made sure that the people ahead and behind us were out of the shot. The Navajo guides also explain to you the way that the canyon was formed and the important features of sandstone walls. All in all it’s a jaw-dropping experience and one that’s worth the wait for. There are also other specialty tours run through the canyon, including a photography one that makes the most of the optimum time to visit to capitalise on light shafts filtering around the rocks.
Brochures
APT’s 2020 Europe brochure provides an insight into a rich array of land and rail adventures it has available on the continent, as well as the lowdown on the best hotels, chateaux and resorts to stay at while you are there. Itineraries span from Portugal to Russia and features interesting reading for cruise-lovers including the 15-day Magnificent Europe river cruise sailing between Amsterdam and Budapest.
Uniworld has unveiled its latest cruise itineraries for 2020 featuring sailings utilising its four new Super Ships in Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal and Italy. The latest brochure also boasts information regarding personalised excursions led by English-speaking local experts, in-suite butler service, and important information on food, drink and dining venue options. Uniworld’s boutique cruise itineraries also include activities aboard the vessel and an onboard fitness centre.
Cruiseco’s brand new The Americas Collection features a diverse range of cruise holidays such as sailings from the very tip of Chile, explorations of the Panama Canal, and cruises down the culturally rich Mississippi river. Other key takeaways from the latest brochure includes information on popular cruises around Hawaii. The company promises its list of American cruises present “the perfect cruise holiday at unbeatable value”.
Sno’n’Ski has released its Ski Northern Hemisphere brochure jam-packed with a variety of maps and pricing information for the northern hemisphere’s most popular ski resorts. The 99-page booklet includes detailed information on ski resorts in USA, Canada and Japan, as well as major ski tourist drawcards in South Korea, South America and Europe. The brochure is designed to be more user-friendly than its predecessors.
Latin America specialist Contours Travel has released its latest Latin America and Antarctica brochure featuring a new section on Antarctica to help cruise travellers choose the right voyage, vessel and season to suit their needs. The 100-page brochure also covers the emerging market of Cuba, as well as more mainstay destinations such as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. Useful information includes are detailed descriptions of each country, cultural highlights and travel tips.
The Africa Safari Co has launched its new 16-page 2019/2020 Egypt brochure which features a variety of tours ranging from 12 to 25 days in length. Itinerary highlights include the 12-day Treasures of Egypt from $5,995 per person, which features a four-night cruise on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Travellers can also get more bang for their buck with four UNESCO World Heritage sites included such as the Sound and Light Show at Luxor Temple, and entry to Tutankhamun’s Tomb.
Amtrak Vacations has released its new six-page Travel Agent Reference Guide highlighting North American rail holidays available, as well as a selection of popular city destinations such as New Orleans, Chicago and San Francisco. The guide also includes a system map detailing Amtrak’s long-distance routes and train stations across the United States and Canada, with itinerary details for those who want to tick the Grand Canyon off their bucket lists.
Evergreen has released its full range of deluxe European river cruises and tours on offer in 2020, featuring important information on cabins and itineraries available throughout the season. Highlights include an eight-day Jewels of the Rhine river cruise, and an eight-day Secrets of the Douro river sailing leading in at a reduced price of $4,195 per person. Discounted prices are available until 30 September or until sold out.
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
47
Christmas & Winter Markets Red Square market
Red Square Christmas market
Immerse yourself in an
Eastern European Christmas Anastasia Prikhodko discovers the winter wonderland that awaits travellers willing to brave the cold and experience a white Christmas in the Baltics.
W
hen it comes to choosing a winter destination for the Christmas and New Year season, thoughts of spiced mulled wine, fairy lights, and light feathered snow all come to mind. But for many there is also the feeling of wanting to experience something new, something away from the
48
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
crowds – something unique. With the backdrop of the iconic St Basil’s Basilica, surrounded by Kremlin walls, and with average temperate of -5°C, the Moscow Red Square Christmas markets are sure to deliver the Christmas spirit with a touch of difference. Each region across Moscow from 18 December until 14 January partakes in the festivities by offering 38 venues selling art, along with street shows and concerts, masterclasses on cooking and decoration, traditional food and souvenirs. “New Year traditions (trees, decorations, Grandfather Frost – Santa’s Russian relative) in Russia are what we think of Christmassy in the rest of Europe,” said Intrepid Travel
Regional Product Manager Russia Tara Kennaway. “Red Square has a New Year fair and there are markets and the most amazing Christmas decorations I’ve ever seen all around Moscow.” One of the ways to experience the festive atmosphere is with Intrepid’s Trans-Siberian adventure from Moscow to Vladivostok. The journey takes travellers through Russia’s vast landscapes, such as Lake Baikal, the wooden Romanov monasteries outside Yekaterinburg, the Old Believers village near Ulan Ude and the historical sites of Moscow. The itinerary also encompasses the Submarine C56 Museum in Vladivostok, New Year’s Eve Celebration at Lake Baikal,
Christmas & winter markets Anninkirsche market
St Petersburg Tallinn
Moscow
Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow and Kremlin & Armoury guided tour in Moscow. “Since it was launched in 2014, this trip has consistently sold out departures and we typically have three over the New Year time,” Kennaway added. While staying with a host family at Lake Baikal, travellers will get to toast the old year with a shot of vodka and the new one with a glass of champagne. Just under four hours by train from Moscow is St Petersburg, with its own set of Christmas festivities. The most central and conveniently located fair – and usually the busiest – runs from 22 December until the 14 January. The Fair on Ostrovsky Square is bustling with gifts, sweets, pastries, warm clothing, figurines made of clay and metal, and jewellery. Another market worth visiting is the Christmas Charity Market in Annenkirche Church, located inside a burnt abandoned Lutheran Church, complemented by performances of musicians singing Christmas songs. 50 Degrees North’s eight-day St Petersburg & Moscow in Style – Winter, the most popular tour to get a true sense of Russia’s most visited cities, encompasses the nation’s
Tallinn
cuisine, history and architecture. Highlights in St Petersburg include visiting the town of Pushkin to see Catherine’s Palace and park – once the official summer residence of Russian Czars, and Paul’s Palaces. The trip then continues to Moscow. Additionally, the Glorious St Petersburg Visa Free tour is another popular option as it gives explorers 72 hours of visa-free exploring in St Petersburg, in which time they can get a taste of the markets, learn about the founder of St Petersburg, Peter the Great, and see the famous summer residence of the Russian Emperors, Peterhof: Grand Summer Palace & Park. Once time is up, guests will board an overnight ferry and wake up in either Helsinki, Tallinn or Stockholm – depending on their preference. “This is a great way of seeing both Helsinki and St Petersburg in any season,” said 50 Degrees North CEO and Co-Founder Tietse Stelma. In addition to the overnight ferry and train service, travellers visiting the neighbouring Baltic state of Estonia could also catch a 50-minute flight from St Petersburg to Tallinn. During Christmas time the destination’s UNESCO Old Town is transformed into a Christmas marketplace with over 3,000
performers and where a Christmas tree, which for the first time in the world was erected here in 1441, stands tall. Tallinn is made up of endless cobbled street alleyways, distinct Gothic architecture and over 60 museums and galleries. The destination is also home to the production of marzipan, which started way back in Middle Ages. The modern era of marzipan began in 1806, when the Swiss confectioner Lorenz Caviezel set up his confectionery and after being bought and expanded, the place is now known as the Maiasmokk café. Among seafood, another local delicacy is ‘vürtsikilu’ – spicy sprats, pickled with spices including black pepper, allspice and cloves. Stelma said that more people are choosing for early December departures to take advantage of slightly lower airfares and the “magical quality of the Christmas markets in these destinations”. “A winter visit to Russia or the Baltics is a great way of escaping the crowds that flock to these destinations in the summer months,” he said. “The colder months are also a great opportunity to enjoy local traditions, such as ice-skating and hot mulled wine to stay cosy and warm.”
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
49
Christmas & Winter Markets
Festive Europe APT Tours is offering travellers a 22-day Magical Christmas Markets journey with highlights including Germany’s oldest Christmas market Striezelmarkt, Christmas markets in Berlin, and a stop in Vienna to enjoy a private cocktail reception, performance at Vienna’s City Palace and learn about local festive traditions such as the making of Krampus masks in Austria. Travellers will also learn about festive cuisine in the Black Forest region, along with a chance to explore the Christmas markets. Guests will get to experiences 24 destinations, be treated to luxury dining, accompanied with expert cruise and tour directors, get eight nights of land luxury accommodation and Freedom of Choice inclusions in 12 locations. APT Europe Product Manager Sarah Latimore said the tour includes the chance to learn about local festive traditions such as the making of Krampus masks in Austria or learning about festive cuisine in the Black Forest region. On the river, APT’s 15-day Imperial Europe cruise encompasses 13 destinations including Vienna, Linz, and Nuremberg. The itinerary highlights Vienna for its Christmas markets which is set against the backdrop of City Hall. Stalls throughout the cobblestone lanes are bustling with seasonal treats such as fruit cake and gingerbread, hot spiced wine and locally-made crafts and produce reflecting the Austrian culture. Venturing inside City Hall itself, there’s an area entirely dedicated to children, where they can learn to make Christmas cookies and candles. As evening falls, guests are invited to celebrate with the family of Liechtenstein’s City Palace. Afterwards, the guests can take a seat at a special private concert, normally reserved for classics by Mozart and Strauss, during the festive season it’s all about Christmas classics performed by musicians and singers.
Holiday season the European way Avalon Waterways has introduced a handful of new Special Interest cruises for its 2020 program, which includes 16 Christmas cruises throughout Europe onboard its Suite Ship. On the 17-day Christmas Basel to Budapest cruise, travellers get a chance to visit Christmas markets at the Bavarian town of Breisach and in Strasbourg, France. The cruise also travels to Speyer, Germany, for an excursion to Heidelberg Castle, with free time to peruse the Christmas markets in Heidelberg or Speyer. Additionally, travellers can experience the eight-day Christmastime in the Heart of Germany cruise, with visits to the Bavarian village of Miltenberg and Würzburg to enjoy Glühwein at the Christmas markets. The cruise will also travel to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, decorated with nativity scenes throughout the town, followed by Nuremberg, where, after the guided tour, travellers are free to visit the Christmas market, one of the most famous in the world. Travellers are advised to try some traditional lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread), a Nuremberg specialty. While on board, guests will also learn how to bake a traditional cookie and hear all about German Christmas traditions.
50
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
Tailor-made Specialists
Switzerland Christmas Markets Your complete guide to Tempo Holidays Christmas Markets with stunning mountain scenery, fairy-tale villages and the world’s best cheese and chocolate.
FROM
773 per person
$
*
4 DAYS • BASEL � COLMAR � BASEL TYPE: INDEPENDENT TRAVEL: DAILY (NOV–DEC)
FROM
593*per person
$
3 DAYS • GENEVA � MONTREUX � ROCHERS � DENAYE � MONTREUX � GENEVA TYPE: INDEPENDENT TRAVEL: DAILY (NOV–DEC)
BASEL
MONTREUX
Visit the grandest Christmas markets, indulge in traditional mulled wine and be amazed by festive decorations.
Enjoy the Montreux markets surrounded by the glistening Alps and Switzerland’s largest lake.
FROM
524*per person
$
3 DAYS • ZURICH � ZURICH TYPE: INDEPENDENT TRAVEL: DAILY (NOV–DEC)
FROM
795*per person
$
3 DAYS • LUCERNE � MOUNT PILATUS � LUCERNE TYPE: INDEPENDENT TRAVEL: DAILY (DEC)
ZURICH
LUCERNE
Explore Christmas markets from the moment you arrive and see the 50ft Christmas tree sparkle in Swarovski crystals.
Enchanting Christmas markets where you can meander through the festivities from Chapel Bridge to Lion Monument.
Contact us on 1300 362 844 or res@tempoholidays.com | tempoholidays.com *Conditions Apply. Please see tempoholidays.com for full for terms and conditions.
Christmas & Winter Markets
Christmas with Intrepid Intrepid’s new eight-day Europe Christmas Markets: Budapest to Zagreb trip is set to depart this winter. The trip takes travellers to a variety of Christmas markets across central Europe including Budapest, Graz, Ljubljana, and Zagreb. During the adventure, guests will also experience and witness a contrast of traditions, cuisines and of course, mulled wine. The trip runs throughout December. While in Hungary guests can enjoy local specialties like chimney cakes and potato dumplings at its main market at Vorosmarty Square, followed by the Christmas markets in Graz, Austria and Slovenia’s famous town of Bled, where they’ll get to take in sights of the 11th-century cliff-top castle, the emerald lake and an island topped with a church. The next stop on the agenda is Zagreb, where the city transforms into an illuminated winter wonderland during its month-long Advent Festival. Here travellers will spend two days enjoying the sights, taking in acres of fairy-lights, huge Christmas trees, nativity scenes, ice-rinks, mulled wine stalls and igloo-shaped rakija (a potent local drop) bars. On day seven, guests will also get to enjoy traditional Croatian lunch.
©VisitBritain
Short festivities with Tempo Tempo Holidays has several short-term offerings for travellers seeking to take in the Christmas fair. One of the trips is the five-day Bath and Cardiff itinerary. Over 170 chalets line the streets of Bath, surrounding the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. Travellers can wonder the markets and indulge in mulled wine and freshly baked mince pies. Once arriving in Cardiff, St Johns Church is there for the taking, with more than 200 Christmas market stalls selling local food, arts and crafts. Just a short walk away travellers can also enjoy Cardiff’s “Winter Wonderland”.
IN FLIGHT Singapore Airlines
The plane A380-800, flying Sydney to Singapore. Class Business class, seat 94D. The seat The well-cushioned seat with a wrap-around shell means there’s privacy but for those travelling as a couple the middle seats in the 1-2-1 configuration can have the privacy screen lowered and covert to a double fully flat bed. A flight attendent can be called to set the bed up for hours of slumber. There’s ample storage space for carry-on items as well as port and plugs to power electronic devices. Complimentary access to the SilverKris lounge is provided to those travelling in business class, which makes a big difference when you’re heading on to Europe like we were.
52
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
Entertainment An 18-inch touchscreen monitor in high definition paired with noise-cancelling headphones and over 1,000 entertainment options means there’s no shortage of choice available. Want to catch up on your social media feeds? There’s a complimentary 30mb download limit with packages available to purchase to increase download limits. Service and food Guests can personalise their dinnertime via the Book the Cook meal and choose from a selection of dining options ranging from classic and sumptuous Asian dishes through to modern western cuisine. A flight attendant dresses your table with careful placement of porcelain dinnerware. There’s an extensive list of champagne, wine or cocktails to be paired with each meal.
Itinerary
New Years in the Lyngen Alps 6 days – Celebrate New Year under the Northern Lights. High above the Arctic Circle of Northern Norway, Lyngen Lodge is an exclusive luxury lodge with top quality cuisine and a fantastic location above the Lyngen Fjord. This is where the mountains meet the fjords and un-spoilt nature lies at the doorstep. Lyngen Lodge caters for 18 guests in 8 en-suite twin and double bedrooms with triple and single options. The lodge provides full board accommodation and amenities include a fully licensed bar (drinks not included), dining room, lounge stua with large open fireplace, library/ seminar room, sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi. 50 Degrees North has the exclusive use of Lyngen Lodge for this 5-night all-inclusive New Years program, and packed it full of adventures, relaxation, hearty local cuisine, fishing, dog sledding, fireworks display and if nature permits; the spectacle of the Northern Lights. Join us for a New Year’s Eve celebration to remember. Highlights include • If nature permits, wander onto the decks to experience the festive magic beneath the incredible spectacle of the Northern Lights • Enjoy a welcome dinner of local produce and a glass of Prosecco in the hot tub • Activities include Dogsledding, Sea Safari, Snowmobiles, Snowshoeing & Ice Fishing • New Year’s Celebrations including fireworks and a special dinner
Contact us to book your holiday | 1300 422 821 | fiftydegreesnorth.com
Day 1 28 Dec: Arrive at Lyngen Lodge – wander onto the decks at night to search for the Northern Lights. Day 2 29 Dec: Dogsledding in the Lyngsfjord region Day 3 30 Dec: Snowmobiles & Ice Fishing Day 4 31 Dec: Sea Safari and New Years Eve Day 5 01 Jan: Sleep in and then hit the slopes snowshoeing through snowcovered forests and mountains. Day 6 02 Jan: Departure day
Dates & Prices AUD $5,830 per person 28 Dec 2019 — 2 Jan 2020 Quick Facts Start/End Place: Tromsø, Norway Group Size: 16 Type: Special Interest Suitability: Easy
Christmas & Winter Markets
Enjoy a Russian Christmas
50 Degrees North is offering travellers a chance to experience the festive season in Russia with its eight-day St Petersburg & Moscow in Style – Winter tour. Travellers will get to explore Moscow and St Petersburg and browse the endless stalls at the Christmas markets which are during the Christmas time in both cities. When in Moscow guests will also be treated to Journey to Christmas, a whole month dedicated to Christmas festivities, with venues selling presents, souvenirs and Christmas treats. There are also a range of activities free of charge. The markets in St Petersburg usually run from around 15 December to mid-January. St Petersburg & Moscow in Style – Winter tour highlights include private city tours, and a chance to get to know the Russian history, art and architecture. Additionally, travellers will get to travel to Moscow on a high-speed train and enjoy the local cuisine. The itinerary also encompasses visits to the Hermitage Museum and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the spot where Alexander II was fatally wounded by a member of People’s Will revolutionary group in 1881. The group will also visit the Yusupov Palace, where the assassination of Rasputin, one of the most famous figures in Russian history, took place. Once in Moscow guests will visit St. Basil Cathedra, tour the Kremlin and walk through the historical Alexander’s Garden and the State Tretyakov Gallery.
Get to know your BDM What’s your name? Trisha Ricciuti How long have you worked for Tempo Holidays and Bentours? Almost four months now! What is your favourite destination? This is hard to just pick one. France is in my top five destinations. I feel in love with the lifestyle, the history and culture. The French really have a unique outlook on life, but most importantly the amazing food and wine. What do you love about your job? I love the fact that every day I get to talk about some of the world’s most amazing destinations and products, also that I had a small part in creating amazing travel memories for people. Where is next on your bucket list? Scandinavia! It’s is a long list, but first and foremost I really want to experience an expedition cruise in Norway.
54
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
La Sagrada Familia
Spanish Fiesta Albatross Tours’ 10-day New Year in Spain & the Three Kings Festival Tour offers travellers the chance to experience a Spanish Christmas. Departing on 30 December, guests will celebrate New Year’s Eve in Barcelona, before making their way to Granada and on to Seville for the Festival of Christmas Day on 6 January. During the trip, travellers will get the chance to enjoy major sights such as Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, Granada’s old town and Moorish Quarter, along with a Spanish Christmas lunch on Three Kings Day in Ronda and the Three Kings Fiesta and colourful parade.
CHRISTMASTIME CRUISING
AMSTERDAM
There is no better way to experience the European Christmas than on an Avalon Waterways river cruise. Visiting some of the most famous Christmas Markets, our guests have plenty of opportunities to browse traditional wooden stalls selling one of a kind handicrafts and ornaments, enjoy steaming gluhwein and taste fresh gingerbread cookies and crepes while they soak up the festive cheer. It’s truly a magical winter wonderland that is an experience to behold!
Amazing offers still available on 2019 festive time cruises. Visit avalonwaterways.com.au Call 1300 130 134 *Terms & conditions apply.
HOLLAND Rhine River COLOGNE
GERMANY
FRANCE
KOBLENZ Rhine Gorge RÜDESHEIM MAINZ HEIDELBERG
7 STRASBOURG Alsace Black Forest BREISACH ZÜRICH
SWITZERLAND
ROMANTIC RHINE
8 days from Basel to Amsterdam WAS $4,143
Now from $1,843*
(per person, based on 14/12/19, cat D)
Skiing
The world’s best ski resorts combine abundant slopes with considerable style, and offer as much to enjoy off the slopes as on them. Brian Johnston looks at eight of the best ski resorts in the northern hemisphere.
Winter Wonderlands
St Anton, Austria
Upmarket St Anton is Austria’s best winter resort, with outstanding skiing thanks to 85 lifts that link it to the entire Arlberg ski region and several other ski villages such as Lech, Zürs and Stuben. Each offers a different experience – Lech also upmarket but quieter, Stuben family oriented – but all share an amazing variety of restaurants and accommodations and the same staggering ski fields. The 22km White Ring circuit alone has wonderful scenery without making the same run twice, and provides the best ski day you can have in the Alps. ©Brian Johnston
crammed with pretty, turreted houses around a 400-year-old church. Forest chapels in the surroundings are linked by a lovely 15km winter footpath. Yet Megève is also an international resort for the rich and famous: expect champagne bars, boutique shopping and a chic atmosphere.
Powder snow on Nagano ©JNTO
other minor resorts, together providing a huge range of terrain and over 150 lifts, all accessed on the same ski pass. Skiers and boarders alike can make the most of the long, groomed slopes and excellent snow cover. Then you can soothe tired muscles in an onsen (hot-spring bath) with a mountain view – a habit famously enjoyed by the region’s snow monkeys, too.
Megève, France Nagano, Japan Nagano hit the world stage when it hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. It’s the centre of a sprawling ski area that covers the Hakuba Valley, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa and 56
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
This cosmopolitan resort in the French Alps has nearly 300km of scenic runs – there are views of Mont Blanc from some chairlifts – and an impressive network of cross-country ski trails. It also retains an old-world flavour in its original centre, which is closed to traffic (apart from horse carriages) and
Megève ©Savoy Mont Blanc Tourism/Maillet-Contoz
Pyeongchang, South Korea Everyone has now heard of Pyeongchang, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics. It’s made up of Yongpyong, one of northeast Asia’s best ski resorts, and nearby Alpensia, where you’ll find the Olympic village, sporting venues and luxury hotels. Though it lacks the high-peak scenery of many ski resorts, it has modern and efficient lifts and a distinctive Korean ski culture that features speedy, energetic skiing that even continues into the night on
Skiing
illuminated slopes. The skiing is followed by visits to soju bars, rustic barbecue restaurants and raucous late-night karaoke lounges.
Gornergrat, snow-capped peaks create a jagged horizon, though all eyes are on the hatchetshaped Matterhorn as you descend the magnificent 9km ski run back to Zermatt. The ultra-modern Matterhorn Museum in town tells the story of its most famous peak, the history of alpinism, and how Zermatt transformed itself from farming community to glamorous international resort. As an added bonus to great skiing, Zermatt has an excellent après-ski scene.
Aspen, USA
Whistler, Canada
With four different mountains, this celebrity ski resort in Colorado provides plenty of on-snow adventure. Beginners can hit gentle, well-groomed Buttermilk, while intermediates can tackle 90 runs on Snowmass (which claims more vertical feet than any American ski resort) or ski Aspen Mountain, where a
Canada’s most famous resort and host of the 2010 Winter Olympics is the largest ski area in North America, with 200 runs and 38 lifts. Among them is the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the longest and highest of its type in the world, providing breathtaking views. Visitors can also get their adrenaline going at the Olympic Sliding Centre: a solo skeleton ride or piloted fourperson bobsleigh ride awaits those who dare. The more cautious can try the Olympic cross-country trails in the Callaghan Valley, a magical experience. Dog-sledding, zip-lining and ice climbing are also marvellous.
Snowmass ©Aspen Ski Company
third of trails are ungroomed. For an advanced challenge, head to Highlands’ intimidating runs; Highland Bowl is a backcountry rite-ofpassage with 45° pitches. Beyond world-class skiing, Aspen town has an interesting silvermining history, quirky counter-culture edge and excellent dining and shopping, as well as a lively bar scene.
Whistler base village ©British Columbia Tourism
Zermatt, Switzerland
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Zermatt boasts some of the best snowfalls of any European ski destination and offers 360km of runs. From 3,089m on the
Cortina was established as an alpine resort in the 1860s, has hosted the Winter Olympics and is the venue for the 2021 Alpine World Ski Cup. It’s also Italy’s chicest winter destination, as you’ll discover when you stroll Corso d’Italia main street or tuck into upmarket fare in suave restaurants. Skiwise you’ll be satisfied too, with 50 lifts and some 150 kilometres of ski slopes providing superb views of the jagged Dolomite Mountains and several of its glaciers – Arrow in the Sky cable-car is especially stunning. Even the beginner’s slopes are scenic, and instructors are great with children.
Zermatt ©Switzerland Tourism
Zermatt © Switzerland Tourism
Skiing above Lech, one of the ski towns linked to St Anton. ©Lech-Zürs Tourism/Sepp Mallaun
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
57
Skiing
Club Med’s winter warmers The resort’s signature all-inclusive package includes non-stop activities, entertainment, services for the little ones, gourmet restaurant dining and open bar plus, ski lift passes and ski lessons, all for one package price. Travel agents can find offer terms and conditions, sales resources including a brand new ski manual, a selling guide for the winter 2020 season, a sales opening video guides, as well as many new flyers, Facebook tools and the 2019 Club Med Sun & Snow Brochure, all available on the Club Med Travel Agent Portal. For more info, visit clubmedta.com.au.
Club Med Alpe d’Huez
Ikon adds Mount Buller Seasonal snow pass operator, Ikon, has welcomed Victoria’s Mt Buller into its portfolio, just in time for the 2019 winter season. The Ikon Pass, introduced to skiers and riders in January 2018, unlocks adventure with access to 39 iconic winter destinations across the Americas, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Mt Buller joins Thredbo in New South Wales, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt Hutt in New Zealand, and Valle Nevado in Chile in the southern hemisphere. “Mt Buller is delighted to join the Ikon Pass for the 19/20 season, we are in great company with such an impressive line-up of incredible mountain destinations,” said Laurie Blampied, General Manager, Mt Buller. “We look forward to introducing more people from around the globe to the
58
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
pleasures of skiing and boarding through the snowgums, spotting wombats along the trail, and the unique experience of staying high in the snowline in our unique Australian alpine village.” Mt Buller offers 741 acres and 80 trails for all abilities, with ski-in/skiout accommodation, dining, spas, and activities. To celebrate the region’s inaugural Ikon pass season, pass holders with 19/20 access will receive bonus early access from this month, along with regular access to the 2020 season. The Ikon pass offers seven-day access to the ski fields per season, with no blackout dates, with the Ikon Base Pass offering five-day access per season with no blackout dates. Visit ikonpass.com for more information.
Holiday Inn comes to Remarkables Intercontinental Hotels Group has announced it will open a brand new Holiday Inn property in Queenstown in early 2021, after the hotel group signed an agreement with QLong Investments Limited. The 182-room Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park will be located a few minutes’ drive from Queenstown Airport and in close proximity to the popular Remarkables Ski Field, perfectly positioned and easily accessible to visitors, families and holidaying groups. The property will feature an all-day dining and bar venue, as well as large meeting facilities and a gym for guests.
©Mt Buller
Aussies looking for the ultimate winter getaway can take advantage of the plethora of ski resorts offered around the world by Club Med. The all-inclusive resort is offering a special earlybird rate on ski departures between November 2019 and April 2020, with 30% off bookings made until 25 June. Guests can choose from a range of more than 20 of the brand’s properties, including the brand new Club Med Les Arcs Panorama & Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido, as well as the newly renovated resorts Club Med Sahoro Hokkaido and Club Med Alpe d’Huez.
Skiing
Qantas to launch new peak ski flights Following a surge of interest in travel from Australia to the Japanese ski destination of Sapporo, Qantas has announced plans to launch a new ex-Sydney service to coincide with the peak ski season. The carrier will fly passengers three times per week to the new Chitrose Airport between 16 December 2019 and 28 March 2020. Qantas International Acting CEO Naren Kumar said Sapporo was a highly sought-after holiday destination for Australian travellers. “Travel between Australia and Japan is booming… these new flights make it easier for Australians to reach Hokkaido’s popular ski resorts like Niseko and Rusutsu,” he said. “The number of Australians travelling to Japan has more than doubled over the past five years, with almost 500,000 Australians visiting Japan in the last 12 months alone… We expect Japan’s popularity to continue with the country hosting a number of major international sporting events in the next two years.”
Sapporo
Mt Baw Baw additions Victorian downhill ski resort, Mt Baw Baw, has announced a series of new activities set to open in time for the 2019 ski season. The Frosti Frog Hollow Toboggan Park, located in the middle of the village, has refreshed its offering, with a dedicated snow machine pumping a daily dumps onto the slope to ensure the trail is wellcovered for thrill-seekers. The park has also launched a “Magic Carpet” lift, taking guests on a swift journey back up the hill after their ride down the mountain. The resort is also the first alpine resort in Australia to offer
organized snowball fights, with the launch of the National Snowball Fighting Championship this season. Using the original rules from the Japanese sport, snowfighters are encouraged to enter with a group of friends or family and compete for the winning title. Kids under six can also experience a free 15 minute trial snowboarding lesson, allowing them to get a feel for the board before committing to a full session. To find out more about the 2019 season, see www.mountbawbaw. com.au.
winter wonderland super early bird 20+ SNOW RESORTS, MADE EASY HURRY, OFFER ENDS 25 JUNE
to book call 1800 258 263 for more information and sales tools visit clubmedta.com.au
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
59
New Zealand
60
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
New Zealand
From the sky to the sea Swapping the car for two wheels is a particularly magic way to see New Zealand’s South Island, discovers Sheriden Rhodes. Sometimes when you embark on something new and particularly challenging, there may come a moment when you realise you’ve bitten off way more than you can chew but it’s too late to turn back. For me it was watching my then nine-year-old daughter, fresh off training wheels, come tumbling off her bike along the epic Alps2Ocean Trail (A20). There were tears, angry shouting; I’m pretty sure rocks were thrown in my direction. A couple of testing hours later however, something thankfully shifted. As my daughter’s tiny legs pumped her up the rocky trail, we crested a rise and the shimmering lake opened up before us, while beyond loomed immense snowcapped mountains. There were woops of elation. My daughter fist pumped the air. Maybe, just maybe, we could do this after all. We’d started our journey just outside of Lake Tekapo where we joined the 301km Alps2Ocean, listed in Lonely Planet’s Epic Bike Rides of the World. We were seriously unprepared. Being an occasional weekend cyclist at best, I’d hastily borrowed a pair of bike pants at the last minute. My daughter, who’d only just learned to ride unaided by training wheels, insisted bike pants were unnecessary. Most of the A2O is off-road and on our first day the trail skimmed alongside the ethereal lake, given its distinctive blue tinge because of the crystallisation of rock flour. The official start of the A2O however
is some 35km away at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Aoraki, or Mt Cook, means cloud piercing in Maori and with clear skies we were lucky enough to see it. Mt Cook may be the official starting point of the mostly downhill trail, however it’s also a tricky place to set off from. After cycling a short distance, cyclists must be choppered across the Tasman River at a cost of $125 per person (minimum of two cyclists). Hence why we set off at the head of Lake Pukaki instead. After pushing out 10-12 hard-earned
“
As my daughter’s tiny legs pumped her up the rocky trail, we crested a rise and the shimmering lake opened up before us, while beyond loomed immense snow-capped mountains
”
kilometres we make our way to Twizel, the base for Cycle Journeys who are facilitating our trip. Being the novices we are, we couldn’t have done it without them, although plenty of experienced cyclists do. Along with our guide Geoff, Cycle Journeys fits us out with fantastic bikes and drives us to trail highlights we can cycle with my daughter, while our luggage is transported ahead of us to each night’s destination. It makes doing the trail, especially with children, achievable, enjoyable and interesting, as Geoff doubles as a local tour guide. My daughter is their youngest client to cycle the A2O, while the oldest was a 92-year-old who did it on an electric bike. Our first night is spent at Skyscape, a phenomenal 6,000-acre sheep and beef farm where you stay in accommodation built predominantly of glass. Skyscape, an A2O partner, is almost completely concealed in the landscape by its grass roofed covering.
It looks out over neighbouring Ben Ohau Station, where the final battle scene in Lord of the Rings was filmed. We fill up Skyscape’s incredible al fresco bath and take a soak, glass of wine in hand (for me), as the stars come out to play. The next morning plans for a cycle along Lake Ohau are scratched. Ohau is a Maori word meaning “place of wind” and today it lives up to its name, making cycling tricky. Instead we set off from Lake Ohau Lodge, heading towards Omarama along a rocky trail. It’s tough going for my daughter, not used to traversing a shingled path, but the landscape makes it worth it: looking back across the basin to the Ben Ohau Range, dusted with snow even mid-spring. Our best day on the A2O however is the third day, cycling from Omarama east down the Waitaki Valley, descending along the edge of Lake Benmore to Pumpkin Point. By this stage, my daughter is comfortable in the saddle, and we laugh as we race each other down the dirt trail along the picturesque hydro lake, one of three, where families picnic and paddle kayaks. Geoff hovers in the distance, but my daughter waves him off riding confidently with her legs going a million miles an hour. We end our day at Pasquale Kurow Winery, in the Waitaki Valley, after cycling through rows of neatly planted vines. Conveniently the trail passes right through the vineyard. We sit contentedly with the sun on our back, a phenomenal tasting platter and bottle of estate-grown pinot gris before us. There are other highlights too, but I particularly loved the harbourside town of Oamaru, where the A20 officially ends. The trail concludes at the picturesque Friendly Bay overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where we gather for a photo inside an oversized A20 photo frame on the foreshore. We haven’t cycled anywhere near the whole trail, but it still feels like an achievement. “I told you I wouldn’t need bike pants,” my daughter says and I roll my eyes. Seriously, be sure it’s the first thing you pack. You’ll need them. travelBulletin JUNE 2019
61
New Zealand
TNZ targets 100%
©Tourism New Zealand
Tourism New Zealand has set the target of getting 100% of Kiwis to back international tourism to the destination. Research is conducted twice a year to provide insight into New Zealander’s sentiment, with the latest report finding 93% agree or strongly agree that international tourism is good for the country. “We are reliant on Kiwis backing tourism, having 93% onboard is fantastic, but I want to see that hit 100%,” said Tourism New
Zealand Chief Executive Stephen England-Hall. Tourism New Zealand noted it worked closely with government and industry to ensure the sector gives back more than it takes. “Government and industry teamwork has seen some great results this year like improvements to the camping system and increased education around visitor behaviour,” England-Hall said. “Continued success relies on the sector and beyond working together to address
the bigger, longer-term challenges like infrastructure. This is underway and I’m confident we can do this.” The Mood of the Nation research is used to help inform industry and government activity, with the goal of supporting a positive tourism experience for visitors and host communities. The most recent report also found that 93% of respondents were proud New Zealand is an attractive tourist destination and 86% take pride in welcoming international visitors.
Spotlight on Tairãwhiti Gisborne
Spring into a ski holiday Ski holidays in New Zealand don’t have to be limited to winter, with spring a fantastic time for a New Zealand ski holiday. Spring travellers are often greeted by blue skies, warmer temperatures and some of the best powder days of the season. The mountains are also not as busy, which translates into shorter lift times and more time on the slopes. It’s also possible to secure lift pass and accommodation deals, with New Zealand ski holiday specialist ANZCRO offering a seven-night Queenstown Spring Ski Adventure from $989 per person twin share. The package includes a seven-night stay at the 4.5-star Scenic Suites in a Superior Room for the price of five nights and a five-day Queenstown Lift Pass for use at Coronet Peak or The Remarkables for the price of three days. The deal is valid for travel 2-29 September 2019.
62
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
Tairãwhiti Gisborne is a region ideal for clients looking to travel off the beaten track, delve into Maori culture, taste local, food and explore surf beaches. Located on the east coast of the North Island, the region is accessible by up to five daily flights from Auckland or Wellington. A highlight is Maunga Hikurangi, which is regarded as the first place in the world to see the sun rise and is steeped in legend and cultural significance. Marine lovers can opt for Dive Tatpouri’s Reef Ecology Tour to interact with wild stingrays, eagle rays and other reef creatures while listening to stories of local history and its Mãori cultural links to the majestic whai (stingrays). Active travellers can embark on a new cycling adventure along 90km of coastal railway between Gisborne and Wairoa.
New Zealand
NZ’s most lust-worthy experience? Nomad Safaris in Queenstown has launched private Tesla tours exploring world heritage sites of the Southern Alps region. The lavish Milford Experience leads travellers through the wilds of Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks. The adventure begins with a helicopter
flight which showcases Milford Sound through multiple landings, before venturing deep into the local nature, visiting Lord of the Rings filming locations and settling in for a gourmet picnic lunch. There’s also the Wilderness Paradise, a quest to the head of Lake Wakatiup with a full day for short walks and a thrilling jetboat ride with Dart River Jets, exploring the Mount Aspiring National Park.
Clients who want to get up close to nature at their own pace can opt for a private walk with a knowledgeable personal guide. This adventure covers some of New Zealand’s most varied scenery, from snowcapped mountains to crystal waters. The Milford Experience is priced from $7,215 for up to four people, while the Wilderness Paradise is $2,813 for two people and private walks are from $1,125 for a half day.
WIN A SP T on a New Zealand Mega Famil!
Famil dates: 29 August - 4 September 2019 Experience Air New Zealand’s world class service flying to Christchurch, plus enjoy 7 days exploring the wonders of the South Island on one of Kirra Tours Platinum Touring Coaches!
HOW TO ENTER
1. Book & deposit your clients New Zealand Holiday by 31 July 2019 2. Quote the codeword “MEGA” & you’re in the draw!
BONUS
Book any Air New Zealand flights & get an extra chance to win!
Contact ANZCRO on 1300 366 966 for more information Terms and conditions apply
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
63
Last word
Funny festivals
Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival Located in the Yorkshire Dales, the annual Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival is sure to provide amusement for all ages. Each year the residents of the quaint town of Kettlewell dress-up scraggly scarecrows to look like famous celebrities, sports stars, royalty, politicians and many more. Previous iterations of the festival have seen a croft in the village transformed into a ski run, a cricket pitch of scarecrows and a canoe course. This year the festival will be held from 10 to 18 August and is celebrating its 25th year of scarecrow shenanigans. As well as plenty of scarecrows around the town, there are also two themed trails that visitors can follow this year. A clue sheet will set you back £1 and challenges you to find the right scarecrow that matches the clue. The first trail, designed for adult scarecrow admirers, challenges your memory with clues for characters and events that happened in 1994 (in honour of the 25th anniversary). The second trail, designed for kids,
©Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival
is a recreation of the very first themed trail in the festival’s history, based on nursery rhymes. Travellers that solve all the clues and find the correct scarecrows on the trail will be entered in the daily prize draw to win £10. In addition to wandering the streets
in search of that elusive character, the festival offers the chance for visitors to indulge in homemade cakes, soups and sandwiches at the village hall and stick your head in a photo board for a momento. Each year the money raised from the festival goes towards the local school, and upkeep of the village hall and church.
Where in the world? It can be a little intriguing how popular people seem to find visiting abandoned buildings, but for travellers to Europe, some of the ancient ruins that can be admired on this continent are jaw-dropping. If you have an idea of where these famous ruins lie, send your answer to comps@travelbulletin.com.au. The winner will take home a double movie pass.
64
travelBulletin JUNE 2019
HANOI IS ONE OF THE 25 TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD OF 2018*? THE WORLD IS CHANGING. ARE YOU? Recognised by TripAdvisor, Hanoi never ceases to unveil its timeless beauty and charms to the world. Explore Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines’ direct flights to discover the heart of the country. (*) Voted by TripAdvisor
BOOK > LIKE
vietnamairlines.com >
fb/vietnamairlines
Imperial Europe 2019 1 5 DAYS V I E N N A TO A M ST E R D A M
Benefits we offer retail travel agents • Customise marketing material, track your sales, access to sales tools and bookings on brand NEW Trade Website ATG Connect • Exclusive ATG VIP Partner Program; rewarding and recognising travel agents • Hosted Educational opportunities and self-educational rates • Top Selling Consultants invited to our annual Top Achievers Reward Trip • Group Benefits on select product and itineraries • Consultant training and access to a dedicated Business Development Manager Ask about our Fly Free deal on all suites, all dates*
Earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on APT holidays~
Why book Imperial Europe with APT? • EXCLUSIVE! Visit Vienna’s incredible City Palace for a cocktail reception and a special festive concert of Christmas favourites. • Wander Europe’s Christmas markets, teeming with delicious treats and hand-made treasures. • EXCLUSIVE! Explore Namedy Castle before sitting down to dinner and a classical piano recital. • Your clients will join European Historian Kenneth Park, on our unforgettable festive river cruise. Combine our river cruise with our Magical Christmas Markets land tour!
FO R M O R E I N FO R M AT I O N CO N TACT YO U R A P T B D M OR I N S I D E SALES ON 1300 668 29 8 W W W. ATG CO N N EC T.CO M . AU
*Conditions apply. SEE: aptouring.com.au/SpecialDeals for full conditions. Based on Imperial Europe: EUICR15 and Magical Christmas Markets with Imperial Europe: EUICX23. ~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 and 1 Qantas Point per AU$1 spent on all other APT holidays. See aptouring.com. au/Qantas for full conditions. Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd. ABN 44 004 684 619.ATAS accreditation #A10825. APT-378