Hotels offer refuge to flood victims

Source: Travelmole.com

Queensland’s Far North hotels and resorts have opened their doors to victims of the state’s flood disaster.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland this week urged the Far North’s accommodation providers to help those who may not be able to return to their homes for several days or weeks.

TTNQ chief executive Rob Giason said the huge response from providers was “heart warming”.

Those who have offered help include Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Pullman Reef Casino, Mercure Harbourside, Novotel Rockford Palm Cove, All Seasons Cairns, Mercure Tree Tops Port Douglas, Sebel Cairns, Sea Temple Port Douglas, Sebel Reef House Resort and Spa and Cairns Colonial Club.

The Pullman Reef Casino is organising a benefit event and will release details shortly.

Chief executive of the Queensland Hotels Association, Justin O’Connor, said while the numbers of hotels significantly affected by events around the state is still being confirmed, there were upwards of 20 that have been, or are still closed, as a result of the flooding.

The vital road supply chain from Brisbane to Cairns is reopening after two weeks of closures prevented the delivery of food to the Far North.

Sydney - Rarotonga direct flights to recommence 2011

Direct Sydney to Rarotonga flights herald breakthrough year for Cook Islands tourism  

With nonstop Sydney-Rarotonga flights launching year round from July, the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation expects to welcome a lot more Australians from 2011.

The Cook Islands government has entered a three year partnership with Air New Zealand to operate a B767 direct from Sydney on a weekly, year round basis from Tuesday 5 July. The launch follows the success of a four month trial last year.

Carmel Beattie, CEO of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, says: "Watch out for the Cook Islands becoming the hot new South Pacific destination once Australians discover how easy it is to reach this truly authentic island paradise. 

"They will love the warmth and accessibility of the unique Cook Islands Maori culture and fabulous range of holiday experiences on Rarotonga and beyond. We expect Australians will want to explore the family of islands as they are already the largest market for the island of Aitutaki."

She adds: "Tourism provides 75% of the Cook Islands GDP and this new service, along with the strength of the Australian dollar against the islands' NZ dollar currency, will have a major impact on the country's economy and tourism growth opportunities."

The direct service will be operated by a 234 seat Boeing 767-300 with a flight time of six hours from Sydney and seven hours 15 minutes from Rarotonga. 

Flights will depart Sydney on Tuesdays at 9pm arriving in Rarotonga at 7am on the same day, crossing the International Date Line. Return flights depart Rarotonga on Monday at 4.35pm arriving in Sydney at 7.50pm Tuesday.  

At the very centre of the Polynesian triangle, the Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over some 2 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered to the west by Tokelau, the Samoas and Nuie and to the east by Tahiti and French Polynesia.  

Flights on the weekly direct services are now on sale. This new service adds to the already daily connections to Cook Islands from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that go via Auckland.

Virgin to add turbo prop fleet under alliance with Skywest

The Virgin Blue Group and Western Australia's Skywest Airlines have just
announced signing a new strategic alliance, which will see Skywest operate
a fleet of up to 18 new DJ branded turbo prop aircraft, leased from Avation
PLC.

The 10-year agreement will see the first DJ turbo prop come into service
mid this year (and another 3 by the end of 2011) and operate on new and
existing routes around the country.

"The combined strength of our networks, along with the additional capacity
we will deliver with new aircraft, will provide travellers with more
frequent flights, better schedules and competitive fares," said DJ ceo and
managing director, John Borghetti.

Queensland's Fraser Island Is Open For Business

It has been a devastating start to the New Year for many Central and Western Queenslanders and Fraser Island's close knit community sends thoughts and prayers to those in flood-affected regions.

The closest major flooding to the Fraser Coast and Fraser Island is in Bundaberg, which is one-and-a-half hours drive north from Hervey Bay. Roads from Brisbane (in the south) to Hervey Bay and into Rainbow Beach are open; but travellers planning journeys north to Bundaberg, and beyond, are advised to check road condition reports prior to travel.

Kingfisher Bay Resort Group General Manager of Tours and Marine, David Hay, said guests and staff had steadfastly refused to let Queensland's unpredictable weather dampen spirits on the lee side of Fraser Island.

"The rain that we've had in region has firmed up the sand tracks on Fraser Island and they're promising some good four-wheel-driving for visitors," he said.

"There are a few spots on the eastern side of the island (Kingfisher Bay Resort is on the sheltered, western side) that have been eroded or water is over the tracks - but it's definitely business as usual for us and our tour buses are out as normal."

"Yesterday our resorts guests were poolside enjoying the sun - taking a dip in the water and exploring the World Heritage surrounds," he said. "And out on a self-drive or guided tours guests were taking full advantage of the four-wheel-drive conditions on compact sand tracks."

Mr Hay said that today, despite weather forecasts to the contrary, it was overcast, warm and perfect for outdoor activities.

GREAT SANDY NATIONAL PARK - FRASER ISLAND
Fraser Island's Great Sandy National park is open, with visitors able to access the island's western side, eastern beach and inland tracks.

For four-wheel-drivers the bypass from Indian Heads to Champagne Pools has some deep holes with water. The Queensland Parks Service is advising guests to avoid this particular area. For National Park access information and Fraser Island condition reports:
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser/index.html

EURONG BEACH RESORT (eastern side of Fraser Island)
It is business as normal on Fraser Island's beach side with reports of scattered showers and no wind on the eastern beach. Fisherfolk are out in force on the Eastern Beach enjoying conditions.

FRASER EXPLORER TOURS AND COOL DINGO TOURS
Fraser Explorer Ranger-guided tours from Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach and Eurong Beach Resort and Cool Dingo Tours from Kingfisher Bay Resort are operating as normal and are visiting Eastern Beach sites as scheduled. Lake McKenzie is as popular as ever, as the spot to cool off on a warm day.

FRASER ISLAND FERRY AND BARGES
Barges to Wanggoolba Creek, Inskip, Kingfisher Bay Resort and Moon Point are operating as normal. http://www.fraserislandferry.com.au/
Ends.

TINY VANUATU OFFERS AID TO QUEENSLAND FLOOD VICTIMS

QUEENSLAND flood victims have been offered aid from an unlikely source – the little South Pacific nation of Vanuatu that's normally the recipient itself of much-needed overseas aid.

Port Vila businessman, Bryan Death and his partner Val have just spent ten days in Queensland and on their return to Vila this week emailed fellow tourism promoters and other business colleagues and associates, friends, and everyone they could think of from government officials to church groups, telling them of the heartbreak they'd seen in Queensland.

"Within 24 hours we've been offered a shipping container and free shipping, and instant offers of food, clothing, toys and household goods from the Australian and Chinese expatriate communities and service clubs. We're hoping to see our container filled and on its way within the next week."

Mr Death said a business associate in Emerald – a town which had been ninety per cent inundated and was just west of Rockhampton, one of the State's worst-affected flood areas – had offered to receive the container and to arrange distribution of its contents through aid authorities to the most needy in Emerald.

"Vanuatu is itself normally the recipient of aid and appreciates the value of such assistance from overseas in its development and times of crisis, so it is nice to think that we can play a part – no matter how small – in helping others in such desperate plight as those in Queensland."

Timeless is Modern: The St. Regis Collection by Alexis Bittar

St. Regis Partners with Celebrated Jeweler to Create Exclusive Jewelry Collection Inspired by the Brand's Founding Patroness, Caroline Astor

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), is delighted to announce a collaboration with Alexis Bittar, one of today's most innovative and admired jewelry designers. In celebration of the debut of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts' twenty-first hotel and the brand's global growth, Alexis Bittar has created a bespoke collection exclusively for St. Regis. The St. Regis Collection by Alexis Bittar includes earrings, a necklace and brooch and draws inspiration from legendary St. Regis founding patroness Caroline Astor, the mother of St. Regis founder John Jacob Astor IV and one of the most influential social and style icons of all time. As St. Regis Hotels & Resorts celebrated its recent twenty-first opening of The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, Alexis Bittar's one of a kind collection pays homage to Caroline Astor's famed jewelry collection and the brand's glittering legacy.

"As one of today's most celebrated jewelry designers, Alexis Bittar is the perfect partner for the first ever St. Regis Collection," says Paul James, St. Regis Global Brand Leader. "St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has truly "Come of Age" and Alexis' modern interpretation of Mrs. Astor's prized jewels is a wonderful way to mark the brand's landmark year of growth and more than 100 years of history."

"I am thrilled to work with St. Regis and celebrate with them as they open their twenty-first hotel," says Alexis Bittar. "It was great fun to explore Caroline Astor's jewels and to create a collection in honor of her style and that of St. Regis."

The St. Regis Collection by Alexis Bittar speaks to the brand's rich history and its dedication to modern sophistication. Paying tribute to Caroline's love of pearls and diamonds, this exclusive collection features Bittar's signature Lucite alongside pearls in rich cream, platinum and champagne hues. Crystal accents grace the dramatic strand of pearls, drop earrings and floral brooch harkening back to the jewels Caroline wore at her legendary Midnight Suppers. From the flagship St. Regis New York to Bora Bora, from Rome to the newly opened St. Regis hotels in Osaka and Lhasa - this remarkable collection will be available for fashionable guests around the world.

Alexis Bittar has become one of the most admired jewelry designers of his time. Bittar has collaborated with countless designers and styled women from celebrities and political figures, from Cameron Diaz to Madeline Albright. In 2010, his tremendous success earned Alexis the Council of Fashion Designers of America Accessory Designer of the Year award.

The St. Regis Collection by Alexis Bittar will be available for sale at all Alexis Bittar stores nationwide and online at www.alexisbittar.com. The St. Regis Collection necklace will retail for US $490.00, a set of earrings will retail for US $310.00 each and the brooch will retail for US $385.00.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Combining classic sophistication and modern luxury, the St. Regis brand remains faithful to its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor IV, with the opening of the first St. Regis Hotel in New York City over a century ago, the St. Regis brand of hotels is known for its unique luxury dimension, customized service and refined elegance, in the best destinations worldwide. Plans for this brand to globally continue its legacy include long-awaited St. Regis US and Latin American hotels and resorts in Bal Harbour, Buenos Aires and the Riviera Maya. In Asia, St. Regis has also announced plans to open hotels in Bangkok, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Sanya Yalong Bay and Tianjin. In Africa and the Middle East, the St. Regis brand will continue to expand in Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Doha and Mauritius. The distinctive trait of the St. Regis experience is customized service and attention, coveted locations and luxurious design. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts please visit www.stregis.com.

Bundaberg Tourism Remains Strong

Whilst many areas within the Bundaberg region have been impacted by the recent flooding event, most local tourism icons have remained relatively unscathed according to Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism (BNBT).

"Tourism icons such as the Mon Repos Turtle Experience, Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands, the Bundaberg Rum Bondstore, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel, the various Childers wineries and many others are open for business as usual", said BNBT Chair, Greg Barnes. Importantly, the number of breeding turtles returning to lay their eggs at Mon Repos have not been affected in the slightest and numbers are actually growing with some 239 of the ancient mariners having already returned to the largest loggerhead rookery on the east coast since the start of the current season.

Whilst recent media reports have accurately described the devastation that many communities and businesses have suffered as a result of the deluge of rain that fell on Boxing Day, they haven't reported the fact that most tourism operations were able to continue on as normal or to quickly bounce back into full operation.

"Perhaps the biggest impact on tourism operators has been the dramatic number of unnecessary cancellations for accommodation", Mr. Barnes said. "As devastating as the floods have been for our local community, travellers should be aware that our airport, railway, highways and most local roads are open as usual and that we continue to offer visitors an incredible holiday experience at a most attractive time of the year", he said".

"Bundaberg has always been regarded as a friendly and welcoming region with a lot to offer the traveller but as it recovers from the floods visitors to the region will stand in awe at the resilience of this incredible community".

For general tourism information or to make enquiries about the Mon Repos Turtle Experience, visitors can call Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism on 1300 722 099.