Floods cost to Australia ‘higher than Katrina’
January 12, 2011 by AFP
Filed under Destinations, News, Pacific
SYDNEY, 12 January 2011 – Australia’s devastating floods could slice more than Aus$10 billion (US$10 billion) off GDP and hammer the economy worse than Hurricane Katrina affected the United States, economists said Wednesday.
US officials said in 2005 that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that year caused $70-$130 billion in property damage and would have a sharp but short-lived impact on the overall economy.
The difference in Queensland was serious losses in mining and farming production, as well as tourism in a state which is home to the famous Great Barrier Reef and pristine beaches.
TNZ partnership to sell self-drive holidays
December 23, 2010 by Paphada Apimonton
Filed under Pacific, Tour Operators
BANGKOK, 23 December 2010 – Tourism New Zealand announced earlier this week a partnership with World Explorer and Singapore Airlines to sell self-drive packages.
Branded “New Zealand Wonderful Self Drive Holiday,” the deals are valid from 1 March until 30 June 2011.
There are two packages; Fly & Drive Packages and Fly & Campervan Packages. They are sold in versions A or B for stays of five nights.
Oprah mulls outback homestay
SYDNEY, 16 September, 2010 – American talk show megastar, Oprah Winfrey, said Thursday she was “not ruling out” an impromptu sleepover with an Australian family during her whirlwind December tour Down Under.
Tourism officials have been swamped with offers to host the TV star, from rainforest and reef resorts to humble homes in outback towns.
“Now I’m going to go look for all those cards I’ve been saving over the years, from folks who have come from Australia,” Winfrey told Australian television Thursday.
Australia launches student safety campaign
SYDNEY, 6 August 2010 – Australia launched a multimedia campaign on Friday about the dangers to foreign students of “opportunistic crime”, after a spate of attacks on Indians that inflamed diplomatic tensions.
“Think Before — A Student Safety Initiative” was developed for social media and mobile phone platforms, and features video of an animated would-be student, George, warning about potential risks when travelling.
“International students are more likely to respond to information sent from web, mobile and social media tools than traditional communications channels,” said Victoria police inspector Ian Geddes, one of the campaign’s architects.
Pata chief dumps his com director
BANGKOK 9 June, 2010 – Pacific Asia Travel Association announced the appointment of Punam Mohandas as its new director – communications, replacing Dale Lawrence who leaves PATA next week.
Mr Lawrence is on a two-week vacation in Australia, but the decision to replace him was made during meetings at the Shangri La Hotel, mid- May, between executive board members and PATA CEO Greg Duffell
Products at ATE09: Apollo gain accolades
June 17, 2009 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Pacific
Best job in the world hunters end up with motorhome comfort.
Tourism Queensland’s “Best Job in the World” finalists described their Apollo Euro Deluxe Motorhome as “so comfortable,” during a recent tour of Australia’s East coast.
Recreational vehicle operator Apollo Motorhome Holidays sponsored Dutch finalist, Magali Heuberger, and Irish finalist, George Karellas, in an effort to support the highly successful marketing campaign. Read more
News from ATE 09: Accor expands in Australia
June 17, 2009 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Pacific
Australian portfolio grows as hotel owners opt for Accor’s proven track record in distribution and marketing.
Australia’s largest hotel group, Accor, will add over 20 hotels this year, as independently owned hotels join the group to gain distribution support to counter the current economic downturn.
Instead of new hotels being developed, investors have been acquiring hotels at “bargain basement” prices,which have then been upgraded and re-branded with groups such as Accor to give them an advantage in a highly competitive market. Read more
TNZ provides swine flu update link
May 7, 2009 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Pacific
Tourism New Zealand has set up a website which provides the latest update on Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu.
Travel agents and interested travellers can check for updates on the situation at www.moh.govt.nz which is a New Zealand’s Ministry of Health website.
On the Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu update section there is also useful travel advice, a list of contacts, WHO updates, and other useful information. Read more
Big discounts for down-under tours
February 13, 2009 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Pacific
Bigworld Holiday offers 25% discount tour to Australia.
Bigworld Holiday, in cooperation with Thai Airways International, launches Australia TG special programmes which offer almost 25% off from the standard tour prices. The discounted price is valid from March to June. Read more
