The new 20s: Intrepid predicts travel trends for the decade ahead

Climate change and friendships key themes

At the launch of the new Lonely Planet and Intrepid trips, the small group adventure company revealed their predictions for how travel will evolve in the new 20s - in what they describe as the decade for the planet and bringing people together.

Australians urged to holiday at home to boost bushfire recovery

AUSTRALIANS are being encouraged to throw their support behind Australia’s tourism industry in the wake of the devastating bushfires by holidaying in their own backyard.

Tourism Australia’s Holiday Here This Year campaign launched today taps into the overwhelming goodwill and support for local communities impacted by the recent bushfires, by urging Australians to plan, book and take a domestic holiday and share their experiences with friends and online.

Supported through a $20 million government funding boost, the campaign forms part of a coordinated marketing push involving all states and territories that provides a unified platform to galvanise the tourism industry and Australians.

Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison, said that the Holiday Here This Year campaign would help spread the important message that Australian tourism was open for business and ready and eager to welcome visitors.

“There is no doubt that Australian tourism has been hit hard by the recent bushfires. It’s critical that we help the industry get back on its feet as soon as possible,” Ms Harrison said.

“The desire from ordinary Australians to assist the communities impacted both directly and indirectly by the bushfires has been overwhelming. This campaign seeks to show them how they can directly support the recovery by simply holidaying here in Australia.

“We are currently in the middle of the peak summer period and we’re already seeing an impact on tourism as people delay or cancel their travel plans, including to areas that haven’t been directly affected.

“That is why we are asking people to commit to holidaying in their own backyard this year - whether it’s a drive up the coast, taking a trip interstate, or ticking off a bucket list destination - and to spread the word that Australia is ready to welcome more travellers.

“Holiday Here This Year is a practical way that Australians can help bushfire affected communities by filling hotel rooms, restaurants, caravan parks, beaches and more.

“The launch of the campaign is the first of a package of measures that we’ll be rolling out over the coming weeks and months to help Australian tourism rebuild and recover.”

The Holiday Here This Year campaign will be rolled out across print, social media, billboards across major cities, content partnerships, radio and outdoor advertising, with Australians being encouraged to demonstrate their support using the hashtag #holidayherethisyear.

Tourism Australia will be making it easier than ever for consumers and industry partners to find the resources and inspiration needed to plan and book a holiday in Australia and help out affected communities in the process thanks to additional information and resources at www.australia.com/holidayhere.

This will also include practical tools for industry to use in their own marketing initiatives.

A summary of some of Australia’s most popular destinations for international travellers, and whether they have been impacted by the current bushfires or are safe to visit, can be found at https://www.australia.com/en/travel-alerts.html.

SWISS to serve new Daxing International Airport with its Beijing flights

SWISS will be switching its services between Zurich and Beijing to the Chinese capital's new Beijing Daxing International Airport in March. The move will also provide more attractive departure and arrival times for travellers on the route.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is to switch its Zurich-Beijing services from the present Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to the new Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). The change will be made with the start of the 2020 summer schedules at the end of March.

The move will offer travellers more attractive timetables on the route. The eastbound service will leave Zurich late in the afternoon and arrive in Beijing just after 09:00 on the following day. The westbound flight will depart from Beijing at 11:00 and arrive in Zurich at 15:35 on the same day.

SWISS serves Beijing daily in summer and five times weekly in winter. The route is operated using Airbus A330 equipment.

The new Beijing Daxing International Airport, which was designed by top architect Zaha Hadid, opened last autumn and is in the south of the city. The new facility meets all the requirements of an airport today, and is ideally linked into the public transport network. The airport is set to become one of the world's busiest by 2025.

Ferrari Museums set new records

The Ferrari Museums set a new record in 2019, attracting more than 600,000 visitors, a 12% increase on the previous year. Both venues experienced strong growth with visitor numbers to the MEF in Modena jumping in 2019 to over 200,000, whilst the Ferrari Museum in Maranello saw attendances rise to in excess of 400,000 in the same period.

The success of the single ticket for access to both museums – sales of which increased by more than 50% in 2019 compared to the previous year – demonstrates the excellent public response to the increasingly specialist nature of these two structures. Indeed, the museum in Modena celebrates the figure of the founder, along with the most elegant, exclusive Ferrari Gran Turismo engines and cars, while the museum in Maranello provides visitors with an experience that allows them to discover the history of the Group, of Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1 and of the most iconic track and road cars that have written the history of the Prancing Horse, and continue to do so today.

In line with its different specialist visitor routes, the Maranello Museum’s first exhibition of the new year will be “Ferrari at 24 Heures du Mans”, which, from January 15, celebrates 70 years of Ferrari victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new show also flanks the current exhibitions: “90 Anni”, an homage to the Scuderia Ferrari’s history, and “Hypercars”, which features the limited edition special series that have been most influenced by Ferrari’s signature track-to-road technology transfers.

Opening Times
Every day except December 25 and January 1
November/March 9.30 – 18.00
April/October 9.30 – 19.00

Lonely Planet partners with Intrepid Travel to launch Lonely Planet Experiences

With over 300 sustainable group tours across the globe, the new trip range will bring Lonely Planet guidebooks to life for the first time.

World-leading travel publisher and digital travel media company, Lonely Planet, has joined forces with Intrepid Travel, a leader in sustainable adventure travel, to launch Lonely Planet Experiences. The new range of carbon-neutral tours will bring Lonely Planet’s authority and travel prowess to life by offering an innovative new product that is authentic, immersive and sustainable.

Lonely Planet Experiences will comprise 200 jam-packed day-tours (operated by Intrepid Travel’s day-tour company, Urban Adventures) and more than 130 multi-day trips including walking, cycling, food, festivals, family and marine adventures.

All Lonely Planet Experiences have been designed with a low environmental footprint while ensuring a positive impact on local communities. True to Intrepid Travel’s style all tour groups will be small, with a maximum of 16 travellers, and led by a local leader. The tours will use local transportation, support locally owned businesses and like all Intrepid Travel trips since 2010, be 100% carbon-neutral - also reflective of Lonely Planet’s commitment to responsible travel as part of this partnership. In addition, all tours will include exclusive discounts on Lonely Planet’s guidebooks, free access to Lonely Planet’s flagship Guides app, and supplementary Lonely Planet insight throughout.

“For over four decades, travellers have looked to Lonely Planet for trusted travel advice,” says Luis Cabrera, CEO of Lonely Planet. “Now, global explorers looking for the inside track can journey along with us on this new range of tours. This is an exciting innovation and evolution for the Lonely Planet brand.”

James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel added, “These experiences combine our expertise to create a new tour range that will support local communities, protect our natural environment and ensure travellers see the world in a responsible and sustainable way. Lonely Planet helped pioneer access to more authentic and grassroots experiences for independent travellers. That’s why we’re thrilled to be part of the next phase of their growth and helping to make sustainable experience-rich travel a mainstay for travellers everywhere.”

(c) Intrepid Travel

The tours will offer travellers a once-in-a-lifetime experience of what it’s like to truly know a place, through explorations of local food and drink, behind-the-scenes access to hidden gems, interactions with locals and insights from trusted travel experts. Travellers will gain a deeper understanding of, and connection to destinations by getting to the very heart of the place they are visiting. Delight in the sights, smells and tastes of some of the world’s most exciting and original experiences, from an evening stroll through Sydney’s small bar scene, an insider's trip through the most famous fish market in Tokyo, or an exploration of Rome’s iconic monuments and movie locations.

Cabrera adds: “Intrepid Travel is widely considered the industry leader in responsible travel and we’re delighted to be partnering with them on Lonely Planet Experiences. The two brands share an unmatched passion for travel and a genuine commitment to responsible travel and we’re proud to combine our expertise to deliver amazing adventures for like-minded travellers around the world”

The tours will run in 6 continents, across 65 countries, and range in duration from 2 hours to 22 days.

Feature tours include:

Day tours

Lonely Planet Experiences – Powered by Urban Adventures

- A Tour Through Tokyo’s Kitchen (incl. Tsukiji Fish Market), 2.5 hours, starting at $109 AUD
- Vintage Las Vegas Arts Tour, 2 hours, starting at $65 AUD

Multi-day tours

Lonely Planet Experiences – Powered by Intrepid Travel

- Galapagos Experience (7 days), starting at $1320 AUD
- Explore Egypt (15 days), starting at $1645 AUD


The launch of Lonely Planet Experiences is the latest in a series of new ventures by Lonely Planet as the company seeks to maximise adjacent business opportunities under the new strategic direction of recently appointed CEO, Luis Cabrera.

Citadines on Bourke Melbourne becomes dog-friendly

Canines and their companions will be able to experience a New York moment in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, as Citadines on Bourke Melbourne transforms into a dog-friendly retreat, complete with a rooftop courtyard for pups to stretch their legs from up above.

Having recently welcomed four-legged guests to a selection of apartments at Somerset on Elizabeth Melbourne, The Ascott Limited are spreading the doggy joy to their sister property.

Ideally positioned in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD and comprised of spacious apartments with separate living and dining areas, Citadines on Bourke Melbourne offers guests and their beloved pups the perfect base to stretch out, relax and explore the city’s many sights and sounds at an affordable price.

To ensure the experience is nothing less than doggy-tastic, four-legged guests will be catered for with a bed fit for the furry traveller, water and food bowls, and a welcome pack including treats, toys and a special gift.

Pups on their first city-break will get a true taste for the highlife, experiencing their very own New York moment at the aparthotel’s rooftop courtyard. A vantage point to be enjoyed by all guests, there’ll be plenty of room for doggies to run around and owners to take in the city from up above.

Back on ground level, dogs will also have plenty of opportunity for exercise with neighbouring parks Carlton and Fitzroy Gardens both within close walking distance.

The guest services team will be well-versed in many of the dog-friendly activities on offer around the city, including Tom and Captain who guide dogs on adventurous walks around Melbourne, and Gourmet Pawprints who offer pup-friendly experiences such as Paws and Pours High Tea and Doggy Winery Tours.

Hounds will be happier than ever to be treated to a city break, never to be left at home again!

For further information about Citadines on Bourke Melbourne, please visit www.citadines.com

Market returns this weekend to support fire-affected stallholders with Bushfire Appeal

Canberra’s Capital Region Farmers Market has revealed many of its stallholders have been severely affected by the Australian bushfires across several regions, and vows to do whatever it takes to help and support the Farmers Market community.

“We are deeply saddened that a number of our stallholders have been affected across several regions including the NSW South Coast, Snowy Mountains, South West Slopes and Southern Highlands, with many experiencing partial or total destruction of property, equipment, crops and stocks,” said Capital Region Farmers Market Manager, Sarah Power.

“Up until now, the most significant impact on our many farmers and producers, has been drought. Now you add these devastating fires to the mix…it is just heartbreaking. These families have been affected very badly, and we will see a knock-on affect for years to come in terms of long-term production,” Sarah continued.

Sarah revealed that the Market will reopen tomorrow and that its return for 2020 is the best way that locals can support the stallholders through buying and donating.

“You can support our stallholders by buying what produce there is available. These people’s livelihoods depend on this income – we know many Canberrans have been feeling hopeless, so one way to show support is to continue to shop local,” Sarah continued.

Tony Howard, spokesperson for the Rotary Club of Hall which owns and manages the Capital Region Farmers Market, today announced the launch of the Farmers Market Community Bushfire Appeal, revealing that Rotary has donated $50,000 to kick off the appeal.

“Our appeal will assist our Farmers Market families with critical short-term support and assistance. Rotary will assist fire affected stallholders and their families with financial contributions, clean up assistance, provision of new or used equipment, mental and social support and administrative support for businesses,” Tony said.

Visitors to the Capital Region Farmers Market can head to the Rotary Bushfire Marquee onsite at the front of the Market’s shed where they can contribute donations. They can find out more about fire-affected stallholders and other ways in which they can assist. The Farmers Market Community Bushfire Appeal will run for the remainder of January.

“Rotary is a not-for-profit run by volunteers. Our members can act very quickly to reach and assist these people. Visitors can be assured that 100% of funds donated will directly support fire-affected stallholders who require immediate and ongoing assistance across these regions,” Tony concluded.

Capital Region Farmers Markets reopens for the year tomorrow, Saturday 11th January, from 7.30am – 11.30am. Visitors are to be aware that there will be a reduced number of stallholders due to the fires, drought and access into Canberra. The Market will minimise the impact of the current smoke in the ACT this weekend by locating all stallholders inside the shed where possible. Visitors should take the necessary precautions and follow the advice of ACT Health with regards to any potential smoke hazards.

For more information on the Market, the appeal, how you can assist and where your money goes, visit https://capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au/farmers-markets-community-bushfire-appeal/

Traveloscopy | 

#Bushfires: A message from Tourism WA

Hi everyone,

I am so sorry to be writing this note as my first formal piece of correspondence to you all for 2020, but obviously current circumstances dictate we need to discuss the terrible bushfire disaster affecting much of Australia.

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the bushfires occurring right across our country.  The coverage of the fires has been comprehensive, as have the devastating effects to communities as these bushfires continue to impact Australia. This is an awful time for Australia, and specifically for our tourism industry colleagues throughout the country.

Currently, much of Western Australia’s main tourism destinations are unaffected, with tourism businesses around Perth and the regions operating as normal. However, some regional areas have been impacted and travellers are encouraged to seek the most up to date information prior to departure and remain informed about changing conditions on arrival.

Following discussions with Tourism Australia, Tourism WA has decided to temporarily pause some elements of its international marketing program where it makes sense, and where it is respectful, to do so in order to ensure our program is sensitive to the on the ground impacts of the fires. 

We have not paused any interstate marketing activities at this time, although we do not have a great deal of trade partnership activity underway in the east coast market right now.  We are in the process of preparing a number of initiatives which will be launched at the appropriate time to drive visitation to WA for winter 2020.

We have today spoken directly with our RTO partners and have encouraged them to continue with all intrastate activities to support our WA tourism industry during this difficult time.

Tourism WA will continue to monitor the situation and review our approach over time. In the coming weeks, we will be working with Tourism Australia and the nation’s other state tourism organisations to contribute to an approach to minimise any impact on tourism from the fires and protect and build on Australia’s reputation as an international tourism destination in particular.

The following information is provided for you to assist travellers with up to date information:

Where to find information

Western Australia’s local Visitor Information Centres can provide advice about local conditions and how travellers can best to enjoy their time in Western Australia.
Please see below websites to assist travellers with up to date information:

For travel in Western Australia

Department of Fire & Emergency services - government department that is responsible for fire and emergency services in Western Australia - www.dfes.wa.gov.au and www.emergency.wa.gov.au

If travelling by road, please visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au and click through to road closure information.

For travel in the rest of Australia

The  Australian Government’s Bureau of Meteorology - provides overall weather updates for all parts of Australia, including the latest fire warnings.

Stay up to date with the bush fire situation by tuning in to local ABC Radio, which is the national emergency broadcaster.

Bushfire appeals

Many West Australian’s and visitors are looking for ways to support the communities affected by the ongoing bushfire emergency, donations can be made via  the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund

I am sure you will all join me in sending our best wishes to everyone impacted by the bushfires around the country, including our tourism operators, and extending our gratitude to the emergency services staff and volunteers working tirelessly right across Australia to fight these fires.


Brodie Carr
Managing Director
Tourism WA

Small Luxury Hotels #SLH new openings for 2020

As we welcome a new decade, Small Luxury Hotels of the World unveils its most anticipated luxury hotel openings for 2020. From a boutique hotel in Miami which allegedly inspired the Conga dance to a blissful resort nestled within The Himalayas, here is a sneak peek of the most exciting destinations and boutique hotels to look forward to in 2020.

Opening February 2020

The Celino South Beach, Miami, USA
Rooms start from AUD714 per night including breakfast

February 2020 will see Miami hosting the 54th Super Bowl and welcoming a new luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the city's Ocean Drive. The Celino South Beach has transformed three art deco buildings, including the landmark Park Central Hotel, into one luxurious boutique hotel with eclectic custom furniture, pop colours, and a rooftop pool featuring a peekaboo glass bottom that is visible from the Atrium below. Park Central Hotel, a favourite of silver screen stars like Bogart and Hayworth, was allegedly the birthplace of the conga line so guests should keep an eye out for conga-line kits with how-to guides, drums and cigars in their rooms.

KASA Hotel Riviera Maya, Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
Rooms start from AUD196 per night including breakfast

KASA Hotel Riviera Maya sits in the exclusive beach, marine and golf community of Puerto Aventuras. This private gated community is an emerging area on the Riviera Maya, away from the crowds in an area of lush tropical foliage, with a smart sailing community, full-service marina, golf course and uncrowded beach. The concierge at KASA Hotel Riviera Maya is skilled at arranging local adventures in the Riviera Maya including cenote diving, biking explorations of the area's Mayan ruins, Mexican cooking classes and diving alongside sea turtles in Akumal.

Opening April 2020

Torre Del Marques, Matarraña, Spain
Rooms start from AUD608 per night including breakfast

With its sun-baked hill towns, olive groves and terraced vineyards, Matarraña is reminiscent of Tuscany's countryside but unlike its Italian counterpart, this remote corner of Aragon is blissfully away from the tourist crowds and remains one of Spain's undiscovered regions. Torre Del Marques is a 15th-century farmhouse turned exclusive boutique hideaway with solar panels and sustainable architecture maximising its energy efficiency. The light-filled restaurant strives to embrace an organic 'zero-kilometre' approach to dining, serving only food that is produced in the immediate local area including olive oil, black truffle and honey.

Opening May 2020

Panoptis Escape, Mykonos, Greece
Rooms start from AUD1,171 per night including breakfast

On top of the hill overlooking the idyllic Elia Beach in Mykonos, Panoptis Escape is the latest addition to the Myconian Collection family. Bound by imaginative contemporary architecture, minimalist styling and artisan craftsmanship, everything about Panoptis Escape is the definition of 'less is more'. 19 villa suites comprise the new property, each featuring  their own outdoor spa Jacuzzi or private infinity pool. Unparalleled comfort and lavish amenities are provided with the help of an experienced team of staff, here to take care of guests' every whim from personal chefs and butler services to private helicopter and yacht charters. What's more, Jet2 will be launching summer season flights to Mykonos from Stanstead and Manchester airports on 24th May 2020, making it even easier to access the island.

Opening June 2020

Can Ferrereta, Mallorca, Spain

Located in the quaint rural town of Santanyí in the south east of Mallorca, Can Ferrereta will be one of Europe's most exciting new hotel openings in summer 2020. The team behind Sant Francesc Hotel Singular has meticulously restored an historic 17th century building, comprising 32 individually designed rooms and suites, surrounded by verdant gardens. Over the years, Santanyí has attracted many international artists and today art plays a central role. Guests will stumble upon various galleries and workshops in the narrow alleys of this quiet country town. The hotel will also display one of the region's most exciting collections of contemporary art including works from the likes of Guillem Nadal, Dominica Sanchez, Miquel Planas, Manolo Ballesteros, Riera i Aragó, Jordi Alcaraz and Jaume Plensa.

Les Sources de Cheverny, Loire Valley, France
Rooms start from AUD320 per night

Located among the beautiful vineyards of Cheverny, renowned for producing white wine such as 'Sauvignon' and 'Cabernet Blanc', Les Sources de Cheverny will open its doors with 26 rooms and 23 suites. The hotel's spa will offer the same range of vineyard based treatments and skincare products as its Bordeaux sister property, Les Sources de Caudalie, also owned by Alice and Jerome Tourbier. The quintessential French château will host two restaurants, an organic vegetable garden as well as seven hectares of vineyards planted around the property. The wine experience will not be limited to the property's ideal location as a real wine route will be devised to allow guests to discover the hidden wonders of the region. Close to the hotel, guests will find The Château of Cheverny which was used as a model by Hergé for Marlinspike Hall (Château de Moulinsart in French), which is featured in several Tintin stories. The château has a permanent exhibition dedicated to the most famous of cartoon reporters.

Opening July 2020

Castello Di Reschio, Umbria, Italy
Rooms start from AUD1,284 per night

Castello di Reschio is a new boutique hotel located within a 3,700-acre pastoral estate in the Umbrian hills on Italy's Umbria-Tuscany border. Propelling a spotlight on Italy's forgotten heartland, the hotel houses 36 rooms and suites, a restaurant, spa, bar, library, pool and an organic farm including 5,000 olive trees. Riding lessons and excursions are available for guests and a weekly dressage event in the summer months brings equestrians together. Other activities include hiking, tennis and wild swimming in the estate lake which is available for private use, cooking lessons, olive oil making, clay pigeon shooting, truffle hunting and painting classes.

Opening August 2020

Living Berna by Stara, Mexico City, Mexico

Living Berna by Stara is located in Mexico City's up-and-coming Colonia Juárez neighbourhood, home to chefs, artists and designers that have brought new energy into this district,. The boutique hotel will feature fully automated luxury suites equipped with state-of-the-art technology as well as a library, theatre, gym, sky bar and a rooftop garden restaurant. Close to the hotel, Café La Habana, one of Colonia Juárez's most iconic coffee shops having first opened in 1952, is alleged to be the place where Che Guevara and Fidel Castro masterminded the Cuban Revolution.

Opening December 2020

Lost Horizons Resort & Spa Begnas, Pokhara, Nepal

Based on James Hilton's classic novel Lost Horizon, Lost Horizon Resort & Spa Begnas in The Himalayas boasts a unique perspective of Begnas lake and some of the highest mountain peaks of the world. The 38-suite hotel also features a 7000 sq foot spa offering spa treatments inspired by old traditions, a pool designed to be used in all seasons, a grand bar and library lounge that overlooks Mount Manasalu. Five years after the catastrophic earthquakes where nearly 9,000 people lost their lives, the country is gearing up to celebrate 2020 as the 'Visit Nepal' year, with the tourism board setting a target of two million visitor arrivals.


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Be part of the community and join us at INVITED or visit us at www.slh.com.

Samui Restaurant Reopens with Fiery New Menu

Beachfront dining includes everything from barbecues and brick ovens to wok fires and flambés.

If you smell something sizzling down in southeastern Koh Samui these days, chances are it’s coming from Banyan Tree Samui’s beachfront restaurant, Sands, where Chef Rainer Roersch is rolling out his smoking hot “8-Fires” cuisine.

“We were looking for a very visual and atmospheric theme,” said Chef Rainer. “Something eye-catching that our chefs could prepare under the coconut trees and the moonlight. The key element would be fire.”

The new-look Sands restaurant — which recently reopened after a three-month renovation that includes a new retractable roof — has been adapted to include eight workstations featuring different traditional forms of cooking with fire - brick oven, charcoal grill, wok fire, stove-top, table-burner, hot stone, Santa Maria grill, and flambé.

“There is something mesmerizing about food sizzling over an open fire,” said Chef Rainer. “From the native American concept of the sacred fire pit (bara-bicu) to Japanese hibachi, meaning ‘fire bowl’, to Indonesian satay and Middle Eastern shish kebabs, it has a global appeal and has existed since time immemorial.”

Sands’ new menu has been beefed up to include a selection of meats and seafood adaptable to the 8-Fire techniques. Diners have a choice of Australian Wagyu beef and Black Angus steaks, lamb cutlets, BBQ pork ribs, chicken breast or veal cutlets. Fresh local seafood choices include lobster, jumbo prawns, scallops and squid, as well as imported Norwegian salmon and Australian barramundi.

“We can really showcase the true aromas and flavors of seafood and prime cuts by using smoke, flaming liqueurs and truffle spray,” said Chef Rainer. “And of course, the tableside presentation is spectacular. It’s fun for all the family with the sizzling fires in all directions, but it can also be a romantic evening for two with sea breezes, soft sand and fine wine.”

From the chef’s garden come the ingredients for vegetarian options including risottos, pizzas and casseroles, fresh salads, and pasta dishes such as pumpkin gnocchi. And among the many mouthwatering starters on the new menu are tuna tartar, pan-fried foie gras, beef carpaccio, Louisiana crab cakes (in green mango salad) and the overwhelming “Seafood Symphony for 2”.

Sands Restaurant overlooks the sapphire sea of the Gulf of Thailand from a secluded cove flanked by coral reefs. It is one of three signature dining venues at the award-winning Banyan Tree Samui resort, which is recognized as one of the leading hotels in Asia. The 38-acre property is nestled on a steep hillside and hosts 88 luxury villas, each with its own private infinity pool.

Sands seats 60 diners indoors and up to 42 on the open terrace. The restaurant is open to Banyan Tree guests and non-guests alike from 11:30am to 11pm, seven days a week. Reservations are recommended.

Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with infinity pool, start from US$550 per night.

Bushfires: A message from ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley

The following message was sent to ATEC members this afternoon.

The last few weeks have been devastating for our community and we know many of our member tourism businesses will now be struggling to work out a way forward.

ATEC is sincerely saddened by the loss experienced by so many communities and while our tourism industry is full of strong, determined and resilient people, we will be working to support their recovery over the coming months.

To this extent, we will be working alongside our industry and government partners to develop and implement a recovery strategy as soon as possible. Importantly, at the right time we want to make sure we send a strong message to international visitors that Australia remains open for business.

Meanwhile, we invite feedback from members in bushfire areas as to the status of your business (impacted or operating as normal) which we can compile and distribute to all Inbound Tour Operators and share with Tourism Australia – click here to complete this brief survey.

Please feel free to contact us at atec@atec.net.au if you need advice or want to provide any feedback or ask questions.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Shelley
Managing Director

CLIA names Award finalists

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has announced the finalists for the 19th annual Cruise Industry Awards, to be presented at a sold-out celebration next month.

A total of 71 finalists from across Australia and New Zealand have been chosen and will be in the running to win one of cruising’s highest honours when the industry comes together for its biggest night of the year on February 15.

More than 560 entries were received for this year’s awards – more than ever before – with 11 different categories open for self- or peer-nomination and awards for both Australian and New Zealand nominees.

Key categories this year include Agency of the Year, Cruise Consultant of the Year, Home-Based Cruise Agent/Broker of the Year, Rising Star, Cruise Champion, Promotion of the Year and a Media Award.

CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said the awards celebrated the top achievers among CLIA’s travel agent membership.

“This year’s nominations show a genuine passion for the cruise industry and that’s a big part of the success we’re experiencing in Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Katz said. “The most energetic and engaged agents are also some of the most successful in Australia and New Zealand, so these awards are about recognising their commitment and the prosperity they help bring to the entire cruise community.”

Hosted by entertainer Tim Campbell, the 19th annual Cruise Industry Awards will be held at the Star Event Centre Sydney on Saturday February 15.

See full list of finalists.