october 2015 - Travel Bulletin

Transcription

OCTOBER 2015
LUXURY TRAVEL
RAIL JOURNEYS
SOUTH AMERICA
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
The wheel of
SINGAPORE
fortune
The rollercoaster ride of travel
industry executive salary packages
CONTENTS
From the managing editor
Bruce Piper
COVER STORY
The wheel of fortune
20
features
32 38 44 54 60 Luxury Travel
Rail Journeys
South America
Christmas Holidays
Singapore
monthly
02 06 16
18 19 25 26
30
64 State of the industry
Issues and trends
Business events news
Brochures
Technology
Your travel business
Cruise report
Industry in focus
Last word
columns
02 06 07 13
17
29 Ian McMahon
Steve Jones
AFTA View
ATEC View
EEAA View
CLIA View
www.travelbulletin.com.au
Travel Bulletin is part of the
Travel Daily family of publications
Some of Helloworld’s major shareholders certainly don’t appear to be
very happy, with the normally mild-mannered Andrew Burnes displaying
considerable frustration last month over a potential Helloworld takeover
of his AOT group. For some months a possible Helloworld-AOT deal
has been a not-very-well-kept industry secret, and eventually Helloworld
confirmed that talks were indeed under way once the Australian
Financial Review published the speculation.
The Burnes family already holds more than 10% of HLO, and
industry observers see any acquisition of AOT playing out with wider
ramifications for the company – particularly given the pending departure
of CEO Elizabeth Gaines. To be fair, at the time Helloworld noted that
the evaluation of the potential acquisition of AOT was still in progress,
with no deal agreed or approved by the company’s board and “there is
no certainty that the current discussions will lead to any transaction”.
Fast forwarding two weeks, Helloworld issued another statement
saying it had been unable to reach agreement with the AOT
shareholders on acceptable terms, and as a result had terminated
discussions effective immediately. Helloworld said the terms of the
deal would have seen the vendors of AOT becoming “significant minority
shareholders” – notwithstanding the fact that they already are. “The
Board of Helloworld has unanimously concluded that the strategic
and financial merits of the acquisition on the terms proposed were
insufficiently compelling to warrant proceeding with the transaction,” the
company said in an ASX update.
And that’s where things would have stood, until later that week
when Burnes spoke out with a somewhat different take on what had
transpired. He told Travel Daily the Helloworld ASX release was a “fairly
extraordinary and disingenuous statement, given that the terms they
are talking about are their own. Terms that they proposed. Terms that
we had not even been given an opportunity to respond to,” he said.
The no-holds-barred comments continued, with Burnes slamming
Helloworld’s “poor track record of under-performance”.
The outburst leads pundits to think that this is certainly not over.
While Helloworld insists it is making “strong progress to future proof
its business,” the lack of certainty about who will lead the company
must surely give rise to concern among suppliers, staff and of course
long-suffering franchisee and member travel agents – and perhaps also
creates opportunities for shareholders like Burnes (or others) to do
something which will be a catalyst for further change within Helloworld.
This month’s contributors
Steve Jones, Brett Jardine, Jayson Westbury, Joyce DiMascio, Gary Walsh, Matt
Lennon, Guy Dundas, Jasmine O’Donoghue, Sheriden Rhodes, Brian Johnston,
Lee Mylne
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor – Bruce Piper
[email protected]
Editor – Kris Madden
Ph: 02 8090 3125
[email protected]
Editor at Large – Ian McMahon
Ph: 03 9568 4464 or 0414 320 321
[email protected]
Advertising
National Sales Manager
Lisa Maroun
Ph: 0405 132 575 or 02 8007 6760
[email protected]
Production Co-ordinator
Sarah Piper
Ph: 1300 799 220 or 02 8007 6760
[email protected]
www.travelbulletin.com.au
DESIGN TEAM
Wendy St George, Sarah Piper, Hannah Power
FINANCE
Jenny Piper
[email protected]
4/41 Rawson Street Epping NSW 2121
PO Box 1010 Epping NSW 1710 Australia
Tel: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760)
Fax: 1300 799 221 (+61 2 8007 6769)
travelBulletin OCTOBER 2015
1
STATE OF THE
Industry
New travelBulletin one year on
Ian McMahon’s perspective
DOMESTIC TRAVEL OFFER OPPORTUNITIES
THE steady depreciation of our floating
Australian dollar over the course of this year
sees it currently at levels around US$0.70.
Most sectors of our industry – outbound,
inbound and domestic – would probably
agree that these levels provide reasonable
prospects for growth.
As leisure travel agents will attest,
outbound growth no longer has the
exuberance of those heady days when one
of our dollars bought US$1.05 or more,
but the numbers of Australians travelling
overseas continue to increase.
They were up 2.8 per cent to 9.2 million
in the 12 months to June 30. That pales
by comparison with the headlong 130 per
cent growth achieved between 2006 and
2014. Nevertheless it is a respectable
amount of new business delivered to an
already booming market.
Significantly, however, the headline figures
from the latest National Visitor Survey, show
domestic travel growth well ahead of the
outbound growth figure.
According to TRA, in the year ending June
30, Australians took five per cent more
domestic trips (83.2 million); they spent six
per cent more nights away from home (313
million); and their spending on these trips
was up by four per cent ($55.4 billion).
As with all statistics, there can be
quibbles over detail. On the impact of
currency devaluation, for example, it should
be noted that the USD comparison is by no
means the whole story. AUD depreciation
has been much less against the Euro, the
UK pound and the New Zealand dollar.
Similarly domestic travel growth may
be slightly inflated by a change in TRA
methodology. For the first time it undertook
mobile phone interviewing which improved
coverage of business travellers and
contributed to the increase shown in this
sector.
Nevertheless the trend is clear.
Domestic travel is growing and will offer
greater opportunities to travel agents.
As the pace of international travel growth
slows, there will be new opportunities for
agents to market value-added arrangements
for longer, interstate holiday trips, short
stays (perhaps events-related) and meetings.
A significant figure from the latest TRA
results is that interstate trips, typically
involving longer stays and visits to more
locations, are up by seven per cent. They
account for 43 per cent of nights and 54
per cent of money spent ($30.2 billion).
As we recognise there are domestic
tourism opportunities to be exploited,
let’s applaud our new Prime Minister
for restoring tourism to the Federal
Government ministry. Welcome, Senator
Richard Colbeck.
This issue marks a year since travelBulletin
joined the Travel Daily family of publications,
and we would very much like to thank
the industry for your ongoing support. We
continue to be the only publication exclusively
focused on the Australian travel industry
and are proud to provide the most relevant
and insightful commentary and analysis –
perfectly complemented by our must-read
daily electronic publications, Travel Daily,
Cruise Weekly and Business Events News.
Our firm focus is on bringing our readers
the best possible editorial, that helps you
in your businesses and careers – and we
think we are clearly succeeding, with our
paid subscriber numbers growing steadily
from right across the industry, and more
than 11,000 of you downloading the issue
from our website at travelbulletin.com.au
each month. So thanks for your support, and
here’s to the next 12 months!
WoAG air travel tender
The federal Department of Finance has
issued tender documents for the provision
of domestic and international air travel,
under the Whole of Australian Government
(WoAG) system where the existing contracts
expire at the end of April next year. Clearly
public servants fly a lot, with figures in
the documents confirming the successful
tenderers will provide travel services worth a
whopping $420 million annually for 120,000
public servants working across about 140
government departments and agencies.
The scale of the requirements is staggering,
with an industry briefing confirming the
government also spends about $126 million
on accommodation, and $19 million on car
business monitor
OUTBOUND MARKET
INBOUND MARKET
MAIN DOMESTIC ROUTES
Top 10 domestic city pairs at July 2015
Top 10 destinations, July 2015
Top 10 sources, July 2015
Destination
Trend SeasonallyOriginal Trend
Trend
Jun 15/ Jul 14/
Adjusted
Jul 15
Jul 15
000
000
000
%
%
New Zealand 105.4 101.9
98.0
-0.2
+6.8
Indonesia
91.5
89.8
97.3
-0.7
-1.2
USA
85.290.683.5 +1.5 +6.9
UK
47.949.670.7 +1.5 +3.1
Thailand 46.446.850.6 +0.3 -0.2
Fiji
28.929.233.3 +0.3 +5.2
Singapore
29.2
29.1
31.5
-0.1
-5.0
China
37.336.026.3 +0.7 +14.0
Italy
15.916.721.8 -0.1 +4.0
Malaysia 20.720.620.4 -1.0 -14.4
All outbound781.7788.9822.2 +0.2 +2.8
SourceTrend
Seasonally Original Trend
Trend
Adjusted
May 15/ Jun 14/
Jun 15 Jun 15
000
000
000
%
%
128.5
+0.6
+8.5
New Zealand 111.0 112.3
China
84.2
81.6 94.5
+0.6
+16.0
USA
49.047.9 44.4 +0.0 +9.4
UK
56.6
57.0
41.0
-0.4
+3.8
Malaysia 28.927.3 30.1 +1.0 +1.6
Japan
27.0
26.8
28.9
+0.2
-2.9
Singapore 31.931.4 27.1 +0.0 +1.8
Indonesia
11.9
11.7
26.1
-1.9
-4.2
Hong Kong
18.8
19.1
20.8
+1.6
+10.3
South Korea 17.3
17.1
16.0
-1.9
+1.7
All inbound 610.4 607.0
627.1
+0.0
+5.8
City pair
Passengers Passengers % change
YE Jul 14
YE Jul 15
Melbourne-Sydney Brisbane-Sydney Brisbane-Melbourne Gold Coast-Sydney Adelaide-Melbourne Melbourne-Perth Adelaide-Sydney
Perth-Sydney Gold Coast-Melbourne Hobart-Melbourne (000)(000)
8,251.3
8,507.4
+3.1
4,460.3
4,421.8
-0.9
3,284.9
3,332.6
+1.5
2,587.4
2,588.4
+0.0
2,239.7
2,289.0
+2.2
2,178.3
2,144.0
-1.6
1,781.6 1,821.2+2.2
1,799.3
1,778.3
-1.2
1,721.8
1,771.1
+2.9
1,392.2
1,456.6
+4.6
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Source: BITRE
2
STATE OF THE Industry
rental every year. The evaluation criteria
includes the competitiveness of the fares
and any discounts offered, and the fare
conditions associated with each fare and
how these will benefit or disadvantage the
government. A panel of successful tenderers
will be appointed, with each airline required
to work cooperatively with the government’s
appointed Travel Management Company –
Helloworld’s QBT – to “ensure successful
integration and utilisation of the services”.
Prospective tenderers must submit their bids
by 2pm on 22nd October 2015.
Qantas pilots FlyPink
Trafalgar transparency
The Travel Corporation’s Trafalgar operation
is continuing its ongoing evolution, with the
Qantas Group pilots will FlyPink from this
launch of a new tagline and collateral in
month, swapping out their normal gold
conjunction with its 2016 Europe brochure.
epaulettes (shoulder stripes) for pink
Australia is a key market for Trafalgar – the
ones, to show their support during Breast
company which has introduced a whole new
Cancer Awareness Month. The Australian“guided holidays” vernacular to the segment
first initiative was started by QantasLink
– with ceo Gavin Tollman telling travelBulletin
Captain Susan McHaffie whose aunt was
the new Simply the Best slogan reinforces
diagnosed and beat breast cancer. Joining
the company’s bold move last year to publish
the airline in 2013, Susan was inspired
unmoderated, uncut traveller reviews on its
by the National Breast Cancer Foundationwebsite. Tollman said the feedback from
branded pink QantasLink aircraft to find
clients is overwhelmingly positive. “Whenever
I’m having a bad day, I just go and look at the
reviews and they cheer me up,” he said.
Travel agents can benefit from the
as smoothly, with the departure of New
company’s openness too, with Tollman
Horizons managing director Chris Evans “to
suggesting
consultants
simply
turn
their
YEAR ENDED JUNE 2015
pursue a new career challenge” expected to
screens around and show their clients what
Chart I passengers
International
Carried
2013
to June
2015
the
Perth-based
wholesaler merged into
arePassengers
saying. He
said a(thousands)
key benefit- Junesee
Creative
Holidays.
The
Travel Corporation
of
the
instant
reviews
had
been
that
Trafalgar
1950
INBOUND
insisted that New Horizons will continue to
is also able to quickly address
any problems OUTBOUND
1700 as soon as they arise, resulting in even
maintain a local presence in WA in a joint
operation with Creative, with the business to
higher levels of guest satisfaction.
1450
be overseen by Creative Holidays managing
Meanwhile elsewhere in the Travel
1200 Corporation things don’t appear to be sailing
director James Gaskell.
a way to raise funds and awareness
for breast cancer research that would
encourage airlines around the world to join
together for the cause. McHaffie said she
hoped her small idea would encourage
other airlines to show their support.
QantasLink will serve food items in FlyPink
branded boxes and brownies in support
of the campaign. Customers and other
Qantas employees can support FlyPink by
donating to www.flypink.net
Tourism Australia heads South
The appointment of Tony South as the new
chair of Tourism Australia came as a surprise
to some, with the coveted job previously
held by former Qantas ceo Geoff Dixon the
subject of much speculation in mainstream
media. Names such as Carnival Australia
Continues over page
950
business monitor
Jun-15
Apr-15
May-15
Mar-15
Jan-15
Feb-15
Dec-14
Oct-14
Nov-14
Sep-14
Jul-14
Aug-14
Jun-14
Apr-14
May-14
Mar-14
Jan-14
Feb-14
Dec-13
Oct-13
Nov-13
Sep-13
Jul-13
Aug-13
Jun-13
700
DOMESTIC AIR MARKET – July 2015
International Air Market Share
Chart II
International passengers by major airline – year ended June 2015
International Passengers by Major Airlines - Year ended June 2015
Qantas Airways,
15.7%
Others, 26.6%
Emirates, 9.8%
Total pax carried
Revenue pax kms (RPK)
Avail seat kms (ASK)
Load factor (%)
Aircraft trips (000)
Growth
(%)
+2.0
+2.5
+1.1
+1.0*
+0.3
Yr to
Yr to
Growth
Jul 14 Jul 15
(%)
57.64m 57.32m -0.6
68.00bn 67.58bn -0.6
89.49bn 88.36bn -1.3
76.0
76.5
+0.5*
639.8
635.6
-0.7
Source: BITRE * Percentage points
Domestic On Time Performance – July 2015
Etihad Airways, 2.5%
Jetstar, 8.9%
AirAsia X, 3.5%
Malaysia Airlines,
4.2%
Cathay Pacific
Airways, 5.1%
Jul
Jul
14
15
5.05m 2.15m
6.07bn 6.22bn 7.75bn 7.84bn
78.3
79.4
55.4
55.6
Air New Zealand,
7.4%
Jetstar
Qantas
QantasLink
REX
Tigerair
All Airlines
Singapore Airlines,
8.6%
Virgin Australia,
7.7%
Source: BITRE
Departures on Time
Arrivals on Time
No. % No.%
6,021 85.56,136 87.1
8,916 92.38,619 92.3
8,748 88.08,660 87.1
5,372 87.75,264 85.9
1,791 88.31,776 87.6
43,537
89.7 43,291
89.2
Cancellations
No.%
146
2.0
96
1.0
335
3.3
21
0.3
32
1.6
782
1.6
Source: BITRE
Table I
International Passengers by Uplift/Discharge City Pairs (a)
Foreign
Australian
Year ended
Year ended
Year ended
% of
% Change
Port
Port
June 2013
June 2014
June 2015
Total
2015/14
3
STATE OF THE
Industry
Continues from previous page
ceo Ann Sherry and Transfield chair Diane
Smith-Gander were bandied about, alongside
former politician Bruce Baird and even ANZ
chairman Warwick Smith.
However in the end it was South, who had
been acting in the role once Dixon stepped
down on 30th June, who got the gong – and
an excellent appointment it is too. South’s
tourism credentials are impeccable, with
an extensive industry career including roles
with InterContinental Hotels Group, Tourism
Accommodation Australia and as a long-time
consultant. It will be instructive to see the
evolution of Business Events Australia under
his leadership, with South also a former
managing director of the Sydney Convention
and Visitors Bureau, now Business Events
Sydney, meaning he has a clear grasp of
the strong benefits of the meetings and
conference market to build tourism value.
Google continues travel push
Google’s access to big data is unprecedented,
and travel appears to be one of the key
sectors where it is opening up its intelligence
to the wider market. Last month a new “Travel
Dashboard” was unveiled at the Future
Travel Experience Global show in Las Vegas,
presenting data trends and travel booking
patterns across 25 major US markets. Initially
covering information gathered over a two year
period to June 2015, Google promised that
users will be able to see the most-searched
brands, destination queries and the top five
questions asked of its search engine, as well
as segmenting the results based on whether the
searches were from mobile or desktop devices.
That announcement was followed a few
days later by the revelation that Google is
Hat trick for Fraser Sydney
Continuing on its winning streak this
year, Fraser Suites Sydney has taken
home its third award in seven weeks
after it was awarded Apartment /
Suite Hotel of the year recently at the
Australian Hotels Association 2015
National Awards for Excellence.
The AHA Awards were held at
Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast
where over 450 of the hospitality
industry’s best were present,
representing hotel and accommodation
venues from around the country.
To enter the national awards,
entrants must have already won
an AHA / TAA award in their own State, applications were then judged by a panel and
anonymous site visits were conducted to choose the winner. This year, there were 187
entrants and five finalists in the Apartment / Suite Hotel of the Year category. The award
rounds out a hat trick of wins for the property which also received accolades in the
recent HM Awards and the NSW Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) Awards. Pictured
above is Ben Nesbitt, general manager of Fraser Suites Sydney receiving the award from
Arthur Antonellos of HostPlus.
also introducing a new commission-based
advertising program for hotels. Bookings
generated via the Google Hotel Ads platform
will see accommodation providers charged
“industry standard” commissions for
bookings rather than the standard cost-perclick model – meaning Google is becoming
a direct competitor to online travel agents.
Some analysts say this seismic shift is likely
to significantly impact major players such
as Expedia and Booking.com, which spend
millions of dollars to ensure they appear at
the top of Google search results.
Sydney on the agenda for QR?
Qatar Airways’ outspoken ceo Akbar Al
Baker has a love-hate relationship with
Sydney. When the carrier first announced
its Australian flights from Doha in 2009,
Melbourne was the first cab off the rank,
but Sydney was planned to follow shortly
thereafter – with a Qatar Airways route map
clearly indicating the debut of services ex
SYD scheduled to commence in early 2010.
Sydney quietly slipped off the QR map
shortly thereafter, and since then Al Baker
business monitor
INTERNET AGENCY MARKET
SHARES
August 2015, compared with July 2015
Rank Company
Market share Relative diff Rank
Aug 2015 % Jul to Aug
Jul 2015
1 Webjet Australia
15.78
2 Expedia Australia
9.13
3 Wotif.com
8.79
4 Skyscanner Australia
6.92
5 Flight Centre
6.57
6 Lastminute.com.au
2.95
7 Cheap Flights Aus & NZ 1.70
8 Luxury Escapes
1.68
9 CheapOair
1.61
10 FareCompare
1.38
+1.5
+7.28
-0.6
-4.43
-5.89
-13.78
-3.84
-0.09
-0.85
-7.0
1
3
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Source: Experian Marketing Services’ Hitwise – www.experian.com.au/hitwise
4
SHARE PRICES
INTERNATIONAL AIR ROUTES
23 September 2015
Top 10 city pairs (at June 2015)
City pair
Passengers
YE Jun 14
Passengers
YE Jun 15
% of % change
total
14/15
Flight Centre (FLT)
$34.18
Helloworld (HLO)
$0.30
Auckland-Sydney 1,463,6321,505,357 4.4 +2.9
Singapore-Sydney 1,376,6391,385,345 4.1 +0.6
Singapore-Melbourne1,125,247 1,163,293 3.4 +3.4
Auckland-Melbourne1,012,714 1,097,993 3.2 +8.4
Singapore-Perth 1,052,0541,005,642 3.0 -4.4
Auckland-Brisbane 890,790 954,5462.8+7.2
Hong Kong-Sydney
945,599
928,850
2.7
-1.8
Denpasar-Perth
832,088 918,781 2.7+10.4
Los Angeles-Sydney
896,193
898,252
2.7
+0.2
Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne 899,637
861,305
2.5
-4.3
Top 10 city pairs
10,494,593 10,719,364 31.7
+2.1
Other city pairs 21,883,583 23,147,111 68.3
+5.8
ALL CITY PAIRS
32,378,176 33,866,475 100.0
+4.6
Webjet (WEB)
Source: BITRE
Disruptive Investments (DVI)
$4.29
$0.035
Qantas (QAN)
$3.69
Virgin Australia (VAH)
$0.47
Ardent Leisure (AAD)
$2.58
Air New Zealand (AIZ)
$2.22
Auckland International Airport (AIA)
$4.47
Sydney Airport (SYD)
$6.00
Corporate Travel Management (CTD)
$9.79
Cover-More Insurance (CVO)
$2.22
Regional Express (REX)
$0.91
Sealink (SLK)
$3.10
STATE OF THE Industry
has made a range of assertions, particularly
attacking the Sydney curfew which makes
onward connections via Doha difficult. In
2012 he told Travel Daily “there will be
further Australian routes, but it won’t be to
Sydney. We’re not in the business of parking
planes on the ground for ten hours”.
The debut of Perth services in 2012
meant QR had used up its full allocation
of 14 weekly flights – but late last month
a new bilateral has put the matter up for
grabs again, with an allocation of 21 services
available which would equate to daily
flights from three ports. The NSW capital is
expected to be the next step – particularly
given new rhetoric from Al Baker earlier this
year when he insisted “Sydney has never
been off the radar”.
Reynolds returns to Australia
The appointment of Steve Reynolds to the
role of executive general manager with APT
continues the touring and cruising giant’s
seemingly relentless expansion. Reporting
to APT Group ceo Chris Hall, Reynolds will
oversee the APT operations globally, while the
new executive structure will also see David
Cox with a similar Executive GM role looking
after Travelmarvel.
Reynolds has an impeccable industry
pedigree, joining APT from his former Londonbased role as managing director of BackRoads Touring. He joined Back-Roads about
three years ago, after steering Tempo Holidays
through its acquisition by Cox & Kings. Under
the APT restructure Debra Fox will work across
both APT and Travelmarvel as executive
general manager of Global Sales & Marketing,
while David Courage rounds out the team
as executive general manager of Global
Operations, Innovation and Procurement.
AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS
International passenger through Australia’s
major international airports – June 2015
Airport
Passengers Passengers
YE Jun 14
YE Jun 15
Sydney 13,238,439 Melbourne 7,666,124
Brisbane 4,807,993 Perth 4,055,604 Adelaide 906,523
Gold Coast 875,310 Cairns 469,584 Darwin 338,826
Norfolk Island 11,747
Sunshine Coast* 8,026 n/a
Port Hedland~
All Airports 32,378,176
13,508,201
8,410,941
5,143,336
4,187,270
933,477
878,957
488,379
292,218
11,845
10,228
1,623
33,866,475
% of
total
39.9
24.8 15.2 12.4 2.8 2.6 1.4 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0
100.0 % change
15/14
+2.0
+9.7
+7.0
+3.2
+3.0
+0.4
+4.0
-13.8
+0.8
+27.4
n/a
+4.6
* Operated scheduled service from July 2012 to September 2012, June 2013 to October 2013 and June 2014 to October 2014. Scheduled services recommenced April 2015.
Yes, (Tourism) Minister
New prime minister Malcolm Turnbull
wasted no time in putting his stamp on
his new government, with the long-awaited
appointment of a tourism minister warming
the hearts of travel and tourism lobby groups
across the country.
Predictably the accolades were followed
by calls for the new role to become part of
the Cabinet, but you can’t have everything.
Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck will
oversee the tourism portfolio, indicating that
Turnbull recognises the importance of the
sector which was previously part of Andrew
Robb’s Trade and Investment remit.
If you have a really
‘cheap
service, in the case
of Airnb, what does that
do to the margins of your
traditional infrastructure,
and how do you manage to
maintain it
’
Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck
Interestingly, one of Colbeck’s first
initiatives has been to announce he will
consider the impact of “sharing-economy”
businesses such as Airbnb and Uber on
the sustainability of the domestic tourism
industry. “If you have a really cheap service,
in the case of Airbnb, what does that do to
the margins of your traditional infrastructure,
and how do you manage to maintain it,”
he asked.
ACREDITED AGENTS
22 September 2015
NSW 1012
VIC735
QLD657
WA322
SA231
ACT50
TAS40
NT23
total
370
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HEADLINES
20 Aug Etihad revamps fare structure
21 Aug ACCC approves Qantas-China Eastern tie-up
21 Aug Kogan enters travel arena
24 Aug Capri by Fraser for Sydney
25 Aug New STA backpacker shops
25 Aug Aussie Bali visits drop 14%
26 Aug CTM profit up 75% to $29m
26 Aug NZ$496m profit for Air NZ
27 Aug Flight Centre reports $366.3m
full year profit
27 Aug $8.8m profit for Magellan
27 Aug Mantra revenue up $9.7m
28 Aug Helloworld $6.9m ‘adjusted profit’
28 Aug ACCC appealing Flight Centre judgement
28 Aug Echo Entertainment plan to rebrand
31 Aug NZ industry celebrations
31 Aug FC vows to defend ruling
01 Sep BYOjet turns over $92.4m
02 Sep Tourism coalition backs FTA
02 Sep Malaysia Airlines reborn
02 Sep Helloworld confirms AOT talks
03 Sep Another profit for Choice
03 Sep TA #notatourist Visa pact
04 Sep China arrivals surged 16%
04 Sep AOT gets Masters games
07 Sep MU deal trumps EK: Joyce
07 Sep Sunset for New Horizons md
08 Sep QF UK capacity renewal
08 Sep Aussie lux market to soar
09 Sep United Airlines ceo steps down effective immediately
09 Sep IATA billing cycle to halve
09 Sep VA unveils BNE upgrades
10 Sep SQ 2016 earlybird release
10 Sep Branson tips tourism boom
11 Sep Zym Travel case adjourned
11 Sep Low A$ good for Trafalgar
14 Sep Malindo Air plotting PER
14 Sep Helloworld terminates AOT talks
15 Sep WoAG air travel tender
15 Sep QF seat selection fee rejig
16 Sep QF married segment focus
17 Sep Qantas back to Denpasar
17 Sep Magellan eyes $926m TTV
18 Sep SeaLink to buy Stradbroke Ferries
18 Sep Magellan organic growth
18 Sep Walshe group handling ANA
21 Sep Tourism Minister returns
21 Sep Jetstar LATAM codeshare
5
ISSUES &
TRENDS
25 years just the
beginning
Steve Jones’ Say
WHO REALLY OWNS THE CUSTOMER?
I have a hunch, and a pretty strong one,
that few people would disagree with the
observation that airlines and agents don’t
always see eye to eye.
There are, of course, exceptions and
there will be many examples of harmonious
relationships where the two work together
like brothers in arms.
That harmony certainly appears to exist
between the two industry bodies; the
International Air Transport Association
and the Australian Federation of Travel
Agents. For two years, on and off, they
were involved in negotiations over changes
to IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP),
the system by which IATA-accredited travel
agents transfer money to airlines.
The result of such negotiation led to the
agreement of a two-year transition period
for a processing restructure that will see
IATA reduce the credit given to agents from
14 days to seven.
While hardly catastrophic for agents,
retailers will, as AFTA acknowledged, lose
“significant” amounts of interest they
accrue on trust accounts where client
monies are held.
On the surface, airlines seem completely
within their rights to demand their money
earlier (and this is most certainly a
demand, not a request).
But is it really their money? If I buy
a Qantas ticket today for a flight to the
UK next March, can my $2500 really be
considered their money to demand?
Not according to Express Travel Group
CEO Tom Manwaring, who argues that the
funds remains those of the customer until
the product is supplied.
No one is suggesting the cash belongs
to the agent. But there is a strong case
for arguing that neither does it belong to
airlines, yet they are the ones, via IATA,
demanding payment earlier.
It’s akin to the age-old quarrel of who
owns the customer. Is it the agent or
the supplier? The answer of course is
neither, and certainly not in this business
environment of an empowered consumer.
AFTA has done well to negotiate such a
long transition period – it was never going
to prevent the BSP change from happening
– and IATA had the power to implement
this way before 2018. But once again it
rather feels as though agents have drawn
the short straw.
At the very least it will see several more
retailers relinquish their IATA accreditation, a
scenario that won’t displease consolidators.
As IATA accreditation becomes ever more
onerous for agents, the more the likes of Air
Tickets and Consolidated Travel will become
the principal connection between the trade
and IATA.
South Australia’s premier travel agency
Phil Hoffmann Travel is setting a course to
pass $200 million annual turnover, open new
overseas travel markets for holiday-makers
and create up to 60 local jobs along the way.
The local family owned agency, which turned
25 years old last month, has outlined its bold
growth plans which include expanding its
business travel division and carving out greater
market share in the global cruising market.
Chief executive officer Peter Williams said
the travel company was entering one of the
most exciting chapters in its 25-year history.
“Our business has evolved in line with the
market, changing technology and the specific
travel desires of our clients,” Williams said.
“While the company has grown and
branched out into a greater range of services,
we’ve remained focused on ensuring our
clients have a great travel experience. The
reason we have survived and thrived in such
a competitive industry over 25 years is as
simple as that. Treat your clients as you’d like
to be treated and you’ll have clients for life.”
Pictured (Lto R) is Phil Hoffman and Peter Williams.
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ISSUES & TRENDS
Magellan eyes
the future
By Jasmine O’Donoghue
Magellan Travel Group fell short on its member and agent number
goals for FY15, but exceeded its financial goals, CEO Andrew
Macfarlane (pictured) revealed at the Group’s annual conference.
The Group surpassed its goal of $850 million TTV for FY15,
reaching $863 million, while operating profit reached $8.9 million,
past the target of over $8 million. Magellan also kept costs down to
8.2 per cent of operating
profit, after aiming to
achieve less than nine
per cent.
While the Group had
high hopes, planning
to reach 105 members
and 130 agents, it fell
short, achieving 98 and
122 respectively.
For 2016, Magellan
has its sights set on
$926 million TTV and is
eyeing exceeding $10
million in net income,
while at the same time
lowering costs to less
than eight per cent
of income.
Macfarlane told
travelBulletin shortly after his CEO address that the group
expects its membership to grow but hasn’t pinned down any
particular numbers.
He said forecasting what will happen next for competitor
groups and what that will mean in terms of industry stability or
mass movement of agents is difficult, emphasising that “anything
could happen”.
The Group has reached “critical mass” in terms of buying power,
allowing it to be “more selective than ever in selecting the right
agents for the group,” and grow by spreading the word in “a low
key way”.
“If you run the niche strategy where you want a particular kind
of agent, you really are better off if people hear about the group,
talk to an existing agent in the group and then make an enquiry,”
Macfarlane told travelBulletin.
Macfarlane expects some growth to come when contracts expire
and agents look at the alternatives.
“They’ll ask themselves ‘has it worked with the group I’ve been
with during the contracts period?’ and if that’s a yes then I guess
they’ll stay and if not then they might look at what the alternatives
are and we’re one of those.”
One obstacle to growth Magellan faces is the “enhanced agent
incentives scheme” offered by some other groups.
“That’s code for pay-to-stay… it’s not something that we do.
We want our members to stay with us for as long as the model is
working for them… and we’ve continued to grow with that model.
“We don’t need to provide “sweeteners” to join or make payments
for agents to stay,” Macfarlane said.
AFTA view
Jayson Westbury, chief executive AFTA
KEEPING PACE WITH CHANGES
For the many travel agencies that continue to hold an IATA
accreditation for the purpose of BSP settlement the news of
the pending change to the BSP billing settlement timetable in
Australia may have come as a bit of a shock.
In part this is because it is difficult to communicate a
process that has taken nearly two years to negotiate, and AFTA’s
role in communicating the working arrangements of another
organisations’ processes.
For IATA it is also difficult to know when to release information
about a proposed change during a protracted negotiation. But
nevertheless the simple fact is that credit is becoming far more
difficult to get worldwide. Many BSP’s around the globe are making
significant changes to settlement times as the airlines and IATA
work to close the gap on credit.
The BSP needs to keep
pace with the modern payment
regimes that are now available.
What this means for Australia is
a shortening of the settlement
timetable.
From 1 February 2016 the
BSP settlement cycle will be
shortened by 3 days, meaning
that IATA agents and anyone
purchasing tickets from an IATA agent will need to remit the weekly
BSP funds to IATA earlier. Presently, the 7 day BSP is settled 14
days later meaning it is a 21 day cycle. From 1 February 2018 (two
years time) a further 4 days will be taken off the cycle meaning
funds will be remitted to IATA 7 days after the BSP closes.
The reason why there is a timetable associated with this
change is to allow agents time to organise themselves for the
change. At the time of going to print the IATA Passenger Agency
Conference (PAConf/38) has not taken place and this process
needs to ratify this change and bring it formally into effect. I don’t
see any reason why that will not happen.
Australia remains one of the more consolidated markets around
the globe with agents finding it simpler and more convenient to
ticket via consolidators. This is not the case in all world markets
and the value of IATA accreditation is something that is constantly
considered by travel agents as they make their strategic and
structural decisions about what works best for their business.
As new forms of payment make their way into the travel industry
landscape and options become more open and available to
new innovative ways to settle with suppliers one of the biggest
challenges facing IATA is to ensure that the BSP remains relevant,
fit for purpose and an affordable way for agents to settle with
airlines knowing that they have the right mutual protections in
place for when things might go wrong. To finish it is important to
say that the announcement about this change to the IATA BSP
settlement cycle might have come as a bit of a surprise to many,
but I can assure you that this has been a protracted and prolonged
negotiation with the outcome one of mutual compromise.
From 1 February,
‘2016
the BSP
settlement cycle
will be shortened
by three days
’
7
ISSUES &
TRENDS
TIME TO ADAPT TO
NEW BSP
With the announcement that
IATA’s BSP will be reduced by
seven days, agencies need to
plan ahead to prevent a credit
crunch. STEVE JONES reports.
As transition periods go, the one afforded
to travel agents over plans to shorten the
payment cycle of air ticket sales would
appear to be a generous one.
Under changes announced last month,
which followed exhaustive negotiations
between the International Air Transport
Association (IATA) and the Australian
Federation of Travel Agents, IATA’s Billing
Settlement Plan (BSP) will be reduced from
the current 21 day cycle to 14.
The new arrangements will see the
retention of the seven-day remittance
period, but the halving of the processing and
payment element of the cycle, from 14 to
seven days. In short, agents’ credit period is
being cut.
While the reduction is hardly good news
for IATA-accredited agents and consolidators,
they at least have been given plenty of
warning. It will be two and a half years before
the change is fully implemented, which surely
gives even the most disorganised of retailers
sufficient time to make the necessary
adjustments to their internal processes.
In the phased transition, the 14 day
settlement will reduce to 11 days from
1 February 2016, then shortened by a further
four days in 2018.
The reduction, which is likely to be trimmed
even more over time, will bring Australia in
8
line with several other markets, New Zealand
among them, whose IATA-accredited agents
went through the same transformation last
year, but without the two-year transition period.
Interest is a free ride
‘income
and if you’re not
going to get that anymore, or
at least generate less of it,
you have to prepare for it
’
Andrew Olsen, chief executive of the Travel
Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ),
described the change as almost a non-event,
telling travelBulletin it was “discussed and
agreed by agents and airlines at the APJC
(Agency Programme Joint Council) over a
substantial period of time”.
“Agents were notified of the change in
advance to ensure they were financially
prepared for the cut over. TAANZ has not
received any documented issues since the
change,” he said.
While agents in Australia may take heart
from Olsen’s words, and though the staged
transition will make the upheaval slightly
more palatable, the new arrangements will,
nevertheless, be as unwelcome as much as
they were inevitable.
AFTA chief executive Jayson Westbury said
the biggest issue will be the loss of interest
agents earn on trust accounts which hold
client monies.
For a retailer the size of Flight Centre, and
for the major consolidators, that is likely to
be a considerable sum, particularly when you
consider the 652 IATA-accredited agents in
Australia processed US$13.5b in 2014.
“If you are going to get seven days less
interest, that is significant,” Westbury told
travelBulletin. “Interest is a free ride income
and if you’re not going to get that anymore,
or at least generate less of it, you have to
prepare for it.
“That’s why the step change period is so
important. It will enable agents to think about
how they are going to budget for a forecast…
on the back of having money in their account
for less time.”
Impacts on cash flow are also likely,
although Westbury stressed IATA-accredited
agents are forbidden from using client money
to help fund the running of their business.
At the heart of IATA’s global push for a
shorter BSP is the desire to reduce the
financial risk of airlines. Put simply, the less
money is held by agents and the less is
slushing around the BSP system, the
ISSUES & TRENDS
less financially exposed they are.
IATA South West Pacific area manager, Ian
Lorigan, acknowledged that risk mitigation
was one of the key drivers for reducing
agents’ credit period.
“The purpose of the change is to reap
process efficiencies enabled by a paperless
ticket environment, improve cash flow for
airlines, while improving risk mitigation by
reducing the volume of airline monies in
the BSP processing cycle,” he said, adding
that the phased implementation will allow
for an “orderly transition” and a “smooth
assimilation by agents to the new BSP
processing cycle”.
Despite the financial loss agents will
suffer, Westbury suggested it was hard to
argue against IATA’s desire to speed up
processes, particularly in an age when
technology is facilitating more efficient
payment systems.
In addition, while IATA and its member
airlines have not been stung too often locally,
collapses elsewhere have seen bonds held
by failed agencies fall well short of what
airlines were owed.
“In part, this change is about tidying
up their exposure to credit. The cold hard
reality is that airlines want their money
faster,” Westbury said. “It isn’t unreasonable
because of the modernised payment
methods. And the days of long arm credit in
business to business is disappearing fast.
“No IATA agent will say they are happy, but
when they stop and think, it is the airlines’
are two years to
‘getThere
your act together and
prepare your business
disciplines for what you
now know is coming over
the horizon
’
money and they are entitled to it. That’s the
way it is. A good fight was put up and the
best possible outcome was achieved.”
He added: “We’ve had it good for a long
time and the fact we managed to get a two
year transition period is world class. Very few
other jurisdictions have managed to get a
step change.
“There are two years to get your act
together and prepare your business
disciplines for what you now know is coming
over the horizon.”
Yet Westbury’s assertion that money
collected by agents is airline money is one
not shared by all.
Express Travel Group chief executive,
Tom Manwaring, welcomed the spirit of
collaborative negotiation between IATA
and AFTA but rejected the view that money
collected by agents belonged to airlines,
arguing it remained the customer’s money.
“In many industries you receive payment
on delivery of the product,” he said. “But as a
consumer buying a flight, you’re not going to
sit in that airline seat for another six months
so you’re not using that product. You’re not
burning fuel and you’re not eating the airline’s
food. If you’re discussing whose money it is,
I’d say it belongs to the consumer.”
Manwaring also observed that in the current
21-day BSP cycle, airlines are still receiving
their money early considering the average time
between booking and flying is 55 days.
“Squeezing the travel industry for those
extra days when there are very few defaults
on the volumes we are doing is a little
mean,” he said.
Be it mean or simply airlines requesting
what they are entitled to, change is coming.
Agents, while not doing cartwheels, can
console themselves with the knowledge they
have plenty of time to adapt.
9
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ISSUES & TRENDS
WORLD EXpeditions TURNS 40
Behind any great adventure travel company stands a great story
of lost loads, flipped rafts, missing donkeys, delays, outdated
computer systems and lost and found clients. And World Expeditions,
celebrating its 40th year of operation this month, has seen it all.
World Expeditions began in 1975, when Australian Himalayan
Expeditions first offered trekking holidays in Nepal. In those precomputer days, arrangements were made on the phone and
reservations were recorded by hand. New routes in distant countries
were established and trekked for months before details were read in
brochures by travellers.
It wasn’t until almost a month after a raft flipped in Tibet – losing
camping equipment and food supplies to a surging river – that head
office heard of the mishap. Ingenious guides managed to replace
almost everything from nearby villages without much fuss, but the
story remains a favourite.
World Expeditions CEO, Sue Badyari, began with the company in
1986 and has seen – first hand – many of the changes that shaped
the modern company. She says the advent of the internet was the
cause of one of the most profound changes in the industry.
“The internet spelt the demise of blissful ignorance,” Badyari
recalls. “Previously, we’d hear of problems like supplies tumbling down
mountains and donkeys disappearing overnight at the same time as
we heard of how the issues were resolved. Today, we know almost
immediately when a group arrive at a suddenly closed border,” she says.
As well as making communication immediate and in real time,
the internet also allowed virtually anyone to market guiding services
globally, forcing travel companies to differentiate their product from
The internet
‘spelt
the demise
of blissful
ignorance
’
Sue Badyari, CEO
World Expeditions
competitors. World Expeditions responded by investing in its guiding
program and developing market leading responsible tourism practices
and committing to supporting local communities, all of which remain
at its core today.
Against the backdrop of global events: terrorism, recession and
war; travellers’ thirst for adventure and travel to new destinations
has remained.
As World Expeditions looks to the future, the company says it is
responsive to emerging destinations and opportunities, crafting new
itineraries and forging relationships with international operators to
satisfy the sometimes fickle demands of travellers.
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ISSUES &
TRENDS
Great Dane laps up Contiki top job
Appointed to lead youth specialist
touring company Contiki is a dream
role for Casper Urhammer. Nearly
12 months into the position, GUY
DUNDAS sat down with the Danishborn, Geneva-based e-commerce
and digital marketing whiz to see
how he’s adapting to the career
change and hear about what he’s
got planned.
Before taking to the helm at Contiki in
November last year, Urhammer spent five
years at group buying enterprise Groupon,
witnessing the evolution of the brand from
the inside, where he rose to managing
director of sales and marketing, Australia &
New Zealand. Moving up through the ranks at
Groupon also gave the Dane a chance to see
more of the world and base himself in the
US, UK and Europe.
“I was there from its early days as a
start-up to an established business to a
publically listed company, it was a fantastic
journey. I think in five years I matured 25 years.”
While in Australia and heading up
Groupon’s growth strategy in Asia, Urhammer
“came across” Contiki.
One thing led to another, and nine months
of talks later, he found himself assigned
to head up the 18-35 year old holiday
specialist’s global operation.
Until the end of last year, the iconic youth
oriented brand – one of the many travel
brands within The Travel Corporation stable –
was headed up by former ceo, now chairman
David Hosking, supported by managing
12
directors in Australia, New Zealand, Canada,
USA and South Africa.
“Groupon was amazing. We did some
amazing things, we grew so fast. Although
it was fantastic and amazingly fun, it was
great to jump onto a business like Contiki
which is so identifiable and stable and
can run the business blindfolded. But as
you get older (as I will experience as well),
running a youth brand, someone needs to
be on par with technology trends and with
marketing trends and so forth, and that’s
some of the skills I bring onboard. And then
of course a can-do attitude, a will to want
I think it’s probably
‘every
businessman’s
dream, doing what
I’m doing for Contiki,
because it’s such a
well-known business
Casper Urhammer, CEO
Contiki Holidays
takeover to make it a better business,”
Urhammer said.
“I think it’s probably every businessman’s
dream, doing what I’m doing for Contiki,
because it’s such a well-known business.
“I’m coming in to manage a business that
is so well run – nothing is broken, cool brand,
great product – and tweaking it, making it a
little better and growing the business.”
Pressed by travelBulletin about what
“tweaks” are planned, he said: “The guy I’m
replacing, he started as a bus driver over 40
years ago and he has done incredibly well,
but he has been around for many years and
’
to take the brand even further and a slightly
different view of certain characteristics.”
Aspects Urhammer will steer include a
new website, earmarked for a launch in early
2016. An e-learning specialist program for
travel agents is also on the agenda.
“We want to make it easier for our
customers to figure out what Contiki is about
online. Our website is coming up to nine
years old and it needs an overhaul. We are
looking into that, and all for the purpose
of showing content and exploring what a
‘Contiki’ would be about, so we can send
them to the agent to buy a trip,” he said.
ISSUES & TRENDS
ATEC view
Peter Shelley, managing director ATEC
Strong product to benefit
from weaker dollar
There is no doubt Australia is an attractive international travel
destination and we have a positive future ahead. The International
Visitor Results in June show just how much potential there is in
the market with international visitor spend up 10 per cent year on
year to a record $33.4 billion.
As an industry, we also have some good tools to work with and
we are fighting for those tools to be reinforced and upgraded. Things
like the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) which will
help build a stronger overall trade relationship with our largest
and highest spending tourism export market. This agreement
is something that our industry has united on to defend from a
campaign driven by Australian Unions that threatens its delivery.
A recent review of the
40 year old Emerging
Market Development
Grant program, a
program that has
supported thousands of
Australian businesses
to move into new
export markets, has
recommended an increase in grant funding – a move we support.
While Australia’s popularity as a destination flourishes and
we are reaping the rewards of the well placed demand driver
campaigns delivered by Tourism Australia and others, we need
to continue to build the connections between product suppliers,
distribution networks and marketing activities. Our export tourism
success will rely on our collective ability to raise awareness,
grow intention to travel, positively influence distribution channels
and importantly, drive conversion – the most important metric in
assessing our effectiveness.
Conversations with members support the key indicators
evolving from ATEC’s most recent International Market Monitor
which assesses forward booking sentiment. Their ‘on the ground’
intelligence suggests they expect a very positive year ahead and
are experiencing growth across most markets, in some cases
quite significant growth from both our mature Western markets as
well as our growth markets of China and Asia generally, and also
emerging markets especially South America.
As in all cases, in order for the industry to maximise its
opportunities, it must be a collective effort between industry and
Government and all policy settings must recognise the economic
benefit of facilitating greater visitation and ensuring that we
remove any disincentives to travel to Australia. These include Visa
applications and processing as well as a raft of taxes and charges
targeting travellers, through to efficient and friendly passenger
processing at our gateways - all important considerations.
With the dollar now making Australia an even more desirable
destination and encouraging further spend on the ground, we have
much to look forward to as our Australian tourism export industry
continues its growth path into the future.
Our export tourism
‘success
will rely on our
collective ability to...
drive conversion
’
13
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AUSTRALIA’S MOST EXPERIENCED
EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT TEAM
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business events news
A royal event
By Kris Madden
T
HERE are few more inspirational
spots in the world to host a
conference, meeting, incentive,
or special event than stunning
Queenstown.
With such a regal name, it’s fitting that
Queenstown has so much to offer in the way
of luxury, whether it be heli-skiing, a round
at one of the world’s top golf courses, being
pampered at a luxury spa, or enjoying awardwinning local food and wine.
Sitting on the shore of crystal-clear Lake
Wakatipu against a backdrop of dramatic
alpine ranges; it’s rumoured that gold
prospectors - captivated by the majestic
beauty of the surrounding landscape - gave
this now cosmopolitan town its name.
A true four-season destination, different
seasons bring crisp, clear blue-sky days and
snow-capped mountains in winter; while
spring retains the snow but longer warmer
days and bright blooms transform the
landscape. Summer offers hot dry days and
long twilights, and autumn’s brilliant red and
14
gold colours are internationally renowned.
The region is home to several worldclass hotels and luxury lodges featuring
magnificent architecture, plush fittings and
outstanding service. Many of these have won
international awards and accolades for their
quality, consistent service and superb dining.
Vineyards and winery restaurants are some
of the best in New Zealand and various ‘cellar
It’s fitting that
‘Queenstown
has so
much to offer in the way
of luxury
’
door’ operations and wine tours provide
plenty of chances to explore the Central
Otago region and get an insight into its
epicurean culture and award-winning wines.
The Wakatipu Collection members have
joined forces to provide an exciting range
of Queenstown wine tasting experiences.
There’s golf-wine combos, bike-wine combos,
helicopter-wine combos and even jet
boat-wine combos.
With a smorgasbord of outdoor activities,
Queenstown is the home of the ultimate
adventure bucket list leading to its reputation
as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’. From
skydiving, to bungy jumping, canyon swinging,
rafting, jet boating, tandem hang-gliding and
paragliding, mountain biking, hiking, horse
trekking, supercar or four-wheel-driving - it’s
no exaggeration to say you can experience
more here in a day than most do in a lifetime.
For a more leisurely pace, Queenstown
has some great ways to relax and recharge
the batteries including lake cruises, scenic
flights, hot air balloon rides, gondola rides,
wine and art trails, museums, nature parks,
and fishing. For the ultimate in relaxation,
there are plenty of luxury spa resorts in the
area. A variety of international and traditional
treatments are on offer to revitalize mind,
body and soul.
What makes Queenstown such a popular
meetings destination is its commitment to
ensuring every group has a truly memorable
experience that your delegates will rave about
for months.
around queenstown
Few destinations offer the variety of experiences that Queenstown does. Here’s just a taste of what’s on
offer to create the perfect business event.
Combine a cruise with a slice of high country
at Mt Nicholas High Country Farm, located
on the western shores of Lake Wakatipu,
with 360 degree views to Mount Earnslaw,
Glenorchy and the Remarkables mountain
range. The Woolshed at Mt Nicholas can
be transformed into a themed venue with
capacity for up to 150 guests. Only 40
minutes transfer by private charter, the
venue is also easily accessible by helicopter.
n www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz
Known in particular for its Central
Otago Pinot Noir, Queenstown
and its surrounding regions are
home to more than 200 vineyards
producing a wide range of wine
varieties. The Queenstown Wine
Trail follows the Gibbston River
Trail, the same river route as early
Maori travellers. This walking tour
includes wine and cheese tastings
and a picnic along the way.
n www.queenstownwinetrail.co.nz
Miles Holden
Voted the Best Golf Resort in Australasia
and New Zealand at the World Travel Awards,
the Millbrook Resort is overflowing with
luxurious charm. The championship golf
course offers five different tee positions
catering for golfers of every level. Styles of
accommodation range from the charming
Village Inn studios, spacious suites and
cottages to the exclusive Fairway Homes.
There are six golf courses all located within
25 minutes’ drive from downtown, making
Queenstown a prime golfing destination.
The Jack’s Point course is one of the world’s
most spectacular.
n www.millbrook.co.nz
Real Journeys offers a range of unique
itineraries for MICE planners. Cruise
to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw
for team building and a BBQ lunch,
then take a scenic flight to Milford for
a cocktail cruise on the fiord. Other
suggestions include venturing to the
nature sanctuary of Stewart Island for a
private guided walk and traditional kiwi
fish and chips on the beach; or travel
back in time with a ‘gold rush’ themed
gala dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead.
n www.realjourneys.co.nz
Queenstown’s reputation as the
adventure capital of New Zealand
means it’s the ideal destination for
group development and team building,
with countless challenges on offer to
strengthen your team’s bond. Take your
pick from the list of adrenaline-pumping
adventure activities on offer from iconic
Queenstown bungy jumping to whitewater rafting, river surfing, jet boat thrills
and helicopters.
n www.glaciersouthernlakes.co.nz
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15
business events news
Meeting millennials’ meeting needs
BORN between 1980 and 2000, ‘millennials’
or Generation Y, are often portrayed as
preferring texting to talking and online to
real life. However new research shows that
millennials value face-to-face networking at
meetings and events just as much, if not
more, as previous generations.
According to a recently released Skift Report:
‘What millennials want in meetings’, millennials
are more inclined to believe that a wide network
of professional contacts and continuing industry
sector education are more important than
advanced degrees or longevity with any one
company for professional growth opportunities.
Therefore, meetings and events offer the
best possible platform to help them expand
their networks, customize their self-education,
and personalize their career paths. This is
creating a dramatic shift in the meetings and
events industry because millennial meeting
planners and attendees prefer to learn and
network differently than previous age groups.
For many millennials, there is no such
thing as ‘before the Internet.’ They expect
technology, including fast Wi-Fi, hybrid
content, social media conversation, webbased audience participation platforms,
comprehensive event apps and other tech to
be seamlessly integrated.
Forward-thinking industry leaders are
implementing next generation meeting design
and event technologies that are more aligned
with this younger generations’ preferences.
Modern meeting design integrates
16
education at every turn with more options for
pop-up sessions and open-space learning.
Pre-function space is the new meeting
space because it allows for flexibility and
encourages more casual conversations.
People in all age groups are questioning the
traditional one-way speaker lecture format.
It is estimated that by
‘2021,
this generation will
represent 70 per cent of...
meeting attendees
’
Planners should add audience participation
apps to develop live polls and inspire
audiences to ask questions.
The traditional cocktail party is being killed
off, or at least transformed. Many millennials
say they find these events intimidating
because it is unnatural to them to walk up to
someone and start a conversation without
some kind of shared interest beyond the
event theme. Meeting apps where attendees
can find people with similar interests are
becoming popular; as is mentor pairing with
those who have already established their
networks over the years.
Millennials want interactive networking
opportunities during live meetings that can’t
be duplicated online, such as interactive
workshops and panels with a lot of give-andtake between the audience and speakers. It’s
also important to make sure attendees have
something to share.
Event technology is no longer regarded as
some kind of add-on component attached to a
meeting, because technology now underpins
every part of the meeting experience.
Even though many millennials are still
developing their skill sets, they want to feel
like their opinion is respected and they’re
helping co-create meeting content and
experiences, so setting up a millennial task
force for special projects will help make the
event more attractive to this group.
It is estimated that by 2021, this
generation will represent up to 70 per cent
of new convention and meeting attendees;
and over the next 10 years more millennials
will be entering the workforce and moving
into executive roles. A strategic focus
shift toward the important and emerging
millennial demographic is essential to the
future success of meetings and events.
Understanding their wants, needs, and
expectations in a meeting experience will pay
dividends and go a long way toward attracting,
engaging, and retaining their loyalty.
Face-to-face meetings drive business,
help maintain professional relationships,
and promote personal and professional
development better than any other medium.
While technology may facilitate the way we
work, looking someone in the eye, smiling,
and shaking hands creates the kind of human
connection that cannot be replaced in any way.
EEAA View
Joyce DiMascio, chief executive
Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia
NZ ICC gets go ahead
The NZ tourism industry is looking forward
to seeing progress on the International
Convention Centre now it has received
resource consent approval.
The new international-scale convention
centre will create substantial economic
benefits for the whole country, Tourism
Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) chief
executive Chris Roberts says.
“We are pleased to see progress on this
vital piece of infrastructure to accelerate the
growth in tourism’s contribution to the New
Zealand economy,” says Roberts.
Business events were highlighted as a
high-value growth area for tourism in the
industry’s Tourism 2025 growth framework,
which aims to almost double total tourism
revenue to $41 billion over the next decade.
“Cities all over the world are investing in
convention centres because they can see the
potential, but New Zealand has been lagging
behind. The International Convention Centre
will allow us to target a valuable new sector
of the convention market that we have not
previously been able to accommodate.”
With many international conventions taking
place during New Zealand’s off-peak season,
the International Convention Centre will help
increase visitor numbers at times when there
is currently spare capacity, supporting jobs
and businesses in the tourism industry.
Being able to host medium to large scale
events will see accommodation bookings
spread among Auckland hotels and provide
flow-on benefits to a range of business sectors,
including retail, hospitality and transport.
headlines
20 Aug Events at NSW Parliament
24 Aug Perth CB pushes for funding
27 Aug P&O MICE push pays off
31 Aug APT business events offering
03 Sep EEAA awards expanded
07 Sep Luxperience 2015 kicks off
10 Sep Planners generational shift
14 Sep “Best ever” Luxperience
17 Sep PCOA seals Malaysian pact
THE BENEFITS OF BUSINESS EVENTS
There is one thing the exhibition and
events sector is good at and that is at
adapting to change and opportunity. And it
couldn’t be truer than now.
A wide-range of factors are influencing
the business environment in this sector –
global and national economic conditions,
post-mining and resources boom
adjustments, emerging new industries –
and major changes to the way people do
business and communicate.
If all of this wasn’t enough, we have also
accommodated the business disruption
caused by the redevelopment of Darling
Harbour in Sydney.
With just one year to go before the
commencement of test events at ICC
Sydney in September 2016 ahead of the
official opening in December 2016, the
excitement is palpable. Anyone who has
been anywhere near Darling Harbour knows
the speed at which the structures are
taking shape.
Indeed, there is a total transformation
of Sydney occurring and this has to be
good for the whole country. When our cities
are thriving and infrastructure is renewed,
everybody wins.
With the opening of Barangaroo Reserve
in late August a beautiful new headland
has been returned to the community. From
this vantage point it is possible to see
the scale of the renewal of the western
harbour in Sydney. Let there be no doubt,
Sydney will be revitalised as a result of
the major infrastructure investments of
the Baird Government.
In early September, NSW Premier Mike
Baird proudly declared the redevelopment of
Darling Harbour was on-time and on budget.
This is a great achievement and a tribute
to the hundreds of workers whose labour
and skill is transforming Sydney.
We are being very well served by the
temporary facilities at Glebe Island and
the venues around the city and country
that are hosting relocated shows following
the closure of the Sydney Convention and
Exhibition Centre.
The opening of the new facility in
Sydney and the expansion of Melbourne’s
exhibition facilities at the MCEC couldn’t
come soon enough.
Trade and consumer exhibitions are
major drivers of business activity and
contribute substantially to the profitability of
venues and have a wide economic footprint.
The EY study produced for the Business
Events Council of Australia and launched at
AIME 2015 provided new vital data on the
scale of the exhibition sector.
EY reports in 2013/14 there were 2,157
exhibitions staged in Australia attracting
9.3 million visitors and 65,000 exhibitors.
These numbers show the scale of the
expo sector – more significant is that
our sector stimulated $3.1 billion dollars
in expenditure and direct value-add of
$1.5million and generated over 21,000 fulltime equivalent jobs.
Australia benefits
‘enormously
from a
thriving business events
sector and expos are a
key part of it
’
We continue to take this message about
the Power of Exhibitions to Governments
and their agencies – Australia benefits
enormously from a thriving business events
sector and expos are a key part of it.
Without exhibitions, the profitability of
our major venues would suffer. The EEAA
Market Monitor for 2014 shows that for
some venues, expos generate over 30 per
cent of their business. For some venues,
this is trending upwards.
Trade and consumer expos are important
drivers of business, trade, investment,
employment, knowledge sharing and of
course, the visitor economy.
If you are working in the world of
exhibitions, know that what you deliver is
vitally important to the economy of Australia.
In challenging economic times – or
during this period of enormous change –
Australia’s exhibition and events sector
continues to demonstrate its resilience
and adaptability.
n For more information: www.eeaa.com.au
17
Brochures
18
ABERCROMBIE & KENT’S new Africa
& Arabia brochure is out with a
range of private and small group
journeys across the continent. New
to the portfolio for 2016 is a 15-day
hosted journey to Ethiopia focusing
on the country’s history, culture, wild
landscapes and fascinating tribal
heritage. There is a luxury small
group migration safari through Kenya
and Tanzania as well as a series of
short add-ons to South Africa’s Cape
Winelands, the Kenyan Coast, the
Laikipia Plateau and Mauritius.
INFINITY’S Nomad Africa Adventures
brochure has hit the shelves with
32 pages of guided African tours
ranging from seven to 55 days in
length and covering itineraries such as
gorilla watching, the Okavango Delta,
Serengeti, Victoria Falls, Chobe, Zanzibar
and more. Nomad allows guests to
choose between camping and lodge
accommodation ranging from two and
four-star. African-owned Nomad is one
of the largest African adventure touring
companies and boasts the newest fleet
of trucks and vehicles in Africa.
THE MOORINGS 2016 brochure
features nearly 100 pages of
destinations, beautiful yachts, and
everything your clients need to pick
the perfect sailing, including updated
region maps and icons; new ‘how does
it work’; and ‘what’s included’ pages.
There’s a selection of crewed, skippered,
bareboat or power charter yacht holidays
in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, the
Americas, Seychelles, Thailand, Tahiti
and Tonga, as well as a new fully-crewed
power catamaran holiday in the British
Virgin Islands and Sardinia.
APT has announced an expansion of
its Cape York and Outback Wilderness
Adventures program for 2016. Agents
can offer clients a choice of four new
tours, with APT’s portfolio now offering
a total of 14 different 4WD land tours
across QLD, South Australia, Northern
Territory and Western Australia.
Additionally, APT has also announced
a long list of exciting new Signature
Invitations. APT is also offering
exclusive Great Barrier Reef charters
with Coral Expeditions and announces
its partnership with Australia Zoo.
WORLD EXPEDITIONS has launched
its 2015-16 Asia brochure packed with
more than 120 exciting adventures,
including a new family adventure,
new multi-activity itineraries, trekking
expeditions and cultural journeys. Old
favourites such as Bike, Hike and Kayak
Northern Vietnam, Vietnam by Bike
and Tim Cope’s Mongolian Adventures
all remain, and new adventures have
been added in response to emerging
destinations and types of travel,
including treks in Iran and Tajikistan;
and a new destination: North Korea.
TRAVELMARVEL has released its new
Africa 2016 program, offering a range
of itineraries covering South Africa,
Zambia, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania.
Agents can offer clients a choice of
seven tours ranging from 11 to 29
days, all of which offer the flexibility
to be extended with a two night stay
on the elegant Blue Train, four nights
discovering mountain gorillas in Rwanda
or four days enjoying the white sands
and history of Zanzibar. Accommodation
comprises hand-picked lodges, camps
and hotels.
BENCH INTERNATIONAL has released its
2016 Africa brochure, introducing new
product in Kenya, Tanzania and South
Africa, on top of the properties and
itineraries that proved popular in 2015.
Jam-packed with hand-selected tours and
properties, the 2016 brochure includes
new destinations, as well as exciting new
self-drive holidays in both South Africa
and Namibia. The 11-day ‘1000 Views of
Madagascar Safari’ allows discovery of
the best of Madagascar complete with
lemurs, colourful tribes, tropical beaches,
and ever-changing scenery.
INFINITY HOLIDAYS is offering a suite
of ‘Escapes’ packages created by Flight
Centre that offer value, easy access
and a superior product. Destinations
included in the Beach Escapes
Packages are Fiji, Bali, Koh Samui,
Phuket, Mauritius, Hanoi and Da Nang.
The packages vary in length from
three to 14 days and allow customers
to choose from an array of hotels
and tours. Customers also receive a
concierge call before departure and a
credit towards their next ‘Escape’ on
their return.
Technology
guest comment
With managing director of Amadeus IT Pacific
Tony Carter
CUSTOM[ER] MADE: BUILDING TODAY’S TRAVELLER EXPERIENCE
Remember the days when travel meant simply choosing a
destination, buying a ticket and boarding the plane? Today, travel
is an experience in itself, one that revolves entirely around the
customer; one size no longer fits all. In much the same way as
a local coffee shop builds loyalty by placing the customer at the
center of the purchase; “a muffin with your coffee as usual today
George?”, travel agents are fast adopting a similar approach so that
on the last day of your work trip, you can check out some museums
before your flight back - without needing to say a thing. It’s all about
understanding the traveller.
I often speak about the Age of Traveller Power, a period whereby
the rules of travel are dictated by
the end consumer. But what does
this mean for travel providers?
More than ever, the industry needs
to adapt its approach to appeal
to different Traveller Tribes who
are searching for unique and
personalised travel experiences.
That is, the traveller must be
treated and understood as more
than a set of demographics.
Travel agents, airlines, hotels
and even airports now need to
truly understand traveller wants, values, and behaviours, and adopt
technology faster than ever before to survive and thrive.
Earlier this year, Amadeus identified six Traveller Tribes that will
shape global travel by 2030: Cultural Purists, Ethical Travellers,
Obligation Meeters, Reward Hunters, Simplicity Searchers and Social
Capital Seekers. We then wanted to find out the motivations and
purchasing behaviours of these traveller tribes and the essential
areas for greater collaboration with travel management intermediaries
and suppliers to deliver a more rewarding journey for both the traveller
and the industry. In the age of Big Data, this nuanced psychographic
approach to segmentation offers new opportunities for travel agents
and travel providers to understand travellers and remain relevant in
today’s hyper-dynamic environment.
Whether you are considering questions such as ‘what level of
personalisation should we offer?’ or ‘how can we improve the
purchasing experience?’, this research offers a comprehensive
framework to better understand, prepare for, and cater to, emerging
traveller segments. So how will purchasing habits evolve and how can
travel agents respond to these emerging traveller behaviours to build
a more rewarding and connected traveller journey?
The point of differentiation for travel agents is that extra layer of
options and recommendations that when offered to the traveller, truly
excites them. For the Obligation
Meeter, a bundled experience could
mean a world of difference whereas
the Social Capital Seeker may
appreciate a mobile data plan to
ensure they can check-in on social
media wherever they are. That’s
where technology comes in.
Until recently, the traveller journey
ended for travel agents as soon as
the traveller booked and paid for
their flights, accommodation and
transfers. However, global mobile
connectivity means the traveller is increasingly accessible at all times
throughout their journey and this opens up huge opportunities for
travel agents to reinforce customer relationships ‘on-trip’ and even
‘post-trip’ with personalised service and tailored offers.
Successful travel agents are recognising the enormous value in
providing the extras that delight the customer and create a memorable
brand experience. Not only will this mean building a more rewarding
journey for customers, it will also contribute to stronger brand loyalty,
better customer experience and higher profit margins.
To download the Traveller Tribes 2030 whitepaper please visit
www.amadeus.com/tribes2030
mobile connectivity means
‘theGlobal
traveller is increasingly accessible
at all times throughout their journey
and this opens up huge opportunities
for travel agents to reinforce
customer relationships...
’
Cover
Running a company is a big job, and no-one would suggest the boss shouldn’t be
well paid. But how well paid? KRIS MADDEN & BRUCE PIPER check out the changing
fortunes of some of the industry’s best paid executives.
The wheel of
fortune
20
Cover
T
he bosses of Australia’s major
listed travel companies have
experienced a roller coaster ride
of riches in 2015 – with some
dropping off the travelBulletin
‘Million Dollar Club’ list of travel agency
executives with seven figure incomes - and
others being inducted into the club. Qantas
CEO Alan Joyce was the biggest winner with
a massive package worth almost $12 million
– but executives at both Helloworld and Flight
Centre all took a haircut as the businesses
failed to achieve targets.
Over at Helloworld, there’s perhaps little
surprise that managing director and chief
executive officer, Elizabeth Gaines has
tendered her resignation and will depart
before the end of the year. She took a pay
cut of almost 50% during 2014/15, with a
package worth $640,204 seeing her slip
from ‘The Club’ this year. And forfeiting 100
per cent of her potential annual bonus.
Gaines and her predecessor, Rob Gurney,
both earned seven figure pay packets
in 2013/14; with Gaines taking
home a cool $1.1 million. It’s a
different story this year, with the
CEO receiving no bonus and
her base salary eroded by
some $90,000 due to the
lapsing of “performance rights” because of
her resignation, meaning Gaines took home
about $640,000.
The curious outcome for Helloworld was
that the company’s highest paid executive
in 2014/15 was GM Air Services, Russell
Carstensen, who was still a long way out of
the million dollar club with a total package of
$667,938 putting him just ahead of Gaines.
And the company’s annual report also
confirmed that Gurney took home more than
$250,000 during the year despite stepping
down as CEO in March 2014. Although no
longer playing an active role in the company,
he was still on the books due to the six
month notice period in his contract. That also
meant he technically stayed long enough for
the payment of a sign-on bonus negotiated
when he was appointed in 2012, in the form
of 815,217 fully paid ordinary shares – worth
about $236,000 - which were awarded on 29
August 2014.
Helloworld posted an adjusted profit before
tax of $6.9 million, with the
previously announced
$205.3 million noncash goodwill write-down
bringing the overall result
to a hefty loss of $198.4
million. The company said
the adjusted profit before
tax was a “significant
improvement” on the
previous year’s
result, which
was a $1.7
million loss.
The group’s TTV
declined three
per cent to $4.69
billion, while revenue
also dipped four per
cent to $279.2 million.
The “adjusted EBITDAI”
figure used by the board
to assess the financial
performance of the
business dived 32
per cent to $27.5
million, down from $40.6 million in the
previous corresponding period.
Gaines said the company was anticipating
a substantial increase in profit next year,
claiming Helloworld is now positioned for
long-term sustainable growth “with a strong
balance sheet, a stable network of highperforming agents [and] a growing and
strategic online presence”.
THE MILLION DOLLAR CLUB
Executive
2014/15 Renumeration
Alan Joyce, Qantas
$11,884,000
Simon Hickey, Qantas
$ 4,398,000
$ 3,926,000
Gareth Evans, Qantas
Jayne Hrdlicka, Qantas
$ 3,905,000
Christopher Luxon, Air NZ
NZ$ 3,824,280
$ 3,576,000
Lyell Strambi, Qantas
John Borgetti, Virgin Australia
$ 2,840,000
Lesley Grant, Qantas
$ 2,269,000
Sankar Narayan, Virgin Australia $ 1,669,000
John Guscic, Webjet
$ 1,562,520
Gary Hammes, Virgin Australia
$ 1,482,000
Chris Galanty, Flight Centre
$ 1,376,511
Bob East, Mantra
$ 1,271,000
Merren McArthur, Virgin Australia $ 1,193,000
Neil Thompson, Virgin Australia $ 1,174,000
Mark Hassell, Virgin Australia
$ 1,134,000
Judith Crompton, Virgin Australia $ 1,053,000
IN: Alan Joyce, Simon Hickey, Gareth Evans, Jayne Hrdlicka, Lyell
Strambi, Lesley Grant (Qantas) Christopher Luxon (Air NZ)
Bob East (Mantra), Gary Hammes, Neil Thompson, Mark
Hassell, Judith Crompton (Virgin Australia), John Guscic (Webjet)
OUT: Elizabeth Gaines, Rob Gurney (Helloworld), Melanie
Waters-Ryan (Flight Centre)
Carstensen was the only executive
to receive a bonus, pocketing an extra
$100,000 as a result of QBT winning the
Whole of Australian Government contract
in December 2014. Head of wholesale
Peter Egglestone earned $347,801, scaled
back slightly from the $373,392 he took
home last year. Chief financial officer, Jenny
Macdonald, appointed in August 2014, takes
Carstensen’s position as the third highest
paid executive in the Helloworld team with a
$557,000 package.
Interestingly the Helloworld annual report
also confirms significant changes to the
company’s remuneration framework for
2016 following feedback from the previous
year’s report, with no increases for senior
executives and stronger performance
conditions for short-term incentives, including
no bonuses unless the company achieves
targets for earnings per share.
Continues over page
21
Cover
Over at the other camp, Flight Centre
announced a $366.3 million statutory profit
before tax based on record sales of $17.6
billion. However, the company confirmed a
market slowdown in Australia which in turn
led to lower than normal TTV growth. The
Australian business generated more than
$250 million in EBIT for the third consecutive
year, and was again the company’s main
profit and sales generator. Flight Centre sees
global growth prospects during 2015/16,
and will target an underlying pre-tax profit of
between $380 million and $395 million for
the 2015/16 financial year.
Despite this, senior Flight Centre
executives earned less during 2015, when
“bottom-line results did not meet initial
expectations” than in 2014 when the
company recorded solid profit growth, with
remuneration committee chairman John Eales
highlighting the fact that CEO Graham Turner
had been in the past judged “Australia’s best
value CEO”.
Collectively Flight Centre’s six key
management personnel earned $5.64 million
this financial year. But only one of them –
Chris Galanty, MD for UK and South Africa –
remained in the Million Dollar Club, boosting
his package by about $250,000 to $1.376
million. Galanty was the highest
paid Flight Centre executive, taking
home more than twice as much
as managing director Graham
22
Turner whose package was worth $541,000.
Chief operating officer Melanie WatersRyan dropped out of the Million Dollar Club
with remuneration of $986,000 while the
company’s corporate operations chief Rob
Flint also took a hit, with a package worth
$580,000 down from $795,000 last year.
Company secretary and AFTA director David
Smith was just outside the Million Dollar Club
with a package worth $962,000, up more
than $200,000 on 2013/14.
Of course the statutory remuneration is
only part of the picture for Flight Centre,
Collectively Flight
‘Centre’s
six key
management personnel
earned $5.64 million this
financial year
’
with several of the senior team also holding
significant shareholdings. In particular
Turner’s stake of more than 15 million shares
garnered dividends of just over $23 million
during the year, and even with the recent
decline in the company’s shares is still worth
more than $560 million.
Scott Blume, boss of online travel agency
Wotif, who entered the Million Dollar Club
last year has dropped off the list following
the delisting of Wotif on the ASX in November
2014, after being acquired by Expedia
Australia Investment Pty Ltd – meaning details
of his salary package are no longer public.
However he has been replaced on this
year’s list by Mantra Group CEO and executive
director, Bob East, following the company’s
listing on the ASX in June 2014. East’s total
remuneration of $1.27 million, comprising
cash salary of $580,000, annual and long
service leave payments, superannuation, and
a whopping cash bonus of just over $600,000,
sees him join the Million Dollar Club this year.
His shares in the company totalled 2,315,638
at the end of the financial year.
Again almost all of the senior executive
team at Mantra earned less in 2015 than
in the previous year, despite FY2015
proving to be another successful year
in the development of the company with
a focus on portfolio growth in strategic
aligned properties and destinations aimed
at increasing shareholder value. This has
been endorsed by the addition of 11 new
properties to the portfolio, a well-supported
capital raising of $56.7 million in March
2015; and an increase in Mantra Group’s
share price by approximately 90 per cent,
according the company’s annual report.
An outstanding performance was recorded
by share market darling Corporate Travel
Management (CTM) which posted a TTV (total
transaction value) of $2.65 million, 92 per
cent higher than the previous year driven by
the integration of international acquisitions
and organic growth in all markets. Travel
income of $196.4 million was 80 per cent
higher than the previous year. CTM’s statutory
net profit after tax of $26.4 million for the
year to 30 June 2015 represents a 67.1 per
cent increase, compared with $15.8 million
in the previous year. CTM’s total assets of
$440.4 million at 30 June 2015, are an
increase of $192 million, or 77.3 percent
on the previous year. With a market value
of more than $1.1 billion, it’s now firmly
established in the benchmark S&P/ASX200
index alongside Flight Centre. In Australia
and New Zealand, underlying EBITDA grew
19.5 per cent to $25.7 million on a 13.7 per
cent organic increase in TTV, underpinned by
internal productivity gains.
Cover
Managing director, Jamie Pherous, holds 21.5 million shares
in CTM, a stake now worth about $216 million. Pherous received
$671,988 in remuneration along with about $3.4 million in dividends.
CTM’s market share in Australia, which is estimated to be about 11
per cent, has been creeping up through client wins even though the
overall size of the market hasn’t grown.
Online travel agency, Webjet experienced a dramatic improvement in
its fortunes in 2014/15, posting a growth in TTV of $299 million from
$967 million to $1.266 million representing a 31 per cent increase
over FY14. Revenue increased by $20.5 million to $119.1 million,
representing a 21 per cent increase.
All three of its executive officers received bonuses, reinstating chief
executive John Guscic’s position in the Million Dollar Club this year.
Chief operating officer Shelley Beasley, who took home a much lighter
pay packet last year as a result of missing out on a bonus, this year
received a $99,334 bonus, earning a total of $470,286. However
again despite a stellar performance the Webjet team didn’t receive all
of their targeted bonus income, because the company didn’t achieve
its ambitious budget.
On the aviation front,
Qantas performed strongly
in 2014/2015 to achieve
its best result since
before the Global Financial
Crisis, enabling the group
to both strengthen its
balance sheet and resume
shareholder returns.
The airline paid its chief executive, Alan Joyce, an eye-popping $11.8
million for his role in the turnaround. Joyce’s pay packet represents an
increase of 490 per cent or nearly $10 million more than last year, when
the Qantas Group recorded a $2.8 billion loss. The CEO’s statutory
remuneration for 2014/2015 totalled $6.70 million. The CEO’s actual
remuneration outcome, which includes $4.56 million of growth in the
value of the vested shares to the CEO under the Long Term Incentive
Program, totalled $11.88 million. Joyce also retains 5,379,721 shares
in Qantas, up from 2,906,202 at the end of last financial year. This took
him well and truly to first place on the Million Dollar Club table, ahead of
last year’s leader, Flight Centre’s Chris Galanty.
Lyell Strambi and Simon Hickey, the former heads of Qantas
Domestic and International, would have had their departures eased
with hefty termination payments of $483,000 and $833,000
respectively – not to mention multi-million dollar pay packets for the
eight months of the financial year prior to their stepping aside.
Across the ditch Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon also
had a good year, with a base salary of NZ$1.4 million and a bonus
worth NZ$1.54 million, which along with other benefits saw his total
package worth NZ$3.82 million.
The airline paid its
chief executive, Alan
Joyce, an eye-popping
$11.8 million for his role
in the turnaround
‘
’
Continues over page
MANTRA GROUP
2014/15
2013/14
Base Salary Incentives Total Base Salary IncentivesTotal
& bonuses
& bonuses
Bob East
$580,100
$690,911 $1,271,011 $563,750
Steven Becker
$395,600
$465,440 $ 861,040 $384,375 $580,048 $ 964,423
Kent Davidson
$259,700
$241,667 $ 501,367 $244,670 $309,713 $ 554,383
Thomas Johnsson
$793,305
$1,357,055
$310,100
$231,594 $ 541,694 $301,311 $262,843 $ 564,154
Michael Moret-Lalli $224,300 $465,855 $ 690,155 $217,933 $577,649 $ 795,582
Ken Minniken
$-
$-
00
00 $-
00 $ 4,443 $382,080 $ 388,523
FLIGHT CENTRE
2014/15
2013/14
& bonuses
& bonuses
Graham Turner
$282,225
$ 258,783 $ 541,008 $282,225
$331,275
$ 613,500
Rob Flint
$207,225
$ 372,843 $ 580,068 $207,225
$587,994
$ 795,219
Melanie Waters-Ryan $231,217
$ 754,910 $ 986,127 $232,225
$850,222
$1,082,447
Andrew Flannery
$282,225
$ 258,783 $ 541,008 $282,225
$331,275
$ 613,500
Chris Galanty
$282,752
$1,093,759 $1,376,511 $265,440
$907,973
$1,173,413
David Smith
$297,825
$ 664,300 $ 962,125 $244,148
$500,699
$ 744,847
CORPORATE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
2014/15
2013/14
& bonuses
& bonuses
Jamie Pherous
$403,982
$268,006 $671,988
$300,000
$18,428
$318,428
Laura Ruffles
$391,666
$349,146 $740,812
$293,269
$45,634
$338,903
Steve Fleming
$298,000
$256,864 $554,864
$260,000
$78,903
$338,903
Larry Lo
$430,948
$126,869 $557,817
$165,748
$ 5,349
$171,097
Romeo Cuter*
$533,252
$-
00
$533,252
$ 95,572
$-
00
$ 95,572
Chris Thelen*
$260,619
$-
00
$302,405
– –
–
* Romeo Cuter resigned as CEO North America on 15 May 2015. ** Chris Thelen was appointed as CEO Europe on 2 January 2015.
WEBJET
2014/15
2013/14
Base Salary Incentives Total
Base Salary IncentivesTotal
& bonuses
& bonuses
John Guscic
$838,130 $724,390 $1,562,520 $676,084
$308,127 $984,211
Shelley Beasley
$359,099
$111,187 $ 470,286 $370,355
$ 11,111
$381,466
Michael Sheehy
$289,033
$ 74,931 $ 363,964 $223,613
$ 20,684
$244,297
HELLOWORLD
2014/15
2013/14
& bonuses
& bonuses
$718,144 -$ 77,940 $640,204
$646,404
$459,212
$1,105,616
Russell Carstensen $539,182
Elizabeth Gaines
$128,756 $667,938
$516,740
$341,240
$ 857,980
Peter Egglestone
$305,917 $ 41,884 $347,801
$287,474
$ 85,918
$ 373,392
Greg Leighton
$309,914 $ 16,255 $326,169
$322,989
$101,698
$ 424,687
Jenny Macdonald* $506,801 $ 50,791 $557,592
$-
Rob Gurney**
$ 20,321 $253,467
$821,283
$233,146 00 $- 00 $$382,025
00
$1,203,308
** Rob Gurney resigned as CEO on 28 March 2014 but continued to be employed until 28 Sept 2014.
QANTAS
2014/15
2013/14
Base Salary Incentives
Total
Base Salary IncentivesTotal
& bonuses
& bonuses
Alan Joyce
$2,000,000 $9,884,000 $11,884,000 $2,054,000 -$45,000
$2,009,000
Tino La Spina*
$ 279,000 $ 435,000 $
714,000 $-
00 $- $-
00
Andrew David** $ 277,000 $ 386,000 $
663,000 $-
00 $- $-
00
Gareth Evans
$ 981,000 $2,945,000 $ 3,926,000 $ 981,000 $69,000
$1,050,000
Lesley Grant
$ 781,000 $1,488,000 $ 2,269,000 $ 782,000 $16,000
$ 798,000
Jayne Hrdlicka
$ 981,000 $2,924,000 $ 3,905,000 $ 982,000 $61,000
$1,043,000
Simon Hickey
$ 860,000 $3,538,000 $ 4,398,000 $ 982,000 -$34,000
$ 948,000
Lyell Strambi
$ 654,000 $2,922,000 $ 3,576,000 $ 982,000 $95,000
$1,077,000
* Tino La Spina was appointed chief financial officer from 1 March 2015.
** Andrew David was appointed CEO Qantas Domestic from 1 March 2015.
*** Simon Hickey was CEO Qantas International until 28 February 2015.
**** Lyell Strambi was CEO Qantas Domestic until 28 February 2015.
23
COVER
Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti was also well and truly in the
Million Dollar Club – albeit not to the same extent as his chief rival
Alan Joyce at Qantas. Perhaps reflecting the fact that Virgin Australia
is still making significant losses, Borghetti received no increase in
his $1.5 million base pay packet, but the pain of this was probably
eased somewhat by a $1 million cash bonus, which along with other
benefits and incentives boosted his pay packet to $2.84 million. He
also received $37,500 in director’s fees but elected to donate this to
a well-deserving charity.
Despite the airline’s losses, the Virgin Australia board decided
to reward its senior team “given their success in continuing to
position the company for long term sustainable performance and
shareholder value” taking
into account corporate
scorecard performance and
the achievement of individual
performance objectives.
Borghetti wasn’t the only
Virgin Australia executive
to crack the million, with
all five of his most senior
staff also exceeding the
magic number. Chief commercial officer Judith Crompton took home
$1.053 million; chief operating officer Gary Hammes earned $1.482
million; chief financial officer Sankar Narayan earned $1.669 million;
chief customer officer Mark Hassell took home $1.134 million; Virgin
Australia regional airlines group executive Merren McArthur earned
Despite the airline’s
‘losses,
the Virgin
Australia board
decided to reward its
senior team
’
24
2014/15
2013/14
& bonuses
& bonuses
John Borghetti
$1,531,000 $1,309,000$2,840,000$1,669,000 $1,107,000$2,776,000
Sankar Narayan
$ 745,000 $ 924,000 $1,669,000 $ 749,000 $ 660,000 $1,409,000
Mark Hassell
$ 470,000 $ 664,000 $1,134,000 $ 476,000 $ 417,000 $ 893,000
Judith Crompton
$ 464,000 $ 589,000 $1,053,000 $ 503,000 $ 479,000 $ 982,000
Neil Thompson
$ 483,000 $ 691,000 $1,174,000 $ 482,000 $ 470,000 $ 952,000
Gary Hammes
$ 577,000 $ 905,000 $1,482,000 $ 256,000 $ 252,000 $ 508,000
Merren McArthur
$ 444,000 $ 749,000 $1,193,000 $ 466,000 $ 660,000 $1,126,000
$1.193 million; and Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Neil Thompson took
home $1.174 million. Tigerair CEO Rob Sharp, who became part of the
Virgin Australia executive team when the airline acquired the remaining
stake in the low cost carrier for $1 in October 2014, had a package
worth $749,000 for the last nine months of the financial year.
The wheel of fortune didn’t spin quite so favourably for executives
at Regional Express, where general manager of Network Strategy &
Sales, Warrick Lodge, took home a total of $183,587 – less than a
tenth of Borghetti’s package and about one sixtieth of Joyce’s total
income. Putting that into perspective, Alan Joyce earned Lodge’s
annual income every single week. REX chief operating officer Neville
Howell had a package worth $229,015, while REX executive chairman
Lim Kim Hai, who’s also a major shareholder in the company, took
no salary at all and elected to forfeit his director’s fee once again,
meaning he has taken no payment for being on the board since
November 2008 “in the light of the continuing difficult environment”.
Your Travel
business
Are TMCs losing
their way?
F
or a while now, years, in fact,
the very existence of travel
management companies has been
questioned by corporations and
travellers alike. So much technology
has evolved over the past few years,
commoditising product offerings and giving
travellers choice and convenience, that old
necessities like having someone to talk to is
now considered a bit passé.
The ‘good old days’, pre-anything that looked
like a smart phone, gave TMCs easy answers
to the question why? We book all of your travel,
we’ll give you reports, we’ll change your travel
plans when you need to, we’ll have someone
there when you need us and you can’t do
any of it without us. As easy as that model
seemed, it was flawed once an RFT went
out and the only winner, loser was whoever
spiralled lowest on the transaction fee page,
giving credence to the question above.
So what’s the concern for TMCs? Is it
the shift and development of enhanced
technology? Is it the commoditisation of their
product offering or something a bit more
ethereal? I contend that for many TMCs,
it’s a loss of purpose. I can see the eyes
rolling back now, as visions of philosophy
101, white boarding mission statements
and all things wishy-washy being applied to a
business model. I think purpose is the DNA
of a business and if you and your staff don’t
understand the reason for being, then how
can your clients expect to know you, other
than as a supplier.
The standard offerings of TMC ‘service’
is not changed by adding superb or
personalised, ‘value’ is not enhanced
by great or superior and ‘solutions’ are
not elevated because of efficiency or
effectiveness. Adjectives and marketing
hyperbole do not differentiate you from others
saying the same things differently. What
differentiates you is your purpose and how
you carry out that purpose. For a TMC, the
should do more
‘thanTMCstransact
travel
arrangements at the
lowest price ...
’
question of benefit for your client should be
the only question you ever ask. What is the
benefit of using us over the company down
the road? Seems like a simple question but
if you ask “what is the benefit of that?” for
every company strategy and development
process, then you’ll be able to show you are
there for more than money and are trying to
make a difference.
Instead of superior service, always to be
judged on price, or enhanced value, different
for every client you encounter, why not go
to the core of what you are trying to do and
that is ‘get your client to their destination
and back home safely’. If that becomes
part of your core purpose, then even your
staff understand their role and purpose in
every transaction. As a result of what they
do, they know they are making a difference
to the family of that traveller, to the traveller
and how the company’s purpose pays off in
client satisfaction. If you then add process
efficiencies to that purpose, your value
becomes easier to understand and you have
a client for life.
Bakers do more than bake bread, they
create comfort through the eating and
sharing of bread. Nike does more than make
shoes, they inspire and create a desire to
move. Starbucks does more than sell coffee,
they nurture and amplify community spirit by
being a focal point to meet. TMCs should do
more than transact travel arrangements for
the lowest possible price, they should provide
comfort in the knowledge you are dealing with
reputable people, they should enhance safety
by using the best tracking and reporting
technology available, they should take away
the anxiety of being outside your comfort
zone and away from loved ones by being in
constant contact throughout your journeys
and they should have a shared purpose with
their clients, built on a promise to never let
them down. You may do all of these but does
your client know that or do they deal with you
because you won the price war?
It’s a simple question, what is the benefit
of that?
Oliver Tams is director of
strategic partnerships for
Think Procurement and
has more than 30 years’
experience in the travel
industry, especially in
corporate travel. Ollie has
worked with a range of companies from start-ups to
established businesses, including GDS Amadeus, and
leading the TMC division for Business Select.
25
CRUISe Report
Cruise Down Under’s 2015 Conference
By Bruce Piper
Cruise Down Under (CDU) has confirmed
ambitious plans to significantly boost its
membership in the next 12 months, with the
organisation’s recent 19th annual conference
in Darwin hailed as a major success. More
than 100 delegates took part in the event
which was co-sponsored by Tourism NT and
Tourism Top End, showcasing the territory’s
capital and its port facilities which are ideally
placed to benefit from the massive potential
of the Asian cruise market.
CDU attracted a range of high profile
speakers from across the globe who intrigued
delegates with their insights into cruise
operations, with many attendees focused
on building cruise-ready land product to help
their destinations make the most of cruise
CDU delegates from WA showing
their state pride.
attracted a range
‘ofCDU
high profile speakers
from across the globe who
intrigued delegates with
their insights...
’
visitors. A highlight was a presentation from
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Rich Pruitt, who
spoke on the global cruise industry’s strong
commitment to environmental sustainability;
while Michael Hackman from Genting Hong
Kong gave an insight into the company’s
recent acquisition of Crystal Cruises and its
stunning growth aspirations – as well as big
plans for Star Cruises in the Chinese market
which include new builds featuring massive
on-board wellness centres.
Darius Mehta, Silversea Cruises vice
president of air and land programs, spoke
about the company’s ongoing quest to offer
passengers high quality shore experiences;
while Crystal Cruises vice president of
deployment, Claudius Docekal highlighted
key factors which drive cruise line decisions
about where they will operate their vessels.
A presentation from Grant Gilfillan of the
Port Authority of NSW raised the thorny
issue of Sydney’s limited capacity and urged
a cooperative approach from across the
industry to come up with a solution.
The conference also gained perspective
from “across the ditch”, with Raewyn Tan
from Cruise New Zealand speaking about
the organisation’s opposition to the planned
imposition of a new border clearance levy
26
Raewyn Tan, Cruise New Zealand
Some of the Cruise Down Under executive team
which is set to significantly impact the cruise
industry as the NZ government moves to
a cost-recovery model likely to hamper the
sector’s growth.
The event saw CDU chairman Stephen
Bradford release details of the organisation’s
2014-15 Economic Impact Report, which
confirmed that cruise ships visiting Australia
delivered a whopping $1.9 billion in direct
expenditure. The year saw records achieved
across the board, with 874 ship arrivals
including 427 lucrative turnarounds, where
new passengers embark. Ships visited a
total of 30 ports across the country during
the year, and employment was also a key
focus, with the report detailing a 10 per cent
increase in direct jobs in the cruise sector to
more than 9200.
Overall economic output was $3.3 billion,
up 5.3 per cent despite a decline in total
port-related expenditure due to falls in
bunker fuel costs during the year. Passenger
spending increased to just over $900 million,
with CDU ceo Jill Abel saying the figures
show that Australian cruising is “continuing
to be a growth industry, with strong economic
benefits for all involved and positive signs
that Australian ports still feature highly on
cruise line itineraries”.
Going forward prospects for the sector are
very bright, with 2015/16 set to see seven
new vessels arrive in Australia including
Holland America’s Noordam, Princess Cruises’
Golden Princess, Explorer of the Seas from
Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruises’ Costa
Luminosa, Azamara’s Azamara Quest, Ponant’s
Le Soleal and of course the expansion of
the P&O Australia fleet with the addition of
Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria in November this
year. And the following year will see Royal
Caribbean’s massive Ovation of the Seas
arrive which will further showcase cruising to
the Australian and New Zealand community.
The event wrapped up with the revelation
that the 20th annual Cruise Down Under
conference will take place in September next
year in Sydney, backed by Sydney Ports and
Destination NSW.
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27
cruisE Report
PORT KEMBLA TO
THE RESCUE
of Port Kembla and Wollongong for tourism
with its proximity to the Sydney CBD and
airport, and the varied attractions of the region
whether they are the vibrant nightlife, shopping
and dining precincts, the beaches, adventure
activities, the wineries of the South Coast and
Southern Highlands or simply the outstanding
natural attraction of the Illawarra escarpment.”
Cr Colacino’s comments were echoed by
Destination Wollongong general manager
As the appetite for
‘cruising
continues to grow,
expanding our offering for
our many guests ... is the
key to continued success
Wollongong may soon see an
influx of cruise passengers.
Image: Destination NSW
’
Royal Caribbean Cruises is not waiting for a decision on any new capacity
to open up in Sydney Harbour, identifying Port Kembla near Wollongong
as a possible alternative to meet the supplementary demands on the NSW
capital for the cruise industry. MATT LENNON reports.
Kembla’s facilities will be put to the test first
for 2,400 passengers on 30 October next year
when Radiance of the Seas ties up for the day,
marking the first time a leisure vessel has
visited the port.
It will act as the final stop on a seven-day
‘Tasmania & Australia’ itinerary which leaves
Sydney on 24 October, visiting Melbourne and
Hobart, with days at sea separating each port
prior to the return to Sydney on 31 October.
During its day in Port Kembla, passengers
will have a selection of pre-arranged shore
excursions to choose from, courtesy buses to
parts of town, or can explore the nearby beaches
and township of Wollongong at their leisure.
It is estimated the one-day visit will inject
upwards of $890,000 into the local economy.
Royal Caribbean Cruises regional vicepresident, Gavin Smith, said the line will be
closely watching how the Kembla visit pans
out as it takes the opportunity to test the port
with the prospect of a much closer working
relationship on the table.
“As the appetite for cruising continues to
grow, expanding our offering for our many
international and domestic guests is the key to
our continued success. Including Port Kembla
on our itineraries will provide our guests the
opportunity to sample all that Wollongong and
the South Coast has to offer,” said Smith.
Radiance’s forthcoming arrival has been
welcomed by councillors from the City of
Wollongong, including Cr Leigh Colacino, who is
also on the board of Destination Wollongong.
“This is a wonderful outcome for the
Illawarra and regional tourism, but also
makes business sense for Royal Caribbean to
make use of one of the most capable ports
on the east coast of Australia.
“Royal Caribbean understands the value
Mark Sleigh, who saw the port call as a great
opportunity for the region and one which
will yield “immediate economic benefits and
ongoing tourism advantages”.
“Cruising is a booming tourism industry
in Australia and the visit by the Radiance of
the Seas will bring an influx of visitors to our
shores and allow us to show off Wollongong
and the South Coast to a whole new audience
across the world.”
The inadequacy of Sydney Harbour at peak
season and its sole port space at Circular
Quay for ships taller than the Harbour Bridge is
no secret. The trialling of Port Kembla, which
is 100 per cent a freight and mining port,
is an interesting move by Royal Caribbean.
If passengers can stomach the less-thanappealing sight of smoke stacks and shipping
crates bookending the day, the natural beauty
of the NSW South Coast, Illawarra region and
a good selection of daytime shore excursions
awaits. Of course, RCI and the wider cruise
industry will be watching for the results of
the experiment, not to mention those on
Macquarie Street and in Canberra, tired of the
loud banging at Garden Island’s front door.
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cruisE REPORT
CLIA view
Brett Jardine, commercial director
CLIA Australasia
Cruise set for an historic season
It’s that time of the year when we are once
again on the cusp of an historic summer
with Australians’ passion for cruising
fuelling the nation’s biggest ever cruise
season. Between now and April next year, a
record flotilla of cruise ships will sail Down
Under. 38 CLIA member cruise ships will
visit our shores, with an unprecedented
eight ships making their maiden visits to
Australia. Last season, Australia welcomed
36 member cruise line vessels, with only
three making their inaugural visit.
This jump in maiden ship visits is
another clear indicator of the surging
popularity of cruising. As cruise lines
around the world look for new destinations
and new homeports for their ships, it’s
clear that Australia is hot property.
From boutique expedition ships to
megaliners, this season’s ships will provide
a wide range of cruise experiences to cater
to all age groups and holidaymaker types.
The 38 ships sailing local waters this
summer include nine which are based in
Australia year round, another 12 which will
be deployed for all or part of the summer
cruise season and 17 ships which will
visit Australia.
There are some exciting highlights to
look forward to including P&O Cruises’
five-ship spectacular in Sydney on 25
November, the deployment of Princess
Cruises’ Golden Princess to Melbourne
where it will take the mantle as the largest
ship ever to be based in Victoria and
Royal Caribbean’s first Brisbane season
with Legend of the Seas sailing from the
Queensland capital.
While Sydney will account for a large
proportion of the ship calls, we’re seeing
more and more ships cruising to and from
other ports. Between them, our member
cruise line ships will make more than
800 calls to Australian ports, including an
impressive 40 maiden port calls.
Regional towns – from Lizard Island,
Gladstone and Port Douglas in the north to
Burnie and Hobart in the south – are set to
get an increasingly bigger slice of the cruise
pie as the economic benefits of cruising are
spread right across the country.
COMMUNIQUÉ
FROM…
KAREN CHRISTENSEN
General Manager & Director
Sales/Marketing, Australasia
FAR MORE IN THE FAR EAST
Seeing the Far East has never been
easier with Silversea’s convenient,
seamless packages. All 2016 Asia
voyages aboard Silver Shadow now
include shore excurions at every port
of call, and a two-night pre cruise
stay at the Shangri-La hotel.
jump in maiden
‘shipThevisits
is another clear
Trace the spice route to the
bejewelled pagodas of Myanmar,
wind your way through the fabled
isles of the Philippines or explore
Vietnam in-depth.
indicator of the surging
popularity of cruising
’
2016 ASIA VOYAGES ABOARD
SILVER SHADOW
With 21 ships making a total of 330
roundtrip cruises from Sydney, Melbourne,
Adelaide, Brisbane and Fremantle over the
2015-16 summer, cruising is expected
to generate more than $300 million for
the economy through passenger and crew
spending and associated port charges. The visits are a significant increase on
last year’s 253 roundtrip cruises.
With a plethora of fantastic ports, great
weather and a population that can’t wait
to cruise, it’s easy to see why more cruise
lines are sending more ships our way.
We may have reached the magic million
mark in 2014, six years ahead of schedule,
but there is still a lot of room to grow.
14-day Best of South East Asia
Departs Singapore 5 January 2016.
Fares from $6,550pp.
12-day Myanmar & Malaysia
Departs Singapore 13 February 2016.
14-day China & Taiwan
Departs Hong Kong 8 March 2016.
Headlines AUGUST &
September 2015
18 Aug ASEAN courts cruise lines
20 Aug Europe water levels rising
25 Aug Crystal, Star parent record
27 Aug Celebrity earlybird launch
01 Sep New look Spirit returning
03 Sep Record year for cruising
03 Sep Kembla calling to cruise
07 Sep Get ready for a big summer
08 Sep NT cruise spend on rise
10 Sep Environment key for cruise
15 Sep New NZ levy to hit cruise
15 Sep Pacific strategy underway
17 Sep P&O clicks over 4m pax
17 Sep Pax cruise spend climbing
For more information or to book call
1300 306 872 or visit silversea.com
Visit silversea.com for full terms
and conditions.
29
industry in focus
Ryan Harvey (pict
ured here surroun
ded by some lovely
lucky agents who
Peruvian ladies),
got to experience
was
the best of South
America on the rec just one of the
ent Globus Superto
ur.
Chris Hall from Exotravel and Robert Mackie of Trans World Travel
all dressed up at the Magellan Group National Conference.
el
aco, Entire Trav
from Visit Mon rt Thompson of
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ow
Br
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Alison Robe
ll and Robe
Brad McDonne aco & Tahiti showcase.
Connection’s
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nt
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Tahiti Tourism
This group of top selling Sunlover Holidays agents checked out all
the best that Darwin and the Top End has to offer on a recent famil.
These top selling Flight Centre agents were treated to the sights and experiences of Hawaii when they visited last month as part of the Infinity Holidays
Mega Educational Rewards famil. They participated in some adrenalin inducing activities including zip-lining and a helicopter tour over an active volcano.
30
October 2015
Teagan Lynch, Trevelcube; Stacy Harsh, Travelcube; David Kettle, NZ Sidekick; Chris
Sutton, NZ Sidekick and Keira Blake, Kuoni Group Travel Experts were spotted all kitted
up at the Sport Legends event during the TravelManagers conference in Adelaide.
These TravelMan
agers’ personal
travel managers
the cold weathe
had to rug up ag
r but the views
ain
were worth it as
Turkey’s magica
they experienced
l Cappadocia re
gion from a hot
air balloon.
The Virgin Australia team posed with TV personality
James Tobin and Contiki founder John Anderson during
the recent Tourism New Zealand All Stars famil.
Michael Hackman, Frances-Anne Keeler, Dwain Wall and Ted Blamey at
the recent Cruise Down Under conference in Darwin.
s
e spectacular sight
were treated to th
d
ts
lan
en
er
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itz
ky
Sw
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land, thanks
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d
po
an
Singa
s on Location and
Tourism, Holiday
These Creative Holidays’ Star Performers agents were treated to a 12 night
cruise around Greece and Croatia onboard Azamara Journey.
31
LUXURY Travel
Luxury
Barefoot
By Sheriden Rhodes
While luxury travel was once defined as
opulence – acres of marble, gold taps and
silver service – today it’s much more about
highly personalised experiences in far-flung
destinations rich in culture and beauty.
travelBulletin takes a look at the evolution
of the luxury traveller.
I
ncreasingly today’s luxury traveller has
little desire to be passive, with a strong
focus on the experiential, suggests Peter
Trembath, general manager of North Star
Cruises, whose company has run high
end adventure cruises for 30 years.
“Luxury is no longer defined by lavish
surroundings, plush furnishings, and ornate
décor,” says Trembath. “The new luxury is
much more about experience and the new
luxury traveller is more often than not an
experience seeker; in fact they want a holiday
32
that’s life changing.
“They abhor time spent around a
swimming pool no matter how impressive
the structure. They prefer to be immersed
in actual experience; they want to see what
they would not normally see, touch what they
would not normally touch and feel what they
would not normally feel.
“They want to be inspired; to experience
all that is authentic and uncontrived –
experiences that are not necessarily
exclusive but certainly those that are the
realm of only the most determined.”
Sujata Raman, A&K managing director,
agrees it’s no longer enough for the luxury
traveller to visit a place and see the major
sights - rather it’s about immersion in the
culture, hands-on interaction and connecting
with a place in a meaningful way.
“This could be foraging for produce and
cooking in an exotic destination, dining in the
home of a local family, discussing current
affairs with a resident politician, participating
in a traditional festival, meeting an artisan
in their studio, exploring hidden gardens,
helping produce lunch in a monastery for
novice monks or picnicking with a local family
over a game of cricket,” she says.
Giving something back
If luxury travellers are seeking bespoke,
hand-picked experiences in increasingly
exotic, less-visited destinations, they’re
also keener than ever to give back. They
want to be aware that their experience
is sustainable and preferably beneficial
to others. “They don’t necessarily want
to be lectured but they do want to be
enlightened. They want their holiday to
change how they feel – to change their
perception or their understanding,”
Trembath says.
A&K says luxury travellers have a
strong urge to give back to communities
visited, and become involved in the work
done by A&K Philanthropy, a non-profit
organisation dedicated to preserving
natural habitats, protecting wildlife and
promoting the welfare of indigenous
communities globally.
“There’s tree planting in Kenya’s
Masai Mara, bee-keeping in Tanzania,
feeding school children in Cape Town,
schools for the disadvantaged in India,
monument restoration in Italy and much
more,” says Raman.
LUXURY Travel
Let’s get personal
Travellers today define luxury with items
or experiences that have a personal
connection, or a story linked to the designer,
origin, culture or location. Additionally, luxury
travel is defined by a property’s authentic,
unique experiences, established reputation
and impeccable standard of service, says
Garrett Donovan, qualia’s general manager.
are looking
‘forTravellers
an experience they
can find a personal
association with
’
“Travellers are looking for an experience
they can find a personal association with,
and create ultimate lasting memories,” says
Donovan. “Providing multiple experience
options, personalisation and distinction of
offering is imperative to meet the future
needs of luxury travelers.”
Guy Heywood, chief operating officer,
Commune Hotels and Resorts, the
management company for Alila, Joie
de Vibre, Thompson and Tommie, says
guests are seeking a unique experience,
while being looked after with incredible
service and attention to detail. “It’s also
about factoring in a learning situation,
where guests can find personal enriching
growth potential.”
Exclusivity is also key, says James
Hewlett, Singapore Airlines Holidays
commercial manager. “The recently opened
Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort for
example has just 52 suites, creating a much
more personalised experience for guests.”
All in the family
Across the board, luxury tour operators
and high-end properties are also seeing
huge growth in multi-generational and family
holidays. Lucy Davidson, executive director
Banyan Tours, says increasingly they are
seeing extended families travelling to India,
especially at Christmas and Easter.
“It seems travellers are looking for
experiences they can have together. Be
it kite flying above the old city in Jaipur,
bathing and painting elephants, or a
hands-on cooking lesson – anything that is
memorable for families becomes a highlight
of a holiday.”
A&K has noted a shift to replace
expensive and glamorous hotel rooms
with bespoke real-life experiences that are
tailored specifically to a guest’s interests.
“It often means going off the beaten path,
to remote destinations where lodgings may
be more modest and infrastructure still
means going
‘offIttheoftenbeaten
path, to
remote destinations
’
developing but the rewards are remarkable
experiences, unique cultural interactions
and a singularly more personalised
experience,” Raman says.
“Gone are the days when the promise of
opulence was a key factor in determining
a traveller’s choice of luxury destination.
Today there’s a growing passion for barefoot
luxury, and things are far less ostentatious
than they once were”, concludes Singapore
Airlines Holidays’ Hewlett.
33
LUXURY Travel
AUSTRALIANS EMBRACE WELLNESS
Wellness now infiltrates every sector of the travel industry, including
cruising and urban hotel stays, as Australians sign up to detox, take
time out, lose weight and face life’s big issues.
Ageing baby boomers and men are key drivers behind the huge
growth in the wellness industry estimated to be worth a phenomenal
$3.4 trillion worldwide, according to US-based Global Wellness
Institute. Australia’s own health and wellness industry has grown on
average 4.7 per cent a year since 2010, generating more than $387
million, estimates market research company IBIS World. Experts claim
people’s fast paced and stressful lives are largely contributing to the
growth. Gregg Cave, co-founder of Gaia Byron Bay, says taking time out
is essential as we find ourselves over exerting and doing way too much.
“Life seems ‘busier’ than ever and ‘e-toxing’ is becoming more
sought after to help individuals let go of their dependence on
technology, have time out to rest and then re-engage with the world
a lot less wired,” says Brigid Walsh, general manager of Golden Door
Elysia in the Hunter Valley.
Celebrity Cruises has seen an explosion in cruise spa holidays in
recent years and consequently offers a specialised spa holiday suite
class known as Aquaclass. “Booking an Aquaclass suite provides
passengers with a personal concierge to arrange spa treatments, and
complimentary access to the ship’s Relaxation Room and Persian
Garden aromatherapy steam room. Guests even have their own
specialty restaurant Blu that serves fresh, healthy cuisine served in a
relaxing spa-inspired atmosphere,” said Adam Armstrong, commercial
director, Celebrity Cruises Australasia.
Thankfully the industry has evolved beyond the old fat farms and
boot camps of old – although weight loss programs remain top sellers
- towards a more holistic approach catering for a broad range of goals.
Senior naturopath Damien Evans from Hamilton Island’s Spa qualia
says today it’s about a complete holistic approach to a person’s
holiday. “People no longer want to have just hotel room stay; they
want a unique holistic experience and we can act as facilitators of
that, enabling people to recharge, rethink their life and reconnect with
those important to them.”
The number of retreats offering world-class facilities, wellness,
holistic and medical spa facilities on offer is staggering, says
Australian spa curator and treatment trend expert Judy Chapman.
Chapman says Australians have access to excellent therapists;
yoga and fitness instructors in their own communities, so the pressure
is on for retreats and spas to deliver exceptional experiences beyond
what one would normally get at home. “Australians are some of the most educated folk about the wellness
movement – and that includes men.”
Romantic European Escapes
With an array of destinations and the flexibility to cruise European
inland waterways at your own pace, Le Boat has always been a
great holiday option for a quiet break or romantic getaway. Now,
with the addition of their new two-person cruiser, Horizon, Le Boat
has the perfect boat for couples as well.
Horizon has been designed exclusively for Le Boat with couples
in mind and combines space, comfort and hi-tech equipment. It is
the only boat of its size on Europe’s inland waterways boasting such
large indoor and outdoor space. The sundeck really is a ‘FUNdeck’
with ample room to enjoy incredible surrounds; whether that is
romantic Venice, the wine regions of Burgundy or historic Bruges.
Horizon will be available on the Canal Du Midi for the start of
the 2016 season and more boats will be introduced throughout
the year across France, England, Germany, Italy and Holland.
n www.leboat.com.au
34
LUXURY Travel
Q&A
Luxury travel means different things to different people. Kerry
Schmook, travel designer, for Luxury Life Travel explains the new
trends and experiences that define luxury travel today.
What trends are you seeing in terms of
luxury travel?
It’s all about personal experiences,
adventures, celebrations and family time.
Travellers are looking to connect with
things that matter most to them. Life is
precious and people are choosing to spend
their holiday time achieving something
memorable and meaningful. People love
coming home with a story to tell, a story
that says so much more than staying in
a great hotel room. It’s about what they
did, what they achieved and how it made a
difference in their life.
Luxury travel was once perhaps defined
as opulence. What defines luxury today?
It’s true that elaborate details matter to
the luxury traveller, and for some guests
they are still the defining factor, but for
others there are aspects that express their
own “personal luxury”. From a traveller
perspective it’s essential to think about
what’s important, based on their style,
purpose and passion. Individual luxury
is defined by whatever is comfortable
and brings pleasure for the individual. As
Coco Chanel put it best: “Luxury must be
comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”
Are Australian travellers more discerning
than they once were?
Yes. There’s more information available
than ever before with the ability to research
independently and be selective with our
choices. However, if travellers are truly
discerning they will seek advice and
guidance from a travel professional they
know and trust to enjoy the best possible
travel experience.
Are Australian travellers better able to
afford and treat themselves to luxury
travel products?
There are so many beautiful places and it’s
a very competitive market, so as a result,
there is
great value
available at
certain times
of the year
which gives the traveller a chance to
save, plan and experience some of the
best in the world at a terrific price.
How would you advise agents wanting
to sell luxury travel? What should they
be asking the client first?
Travel is very personal. The key is
to know and understand your client.
The more you can define their travel
needs and desires the better. It’s
vitally important to develop a trusting
relationship with your client. And it’s
important to have intimate knowledge of
the properties you are recommending.
It’s not possible to confidently
recommend and sell something you
haven’t experienced for yourself.
LUXURY
T R AV E L R E D E F I N E D
LUXURY HOTELS
u
EPICUREAN DINING
u
EXCLUSIVE VIP EXPERIENCES
THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY ESCORTED JOURNEYS
CALL YOUR TRAVEL AGENT OR 1300 727 767 OR VISIT US AT INSIGHTLUXURYGOLD.COM
u
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
LUXURY GOLD
by INSIGHT VACATIONS
LUXURY Travel
HOT
DEALs
VOMO’s irresistible summer offer
VOMO Island Resort is offering a free upgrade and stay pay deal,
making an escape to the South Pacific even more enticing. This
private Fijian island retreat offers guests booking a Hillside Villa
or Beachfront Villa a free upgrade, which can be combined with
VOMO’s ‘Stay 7 Pay 5’ or ‘Stay 5 Pay 4’ offers. Quote booking
code “UPGRADE” when reserving a minimum five-night stay
until November 30, 2015 for stays from November 7 through
December 21, 2015 and January 23 through March 21, 2016,
subject to availability. n Visit www.vomofiji.com
Amazing Maldives packages
Maldives specialist, Singapore Airlines Holidays, has partnered
with the Maldives’ newest luxury resort Amilla Fushi, to offer
savings of up to 40 percent off seven-night packages. Accommodation in an Ocean Lagoon House is priced from
$7,995 (was $15,290) per person twin share for travel between
August 1 and October 31, 2015. All packages include return
economy airfares with Singapore Airlines, seven-nights’
accommodation, half board (breakfast and dinner at
Baazaar restaurant), a 50-minute spa treatment
per person per day, return airport transfers by
domestic flight and speedboat (shared), all resort
child care, all water sports, and current airline
fuel surcharge and taxes (subject to change).
n Visit www.siaholidays.com.au/amilla
Discounts on luxury
Mekong River cruises
Savings of up to 30 per cent are on offer on
world-renowned seven night CF Mekong River
Cruises aboard the boutique 14-cabin luxury teak
Toum Tiou 2 river ship and sister ship Toum Tiou’s Siem
Reap to Saigon tours this October, November and December.
Details through [email protected], subject to
availability until December 8. n www.cfmekong.com
Escape to Mauritius from $2059
per person.
Fly with Air Mauritius and Virgin Australia and spend six nights
at Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort from $2435 per person
from the east coast ($2059 ex Perth). In addition to return
airfares and accommodation in a Deluxe Seaview room, the price
includes breakfast and dinner daily. Upgrades to a Beachfront
Club Room are available from $140 per person. Resort highlights
include four swimming pools, three restaurants, four bars and the
Navasana Spa. All flights from east coast capitals transit
through Perth. The deal is available until October
31 but seasonal surcharges apply October 1-31.
n Visit www.asiaescapeholidays.com.au
New Zen wellness tour
of New Zealand
A new 10-night wellness tour of New Zealand’s
South Island includes a four-night stay at the awardwinning, Zen-inspired health retreat, Aro-Ha, in the Southern
Alps. Starting in Christchurch on March 9, 2016, the
‘wellness journey’, led by Australian naturopath, Sharron
Speldewinde includes accommodation, most meals, two
scenic flights, Milford Sound cruise, and complimentary
massages and activities at Aro-Ha, for $9425 per
person, twin-share. n www.activetravel.com.au
Luxury Cruising Refined…
Escape with The Moorings and discover
the difference of award-winning yachts,
breathtaking destinations and more than
45 years of unsurpassed customer service.
on the water
UNFORGET TABLE MOMENTS
Call 1800 553 720 or visit moorings.com.au
LUXURY Travel
Insight Vacations launches Luxury Gold
A collection of 32 of the most extravagant
tours in Insight Vacations’ history have been
compiled into the company’s freshly released
‘Luxury Gold’ program. It features nine new
all-inclusive premium escorted trips.
Speaking with travelBulletin, ceo John
Boulding described Luxury Gold as a “nuance”
of its Insight Gold Luxury offering, emphasising
it was not established to compete with
enhanced programs of rivals, but to cater for
increasing demand for upmarket product - led
by the Australian market.
The program is based on four key ingredients
- top-shelf hotels, unique dining, exclusive VIP
experiences and unrivalled service. Boulding
said the “very best” grand hotels, boutiques
and resorts were selected in Luxury Gold, such
as the 5-star Milestone Hotel, rated the highest
in the UK in TripAdvisor’s most recent Travellers
Choice Awards.
In Europe there are 10 Luxury Gold
itineraries, including the 12-day Ultimate Italy;
eight-day Luxurious London and Paris; and
13-day Spain & Portugal in Style.
In Paris, guests stay at Napoleon Hotel
and in Versailles, the Trianon Palace, Waldorf
Astoria, within the grounds of the Chateau of
Versailles is featured.
Dining options include Michelin star and
epicurean venues, small bistros, grand
restaurants or dine-around experiences that
“really evoke the character of the place being
visited”, according to Boulding.
Every trip offers unique VIP experiences
that cannot be done independently, according
to Boulding, such as private visits of the
Sistine Chapel in Vatican City or the Vasari
Corridor in Florence which spans the Pitti
Palace to the Uffizi Gallery. There are also
small group tours of bistros, chocolatrias and
cheesemakers to sample local foods.
The Luxury Gold collection also features
itineraries in the USA and Canada, South
America, and India, Nepal, Bhutan, and
Sri Lanka.
n www.insightvacations.com
2016
LUxURY GOLd
by INSIGHT VACATIONS
EUROPE
I N D I A , B H U TA N & N E PA L
U S A , H AWA I I & C A N A DA
SOUTH AmERICA
insightluxurygold.com
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RAIL Journeys
Right on Track
Train travel is as much about the journey as the destination.
KRIS MADDEN blows the whistle on some of the world’s best rail journeys.
Luxury across Europe
As you board the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train at
London’s Victoria station bound for Gare de l’Est in Paris, French
chefs on board are preparing the Michelin-grade menu to be served
in one of the exquisite 1920s dining cars. Start with lobster and
caviar blinis by the baby grand piano in the bar car, before feasting
on a four-course dinner served by white-gloved waiters. Slip blissfully
between the crisp damask sheets in the vintage polished oak
and mahogany-panelled cabin, amid the crystal glassware, silk
lampshades and giant windows. Wake up, and after breakfast in
bed, you’ll be in Venice.
A flying Scotsman
Single malt whisky and valleys of heather are just some of the
joys of the tartan-trimmed Royal Scotsman’s Western Journey
from Edinburgh across the Scottish Highlands to the fishing town
of Mallaig on Scotland’s northwest coast. This ‘mobile’ Scottish
country bed and breakfast sleeps 36 in ensuite staterooms, with
meals served in two dignified dining carriages. An armchair in the
observation car or the open-air veranda provide a wonderful vantage
point as you glide past castles, villages and glens.
Rocky Mountain high
Snow-clad mountains, glacier-fed lakes, wildlife and impeccable
service are all part of the Rocky Mountaineer experience. The
journey from Canada’s Vancouver to Calgary across the Rocky
Mountains has three overnight hotel stops (included in the ticket)
passing through the Kamloops region and up to the ski resorts of
Lake Louise and Banff, before heading to Calgary, Alberta’s ‘cowboy
town’. You travel during the day so you don’t miss any of the moving
art gallery passing by your window. Go with the premium Gold Leaf
Service which has a double-deck dome car and meals served in the
posh dining car.
Footsteps of the Incas
Named after the American explorer who discovered the remains of
the 15th-century Inca Citadel Machu Picchu in 1911, Peru’s Hiram
Bingham train is one of South America’s finest rail journeys. Hiram
Bingham carries 84 passengers in 1920s Pullman-style carriages,
with two luxurious dining cars, a kitchen car, a bar/observatory
car and live local on-board entertainment. The journey of just over
three hours from Cusco to Machu Picchu winds through some of
the Andes’ most breathtaking scenery before arriving at the World
Heritage-listed site. There’s time for a five-hour guided tour of the
ancient relics before heading back to Cusco.
38
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Royal Scotsman
RAIL Journeys
From Russia with love
Russia’s Trans-Siberian Railway has been a sort of arduous rite
of passage for dedicated train enthusiasts since 1901, but the
amenities could only be described as basic. That is, until the lavish
Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, Russia’s only fully ensuite
train, began the luxury service from Moscow to Vladivostok a few
years ago. Imagine listening to Tchaikovsky play as you sample
vodka and caviar in the velvety surrounds of the classic Russian
restaurant; while gazing through the wide-wide windows at the
vastness of Siberia.
Royalty on wheels
The ‘Land of the Maharajahs’ is wonderful anytime, but Rajasthan is
even better when surrounded by the regal grandeur of a bygone era.
With its opulently embroidered ruby, sapphire, pearl and emerald
Indian decor, gourmet cuisine and first-class service, the Royal
Rajasthan on Wheels simply oozes old-world charm. A seven-day
journey explores Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The deluxe and super deluxe cabins are all beautifully furnished
with ensuite bathrooms, luxurious beds, comfortable sofas, in-built
wardrobes and huge glass windows. Escape the heat and dust in the
spa, or relax in one of the lavish bars or lounges.
The Soul of Africa
Everyone from kings and presidents to celebrities have ridden
The Blue Train, the magnificent, moving 5-star ‘hotel-on-wheels’
which traverses South Africa. On board the train you can indulge
in the finest cuisine accompanied by some of South Africa’s finest
wines. Around-the-clock personal butlers will see to your every need;
be it in the comfort of your private suite, or in any one of the train’s
exquisite lounges. The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a
27-hour journey of 1600 kilometres, passing through awe-inspiring
mountain ranges and arid deserts and across untamed savannah
grasslands teeming with wildlife.
Ecuadorian Encounter
Ecuador’s recently refurbished Tren Crucero from the volcano-flecked
Andes to the country’s tropical coast is emerging as one of the
world’s most thrilling rail journeys. The rail passage from Ecuador’s
capital, Quito, in the Andes, to Guayaquil on the sunny, Pacific coast
was originally created over a century ago in order to unite the country.
The dramatic Devil’s Nose, with its steep zig-zagging sections,
remains the most exhilarating section of the route and is regarded as
the most difficult pieces of railway in the world. The journey forms an
ideal add-on to a pre or post cruise in the Galapagos Islands.
39
RAIL Journeys
Travellers prefer trains
ACCORDING to a survey conducted by Rail
Europe earlier this year, trains are the
preferred mode of transportation when it
comes to travelling through Europe.
Of the 4,949 survey participants, 73 per
cent thought train travelling was the most
comfortable and convenient way to see the
continent, reaching a much wider range
of destinations than any other mode of
transportation, including car and coach.
In the survey results, participants listed
convenience, value for money, efficiency,
environmental friendliness and the
opportunity to interact with locals as the top
five benefits of European train travel.
Comparing the time from Paris to London,
it’s obvious that the train comes out on top
when comparing the time of the trip on a plane
plus the time taken for check-in, customs and
baggage collection and screening.
In terms of reasons for travelling to
Europe, a whopping 84 per cent listed
holidays as the key incentive, while others go
over to visit family, study and to honeymoon.
Rail Europe also reports that couples top
the list of visitors (at 34 per cent), followed
by solo travellers (26 per cent), groups of
friends (23 per cent) and finally, families (17
per cent).
The world’s No. 1 distributor of rail tickets
and passes, says Australians and New
Zealanders travelling to Europe predominantly
visit the UK, France and Italy respectively,
with visitor numbers increasing yearly to
Spain, Germany and Switzerland. Also, while
individual country passes are frequently used,
the most popular pass among Aussies and
Kiwis is the Eurail Select Pass, which entitles
holders unlimited travel to four adjoining
countries. Rail Europe is offering travellers
the widest and best selection of European
rail products across no less than 30
countries and 25,000 destinations on more
than 11,000 different routes. Its portfolio of
products include Eurail Passes and Swiss
Passes as well as rail carriers such as SBB
(Switzerland), SNCF (France), Trenitalia and
NTV (Italy), DB (Germany), the ATOC (UK),
Eurostar, Thalys, TGV Lyria and more.
Rail Europe tickets are distributed by Rail
Plus, Rail Tickets, CIT Holidays and Infinity
Rail in Australia; and Rail Plus and Go
Holidays in New Zealand.
n www.raileurope.com.au
BARGAINS ON ITALIAN HIGH SPEED TRAINS
ITALIAN rail operator, Trenitalia, recently
launched its latest train, the Freccisrossa
1000, in June this year offering customers
a highly modern and fast service which is
available with the popular advanced booking
super economy fares through Melbournebased rail specialists, International Rail.
The new high speed trains will be utilised
on the most popular tourist and business
route from Milan-Bologna-Florence-RomeNaples. It offers 457 seats across four
40
categories of cabins, Standard, Premium,
Business and Executive. New catering
options, internet access and entertainment
monitors are present in each class.
The new fast speed service also comes
with attractive fares, such as the welltravelled Rome to Milan service, which
takes only two and a half hours-travelling
at 360km per hour, priced from $48 per
person in a standard class. Or the Rome to
Venice service from only $41 per person in
a standard seat. Trenitalia will be offering
four fare levels carrying electronic tickets
which are simply scanned by rail conductors
when boarding trains.
International Rail advises that the earlier
you buy the advance purchase tickets the
cheaper they are.
For more information on booking online
or through travel agents call International
Rail on 1300 387 245 or visit their website.
n www.internationalrail.com.au
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Our
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A RAIL JOURNEY IS AN EXPERIENCE TO BE TREASURED - SO GET ONBOARD!
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RAIL Journeys
TRAVELMARVEL’S GREAT RAIL JOURNEYS
Travelmarvel’s new Great Rail Journeys 2016 brochure is the
company’s first ever dedicated brochure for this travel format and
has been made possible through an exclusive partnership with award
winning UK-based rail travel company Great Rail Journeys.
Designed to capture the golden era of rail travel, when the train
was more than just the mode of transport but the highlight itself,
Travelmarvel’s new program offers a choice of fourteen relaxing rail
journeys covering the length and breadth of Europe.
What makes the new Travelmarvel Great Rail Journeys stand out in
the market is the fact that each one is accompanied by a dedicated
English speaking tour manager. Travelling with guests throughout, they
will handle all elements of the tour, from ticketing to ensuring guests
are personally guided to their platforms and to their seats and liaising
with the English speaking guides. Also included in every journey is all
premium centrally located accommodation, airport and hotel transfers
and selected excursions, entrance fees, meals and sightseeing.
Travelmarvel is featuring many of Europe’s most iconic trains and
railways in its program: from the world’s slowest express train, the
Glacier Express in Switzerland; to the art deco elegance of the Venice
Simplon-Orient-Express; and the West Highland Line in Scotland,
whose Jacobite Steam Train starred as the Hogwarts Express in the
famous Harry Potter films.
David Cox, executive general manager at Travelmarvel says the
company is committed to showcasing the romance of rail travel to its
guests in Australia.
“Rail is such an exciting way to travel and it is definitely in
The Travelmarvel team launch Great Rail Journeys
demand amongst our guests. With this program we offer itineraries
that are fully chaperoned so that guests have someone to support
them throughout their trip, enabling them to sit back and just enjoy
themselves. We take care of all the hotels, all the tour guides,
transfers and most meals are also included. Through our partnership
with Great Rail Journeys we are offering rail holidays as they should be
– seamless, stylish and stress-free.”
To celebrate the new program, Travelmarvel is offering an earlybird
discount of $1,000 per couple off all itineraries, which is available
until sold out.
n www.travelmarvel.com.au
Infinite choices with Infinity
Trains make gains
RAIL travel, particularly in Europe and the USA, seems to be the
current growth area with rail specialist International Rail reporting
a 20 per cent increase in business so far this year compared with
January to September 2014.
Managing director Jonathan Hume added that with strong support
from new preferred arrangements with agency chains, travel agency
sales are up by 50 per cent.
He credited this to “our independent business model and strong
relationships with railway operators providing price advantages
across a range of rail tickets and passes.
“This means agents can offer their clients the best fares or bundle
them to make good additional commission margins”.
Mr Hume said that he anticipated similar growth in 2016. “The
nature of rail today is that it is a booming product which more and
more travellers are wanting to experience, resulting in more complex
bookings to meet demand,” he said.
“This new level of complication can be time consuming and
frustrating for agents so International Rail has removed that problem
with its agent-friendly booking services”.
42
No Matter if your clients wish to travel close to home or
as far as Europe and beyond Infinity Rail are able to offer an
extraordinary holiday experience by rail.
A team of rail experts can assist with a tailor-made itinerary
including rail, airfares, accommodation and sightseeing.
Infinity is a ‘one stop shop’ whether your client wants to travel
independently, on an escorted rail journey, combine their holiday
with a cruise, or travel on one of their dedicated departures.
Infinity Rail was created in 2004 and currently has 18
dedicated rail staff across three sales teams. Collectively they
have hundreds of years’ travel industry experience and can help
agents sell rail packages confidently and offer advice on which
product will suit your clients’ travel needs. Booking rail passes
and tickets with Infinity Rail before departing Australia offers
convenience, peace of mind and saves money.
The likes of the Rocky Mountaineer, the legendary Venice
Simplon-Orient-Express, The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Eastern &
Oriental Express and Swiss Scenic trains will all take clients
on a memorable journey through some of the world’s most
spectacular landscapes, whilst offering full service and catering.
When purchasing tickets, many countries such as Europe,
Japan, Canada and USA, offer a great range of rail passes for
travellers who need flexible travel options. The other option is
point to point tickets – generally great value and more suitable for
shorter trips. Also many rail tickets and passes offer significant
discounts for seniors, students or persons under 26 years.
n www.infinityholidays.com.au/rail
EARLY
BOOKING
BONUSES*
On sale from 22nd September 2015
DISCOUNTED EUROSTAR FARES
Available for Standard Class & Standard Premier
Prices start from $78pp in Standard Class & $183pp in Standard Premier
Sale from: 22nd Sep - 02nd Nov 2015
Travel from: 12th Oct - 25th May 2016 (to/from Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais)
Travel from: 07th Nov 15 - 23rd May 16 (to/from Lyon, Avignon, Marseille)
Exchangeable with fee, non-refundable | Blackout periods apply
Extended booking horizon upto 8 months
UP TO 20% OFF FRANCE RAIL PASS
1st & 2nd Class | All Validities | Adult, Senior, Youth & Saver
Book & pay by 30th Oct 2015
Extended validation period, passes can now be validated within 12 months of the issue date
Travel must be completed by 02nd Nov 2016
Non-exchangeable, non-refundable
SWISS PEAK PROMOTION
Receive a 20% discount on already discounted Swiss Peak prices.
Travel requires a valid Swiss Travel Pass and the use of a travel day on the pass.
Participating peaks: Gornergrat, Mount Pilatus, Schilthorn / Piz Gloria, Titlis
Sale from: 24th Sep – 27th Oct 2015
Blackout dates apply | All travel must be completed by 02nd Nov 2016
Non-exchangeable, non-refundable
EXTENDED VALIDATION FOR THE SWISS PASS
Swiss Passes can now be validated within 11 months of the issue date
Book & pay between 24th Sep - 27th Oct 2015
Travel must be completed by 02nd Nov 2016 | Non-exchangeable, non-refundable
* For full terms & conditions and more promotions visit
www.railplus.com.au/specials
P: 1300 555 003 E: [email protected] W: www.railplus.com.au
South America
Mercado Central, Silvia Garcia
By Gary Walsh
S
OUTH America is nothing if not
diverse. On the long run from
the steamy tropics and beaches
of Central America to the fjords
and mountains of the gateway
to the Antarctic in southern Patagonia, the
continent offers jungles, rivers, high-altitude
deserts, mysterious archaeological sites,
ski fields, vineyards and great cities. And
nothing better encapsulates this diversity
44
than the continent’s three major
tourist cities – Santiago, Buenos Aires and
Rio de Janeiro.
Santiago and Buenos Aires have long
benefited from being gateway cities for
Australian travellers. Both have Spanish
heritage, but the two are enormously
different. Visit Santiago and there is no
doubt you are in South America, but drop
Buenos Aires into the middle of Spain and
there would be scarcely a hair out of place.
And Rio de Janeiro? Well, it’s just Rio, with
its wild combination of Portuguese, African
and indigenous cultures, and its incomparable
setting and riotous joie de vivre.
The heart of Santiago is Plaza de
Armas, the city’s central square, which is
surrounded by classical
buildings including the cathedral and the
national museum, and full of activity all day
and night. Portrait and landscape artists set
up their easels, chess players sit on stools
over café tables and buskers keep the
entertainment flowing.
The Mercado Central is more than just a
fresh food market full of life and colour. It is
also one of the best places in Santiago for
a meal, with seafood restaurants serving
up the freshest fare imaginable. For the
city’s best view, ride the funicular to Cerro
San Cristobal, where a huge statue of the
Madonna overlooks the city, with the snowcapped Andes on the eastern horizon.
Buenos Aires is a city that flaunts its
classicism. Cleaved in two by the world’s
widest street, Avenido 9 de Julio, it is big and
bold and beautiful. The centre is traditionally
South America
European, with boulevard
cafes, grand hotels and stately 19th century
buildings, and the inner suburbs have their
own character.
Palermo is hipster central, BA’s trendiest
neighbourhood, while San Telmo is staid
and stately, its streets lined with classic
apartments, museums and high-end shops.
But to get to the city’s raffish heart, head
for the working class district of La Boca.
It’s best avoided at night, but by day La
Boca is bursting with colour. Buildings are
painted in vibrant primary hues, the
streets are thronged with activity –
everything from alfresco tango dancing to
jugglers and magicians – and there are great
bars everywhere.
Don’t miss La Bombonera, the rundown
stadium where Argentina’s most famous
football club, Boca Juniors, plays. Boca was
home to Diego Maradona and now Carlos
Tevez is back with his boyhood team. If you
catch a game, with its heaving, threatening
atmosphere, at least do
the fascinating stadium tour, which
gets you into the change rooms and onto
the famous turf.
At night, Buenos Aires is a magical place,
with music everywhere, and the tango
takes centre stage. There are countless
places to see this most exotic dance in its
home city. Many of them, of course, are
commercial and aimed squarely at tourists
– others are more authentic (try Confiteria
Ideal, Cachirulo or El Yeite). Whichever you
choose, be prepared for a late night and
lots of red wine.
Brazil, for historical reasons, stands
apart from the rest of South America. It
was colonised by Portugal, not Spain, and
it also saw hundreds of thousands of
African slaves brought to the country who
have contributed to Brazil’s melting pot
of cultures.
And Rio de Janeiro has, quite simply,
the most stunning setting of any city in
the world. The Corcovado, with its massive
and iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer,
dominates the skyline along with Pao de
Acucar (Sugarloaf
Mountain). The views from both over Rio’s
countless bays and beaches are magical,
but don’t miss the cable car from Sugarloaf
to the beach at Praia Vermelha.
Beaches? Well, choose from
Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca,
Prainha and Vermelha – each has its own
appeal and character, from the see-and-beseen sands of Copacabana and Ipanema,
to the more peaceful and sedate Prainha.
Rent a deck chair, pull up a caipirinha, and
soak up the rays and the atmosphere.
Rio, of course, is synonymous with its
sybaritic carnival, which takes over the city
every February. It is a spectacular, crazy
time of year to be in Rio, and there is
nothing like it anywhere else in the world,
but probably best avoided if you value your
sanity and your wallet.
Next year will see the Olympics come to
Rio, two years after the football World Cup
final was played there. With that in mind,
it’s sometimes hard not to feel like it’s
the centre of the universe. And standing
on Copacabana, looking at the beautiful
people and the beautiful surroundings, it’s
easy to understand why.
45
South America
SPOTLIGHT ON:
Chile
Stretching for more than 4300 km along the west coast of South America, Chile boasts some of South America’s
most incredible landscapes: gleaming glaciers, bubbling geysers, stunning alpine lakes and vast rock-strewn deserts.
The country’s unique cultural heritage can be seen in the mysterious statues of Easter Island, the grand colonial
plazas of Santiago and the thriving indigenous communities of the Andean foothills.
Key Highlights
One of Latin America’s most striking cities,
Santiago enjoys a prime location at the
base of the spectacular Andes. The Chilean
capital is renowned for its superb museums,
fine restaurants and lively nightlife, while the
surrounding area boasts world-class trekking
and skiing.
The vast Atacama Desert is the driest
place on Earth, full of eerie rock formations,
steaming mud pools and shimmering salt flats.
Located close to the Argentinean border,
the Chilean Lakes District is an area of
immense natural beauty. A cruise through
this region reveals vivid glacial lakes, snowcapped volcanoes, thundering waterfalls and
quaint alpine villages.
Chile has been producing high-quality wine
for more than 400 years. Experience this
timeless tradition at the vineyards of the
Colchagua Valley.
In Depth
Chile is known as the paise de poetas, or
‘country of poets’. One of its most-famous
wordsmiths was Pablo Neruda, winner of the
Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. A glimpse
into his life can be seen at his former home
in Valparaiso.
Located 3600 km off the coast of Chile,
remote Easter Island is best known for its
moai – monumental stone statues scattered
along the shoreline; white sand beaches;
fascinating caves; and excellent snorkelling
and diving.
The prize jewel in Chilean Patagonia’s
crown, Torres del Paine National Park is one
46
of South America’s finest natural reserves,
dominated by jagged towers of granite, rich
forests, spectacular glaciers and stunning
turquoise lakes.
Need to know
Access
Santiago’s international airport is Arturo
Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL).
It is approximately 20 minutes from the
city depending on traffic. Pre-booking arrival
transfers is recommended.
Handy Hints
• Most locals can speak some English –
more likely in large cities like Santiago. It’s
useful to carry a phrase book.
• Ask before taking photographs of people,
especially in tourist areas as you may be
asked for money afterwards.
• Meal times are quite different to
Australia. Lunch is normally served 1-4pm
and dinner starts from 8pm, but it is
customary to eat around 9-10pm.
• Some cities and attractions, such as the
Atacama Desert, are at high altitudes and
altitude sickness can affect some people
until they become acclimatised.
Visas
No visa is currently required for holders
of Australian or New Zealand passports.
Australian passport holders are required to
pay a US$61 reciprocity fee on entry into Chile
which allows multiple entries for up to 90 days.
Safety & Security
Chile is considered to be one of the safest
South American countries for travellers,
however in large tourist centres like
Santiago, tourists need to be wary of
pickpockets and bag snatchers.
Tipping
Tipping is optional, but it is common to tip
service providers and anyone who goes out
of their way to help.
When to go
Due to its length, Chile features a variety of
climates. All of Chile’s cities experience their
warmest weather between October and April
and the coldest from May to September.
Further information
Chile Tourism http://chile.travel
EARTHQUAKE UPDATE
Official language
Spanish
Religion
Almost 90% of Chileans are Roman Catholic.
Money
Chilean Peso (CLP) is the official currency.
US dollars are widely accepted.
Following the recent earthquake in Chile,
Chilean tourism authorities advise that major
tourism destinations, including the southern
part of the country into the Patagonia region,
are operating normally. The capital, Santiago,
and surrounding areas, including Valparaíso
and wine regions, were not affected.
South America
Campaign highlights highs of Chile
TURISMO Chile has launched a new
campaign promoting the country and its
five regions as the ultimate destination for
Australian travellers. The campaign sees
Turismo Chile partner with LAN Airlines
and a range of Australian tour operators
including Forward Travel, Chimu Adventures
and Captain’s Choice in a bid to encourage
Australians to discover more about Chile.
Turismo Chile long haul markets manager
Pablo Javier Retamal says the new
campaign highlights the diversity of activities
that can be experienced in Chile, from
trekking in the Torres del Paine National
Park to rafting through rivers surrounded by
millennial forests.
“Research shows that Chile sits high on
the list as a destination Australians wish to
visit soon therefore the campaign focuses on
bringing to life the experiences Chile has to
offer outside of our gateway of Santiago.”
The campaign aims to grow the average
length of stay in the region, and encourage
Australians to visit now. “This year’s
campaign launched earlier than ever before,”
Retemal says. “Through our partnership with
LAN and the various cooperative partners, we
Research shows that
‘Chile
sits high on the
list as a destination
Australians wish to
visit soon...
’
will be looking to drive Australians to not just
think about a South American holiday, but to
book and make it happen.”
Air New Zealand has shaken up the access
to South America by introducing three weekly
flights from Auckland to Buenos Aires from
December. The service will be operated by a
Boeing 777-200 aircraft with a flight time of
around 12 hours, and an intended code share
arrangement with Aerolíneas Argentinas
providing connections to Brazil.
“This new route to Buenos Aires further
strengthens our network in the Pacific Rim.
Argentina is an exciting new destination for
New Zealanders, and with seamless one-stop
connectivity through Auckland it will provide a
fantastic opportunity for Australians as well,”
said Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luson.
After a long integration process following
the association of LAN Airlines and TAM
Airlines, LATAM Airlines Group has decided
to adopt a single name and identity which
means the new brand for the largest airline
group in Latin America and its affiliates will
be LATAM. The new LATAM branded airline
group will unite all the passenger and cargo
airlines related to LAN Airlines and its
affiliates in Peru, Argentina, Colombia and
Ecuador and TAM in Brazil, Colombia
and Paraguay.
copa.com
Flights operated by Copa Airlines
Flights operated by Copa Airlines Colombia
Flights starting December 2015
74 Destinations
in 31 countries
1300 659 021
[email protected]
South America
Tempo brings back Columbia
Colombian Yellow, Liz Saldana, bit.ly/1Pm9PAl
LATIN America is a destination that has intrigued
Australians for decades but until only recently
has it seen such an influx of curious Aussie
travellers determined to get a glimpse of this
truly unique and spectacular part of the world.
Tempo Holidays has been busy redesigning
its upcoming 2016 Latin America brochure,
available at travel agencies this month.
Rod Vargas, product manager at Tempo
Holidays is excited to showcase the new-look
brochure which he says is a more user-friendly
edition that inspires would-be travellers to
come and experience the best that Latin
America has to offer.
In addition to some traditional favourites,
Tempo has introduced some new and exciting
programs to complement the brochure.
“I wanted to use this brochure more as a
guide to inspire travellers rather than publish
every product we have, and drive people to our
website for more content,” said Vargas.
Colombia is back after a few years of not
being featured in the brochure.
“We felt it was important to bring back
a country that offers so much from the old
colonial walled city of Cartagena, to the post
Pablo Escobar run city of Medellin and the
bustling capital of Bogota.
“It is a country that many have fallen in love
with and we felt Australians are more than
ready to discover this amazing place,” he said.
New programs consolidate smaller
packages allowing passengers to travel an
entire country in one hit. Tempo’s ‘Glimpse
of Chile’ visits north, centre and south of
the country, while ‘Argentina Express’ gives
travellers a comprehensive look at all major
sites. A new award-winning train journey in
Ecuador (Tren Crucero) will be featured in the
brochure, giving travellers the opportunity
to traverse through Andean highlands and
coastal plains, enjoying breathtaking scenery
and friendly Ecuadorian hospitality.
“Here at Tempo Holidays we are thrilled
to showcase this magnificent and unique
destination and cannot wait for others to fall
in love with South America like we have,”
said Vargas.
“Whether it’s the dramatic and diverse
landscapes, the rich ancient history or the
intoxicating and vibrant culture where music,
dance and food is front and centre, Latin
America is a destination that offers something
for everyone; from the first time traveller to the
seasoned jetsetter.”
n www.tempoholidays.com
South America
Q&A
South America is a hot destination at the moment for Australian
travellers, with a variety of tours covering everything from budget to
luxury to cruise. Janet Bradley-Ryalls, MTA from Cairns shares with
travelBulletin her tops tips for selling the destination.
How well does South America/
Antarctic sell?
The destination is a big seller for me and
one I enjoy planning with my clients. They
generally know what they want to do and
see, so it is a matter of planning a detailed
and exciting itinerary that covers their all
their requirements. It is also easy to upsell
to include other destinations, as many of
the flights do not fly direct, so there is good
opportunity to add another stopover or two.
a logical order to save back tracking is
highly recommended.
Is there sufficient product knowledge
available to agents?
The tourism organisations are very good
and if you are ever stumped, they can be
very helpful in helping to plan itineraries
or source operators. I find the small group
tour operators are very knowledgeable and
they use local guides and probably deliver a
more authentic South American experience.
Is it seen as an expensive destination?
It would depend on how far in advance the
client wishes to book. South America can
be quite affordable if the client plans well
in advance, to get the best airfares, or to
take advantage of early bird discounts, and
have a good choice of accommodation.
Because South America is a very large
continent, internal flights can increase
the cost considerably. Planning and
constructing an itinerary that flows in
South America:
Sacred, stunning,
and so surprising
For 25 years, G Adventures has opened up the wonders of South America
to curious travellers. Our small-group adventure tours allow your clients
to get an up-close-and-personal glimpse of this diverse continent in a
way they never would on their own. Book your clients’ next adventure to
South America with G Adventures. They’ll come home forever changed.
1 300 796 618
gadventures.com.au
The larger tour
groups and
luxury tour
operators also have expansive knowledge
and will use local guides in each area, but
aim at a different sort of experience and
have a different demographic clientele.
I would like to see someone come up with
a nice, concise reference book for agents
for South America, as it is always handy to
be able to have a ‘bible’ of information at
your fingertips.
What advice would you have for other
agents selling the destination?
Don’t let it overwhelm you! Use whatever
resources you can find and ask questions
of your clients to qualify what type of
holiday they really want. I have learned so
much from the suppliers and wholesalers
especially, and they are there to guide you
if you personally have not been there or
experienced the destinations.
South America
PANDAW AND THE AMAZON DREAM
Since 1995, Pandaw River Expeditions has
pioneered the great rivers of Asia aboard
its luxury replica colonial river steamers,
hand crafted in brass and teak. But now, in
the company’s 20th anniversary, Pandaw is
tackling the rivers of South America with new
departures in 2016 on the Amazon Dream.
To launch the new partnership Pandaw is
offering four departures between January and
November 2016, exploring the lesser visited
and more scenically varied region of the
Amazon River between Santarem and Belem.
Here, the blue waters of the Tapajos River
and the mighty Amazon meet for several
kilometers, lined by the forests, beaches of
fine white sand and the crystal-clear waters of
the Tapajos. Not only will guests discover the
natural wonders of the great rain forest with
its varied wildlife, flora and fauna including
pink dolphins, but like Pandaw’s Asian
expeditions, they’ll visit local villages such
as Maguari and Munduruku, and discover the
way of life of the people who make their lives
in the rain forest, accompanied by expert
local naturalist guides.
The Amazon Dream carries just 18
passengers and provides a comfortable base
from which to explore, for those without walking
difficulties. All cabins are air-conditioned and
well-appointed and complemented by quality
French-influenced cuisine.
The 14-night ‘Rio to Santarem’ cruise
combines nine nights cruising with land
arrangements, staying three nights at the
five-star Sofitel Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, located
on Copacabana Beach, plus excursions to
Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain; followed
by a flight to Iguazu Falls for a two-night stay
at the Hotel das Cataratas, located next to
the jaw-dropping waterfalls, and visits to both
sides of the falls in Brazil and Argentina.
The trip can be extended with two nights in
Manaus and two nights in Salvador. Prices
start from US$4315 per person twin share.
n www.pandaw.com
GLOBUS RELEASES FIRST SOUTH AMERICA BROCHURE
GLOBUS has captured the spirit and
passion of Latin America in its first brochure
of South American holidays, offering more
than a dozen different adventures across
the continent – from the ruins of Machu
Picchu to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and
the remote wilderness of Patagonia.
To celebrate its new brochure, Globus is
offering an early
booking discount
of 10 per cent
on all Globus
2016 South &
Central America
holidays booked
by 1 December
2015.
The new
Globus South
& Central
America 2016
brochure
50
takes the extraordinary sights and cultures
of Latin America and offers them with the
same premium standard of touring that
Globus is best known for in Europe and
North America. It also includes itineraries
from Globus sister brands – affordable
touring options from Cosmos and cruises
from Avalon Waterways.
The program also includes a selection
of itineraries in Brazil timed in the
weeks before and after the Rio 2016
Olympic Games.
Itineraries in the new brochure range from
seven to 19 days, and new tours include:
Globus ‘Journey to the End of the World’ –
a 13-day journey in Chile and Argentina,
priced from $5878, combining Santiago
and Buenos Aires with some of the world’s
most spectacular mountain landscapes
in Patagonia. Highlights include a full-day
cruise among the fjords and glaciers of
Puerto Natales and a guided hike in the
breath-taking Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Cosmos Ecuador ‘From the Andes to the
Amazon’ – a 10-day focus on Ecuador’s
soaring mountains and wild jungles,
including the cobbled lanes and charming
colonial streetscapes of its world heritagelisted capital, Quito. Prices from $2239
or $5709 with an additional four-day
Galápagos Island cruise.
Avalon Waterways ‘From the Inca Empire
to the Peruvian Amazon’ – an 11-day
expedition priced from $6659 combining some
of South America’s greatest icons including
the ruined city of Machu Picchu, the one-time
Inca capital of Cusco, the ancient sites of the
Sacred Valley and a three-night cruise through
the jungles of the Amazon River.
n www.globus.com.au
South America
Cruise South America’s west coast
Adventure travel pioneer, G Adventures,
has announced a new cruise itinerary sailing
the coast of South America from Ushuaia,
Argentina to Cartagena, Colombia.
The entire voyage is 38 days in total,
visiting 21 ports in six countries (Argentina,
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Peru)
and includes a three-day land-based trip to
visit Machu Picchu. Travellers with less time
are able to join sectors of the trip for as few
as 12 days.
Other highlights include a Chilean rodeo,
barbecue and wine experience in Punta
(the new trip) will be
‘especially
attractive
to Australian and New
Zealand adventurers who
want a taste of everything,
from wildlife and scenery
through to culture, history
and food
’
Arenas; an optional fly-over of the ancient
Nazca lines in Southern Peru; the opportunity
to traverse the Panama Canal, and relax on
the idyllic San Blas Islands in Panama.
Belinda Ward, managing director,
G Adventures Australia and New Zealand,
said the new trip combines the best of South
America’s west coast and will be especially
attractive to Australian and New Zealand
adventurers who want a taste of everything,
from wildlife and scenery through to culture,
history and food.
“We are really excited about this new
South America itinerary because it has such
variation, what’s great is travellers can enjoy
the full 38-day voyage or jump on for some of
the shorter segments that may have a more
particular focus,” she explained.
The 38-day trip is priced from $19,999 per
person and departs Ushuaia on 21 March
2016, with disembarkation / embarkation
ports at Valparaiso (for Santiago) in Chile and
Guayaquil in Ecuador. Other South American
cruises include a 25-day Santiago to
Cartagena journey priced from $12,999 per
person, and departing 3 April, 2016.
n www.gadventures.com.au
Feel Like
A Local
Glimpse
Of Chile
Tren Crucero
9 days – departs Bogota
From $4703* per person
10 days – departs Santiago
6 days – departs Quito
Incredible introduction to Colombia visiting
three of its most iconic cities Bogota,
Medellin and Cartagena.
Visit the awe-inspiring regions of
Patagonia and Atacama Desert.
Enjoy the stunning train journey weaving
through the majestic Andes landscapes.
Highlights:
• Explore the bustling city of Santiago
• Journey through diverse landscapes
Highlights:
• Discover 10 beautiful Volcanoes
• Experience local ancestral
indigenous communities
Highlights:
• Dinner at a local family’s home
• Visit sites made famous by Pablo Escobar
(Cruise Train)
Contact your destination specialist now on 1300 362 844 | [email protected]
*Conditions apply. Prices are per person, twin share and subject to availability. Prices are accurate as at 15 Sep 2015 and subject to change without notice. Offers are subject to availability and valid for new bookings only and not
combinable with any other offers. Feel like a local travel dates Fridays year round in 2016. Glimpse of Chile operates September – April 2016 (fortnightly), Mondays between 25 Apr - 03 Oct and Wednesdays between 01 Jun 16 - 21
Sep 16. Tren Crucero travel dates are Monday’s 2016 (Fortnightly). All airfares are excluded unless specified in itinerary. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on dates of travel. Credit card surcharge may occur.
Single supplements are extra and applicable to travellers in single rooms. Final payment is due 60 days prior to ex Australia or New Zealand departure date. Visit www.tempoholidays.com for full Terms and Conditions and current
prices. Check out our latest brochures for information on other destinations and inspirational travel ideas. For specific offer terms and conditions or enquiries, please contact us on 1300 558 987 or email [email protected]
South America
Travellers want Depth
South America is one of the most diverse,
culturally-rich continents in the world,
offering many unique experiences. As such,
many first-time travellers will often find
themselves visiting time and time again, or
spending a longer time exploring several
countries or regions when compared to other
popular travel destinations.
“At Adventure World, the number of
travellers to South America has grown year on
year,” says Neil Rodgers, Adventure World’s
general manager.
“The experiences travellers are seeking
are in-depth explorations of each country
as opposed to the more typical bucket
list ticking trips as they are realising the
innumerable amount of experiences that the
continent has to offer.
Rodgers says the country that has seen the
biggest year on year increase is Chile, with
growing interest in exploring the geological
wonders of Patagonia, with side journeys to
visit the Atacama and Easter Island.
“Peru continues to be the most requested
and visited South American country,
particularly appealing to the environmentally
conscious traveller, offering breathtaking
cruising experiences in the pristine Amazon
rainforest such as Adventure World’s 4-day
Peruvian Amazon River Cruise.
“One of the main appeals of South America
to Australian travellers, are the spectacular
cultural events and festivals. Brazil will be
the most exciting global destination next
year, offering the world’s biggest party - the
Rio Carnival, to hosting the 2016 Olympic
Games. Adventure World’s 5-day Rio Carnival
experience allows travellers to witness the
spectacular costumes, dance and songs at
the samba parades, and be fully immersed in
the vibrant Brazilian culture.”
LAN WELCOMES
NEW FLEET
LAN Airlines, part of LATAM Airlines Group,
recently welcomed its 787-9 fleet as a
regular to the schedule on the trans-Pacific
route between Sydney and Santiago, Chile.
The 787-9 model replaces the 787-8
bringing with it more capacity and services
to transport 27 per cent more passengers
between the two regions.
“LATAM is continuously looking for new
ways to maintain outstanding inflight services,
leadership and commitment to innovation and
technology, and we are delighted to receive
this next generation aircraft onto our schedule
in the Pacific region as part of a wider
initiative,” said Patricio Aylwin, managing
director Asia Pacific, LATAM Airlines Group.
“The introduction of the 787-9
demonstrates LAN’s continued focus to
52
feature more efficient aircraft across its
network, as well as contributing to our plan of
expanding our capacity and presence in this
region,” he said.
The introduction of the 787-9 fleet on the
route also marks the launch of a new unified
look and feel for LATAM Airlines Group cabins
in the region. The airline group’s 787-9 fleet
is the first to feature this new cabin design.
LAN has configured the 787-9 cabin with
283 Economy Class seats and 30 Premium
Business Class seats. LAN Airlines currently
operates seven one-stop flights each week
from Sydney to Santiago, Chile, with onward
connections to over 115 destinations in
South America operated by both LAN Airlines
and TAM Airlines.
n www.lan.com
Copa direct to
Mexico
In August, Copa Airlines, a member
of the Star Alliance network, began
direct flights from Panama City to
Villahermosa and Puebla in Mexico. The
two cities are the airline’s 5th and 6th
destinations in Mexico.
The airline will operate the PanamaVillahermosa route three times a week,
and the Panama-Puebla route four
times weekly.
“Copa Airlines is pleased to launch
these new flights between Panama
and the Mexican cities of Puebla
and Villahermosa. Mexico is a very
important market for the company and
this connectivity will open enormous
opportunities for tourism and business
development of these cities,” said Edwin
Garcia, vice president of Airport Services,
Copa Airlines.
With the new destinations, Copa Airlines
operates more than 100 flights a week to
Mexico: 14 from Bogota, Colombia and
more than 90 from Panama. Copa Airlines
now offers service to 75 destinations in
31 countries in North, Central and South
America, and the Caribbean.
n www.copa.com
Meanwhile, last year, Aeromexico
began connecting Mexico City with
Managua, Nicaragua with six weekly
flights, making it the carrier’s fifth
destination in Central America.
Earlier this year, the airline began
serving the Medellin and Mexico City
route with four weekly flights operated
with Boeing 737 aircraft; creating the
second destination the carrier serves
in Colombia.
The carrier has also added Panama
to its growing network as its 16th
destination in Latin America.
n www.aeromexico.com
SOUTH AMERICA
HAS NEVER BEEN CLOSER!
SALT MINE,
BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA
·
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
·
Lake Titicaca, Peru
·
Salt mine, Bogotá, Colombia
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
LAKE TITICA
C A, P E R U
LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines form LATAM
Airlines Group which serves over 130
destinations in 22 countries.
LAN Airlines offers seven flights per week
from Sydney to Santiago, Chile via Auckland
and four direct codeshare flights operated
by oneworld partner. From Santiago,
LAN offers connections to the most
wonderful destinations in South America.
CONTACT US:
LAN.com
LAN 1800 221 572
Christmas
Holidays
Few experiences encapsulate the
festive mood better than the Christmas
markets of Europe. BRIAN JOHNSTON
tests some of the best.
Kids enjoying the decorations at the Christmas
market in Vienna, Austria.
Image courtesy Vienna Tourism Board.
54
Christmas Holidays
Each northern winter, millions of visitors flock to Christmas markets in old towns across Europe to shop
for traditional goods and food, socialise and listen to carol singers. Many markets have a charming
regional character, medieval atmosphere and delightful Christmas spirit like nothing you’ll ever find in a
shopping mall. For some festive fun, here are eight of Europe’s best Christmas market destinations that
your clients will love for their variety, ambiance and entertainment.
Vienna, Austria
Munich, Germany
Austria’s largest and oldest Christmas market is a lightshimmering, ribbon-strung and often snow-dusted affair in
front of the city’s neo-Gothic old town, which looks like a mad
ogre’s residence. Carollers mingle with the crowd, singing
classics such as Silent Night and O Christmas Tree in their
original language. Heart-shape gingerbread, roast chestnuts,
apple strudel and nutmeg macaroons are traditional treats.
Few things are better afterwards than a walk back to your
hotel under Vienna’s illuminated baroque architecture,
especially if it’s snowing.
Germany is undoubtedly the Christmas market epicentre of
Europe, with prominent markets in Berlin, Cologne, Dresden,
Nuremberg and Stuttgart. For cosiness and Christmas cheer,
however, the market in Munich’s old town Marienplatz is hard
to beat. Oompah bands and carol-warbling choirs entertain
the crowds from the balcony of the gargoyled town hall,
and a 30-metre Christmas tree shimmers like a heavenly
vision. Good buys include gingerbread and Bavarian crafts
such as music boxes and tree ornaments. The adjacent
Viktualienmarkt has stomach-warming food such as potato
soup, roast sausages and hot apple pies.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Strasbourg, France
The Danish capital has numerous Christmas markets but,
for the best winter wonderland experience, head to Tivoli
Gardens. The endearingly retro amusement park sparkles
with 50,000 fairy lights and hundreds of illuminated trees,
and the lake transforms into a skating rink where you’re
serenaded by classical music as you spin. Market stalls sell
candles, crafts, thick sweaters and wooden dolls, and Tivoli’s
eateries tempt with apple dumplings, meatballs and mulled
wine. Jolly old St Nick makes appearances, and you’ll feel like
a kid again.
Paris has some good Christmas markets (try the ChampsÉlysées and La Defense), but Strasbourg hosts France’s
oldest Christmas market, running since 1570. It also has an
unbeatable location, right beneath the mindboggling façade
of Strasbourg cathedral in the heart of the old town: a slice
of the medieval come to life. Locals shop for seasonal
goodies such as pheasant, duck, venison, seafood and foie
gras for the Christmas table, but you might want to make do
with candied fruit, chocolate truffles and giant, salt-encrusted
pretzels.
Bruges, Belgium
Bologna, Italy
Bruges’ central Markt is a ludicrously cute European square:
gabled houses look as if they’re made of gingerbread, and
a medieval belfry soars. Add market stalls that look like
miniature chalets with light-draped eaves, and plenty of
seasonal spirit results. Buy woollen socks and gloves, beer
mugs, glass ornaments and jewellery. Goodies to gorge on
include chocolate Santas and honey waffles, while a nip of
the local jenever gin will get up your courage for a turn on the
skating rink, which might just be the prettiest piece of ice on
the continent.
Christmas markets are generally seen as a central and
northern European specialty, but Bologna has a splendid
market in the shadow of its baroque cathedral. The Fiera di
Natale sells the usual Christmas baubles but stands out for
its food, as you’d expect in a city nicknamed ‘The Fat’ for its
cuisine. Marzipan fruit, nougat enrobed in dark chocolate
(torrone) and short-crust pinza filled with marmalade are
delicious. There’s another smaller market around the Church
of Santa Lucia, and a big New Year’s market on Piazza
Maggiore.
55
Christmas
Holidays
Prague, Czech Republic
Montreux, Switzerland
Several Christmas markets enliven Prague over December,
but the one in its central town square, sheltered by baroque
buildings and medieval towers on all sides, is magical.
It features numerous concerts, cultural events and kids’
activities (such as ornament making) as well as a life-size
manger scene featuring real animals, making this a top
market for families. Lovely souvenirs include Bohemian
crystal, embroidered lace, wooden toys and puppets. There’s
also hot-wine sipping and the chance to devour spit-roasted
pork and sugar-coated pies.
Each year, Switzerland puts on some of Europe’s most
spectacular Christmas events and festivities that see locals
and visitors celebrate the season in every city, town and
village across the country. Vibrant and colourful Christmas
markets can be found in the major cities of Zurich, Lucerne,
Bern and Basel, but a highly popular destination during the
festive season is Montreux, on the picturesque shores of
Lake Geneva. Decorated stalls selling traditional Christmas
treats, a variety of Swiss cheeses and mulled wine,
handicraft, gift hampers, games and live music, all add to
magical festive atmosphere. Cheers!
Fly the
Fly theto Europe
to Europe
Earlybird
Earlybird
FaresFares
onfrom
to the Air India
Return fares
es starting
ting
Return
ffrom faresLog
starting
Australia Facebook
Page in October for a
chance to win a free
ticket to London
Milan
Milan
$1267*
$1267*
Rome
Rome
$1281*
$1281*
Paris
Paris
$1306*
$1306*
France
France
$1350*
$1350*
Birmingham
Birmingham
$1406*
$1406*
London
London
$1468*
$1468*
Hotel accommodation provided
on outbound at Delhi Airport
airside Hotel Eatonsmart.
Indian Visa not required for
transiting passengers.
Log on to the Air India
Australia Facebook
Page in October for a
chance to win a free
ticket to London
to
Log on to the Air
Australia Faceb
Page in October
chance to win a
ticket to Lond
Like and
Like and
ShareShare
thethe
page today!!
page today!!
Hotel accommodation providedHotel accommodation provided
on outbound at Delhi Airport on outbound at Delhi Airport
transiting
passengers.
transiting
passengers.
SYDNEY:
(02) 9283 3370
SYDNEY:
| Email
(02)
9283
to [email protected]
3370 | Email to [email protected]
MELBOURNE: (03) 9021 8720
MELBOURNE:
| Email
(03) 9021
to [email protected]
8720 | Email to [email protected]
MELBOURN
**
es are all inclusive
Terms
Terms
and and
Conditions:
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Christmas Holidays
Winter holidays on location
Holidays On Location has just released its
new Winter Touring brochure featuring new
tours in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and
Belgium and the opportunity to experience a
white Christmas in Europe.
John de Steiger, manager of business
development for Holidays On Location says
winter travel is becoming more and more popular
with Australian travellers, particularly families.
“Winter in Europe is provides an excellent
opportunity to avoid the peak season crowds
and experience unique winter attractions.
Christmas in Europe has a sense of occasion
which is embraced
g
in
ur
by families
to
r
Winte
and Australian
travellers can have
a rather different
Christmas
experience.”
Additionally, a
range of special
interest tours
and packages
are on offer
36
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d ay s o n l o c
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Swiss Christmas break
Salzburg, horse drawn sleigh rides, and a
Silent Night - Holy Night Christmas Eve tour
taking part in the annual memorial service
in honour of the creators of the carol at the
Silent Night Memorial Chapel in Salzburg.
De Steiger advises agents to book early,
and to ask the company for any special
requests as they can tailor-make itineraries.
He also says that agents should keep in mind
the emerging Eastern German destinations
like Dresden.
A three-day Christmas at the Schönbrunn
Vienna City Package is priced from $239
per person and includes two nights’
accommodation at Hotel Courtyard by Marrriott
Schönbrunn, breakfast daily, a Christmas
culinary deluxe package and beautiful
Schönbrunn Christmas souvenir mug, entrance
and guided tours of the palace rooms, and all
service charges and taxes. Departures from
22 November - 26 December 2015.
Clients can follow up with a five-day New
Year in Salzburg package priced from $1230
per person. Departures from 29 December
2015 - 2 January 2016.
A wide range of tours also include the
Christmas Markets in Austria and Germany.
n www.holidaysonlocation.com
Clients can celebrate this Christmas
amongst the alpine peaks staying in a
delightful wooden chalet style hotel in the
heart of the magnificent Swiss Alps on an
8-day festive holiday package available
from Albatross Tours.
They can experience
special train rides
through the magnificent
mountains and lakes to
Montreux, Luzern and
medieval Bern; visit
Christmas markets;
see Interlaken and
Lake Thun.
The package
includes seven nights’
accommodation, buffet breakfast and
four-course dinners daily, including special
Christmas meals and train excursions on
the Swiss rail system.
Prices for this unescorted tour start from
$2,089 per person twin share, departing
via rail from anywhere in Switzerland
to either the village of Wilderswil or
Lauterbrunnen on 21 Dec 2015.
n www.albatrosstours.com.au
Your Destination Specialist
Integrity & Commitment
www.holidaysonlocation.com | 1300 65 10 65
Switzerland
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www.switzerlandholidays.com | TEL: 1300 65 10 65
2015Swiss-v6-Novemberr.indd 1
27/11/14 1:49:54 PM
Christmas
Holidays
a white Christmas with scenic
Scenic is offering a number of luxury cruises and land tours in 2015 and 2016 for
guests to experience a true European winter or a traditional Canadian white Christmas.
From charming villages to great cultural centres, guests can sail the grand European
waterways on a 15-day ‘Christmas Markets’ river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest,
and enjoy the festive sights and sounds along the way. They’ll wander the beautifully lit
towns, sample festive delicacies such as mulled wine and hot chestnuts, and shop for
handmade gifts and decorations in the traditional markets of Cologne – home to the
largest Christmas tree in Germany - as well as Rothenberg, Nuremberg and Vienna.
Those wanting to spend Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve in Europe; can soak up
the festive atmosphere on board a Scenic Space Ship on a 16-day ‘Christmas and New
Year’ river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Christmas Day is celebrated in the
city of Linz in Austria complete with traditional Christmas dishes and midnight mass,
followed by a couple of days taking in the breathtaking city of Prague before ringing in
the New Year.
Scenic is offering ‘Fly Free to Europe’ on all its Christmas river cruises including
those with city extensions in Prague and Paris.
Alternatively there’s the chance to experience a traditional white Christmas in the
Canadian mountains on a ‘Christmas in the Rockies’ tour. The journey from Victoria to
Calgary includes a night aboard the Snow Train from Vancouver to Jasper; a sleigh ride
along the lakeside trail to the end of majestic Lake Louise; and a traditional Christmas
Day brunch and dinner at either the Fairmont Banff Springs or the Fairmont Jasper
Park Lodge.
Aleisha Fittler, GM Product, commented: “Christmas and New Year is a really popular
time for people to travel with many people choosing to get away so they don’t have
to worry about anything at this really busy time of year. It is particularly popular for
families and we often have multiple generations sailing with us at Christmas. We love
that our guests choose to spend it with us and go out of our way to make their festive
experience extra special.”
n www.scenic.com.au
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, image courtesy Scenic
58
Austria Christmas Markets, Bryan Reinhart
A&K’S Christmas Spirit
Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent
is inviting everyone to get into the Christmas
spirit early, with a private journey to some of
Europe’s most famous Christmas markets.
An A&K Guardian Angel is on hand throughout
to help navigate the profusion of stalls so
shoppers can find that perfect Christmas gift.
A&K’s 7-day Berlin, Dresden and Prague
market tour starts in Berlin, which has more
than 50 Christmas markets, some which are
traditional and others more hip and happening.
In Prague, the Old Town Square plays host to
a festive market of brightly decorated wooden
huts, selling Czech handicrafts, hot food and
warm drinks, and at 5pm every evening the
beautiful lights of the Christmas tree are
turned on.
As well as visiting the festive Christmas
markets, A&K includes private city touring,
luxury accommodation at the elegant Hotel
De Rome in Berlin and Aria Hotel Prague,
stylish transport between the cities and
A&K’s signature Guardian Angel service.
Valid for travel from 1 November to 13
December 2015.
n www.abercrombiekent.com.au
Celebrate
Christmas
in Europe
Limited space available for Christmas 2015!
Christmas in the Slovenian Alps
11
Over $1,100 extras included!
DAYS
16
Over $1,600 extras included!
DAYS
Christmas in the Austrian Lakes
8
Bohemia & Christmas in the Tyrol
Over $800 extras included!
Why recommend our Christmas tours?
DAYS
• Leisurely 3, 4, 5 and even 7 nights in
one location over Christmas
• Special festive events and activities
• Character hotels in superb locations
• Genuinely inclusive — no optionals
• Guaranteed group departures
• Festive tour experts with over
20 years experience
BOOK NOW! Limited space is still available
for 2015 or pre-register now for 2016!
Call 1300 135 015 www.albatrosstours.com.au
59
Singapore
Left: Singapore’s
Chinatown is a mix of
pockets of the past
and today with street
hawkers and narrow
dingy alleyways sitting
side by side with more
modern sights of coffee
shops and hipster bars.
Left: The Singapore
Grand Prix happens
every September and
is much more than just
a Formula 1 race, with
concerts and glamorous
parties held around the
race time.
More than a stopover
Often considered a stopover on the way to somewhere else, LEE MYLNE finds that even a few days in
Singapore simply isn’t enough.
O
N the tiny unspoilt island of
Palau Ubin, the skyline of
Singapore looks deceptively
distant. Maybe, I muse as I
pause in my cycling exploration
of this oasis, it’s just because Palau Ubin is
not what we expect from Singapore.
Overhead, aircraft are heading for the
international hub of Changi Airport and just
a few days before I’d been aboard a Scoot
Dreamliner from the Gold Coast, one of
more than a million travellers from Australia
who visit Singapore each year.
For those – like me – who’ve always
thought of Singapore as “just a stopover”,
spending time in this city-state is a
60
revelation. On my first trip to Singapore in
nearly a decade, I find myself with several
days in which to explore.
Staying in the Balestier district, I find
a neighbourhood vibe that offers plenty
to do beyond the bustle and shopping of
Orchard Road.
I hotel-hop a bit, staying first at the threestar Days Hotel Singapore at Zhongshan
Park, a great location with easy access
to the nearby Novena MRT station (and
a free shuttle if you don’t want to walk;
I recommend taking it). While taxis are
incredibly cheap by Australian standards,
the MRT is easy to use and offers
discounted daily and monthly tickets.
My room at the Days Hotel is smart, bright
and comfortable, but quite small. Later I
move next door to the Ramada Singapore,
which offers a higher level of luxury and more
spacious rooms. Both hotels are operated by
Wyndham Hotels and offer similar services,
including free Wi-Fi and shuttles.
They are also on the Balestier Heritage
Trail, one of several trails curated by the
National Heritage Board of Singapore. I
grab a trail map from the hotel reception
and head out for a few hours to explore the
neighbourhood, my wanderings taking me to
a small temple (dating back to 1847), past
traditional and art deco shop houses, to a
Malay coffee house, bakeries, a herbal shop
Singapore
Left: Soaring high above
the crowds, you can’t
miss the massive tree
shaped vertical gardens
of the Supertrees in the
Gardens by the Bay.
Right: The merlion
statue is the symbol of
Singapore. There are
seven official statues
located around the
city, the original in
front of Fullerton Hotel
overlooking Marina Bay.
and into the bustling Balestier Market for
a lunch of chicken rice, the local delicacy.
Other highlights, just behind the hotels, are
an elaborate Burmese Buddhist temple,
and the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial
Hall, once the headquarters of the Chinese
Revolutionary Alliance and now a museum.
It seems fitting, as Singapore celebrates
50 years of independence, to find out more
about its past and future, so I head to the
Singapore City Gallery. This amazing gallery
tells the story of Singapore’s physical
transformation over the years, with scale
models of the entire city, images, sight and
sound shows and more.
The gallery is on Maxwell Road, just cross
from the Maxwell Hawker Centre, another
great place to pick up a street food meal.
In Chinatown, walk down South Bridge
Road from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
and Museum (don’t miss going upstairs
to the rooftop garden) to the Hindu Sri
Mariamman Temple and further to the
Jamae Mosque.
But the biggest surprise Singapore has
for me is its green spaces, and nowhere
demonstrates this more than the island of
Palau Ubin. A SG$16 taxi ride takes me from
my hotel to the Changi jetty, where I wait
until the required 12 passengers turn up for
the ferry. From there, it’s a SG$2.50 fiveminute boat ride to the island. Bicycle hire
For those – like me –
‘who’ve
always thought
of Singapore as “just
a stopover”, spending
time in this city-state is a
revelation
’
shops are waiting and for another SG$2 I’ve
soon got a set of wheels.
Another green place is the lush Singapore
Botanic Gardens, established in 1857.
These traditional gardens are worth a look,
especially if you are an orchid-fancier.
Don’t miss the Gardens by the Bay, built
on more than 100ha of reclaimed land. This
is a public garden like no other and the best
time to go is at night, when the Supertrees –
festooned with vertical gardens and reaching
between nine and 16 storeys - come alive
with a stunning light and sound show.
The show happens twice each evening,
at 7.45pm and 8.45pm. Get there early
enough to take the lift to the Skyway (entry
is $5) for one of the best views in Singapore
from 22-metres high.
To cap off the night, walk across to
Marina Bay Sands – just head towards the
distinctive outlines of this architectural
marvel – and have a drink at the rooftop bar
overlooking the city.
Visiting Singapore as it prepared
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
independence in August meant there were
plenty of special SG50 events to choose
from, but after a few days exploring, I’m
willing to bet that Singapore is this lively
almost all the time.
And I’m also aware that my four days only
just skimmed the surface; there’s plenty
more to see and do in Singapore, so the
only option is to plan a return visit.
61
Singapore
Q&A
Cheap flights and a range of affordable accommodation are drawing
more Australians to spend more time in Singapore. NXGen business
leader Jamie Sutherland explains why.
What are the main draw cards for
Australians travelling to Singapore?
At the moment it is a good choice of cheap
flights from most ports within Australia
and the large choice of activities once you
arrive. An on-par dollar, year-round 30-degree
climate and comfortable flight time also help.
What are your top tips for selling the
destination to clients?
Singapore has really evolved as a
destination. We may have sent clients
there in the past just for the shopping,
however now it’s choice that Singapore
really offers. We have a large array of
accommodation options to offer from
good value three-star properties through
to six-star luxury. Eco-tourism is another
growing sector. The Singapore Zoo is one
of the best in the world, while for families
Sentosa Island offers so much including
great theme parks, beaches and a great
choice of resorts.
What experiences do you recommend as
a ‘must’ for your clients?
No trip to Singapore is complete with
sampling the signature dish, chilli crab, at
Clark Quay. Singapore is as cosmopolitan
as they come and a visit to Little India,
Arab Street and Club Street will unveil the
many different
cultures of
Singapore.
Is it easy to sell Singapore as a holiday
destination rather than just a stopover?
For so long Singapore has been perceived
as a stopover destination however this is
definitely changing. Once you start delving
into what you can do in Singapore, it soon
becomes clear you are going to need
more than three or four days to really see
the best of Singapore. The challenge is
ensuring our customers understand
how much time they need to truly see
today’s Singapore.
Blooming lovely
To celebrate the harmony of nature,
Gardens by the Bay will present a
symphony of floral displays underscored by
various musical and dance performances
throughout 2016.
Dahlia Dream (15 January - 28 February),
celebrates the Chinese New Year of the
Monkey, with a garden of dahlias blooming
in abundance. March sees the introduction
of Blossom Beats, featuring for the first
time in Singapore, a display of exquisite
cherry blossoms blooming pretty in pink.
Singapore’s largest tulip festival returns
from 8 April - 22 May, with Tulipmania with
a Sufi Spin. The Lilytopia Retro Revival (3
June - 10 July) will star super-sized lilies
in a mix of electric hues; while Songbird
Serenade (22 July - 28 August) celebrates
Singapore’s National Day with orchids
flourishing in concert with the country’s
soundtrack. Tribal Tempo (9 September
- 30 October) sees brilliant proteas in a
celebration of South Africa; finishing the
year with the delightful dollhouses of Merry
Medley (11 November - 5 January 2017).
n www.gardensbythebay.com.sg
Singapore Tourism Board
62
Singapore celebrates 50
AUSTRALIAN travellers kept travel agents busy
this year as they helped Singapore celebrate
a “happy 50th birthday”, marking the golden
jubilee of the island nation’s independence.
More than a million Australians visit
Singapore each year, with the most recent
visitor figures showing an upward trend with
an increase of seven per cent in 2013.
The 2013 visitor arrival figures showed
1.125 million travellers from Australia visited
the island city-state.
Singapore continues to be an attractive
destination for everyone, with International Visitor
Arrivals (IVA) totalling 15.6 million for 2013.
Australia continues to be the fourth-highest
international visitor market for Singapore,
behind Indonesia (3 million), China (2.27
million) and Malaysia (1.28 million). Australians
also continued to spend, topping S$1 million.
And Australians are finding more reasons
to stay longer, with the average length of stay
increasing steadily from 2.89 nights in 2010
to 3.2 nights in 2014.
“We’re thrilled that increasingly more
Australians are visiting our city and we’re
excited to present the diverse range of
experiences, from food, entertainment and
attractions through to cultural festivals and
nightlife that Singapore offers all-year round,”
said Singapore Tourism Board area director
Oceania, Sharon Lam.
With eight airlines linking Australia and
Singapore, access has never been easier for
Australians, with new air routes opening up
in recent months. Qantas reintroduced five
weekly return Perth-Singapore flights in June,
and Silkair launched a new route between
Cairns and Singapore in August.
The cruise market is also booming. Royal
Caribbean International has recently signed
a multi-million dollar marketing collaboration
with the Singapore Tourism Board and Changi
Airport Group to promote cruising out of
Singapore to a burgeoning fly-cruise market.
LAST WORD
Celebrity spotting
FUN Facts:
Did you know…
One third of all the airports in the world are
located in the United States.
Adding salt and pepper to your food is
considered highly offensive to chefs in
Switzerland.
The world’s largest swimming pool is part of The
San Alfonso del Mar seaside resort in Algarrobo,
Chile and stretches 1km in length and holds
250 million litres of water.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
can hold 40,000 worshippers at one time.
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida can fit two
Manhattans or one San Francisco inside it.
Coffee is very popular in Japan. In fact, Japan
imports approximately 85% of Jamaica’s
annual coffee production.
In the 1980’s, American Airlines saved
$40,000 a year by removing one olive from
each in-flight salad.
Send your celebrity pics to [email protected]
and keep your eye out for the next issue of travelBulletin.
KENKEN
Personal Travel Manager Nicole Edgar was snapped recently with tennis legend
Roger Rasheed. Nicole met the famed Australian tennis player and coach at the
TravelManagers’ “sporting” themed dinner on August 29 this year held at the
Adelaide Oval function room.
3–
6×
3
Most of the world’s macadamias are grown on
Hawaii’s Big Island.
The mortar used to bind the stones together in
the Great Wall of China was made out of rice flour.
Sri Lanka has been known for its production
of cinnamon since ancient times. Today the
country produces 80-90% of the world’s supply.
7+
4–
16+
2
5
5+
60×
2÷
7+
1–
3–
108×
11+
1
20×
2÷
1–
6
2÷
9×
2÷
5
Fill the grids with numbers without repeating any number in any row or column, and so that the numbers within each heavily
outlined box will produce the target number shown by using addition, subtraction, multiplication or division (as indicated in
the box). A 4x4 grid uses the numbers 1-4, and a 6x6 grid uses 1-6.
64
2016
UK & EUROPE
GUARANTEED BEST DEALS OF THE YEAR!
Save 10%* when you book and deposit
your 2016 UK/Europe tour by 1 December.
SAVE up to $1892 per couple!
plus
SAVE 10%
Second Tour Discount
plus
SAVE 5%
Repeat Traveller Discount
BOOK EARLY &
SAVE
10%
plus
SAVE UP
TO $600
Per Couple Airfare Discount
For more information or to book
Call 1300 130 134 | Visit globus.com.au
*Terms & Conditions apply. See website for details.
Pam
Ann
Celebrity Air Hostess
presents the SkyTeam lounge
wine bar and many other hidden gems
at London Heathrow Airport.
SKYTEAM’S SKYTIPS MAKE TRAVEL THROUGH THE WORLD’S
MAJOR HUBS MORE SEAMLESS.
Six Frequent Flyers explore eight of the world’s largest hubs to provide you with the most up-to-date
and exclusive SkyTeam guidance and ensure your trips are made as smooth and convenient as
possible. Discover all of their airport tips through our film collection at skyteam.com

october 2015 - Travel Bulletin

Transcription

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