Australia Tops US ‘Dream Destination’ List

Is topping a list of ‘dream destinations’ a good thing? On the one hand, you’d appear as an idyllic destination, a place to which people would ideally love to travel. On the other hand, you’d appear as an idyllic destination, a place to which people couldn’t travel.

Regardless of its perception, or misperception, as a pipe-dream destination, the country’s position at the top of a list of dream vacation spots for clients of US travel agents would still bring a smile to the faces of Australian tourism authorities.

According to a survey conducted by North America’s largest travel agency franchisor – Travel Leaders Group – of its owners, managers and agents, Australia was chosen as the destination clients would most love to visit – if money were no object.

With agents allowed to choose up to three destinations each, Australia garnered 47 percent of votes, followed by Bora Bora (26 percent), world cruising (20 percent), Tahiti and Italy (17 percent each). 

Other dream destinations of note included Antarctica (12th place), which earned 9.5 percent of votes, and the Galapagos Islands (13th place), which scored just over six percent of votes.  

The disparity between realistic and (sometimes) unattainable, but desired, destinations is evidenced by France’s position on the list. A constant among US travellers’ top five international vacation spots, the European nation ranks a relatively lowly 16th position on the dream destination list, with just 3.5 percent of votes.

(Source: eTravelblackboard)

Perth Booms But WA Regions in Peril

Hotels in Perth and mining centres continue to thrive in Western Australia while the South West of the state remains in peril.

Latest figures show occupancy in Perth CBD and Geraldton at 86% and 83.4% respectively while in the South West more than half the rooms are empty with occupancy sitting at just 45.3%.

Occupancy across regional WA as a whole was 62%.

The figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for the September quarter, further illustrates the gulf between mining and city centre areas and regional tourism centres.

Tourism Council WA said the government is relying on the mining boom and under investing in tourism.

"WA has the second lowest level of funding for tourism promotions of any state," chief executive Evan Hall said. "As a result hotels are booming in Perth and mining towns from business travel, while regional tourist towns are struggling.

"There's more to our economy than digging holes in the ground and it's time for the government to make tourism and events a state priority."

ABS figures show Broome occupancy at 79%, Exmouth 66%, Margaret River 54%, Esperance 51%, Derby, West Kimberley 46%, Busselton 44% and Augusta 28%.

Australian Hotels Association (AHA) WA chief executive Bradley Woods said measures are being taken to drive tourism.

"Initiatives by the State Government, including a new regional marketing campaign to generate tourism in regional Western Australia should result in a boost for those tourism regions who are currently doing it tough," he said.

How To... Keep Your Belongings Safe Whilst Travelling

When it comes to travelling, one of the most important tasks is to keep yourself and your belongings safe. 

It’s something that you need to be aware of at all times and can make even the simplest trip stressful.

Here are a few tips on how to keep your cool, and your wallet, on your next trip:

Low

• Keep cash and credit cards as well as photocopies of important documents in different places
• Wear all bags on the opposite shoulder to the one facing the road to decrease the chance of someone snatching the bag as they are driving
• Be aware of your surroundings – if it looks unsafe, leave
• Lock the doors and windows of your hotel room

Moderate

• For long trips ensure that you have a spare credit card that you can activate if your original gets lost or stolen
• Be careful about taking money out of ATMs, if possible do it near banks or hotels where security will be a little better, or buy everything on card
• Put locks on your handbags
• Close the blinds at your hotel so outsiders don’t know if you’re there or not

Extreme

• Take down serial numbers of all electronic goods that you are travelling with
• Stash credit cards inside your shoes
• Sew extra pockets on the inside of your pants
• Hide valuables around the hotel room i.e. under the bed
• Put something big, like a chair, or fragile, like glass, at your front door when you go to sleep so that you can hear if someone tries to break in. Be careful with this one if you are a sleepwalker and be aware that this may not be the safest option in the event of a fire

What not to do

• Don’t use waist or neck wallets, not only are they uncomfortable, but they also put a huge target on your belly
• Don’t put your wallet or passport in your pocket; they’re called ‘pick pockets’ for a reason!
• Don’t look too ‘expensive’ or ‘touristy’ when walking around foreign streets
• Don’t leave valuables lying around your hotel room, at the very least put them under some clothes

(Source: e-Travelblackboard.com)

Sydney Most Popular Australian Destination Over the Holidays

Sorry Melbourne, but according to leading travel and lifestyle site lastminute.com.au, Sydney was Australia’s most popular destination in terms of hotels bookings over the Christmas and New Year break.

Melbourne was however the second most popular with Queensland’s Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, rounding off the top five.

Capital cities had the highest number of holiday bookings throughout the country, with the exception of Brisbane which was third after the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

lastminute.com.au General Manager, Kirsty Labruniy is encouraging Australians to venture out into their own backyard and take advantage of a weekend getaway whilst the sun is still shining and the crowds subside, especially in late January and February.

Labruniy suggests that being quick on deals and taking a holiday over two destinations, if rooms are sold out for a part of your holiday plans, can help with having a last minute summer escape.

Alternatively, try a city break and do something that you have always wanted to do like see a movie in an outdoor cinema.

For ideas on beating the January blues, here are the top destinations booked over the Christmas and New Year break through lastminute.com.au:

New South Wales 

• Sydney
• Byron Bay
• Coffs Harbour
• South Coast
• Central Coast

Victoria 

• Melbourne
• Apollo Bay
• Torquay
• Lakes Entrance
• Cowes

Queensland 

• Gold Coast
• Sunshine Coast
• Brisbane
• Cairns
• Fraser Coast

South Australia 

• Adelaide
• Port Lincoln
• Mount Gambier
• Victor Harbor
• Rowland Flat

Western Australia

• Perth
• Margaret River
• Albany
• Broome
• Bunbury

Tasmania

• Hobart
• Launceston & Tamar Valley
• Strahan
• Cradle Mountain
• Port Arthur

(Source: e-Travel Blackboard)

Australian Hotels Prepare for Boom in Bookings in Lead Up To Ashes - Metro Hotels

With an estimated 37,000 international visitors heading to Australia for the Ashes test series this time next year, tickets to the matches aren't the only things in high demand.

Australia is set to battle England on home soil for the Ashes, with the first Test starting at The Gabba in Brisbane on November 21, 2013 and the 5^th Test finishing in Sydney on January 7, 2014. The five Test series is expected to be a boom for local tourism operators. 

According to Metro Hotels' Chief Operating Officer, George Bedwani, the Group has already experienced a huge demand for hotel accommodation in all cities where the tests are being held.

"Metro Hotels' in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney started receiving bookings from both agents and individuals as early as the day after England regained the Ashes in the 2010/2011 series," he said.
"Bookings are already extremely strong, especially group bookings, despite the series not commencing for another 12 months."

The Ashes is one of the most famous sporting rivalries in the history of the sport, and certainly cricket's oldest and most fiercely fought competition.

After England's 3-1 win in the 2010-11 Ashes Series, the 2013-14 Tour is already setting itself up to be another historic showdown, with England looking to continue their winning streak and the Aussies fired up to win back the urn.

In addition to the test matches, there will also be five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches between Australia and England.

With 13 properties across Australia, Metro Hospitality Group is the country's oldest Australian owned hotel chain. The Group offers a range of 4-star hotels and apartments in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Gladstone, with the same affordable, quality, centrally located accommodation and friendly service common to all Metro properties Australia-wide.

*2013-14 Ashes series

• 1^st Test - Thursday 21 to 25 November 2013, The Gabba - Brisbane
• 2^nd Test - Thursday 5 to 9 December 2013, Adelaide Oval - Adelaide
• 3^rd Test - Friday 13 to 17 December 2013, WACA Ground - Perth
• 4^th Test - Thursday 26 to 30 December 2013, MCG - Melbourne
• 5^th Test - Friday 3 to 7 January 2014, SCG - Sydney

Guests are able to book at all Metro Hotels properties by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternatively bookings can be made online at www.metrohotels.com.au.

Tickets on sale for FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships

Tickets for the 2012 FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships to be held in Perth from December 1-9, are now on sale.

Challenge Stadium in Perth will host the event with more than 500 athletes from 25 different nations expected to compete.

Teams will come from five regions - Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, with 20 men's teams and 16 women's teams entered. Sixteen games will be played each day with medal matches to be decided on Sunday, December 9. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.

(Source: Talking Tourism – Issue 243)

International Hockey Stars to Shine in Perth

The InternationalSuper Series Hockey 9s is now on at Perth Hockey Stadium, Bentley. The event features a fast-paced, modified version of the traditional game, which was first played during last year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The event will see Australia's men's hockey team, the Kookaburras, take on some of the highest ranked sides in the world including England, Pakistan and India. In the women's draw, Australia's Hockeyroos and Jillaroos (under 21 squad) will compete against each other and the Malaysian national team. The event finishes on Sunday, November 25, 2012.

(Source: Talking Tourism – Issue 243)