Travel Bulletin - March 2015

Switzerla

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Best of S

witzerla

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Rail Tour

TBulletin_ST_Best_of_CH_cover.indd 1 13/02/2015 14:31

maRch 2015

Day 1 | LucerneArrival in Lucerne by train 1st class from the Swiss border or airport.Overnight in Lucerne.

Day 2 | LucerneDay at leisure. We recommend an optional excursion to any of the following mountain tops:

Mount Titlis – Titlis Rotair, Ice Flyer Chairlift, Glacier Park & Cave Mount Pilatus – The Golden Round Trip Mount Rigi – Queen of the Mountains

Overnight in Lucerne. (B)

Day 3 | Lucerne to LuganoBoard the Wilhelm Tell paddle steamer for the cruise to Flüelen (usually operated by paddle steamer, sometimes by motor boat). From Flüelen you continue your journey through the famous Gotthard tunnel to Bellinzona in a 1st class panoramic car. Change train and continue your journey to Lugano. Overnight in Lugano. (B,L)

Day 4 | Lugano to St. MoritzThe Bernina Express of the Rhaetian Railway takes you along the UNESCO World Heritage route. Enjoy an Alpine switchback ride, taking you from a land of swaying palms to one of towering glaciers. Overnight in St. Moritz. (B)

Day 5 | St. Moritz to ZermattToday you board the Glacier Express which is one of the greatest train journeys in the world! You travel from St.Moritz to Zermatt, on a 7½ hour railway journey across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and across the Oberalp Pass at 2’033 metres in altitude. Travel in comfort through the beauty of a landscape rich in mountain forests, alpine meadows, mountain

streams and valleys, soaked in tradition and centuries old culture. Overnight in Zermatt. (B)

Day 6 | Matterhorn ExcursionThe Zermatt Bergbahnen AG takes you up to the highest cable car station in Europe at 3883 metres altitude and a 360º panorama. Don’t not miss the highlights of snow-tubing; cinema lounge; Glacier Palace; Peak Shop; and viewing platform.Overnight in Zermatt. (B)

Day 7 | Zermatt to MontreuxRail journey to Montreux on the shore of Lake Geneva in the French part of Switzerland. Overnight in Montreux. (B)

Day 8 | Montreux to InterlakenThe GoldenPassLine takes you through mountain villages to the Bernese Oberland. Overnight in Interlaken. (B)

Day 9 | Excursion to JungfraujochThe journey to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, at 3454 metres Europe’s highest altitude railway station, is a highlight of your visit to Switzerland. It offers visitors a high-Alpine wonderworld of ice, snow and rock, which can be marvelled at from vantage terraces, the Aletsch Glacier or in the Ice Palace. Overnight in Interlaken. (B)

Day 10 | Interlaken to ZurichTake the train to the lakeside discovery metropolis Zürich and enjoy some time at leisure. Overnight in Zürich. (B)

Day 11 | Depart ZurichDepart Zurich for Swiss international border or airport or continue your stay in Switzerland.

Prices include:

• Swiss train ticket with 8 first-class rail transfers (from/to Swiss border or airport rail station)

• Excursions to Jungfraujoch and the Gornergrat (2nd class only)

• Reserved seats on the William Tell Express, Bernina Express, Glacier Express and Golden Pass Line Montreux-Interlaken

• Lunch on board the Glacier Express (excluding beverages)

• Meal voucher for CHF19 pp and a souvenir on board the William Tell Express

• 2 nights in Lucerne

• 1 night in Lugano

• 1 night in St. Moritz

• 2 nights in Zermatt

• 1 night in Montreux

• 2 nights in Interlaken

• 1 night in Zurich

• Service charges, taxes and VAT

Prices are per person and are subject to currency fluctuations. Exchange rates as at02 February 2015.

Best of Switzerland 3-Star Hotels 4-Star Hotels

11 Days | 10 Nights Rail Tour Twin Single Twin Single

10 May – 25 Oct 2015 2925 3415 3565 4295

Additional nights in Zurich 215 305 265 445

Terms and Conditions may be viewed at: http://www.switzerlandholidays.comSwitzerland Holidays is operated by Holidays on Location. ATAS Accredition No. 10424Level 5, 1 Princess Street, VIC 3101. www.holidaysonlocation.com 1300 65 10 65.

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BEST OF SWITZERLANDExperience the best cities and towns of Switzerland, travelling on the Glacier Express, Wilhelm Tell Express and Golden Pass Panoramic trains.

$2925 11 days / 10 nights

From: perperson,share twin

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maRch 2015

LEARNING ThE ROPES OF LINkEDIN

SIMPLY SOLOMONS

SELF-DRIVE hOLIDAYS COME OF AGE

ThE BIG BUSINESS OF SMALL GROUP TOURING

VEGAS VIBES BEYOND ThE STRIP

DOMESTIC DRIVE

tRaVeL defies cuRRencY diVe

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travelBulletin MARCH 2015 1

contents

From the managing editor

This month’s contributors

www.travelbulletin.com.au

Travel Bulletin is part of the Travel Daily family of publications

EDITORIALManaging Editor – Bruce Piper [email protected]

Co-ordinating Editor – Louise Wallace 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]


DEsIgn TEAMWendy St George, Hannah Power, Brooke McRae, Sophie Swancott

FInAnCEJenny Piper [email protected]

4/41 Rawson Street Epping NSW 2121PO Box 1010 Epping NSW 1710 AustraliaTel: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760)Fax: 1300 799 221 (+61 2 8007 6769)

Bruce Piper

DO travel agents in Australia have a future? In contrast to general sentiment in some other parts of the world, the answer is a resounding yes, according to financial analyst John O’Shea from Bell Potter Securities, who has been a close follower of the sector for some years. In this cracking issue of travelBulletin, Louise Wallace looks at the latest research tracking the trends - and it’s particularly timely given (generally uninformed) suggestions that the falling Australian dollar may have an impact on outbound travel.

Meanwhile the dust in the industry continues to settle following the demise of the Travel Compensation Fund nine months ago. The number of agents who have joined the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS) continues to grow, and many suppliers are now insisting that they will only deal with travel agents who are either ATAS or IATA-accredited –meaning that although ATAS is a voluntary initiative it is, in my opinion, likely to become difficult for mainstream agents to continue to trade without joining the scheme.

As the industry evolves under these new conditions, and with ATAS looking unstoppable, the next battleground looks to be the thorny issue of consumer protection. In his regular Perspective column this month, Ian McMahon gives an overview of moves in this area. As predicted by AFTA ceo Jayson Westbury, the industry is coming up with commercial solutions to ensure client funds are protected in the event of a collapse – but it’s certainly not smooth sailing, with many of the proposals thus far involving either extra cost to clients or, ironically, higher premiums than agents previously paid in TCF fees.

We understand there has also been some outrage at AFTA’s decision to mandate ATAS membership for National Travel Industry Award nominees. Given that the awards are run by AFTA we would have thought this was a reasonable requirement, but some agents who have firmly opposed the scheme are believed to be somewhat upset.

Despite this, the 2015 NTIAs are shaping up to be bigger and better than ever, with a whopping 37 categories up for grabs. That means there will be plenty to celebrate in July – and that shouldn’t be a problem given the industry’s propensity to party.

There’s still a way to go before the industry night of nights on 18 July, with nominations having just closed and the all-important voting taking place this month. Once again travelBulletin is proud to be part of the process, and we wish all of the nominees the best of luck!

features16 Careers32 Solomon Islands38 Drive holidays45 Domestic holidays49 USA52 Small group tours56 Alpine Europe & rail travel

monthly 02 State of the industry08 Issues and trends26 Travel management27 Cruising report30 Industry in focus44 Brochures62 The last word

columns02 Ian McMahon07 Steve Jones09 AFTA View12 ATEC View29 CLIA View Steve Jones, Jayson Westbury, Brett Jardine, Peter Shelley, Penny Spencer, Kris

Madden, Sheriden Rhodes, Sarah Piper, Jenny Piper, Gary Walsh, Grace Lech

coVeR stoRYTRAVEL DEFIES CURRENCY DIVE

22

2 travelBulletin MARCH 2015

state of the industRY

Ian McMahon’s perspective

MAIN DOMESTIC ROUTESTop 10 domestic city pairs at November 2014

City pair Passengers Passengers % change YE Nov 13 YE Nov 14 13/14

(000) (000)

Melbourne-Sydney 8 225.2 8 319.3 +1.1

Brisbane-Sydney 4 418.0 4 461.1 +1.0

Brisbane-Melbourne 3 184.7 3 307.0 +3.8

Gold Coast-Sydney 2 560.1 2 598.5 +1.5

Adelaide-Melbourne 2 179.1 2 268.4 + 4.1

Melbourne-Perth 2 214.4 2 164.3 -2.4

Adelaide - Sydney 1 744.3 1 809.9 3.8

Perth-Sydney 1 796.3 1 800.0 0.2

Gold Coast-Melbourne 1671.6 1 751.2 +4.8

Hobart-Melbourne 1 389.5 1 396.5 0.5

Source: BITRE

business monitoR

AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTSInternational passenger through Australia’s

major international airports* – Nov 2014

* Total passenger numbers also include Townsville (scheduled services ceased October 2011) and Sunshine Coast (scheduled services from July 2013-Sept 2012, June 2013-Oct 2013 and June 2014). Source: BITRE

ATAS ACCREDITED AGENTS 18 February 2015

We’re all ears, so share your thoughts at [email protected]

Got something to say?

REMEMBER the Millennium Bug – the Y2K virus that supposedly threatened the world’s computers and the end of civilisation as we knew it when our clocks ticked over to midnight on January 1, 2000? What happened? Absolutely nothing.

An agent recently used the Millennium Bug as an analogy for the impact of deregulation on our wholesale and retail travel industry. After all the hype in the lead up to the abolition of agent licensing and the Travel Compensation Fund there has been no change to the way the public interacts with travel sellers. Nil. Nada. Zilch.

The agent who used the Millennium Bug analogy (Ann Rogers of Wings Away Travel) provided her consultants with detailed Q&A responses to likely queries from the public about the new regulatory environment. They have never had to use them. They have not been asked a single question.

All the agents I contacted have told a similar story. One summed it up this way: “Clients never used to ask us about the TCF and they don’t ask us about deregulation. We’re an established, reputable agency and our clients continue to deal with us as they always have.”

But agents are also aware this calm could be shattered if (I should say when) there is a major collapse of an agent or

supplier. If clients lose money, have their travel plans shattered or are stranded overseas, the media scrutiny on all agents will be intense.

It would be foolish, indeed, for agents not to have measures in place to protect their clients. So it is reassuring to note all of the activity that is currently taking place.

Helloworld, of course, has undertaken a policy to provide a guarantee against the financial failure of any of its franchisees, while TravelManagers and Mobile Travel Agents (MTA) have taken out the fidelity insurance offered by Gow Gates.

More importantly, perhaps, much is also going on to guard against supplier collapse. The Allianz travel insurance brands (Aussietravelcover and CHI) are offering clients the option to insure against the collapse of an extensive – albeit by no means exhaustive – list of approved suppliers.

MTA has unveiled its ‘Zero Flight Risk’ scheme which provides protection against the financial failure of suppliers, and at the time of writing, Magellan Travel Group was finalising a comprehensive protection scheme for its agencies’ clients.

Some agency groups are also believed to be reviewing suppliers, with the aim of categorising them according to financial risk and imposing conditions accordingly.

ACT 52

New South Wales 825

Northern Territory 18

Queensland 569

South Australia 206

Tasmania 36

Victoria 631

Western Australia 287

TOTAL 2624

Airport Passengers Passengers % of % change YE Nov 13 YE Nov 14 total 14/13Sydney 12,874,803 13,286,921 40.3 +3.2Melbourne 7,244,417 7,976,333 24.2 +10.1Brisbane 4,643,407 4,934,388 15.0 +6.3Perth 3,869,351 4,138,731 12.5 +7.0Adelaide 779,766 968,867 2.9 +24.3Gold Coast 866,399 884,710 2.7 +2.1Cairns 497,963 462,178 1.4 -7.2Darwin 327,608 325,803 1.0 -0.6Norfolk Island 11,385 11,461 0.0 +0.7Sunshine Coast 8,405 10,248 0.0 +21.9

All Airports* 31,123,504 32,999,640 100.0 +6.0

Red Gum deal left in the dustTHREE Western Australian travel firms are licking their wounds after the collapse of the proposed reverse listing of mining explorer Red Gum Resources.

Initially flagged back in June last year, the plan was for the company to “shift focus” to the internet travel and leisure industry by the 100% acquisition of online travel retailer Holiday Planet, wholesaler Asia Escape Holidays, and corporate agency Motive Travel.

The industry watched with fascination as the successive deals were announced, eventually culminating in the issue of a prospectus in November indicating the purchases would be funded by a capital raising worth up to $5 million.

The combined businesses, with an aggregate TTV of around $100 million, were set to relaunch as The Australian Travel Group which would “deliver expanded wholesale, retail and group tourism facilities via a vertically integrated online travel service platform supported by advanced technologies”.

The deal required ratification by an Extraordinary General Meeting, and the first hint of trouble came when the EGM was abruptly adjourned so that the terms of the acquisitions could be revisited to reflect Red Gum’s last share price of $0.005 – yes, that’s just half a cent per share.

Just before Christmas the meeting was resumed and revised deals approved – only for Red Gum to hit another snag in the form of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, which in late January peskily requested that “more recent audited historical financial information” for Holiday Planet, Asia Escape and Motive Travel be included in the prospectus.

SO FAR, SO GOOD POST TCF


Departures on Time Arrivals on Time Cancellations no. % no. % no. %Jetstar 5,852 74.2 5,912 75.0 184 2.3Qantas 7,702 84.5 7,575 83.1 103 1.1QantasLink 8,281 81.9 8,039 79.5 279 2.7Tigerair 1,718 81.8 1,668 79.5 18 0.9Virgin Australia 9,269 86.9 8,990 84.3 204 1.9All Airlines 39,077 82.8 38,194 80.9 843 1.8

Continues over page

business monitoR

INTERNATIONAL AIR MARkET ShAREInternational passengers by major airline – year ended November 2014

YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 2014

Chart I International Passengers Carried (thousands) - November 2012 to November 2014

Chart II International Passengers by Major Airlines - Year ended November 2014

Table I International Passengers by Uplift/Discharge City Pairs (a)

Foreign Australian Year ended Year ended Year ended % of % Change

Port Port November 2012 November 2013 November 2014 Total 2014/13

Auckland Sydney 1 360 849 1 426 583 1 476 884 4.5% 3.5%Singapore Sydney 1 254 270 1 352 730 1 366 272 4.1% 1.0%Singapore Melbourne 1 058 616 1 089 386 1 146 644 3.5% 5.3%Singapore Perth 1 011 513 998 741 1 058 138 3.2% 5.9%Auckland Melbourne 931 102 978 949 1 037 425 3.1% 6.0%Hong Kong Sydney 943 895 930 272 932 767 2.8% 0.3%Auckland Brisbane 830 765 866 319 909 875 2.8% 5.0%Kuala Lumpur Melbourne 625 709 750 177 904 177 2.7% 20.5%Los Angeles Sydney 879 860 902 426 893 247 2.7% -1.0%Denpasar Perth 847 902 854 651 860 137 2.6% 0.6%Top 10 City Pairs 9 744 481 10 150 234 10 585 566 32.1% 4.3%Other City Pairs 19 685 973 20 973 270 22 414 074 67.9% 6.9%

ALL CITY PAIRS 29 430 454 31 123 504 32 999 640 100.0% 6.0%

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INBOUND OUTBOUND

Qantas Airways, 16.0%

Emirates, 9.7%

Singapore Airlines, 8.7%

Jetstar, 8.3%

Virgin Australia, 7.8%

Air New Zealand, 7.4%

Cathay Pacific Airways, 4.8%

AirAsia X, 4.4%

Malaysia Airlines, 4.3%

Thai Airways International, 2.5%

Others, 26.1%

Source: BITRE


DOMESTIC ON TIME PERFORMANCE – December 2014

Source: BITRE

DOMESTIC AIR MARkET – November 2014 Oct Oct Growth Yr to Yr to Growth 13 14 (%) Nov 13 Nov 14 (%)Total pax movements 4.86m 4.80m -1.3 57.38m 57.57m +0.3Revenue pax kms (RPK) 5.63bn 5.57bn -1.1 67.55bn 67.92bn +0.6Avail seat kms (ASK) 7.31bn 7.08bn -3.1 88.29bn 89.04bn +0.8Load factor (%) 77.1 78.7 1.6* 76.5 76.3 -0.2*Aircraft trips (000) 53.3 52.4 -1.6 643.8 640.6 -0.5Source: BITRE * Percentage points

new office for express travel group THE Express Travel Group has a fresh new office to go with its fresh new name. The rebranding from its former identity as the Orient Express Travel Group was flagged late last year at the Independent Travel Group conference in Hawaii by the company’s ceo Tom Manwaring.

Moving to new premises at 160 Queen Street Melbourne Street allows all staff to work on a single floor, with facilities including training centres, meeting rooms and lots of natural light.

Key partners of the company, including representatives of airlines, tour operators and other suppliers along with travel agency members of the Independent, Select and italktravel groups attended a launch function for the office last month.

travelBulletin was honoured to join the ranks for the event. Pictured above cutting the celebratory cake are (from left) Quynh Giang, general manager; Ari Magoutis, executive general manager; and Tom Manwaring, Express Travel Group ceo.

What was initially described as a “technical issue” with ASIC clearly became more difficult and in the end impossible to resolve, and about two weeks later Red Gum was forced to advise that the proposed acquisitions would not be proceeding.

APT sets stage for futureAPT looks set to go from strength to strength with a major restructure orchestrated by ceo Chris Hall which sees the APT, Travelmarvel, Captain’s Choice and Botanica World Discoveries brands operate under their own individual chief executive officers.

Hall takes on the role of group managing director, and the changes also establish a new shared support structure.

Captain’s Choice will become more closely integrated with the rest of the business, relocating from its current Ringwood offices to the APT head office in Melbourne, and Debra Fox has been promoted to a group-wide role as chief marketing officer, giving her responsibility for all trade relationships globally.

Susan Haberle will support Fox as commercial manager retail. Justine Lally is the group’s new head of marketing Australia and New Zealand, and Nicole de Wilde continues as vice president sales and marketing for North America, reporting to Fox.

A new global head of operations, innovation and procurement role has been taken on by David Courage, previously APT’s general manager of product and operations.

David Cox, formerly general manager of Travelmarvel, is the new ceo of APT, while a ceo for Travelmarvel is now being recruited.

Dan Kotzmann continues as Captain’s Choice ceo, working closely with founder

Phil Asker, and Botanica World Discoveries founder and co-owner Judy Vanrenen continues to manage this brand.

Hall said while the business was already a collaborative group, “by evolving the way

in which we operate, our aim is to further accelerate our market leading positions in each of our segments.


INTERNET AGENCY MARkET ShARES

Week ending 31/01/15 ranked by visits

INTERNATIONAL AIR Top 10 city pairs (at November 2014)


Continues from previous page

business monitoR

hEADLINES

ShARE PRICES 16 February 2015

Jan 19 Another two Scenic ships

Jan 19 Colette lands in Australia

Jan 20 PER urges bilateral rethink

Jan 20 Fuel to drive airline boom

Jan 21 Magellan + Captain’s Choice

Jan 21 Ovolo plan $5.7m BLUE refurb

Jan 22 Virgin drops US fuel levy

Jan 23 Boost for China-Aus ASA

Jan 27 QF responds to fuel drop

Jan 27 Travel Indochina rebrand

Jan 28 TC builds business division

Jan 30 Goldstein to attend C360

Jan 30 MH370 declared accident

Feb 2 BYOJet reports $91m TTV

Feb 2 SkyTeam Sydney Lounge launch

Feb 4 QF continues Vancouver

Feb 4 SQ unveils Premium Economy

Feb 5 Virtuoso HQ for Australia

Feb 6 Virgin Australia yields up

Feb 6 Spencer expands north

Feb 9 QF America fares revamp

Feb 9 JETMAX adds Scoot API

Feb 10 MTA protection initiative

Feb 10 Bid for Qantas Biz upgrades

Feb 11 Airnorth sold to Bristow

Feb 11 QF boost for Queensland

Feb 12 Govt supports VA/DL pact

Feb 12 10 year BARA authorisation

City pair Passengers Passengers % of % change YE Nov 13 YE Nov 14 total 13/14

Auckland-Sydney 1,426,583 1,476,884 4.5 +3.5Singapore-Sydney 1,352,730 1,366,272 4.1 +1.0Singapore-Melbourne 1,089,386 1,146,644 3.5 +5.3Singapore-Perth 998,741 1,058,138 3.2 +5.9Auckland-Melbourne 978,949 1,037,425 3.1 +6.0Hong Kong-Sydney 930,272 932,767 2.8 +0.3Auckland-Brisbane 866,319 909,875 2.8 +5.0Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne 750,177 904,177 2.7 +20.5Los Angeles-Sydney 902,426 893,247 2.7 -1.0Denpasar-Perth 854,651 860,137 2.6 +0.6Top 10 city pairs 10,150,234 10,585,566 32.1 +4.3Other city pairs 20,973,270 22,414,074 67.9 +6.9ALL CITY PAIRS 31,123,504 32,999,640 100.0 +6.0

Source: BITRE

Flight Centre FLT $36.46

Helloworld HLO $0.265

Webjet WEB $3.37

Disruptive Investments DVI $0.012

Qantas QAN $2.64

Virgin Australia VAH $0.47

Ardent Leisure AAD $2.81

Air New Zealand AIZ $2.50

Auckland International Airport AIA $4.25

Sydney Airport SYD $5.16

Corporate Travel Management CTD $11.58

Cover-More Insurance CVO $1.99

Regional Express REX $1.04

Sealink SLK $2.35

“Together, our businesses will provide the travel trade with the best available product, services and experience. There will be nothing to rival what this portfolio of businesses can deliver,” he promised.

The question on everyone’s lips is now what the overarching group will be called, with Hall confirming that a new name for the ‘family of brands’ will be announced in the coming weeks.

Airnorth changes handsDARWIN-BASED Airnorth has been acquired by resources industry specialist transport group Bristow Helicopters, which said it was business as usual for Airnorth’s operations across the north of Australia.

Bristow paid about $30 million in cash for an 85% stake in Airnorth, with further payments totalling $17 million over the next three years if the business meets specified financial targets.

It’s good news for the Northern Territory, with all Airnorth staff being retained and operations continuing as normal to its ports in the NT, WA, Queensland and Timor-Leste.

Bristow said the expansion into fixed-wing operations would allow it to bid for more oil and gas charter contracts which are increasingly seeking a combination of fixed wing and rotary operations.

Fuel surcharges evolvingQANTAS has begun the arduous process of revamping its fare structure, with the aim of incorporating fuel surcharges into base fares across the board.

The carrier is under heavy pressure to act

on fuel surcharges, with consumer groups, politicians and the ACCC speaking with a united voice about carriers keeping prices high despite the plummeting cost of oil.

Things are particularly complex for Qantas because of its alliance with Emirates, meaning EK must also participate in any fare structure revamp on their joint network to ensure parity is retained.

Qantas says the first stage of the changes will see fuel surcharge reductions of around 14% on average on non-alliance routes, while base commissions will still be payable on the published base fare and fuel surcharges.

“We will work closely with travel agents through a structured review to discuss what the changes mean for them,” the airline said.

The first stage of the new fare structure will also see North America economy fares simplified into just two seasons, while premium economy will have no seasonality at all on flights to the US and Canada.

Lounges proliferate at SYDBUSINESS class travel clearly hasn’t lost its importance to the bottom lines of carriers, with a number of new offerings on the ground in Sydney for customers at the pointy end.

The SkyTeam alliance has formally debuted a dedicated lounge in Sydney – high time given the local online capacity of SkyTeam members such as Garuda Indonesia, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines.

It’s just the third SkyTeam lounge in the world, joining similar facilities at London Heathrow and Istanbul Ataturk Airports.

The new lounge follows the recent debut of another premium offering at Sydney Airport – a new American Express lounge which is accessible to top tier card members.

Rank Company Market share Rank Rank W/E 31/01/15 W/E 27/12/14 W/E 01/11/14

1 Webjet 14.90 1 12 Expedia 10.03 3 33 Wotif.com 9.49 2 24 Flight Centre 7.32 4 45 Skyscanner 5.62 5 56 Lastminute.com.au 4.12 6 67 au.edreams.com 2.30 7 78 FareCompare 1.52 9 *9 STA Travel Australia 1.32 8 810 CheapOair 1.31 * *

* Not in top 10 Source: Experian Hitwise Australia – www.hitwise.com.au



SOLO sailor Jessica Watson OAM will be the public face of a new consumer campaign to promote Mobile Travel Agents’ new Zero Flight Risk consumer protection offering.

MTA joint managing director Roy Merricks, who’s pictured above with Watson, told travelBulletin the industry-leading solution means the company will guarantee client funds in the event of a collapse of any approved supplier.

“It’s one of the biggest developments to take place on the local travel landscape since the TCF was dismantled,” he said.

Zero Flight Risk covers airlines, wholesalers, tour operators, coach companies, cruiser lines, hotels, resorts, trains, car hire companies and destination management companies.

Merrick said the fast-growing group now has 370 members across Australia, with the Zero Flight Risk launch coinciding with the group’s 15th birthday.

va narrows first half lossVIRGIN Australia CEO John Borghetti must have been feeling a little more relaxed than the same time last year when delivering the group’s half year financial results last month.

Announcing an underlying profit before tax of $10.2 million for the 6 months ending 31 December, the figures mark an impressive turnaround on the same time last year when the airline issued a $45.4 million loss. Revenue was up 6% to $2.38 billion, including the consolidation of Tigerair Australia which achieved a profit of $500,000 – its first quarterly profit since 2010.

While the group’s international business haemorrhaged $49.5 million during the half on the back of strong competition, domestic yields increased 3% driven by the airline’s success in attracting a larger share of higher yielding market segments.

Borghetti branded the latest round of results a “significant improvement” from the previous period and forecast further growth as the group forges ahead with its cost reduction program.

Meanwhile, Webjet’s TTV rocketed more than 22% to $620 million during the same period, with revenue up more than 11% to $58.2 million. Managing director John Guscic was clearly thrilled, labelling the figures as a “stellar result” for the business.

“ Freedom is knowing that I can connect anywhere and on any computer.”Lisa MetzlPersonal Travel Manager,TravelManagers Australia

Built with you, for you, the next generation Amadeus Selling Platform Connect gives you the freedom to connect anywhere at anytime.In an industry-first, we’ve developed an online platform to deliver optimal content and workflow efficiencies, so you can offer the fastest and most innovative solutions to your clients no matter where you are.

For complete freedom in the way you work, talk to Amadeus today and connect with the only fully mobile online platform for travel professionals.

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Connect in 2015For more information visit amadeus.com

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The number of travel professionals that use LinkedIn for recruitment is staggering. Navigating the online maze can be a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be that way, as Louise Wallace writes.

FACEBOOK, Twitter, LinkedIn and You Tube – the list of social media channels is exhausting. And with the rise of Google+, Pinterest and Instagram, it appears that social

networking is the new black. With so many bases to cover, the

question remains, which platform holds the most promise? Users can take their pick from Facebook or Twitter in the social stakes, but JITO managing director Helene Taylor says LinkedIn is king when it comes to recruitment.

With more than 330 million global users spanning 200 countries, LinkedIn is a high performer in the numbers game. Facebook takes the podium with 1.15 billion users followed by Twitter with over 550 million registered users. But according to Taylor, LinkedIn punches above its weight with 95% of companies viewing candidates on social

media before they get to the interview stage. But before novices slap a profile picture

and job history online, Taylor advises new users to take a step back and consider what they want to get out of it.

Social media forums wax lyrical about the wide ranging features LinkedIn provides, but Taylor says it doesn’t have to be complicated and recruiters, job seekers and business managers can get value out of LinkedIn by using a few simple features.

Skill recommendations are at the top of her list, as most organisations take a “keen look” at how many people have penned an individual’s performance. Gauging the merit of LinkedIn recommendations isn’t clear cut and users would almost certainly have received recommendations from strangers who claim to back their performance. But Taylor says it doesn’t matter in the eyes of employers.

“Third party recommendation is the most

Linkedin

101 a how to guide foR noVices and pRos

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in the knownot sure how to make your LinkedIn profile pop? Here’s how:

1. Make an appealing and findable LinkedIn profileUpload a professional photograph with a compelling headline that reels in readers. Also, use industry-specific keywords so that your profile will get picked up in keyword searches.

2. Use it allDon’t just list your job title, but fill out the character description under each role. Use your LinkedIn profile to showcase everything that doesn’t fit on your resume.

3. Connect with othersConnect with co-workers, friends, classmates or former colleagues. The more, the merrier. Any time you have a good interaction with people, add them to your network. You never know when opportunity will strike.

4. stay activeYou’ve got to be in it to win it, so it’s important to remain active even when you’re not looking for work opportunities.

to follow suit. “Dedicate one hour to getting this up to date and it will be worth the investment,” she says.

For businesses, Taylor says writing LinkedIn posts is the best way to engage with suppliers or clients. Not only will it get more eyes on your brand, but posting engaging posts will get your message out to the target market and keep you top of mind with people in the right places. And according to Taylor, inaction comes at a cost: “If you choose to be lazy about writing posts, chances are your competitor isn’t. See it as a marketing opportunity not just for yourself personally, but professionally.”

Joining groups is another way of keeping ahead of trends and quickly getting messages out to market, but the key is to select the right groups. Advertise yourself by joining groups, but more importantly, by participating in them. Not only will it help to boost your profile, but joining groups will help to connect with more people and open doors to new opportunities, jobs and potential clients.

Groups and posts aside, one of the most fundamental elements of LinkedIn is the profile – not only for job seekers, but for potential employers. The quality of a candidate’s profile reveals a lot about their personality, their ability, and their level of involvement. And while LinkedIn users are generally classified as ‘actively passive job seekers’, the level of detail they have put into developing their profile can also point towards their level of professionalism and their willingness to change.

Regardless of whether you’re a job seeker or a travel business, Taylor says the key to success is consistency and posting content that is informative and engaging, often. But she also stresses that LinkedIn is a unique platform that operates very differently

powerful recommendation you can have [and] companies look at how many people have recommended you,” she tells travelBulletin. Taylor suggests asking companies, employees or clients to write recommendations, or recommend others regularly to prompt them

than other social media outlets such as Facebook. “It is not a place to share photos and talk about what you had for lunch, it is a professional forum,” she says. “The power of networking is really being overlooked by a lot of people and LinkedIn has given us this brilliant tool to make it happen. But it’s all about engaging with the people that matter.”

With our help you can discover an exciting career in travel.

The door iswide open.

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Trafalgar Managing Director

PLAN ahead, map out your career path and keep your eyes on the prize – they’re the fighting words that recruiters often pass on to aspiring travel consultants. But Trafalgar managing director Matt Cameron-Smith says they’ve got it all wrong.

“So many people are distracted by ambition and the pressure to progress rather than their current job. But what they don’t realise is that getting results now will get you where you want to be, not thinking too far ahead,” he says.

His words may fly in the face of recruiters’ advice, but he also speaks from experience, having worked his way up from the bottom of the chain to take the leading role with Trafalgar in 2011.

With aspirations of stepping into hospitality, Cameron-Smith took up a role with a mining company in Western Australia after finishing school, managing a cooking camp for over 80 men. After eight months of roughing it without a TV or radio, he moved back to his stomping ground, Brisbane, to pick up some qualifications and earn a degree in HR development. While studying part time, he bumped shoulders with the HR manager of Dreamworld and picked up a role working on theme park rides. After six weeks in the job, a sales executive role came up and Cameron-Smith jumped into the ring.

“I didn’t even know what a sales executive was, but I figured I could do it,” he

recalls. Completing the interview dressed as a train conductor after a work shift, he landed the job and immediately hit the road to bring in sales, tripling the bottom line within 18 months.

He then landed a marketing job with Southbank Parklands before moving to Sydney in 1995 to join the Rydges Hotel Group as sales manager for Nautilus Resort.

Honing his sales skills with on the job learning, he was then offered a role as a business development manager in London after a brief stint outside of the industry – a time that he recalls as a “career defining moment”.

“London opened my eyes to the competitive side of tourism, and I like to win. It really inspired me and showed me the need to lift my game,” he recalls.

The pull back to Australia got the best of him and Cameron-Smith returned to Australia with Rydges before he was approached by Tourism Australia (TA) to take up the role as director of distribution. His ladder climb continued with a role as TA’s general manager

of trade marketing before he was head hunted for the Trafalgar role in 2011.

Inspired by Gavin Tollman and drawn by the opportunity to innovate new product, the decision was easy for Cameron-Smith who wasted no time in progressing the company forward.

Cameron-Smith’s journey to the top has taken more than two decades to fall into place – an achievement that he puts down to taking risks and perseverance.

But his advice to others is to throw their weight behind their career.

“You’ve got to work hard, and you’ve got to give a sh*t. But you’ve also got to be passionate about what you do and be committed… that’s what makes a difference,” he tells travelBulletin.

Cameron-Smith is also a strong believer in stepping beyond the realms of comfort and rolling up the sleeves when the going gets tough. But he says sticking with a job rather than constantly eyeing off the next step is what saw him progress.

Discussing career shortfalls in the tourism industry, Cameron-Smith acknowledged that the younger generation has been slow to step into travel because they don’t perceive it as a viable career option. But he insisted that there are options beyond the shopfront for those willing to step up.

“I’m a firm believer in the fact that there are prosperous careers in tourism, but new experiences won’t be handed to you on a platter and you’ve got to go and get it. Good things come to those who work their asses off and never give up,” he says.

‘Many people are distracted by ambition and the pressure to progress rather than focusing on their current job ’

CAREER IN FOCUS

MATT CAMEroN-SMITh

Matt Cameron-Smith

MEMBER


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By Louise Wallace

COMPLACENCY is the black hole of career progression, and yet most employees find themselves in the thick of it at some point or another. Career planners have

devised crafty plans to help employees find their way out of a rut, but TravelCounsellors general manager Tracy Parkinson says the dreaded career plateau can be easily avoided by setting a few career goals.

Sounds simple - and it is - but Parkinson takes it one step further, and says goal setting is crucial for career satisfaction.

“It’s only natural to hit a patch where you stagnate, so by keeping your skills fresh and setting the bar higher for yourself you will remain passionate and enthusiastic about what you do,” she says.

Defining career targets isn’t clear cut, but Parkinson says effective goal setting can be as simple as setting boundaries for the number of clients consultants should contact each month. Others may try to make incremental changes to time management, attend courses or set sales targets over the financial year. But she says the most

successful travel agents make goal setting a habit and set time aside to review and prioritise targets. “Don’t lose momentum by letting other things take over. Diarise it so you

can set aside time once a month to monitor your progress and set your intentions,” Parkinson says.

Judith O’Neill from Aspirations Consulting says it’s also important for agents to have a clear picture of their end target so that they can define what kind of consultant they want to be. Whether that’s a sales consultant, account manager, team leader or operations manager, she maintains that the goal should

be simple and achievable, but involve some leg work to get there.

It all comes down to identifying weaknesses, acknowledging where there is room for improvement and taking action steps to improve the outcome, she says. Agents don’t need to read self-help books to identify shortfalls in their career progress, but O’Neill says planning will iron out the creases.

Her advice is to learn from colleagues, industry seminars and workshops, and then glean advice and learn how to apply and follow good business practices. “Your goal should be to be the most knowledgeable, reliable, trustworthy, informed and informative person you can be,” she says.

Career progression is not as simple as plotting a path and making it happen, but AA Appointments managing director Adriana D’Angelis says ambition is at its core. Her advice is to think big and idealise what your dream job would be in the next decade, and then work backwards to map out smaller steps to make it happen.

Likewise, inPlace Recruitment marketing manager Kristi Gomm says breaking achievable goals into bite sized pieces gives

‘It’s only natural to hit a patch where you stagnate, so by keeping your skills fresh and setting the bar higher for yourself you will remain passionate and enthusiastic’

kICk CAREER GOALS AND

win

caReeRs

consultants something to work towards and can increase their feeling of self worth.

But central to the strategy, she says, is maintaining momentum and breaking intimidating goals into achievable stepping stones.

“You wouldn’t set out on a car journey without a destination in mind and the same should be applied to your career to keep yourself challenged and give you purpose. But you’ve got to stick with it,” she says.

The biggest hurdle, she says, is being accountable and setting realistic goals that can be controlled, which is where mentors come into the picture.

Lining up a coach or advisor is arguably one of the most valuable resources in setting and achieving professional goals. There are professional channels that facilitate mentor programs such as TIME, but it can be as simple as speaking to someone you admire and asking them the path they followed to reach their current position.

Not only will they be able to recommend the training required to step into a bigger role, but they are also likely to have relevant contacts to help get you to where you need to be in order to develop. Consultants who work for larger organisations can also use their human resources department for career guidance.

However you get there, setting goals will help you to progress your career with a big picture view, but the experts agree that any career progression comes with hard work, vision and perseverance. “Successful people are those who work hard, pursue their goals, act lawfully and ethically and most of all, enjoy their work,” O’Neill says.

get staRtedTo increase your chances of success, set milestones that follow the SMART formula:

s – Specific. Be precise about your goals and have a clear idea of where you want to be.

M – Measurable. Set goals that you can track so you can monitor your progress

A – Achievable. There’s not much point setting goals that are beyond your reach. Be honest with yourself.

R – Relevant. Targets that are clearly related to your goal are preferable. They’ll also get you there faster.

T – Time specific. Set time frames for each target and the big picture goal.

There are plenty of resources to help you upskill and progress with training. Here are our top picks:

AFTA has a useful education and training programUniversity of Technology sydney and TAFE offer many on-campus and online programsglobal Business Travel Association hosts regular events and has an extensive online resource libraryAssociation of Travel Management Companies is the peak body for business travel agents Association of Corporate Travel Executives hosts events and symposiums for travel managers in 29 countries

travelBulletin June 2013 61

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Experienced in the MICE market in Queensland? Know how to drive and get new business over the line? Then come and join this leading event management company in a newly created role. This BDM role will reward you like no other in the market currently –

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If you have the passion for sales and love building new relationships your talents will be rewarded here. You’ll be joining a leading corporate TMC offering a long term career and the real

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If your experience lies within conference & incentive program management and you have managed event teams, this is a rare opportunity to join an industry leader. You’ll be well versed in the creation and delivery of unique, motivational and exciting events for corporate clients, including incentive groups, conferences and

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GOOGLE THISONLINE INDUSTRY SALES/PRODUCT MGRSYDNEY – SALARY PACKAGE OTE $120K

If you are passionate about product and have established key relationships, this dynamic travel online provider needs you! Due to expansion they are looking to grow their sales team.

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Are you well connected and have strong commercial relationships? Have you worked across various mediums in B2B, have strong product knowledge and are target driven? If so, you may be the perfect match for this new role. Essentially you will come from selling and relationship driven background. You will have proven negotiation skills and excellent verbal and written

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This key role will see you infl uencing a team to deliver the overall commercial performance of this technical product to meet market requirements. You will be liaising with key stakeholders and third

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AUSTRALIA’S MOST EXPERIENCED EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT TEAM

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coVeR stoRY

tRaVeL defies cuRRencY diVe

The struggling Australian dollar has ignited concerns about the travel industry, with some analysts claiming that travel takes a dive when the exchange rate hits shaky ground. But new research suggests that Australians’ affinity for travel has not wavered and agents have a sterling future ahead, as Louise Wallace writes.


coVeR stoRY

THE Australian dollar is in the doldrums, hitting a five and a half year low in diabolical fashion. After blazing at well over US$1 for years, the light started to flicker

in 2014 and blew out last month, flat lining at US$0.77. And rumours are mounting that the worst is yet to come. The nose dive has quickly ignited concerns about the flow on effects, with leisure travel singled out as one of the first on the chopping block.

Flight Centre managing director Graham Turner has been outspoken on assumptions that travel trends are married to the performance of the Australian dollar, insisting that consumer confidence holds all the power. While the Australian dollar will continue to run its own course, he asserts that Australians will take cheaper holidays rather pull the pin on their travel plans. “Currency in itself is not a critical driver of Australian outbound travel,” he announced at the group’s annual meeting late last year. But new research shows that he’s on the money.

BETwEEN ThE LINESThe Travel and Tourism Research report compiled by Bell Potter Securities senior research analyst John O’Shea found that outbound travel has won over the wallets of Australian travellers, with international travel growing at a compound rate of 13% per annum over the last eight years compared to just 4% for domestic.

The report put the shift towards outbound travel down to the strong Australian economy, lower ticket prices and the rise of discount carriers. But notably, it found that international holiday travel expenditure has grown at nearly double the rate of household disposable income over the same period.

As to be expected, travel trends fluctuated over the eight year period and there was a pronounced slump as the world rode the turbulence of the global financial crisis. But spending on holiday travel as a percentage of household income remained virtually constant, with Australians spending 6.5% of household disposable income on holidays.

Presenting the figures at the ITG conference in Hawaii late last year, O’Shea explained that the data – compiled by comparing ABS statistics with Tourism Australia figures – showed that Australians will continue to travel overseas regardless of external factors.

“As long as our economy continues to

perform, consumer confidence will remain buoyant and the travel industry will keep riding a high,” he said.

Speaking to travelBulletin in more detail, O’Shea said the figures dispelled the myths that currency and the price of travel were holding the reins of the travel industry and confirmed what many have long suspected; that Australians love to travel.

“Many have considered currency to be the most important driver of outbound travel, but it is in fact household expenditure. Despite the GFC and market volatility people are still making the choice to holiday,” he said.

O’Shea noted that outbound travel had slowed over the past 12 months as consumer confidence weakened, but the travel trend had no correlation to how the Australian dollar performed.

“Currency is a driver but not the most important one, with the household sector holding all the cards,” he told travelBulletin.

The research is also a beacon of light for travel agents, with the outbound industry “almost certain” to remain buoyant regardless of external factors, O’Shea added.

“I can categorically say that an increasing percentage of consumers’ income is being poured into outbound travel regardless of economic circumstances which is positive for travel agents as this represents their most important market. It’s not just my view, it’s the facts,” he said.

A BIT OF PERSPECTIVEIt’s a bold claim, and one that’s echoed by AFTA CEO Jayson Westbury who says the data is a clear reflection of the habits of Australian travellers. And he is confident the trend will continue. “It underpins what I’ve been saying; that there is a strong future for travel agents and as long as Australians feel secure, they will continue to travel,” he told travelBulletin.

Westbury brushed off any notion that the exchange rate could deter Australian travellers from putting money on the bottom line, branding the currency conversion conversation as a “plaything of bored consumer journalists”.

“When the dollar went parity we had journalists making a bit thing of it, but we’ve had robust years when the dollar was at US$0.70… I doubt we’ll see anything hit hard with the weakening dollar,” he said.

He also dismissed suggestions that the struggling dollar would prompt Australians

‘Many have considered currency to be the most important driver of outbound travel, but it is in fact household expenditure. Despite the GFC and market volatility people are still making the choice to holiday ’

Continues over page


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Holiday Travel and Household Disposable IncomeKey question – Are Households spending more or less of their Disposable Income on Holidays and has this varied between Domestic and Outbound?

• Outbound Travel Expenditure for Holiday Purposes has grown at a CAGR of 13% over the last 8 years which is nearly double the growth in Household Disposable Income and three times the growth in Domestic Holiday Travel

• Households are spending more of their Disposable Income on Outbound

• In periods of material economic disruption Outbound tends to slow but transitory

Outbound Travel Expenditure Holiday Purposes and Household Disposable Income

Domestic Travel Expenditure Holiday Purposes and Household Disposable Income

Source: ABS, TRA, BELL POTTER ESTIMATES Source: ABS, TRA, BELL POTTER ESTIMATES

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013Domestic Holiday Travel Expenditure Total ($m) - LHS

Domestic Holiday Travel Expenditure as a % of Gross Disposable Income - % RHS

0.00%

0.50%

1.00%

1.50%

2.00%

2.50%

3.00%

3.50%

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Outbound Holiday Travel Expenditure ($m) - LHS

Outbound Holiday Travel Expenditure as a % of Gross Disposable Income - RHS

Source: ABS, TRA, Bell Potter Estimates

Outbound travel expenditure holiday purposes and household disposable income

Domestic travel expenditure holiday purposes and household disposable income

Households are spending more of their disposable income on outbound


to holiday closer to home, insisting that international travel remains king for Australian travellers.

“I don’t subscribe to the idea that domestic travel will go up. When the dollar went to parity everyone said domestic would shut down, but I don’t believe that one swaps the other… when travellers walk into an agency they’ve already made up their mind on the type of holiday they’re after,” he said.

Domestic tour operators are singing a different tune, with AAT Kings managing director telling travelBulletin that 2015 is shaping up to be the “best year for domestic holidays in years”. APT also confirmed a “renewed interest” in domestic travel this year, and Infinity’s Australia & New Zealand area leader Steve Paterson reported “healthy” forward bookings for Queensland and the Northern Territory in particular. However, he added that currency fluctuations don’t always play on the minds of Australian travellers who are more interested in the type of experiences they’re after.

But O’Shea said a domestic boom is unlikely in the near future, with data suggesting a structural shift towards outbound is likely to be a permanent fixture. “The ducks are lining up in terms of outbound travel which provides a powerful backdrop for agents,” he said, adding that the high price point and lack of new hotel developments in Australia made overseas travel a “no brainer” for Aussie travellers.

LOOkING AhEADThe faceoff between domestic and international travel will no doubt go on, but of particular interest for agents are O’Shea’s

musings on the future for travel agents. And in his view, bricks and mortar outlets are likely to benefit from the ongoing shift towards international travel.

Delivering his speech to the ITG conference, O’Shea noted that bricks and mortar agencies remain the key source for

airline ticket sales, comprising 44% of the market, followed by direct sales at 22%, corporate travel agents at 20% and OTAs at 14%. But outbound airline ticket sales are where the money is for bricks and mortar outlets, claiming a massive 65% of international airline ticket sales followed by direct bookings at a much leaner 16% and OTAs at 11%. “Agents have an ideal opportunity to benefit from the seismic shift to outbound which is a trend we expect to continue,” he said.

O’Shea also touched on the emergence of OTAs, branding them a “clear threat” for traditional agencies as travellers become more savvy in the travel space. But he insisted that online travel sales were only gaining modest ground on bricks and mortar and still formed a “relatively small” part of the market. “Future growth is likely to

come from the flash site and special deals segment, but bricks and mortar travel agents remain the largest share of the flights segment,” he said. However, O’Shea stressed the need for agents to adapt their practices to fend off the competition: “Agents need to be ahead of the game and provide value-add to clients given that internet savvy customers are everywhere. They need to be more than just order takers because customers can do that, and more, on the internet.”

The idea is not new to travel agents who are hyper aware of the need to bring something different to the table. But O’Shea says the key is to pursue younger customers with features and services that are beyond their reach to reel them in, and keep them coming back.

“There is a great opportunity for bricks and mortar agents to grow – that’s supported by facts – but they need to prove their value above and beyond online resources and improve the customer experience,” he said.

Westbury agrees, but says the message has been in the pipeline for a few years. Certainly agents are feeling the pressure of online and hitting the drawing board to look at new ways to market their services to clients, but that is unlikely to change.

In Westbury’s view, a more pressing consideration for agents is to be prepared when consumers voice their concerns over the exchange rate.

The reality is that big ticket items such as cruise and air are unlikely to shift much with currency fluctuation, but consumers are easily swayed by mainstream media which often inflates the currency discussion. “The chances are that consumers will voice concerns over the exchange rate, so agents should have a conversation ready to go and have something prepared,” he said.

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cReate a winning cuLtuRe

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By Penny spencer

A POSITIVE workplace culture and a supportive team are crucial to achieving business success. These are among the most important things I’ve learned

over 30 years in the travel industry.When I started Spencer Travel in 1998, I

had a vision of the type of workplace I wanted to create – a place where people would be proud to work and a business that clients would want to work with.

Having happy employees is all about fostering the right culture, but it isn’t always easy and you have to work on it. Employers have to create the culture through their values, and then they’ve got to walk the talk. I follow a number of guidelines to help build a positive workplace culture, and while there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, these principles have helped me to build a happy team that brings in awards and new business.

1) schedule regular meetings with staff Organising regular face-to-face meetings not only ensures that staff are on top of work items, but it also helps to track staff progress so that employees can advance their careers within the business. It also helps to ensure that staff are reaching their own goals.

2) Mentoring – I’m a big advocate of passing knowledge onto others and helping them to progress. I have implemented various workplace training programs and embedded a culture of team mentoring. I have also employed agents straight out of travel courses and worked with them to develop their careers which has proven to be successful.

3) Reward staff – Employers need to regularly recognise their team’s work. Make sure they feel appreciated, whether it’s with a handwritten note or a verbal compliment. Anything that commends the contribution of staff is valued. I also give my team members unexpected rewards such as gift vouchers as a token of appreciation. We have also implemented a ‘10 year One Carat Diamond Club’ where staff receive a one carat diamond for 10 years of service.

4) Ensure staff feel valued and respected Listening to staff is extremely important, as is taking their feedback onboard and implementing their suggestions when appropriate. Having open forums where they can be completely honest about work issues can be a valuable way of building mutual respect and understanding. Also, treating all members the way you would want to be treated is crucial.

Being listed in BRW’s Top 50 Best Places to Work in Australia in 2013 was a huge achievement for us that recognised our workplace culture. But it hasn’t come easy and has taken our business the full 16 years to say we have a culture that works.

But it is not only about the culture, it’s about the type of people that your culture brings into the business. I now have people contacting me requesting to work at Spencer Travel because they’ve heard about the workplace environment, and that in itself is a huge accolade.

It all stems from establishing positive company values and following through on those values. And like anything in business, it’s about treating others with respect and staying true to yourself.

Penny Spencer is the managing director of Spencer Travel and the founder of Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME). She also launched her first book last year titled ‘Love what you do and never work a day in your life’ which offers advice on business and career progression.

For More InformationW www.afta.com.au E [email protected] T 02 9287 9900

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‘ ... there is a rising generation of consumers who do everything online, and travel will beno exception ’

AS interesting as it is, Expedia’s proposed US$1.3 billion acquisition of Orbitz, a deal that will see further consolidation in the US online industry, will not have ruffled too many feathers in Australia.

If agreed by Orbitz shareholders and regulators, and there must surely be some doubt about the latter with its impact on consumer choice, it will be the third significant transaction for Expedia in recent times, following deals for Travelocity and, of course, Wotif.

Are there any local implications from the Orbitz deal? On the face of it, there doesn’t appear to be. But it does demonstrate the financial muscle of Expedia and its desire to continually expand its reach and power.

The only direct impact of the acquisition in Australia could be on Helloworld, which struck a Strategic Alliance Agreement in late 2013 for Orbitz to power the retailer’s website, helloworld.com.au.

The site is not without its critics. The Travel Corporation in particular is known to be particularly vexed at some of the content gaps, but that’s a story for another day. And content is Helloworld’s issue, not that of Orbitz.

Helloworld “noted” Expedia’s move for its technology provider but downplayed any impact, insisting the “respective obligations of the parties” will be unaffected in the event

of the deal being pushed through. In any case, Expedia will have more than enough on its plate without worrying too much about the Helloworld arrangement.

What the acquisition of Orbitz will give Expedia is improved ability to increase its revenue from air tickets, a traditional stronghold of Orbitz, which was founded by a consortium of US airlines in 2001.

Expedia has been historically strong in hotels, but less so in air, and management

will hope this deal will provide greater traction with airlines. That being the case, it could be the catalyst for Expedia to compete more effectively in the package business, the mainstay for bricks and mortar agencies and wholesalers.

There will be little concern among the traditional players, nor should there be, not at this stage anyway.

But while I tend to agree with recent comments from Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) chief executive Jayson Westbury and Express Travel Group chief executive Tom Manwaring that agents have a strong future, I think some of the confidence could be misplaced.

We all know Australia’s geography plays into the hands of agencies – it’s a long way from anywhere and itineraries can be expensive and complex – but there is a rising generation of consumers who do everything online, and travel will be no exception.

A stronger Expedia may not be an imminent risk to retailers, but the US giant is positioning itself to become a stronger competitor not just to Priceline, but to all distributors of travel product.

For More InformationW www.afta.com.au E [email protected] T 02 9287 9900

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issues & tRends

‘All we are trying to do is grow the market in Australia and strengthen the position of travel advisors’processes over online booking engines,” he told travelBulletin.

SmartFlyer is welcoming experienced agents and industry newcomers to join on a contractor basis, with all consultants to pay “small” set-up and maintenance fees. The rise of SmartFlyer Australia follows the launch

of home-based network Your Travel Centre in August 2014 which was soon followed by the launch of Savenio in December last year. Rebranding from Travel Concepts and also a Virtuoso member, the group promptly set up a Sydney office and appointed Andrew Challinor (ex MTA) to head a national recruitment drive.

With established players in the home-based space also actively looking to expand their networks, the options for agents who may be considering working from home are on the rise. Traditional agencies are still king in the Australian marketplace, but agency groups are thinking broader and increasingly adding home-based models to their existing outfits to woo consultants onboard. And, no doubt, there will be more to follow in the year ahead.

HOME-BASED networks are continuing to gain ground on traditional agencies with the rise of yet another home-based model in Australia.

Goldman Travel Corporation has announced a joint venture with US-based travel agency SmartFlyer to form an independent home-based model on Australian shores. Slated to launch on 1 May, SmartFlyer Australia aims to attract “next generation travel consultants” with the view of becoming the “go-to company” for Australian independent travel agents.

Both Virtuoso agencies, the combined venture has its sights on building a community of “forward thinking, social media savvy” travel advisers, with a focus on high end leisure travel.

Goldman Travel Corporation joint managing director Anthony Goldman told travelBulletin that the venture had been on the agenda for “a couple of years” but a recent spike in interest for home-based models spurred the company into action.

“We have been approached from a number of people from within and outside of the industry who have expressed interest in working from home, so we figured that the timing was right,” he said, adding that the company had fielded inquiries from 10 agents within 24 hours of announcing the venture.

Goldman said SmartFlyer Australia’s “strong focus” on social media would set it apart from its competitors, but stressed that the move to add a home-based model to its existing operations simply “made sense”.

“All we are trying to do is grow the market in Australia, strengthen the position of travel advisors and continue to personalise booking

WHILE some traditional agencies are looking at leaner balance sheets with the rise of online travel groups, travel giant Expedia just keeps getting fatter.

The company last month announced a “definitive agreement” for the acquisition of its key rival Orbitz in a deal that’s expected to top around US$1.3 billion. The move comes less than a month after Expedia purchased Travelocity and not long after it swallowed Australian-owned Wotif to expand its presence in the Australasian market.

The company has also earmarked plans to boost its stake in AAE Travel - a joint venture formed with AirAsia in 2011 - to 75%.

Marking further consolidation in the online travel sector, the Orbitz acquisition adds to Expedia’s growing portfolio of travel brands as it looks to muscle out its competitors. If it receives the go-ahead from regulators, it leaves just two major players in the online travel space; Expedia and Priceline, which owns Booking.com.

While Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi had previously expressed doubt that such a merger would get through, his concerns have since abated, announcing the deal would allow the company to deliver “best-in-class experiences to an even wider set of travellers”. Others aren’t so sure, with

at least one industry group recommending a thorough review to combat potential implications for consumers.

The deal is unlikely to have much of an effect on consumers while Priceline is still in the running, but it does arguably give Expedia more bargaining clout with suppliers. For now, the flow-on effects are still unclear in the Australia market. But no doubt Helloworld, which struck a strategic alliance with Orbitz 18 months ago, will be watching closely.

SMARTFLYER & GOLDMAN hIT hOME BASE

ExpEDIA SNApS Up orBITz

David Goldman, Tom Goldman, Anthony Goldman


AFTA VIEwJayson Westbury, chief executive AFTA

issues & tRends

AS the federal parliament returns to work this month there are plenty of questions being asked about what the future holds. The leadership “spill” motion that was put forward by two backbenchers of the Liberal party certainly made headlines nationwide. What eventuated was in fact nothing, which was a big let down for news rooms across the country. But perhaps for our international reputation, it was the best news for us all.

I am sure the prime minister has well and truly got the message, and if he hasn’t, we are likely to see a re-run of this circus in a few months. But whatever happens, the country needs to get on with it. Consumer confidence, and by association business confidence, must pick up. We are all talking ourselves into tough economic times, but in real terms we should be firing on all cylinders.

Low interest rates, a reasonable jobs market and economic growth, even in small numbers, should form a strong foundation for the rest of 2015.

Meanwhile, the stock market is on a run and as investors look for greater returns than what banks can offer, many will be scratching their heads, not knowing what to do. All the while, the travel industry will be sitting patiently, waiting for bookings.

Confidence first and foremost comes off the back of influential people like politicians being in a positive frame of mind. Certainty their outlook on the future is king.

As we roll into the federal budget process, this year’s delivery, arrangements and key messages will be telling. If this budget is not the “best” budget our current treasurer has ever delivered, I suspect confidence is likely to fall to an all time low. This is not good for anyone.

I am not a negative person and I find it difficult to write things with such a negative spin. Reality can bite hard but it is important to find the positive side of the situation. And for the travel industry there is much to celebrate. Forward bookings, I am told, are looking good and despite all the doom and gloom, people continue to book and travel overseas despite the falling value of the Australian dollar.

The new accreditation arrangements are also settling in very well with most of the industry now accredited, and suppliers continuing to connect with travel agents into the future. There are now many options for travel agents to put commercial solutions in place that they feel are necessary for their business.

And of course the NTIA process is once again off and running with nominations flooding in. This year’s program is bound to be a ripper. So, I hope the travel industry can remain positive and let’s hope Australia can come with us.

‘reality can bite hard but it is important to find the positive side of the situation’

“ It’s now much easier to respond quickly to my customers and get more from my day.”Leisa BurdettePersonal Travel Manager,TravelManagers Australia

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TOUGh START FOR 2015 BUT FUTURE PROMISING

issues & tRends

CALL it friendly rivalry or fierce competition, but the contest in the over 50s escorted touring market has stepped up a notch with the Australian launch of US operator Collette.

The company – which has been operating in the US for 96 years – officially opened the doors to its Australian operation in Sydney last month in a carefully orchestrated move to tap into the ”lucrative Australian market”.

Attended by around 80 industry representatives, the launch was everything to be expected from a new player in an already crowded market, with vice president of service and international business Christian Leibl-Cote travelling out from Rhode Island to mark the occasion.

Speaking with travelBulletin after the event, Leibl-Cote said feedback had been “pleasing” since Collette’s soft launch in January, with bookings now being received on a daily basis.

“Australia is very small compared to the rest of our markets, but people seem to be excited, so we expect to see an increase,” he said.

Discussing the operator’s immediate plans, Leibl-Cote said the company was now focused on building partnerships with agency consortiums to further its grasp in the Australia market and build confidence among travel agents.

Collette is currently in negotiations with “a number” of agency groups and expects to make some “quick announcements” in the coming weeks, Leibl-Cote said.

“We’re trying to partner with every consortium – agencies are extremely important to us and are the lifeblood of our business,” he told travelBulletin.

Offering more than 160 four-star tours, river cruises, small group itineraries, rail journeys and specialty tours tailored for the over 50s market, Collette’s key competitors include Trafalgar, Scenic Tours and APT.

But Collette has made no secret of who it sees as its main rival – Insight Vacations.

“Insight is a great company and we have been competing with them in every single market that we are located in,” Leibl-Cote said. “They make us better and we make them better, but we also feel that our pricing is extremely competitive in this market.”

Insight Vacations managing director Joost Timmer was less inclined to discuss the competition so freely, but told travelBulletin that Insight’s sales team in Australia was “very established and respected within the industry”. He also stressed that the operator’s value proposition had facilitated a large and loyal following. “Value is key and one of the reasons guests love travelling with Insight, and return to travel with us time and time again,” he said.

Trafalgar managing director Matt Cameron-Smith also sat on the sidelines of the rivalry discussion, instead highlighting the company’s place in the escorted touring market.

“With almost 70 years of experience in taking guests on memorable holidays around the world, Trafalgar understands the importance of choice and that one size doesn’t fit all,” he told travelBulletin.

Meanwhile, chief marketing officer for APT’s family of brands Debra Fox insisted that the group was unfazed by Collette’s entry to the Australia market.

“We are confident in the fact that we offer something that is unique to anything else on the market,” she said.

Speaking to travelBulletin back in February, Collette’s local business manager Alison Mead conceded that the Australia touring market was already “crowded” and that instilling trust in the product from travel agents would be one of the “biggest challenges”. But ultimately more competition is good news for agency groups, and it can’t be bad news for consumers either.

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issues & tRends

ATEC VIEwpeter Shelley, managing director

In the past few months, many of our members have told me about their hopes for the coming year and, it seems, there is a great deal to be positive about. Speaking at a meeting of tourism ministers in Sydney last week, I passed on this message and some important qualifiers for our growing success.

It is true, the economic woes of Europe have largely subsided and there is a feeling of more positive employment prospects and a brighter economic future for many European countries. This positive mood is unleashing years of pent up demand for travel, and Australia stands to benefit from that tide. We are about to see a backlog of travel demand from a number of our traditional markets coming to the surface at the same time. Also, while travel to Australia may not be comparatively cheap with the significant move in the Australian dollar in the past 12 months, we can look forward to our visitors at least spending more when they get here.

On top of this re-engagement from our traditional markets, we have the irrepressible Asian market, led solidly by Chinese visitors. From around 400,000 visitors per annum in 2010, we have now almost doubled the number of Chinese visitors to Australia and the trend is set to continue. The China market has clearly risen above the traditional western markets and global travel from this market is set to double by 2020. With Australia currently holding claim to around 1.7% of this market internationally, our biggest challenge is retaining our share of an expected growth to 200 million international Chinese travellers annually within the next 5 years. The question is, can we hold our share?

As a destination, we have made some good inroads to shoring up our market across Asia, including the introduction of new, more streamlined visa processing for Chinese and Indian visitors. This is a move ATEC has been a strong advocate for and we are glad to see the government has recognised these barriers as an expedient way to help support our industry and its future growth. So far the trials of online Chinese and Indian visas have been very positive and we are hopeful for a further expansion of this valuable initiative.

Equally challenging will be growing our tourism infrastructure. Even at a 1% share of the expected 2020 Chinese visitor market, Australia will be struggling to find accommodation and flight capacity for the increase to two million visitors a year, particularly on top of any growth out of other markets. If we are to manage this demand and the opportunities that come with its growth, our businesses will need robust expansion strategies and an ability to move fast against challenges from other regional destinations.

‘We have now almost doubled the number of Chinese visitors to Australia and the trend is set to continue’

VIRTUOSO has its sights firmly set on the Australian market, with the luxury specialist’s chairman and CEO Matthew Upchurch recently confirming that its local office, headed up by Michael Londregan, will be the base for expansion into Asia.

Upchurch launched a new survey into the habits and preferences of Australian luxury travellers in Sydney in late February, with the study conducted in partnership with Hamilton Island resort qualia. The research showed strong growth in the luxury short break market – well served by the proliferation of boutique lodges in recent years such as Wolgan Valley, Southern Ocean Lodge, Longitude 131° and more.

Launching in Australia 12 years ago, Virtuoso now has 38 members in Australia operating from 60 locations. Londregan told travelBulletin that while it’s not strictly a numbers game, he believes there are many under-served areas across Australia which represent significant opportunities for the group.

Globally Virtuoso members turned over around US$14 billion last year, with the group boasting more than 1700 preferred suppliers.

The world’s top cruise executives are set to descend on Sydney for the second ever Australasian Cruise3sixty conference, including a special appearance from global CLIA chairman Adam Goldstein.

travelBulletin will be there in full force too, with publisher Bruce Piper to also moderate a panel discussion on the future of the domestic cruise industry. Keep your eye out for the April issue for all the latest news and developments.

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LAST year marked a number of milestones for Jetsetter Travel owner Rane Reguson. He mingled with celebrities at the Melbourne Cup, received the Young Citizen of the Year award in his local shire, and saw his business hit new records. It’s a tidy trifecta, and one that he attributes to winning the inaugural Emirates Travel Consultant Scholarship at last year’s National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs).

Opening his own agency in 2013 at the ripe age of 19, building the business was a steep learning curve for Reguson who had no industry experience. But with a passion for travel and the gift of the gab, everything fell into place and he moved quickly when applications opened for the Emirates scholarship.

“I thought it was a long shot, but I had nothing to lose and figured I would give it a go,” he says. “When I was short listed to the top five finalists, I knew I was in with a chance so I poured all of my energy into winning.”

With all finalists flown to Sydney to deliver a presentation on business performance, client numbers and customer engagement, Reguson played on his strengths. “I have a lot of public speaking under my belt from community events, so when the judging panel asked me questions about the business, I just ran with it and left feeling quite confident,” he recalls.

His confidence was clearly warranted, taking home the inaugural scholarship at the 2014 National Travel Industry Awards. Accepting the award in front of over 1200 industry representatives, Reguson received a business class trip to Dubai, travel to the Melbourne Cup in the Emirates marquee, and $10,000 towards further education.

“I was absolutely overwhelmed - it was by far the greatest thing that has happened to me in my career,” he says.

Speaking with travelBulletin before leaving for his first ever trip to Dubai, Reguson said the award had transformed his business and earned him a solid reputation within the industry and his community.

As a “small but growing office” in far north Queensland, Jetsetter Travel has been operating under Reguson’s management for just two years. But he says the scholarship has seen his bottom line figures improve

significantly since July last year.“The store has gone ahead in leaps and

bounds and I have made many beneficial contacts in the industry that have been great for business,” he says. “The scholarship has put me on a high platform and opened a lot of doors with like-minded travel professionals in Australia and across the globe.”

The recognition has also spurred him to think bigger and set his sights on earning a business degree with the $10,000 scholarship. He also has plans to expand the store to new locations within the next five years.

Leading up to his Dubai trip late last month, Reguson rattled off an impressive itinerary complete with a dune safari, hot air ballooning and a trip to Emirates

headquarters. But the chance to strengthen ties with Emirates divisional senior vice president commercial operations east Barry Brown rated particularly highly on his list.

Reguson may be just 22 years old, but he is keen to share his knowledge with others, and encourages all aspiring agents to enter the 2015 awards to help build their career.

His advice is to keep the application simple and show the judging panel what sets applicants apart from their competitors. “It’s an amazing award with amazing rewards and if you are going to spend your life in travel, go for it and give it a go,” he says.

The 2015 Emirates Travel Consultant Scholarship will be presented at the 2015 NTIA Awards which will be held on 18 July at Sydney’s Dockside Pavilion Darling Harbour.

‘The scholarship has put me on a high platform and opened a lot of doors’

JETSETTER TAkES OFF COURTESY OF Ek

Barry Brown presents the award at the 2014 NTIAs. Pictured on right is Rane with his father David Reguson.

Rane Reguson on his Emirate business class flight to Dubai.

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Join well-known cook, TV personality and self-proclaimed gastronaut Geoff Jansz on an exciting

culinary and cultural journey to Morocco.$6,895 per person twin share.

Travel with curator, lecturer and arts consultant Kenneth Park on an historian’s

journey through Turkey.$9,695 per person twin share.

Join award-winning author Claire Scobie on a literary journey through India, with two

days at the Jaipur Literature Festival.$11,410 per person twin share.

Discover two of the Middle East’s most ancient and fascinating nations – Israel and

Jordan, with historian Kenneth Park.$9,040 per person twin share.

MONGOLIA FRANCE

MOROCCO TURKEY INDIA

ISRAEL & JORDAN

Travel Bulletin_FPC_330x240_Hosted_Feb15_FA.indd 1 12/02/2015 11:08 am

cRuise RepoRt

THE cruising industry had a bumper year in 2014, trumping the forecast 21.7 million cruisers by over one million passengers. And in another boon for the industry, CLIA is predicting that the trend will continue into 2015 with a record 23 million passengers to set sail throughout the year.

Outlined in the latest State of the Cruise Industry report, CLIA predicted that passenger numbers would jump a further 1.3 million on last year’s projections – representing a 4% increase on previous estimates.

The report – compiled from global industry sources – also found that travel agents were central to the cruise industry’s success, securing more bookings than any other sector.

Approximately 70% of passengers currently book their cruise holiday with a travel agent, the report found, with agents also facilitating a 60% increase in 2015 bookings to date.

In other findings, CLIA identified specialty cruising as a booming market, with luxury yachts and “elegant ocean liners” all experiencing growth of more than 20% year on year since 2009.

The focus is also moving away from ship size, with the 22 vessels set to debut this

year focusing more heavily on design and amenities rather than passenger capacity.

However, passengers are also seeking more global experiences, with Australia, the Mediterranean and Asia highlighted as key areas of growth. More than 50 ships will offer over 1000 cruises in Asia alone this year with a capacity for two million passengers.

The report also found that the global cruise industry contributed $117 billion to the global economy last year, including almost 900,000

jobs and $40 billion in wages. With the number of ocean cruise

passengers up from 17.8 million in 2009 to 22.1 million in 2014, CLIA Australasia general manger Brett Jardine said the predictions heralded a “big step forward” for the industry that signalled the worldwide love affair with cruising was set to continue.

CLIA chairman Adam Goldstein echoed his comments, branding it an “exciting time” for the industry.

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cRuise RepoRt

CARNIVAL Australia has restructured its top management ranks in a move that will leave P&O senior vice president Tammy Marshall leave the company.

The shake up sees Sture Myrmell fill Marshall’s shoes in an expanded role as senior vice president for P&O Cruises, while Marshall will leave later this month after completing some special projects.

Marshall joined the company 2.5 years ago after over a decade with The Travel

Corporation, working across its Contiki and AAT Kings brands in senior management roles. She also has extensive accounting experience and previously held the leading sales and marketing post with Alpine World.

Myrmell’s new role expands his former position as vice president hotel operations, while Peter Little has also been promoted to an expanded role as senior vice president fleet operations.

Carnival Australia said the changes

came ahead of planned fleet expansions to concentrate on “enhancing the onboard guest experience” and further aligning the company with the Holland America Group.

“We are indebted to Tammy for her leadership in P&O Cruises’ continuing story of growth, innovation and customer focus,” said Carnival Australia ceo Ann Sherry. Certainly, Marshall’s acumen will set her in good stead for the future and she will soon re-emerge in a leading travel industry role.

CRUISE1ST has vowed to expand the inventory of its trade arm following a “pleasing” response from travel agencies within months of the brand’s launch.

Cruise1st managing director Carl Frier told travelBulletin that Cruisefusion was “gathering momentum” since its launch late last year, adding that the brand was on track to achieving its target of 60 new users by the end of February.

Attributing the growth to Cruisefusion’s “extensive” inventory of more than 80 pre-packaged tours, he said the growth in user numbers showed that the cruise platform was “filling a gap” in the market. Frier also flagged plans to expand the brand’s inventory to encourage new agents to come onboard.

“We’d love to increase our inventory, we need to, but it’s also a decision that is driven by suppliers. We don’t want to do deals with suppliers where we can’t give them value, we

only want to do deals where there is traffic and interest in the market,” he said.

Cruisefusion recently added Pandaw to its line up and plans to add more “high end” suppliers to its portfolio. “High end travel is

where the interest is, and the business has the ability to move with the trends,” Frier said.

Cruisefusion has no plans to print brochures, with Frier insisting the company is “purely a digital business”.

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Marshall walks plank in P&O management shuffle

STRONG START FOR CRUISEFUSION

Image courtesy of Cunard


cRuise RepoRt

CLIA VIEwBrett Jardine, general manager CLIA Australasia

THE Australian cruise industry has been the standout success story for tourism over the last decade and is now ranked number one in the world for market growth and penetration.

In fact, CLIA’s annual source market studies show the total number of Australians taking a cruise around the world has grown by an enviable average of 20% a year over the last 11 years.

With the equivalent of 3.6% of the Australian population taking a cruise in 2013, Australia has become the first nation to ever achieve a stronger penetration rate than the world’s largest passenger source market, North America. In 2013, the equivalent of 3.3% of the North American population took a cruise.

Australia punches well above its weight in the international cruise industry despite still being a relatively young cruise market. This is certainly refreshing news for our retail travel distribution as cruising continues to deliver a significant portion of at-source commission revenue for agents who are tuned into the value a cruise holiday delivers.

But it’s not just agents that benefit from our industry. Late last year CLIA released an independent study which showed the cruise industry’s economic output in Australia in 2013 reached a massive $3.2 billion.

Direct expenditure by passengers, crew and cruise lines accounted for $1.72 billion of this figure with indirect and induced economic output accounting for the remaining $1.49 billion. The report also found that the cruise industry generated $1.59 billion in value added contribution, $940 million in wages and employed 14,000 people across Australia last year.

The study was the first independent report to assess how much cruise lines, passengers and crew spend across the country. It’s also allowed us to demonstrate to governments and businesses around the country the enormous value that every cruise ship brings to the local economy.

Our story here in Australia reflects the global experience, with cruising making a significant impact around the world. Total economic output in 2013 reached more than US$117 billion as the industry delivered 891,000 jobs and generated US$38 billion in wages. In Australia, while Sydney remains the key gateway for the industry, other cities now have cruise ships regularly based in their ports, and calls to regional towns are on the rise. As we celebrate the busiest months of the calendar, it’s gratifying to see the benefits of cruising are spreading throughout our nation.

Feb 3 Crystal two-year windowFeb 3 APAC in focus at CSM 2015Feb 3 Carnival colours up for rapid rideFeb 5 Build begins on Oasis IVFeb 5 Landmark lifeguard caseFeb 10 Cruise boom to continueFeb 10 Celebrity ANZAC voyage

Feb 10 Cruise bosses revel in the sailsFeb 12 P&O shuffles its top ranksFeb 12 Star starts huge new buildFeb 12 Speed up on sulphur capFeb 12 Royal Rendezvous in Long BeachFeb 12 Agents delight in Azamara dining

‘Australia punches well above its weight in the international cruise industry’

KAREN CHRISTENSENGeneral Manager & Director

Sales/Marketing, Australasia

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cRuise headLines febRuaRY 2015

AUSTRALIAN MARkET GAINS GROUND


industRY in focus

Toasting the luxurious SkyTeam Sydney Exclusive Lounge at its recent launch, pictured from left are Sydney Airport CEO Ms Kerrie Mather, SkyTeam CEO Mr Michael Wisbrun and Plaza Premium Lounge CEO Mr Song Hoi-See.

These agents kicked back on a small luxury boat with Paradise Cruises on a Cathay Pacific & Venture Holidays famil to Vietnam that explored the historic city of Hoi An, Hanoi, Da Nang and Hue.

Pictured at the launch of Express Travel Group’s new

offices are Greg McCallum, italktravel, Sue Saville who runs

six italktravel agencies and Karen Kenter of Braeside Travel.

Trader Jack’s Restaurant in downtown Avarua put on a show for these

agents on a Cook Islands Tourism famil late last year.

These ITG agents got a taste of the good life onboard Azamara Quest, courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises.

These Viva! Holidays agents wasted no time jumping into the water at Aitutaki on a Cook Islands Tourism famil last year.


MARCh 2015

Agents Josie Wright, Jessica Cox, Lauren Box and Brett Ramsden explored the Rarotonga’s lush highlands on a Coconut Quad Adventure Tour on a recent famil courtesy of Cook Islands Tourism and Viva! Holidays.

Where else but Boracay could these excited ladies be parasailing? Tatiana Volfnan from Exotic Voyage and G’day Philippines co-founder Rose Delos Santos soaked up some sun on a recent famil where they stayed at Discovery Shores Resort.

These agents soaked up the sun on a recent famil where they joined the G’Day Philippines team at Discovery Shores Resort, Boracay.

These sunkissed agents circumnavigated Hawaii’s Big Island, walked through Thurston Lava Tube, and watched the Royal Kona Resort’s Journeys of the South Pacific Luau performance against the backdrop of an impressive sunset during a recent Hawaii famil.

We can spot at least one pair of blue suede shoes! These agents channelled ‘the King’ on an Insight Vacations famil to the Deep South of the USA to experience the Rhythms & Flavours of America itinerary.

These industry folk let their hair down at the launch of Collette’s Australia operation in Sydney last month. Held at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, the event brought together more than 80 industry partners from across the country.


soLomons

By Kris Madden

sNUGGLED between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, and less than a three hour flight from Australia, the 992 islands of the Solomon Islands are one of the last

frontiers of adventure travel. From the moment you arrive in the capital,

Honiara, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s all here; shark-callers and crocodile worshippers, WWII history, world-class diving and snorkelling, diverse cultures, and ancient customs that are still remarkably alive.

In this land of contrasts with scenery reminiscent of a David Attenborough documentary, you’ll find jungle-clad peaks, steaming volcanoes, crashing waterfalls, mist-enshrouded rainforests, crystal clear lagoons, and brilliant coral reefs. Every Pacific race is present in this South Pacific melting-pot, from blue-black Papuans to chocolate-coloured

blond Melanesians, bronze-skinned Micronesians, and fair-complexioned Polynesians, many still living much as their ancestors did centuries ago.

Our adventure begins on Guadacanal Island, the gateway to the Solomons and the site of some of WWII’s longest and bloodiest battles. Led by our knowledgeable guide, Michael Ramosaea, we’re taken on a tour to a small outdoor museum. WWII remnants such as Japanese war planes and rusting artillery provide an insight into the tragic battles that took place here. The nearby sea floors are littered with warships from both the Japanese and US forces, preserved in time and sea salt, and now offering some of the best wreck diving in the world.

But to really experience “The Sollys” as it’s affectionately known, you need to venture out to one of its many islands, inhabited or otherwise. Gizo, a one hour flight from Honiara, is a good jumping-off

point to visit some of the sun-soaked islands in the region.

Fatboys Resort, run by the efficient (and handsome) Manu, is one of those special places, complete with open-air bungalows and a restaurant that juts out over the water so you can snorkel straight off the deck, or watch the friendly black-tipped reef sharks that mill around below. Fresh crayfish plucked straight from the ocean graces the menu each day.

From Fatboys, we take a short walk through the jungle to the delightful Babanga Village for a peek into traditional island life. This is one of the most original village experiences you can imagine. There is a basic but charming homestay here where guests can experience true village life while still having their own privacy and a few modern amenities like flushing toilets and hot showers.

We’re a boat ride away from Kennedy Island, notable for its role in the story of

soLomons


soLomons

need to know• The Solomon Islands are made up of 992 islands, the six main ones being Choiseul, Isabel, Malaita, New Georgia, Guadalcanal and Makira. Honiara International Airport on Guadalcanal Island is the main gateway.• Airlines flying to Honiara include the national carrier, Solomon Airlines, in addition to Virgin Australia, Air Niugini and Fiji Airways. Australian citizens do not require a visa. • Solomon Airlines offers around 600 scheduled flights a month linking 31 airstrips in the Solomons. Island-hopping routes such as Honiara-Gizo-Munda-Seghe-Honiara and Honiara-Bellona-Rennell-Honiara allow several islands to be visited without backtracking. Domestic flights can be heavily booked, so advance bookings are recommended.• The Solomons are ideal for adventurous travellers seeking authentic experiences, history and culture, and world-class diving. The WWII relics of Guadalcanal, scuba diving in the Western Solomons, and traditional village life on the other islands are just some of the highlights.• The people of the Solomons are made up of Oceania’s three main cultural groups; Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian.• If your clients can’t live without internet, infinity pools and their hairdryer for a week, then the Solomons may not be right for them. However it is the perfect place to escape the pressures of the modern world. • Don’t expect five-star resorts. The main style of tourist accommodation across the islands is grass-roofed bungalows, some with an over water restaurant/bar. • Visitors mostly dine as the locals do – on fish caught that morning, grilled or cooked in coconut milk and lime. • The Solomon Islands have a warm, tropical climate – the average day time temperature ranges from 25-30 degrees Celsius. The wet season is from November to April. April to November is the best time to visit.

PT-109 when former US President John Kennedy (then a lieutenant) swam for his life after his craft was rammed by a Japanese destroyer.

From Gizo, it’s a 15-minute flight with Solomon Airlines to Munda, originally the centre of the head-hunting Roviana people.

Mysterious Skull Island is a must-visit, complete with the skulls of past warrior and chiefs; as is “Barney” Paulsen’s mini-museum, displaying relics such as hand grenades, ammunition, helmets, and dog tags left by the US and Japanese in the jungle. His collection is known as the Peter Joseph WWII Museum – named after Peter Joseph Palatini, the American soldier whose dog tag he first found.

We wander around traditional markets selling fresh produce and the ubiquitous betel nut, which almost everyone chews. The mildly sedative fruit is the Solomon Islands’ version of kava. The handicrafts here are authentic

and untainted by mass commercialism. Finely carved wooden objects exhibit exceptional workmanship and the woven baskets and trays are of very high quality. Another excellent purchase is the shell money of Malaita, made into beautiful necklaces.

Little has changed in the Solomon Islands since WWII, and that’s just one of the reasons it’s such a breathtakingly fresh destination. It’s aeons from any place in the South Pacific I’ve ever experienced, and therein lies its charm.

Don’t expect white-sand beaches, ritzy resorts and wild nightlife here – the Solomon Islands is not your average beach-holiday destination. With just a smattering of traditional guesthouses and comfortable eco-resorts, it’s tailor-made for ecotourism and those seeking an authentic experience, off the beaten track. But the best part is that with no crowds, you’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself.

Queensland-based go Tours Travel is one of the largest Solomon Islands operators that offers a large range of product and also specialises in surf tours. Their website is a great source of information with a large range of wholesale accommodation. g www.gotours.com.au

Allways Dive Expeditions is a major dive operator but also caters for non-diving partners. g www.allwaysdive.com.au

The Dive Adventures website contains general information about the Solomon Islands and information about scuba diving. g www.diveadventures.com.au


soLomons

Q&AWhat distinguishes the solomon Islands from other South Pacific destinations? The Solomons’ traditional customs and beliefs have not been tainted by the modern world. The fishing is world class and the waves are completely uncrowded – just what surfers live for. That is in addition to healthy and colourful coral reefs with plentiful marine life and WWII shipwrecks to be explored. With 992 islands, cars are obsolete, old fashioned handwritten letters are delivered in person, and time is measured by the tides and moon.

How can agents improve their Solomon Islands product knowledge? Our website www.gotours.com.au is a great source of information and we have the largest range of wholesale accommodation for the Solomon Islands.

What are your top tips for agents wanting to sell the Solomon Islands?Find out exactly what activities your client is looking for. Fishing, surfing, diving, rainforests and wildlife treks, village life, WWII history or a romantic getaway are just some activities to consider. Secondly, their preferred style of accommodation is important as there is a huge difference from village stays to resorts. Length of stay is another consideration, as a multi destination visit can deliver a completely different experience.

Which destinations or lodgings in the solomon Islands are best suited for families, couples and adventure seekers?Papatura Island Retreat in Santa Isabel is a good choice for all travellers. Uepi Island Resort, Fatboys, Wilderness Lodge, and Oravae Cottage are great for

couples looking for a romantic getaway or adventurous families who don’t need a TV for amusement. For adventure, a village stay such as Kmaga Village on the Eastern coast of Santa Isabel displays true Solomon Islands hospitality in a typical village environment. The Arnavon Islands are a unique option where travellers can assist rangers with their nightly monitoring of turtle egg laying. Mavo Lodge on Ramata Island is ideal for families, couples and eco adventure travellers.

Can agents join famils with your company? We are running a famil in conjunction with the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau later this year. Contact us for more information if you want to see for yourself what the Solomon Islands are all about.

n www.gotours.com.au

Queensland-based go Tours Travel is one of the largest operators in the solomon Islands. travelBulletin’s Kris Madden asked manager nick Blanche for his top tips on selling the destination to clients.

Ponant’s 14-night Indonesia, Papua and the Solomon Islands cruise on board the luxury Le Soleal departs Manado on 25 November 2015, exploring some rarely visited locations across northern PNG and the Solomon Islands, finishing in Guadalcanal. Prices start from $6,520 pp twin share for a deluxe stateroom.

Wild Earth Travel has an expedition cruise aboard the Spirit of Enderby following the path traditionally known in birding circles as the Western Pacific Odyssey or WPO. It’s considered one of the must-do expeditions for any birdwatcher. Prices start from US$6300 per person (shared facilities) with one departure on 6 April 2015.

Princess Cruises has six itineraries visiting the Solomon Islands in 2015 on board Sun Princess and Dawn Princess. The 13-day round trip departing 14 April 2015 from Sydney to PNG and the Solomon Islands starts from $1,699 pp for an interior stateroom.

silversea has a 16-night cruise from Palau to Fiji aboard the luxury Silver Discoverer departing 28 Sep 2015. Visiting Gizo, Kennedy Island and Marovo Lagoon, prices start from $17,250 pp twin share.

THE Solomon Islands will be more accessible for Australians with the launch of Solomon Airlines’ new direct Sydney to Honiara return service from 2 June 2015 (subject to government approval).

Scheduled to operate ex-Honiara on Mondays and ex-Sydney on Tuesdays, the carrier will use its flagship Airbus A320 on the new route which has been specifically timed to offer seamless flight linkage between several Australian cities.

The carrier’s Airbus A320 is configured to 16 executive business class seats and 120 economy class seats, and offers a full in flight service including meals, beverages and entertainment.

The new direct route will complement Solomon Airlines’ current four times weekly services from Brisbane, as well as flights to and from Fiji and Vanuatu. Solomon Airlines, which celebrated 52 years of service last October, also operates an extensive domestic network around the Solomon Islands between the nation’s capital of Honiara, Seghe, Munda, Gizo, Kira and Santa Cruz.

Open to all passengers, the airline’s ‘Belama Club’ membership offers several incentives ranging from priority check-in and express clearance to additional baggage allowances, preferential seating and exclusive access to the ‘Belama Club Lounge’ in Honiara International Airport.

solomon airlines launches direct sydney service

All aboard for the Solomons

Explore the hidden paradise of the South Pacific archipelago, comprising of a vast group of 922 breathtaking tropical islands.

Experience a culture, rich with traditional customs, art, dance and the iconic sound of the panpipe music of ‘Are Are’.

Catch a glimpse of the fierceness of World War II battles and be touched by the bravery of soldiers by visiting historic war sites in and outside Honiara, on land and underwater.

Explore Honiara’s cosmopolitan and colourful food market in downtown Honiara, a vibrant and lively melting pot of the Solomons!

Be mesmerized by the natural beauty of our many wildlife and marine parks including Marovo lagoon in the Western Province, the largest saltwater lagoon in the world and home to an array of teeming marine life.

Feel the spirit of adventure and enjoy a special piece of paradise or simply relax and discover a culture with a welcoming smile welcoming smile.

So Solomons, So Different!

SO SOLOMONS, SO DIFFERENT!visitsolomons.com.sb

SO SOLOMONS, SO DIFFERENT!visitsolomons.com.sb

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau Head Office PO Box 321, Mendana Avenue, Honiara, Solomon Islands call (677) 22442 or email [email protected]

www.visitsolomons.com.sb


soLomons

WHILE there is much excitement about the 100 year anniversary of Gallipoli, it pays to remember that 2015 is also the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII.

On 7 August 1942, allied forces landed on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, the first step in a battle that was to become the turning point in the Pacific War. Guadalcanal offers more war sites and relics than any other island in the Pacific.

Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours is offering the chance to walk in the footsteps of the marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought in this iconic WWII campaign, and to commemorate the anniversary of the battle.

The tour, led by McLachlan himself, visits the key sites on Guadalcanal and its neighbouring islands, exploring famous battlefields such as Alligator Creek, Bloody Ridge, Henderson Airfield, the Gifu, Mt Austen, Tulagi, and the Matanikau River.

McLachlan is one of Australia’s leading war historians and battlefield guides, and has spent more than a decade following in the footsteps of Australian troops on battlefields around the world. He is an expert on the battles of Guadalcanal.

Highlights include travel to the moving anniversary commemorations on 9 August which trace the footsteps of Australian troops, including a memorial service for the HMAS Canberra on the anniversary of her sinking.

Prices for the five-day tour which departs 5 August 2015 start from $2197 per person and include four nights of first-class accommodation, all excursions and sightseeing, anniversary commemorations at the US Memorial and HMAS Canberra Memorial, daily breakfast and transfers.

g www.battlefields.com.au

However, he says that the Solomon Islands “doesn’t do big numbers”, instead focusing on its strengths as a cultural destination that appeals to a diverse clientele.

SIVB is targeting a total of just 32,000 visitors per annum over the next five years.

“We don’t want to be like Fiji or Samoa,” he says. “Any tourism growth must be sustainable and benefit both the community and visitors. Introducing the type of responsible tourism product that conserves our pristine environment while helping to improve the welfare of the local people is very much the way forward for us.”

Nick Blanch of Queensland-based wholesaler Go Tours Travel, says proximity is what distinguishes “The Sollys” from other South Pacific destinations, and while it’s close to Brisbane, it is still remote and isolated.

“As a multi-island destination, clients can have completely different experiences such as helping rangers with turtle hatchlings, visiting rarely seen villages, trekking through ancient rainforest, diving WWII wrecks, or just lazing in a hammock. A few hours’ flying and you’re at a private island retreat or laughing with local villagers forgotten by time,” he says.

RECEIVING less than 25,000 visitors a year, including approximately 11,000 Australians, the Solomon Islands remains pristine in almost every respect – and the local visitors bureau plans to keep it that way.

Josefa Tuamoto, chief executive of Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) and former chief executive of Tourism Fiji, says Australia currently takes the podium as the country’s largest source of visitor arrivals, followed by Papua New Guinea, the United States and New Zealand.

“A key component of our overall blueprint for the future of Solomon Islands tourism is to see the tourism sector become the prime source of our country’s foreign exchange earnings within the next 10 years. One of our key objectives is to broaden the Solomon Islands’ appeal to attract a more diverse range of visitors,” says Tuamoto.

While the destination is renowned as a magnet for scuba divers, surfers, backpackers and World War II veterans, Tuamoto’s plans involve positioning the Solomon Islands as a “multi-faceted” destination that appeals to a wide demographic of travellers including families, weddings and honeymoons, culture seekers, and the seniors market.

WWII remnants provide an insight into the tragic battles that took place here.

SLOwLY, SLOwLY FOR SIVB

BATTLEFIELD ToUrS oF GUADALCANAL

dRiVe hoLidaYs


The nsw south Coast boasts some of the most pristine beaches on the planet. Sheriden Rhodes followed the open road on a recent motorhome journey.

“IS this the way to the Sea Cliff Bridge?” we ask the attendant manning the booth at the entrance to the Royal National Park, just south of Sydney. “Well it takes a bit longer,” she admits, “but it’s a whole lot prettier.”

How right she is, as we proceed along the Grand Pacific Drive, passing through what is the world’s second oldest national park. The scenic route, which passes the quaint Audley Weir and continues through the park’s verdant rainforest, is well worth the detour to explore what the locals call “Nasho”, Sydney’s incredibly beautiful backyard. As we leave the park with the smell of eucalypt

wafting through the open windows, the views from Bald Hill lookout are dramatic, taking in the Illawarra escarpment, the Tasman Sea, and out to the South Pacific Ocean. Our Apollo Motorhome practically pulls over on its own accord as we take in the 360-degree panorama with the Sea Cliff Bridge in the distance, and below us the beach where aviation pioneer Lawrence Hargrave first took flight.

We’re motorhome virgins on a five-day journey with loose plans to make it as far south as Uladulla on the NSW South Coast. We want to see where the road takes us instead of sticking to a strict schedule. At least, that’s the plan anyway.

It feels liberating as we head down the escarpment towards Thirroul, travelling first across the snaking Sea Cliff Bridge with ocean views so expansive you can see the curvature of the earth. We stop for a

late lunch at the quaint shopping strip in Austinmer where we stumble across the Fireworks Café. Locals are gathered at a table basking in the sunshine, smiling as we approach. “Welcome,” says one of them with a warm grin, “you’ll love it here.”

Indeed we do, returning again for dinner. It’s a cold night, but inside the packed eatery where the menu is handwritten on the tiled walls of the former butcher shop, we feel toasty warm as we tuck into slow cooked chicken and mash followed by a pudding of drunken apples and cream.

Earlier we’d found the ideal spot to spend our first night with bonus ocean views thrown in – just down the road at the Bulli Caravan Park, north of Wollongong. It’s one of the things we liked most about our motorhome journey; the fact you can literally stop when you find a spot that takes your fancy.

We pack up early the next day and push

cReate YouR own adVentuReSELF-DrIVE ToUrING CoMES oF AGE

dRiVe hoLidaYs


on for Huskisson where we take a whale watching cruise with Jervis Bay Wild. About 20 minutes into the journey, the telltale sign of spouting water is seen off the bow. We spend the next hour or so watching a group of four young whales breach, roll, descend and then surface again, tales slapping the

surface. Just as we’re turning towards the towering cliffs of Point Perpendicular, a small pair of flippers is seen breaking the water’s surface; an inquisitive seal has come for a closer look.

Sunny skies greet us the following day and we find we have the stunning 1.5 km stretch of Green Patch Beach on Jervis Bay to ourselves. A regular camping spot in my teens, it’s teeming with kangaroos, wallabies, and holidaying families with barefoot kids wandering from dawn to dusk under the sizzling summer sun. I’m thrilled to see it hasn’t changed.

Further south as we approach the outskirts of Ulladulla, we visit the picturesque Cupitt’s Winery, a small family run boutique winery and restaurant set in the rolling hills behind the country township of Milton. With views to Burrill Lake and the Budawang Ranges, long tables have been set up in a marquee

overlooking the vines, and kids run freely on the swathe of green grass fronting the restaurant.

Over the next few days we explore rock pools packed with tiny starfish and sea snails off Dolphin Point, mosey around the shops at Milton (the coffee at Little Gunga is excellent), and dine at Rick Stein’s at Bannister’s Point Lodge in Mollymook where the million dollar views almost outdo the food.

Reluctantly, with another school term about to start, we turn our motorhome north, vowing to return for more of the coast’s pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, generous hearted locals and old school charm. One thing is for certain – we’ll be back.

n Sheriden Rhodes travelled courtesy of Apollo Motorhome Holidays and Destination NSW. See www.visitnsw.com and www.grandpacificdrive.com.au.

NEW Zealand is continuing to gain favour among Australian travellers, with self-drive holidays seeing continued growth year round.

Tourism New Zealand general manager of Australia Tony Saunders told travelBulletin that the South Island was a hot favourite among Australian travellers, particularly campervan holidays which combine nature and adventure activities.

Dunedin, Queenstown and the Nelson region had traditionally lured travellers for the array of nature and food and wine experiences, Saunders said, but the Canterbury region was also gaining traction as Christchurch’s recovery continues.

“There is now a lot of new accommodation coming online in Christchurch, and the Canterbury region is really coming back. Australians are also

becoming more aware of the diversity of New Zealand and are combining drive holidays with campervan and rail travel,” he said.

Saunders also noted that Australians were typically staying longer, averaging 12 days, and increasingly travelling in the shoulder seasons to take advantage of cheaper airfares and accommodation.

“Australians have recognized that March through to May is an attractive time to travel, and they are taking more time to discover the island by combining activities over 2-3 weeks,” he said. “We expect the trend to continue as Australians discover that New Zealand is a year round driving destination.”

Britz Campervans, Europcar, Budget Rent a Car and Maui Rentals operate in New Zealand year round.

SOUTh ISLAND wINS OVER AUSSIES

Queenstown , NZ Photo courtesy of Paul Bica

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SUNSHINE Coast Destination has released two new self-drive itineraries to capitalise on what it expects will be the return of Australian drive holidays.

Speaking at an industry event in Sydney last month, Sunshine Coast Destination chief executive Simon Ambrose gave special mention to drive holidays, noting that operators had reported a “significant rise” in bookings over the 2014/15 summer period, particularly for camping holidays and luxury getaways.

With petrol prices falling from $1.50 to below $1, teamed with the falling Australian dollar, he added that the time was ripe for a revival of the drive market.

“We are going to concentrate increasingly on the drive market in 2015 with the launch of two major new initiatives – the Great Australian Beach Drive in partnership with Australia’s Nature Coast, and the launch of the Heritage Surf Trail,” he said. “Both of these products will provide a perfect reason for visitors to get in their cars and explore the region’s sensational coastline.”

Located along Queensland’s Sunshine and Fraser Coasts, the Great Beach Drive features over 100 km of beach driving and

covers stretches of Australian bushland, while the Heritage Surf Trail traces some of the country’s most iconic surf breaks.

Sunshine Coast Destination plans to promote the driving routes in international markets in the coming months, with each itinerary to be linked with activities, accommodation and dining experiences. n visit www.australiasnaturecoast.com.

APOLLO Motorhome Holidays is celebrating its 30th birthday by offering up to 50% off rentals throughout the year.

One way bookings to Broome or Darwin from selected cities receive a 25% discount on the daily rate, while one way travel to Hobart from any Apollo branch in September receives a 25% discount and a bonus $350 travel allowance.

Apollo is also offering a $15 per night special for travellers who relocate new vehicles from the manufacturing plant in Iowa to one of four branch locations in the USA including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Las Vegas. Conditions apply.

Agents are advised to book directly via their Apollo account. To set up an account, email [email protected].

CAR rental provider GlobalCARS is offering a range of discounts on Renault vehicles for bookings secured by the end of March.

Brand new Renault vehicles are available from $30 per day, with leases of 45 days or more to include seven free days. The special includes Renault’s round the clock roadside assistance which covers all deliveries through western Europe. In addition to breakdowns, the service also extends to lost keys, punctures and fuel inversion.

Vehicles are available for pick up in 30 locations throughout France free of charge, while vehicles which are picked up in central Europe incur a small fee. Rates cover unlimited kilometres, roadside assistance and full insurance with zero excess. n www.globalcars.com.au.

AUSTRALIANS are taking up more self drive holidays in the USA, with Compass Cars reporting a “significant and constant growth” in the US in recent years.

Kylee Kay, managing director of Asia Pacific Travel Marketing Services (APTMS) – the firm which owns Compass Cars – said the number of options in the USA has boomed in recent years, with Aussies particularly interested in point-to-point car rentals and motorhome holidays.

Australian travellers have also been quick to take up motorcycling tours in Hawaii and Vegas, with operators such as EagleRider Motorcycle Tours offering self-drive tours from

Los Angeles to Chicago from US$2751.“The USA is a top pick for self-drive

itineraries and the left hand drive difference doesn’t seem to be too much of an issue for travellers,” Kay said.

She recommended drive rental companies such as Alamo in the USA and the Enterprise group of companies in the UK and Europe, noting that both firms have relatively young fleets and options where travellers can choose their own car at major airport depots.

However, she urged agents to consider one-way fees, non-English signposting and overall traffic conditions when helping clients to plan self-drive holidays.

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Q&AAre you seeing any trends out of the Australia market for drive holidays?Australians are choosing to include self-drive itineraries into their larger holiday plans for a more localised travel experience. They are also increasingly looking for unique experiences such as hiring a Ford Mustang to drive through the US, hiring a Porsche to zip through the Italian countryside, or a Jeep to cover the Hawaiian Islands.

Are some destinations more popular than others for drive holidays? Europe is always a favourite as the border crossings are easy and travellers have the freedom to explore the countryside. The USA is another popular self-drive destination with fabulous roads and open highways, making it an easy option. New Zealand also features heavily as a self-driving favourite that allows travellers to head to the mountains in the winter months at their own pace.

What are the big selling points when it comes to self-drive itineraries?Freedom, flexibility and the thrill of making it from A to B via C, D and E. Getting lost is a selling point, as odd as that may seem. Some of the best finds on holidays are those unexpected wrong turns down country lanes. Pricing is also a bonus

as rentals are excellent value for money, especially for longer rental periods. The price of fuel has also dropped, meaning self-drive holidays are currently exceptional value for money.

What are the biggest challenges for agents in selling drive holidays?Terms and conditions which vary for vehicle type and rental contract. It can be quite overwhelming at first, but once you

understand the basic terms you can then spot differences and work out what is the best for your client. Educating customers about pick-up procedures and the need to check the vehicle over for damage can also be a challenge, along with insurance options. Doing this in advance will avoid any post-holiday complaints.

Any tips that could make it easier for agents to sell self-drive holidays?Learn which cities have exclusion zones so that your clients don’t come home with a driving fine, educate them about all the fees expected, and highlight this on their travel voucher. Always ask about one-way drop-off fees as the client may get charged even if it’s in the same city but a different location. Clients will most likely be asked to fit their own baby seats, so tell them to allow extra time upon collection. Also remind your clients to take advantage of the special pre-paid fill up rates, especially for larger drop-off locations such as Heathrow. It will take the stress out of trying to fill up and get to the airport at the same time. Finally, include a printed sheet advising travellers about international licences and which countries require them. It is always handy if clients decide to travel further than they first thought.

Drive holidays are wining favour with Australian travellers for their freedom and flexibility, but there are a few things to take into account when selling them to clients. TravelManagers consultant Kirsty Whittaker ran us through the nuts and bolts of drive holidays.

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Every day a different journey.

Aoraki Mt Cook. Via Christchurch.


bRochuRes

ACACIA Travel’s latest brochure features over 90 tours and six different styles of travel, including a number of new additions. Alongside two new voluntourism projects and three escorted small group safaris in South Africa, Acacia has also introduced a new collection of overland tours in East Africa. The 11-day Best of East Africa tour covers Kenya and Tanzania, visiting the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park from $5973 per person.

A RANGE of new hotels have joined the ranks in Creative Holidays’ 2015 Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar brochure. A total of 15 hotels are new to this year’s line up in addition to the seven-night Ultimate UAE package which visits Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha from $2685. Several exclusive itineraries are also featured in addition to new properties in downtown Dubai, Jumeirah Beach and The Palm.

ABERCROMBIE & Kent’s third Escapes collection is now on agency shelves, featuring 19 short journeys across seven countries. New to the line up is the six-day Tastes of Thailand culinary tour where guests can sample Bangkok’s street food, participate in cooking classes, and dine in iconic restaurants. Prices lead in from $1495 per person. The brochure also debuts a range of

new hotels including Indonesia’s Nihiwatu, Bali’s Banyan Tree Ungasan and Vietnam’s Amanoi.

NEW Horizons Holidays has launched its Bali brochure for 2015 which features a selection of new properties. The program also includes a number of tailored itineraries such as the Diving around Bali tour priced from $3324 per person. Also included is the four-day His & Her Indulgence package from $599 per person and the five-day Holistic Experience from $1399. The brochure can be accessed via the Layar app.

APT’s latest Europe River Cruising brochure features two new luxury river cruising ships for 2016 – MS AmaStella and MS AmaViola. The new 11-day Bordeaux River Cruise begins with three nights in Paris before travelling to Bordeaux by high speed train to board the 74-suite luxury river cruise vessel, MS AmaDolce. Also featured in the brochure are a range of land tours attached to river cruises covering the Rhine, Rhone and Moselle and Duoro.

COX & Kings’ latest Small Group & Private Journeys program features a range of new itineraries covering the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe. Among the additions is the eight-day Splendours of Andalucia tour which includes travel to Alhambra in Granada and the mosque in Cordoba. Also included are revised tours covering Japan, China and South Africa, and reduced prices to some destinations.

INFINITY Holidays has released its Tasmania brochure for 2015/16 which debuts six new hotels and several new tours. Among the latest additions are the Bruny Island Long Weekend from $1680 and a five-night East Coast to Cradle Mountain tour from $1500 for adults and $970 for children. The brochure covers luxury packages, car and motorcycle hire, self-drive itineraries and attraction passes, and highlights a number of romantic and luxury getaways.

A SELECTION of new FreeChoice activities have been added to Scenic Tours’ 2015/16 Western Australia & Northern Territory brochure. The new Scenic Enrich itinerary includes a guided tour of Kununarra in the Eastern Kimberly region, while other additions include a cruise on the Corroboree Billabong in the Mary River Wetlands. Earlybird deals are available until the end of March including free flights on all bookings.


domestic hoLidaYs

By Louise Wallace

DOMESTIC tourism has been through the wringer in recent years as more Australians pack their passports and head overseas. The latest ABS data

provides a pretty clear indication of where the industry is heading, with Australian departures topping around 760,000 in 2014 compared to around 360,000 in 2004.

Everyone who’s anyone in the industry has put in their two cents worth as to why outbound travel keeps growing, but the latest IBISWorld Tourism in Australia report put the surge down to the high Australian dollar and aggressive discounting from airlines. It also pinned domestic tourism as the poorer sister of overseas travel. “Domestic tourism has struggled to sustain the growth exhibited over the past few years [and] less has been spent on domestic tourism, thus hampering industry revenue growth,” the report said.

There’s no denying that domestic tourism has plateaued - it has been trending that way for some time. But the weakening Australian dollar has provided a glimmer of hope for domestic operators who are hopeful that it will prompt a shift in traveller habits.

AAT Kings and Infinity Travel told travelBulletin that domestic bookings were up in 2015, while APT reported a “renewed interest” in domestic travel on the back of the currency slump.

TTF chief executive Margy Osmond said the softening Australian dollar was the turnaround that the domestic industry had been waiting for to inject some much

needed love into the sector. Citing research conducted by the TTF late last year, Osmond said the domestic industry was going strong, with an online survey of over 1000 participants showing that 85% of Australians planned to holiday at home over the 2014

Christmas period. Just one in seven intended to travel overseas, the report found, with most choosing their holiday destination based on cost.

“The fall of the dollar will have a positive impact on domestic tourism. Not only will locals be encouraged to spend their money at home, but those visiting from abroad will have approximately 20% more to spend when they get here,” she told travelBulletin.

But while the TTF is confident the domestic sector will make a comeback, analysts aren’t so sure. Senior research analyst John O’Shea claims that international travel has won favour among Australian travellers and the domestic sector is unlikely to claw its way back. Drawing on ABS figures which show spending on outbound travel tripled that of domestic holiday spend from 2005-2013 (see page 22), he told travelBulletin

that the trend was likely to continue “for the foreseeable future”. But the TTF is unfazed, insisting that domestic tourism comprises the bulk of tourism spend in Australia. “It is important that we continue to focus on and grow this part of the industry,” Osmond said.

The argy bargy between the domestic and international sectors has made headlines before, but regardless of which takes the podium, domestic has been a consistent contributor to the Australian economy, injecting $40 billion to the economy in 2013.

However, as outbound travel continues to gain momentum, the question remains whether the trend for domestic is structural or cyclical. Tourism Australia did not comment on the matter, insisting that its focus is now “exclusively” focused on international inbound travel. But Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said it was a “bit of both”.

“Domestic tourism has fluctuated over the years and growth in domestic has come at a time where domestic dollar is at a record high, but it has also slowed when the dollar has been less favourable, so it’s both structural and cyclical,” she said.

Chipchase acknowledged that domestic tourism had been in the “doldrums” for the past decade and international travel had taken the focus away from domestic. But she also pointed towards the latest Tourism Research Australia update which showed a 5% increase in domestic overnight trips and a 4% jump in expenditure to $53.7 billion.

“It’s heartening for us to see that the groundwork is paying off and the 2020 Tourism targets for the domestic sector are tracking quite well,” she said.

‘ The fall of the dollar will have a positive impact on domestic tourism... Locals will be encouraged to spend their money at home’

INDUSTRY DIVIDED ON DOMESTIC REVIVAL

Harbour Bridge Australia, Interior Photos. CC: bit.ly/1z2oDLm


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WHEN he first arrived on Norfolk Island in 1774, Captain James Cook described it as “paradise on earth”, and after a few

days spent on the island, it’s hard to disagree.For one, unlike anywhere on the mainland

of Australia, you can see both awe-inspiring sunrises and spectacular sunsets. The rugged coast is broken up by beaches beautiful enough to rival some of the most idyllic elsewhere in the world, and the famous Norfolk pines provide some cool shade when you get too hot sunbaking. There is also bsnorkelling on the reef directly off the beaches at Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay.

The Norfolk Island locals are among the friendliest people you’ve ever met. Always ready with a smile and a wave, they are very willing to share with visitors what they love about their island home.

Taking a whirlwind tour around the island to orient ourselves, it’s hard not to be stunned by the beauty of this place. Driving down to the World Heritage listed area of Kingston, I was struck both by the wind and the remoteness of Norfolk. In the distance are the little uninhabited Nepean and Phillip islands and then just miles and miles of open ocean.

Spread out below is Kingston, home of the early settlers and convicts alike. You really feel for those who made this place their home between 1788 and 1885. The ruins are a fascinating place. The high enclosure

wall around the old prison is still standing but not much is left inside. You can make out where the gaol was and there is plenty to keep kids with vivid imaginations entertained. Other buildings from that era remain in varying states of preservation, including Government House, the Old Military Barracks, the salt house, a crank mill and houses along Quality Row, some of which house museums.

Life was pretty brutal for those convicts living on Norfolk Island and exploring the museums and convict cemetery provides some insight into these people’s lives. The convict cemetery is particularly enlightening, looking at the names on the gravestones and how they died. Pinetree Tours offers a Convict Settlement tour which is particularly good if your clients are interested in hearing more about the early years of European settlement on Norfolk.

The food on Norfolk is delicious and an absolute highlight, and the progressive dinner is a must for visitors. The hospitality offered by the locals is pretty humbling, as three island families open up their homes for guests to enjoy one course of dinner at each. It’s a real chance to get a glimpse into these people’s lives and a really eye-opening learning experience.

Norfolk Island really has it all and caters for a range of ages, from the youngest littlies to the grandparents. With its rich and special history, beautiful landscapes, friendly locals and amazing food, it’s definitely worth a visit at least once (or twice).

NEED TO kNOwGetting thereAir New Zealand is the only carrier that services Norfolk Island. Less than three hours from Sydney, flights depart five times weekly from Australia and New Zealand. There are twice weekly services from Sydney, twice weekly from Brisbane and once weekly from Auckland, all flown using an A320.

Getting aroundDespite the tiny size of Norfolk (8km x 5km), it is quite rugged and spread out. Car hire is a must in order to see it all, particularly as there is no public transport.

where to stayThere are a huge range of accommodation options on Norfolk. Affluent clients looking to get away from it all can try Ponderosa with its own day spa, or the Tin Sheds which was voted as the best luxury serviced apartment in Australasia at the 2014 World Luxury Hotel Awards. Paradise Hotel and Governor’s Lodge are great mid-range options with spacious and comfortable rooms and all standard amenities.

sweet secLusion Norfolk Island may be a speck in the ocean off Australia’s coastline, but there is more to this tiny destination than meets the eye, as Sarah Piper discovered on a recent visit.


domestic hoLidaYs

What: vivid FestivalWhere: Sydney CBDWhen: May 22 – June 8 Description: Vivid Sydney is an annual festival of light, music and new ideas encompassing installations and performances from local and international musicians. Public talks and debates also feature highly.

What: Melbourne International Comedy FestivalWhen: 25 March – 19 AprilWhere: Melbourne Town HallDescription: This is one of the world’s largest comedy festivals which showcases international talent across all genres including stand-up, cabaret, theatre, street performance, film, TV and radio.

What: Noosa International Food and Wine FestivalWhen: 14-17 May Where: Noosa PrideDescription: Foodies from around the world descend on Noosa for Australia’s premier food, wine and lifestyle event to celebrate all the best things in life.

What: sydney Royal Easter showWhere: Sydney ShowgroundWhen: March 26 – April 8Description: This annual agricultural event is packed with livestock displays, events and rides for the whole family. Expect to see craft displays, wood chopping shows, animal parades and fashion shows over two weeks.

What: Perisher Peak FestivalWhere: Perisher ValleyWhen: June 5 – June 8Description: The Perisher Peak Festival kicks off the annual snow season at Perisher Valley with a number of concerts over four days.

What: Melbourne International Film FestivalWhen: 30 July – 16 AugWhere: Melbourne CBDDescription: As Australia’s largest showcase of new local filmmaking talent, this 17-day event features a range of international cinematography accompanied by a host of gala events.

What: Castrol Edge Gold Coast 600When: 23-25 OctoberWhere: Surfers ParadiseDescription: Rev heads, this one is for you. This street circuit V8 Supercar event is held on a tight track that winds around the public streets of Surfers Paradise, with great views from neighbouring buildings.

Major events are a key driver for domestic tourism as Australians look to make the most of what’s in their own backyard. Here’s a run down of the top events in 2015.

What: Rip Curl ProWhen: 15-26 AprilWhere: Bells Beach Description: The ASP World Tour’s top 34 male surfers, one Rip Curl Wildcard and one local Victorian Wildcard will compete in the year’s second ASP surfing competition.

What: Adelaide Festival 2015When: February 27 – March 15Where: AdelaideDescription: Featuring more than 40 music, theatre and dance events, the Adelaide Festival runs alongside Writers’ Week. Events include music acts from Tim Burton films, contemporary ballet performances and cultural displays.

What: OzAsia FestivalWhen: 23 September – 4 OctoberWhere: Adelaide CBDDescription: This international arts festival features dance, theatre, music, film and food events plus interactive discussions to connect audiences from across Asia.

What: Come Out Children’s Festival When: 22-30 MayWhere: Adelaide CBDDescription: This year’s line-up is filled with international and local performances, and installations centred on the theme of ‘Building Bridges.’

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Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2010, Surf Glassy. CC: bit.ly/1E3hzDW

Noosa Food Wine CC: bit.ly/1ETu5XY

Adelaide Festival Theatre CourtyardDwayne Madden. CC: bit.ly/1DnjdkJ

Gold Coast 600 Tom Reynolds. CC: bit.ly/1yTuy4u


domestic hoLidaYs

MULTI adventure tours have driven a spike in bookings for adventure specialist Tasmanian Expeditions which has reported a 180% increase in bookings for its flagship bike, kayak and walk itinerary.

Multi adventure tours have performed strongly in the US market for over a decade, but Tasmanian Expeditions brand marketing manager Brad Atwal said the tours – which combine several activities – are gaining favour in Australia, particularly among affluent 40-45 year olds and repeat visitors.

“Multi adventure tours have exceeded our expectations as travellers become more adventurous and look to explore the lesser known regions of well known

destinations,” he told travelBulletin.Tasmanian Expeditions recently released

a bike, hike and paddle itinerary in northern Tasmania following strong demand for its cycle, kayak and walk Tasmania tour. Highlights include riding around the Great Western Tiers, kayaking to Lake Barrington and hiking at the Tarkine over five days.

While bookings have been “slow” in the tour’s early stages, Atwal said the style of travel had showed promise. He also flagged plans to launch more multi-activity options in the future. “We have seen a steady increase in the number of people who don’t want to commit to one activity and we’re confident that will continue,” he said.

AUSTRALIAN travellers are making the most of their holiday time by taking shorter domestic holidays at more regular intervals, tour operators have reported.

Infinity Australia & New Zealand Area Leader Steve Paterson reported “healthy” forward bookings in Australia, with particular interest for itineraries in Queensland and Northern Territory.

Attributing the trend to Australians’ “passion for travel”, he added that travellers were also taking shorter holidays more regularly.

“A lot of our customers are choosing shorter getaways at quality properties and taking up a tour or two whilst away, making the most of their escape,” he said. “It’s all about the destination and what there is to experience.”

AAT Kings managing director Anthony Hayes reported a similar trend, noting that demand for domestic travel had gained momentum this year.

“We’re already seeing a trend that Australians are starting to look closer to home for their holidays this year… Aussies travelling domestically typically travel for a shorter length of time, though more regularly,” he told travelBulletin.

Hayes also gave special mention to destinations which cover multiple experiences such as culture, soft adventure and history, adding that the operator has seen a “real peak” in interest for Tasmania and South Australia.

AAT Kings recently released its 2015/16 Australia & NZ Brilliant Breaks program including six new short breaks ranging from two to nine days. New to the program is the four-day Margaret River Wine & Wilderness tour which includes a guided tour through Mammoth Cave and walk to Cape Track from $1255 twin share.

Short break boom

TOPDECK has added a number of new hotels and itineraries to its Australian product line up to encourage more Aussie travellers to holiday at home.

The 67-page brochure features a number of additions including the new Spirit of the Pacific tour which covers the east coast of Australia and the South Island of New Zealand over 22 days.

Highlights include a rainforest walk in Springbrook National Park, a Milford Sound experience, and overnight sailing in the Whitsunday Islands, with group numbers capped at 15 passengers.

Also new to the offering are a number of hotels and a two-night stay on Daydream Island to complement a number of cultural tours and day activities. Options include all inclusive tours in the Northern Territory, sunrise experiences in Uluru and bungee jumping in New Zealand.

See www.topdeck.travel for details.

AUSTRALIA’S beaches have earned it high acclaim among international travellers, but hoteliers are putting the romance back into city stays with ‘staycation’ packages for travellers who want to explore Australia’s major cities.

Hilton Sydney has launched a Shopping Escape package which includes a $100 shopping credit, foot massage and one-night stay from $239 per room. Also new to the hotel’s line up is a TGIF package including a one-night stay and three complimentary cocktails at the in-house bar.

Meanwhile, Next Hotel Brisbane is offering a one night package for two including free wireless, four free minibar items per day, late checkout and breakfast from $229 until 30 April, and Mantra St Kilda Road in Melbourne is offering 15% savings for stays of five nights or more.

MULTI ADVENTUrE ToUrS

TOPDECk RAMPS UP AUSTRALIA OFFERING

CITY STAYCATIONS


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By Jenny Piper

IT’S BEEN been 10 years since I first visited Las Vegas. After a few days of staying at what felt like an RSL club on steroids, with not much to do but spend my hard earned cash at the ever hungry slot machines, I

was not in a hurry to return. But Las Vegas has undergone a transformation in the last 10 years. It is no longer just about gambling. On a recent visit I got the chance to see what else is on offer to attract the 44 million visitors the city gets each year.

FOOD AND DININGEvery casino on the strip offers a massive array of dining options for different budgets. For foodies who like to name drop, there is a celebrity chef restaurant on every corner, or so it seems. Gordan Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Guy Fieir and Wolfgang Puck are among them, just to name a few. But if buffet is more in line with your clients’ style, the Bellagio buffet is one to try. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Gourmet Dinner Service includes a caviar station with an unlimited supply of the ‘world’s finest caviars’ for diners to try.

Fusion style restaurants abound, with venues such as Sushi Samba at The Venetian worth a try. This funky eatery prides itself on its blend of Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese culinary influences. Not a combination you would expect, but dishes such as Japanese dumplings, Wagyu beef gyozas and Anticuchos (a Peruvian style street food of marinated meat skewers) prove that anything is possible.

If your clients are after something out there, the Elvis pizza at the MGM Grand’s Crush restaurant is a must. The offering of shared plate salads, woodfired pizzas and pasta make for a relaxed dining experience, but the Elvis-inspired pizza with its creamed peanut butter sauce topped with banana, bacon and Nutella has to be sampled. It’s actually not as bad as it sounds.

ACTIVITIESFor adrenaline junkies who are keen to break away from the gambling scene, the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower is the place to go. Here, 350m above the strip are four one-of-a kind thrills for those who dare, including the Skyjump; a controlled free fall from the 108th floor.

For those who crave speed closer to

ground, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the place to be. Here a variety of operators give rev heads a chance to live out their dreams on the track in performance vehicles such as Porsches, Ferraris, Lambourghinis and Aston Martins. But that’s only half of the equation, with endless opportunities also on offer for race track enthusiasts.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience is just one option that allows rev heads to kit up in a racing suit and helmet, climb into a car through the window and get ready to ride shotgun with a professional driver at speeds of over 240km/hr. Those daring enough to give it a try also get to keep video footage of their reaction to re-live the experience back home.

If driving around in circles on the speedway fails to whet the appetite of your clients, there’s always the Drag Racing Experience for the ultimate rush. On the tamer side of things, there are also options such as hot air ballooning tours, indoor sky diving and go kart racing. For travellers who are keen to experience some of the great outdoors, there are numerous golf courses and Las Vegas is in the middle of the Mojave desert so there

Vegas VibesVenturing beyond the strip

Paris Hotel Las Vegas – Light Trails on the Strip, Ben Sprent


usa

are great national parks and recreational areas to explore for nature lovers.

Red Rock Canyon is also a short 20 minute drive from the heart of downtown, offering horseback trail riding, mountain biking or hiking.

CULTURELas Vegas has a fascinating history and a bit of a chequered past with its links to organised crime. The Mob Museum, located in the former Las Vegas Post Office and Courthouse details the Mob’s past activities such as prostitution, boot legging and its money skimming operations. It also touches on law enforcement and how higher forces have tried to put an end to their criminal activities.

A visit to the Neon Museum is also worthwhile for those who are nostalgic about the old Vegas. The ‘Boneyard’ is the resting place for many of the iconic Vegas signs from places such as Caesars Palace, The Golden Nugget and The Stardust, and tours reveal each sign’s unique story and

how it fits into Las Vegas history.Both of these museums are located in

the old downtown area of Las Vegas; the original gambling district before ‘The Strip’ took over. The once-tired area has undergone an urban revitalisation in the last three years as part of the Downtown Project which has seen the emergence of new businesses and infrastructure to breathe new life to the area. It’s still early days, but the area is fast becoming a hip part of town with lots of bars, restaurants and shopping options.

The Container Park with its shops, bars and restaurants provides a glimpse into the new area, or clients can take a wander through the streets to see the amazing street art that now adorns some of the older buildings in the area.

The murals are the result of the street art project from the ‘Life is Beautiful’ festival which first hit the scene in Vegas back in 2013. Attracting around 60,000 patrons in its first year, the festival, which sees 15 city blocks close down over three days for music, food and art celebrations, has achieved quick success, attracting over 90,000 visitors in its second year and landing performers such as

Kanye West and the Foo Fighters. Scheduled for September, the 2015 line up is set to trump previous years.

ThE RESTOf course a visit to Las Vegas would not be complete without shopping and shows.

The options are endless and your clients won’t be disappointed by the likes of Elton John, Britney Spears, and Aussie favourites Human Nature. Cirque du Soleil is also a staple in Vegas, and of course the shopping leaves nothing to be desired with everything from Louis Vuitton to Marshalls.

Aussie shoppers also have to stop for a visit to the outlets – no self-respecting shopper can return home without at least one item to brag about to their colleagues.

While Las Vegas will continue to woo travellers for its casinos with all the bells and whistles, your clients don’t need to be high rollers to have fun.

No doubt Vegas will evolve as the city’s transformation continues, but the new-look Vegas has come a long way from the days of old and I won’t be waiting another decade to make that repeat trip.


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smaLL gRoup touRs

By gary Walsh

sMALL group tours are big business and few segments of the travel industry have grown so strongly in recent years. Australian operators were among the

pioneers in this sector – think of the likes of Australian Himalayan Expeditions (which later became World Expeditions) and Peregrine Adventures which began trekking in Nepal back in the 1970s – and they remain in the vanguard to this day.

Defining what constitutes a small group tour is an issue in itself, with different tour operators offering group sizes ranging from 12 to 28. The topic has divided some operators, but what remains constant is the view that small groups have notable advantages over ‘traditional’ tours of up to 50 passengers.

Bunnik Tours product director Marion Bunnik voices a long list of strengths of small group touring, including less waiting time to board coaches and more time with guides. That’s in addition to more space on coaches, better views, faster hotel check-in and more accommodation choices.

“In the past, small groups were typically the domain of adventure tour operators, however as the travelling public has become more educated and discerning the mainstream market has certainly moved towards smaller group sizes which provide a more personalised experience,” Bunnik says.

Paul Hole, who co-founded Insider Journeys in 1993 says the benefits of small group tours go beyond group sizes. In his view it is an “intimate” style of travel that provides the right balance of organised insight with “spontaneous experiences”.

“Certainly this is only possible with smaller group sizes, but if you don’t do the hard work to provide unique experiences and insights, you will fall short of meeting this type of travellers’ expectations,” he says.

Hole says the travel landscape has come a long way since the early 90s and travellers are becoming more receptive to small group tours. While he admits that he has no “specific” evidence to confirm that small

‘our travellers tell us once they’ve tried a small group journey that they are hooked regardless of how they travelled in the past ’

ThE BIG BUSINESS OF smaLL gRoup touRing


smaLL gRoup touRs

group touring is gaining ground on other travel sectors, he says small group operators are sitting pretty if Insider Journeys’ booking sheets are anything to go by.

“Our travellers tell us once they’ve tried a small group journey they are hooked regardless of how they travelled in the past; our repeat travel numbers are high and our levels of referral even higher,” Hole says.

Meanwhile, Albatross Tours marketing Manager Michele Zavaglia says group sizes are crucial for traveller satisfaction. With the company’s European summer tour departures capped at 28 passengers, group sizes generally average around 22 passengers. “We consider our group size to be relatively small compared to many of the other larger European tour operators who can carry up to 50 travellers at a time. We believe 22-28 travellers on one tour is the perfect

number as anything less than this can cause challenges if there is a strong or difficult traveller on board,” she says.

A&K is another specialist in the small group space, with tours catering for 18-24 passengers. But as managing director Sujata Raman explains, it’s not all about the numbers. “It’s not just about how many passengers are in a group, but the number of passengers to a guide,” she says, adding that it is often more valuable to break groups into smaller units for day tours.

Echoing Hole’s comments, Raman says travellers are “definitely” more receptive to small group touring, particularly at the higher end of the market. “The experience for the traveller is more inclusive and immersive. Travelling in a group also allows access to experiences and sites that would be cost prohibitive if you were travelling

individually,” Raman says.Rounding out the leaders in small

group touring, Contours Travel director Ted Dziadkiewicz says smaller groups deliver experiences that are more meaningful for travellers. It also allows clients to cover more ground and have more personal experiences, he added. “We cannot, for example, take 30 people on a ‘walk of discovery’ to the back streets of a historical city. That would be extremely intrusive for the locals and not at all personal,” Dziadkiewicz says.

While small group tours continue to gain favour among Australian travellers, operators are becoming more competitive with smaller group sizes and more experiential tours. No doubt, the rivalry between small and large group touring will continue, but operators are turning their focus to tailored itineraries that reel in repeat business.

Ray over terrace rice field in Sapa, Trung Chi. Phi Phi Hoang CC: bit.ly/1EoAMxq

INSIDER Journeys has reported a rise in interest for small group tours of varying durations as travellers look to make the most of their limited holiday time.

Managing director Paul Hole said that one of the most notable trends in the small groups market was for Australians to take up tailored itineraries of shorter durations, or for several weeks at a time.

The niche wholesaler, which rebranded from Travel Indochina earlier this year to “better reflect” its expanding destination portfolio, has broadened its product range in response to the trend.

“Across our more than 70 itineraries with 1000 departures, we now offer journeys varying in length from five days through to a 26-day multi-country option in response to our passengers’ differing abilities to take time off work,” he said.

The 26-day Inside Vietnam and Cambodia tour covers lesser known areas including Hanoi, Sapa, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh and Halong Bay.

It also “delves deeper” into both countries and visits Cambodia’s isolated temple ruins of Boeng Mealea. Other highlights include a visit to the ethnic hilltribe villages in Lech Valley, located in northern Vietnam.

The trip costs from $4835 per person twin share and includes 20 nights of hotel accommodation, three nights on overnight trains in four-berth cabins, one overnight boat trip, an overnight homestay, some meals and internal flights as required.

The group size is limited to a maximum of 16 passengers and all tours with more than one traveller are guaranteed to depart, Hole said.

TIMING kEY FOR TRAVELLERS


smaLL gRoup touRs

A&K is again welcoming guests on its Sri Lanka Pearl of the Indian Ocean itinerary, with groups of two or more guests guaranteed to depart.

The 10-night tour covers several UNESCO World Heritage sites on a single itinerary including Polonnaruwa, Sinjaraja and Sigiriya Rock fortress.

The tour includes a visit to Galle fort with a published author, a walking tour of Colombo’s Pettah Bazaar, and a tour with a local artist as part of the Artisan Connections program. Also included is a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden with a botany professor. Priced from US$3495, group sizes are capped at 24 passengers.

From Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca is another itinerary with guaranteed departures for groups of two or more passengers. Highlights include a dawn hike at Machu Picchu, a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, a cruise on Lake Titicaca and two nights on the private Suasi Island. Prices for the 12-night trip lead in from US$6300 per person.

and enables everyone to receive and appreciate personal attention from both the guide and driver,” she said.

While costs are generally higher for smaller tour groups, Wong said many passengers are happy to front up the additional costs in exchange for a more personalised service.

“Booking a small group tour over a much larger one is a matter of choice but the beauty of travelling in small groups over individual travel is that new friendships are made among passengers across Australia,” Wong said.

Outlined in the latest Helen Wong’s Tours China and Vietnam brochure is the 12-day China Discovery priced from $3990 per person, and the 14-day China Odyssey from $4470. Also available is the 12-day Glimpse of Vietnam tour and the 14-day Halong to Mekong itinerary priced from $3490.

HELEN Wong’s Tours is continuing its strong hold in the small group touring market, with all group sizes capped at 20 passengers.

Founder and managing director Helen Wong capped all tours several years ago to allow travellers to cover more ground in “intimate sizes”.

Following continued success in the small group touring market, Wong confirmed that

the travel company would continue with the limited group sizes as a commitment to loyal customers.

“Keeping the groups to such intimate sizes provides good interaction among the passengers

CONTOURS Collection

The

Y E A R S

CONTOURS TRAVEL

“Thank you for an awesome trip! Our Tour Leader was absolutely outstanding. We greatly enjoyed the ‘off the

beaten track’ places wherever we happened to be! Besides the magnificent highlights – Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro

& Iguazu Falls; the day that stands out for me was the visit to the Agua Pura Community Project in Peru. We helped

put water filters together; and we got to interact with delightful children.”

- Jan, November 2014

Experience The Real Latin America in a Small Group Tour!

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Fully Escorted Small Group Tours of South America,

Mexico & Cuba

Max. of 16 passengers

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Cuso, Peru

Li River, Guilin


Q&A

smaLL gRoup touRs

AURORA Expeditions has added Africa to its 2015 program with the new 15-day African Cruise Safari covering South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Starting in Cape Town, the tour takes in the city’s rich history, the iconic Table Mountain and its nearby wine regions before flying to Victoria Falls and delving into the heart of some of Africa’s greatest wildlife convergences. Safaris are based in luxurious safari lodges in the Hwange and Chobe National Parks.

Aurora will run two departures from Johannesburg on April 16 and April 23. Prices lead in from $7990 per person twin share including accommodation, transport, excursions and most meals.

BUNNIK Tours product director Marion Bunnik has singled out India as an ideal destination for small group touring, with group sizes and local guides providing the right balance for first time visitors.

Noting that some travellers are reluctant to travel independently in India, Bunnik said small group tours provide the safety and knowledge required for visitors to make the most of their holiday.

“India is a place where having a local guide helps visitors to get much more from their holiday experience – giving them an understanding of the culture and rich history of this vast country,” Bunnik said.

The Colours of Rajasthan tour starts in

Mumbai and includes visits to grand palaces, deserts and forts over 19 days. Priced from $5260 per person twin share, highlights include a camel ride across the desert, a visit to Gandhi’s house in Mumbai, and a visit to the temple at Karni Matai. Group sizes are limited to 20 passengers.

Bunnik Tours has also released a special departure in November 2015 that includes travel to the camel fair at Pushkar. The 21-day tour includes two nights at Pushkar, priced from $5960 per person twin share. Other small group tours are available in Asia, Africa, Europe, South and Central America, and the Middle East with departures ranging from 13 to 36 days.

How well do small group tours sell?The interest in small group tours has really exploded over the past five years. It’s due to a combination of regular travellers looking for more variety in terms of destinations and experiences, as well as first time travellers knowing exactly what they are looking for – a more unique and boutique experience.

Do any parts of the world sell particularly well?It’s really only limited by your imagination.

Is any form of travel best suited to small groups?Small groups are perfect for soft adventure trips, but they are also excellent for any type of trip where you want to provide clients with a more in-depth or hands on experience. By nature, a smaller group will allow access to different types of

transport and accommodation, providing clients with something special and something their family of friends haven’t done.

Are small group tours best suited to younger travellers?The demographic is not really important and it’s more about the experience that clients are looking for, provided that they are with like-minded people. We have had age gaps of up to 60 years on our escorted journeys with no problems.

What aspects of small group tours do you highlight to clients?I highlight the fact that they are fully inclusive holidays, even with tipping included. Smaller numbers deliver a more personalised experience with fellow travellers and local guides. They are perfect

for single travellers as it is easy for them to mix in. There are also experiences that your family and friends can only dream of such as unique accommodation. Are there any negatives associated with small group tours – personality clashes for instance?The biggest issues are business related. For small groups to be good value for money, you simply cannot make the same income as you would with large groups. If you plan a group for 30 people and you end up getting 50 or even 60, the financial return can be amazing. If you plan a small group tour and are limited at 16 people you have capped your earning potential. In saying that, the return comes when the clients come back and book again and again with you on small group experiences.

small group tours have gone from strength to strength in recent years, but some travellers have been slower to catch on than others. gary Walsh picked up some great selling tips from Steven Boxall who is the general manager of two Helloworld agencies in Queensland as well as the wholesale operation Escorted Journeys.

INDIA IN ThE LIMELIGhT

Aurora adds Africa

Cape Town

Lake in Udaipur, Rajasthan


aLpine euRope & RaiL tRaVeL

By grace Lech

THE Eurail Pass hardly needs an introduction, having earned a reputation as the leader in European rail travel. Having sold Europe to clients for well over a

decade, the words Eurail Pass have crossed my lips countless times. But a recent trip to Europe allowed me to experience the rail network first hand.

Purchasing a 15-day flexi pass allowed me to travel within 24 countries, all embracing their own culture, cuisine and language. While cars are often the norm in Australia, trains are the main state of play in Europe as it’s fast, efficient and cost effective. And when you consider the logistics of air travel, it’s easy to see why.

For instance, take into account travel time to the airport plus a minimum 2-3 hour check-in, in addition to security processes and drudgery -- none of which is seemingly evident with train travel.

And then there are restrictive airline luggage allowances which constantly come under scrutiny, and the stress of wondering

if your baggage will arrive in one piece. Add to that the arduous task of hailing a taxi and finding your hotel, which is often situated within walking distance from a major train station.

While clients travelling by train are not locked into itineraries before leaving Australia, it is preferable to reserve seats ahead of time to lock in travel plans.

Some trains may not require compulsory reservations, but it is best to book, particularly during peak times such as the European summer to avoid last minute seat changes, and to ensure a happy repeat client.

Determining whether seats are reserved once onboard varies between train coaches, but generally the seat numbers will be lit up for pre-booked journeys. Booking early will not only lock in travel plans, but it will also secure a seat for the whole duration of the trip – even before leaving Australia. Rail Plus handles all of these requests provided that it is within the advance purchase period, as pass holder seats are limited.

Seat reservations can be made at most train stations, even for ongoing journeys, but travellers cannot be guaranteed forward-facing

seats, as trains habitually arrive at a station in one direction and depart in another.

Seat reservations are compulsory for all high speed trains, particularly the TGV in France and City Night Line trains (CNL) in Germany where cabins can only be booked if holding a First Class pass.

Travelling overnight comes with the bonus of saving a night’s accommodation and if the journey commences after 7pm, travellers can mark their pass with the following day’s date for further travel. The ‘S Bahn’ in Germany is also included in the city’s network, provided that the date is marked on the pass.

A word of warning to your clients – my conductor on the CNL mentioned that the train is commonly divvied up during the night

‘The twisting and turning is purposely unhurried and the scenery can be simply breathtaking’

Riding the RaiL tRaiL



at major transit points, so passengers are advised to store their baggage in the correct compartment rather than moving to more comfortable areas, only to find themselves without baggage in the morning. Also, before boarding a train with your pass, ensure your clients fill in the date of travel because they will lose a day of travel if they change their mind. In terms of cost, it’s also worth noting that ticket prices increase in line with major events due to supply and demand.

Rail journeys are generally faster running north to south (and vice versa) compared east to west. Take the countryside of Spain and Switzerland for instance, where trips can be much slower due to the mountainous terrain. However, the twisting and turning is purposely unhurried and the scenery can be simply breathtaking.

My own journey commenced in Bergen, but as my flexi pass was not yet valid, I purchased a one-way ticket to Oslo. As an example of cost, a Second Class ticket in October was A$159, highlighting that the First Class Eurail pass is excellent value in terms of price, flexibility and comfort.

Whilst in Berlin, I prepared for the Santa

Claus experience in Lapland and opted to take the scenic excursion by fast train and ferry. Travel on the ferry was included from Puttgarden to Malmo, and onwards travel towards Stockholm was a delight as the countryside was powdered with perfect white snow. Upon arrival I caught the Viking Line ferry across to Helsinki, and although not included in the Eurail pass, Viking Lines offers a 50% discount for Eurail pass holders.

The Santa Claus Express offered a modern and clean service, operating a return daily service between Helsinki and Rovaniemi with two overnight services. First Class

Eurail pass holders pay only EU$188 return. I did meet Santa onboard and he sent his greetings to everyone Down Under, as he knew it had been quite hot and I would be returning soon.

Just like Santa, there is an enchantment about rail travel which evokes a feeling of childlike wonder, and waiting for the sound of the shrilling whistle and a mighty ‘toot’ from the driver has its own thrill.n Grace Lech is the owner of independent travel agency, Grace Travel Club. To read more about her travels, visit her blog www.travelgracefully.com.au.

First Class Fares Adult Adult Saver Rail Plus 60+ Saver* (2-5 people) (2-5 people)

15 days continuous $927 $786 $752

21 days continuous $1,193 $1,017 $974

1 month continuous $1,466 $1,250 $1,197

2 months continuous $2,066 $1,757 $1,682

3 months continuous $2,546 $2,166 $2,074

ThE COST OF GETTING AROUND

Bergen Station, Kamil Porembinski CC: bit.ly/1MhJnrK

Travelling on TGV (image credit: Rail Plus)



WALKING and cycling holiday specialist UTracks has seen a spike in interest for walking tours in the European Alps, with the self-guided sector growing four-fold since 2006.

UTracks brand marketing manager Brad Atwal told travelBulletin that the wholesaler’s seven-day Mont Blanc Guided Walk was a consistent favourite that had remained at almost full capacity for over five years.

Guided walks in the Alps remain the most popular option, he said, but the self-guided sector was a stand out performer that had grown from 10% - 40% in the past eight years.

“The self-guided active holiday really has its roots in Europe, and as the Australian market adapts to this concept, return travellers are becoming more confident,” he said.

Atwal added that cycle and walking trails were a “huge” market in Europe with significant infrastructure compared to Australia, making self-guided holidays particularly appealing for foreign travellers.

“Mont Blanc is a key drawcard and we have worked hard to ensure there is an itinerary for nearly every segment of traveller,” he said, adding that the Alpine Pass Route in Switzerland, the Dolomites in Italy and the Pyrenees in France were favourites among Australian travellers.

Utracks has added a number of itineraries to its line up including the 10-day Chamonix to Zermatt tour and the Mont Blanc Family Walk which travels from the Chamonix Valley to Courmayeur.

HOLIDAYS on Location has expanded its Switzerland product range to include new rail product, city stays and more luxury options.

Outlined in the 2015/16 Switzerland Holidays brochure, new options also include travel to

Mount Titlis in Switzerland for the first time. A number of apartment stays and city packages in Basel and Geneva have also been added, in addition to new rail product including the eight-day Swiss Cities itinerary which covers Zurich, Lucerne, Bern and Geneva.

Holidays on Location business development

manager John de Steiger told travelBulletin that the additions were part of a concentrated push to capture a larger share of the Switzerland travel market.

“These changes and additions make this an even more diverse and comprehensive set of options for the Australian traveller, particularly with the increase in apartment accommodation, city packages, and the St Moritz and Zermatt ski packages,” he said.

ADVENTURE World has released the latest Headwater Holidays brochure, with a range of biking options in Spain and walking tours in the Swiss Alps.

The 92-page program features itineraries covering France, Italy, Portugal, Austria and Switzerland, including e-bike options in Spain and Sicily.

Also included is the seven-day Classic Swiss Alps Walk through Kandersteg, Blausee, the Gasterntal Valley and Oeschinensee. Priced from $1686 per person, it includes accommodation, all meals including picnic lunches, baggage transfers between hotels, and briefings on walking routes.

Headwater’s self-guided Austrian Lakes walk is also seeing continued interest, covering snow-capped peaks and unspoiled forest trails over eight days. Departing Salzburg, highlights include day trips to Strobl, Bad Ischl, Gilgen and Fuschl with accommodation in four-star hotels. Departures are scheduled from March to September, with an option to extend the itinerary with the Austrian Riviera Walk.n visit www.headwater.com for details.

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SWISS Travel System is welcoming guests aboard the new Grand Train Tour of Switzerland which covers travel across the country in one ticket.

Guests can travel Switzerland’s most iconic routes within a single fare, including Zurich to St Gallen, GoldenPass Line on to Montreaux, and the Pre-alpine Express to Lucerne. Also including public transport in one ticket, prices lead in from €171 for a three-day pass in Second Class, to €629 for one months’ validity. Travel can be commenced from any point, but seat reservations are required on panoramic trains.

The Swiss Travel Pass is also available, providing access to over 480 museums and most travel on trains and buses. Children under the age of 16 travel free with a parent. n see www.swisstravelsystem.com for more details.

RAIL travel is gaining traction among Aussie travellers, with Rail Plus reporting a surge in point to point bookings in Europe.

Rail Plus CEO James Dunne told travelBulletin that 2014 saw a “significant increase” in point to point travel in Italy, the UK and France as more inventory came online throughout the year.

Sales for multi-destination passes also increased over the year, Dunne said, but point to point travel was the standout performer as travellers opted to visit more regional areas.

“Australian travellers are visiting Europe more often, but they are also visiting more specific regions and point to point travel for

high speed rail is a more viable option. Sales in passes did grow, but not at the same rate as point to point,” he said.

With travel between Italy and Spain representing the market of most growth, Dunne attributed the trend to increased air access and attractive deals such as free travel for children aged under 12 on Eurail.

Targeted marketing efforts have also helped to build the profile of iconic rail journeys such as the Orient Express, he added.

Dunne said Australians had been slower to embrace rail than some other nationalities, and highlighted the need to increase awareness of high speed rail travel and simplify booking processes for agents.

Building a more robust conversation about the benefits of rail travel would also help to get Australians onboard, he added.

“Rail is not typically in the GDS system so we have to make sure we provide a certain level of information to agents to ensure they are comfortable selling rail as part of itineraries. We’re aware that rail is often only a small part of an itinerary – we don’t want rail to replace itineraries, but we do want to be a part of it,” he said.

Dunne was confident that rail travel would continue to gain momentum among Australian travellers, with new services to Provence and Amsterdam in 2016 likely to prompt Australians to “book in numbers”.

EURAIL is targeting family travel in 2015 with the launch of free child passes for children under the age of 12.

The offer extends to two children for each adult saver pass, with additional children able to purchase a Youth Pass.

Families can save more than $500, with child passes leading in from $288 per person. Adult global saver passes cost from

$576 per person. Eurail passes can be purchased for 15-day, 21-day or one month durations, with customers receiving up to five days of free travel when booked by the end of March.

New destinations have been added to the network including Poland, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia. All Eurail passes must be validated within six months of issue date.

Grand Train Tour now available

POINT TO POINT TRAVEL GAINS GROUND

EUrAIL FAMILy AppEAL

SPECTACULAR! New HD touch screen: now with a larger screen for you to enjoy

the latest movie releases, cartoons, music and games, from take off to landing.

ageNtcoNNect.bizGradually installed on long-haul flight on a part of Boeing 777 fleet as of June 2014.

in the hot seat


the Last woRd

CELEBRITY SPOTTING

Send your celebrity pics to [email protected] and keep your eye out for the next issue of travelBulletin.

fun facts: Did you know…

Could these guys be twins? Eric Stonestreet has been around the traps, but his gig as Cameron Tucker on Modern Family has landed him two Emmys. William Kaafi from Creative Cruising wasted no time landing a happy snap when bumping shoulders with the US star in Sydney. Cheese!

For Android users, here’s a sneaky but stylish way of getting around without looking like a tourist. Motorola’s Moto 360 features a swipe-motion interface allowing users to access virtual boarding passes, flight alerts and traffic updates on the go. The smart watch also features voice control allowing travellers to send text messages and check the weather while juggling their hand luggage. The Moto 360 syncs to smartphones and claims to have all-day battery life, priced from AU$329.

Contrary to popular belief, Arizona’s Grand Canyon is not the world’s largest canyon. Tsangpo Canyon in Tibet takes the title, with the Grand Canyon as runner up.

Less than 1% of the world’s population have travelled to Antarctica.

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida spans an area twice the size of Manhattan and is the biggest single site employer in the US with over 50,000 employees.

Online check-in services were first used by Alaska Airlines in 1999.

Las Vegas has the most hotel rooms of any city in the world, with more than 124,000.

Bench International general manager Martin Edwards tells travelBulletin his top travel tips and reveals what makes him tick when he’s on the road.

1. What is your favourite holiday spot and why? Kenya’s Masai Mara – it is the perfect spot to escape from day to day life and somewhere you never know what kind of animal you will see next.

2. What is one of the most exotic destinations you have travelled to? The Prehentian Islands in Malaysia.

3. What is one thing you cannot leave home without? My iPhone with all the pics and movies of my little boy… ahh.

4. What is the one item you most commonly leave at home? My wife.

5. Top travel tip? Know when to put your camera down and just enjoy the moment.

6. What three features do you look for when choosing a hotel? I look for five features… stars. Although the location, character and service is extremely important.

7. What is your favourite piece of luggage? My trusty backpack from when I travelled around the world for one year.

8. Who is one person you wish you could sit next to on a plane? Ranulph Fiennes – probably the world’s greatest living explorer.

9. What is one food you would like to see added to an airline menu? Eton Mess.

10. Greatest fear? My luggage not turning up.

11. Most treasured possession? My passport.

12. Guiltiest pleasure? Arriving at the airport, walking past all the queues and heading straight to the priority line. Bliss!

13. Where are you travelling to next? I’m heading to one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders, Victoria Falls in Africa.

Where in the World?Any idea where you’d be standing if you were taking this picture? If you’ve got any clue, drop us a line at [email protected] for your chance to win a double movie ticket. You’ve gotta be in it to win it!

wATCh IT!

For more information

Visit: www.ireland.comTel: (02) 9964 6900 facebook.com/discoverirelandoz @gotoirelandoz

Around every corner there’s a di� erent landscape!

Apart from our cosmopolitan cities, quaint villages, award-winning visitor experiences, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the island of Ireland is a treasure trove of unique and authentic experiences.

We’ve also got some of the best touring routes in the world! Out on the very edge of Europe, the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way comprises 2500kms of fully signposted roads and places of discovery. In the north, along the enchanting Causeway Coastal Route, the Giant’s Causeway is like nowhere else on earth.

There are world renowned golf courses to play, a plethora of walking and cycling trails to discover, as well as adrenaline-� lled activities to thrill even your most active clients. And for those who like to exercise their taste buds, our home grown produce will astound even the most discerning palates.

We’ve certainly got enough to � ll a 14 day holiday, but if your clients are travelling to other parts of Europe in 2015, make sure you add on Ireland.

It’s not only the places, but the welcoming faces and warm hospitality that make Ireland so special.

Become an Ireland Specialist.You could earn yourself a trip to the Emerald Isle! www.irelandspecialists.com

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Travel Bulletin - March 2015

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