New website for Best Western Fiji hotels

Discover Fiji from your desk – Best Western's new Fiji website introduces you to the culture, experiences and accommodation options available in Australia's favourite playground.

The website offers cultural tips in everything from race and religion, to etiquette for a village visit and even how to pronounce Fijian words.

Visitors to the new website can also view Best Western's three Fiji hotels in Nadi and Suva – with fantastic travel deals available all year round, like the "Internet Saver Rate", which can only be booked online.

Kimi Anderson, General Manager of Sales and Marketing said, "The new website also features a direct link to view live rates, availability and to book the Fiji hotel you want".

Best Western's Fiji hotels, which joined the global brand in June 2011, offer unique Fijian friendliness, global quality standards and affordable prices for families, business or leisure travellers.

Visit www.bestwestern.com.fj for more.

KAMALAYA KOH SAMUI IS HONOURED WITH THREE NEW AWARDS

Koh Samui, Thailand - Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa was honoured with three awards in the last two months, including two awards for its cuisine. In October, Kamalaya was voted winner of Best Conscious Cuisine at the 2011 Crystal Awards Asia Pacific in Singapore. Then at a ceremony in Hong Kong on 9 November, Kamalaya was named Best Spa Retreat of the Year and Best Spa Cuisine of the Year at the 7th Annual AsiaSpa Awards.

This is the first time Kamalaya has been awarded for its cuisine, which is an integral part of the spa's holistic wellness concept. Over the past two years Kamalaya has invested in sharing its healthy eating message, something that Karina Stewart, Kamalaya Co-founder and the creator of the cuisine concept, is passionate about. "The things we do regularly have the biggest impact on our health, and because food is an essential part of our daily life, it is the perfect vehicle to provide the support necessary for enhanced vitality and optimal health. Not everybody has the means to visit Kamalaya, but everybody can eat healthier. That is why we decided to make our recipes and healthy eating principles more readily available. We published a cookbook edition of Reconnect, began sharing recipes through our Healthy Living newsletters and next month we will release a DVD collection. Hopefully these latest awards will help to create awareness about our healthy eating message so that more people will be inspired to take advantage of what we are offering."

The Crystal Awards Asia Pacific is an annual event organized to honour and give due recognition to the crème de la crème of the spa and wellness industry. The awards are given to properties and individuals that not only spearhead trends, but also enhance the industry and influence its overall future direction.

The AsiaSpa Awards were created in 2005 in order to recognise the best spas in Asia, setting a benchmark for spas in the region, as well as around the world. The awards have grown to encompass 25 categories and are judged by the industry's top leaders.

These latest awards follow on from Kamalaya's success in the prestigious Prime Minister's Export Awards in Bangkok on 19 September, when the Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa was named The Best Service Provider – Spa Category. Since opening in 2005, Kamalaya has won more than 15 awards.

"It really is a great honour to win these awards. Our vision has always been to inspire our guests and our team, and hopefully people everywhere, to live with greater health and harmony. Each award is a reminder of that vision, a confirmation that we are having an impact and a motivation for us to continue evolving and improving," said John Stewart, Kamalaya Chairman and Co-founder. "We applaud our team as this is very much their success and it is wonderful to see their work and dedication acknowledged," he said.

Kamalaya is located amid a lush, tropical landscape on the southern coast of Koh Samui, Thailand. The resort integrates healing practices and treatments from East and West, a beautiful natural environment, inspired healthy cuisine, customised programs and wellness retreats to offer a unique concept in personal well-being and holistic lifestyle possibilities.

For bookings and enquiries please visit www.kamalaya.com.

Opera Australia coming back to Brisbane after two decades

The 2012 Brisbane season by Opera Australia has been announced today, with tickets going on sale to the public from Monday 21 November, through QPAC. In May and June 2012 Australia's national opera company will present two spectacular and engaging operas, The Magic Flute and A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre for the first time. The casts include Queensland-based singers, Conal Coad, Andrew Collis and Milica Ilic as well as some of Opera Australia's most renowned stars such as Taryn Fiebig, Lorina Gore and Jacqueline Dark.

Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia and former director of the Brisbane Festival and Queensland Music Festivals, said: "From the moment I joined Opera Australia I knew I had to bring the Company to Brisbane. The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is a magnificent space for opera, and I'm delighted we can present two such magnificent productions.

"The Magic Flute is like nothing you have ever seen. Giant puppets, sculptural costumes and dance convey the fantastic world of Mozart's final opera. This is a night in the theatre for the whole family.

"Baz Luhrmann's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream breaks all the rules – Shakespeare's masterpiece is transported to India, the orchestra is on the stage, and Puck is a blue-faced Hindu god! We've assembled a dream cast and one of the world's greatest authorities on Benjamin Britten, Paul Kildea, is conducting. It will be, in a word, magical."

Bringing Opera Australia to Brisbane is no small undertaking. The sets and costumes for the two operas will travel from Opera Australia's workshop in Surry Hills, Sydney, to Brisbane on large semi-trailers. The sets and costumes for The Magic Flute, have been rebuilt specifically for the Australian production, from the original model of New York's Metropolitan Opera. Director Julie Edwardson, who has worked on many revivals of A Midsummer Night's Dream, will restage Baz Luhrmann's legendary production for the Lyric Theatre.

"At Opera Australia we take our role as Australia's national opera company very seriously," said Opera Australia Chief Executive, Adrian Collette. "Given the complexity of fully-staged opera and the vastness of our country, it is not always easy, but we are passionate about making opera available to the widest possible audience. So it is with great pleasure that in 2012 we expand our range of presentations to include this inaugural Brisbane Season at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre

In addition, we will bring our new travelling production of Mozart's Don Giovanni directed by Michael Gow to regional Queensland as part of Oz Opera, the touring arm of Opera Australia."

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said that the Opera Australia productions were one of the highlights of the Centre's 2012 program which featured a diverse mix of live performance experiences that would resonate deeply with the Queensland community.

"It has been over two decades since there has been a season by the national opera company in Brisbane. Opera Australia's season in 2012 in QPAC's Lyric Theatre will be definitely worth the wait and will complement the already rich program of opera on offer in Brisbane."

"Brisbane will be the only city in Australia where audiences can experience Opera Australia's performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2012."

Tickets and packages range $60-$165* - Available through QPAC Box Office - Phone 136 246 - www.qpac.com.au

Port Moresby’s newest hotel - Grand Papua Hotel joins Summit Hotels & Resorts

Summit Hotels & Resorts™, a brand of Preferred Hotel Group™, is pleased to announce its first member property in Papua New Guinea – Grand Papua Hotel. The collection includes more than 150 internationally acclaimed hotels and resorts that celebrate local luxury.

Opening on 1 December, 2011, Grand Papua Hotel will be the flagship hotel and the 9th property in the Coral Seas Hotel group collection. Located in the city centre of Port Moresby, the 161-room hotel will offer the latest in technology with innovative paperless check-in system using tablet technology. As the first newly built hotel in Port Moresby in over two decades, it will be the most technically advanced building in the country with a fully integrated building management system to maximize energy efficiency.

Situated on the highest point in the city, the hotel is ideal for both corporate and leisure guests with only a short walk to Ela Beach, the craft market and the city's business and commercial centre. Guestrooms and suites are contemporary in feel with local indigenous accents and features a 32-inch LCD screen cable TV, Wi-Fi internet connection and other international standard amenities. Balconies at every room offers spectacular views of Ela Beach and Fairfax Harbour. The most exclusive executive lounge in the country is housed in Grand Papua Hotel providing all the standard benefits and services as well as three executive boardrooms.

Equipped with state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, there are 6 conference rooms that can accommodate meetings and private functions for up to 200 participants. The hotel's facilities also include three levels of underground secured parking, 24-hour security, 330sqm of spa and beauty treatment services, outdoor Jacuzzi, a 15-metre swimming pool and a fully-equipped fitness centre. Two atmospheric venues offer a creative modern menu with Asian influences and drinks in a colonial setting.

Opening offer:    20% discount off Best Available Rate including breakfast for one person. Valid from 1 Dec 2011 to 30 June 2012.

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 About Summit Hotels & Resorts
The Summit sensibility is world-wise with a local point of view. It is a global concierge, multi-lingual and multi-cultural, providing guests in every location with an insider's knowledge of the neighborhood. Ranging from historic urban hotels to exclusive beach resorts, the distinctive hotels and resorts of Summit can be found in many of the world's most enticing destinations. Summit Hotels & Resorts is a member of the Preferred Hotel Group™ family of brands which also includes: Preferred Boutique™, Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Sterling Hotels™ and Historic Hotels of America®. For reservations and a complete description of the Summit Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.SummitHotels.com.

Summit Hotels & Resorts guests are eligible to enroll in the I Prefer™ Guest Benefit Program, featuring benefits such as early check-in/late check-out, space-available upgrades and more. For more information, please visit www.iprefer.com.

Sculpture at Scenic World inaugural event

Scenic World to host Australia's first ancient rainforest sculpture exhibition

The Blue Mountains World Heritage Area will be transformed into one of the world's most spectacular art galleries for the inaugural Sculpture at Scenic World cultural event.

Australia's only ancient rainforest sculpture exhibition will feature 26 unique artworks in a pristine Jurassic valley, from 16 February until 11 March 2012.

Artworks selected from Katoomba to Belfast will be judged for the $20,000 Scenic World Acquisitive Award during this major event where you can meet the makers at artist talks and view the pieces on guided and independent tours.

The dynamic program of curious, grand, emotional and thought-provoking works can be observed from the elevated Scenic Walkway that winds its way through old growth tree ferns and dappled sunlight.

More than 800,000 visitors experience Scenic World each year for its range of experiences found nowhere else on Earth: the world's steepest incline to the Jamison Valley floor, the Scenic Cableway overlooking the rainforest canopy 200m below, and the Scenic Walkway through this unique ecosystem.

Scenic World Joint Managing Directors, Anthea and David Hammon, said more than 60,000 international and national visitors were expected to visit the iconic attraction for the event.

"Sculpture at Scenic World will be an annual exhibition and one of the most innovative events staged here since our family opened the doors three generations ago," Anthea said.

"This exhibition is part of our new direction of further connecting and educating our visitors to the World Heritage listed environment. Alongside our Advanced Ecotourism Certification, Sculpture at Scenic World will establish a solid reputation for its benchmark artistic and environmental standards."

Sculptures for display have been selected by prominent judges, Macquarie University Sculpture Park Curator, Leonard Janiszewski, and University of Western Sydney Collection Curator, Monica McMahon.

Further information visit http://www.scenicworld.com.au/sculpture

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Tourism hit hard by the Qantas grounding

The Qantas grounding that saw 98,000 passengers disrupted and 108 aircraft immobilised is having a negative impact on an already struggling Australian tourism industry, according to an expert from The University of Queensland.

Associate Professor
Brent Ritchie

The UQ School of Tourism's Associate Professor Brent Ritchie said the tourism industry was already in poor shape prior to the grounding.

“The industry is losing market share to more cost-effective international destinations,” Dr Ritchie said.

“Barriers of distance, a high Australian dollar and competition from other more cost-effective tourist destinations are already impacting our tourism industry, any industrial action which risks access to destinations will only cause more harm,” he said.

The Global Financial Crisis, January floods and the industrial action that occurred in the months prior to the Qantas grounding left their mark on Australia's regional tourist hot spots.

The Australian Tourism Export Council reported a loss of 16,000 full-time jobs in the regional tourism industry.

“The areas where travel is primarily recreational will be hit the hardest, while destinations with a high proportion of business travellers are less likely to be affected in the long term,” Dr Ritchie said.

The full extent of the damage to the industry will continue to unravel in the months ahead.

However, the impact is expected to be felt beyond the current customers whose travel plans were disrupted, to future travellers within Australia and international inbound tourism.

“If people perceive a risk to their ability to access destinations and have confidence in planning a trip they may look at other destinations,” Dr Ritchie said.

“As an international travel destination, Australia is already falling behind in market share with outbound tourism growth of 9 percent and inbound tourism growth of just 0.5 percent.”

The effects of the industrial action will be felt across the entire industry including accommodation providers, transport companies, tour operators, and businesses in regional communities.

According to Dr Ritchie, Australian event organisations in the professional conference market field were likely to take a “long time to recover” due to the large financial investment for conference events and the “difficulty of making alternate arrangements for delegates, speakers and locations” if industrial action occurred.

While not commenting on the reasons why Qantas made the decision to ground the fleet, Dr Ritchie believed the loss in customer loyalty would be most significant in their international bookings.

“Domestically there is a reliance on Qantas as one of the few major domestic carriers, and some people will go back to them based on necessity. Internationally, they will face more of a struggle to get customers back with many more competitors often with lower pricing and operating costs,” he said.

Singapore Airlines reveals plans for Scoot, a new low-cost long-haul carrier

Singapore Airlines has confirmed details of the worst kept secret in aviation – revealing its new long-haul budget carrier will be called Scoot. The carrier will fly to destinations in Australia and China, with Singapore Airlines outlining longer-term ambitions to reach Europe.

No-frills carriers are booming in the region, with AirAsia X leading the way and established carriers, including Qantas, unveiling rival services.

From mid-2012 Scoot will operate a fleet of four Boeing B777-200 aircraft. It will be wholly owned by Singapore Airlines, but managed independently.
According Scoot chief executive, Campbell Wilson, the airline will operate as many as 14 planes by 2016, charging passengers some 40 per cent less than rival, full-service, airlines.

The airline will operate from Changi Airport Terminal 2, with bookings being taken from early next year. AirAsia X – the long-haul arm of Malaysia-based AirAsia - is likely to be the main competition for Scoot in the short-term. The carrier presently flues to several destinations including London, Taipei, Tehran, Paris, Seoul, Tokyo and a number of cities in China and India. Qantas has also unveiled plans to launch a rival carrier. Singapore Airlines is considered as offering the World’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment by the prestigious World Travel Awards.