TRAVEL+LEISURE WORLD'S BEST AWARDS - SOFITEL QUEENSTOWN HOTEL & SPA NAMED BEST SPA

SOFITEL QUEENSTOWN HOTEL & SPA NAMED BEST SPA AT THE 2011 TRAVEL+LEISURE WORLD'S BEST AWARD

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa has been named the World's Best Hotel Spa in this year's Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards.

Travel+Leisure is one of North America's most respected and highest circulating travel magazines with a focus on authentic, innovative, and irresistible experiences across the globe. Survey results are based on readers' ratings, with hotel spas specifically judged on the basis of their ambience, treatments, service and value.

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa earned the top spot in the overall spa category earning a total score of 98.93 out of 100 eligible points.

General Manager Wouter De Graaf says, "We're ecstatic. To be recognised as the world's very best against thousands of other hotel spas' is a phenomenal achievement. It goes to prove that despite what might be considered a remote location at the bottom of the world in Queenstown our spa service is so exceptional that we still come out sitting at the very top of it. "

Indeed, the boutique Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa beat not only its competitors in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific but all other regions too including Asia, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Hawaii, the USA and Canada.

Launched in 2005 as Queenstown's original five-star hotel, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa was reborn in 2010 following an impressive $2 million upgrade and extension which transformed the hotel's vacant ground floor to add a new entry area and foyer, cafe, business centre, sit-down reception and luxury lobby with direct access to its LeSpa day spa. Sofitel opened LeSpa in September 2007.

In spite of its distinct French influence courtesy of the Sofitel brand's Parisian origins, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa's LeSpa is nothing if not true to its geographical location with restful décor on display as inspired by the destination's rugged ranges and glacial lakes. The result is an unequivocally 'New Zealand' sensorial experience with the trimmings including the use of traditional local treatments alongside the use of indulgent Decleor products and private hammam.

LeSpa's signature treatments have a powerful undercurrent of Maori lore offering century-old rituals and traditional therapies, many of which are available nowhere else in the country, let alone the world. Treatments use natural, native ingredients such as Manuka honey, beeswax, shimmering paua shells, and volcanic clay from the North Island's famed Rotorua geothermic region and famously employed by Maori healers.

Among the many decadent spa offerings, Sofitel guests will find traditional Maori rituals including the Ataahua treatment and time honoured 'Pounamu' greenstone massage believed to possess intuitive healing powers.

Mr De Graaf says the Travel+Leisure award is true testament to the hard work and dedication of the Sofitel team in Queenstown who have worked hard to fine tune and develop the product since its launch six years ago.

"At Sofitel Luxury Hotels, our focus is on the guest experience and extending memorable and impeccable service to our guests, and that includes our hotel spa services. We are honored that our commitment has been recognised by the discerning readers of Travel+Leisure themselves."

The Travel+Leisure honour follows Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa's admission into the aspirational Exclusive Accommodation Category of Qualmark™ - New Zealand tourism's official quality assurance system – in April 2011. Sofitel is the only internationally branded hotel to have Exclusive Qualmark status in the accommodation category, and also earned Enviro-Gold Status in the Qualmark™ category for Green operators.

Highlights from the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2011 readers' survey were announced in the USA on Thursday the 7th of July on NBC's Today Show. Winners will be honoured during an awards ceremony to be held in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 14.

The Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2011 are featured now on TravelandLeisure.com/worldsbest and will appear in the August issue of Travel + Leisure magazine (due for release July 22). The complete survey methodology is available on TravelandLeisure.com/worldsbest and in the August issue.

Discover Sofitel on www.sofitel.com

Discover A|Club at Sofitel, the worldwide Accor loyalty program on www.a-club.com

2011 National Travel Industry Awards

Australia's travel industry celebrates its night of nights

Tonight almost 1000 travel agents and suppliers gathered for the annual National Travel Industry Awards, once again held at the Sydney Westin Hotel.

The eagerly anticipated night of nights saw the industry celebrate top achievers in a range of categories, with huge interest in the winners announced tonight by MC Jules Lund.

AFTA ceo Jayson Westbury said it was a great occasion to celebrate after a year in which travel agents have truly proved their worth to the travelling public, dealing with a spate of disasters from which the industry continues to recover.

Diehards are continuing to celebrate at the 'afta' party which is expected to continue into the early hours of the morning.

The winners from tonight were:

Rookie of the Year - Agent: Katrina Tasker, Escape Travel Chatswood
Best Travel Consultant - Retail: Anne Westby, Travelcentre Bendigo
Best Travel Agency Retail - Single Location: Harvey World Travel Lane Cove NSW
Best Travel Agency Retail - Multi Location: Phil Hoffmann Travel
Best Travel Consultant - Corporate: Hannah Moore, The Travel Authority
Best Travel Agency Corporate - Multi Location: Globetrotter Corporate Travel
Best Travel Agency Corporate - Single Location: Spencer Travel
Best Conference & Incentive Travel Agency: etm group
Best National Corporate Travel Management Company: Corporate Travel Management
Best Innovation in Marketing - Retail Agency: Phil Hoffmann Travel
Best Travel Writer: Stephen Scourfield, The West Australian
Best Registered Travel Industry Training Institution: Brisbane North Institute of TAFE
Best Hotel/Resort - Australian Property: Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa
Best Hotel/Resort Group: Accor
Best Agency Support Service: Air Tickets
Best Tourist Office - National: Tourism Queensland
Best Tourist Office - International: Tourism New Zealand
Rookie of the Year - Industry Supplier: Christian Coronica, AAT Kings
Best Sales Executive - Industry Supplier: Blake Muir, Topdeck
Best Car/Campervan Rental Operator: Hertz
Best Tour Operator - International: Insight Vacations
Best Tour Operator - Domestic: AAT Kings
Best Cruise Operator - International Based Operation: APT
Best Cruise Operator - Australian Based Operation: Princess Cruises
Best Wholesaler - International Product: Creative Holidays
Best Wholesaler - Australian Product: Qantas Holidays & Viva! Holidays
Best Domestic Airline: Qantas Airways
Best International Airline - Off-Line: Lufthansa German Airlines
Best International Airline - On-Line: Singapore Airlines
Best Agency Group [100 stores or more]: Travelscene American Express

More details and lots of exclusive pictures from the event in Monday's Travel Daily and at www.traveldaily.com.au/photos.

Funeral Service for Otto Habsburg (1912-2011), son of the last Austrian Emperor

A great European passed away on 4 July 2011: Otto Habsburg-Lothringen, son of the last Austrian Emperor and Empress, Karl and Zita, passed away in his house in the Bavarian town of Pöcking. He was 98 years old. Otto Habsburg-Lothringen will be buried together with his wife Regina, who died in February 2010, in Vienna's Imperial Burial Vault on 16 July 2011.

Otto Habsburg-Lothringen and his wife Regina (née Princess of Saxony-Meiningen) will be the last members of the former imperial court to be buried in the family vault next to Otto's mother, Empress Zita. On Thursday and Friday (14 and 15 July 2011), the two deceased will lie in state in the Capuchin Church. The requiem for Otto Habsburg will take place on Saturday 16 July 2011 at 3:00pm in the Stephansdom. After that, the funeral procession will proceed across the Graben and Kohlmarkt, through the Imperial Palace and via the Ringstrasse to the Kaisergruft (Capuchins' Crypt) on the Neuer Markt.

He was born on 20 November 1912 in Villa Wartholz near Reichenau an der Rax in Lower Austria. After emigrating to Switzerland, Madeira and Spain, as well as temporary stays in the USA and France, Otto Habsburg-Lothringen had lived in Bavaria since 1954. In the 1930s, he fought against the annexation of Austria to Hitler's Germany. From 1957 to 1972, he was Vice President, after that President of the International Paneuropean Union until 2004. This union advocates a politically and economically united democratic Europe. From 1979 to 1999, he was the representative of the Bavarian CSU in the European Parliament. Otto Habsburg-Lothringen was honoured especially for his consistent fight against National Socialism and Communism.

Otto Habsburg-Lothringen's relationship to the Second Republic was therefore not entirely free of conflict. After lengthy negotiations, he was only allowed to return to Austria in 1966 after renouncing his affiliation with the house of Habsburg-Lothringen and the associated claims to power. In 1972, there was finally a historic handshake between Otto Habsburg-Lothringen and the then Federal Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, which relaxed the relationship of the Republic of Austria to the Habsburg-Lothringen family in the long run.

The funeral in Vienna on 16 July 2011 will be attended by many representatives of the European nobility, high church officials and top representatives of Austrian, European and international politics. Otto Habsburg-Lothringen leaves behind seven children. The head of the family is son Karl, born in 1961, who is married to the art patron Francesca Habsburg.

Laying-out in the Capuchin Church: 14 & 15 July 2011
Requiem in St. Stephen's Cathedral and burial in the Imperial Burial Vault: 16 July 2011 (starting at 3:00pm)

Imperial Burial Vault

1., Neuer Markt / Tegetthoffstrasse
Daily 10am–6pm
U, Tram, Bus: Karlsplatz/Oper
U1, U3: Stephansplatz
www.kaisergruft.at

Additional information, photos, and accreditation:

www.ottovonhabsburg.org

Photos of Destination Vienna at www.wien-bild.at

At www.viennaphoto.com, nearly 1000 photos can be downloaded free of charge for editorial use. Please register under "New customer registration" in the "Login" area. You will receive your access code immediately.

Austria, www.vienna.info, www.b2b.vienna.info,

www.twitter.com/ViennaInfoB2B

LAN AIRLINES RECOMMENCES FLIGHTS FROM AUSTRALIA TO SOUTH AMERICA

LAN Airlines will resume daily flights between Australia and South America from tomorrow, Friday 8 July, following the dispersal of volcanic ash cloud in New Zealand airspace.

Flight LA 800, the airline's daily flight on the Sydney - Auckland – Santiago route, has been disrupted since early June because of the ash cloud.

Flight LA 800 is scheduled to depart Sydney at 9.25am on Friday, flying via Auckland to Santiago.

Passengers seeking more information or wanting to check upcoming flights should call LAN reservations in Sydney on 1800 558 129 or visit www.lan.com.

Due to the high volume of calls, some delays may be experienced.

For passengers who were booked to travel prior to 8 July, but whose travel plans were affected by the ash cloud disruption, LAN will waive change fees for new reservations made up to and including 31 October.

LAN regrets the disruption caused to passengers during this crisis.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts Opens Landmark Jaipur Marriott in India's Royal State of Rajasthan

IN INDIA'S ROYAL STATE OF RAJASTHAN

Jaipur, India -- July 5, 2011 -- Marriott International brought its signature Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand to India's state of Rajasthan with the opening of the 365-room Jaipur Marriott Hotel.  With seven separate food and beverage outlets and 43,000 square feet of meeting space, the contemporary, stylish Jaipur Marriott is now the state's largest hotel in terms of rooms and event space and is well on its way to becoming a culinary landmark. To view the grand opening video from Jaipur, visit  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8BptbwOnUA&feature=channel_video_title.

Popularly known as the Pink City, Jaipur is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan.  Founded in 1727, Jaipur is one of the finest planned cities of India and, with a population of more than 3.9 million, is a growing hub for business and leisure tourism.

"With tremendous growth as a business hub during the past few years, Jaipur is set to become one of the most sought-after destinations for both leisure and for business travelers in India,"  said Rajeev Menon, Marriott International's area vice president, India, Maldives, Malaysia & Australia.  "The Jaipur Marriott Hotel will set a new benchmark for lodging in the city."

"Marriott Hotels & Resorts continues to set the global brand standard in quality lodging, and the Jaipur Marriott Hotel is the latest example of how we deliver world-class locations with genuine care for all travel occasions," said Paul Cahill, senior vice president of brand management for Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

The Jaipur Marriott combines a sense of place with the latest style and design of Marriott Hotels & Resorts.  The plush, earthy tones and the light, airy interiors decorated with Rajasthani murals, latticework carvings and iconic stone carved elephants create an inimitable aura. The leather and wood combination on the ceilings, and water cascading on glass throughout the hotel makes it a welcoming universe.

The heart and social hub of the hotel is the lobby which incorporates two of the hotel's seven food and beverage outlets. The Jaipur Baking Company adapts the classic pastry shop, with an interactive open baking area serving freshly baked pastries and cakes, alongside wonderful pastas, salads and sandwiches. Lounge 18 is divided into clearly defined zones such as social, business and individual where guests enjoy the lounge depending on whether they are working, socializing or just relaxing with a drink.

For all-day dining, Okra features international cuisine in a stylish, contemporary setting. Aqua, the pool bar and deli will provide a wonderful escape from the city and the Rajasthan summer.

The Jaipur Marriott is equipped to host meetings, wedding parties and conventions on a scale previously not seen in Rajasthan, with two ballrooms; nine break away venues; four meeting rooms; a lawn for outdoor functions; and a 43,000-square-foot meeting room for grand functions.,

Coming soon will be Saffron, a fine dining Indian restaurant combining the rich tapestry of the sub-continent's culinary influences from Maharajas' palaces to quintessential Indian street food; Alto Vino, a modern and stylish Italian restaurant; and a multi-level nightclub with a stylish, sophisticated and contemporary atmosphere. The Quan Spa, will offer 10,000 square feet of space for complete rejuvenation and fitness, with a an adult and kids' pool. 

Even before the hotel opened, it was showcasing its unique food and beverage services in the exemplary Marriott manner at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament for VVIPs, VIPs and of course for the members of Rajasthan Royals, as the official hospitality partner for the home team.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts is Marriott International's signature and most widely distributed brand, with more than 500 hotels and resorts in 54 countries.  Marriott continues to inspire provide a balanced life on the road for discerning and high-achieving business and leisure travelers, offering warm, professional service; sophisticated yet functional guest room design; lobby spaces that facilitate working, dining and socializing; restaurants and bars serving international cuisine prepared simply and from the freshest ingredients; meeting and event spaces and services that are gold standard; and expansive, 24-hour fitness facilities. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com.  Follow Marriott Hotels & Resorts on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MarriottHotels.

About Marriott International, For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

 

Jaipur Marriott Lobby, Lounge 18
Jaipur Marriott, Pool & Aqua Pool Bar
Jaipur Marriott, Deluxe Guest Room

 

Soldiers of Kokoda 2011

An epic journey undertaken by Australian soldiers who have suffered battle casualties from Afghanistan

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority is pleased to announce that from 13-22 July 2011 25 young Australian soldiers, who have been injured serving in Afghanistan, will undertake a commemorative expedition of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.  This trek is led by Brian Freeman, principle of Adventure 1000, and supported by General Peter Cosgrove AC MC who will join them during the trek.

The trek will end with a moving ceremony at the Isurava Memorial on the Kokoda Trail on 20 July 2011, acknowledging the sacrifices and efforts of Service Personnel.

Over 40 Australians will join the inspiring trek which will recognise the sacrifices of all Australian service personnel, serve as a part of the rehabilitation process for these returned soldiers and highlight importance of preserving sites like the Kokoda Track as reminders of Australian wartime history and individual sacrifice. 

All 25 soldiers participating in the trek are young men who have suffered battle casualties while on service in Afghanistan and the trek will be an important part of their rehabilitation.  The majority of soldiers are based in Brisbane from the Second Combat Engineer Regiment. 

One soldier, Damien Thomlinson, a member of the Elite 2 Commando Regiment based in Sydney, will be making the trek with the use of prosthetic legs, after suffering injuries from an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in April 2010.   Also proud father, Ray Palmer, is walking with Damien and the soldiers in honour of his son, Scott Palmer, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan while on duty in June 2010. Scott Palmer and Damien Thomlinson served together and Scott came to Damien's aid and saved his life during his accident.   

Brian Freeman, principle of Adventure 1000, believes this trip will provide families and friends of Australian Soldiers with the chance to acknowledge the sacrifices they've made in Afghanistan.

"This unique opportunity will allow everyday Australians to recognise the efforts and sacrifices of all soldiers including those who have recently served in Afghanistan.  Additionally, they will also be assisting the rehabilitation and well-being of Australian Soldiers wounded on Active Service in Afghanistan," stated Freeman.

The trek will also highlight the importance of maintaining the Kokoda Track as a central commemorative site in Australian war history and the importance of continuing to maintain these sites and support the local communities who fought alongside Australians during WWII.

In recent years significant investment has been committed by the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA), which has been supported by a joint initiative between the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments to protect the Kokoda Track, to improve safety and operations and contribute to local communities along the trek.  In the past two years the KTA has delivered over $185,000 in cash and supplies to the Kokoda Track Communities as a direct dividend of the collection of trekking fees from the increasing number of Australians taking the trek.

Peter Vincent CEO of the Papua New Guinea Promotion Authority comments:  "This epic trek of the Kokoda trail will raise awareness of the importance of the track for Australians and inspire others to follow in the footsteps of these brave Australian soldiers.  Completing the Kokoda trail allows visitors to get into the heart of Papua New Guinea, achieve an amazing physical accomplishment and mark their respect to Australian wartime history. However, many Australians who make the trek are not aware of the contribution they are also making to the development and livelihood of the communities along the trek and this is also an important part of the journey."

 www.papuanewguinea.travel / www.facebook.com/papuanewguinea.travel

www.adventure1000.com.au


About the Kokoda Track
Commencing at Kokoda Village, this trek follows the 96 kilometre Kokoda Trail to the south across the Owen Stanley Range to Ower's Corner.  The trekkers will be spoilt by a backdrop of pristine rainforest wilderness and pass by and interact with local villages providing a unique cultural perspective.

The track stretches through what is arguably some of the most rugged and wild jungle in the world. Built over 200 years ago as a commuting route between villages, the track became the scene of bitter fighting between Australian and Japanese soldiers in 1942.  It was on Kokoda that the myth of Japanese invincibility was broken for the first time.    Today battle sites are still evident throughout the jungle, marked by the weapon pits of the combatants.  

Hayman Island to Re-open

Excitement is building in the Whitsundays as multi-award winning Hayman is on track to reopen on 1 August 2011.

The temporary closure of the resort to undertake repair and rectification works was a result of damage caused by Tropical Cyclones Anthony and Yasi, which passed over the island on 30 January and 2 February 2011.

The works include key guest and accommodation areas, activity facilities and essential infrastructure. And as part of the works program, acclaimed landscape designer, horticulturalist and personality, Jamie Durie has been engaged to replant and rejuvenate the garden landscapes which have long provided an incredible backdrop to the resort. The gardens are progressing very well and a beautiful botanic garden will soon be revealed.

Furthermore, new restaurant concepts are being introduced in both Azure and in the new Fontaine restaurant, which is set to become Australia’s signature resort restaurant. Fontaine will feature indoor and outdoor dining and innovative, contemporary Australian cuisine perfectly paired with a comprehensive selection of wines from our cellar.

Works are also occurring in the Hayman Activities Centre which will feature new tennis courts and indoor outdoor recreation, sports and fitness facilities.

There’s never been a better time to holiday in the Whitsundays, with our Winter minimum temperatures most major cities' maximums....
Go to www.facebook.com/WhitsundaysQLD