By Kate Webster on Karryon
1) Travellers spend $180.7 billion in US
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| Sonoran Desert in the US |
International visitors to the US spent a record shattering $180.7 billion on travel and tourism related goods and services in 2013, up nine percent on 2012 figures. US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker said “the President is the first-ever to establish a national strategy for increasing travel and tourism in the US and we clearly have great momentum behind this effort.” Travel and tourism to and within the United States has been a significant contributor to the country’s economic recovery, accounting for more than 26 percent of all US services exports, and nearly 8 percent of total US exports. “The Administration is working to ensure we can reach the President’s goal of attracting 100 million international visitors to the United States by 2021,” Ms Pritzker concluded.
2) Win a tasty trip with QF
Qantas is celebrating the launch of Qantas Restaurants by giving travellers the chance to win a Gourmet Dining Experience in Singapore, designed by Neil Perry. To be in the running, book and dine between 10 February and 30 April 2014. The prize will take the winner and a friend on a culinary journey to the melting pot of Asian cuisine where you will dine at three restaurants handpicked by Neil Perry to represent the finest combinations of regional flavours and traditions. The package includes Qantas Business Class flights return from your nearest capital city in Australia to Singapore, 3 nights at the spectacular Marina Bay Sands, return airport transfers in Singapore in a private limousine, dinner at Tetsuya’s Waku Ghin, Sky on 57 and Shinji by Kanesaka.
3) Fiji’s Sonaisali Island Resort goes WiFi
Sonaisali Island Resort, Fiji have added to their soft refurbishments by offering guests access to WiFi throughout the island as it gets ready for a busy 2014. From the comfort of their bure or hotel room to sipping a cocktail by the pool, the WiFi is available all over the resort thanks to a partnership with Vodafone Fiji. Sonaisali Island Resort Managing Director Aaron McGrath said the resort continuously aims to provide world-class service for guests, so with consumers now demanding instant connection to share their experiences on social media, Sonaisali has answered with the ability to provide Wi-Fi for all guests. The conference rooms have also received a soft refurbishment, and now are more modern and brighter thanks to new paint colours, brand new carpet and a new room set up.
4) SAA/VA codeshare adds Sydney
South African Airways (SAA) has extended its new codeshare agreement on Virgin Australia’s domestic services to include Sydney. The addition of Sydney will extend the already connections from Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide to the SAA service out of Perth. SAA’s Country Manager for Australasia Tim Clyde-Smith said “the extension was a logical expansion in the airline’s relationship with Virgin Australia, and adds the convenience of using one ticket from Australian cities via Perth to reach the African continent. Customers can also through-check their baggage and earn miles SAA’s Voyager frequent flyer programme.
5) AVANI adds overwater paradise to portfolio
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| Sepang GoldCoast Resort |
Extending its portfolio, Thailand-based Minor Hotel Group AVANI Hotels & Resorts has added the Sepang GoldCoast Resort in Malaysia as their fifth property. Located on the country’s west coast in the state of Selangor, the resort offers all the right ingredients for relaxation in an overwater paradise. It is also the perfect choice for travellers wishing to attend the Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix due to its close proximity to Sepang International Circuit
6) Tigerair sunshine state sale
To celebrate the launch of Tigerair’s new Brisbane base, the airline has released a sale for fares to many of the most popular and newest routes on its network. Travellers looking to carry on the endless summer can escape in Queensland with fares as low as $44.95 for Brisbane to Sydney or vice versa routes. To secure the best value deals with Tigerair, jump online and book early as these fares typically sell out fast. Conditions apply.
7) Save thousands on Canal barge holidays
French Travel Connection has released a wide range of crewed canal barge holidays with savings of up to $3,000 per cabin. The special on the luxury, all-inclusive French canal barging is valid for bookings that are deposited before 28 March 2014 and are available for departures during the European spring and summer (6 April to 24 August 2014). The beautifully-appointed six-, eight- and 12-passenger crewed barges travel the picturesque and popular Gascony, Canal du Midi and Burgundy regions of France.
8) Starwood’s honeymoon giveaway
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| St Regis Bali, Oceanfront Cloud Nine Chapel |
Couples who book their wedding at over 200 participating Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Asia Pacific will be spoilt with a free honeymoon at any worldwide Starwood property. Announced by Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), the loyalty program of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. will reward the couple with Starpoints, redeemable for their honeymoons at any Starwood property in the world. The offer is valid for weddings booked from 10 March to 1 July 2014 and must be hosted by 1 March 2015.
9) Polo players and their ponies in WA
Polo players and their ponies will descend on Broome for the Pinctada Cable Beach Polo Festival. Held over the weekend of 24/25 May, the highly anticipated beachside event will see players from around the world vying for glory across two days of thrilling beach polo action. The polo arena is a unique one, with the action taking place against a backdrop of the sparkling azure waters of the Indian Ocean and is free to watch picnic-style from the sand. Spectators wanting a bit more pizzazz can purchase tickets to the VIP marquee and mingle in barefoot elegance with the players and new friends from around the globe.
10) CLIA Australiasia welcomes cruise terminal upgrades
The NSW Government’s announcement to upgrade Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal to meet the demands of the booming cruise industry has been welcomed by CLIA Australasia. The major upgrades will include faster turnaround of the ships that will enable more large ships to use the berth efficiently as well an improved passenger experience. The upgrades will generate further benefits for Sydney’s economy, as the ships draw hundreds of thousands of intrastate, interstate and international tourists to the city that in turn inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy and generate thousands of jobs.
11) Korea and Sri Lanka join Travel & Tourism Club
Created to enhance the cultural and economic relationship between Sri Lanka and South Korea, the Korea-Sri Lanka Travel & Tourism Club has been launched at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul. The club’s goal is to promote tourism between the two countries. Sri Lanka is already being promoted in Korea through a series of promotional campaigns that will run throughout the year. The Korea-Sri Lanka Travel & Tourism Club will be an additional boost for these tourism campaigns.
