Record July figures take Fiji AU 2010 visitor arrivals past 155,000 mark

Close on 1000 Australians visited Fiji every day throughout July helping to chalk up another new monthly record for the destination.

A total of 29,436 Australians (an average of 949 per day) visited across the month, a 19 per cent increase on the 24,729 figure achieved for the same period in 2009 according to figures released this week by the Fiji department of information.

The strong July performance takes Fiji's total Australian for the seven month period January to July to 156,720 in itself a 38 per cent increase over the 113,149 total achieved in 2009.

The Australian result has again helped push Fiji's international visitor arrival figures for the year into new ground with a 339,056 total recorded for the January-July period.

This represents a growth of over 19.5 per cent the same period last year.

Australian business now represents 53 per cent of total traffic.

The positive Australian result was reflected across all of Fiji's key markets.

This included a return to positive growth for Canadian visitor arrivals – up five per cent to 1782 - for the first time this year.

New Zealand visitor arrivals climbed by six per cent to 13,949 while US figures rose by five per cent to reach 6560.

The national tourist office's ongoing efforts in several key emerging markets continued to pay off – albeit off small base numbers - with visitor arrivals from China achieving a massive 149 per cent increase.

Taiwan business grew by 45 per cent while visitor arrivals from India climbed by 15 per cent.

Traffic from the UK/Europe remained steady and while increases for the month only rose by 0.7 per cent, the destination is bracing itself for a very strong result in August, the traditional holiday and travel month for much of the northern hemisphere.

Visit: www.fijime.com

VIRGIN GALACTIC'S SPACESHIPTWO ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE

ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING THE WORLD'S FIRST MANNED COMMERCIAL SPACE VEHICLE

VSS ENTERPRISE ACHIEVES MANNED FREE FLIGHT FROM OVER 45,000 FT (13,700 METRES) AND SUCCESSFULLY GLIDES TO LAND IN 11 MINUTES AT MOJAVE AIR AND SPACE PORT

10th October 2010, Mojave, CA. Virgin Galactic, the US company developing the world's first commercial manned space flight system and tourism business, is delighted to announce the successful completion today of the first piloted free flight of SpaceShipTwo, named the VSS Enterprise. The spaceship was released from its mothership at an altitude of 45,000 ft (13,700 metres).

During its first flight (visit www.virgingalactic.com to view images) the spaceship was piloted by Pete Siebold, assisted by Mike Alsbury as co-pilot. The two main goals of the flight were to carry out a clean release of the spaceship from its mothership and for the pilots to free fly and glide back and land at Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

Other detailed objectives of the flight were successfully completed, including; verification that all systems worked prior and following the clean release of Enterprise; initial evaluation of handling and stall characteristics; qualitative evaluation of stability and control of SS2 against predictions from design and simulation work; verification of performance by evaluating the lift-to-drag ratio of the spaceship during glide flight; practice a landing approach at altitude and finally descend and land.

Preparations for the milestone flight were extensive. The WhiteKnightTwo mothership (Eve) flew 40 times including 4 captive carry flights of spaceship and mothership mated together. The most recent captive carry was on Sept 30th. The most recent solo flight was on October 5th and demonstrated that all the systems required for a free flight by the VSS Enterprise were functioning correctly without any safety issues. Commenting on the successful flight Scaled Composites pilot, Pete Siebold, said “The VSS Enterprise was a real joy to fly, especially when one considers the fact that the vehicle has been designed not only to be a Mach 3.5 spaceship capable of going into space but also one of the worlds highest altitude gliders.”

Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, who was present during the first successful flight, added “This was one of the most exciting days in the whole history of Virgin. For the first time since we seriously began the project in 2004, I watched the world’s first manned commercial spaceship landing on the runway at Mojave Air and Space Port and it was a great moment. Now, the sky is no longer the limit and we will begin the process of pushing beyond to the final frontier of space itself over the next year.”

Virgin Galactic is now well on the way to becoming the world's first commercial space line with 370 customer deposits totalling $50 million. Future commercial operations will be at Spaceport America in New Mexico where final preparations are taking place for a finished runway inauguration ceremony on Friday 22nd October 2010. National Geographic channel in the United States will be showing a documentary on the build up and preparation for the first flight of VSS Enterprise on Monday, 18th October at 10.00pm ET/PT.

George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic who was also present at the historic flight, added “To see the world’s first manned commercial spaceship landing on a runway is a sight I always dreamed I would behold. Now, our challenge going forward will be to complete our experimental program, obtain our FAA licence and safely bring the system into service at Spaceport America, New Mexico.”

Queen Elizabeth arrives in Southampton

Queen Elizabeth – the latest addition to the Cunard Line – has arrived in Southampton ahead of her official launch on Monday.

The vessel will become the third in the fleet – joining the Queen Mary II and Queen Victoria.

Queen Elizabeth was built in Italy and replaces the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) which made its last transatlantic crossing in 2008.

"Queen Elizabeth is a spectacular addition to a spectacular fleet, and we would love as many people as possible to take the opportunity to come out and share with us the excitement of welcoming Southampton's newest star," said Peter Shanks, Cunard's president and managing director.

This is the third Cunard ship to take the name Queen Elizabeth.

The first was launched on the Clyde in Scotland in 1938 by the then Queen Elizabeth - who later became the Queen Mother - with the present Queen, aged 12, also present.

The Queen launched the second Queen Elizabeth, the QE2, on the Clyde in 1967.

She also named the QM2 at Southampton in 2004.

The new Queen Elizabeth is one foot longer and one foot wider than the QE2 - which was sold to Dubai-based property developers Nakheel after being retired.

However, with 16 decks it is much taller.

The QE2 remains moored at Port Rashid awaiting an uncertain future.

Launch

Queen Elizabeth will be named on Monday 11th October by Her Majesty the Queen.

She will depart on her maiden voyage at 17:00 hours on Tuesday 12th October.

Couple ordered off QM2 cruise for insulting passenger following 'too many Jews' remark

Frederick Evans, 91, and his Broadway producer wife Gloria Sher, 82. The couple faced being dumped in a remote part of Quebec in Canada before fellow passengers came to their defence and asked that they be allowed to stay

By Daniel Bates - Mail Online

An elderly British couple were ordered off luxury Cunard liner QM2 after an explosive row with fellow passengers during a black-tie dinner.

Frederick Evans, 91, and his Broadway producer wife Gloria Sher, 82, were told by the captain to leave at the next port following what was said to be an expletive-ridden argument over anti-Semitic remarks.

The couple faced being dumped in a remote part of Quebec in Canada before fellow passengers came to their defence and asked that they be allowed to stay.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1317508/Couple-ordered-QM2-cruise-ship-anti-Semitic-row.html#ixzz11lE0EzR3

A Taste of Malaysia Comes to Sydney

by Andy Warner


Award-winning Malaysian chefs have been flown in from Kuala Lumpur for the event, to showcase many of Malaysia’s tantalising food with Indian, Thai, Arab & Chinese influences. The chefs will recreate timeless dishes from the Malaysia’s beloved first Prime Minister’s famous cookbook, Tunku’s Kitchen. This writer was invited to indulge in the dinner menu on offer and only got to sample half of the huge range of dishes on offer despite two visits to the buffet! Certainly a worthwhile investment for lovers of good food to take advantage of while the opportunity exists, don’t miss it!

Australians love their food, particularly when fresh produce, cooking and authentic flavours are involved. Tourism Malaysia has embarked on an extensive food promotion with a range of events not only for food loving Australians here but in Malaysia as well.

For Australians wanting to sample Malaysian delights without leaving home, Tourism Malaysia in conjunction with Malaysia Airlines and The Grace Hotel in Sydney’s CBD are holding a Flavours of Malaysia Food Festival at the Grace Brasserie from October 7 – 29.

In Malaysia, the Fabulous Food Malaysia festival kicks off in October, with three full months of culinary celebrations and events planned right up until Christmas.
Celebrating its tenth year, the Malaysian International Gourmet Festival is Malaysia’s premier fine dining event. The month long festival with special events and offerings by the best world-class chefs throughout Malaysia will take place from 1- 31 October 2010.
In November, the ASEAN Food Heritage Trail will showcase Malaysia’s multi-cultural heritage through traditional Asian and fusion dishes, throughout Malaysia.

During the month long food trail, visitors will be able to enjoy authentic regional flavours, and witness cooking classes and demonstrations by renowned ASEAN chefs, maestros at preparing their signature ASEAN dishes.

The food trail is a great way for visitors to become acquainted with and gain an appreciation for Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage from all ten of Malaysia’s Southeast Asian neighbours—Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia.

Then from December 1 to 31 the Malaysian Street Food Festival will run with street stalls and celebrations all over Malaysia sampling the best of Malaysia hawker food.

As part of the celebration the Ministry of Tourism has conducted a poll to discover the most popular Malaysian dishes, revealingthat Satay, Roti Canai and Chicken Rice are the top three Malaysian Favorites for 2010.

For more information visit www.tourism.gov.my

Constellation Hotel Wins Chain of the Year

Constellation Hotels is toasting their success after winning the award for Hotel Chain of the Year at the Hotel Motel & Accommodation Association's 2010 National Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence which took place at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on Friday 24th September.

The glittering function was attended by over 200 leaders and representatives from the tourism and accommodation industries in addition to the newly appointed Shadow Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Federal Member for Paterson, the Hon. Bob Baldwin MP. McLeod's Daughters and Home and Away actress, Sophie Cleary, performed the role of MC at the event with the assistance of former Sydney Swans player Jared Crouch.

"The HMAA National Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence are all about achieving and maintaining the highest standards in the accommodation industry", said Lorraine Duffy, HMAA's Chief Executive. "HMAA understands and rewards the vital contribution of accommodation operators in creating, inspiring and promoting tourism, through providing the highest standards of service to their guests".

Constellation Hotels Managing Director, Jonathan Wooller said, "Winning the highly coveted Hotel Chain of the Year provides wonderful recognition for all of the properties that are part of Constellation Hotels extensive network across Australia and New Zealand.

In the past year we have worked hard to grow our hotel network, to build our brands in the regions in which they operate, and to develop our people as the future leaders in the hospitality industry, so we are thrilled to take home this award".

Constellation Hotels was selected as a winner from among four other finalists in the Hotel Chain of the Year category, where properties are judged in equal parts by a written submission and a mystery assessment. HMAA's Awards for Excellence are one of the only annual accommodation awards to incorporate a true mystery guest component in their judging process.

Constellation Hotels was also well represented across a wide range of individual award categories with the following hotel finalists recognised; Australis Diamond Beach Resort and Spa ((4 ½ Star Luxury Self Contained Accommodation), Chifley Eastern Creek and Chifley Doveton (4 ½ Star Luxury Hotel Accommodation), and Chifley Penrith (3 ½ Star Superior Hotel Accommodation).

In addition to the chain and property categories, Constellation Hotels Founder, Darryl Courtney O'Connor received an HMAA ACES award, which recognizes the outstanding contribution of long serving members within the accommodation industry.Ends.

PHOTO: Constellation Hotels Team – (Bottom row – left to right) Matthew Ryan, Nick Walker, Bill Bradley, Vince Wilson, (Top row – left to right) Nikki Walton, Darryl Courtney O'Conner, Ann Whitelock, Peter Sweeny, Cameron Stewart, James Gardiner, Kristen Carville, Jodie Cairns.

Revealed - Toga's CEO working incognito for UNDERCOVER BOSS!

Rachel Argaman, Australian Hotelier of the year, has been scrubbing, cooking and cleaning to find out how Toga Hospitality can improve guest service and reward the unsung members of the Toga Team

7th October 2010: Last week, in front of over 200 Toga Team Members, Rachel Argaman – CEO of Toga Hospitality – announced she has been working undercover at Vibe Hotels, Medina Apartment Hotels and Travelodge Hotels. Her experience will feature in the brand new, Australian version of the hit series Undercover Boss.

Argaman wanted to learn and experience first hand what the company can do to improve each and every guest experience and to ensure that Toga Hospitality is, and remains, a compelling place to work as well as to stay.

She left the comfort of the office and her home to take part in a unique undercover mission to examine the inner workings of the company. A familiar face around each of Toga Hospitality's 51 hotels, she was heavily disguised and donned various uniforms as she learnt how to clean rooms, check in guests, prepare guest meals, set up for conferences and so much more!

By going undercover, Argaman had the unique opportunity to get to know even more members of the incredible Toga Team and to hear some home truths about the business. Her experience has resulted in significant and unique changes to help Toga Hospitality continue to serve its guests, look after its Team Members and continue to grow well into the future.

Argaman said: "Companies don't succeed; people do – at Toga Hospitality, we follow this as our mantra. The reason I wanted to be involved in Undercover Boss was to look at our business through the eyes of our Front Line Team. This was a true learning curve! I had lots of fun and have learnt vital lessons which will translate into real solutions for our business and our people so that we can better serve our guests, and our team!"

Network Ten's Chief Programming Officer, David Mott said: "I'm delighted with the local production of Undercover Boss…Our CEOs have been extraordinary in giving of their time. I know this has been a life changing experience for them. What we have here is something quite special that Australians will love and embrace."

Other companies taking part in the series include: Domino's Pizza Enterprises, Boost Juice and Veolia Environmental Services Australia. The American series of Undercover Boss launched to 38.6 million viewers in the US, making it the highest rating premiere of a reality show on record.

Undercover Boss Australia starts on Monday 18 October at 8.30pm on TEN

BOOK ONLINE @ www.togahotels.com.au or call Central Reservations: 13-TOGA

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