Once In A Lifetime Experience For Local Small Business Owners

Sydney small business owners, Andrew and Kellie Howard hit a hole in one by scoring the ultimate lucky door prize at the MICENET A Meeting on the Green Golf Day last year and jetted off on an eight day trip to South Africa, flying Qantas Business Class and travelling through Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Andrew and Kellie were taken aback by the pure beauty of South Africa, perfect weather and the numerous bucket list items they ticked off in the Rainbow Nation.

“Our trip can only be described as amazing and a once in a lifetime experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives,” said Andrew.

“South Africa is an incredible country, with experiences to suit every traveller. Everywhere we went the people, food and landscapes were perfect! Our favourite part was defiantly going on safari in the spectacular Pilansberg Game Reserve and seeing the vast amount of animals in the wild. It was unbelievable.”

“We were also lucky enough to experience an array of hotels and restaurants, which words cannot describe. They were just incredible. The standout was the Palace of the Lost City and the world-class wineries around Cape Town, which included the private vineyards of the beautiful Delaire Graff Estate. You just have to go and experience it yourself,” continued Andrew.

Having fallen in love with the Rainbow Nation, the couple is keen to return to South Africa with their children to share their adventures, as well as tick more items off their Bucket Lists.

“We would highly recommend visiting Soweto in Johannesburg. Spending time with the locals gave us a great insight into South Africa’s history and culture and provided us with a greater understanding of the country’s beautiful people and modern way of life. We can’t wait to take our children so they can experience all the adventure, culture and history as we did. They will love it,” said Andrew.

South African Tourism’s General Manager of Australasia and proud South African, Lalie Ngozi, was delighted that another Australian couple has fallen in love with her beloved country.

“I’m always so thrilled when travellers return from my homeland and sing its praise. It’s wonderful to hear Andrew and Kellie were able to experience the abundance of activities on offer in South Africa and I look forward to hearing about the couple’s future trip with their kids.”

“Boasting adventure holidays which include world class safaris and rich history, combined with renowned food and wine, South Africa is a once in a lifetime holiday which everyone needs to tick off their Bucket List,” said Ms. Ngozi.

To learn more about South Africa, visit http://aublog.southafrica.net, find a great deal at www.southafrica.net or become a fan of South African Tourism’s Facebook page,

South African Tourism AU and South African Tourism NZ.

To follow the South African Bucket List on Twitter, use #SouthAfricaBucketList

Tourism Australia Welcomes Air India Non-Stop Flights to Sydney and Melbourne

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said securing direct flights was essential if Australia was to secure its share of the 50 million Indians expected to be travelling outside of their own country by the end of this decade.

"India is one of our fastest growing inbound markets, particularly amongst leisure travellers, who have Australia high up on their wish list of international holiday destinations," Mr McEvoy said.

"With Indian arrivals up nearly eight per cent so far this year, the demand is clearly there and I have little doubt that Air India's re-entry into the Australian market will be widely and warmly applauded by both Indian travellers and by tourism operators here in Australia."

Mr McEvoy paid particular tribute to Sydney and Melbourne Airports, Destination New South Wales and Tourism Victoria for helping to secure Air India's return to the Australian market after an absence of 16 years.

The commencement of Air India's new 'triangular' service, operating between Delhi and Sydney and Melbourne, follows the release this week by Tourism Australia of new research aimed at helping the Australian tourism industry tap into the future tourism potential of a market estimated to be worth up to A$2.3 billion for Australia by the end of the decade.

The research was carried out in six of India's fastest growing cities and is being used by Tourism Australia to further shape its 10-year marketing plan for India.

The release of the findings comes as the latest international visitor arrival and spending figures confirm India's status as one of Australia's fastest growing and most valuable international tourism markets, with 164,000 visitors (up 7.8 per cent on the year ending June 2012) contributing A$0.8 billion to the Australian economy in overnight spending.

McEvoy said that, under its India 2020 tourism plan, Tourism Australia had already doubled its marketing spend in India this year, and had made progress towards creating a sustainable, competitive aviation market between Australia and India as one of its key priorities. By 2020, Tourism Australia believes the market has the potential to rise in annual value to up to A$2.3 billion and deliver 300,000 annual visitors.

A summary of the Indian research findings and an updated summary of Tourism Australia's India 2020 Strategic Plan is available atwww.tourism.australia.com/india

'The Great Call of China' - reaching the luxury Chinese traveller

Destinations such as Australia, UK and America need to understand how to service the premium traveller, if they want luxury travel business from any of China's one million millionaires.

That was the claim by David Thomas, a consultant for Think Global Consulting who was addressing the Luxperience Thought Leaders forum in Sydney Town Hall, on 1 September. “We simply don't understand how to service the premium traveller,” said Thomas, who believes elite Chinese travellers need to experience better human 'software' when they visit the West.

It's not just about language, said a Chinese travel industry CEO.  “The Chinese traveller wants to be handled by people who understand their culture, not just language,” said China Luxury Travel Network's founder, Lin Xu who was also addressing the 240 luxury traveller buyers and sellers at the forum.

Xu said that there were in reality about 2.7 million US dollar millionaires in China as many exist “under the radar”. And it is a group that averages about three foreign trips a year, creating a booming luxury travel demand of up to nine million trips per year.

Millionaires, the rising middle class and brand-conscious aspirational travellers from the mainland account for about 25% of all international luxury brand consumption. Xu told the audience the total spend was about US$102 billion in 2012 with online spend alone worth around US$57 billion.

While bricks and mortar travel agents in the West provide the “main course” for the travel industry in the West, the main course for China is increasingly online, with Weibo and Wechat social media referral sites now driving massive amounts of travel related business.

The Luxperience Thought Leaders panel of six speakers agreed that the West needs to better understand the decision making process among China's travellers, including the role of women and extended families. Newly-moneyed male executives may earn it, but their wives and girl friends often spend it.

Research has to be online, in Chinese and easy to use on mobile devices too.

Clement Wong, the founder of BeMyGuest.travel told the audience that Chinese and Asian luxury travellers spend so much time in traffic jams that travel companies now must have websites that look good and function well on tablets and smart phones from the back of a car. Only then will they get their share of China's outbound travel market, that Xu said amounted to 83 million international trips each year.

The use of police escorts to beat the traffic when luxury travellers travel in places such as Jakarta are now popular, said Wong.

“China is modernizing, not Westernizing,” said Thomas, who told the audience that affluent Chinese travellers understood that the West had good infrastructure but were puzzled with small things, such as why it's difficult to get a caddy when they visit Australian golf courses.

This is indicative of the challenges when a “hierarchical society travels to an egalitarian one” said Thomas.

The panellists agreed that human 'software' challenges, understanding and personalization were the new frontier in servicing China's high-end travellers.

“Affluent Chinese travellers simply won't travel in big groups any more,” said Xu. “The key to success will be if travel experiences really suit China's new consumer needs and trends,” she said.

Author and Antarctic explorer, David McGonigal, told the audience there was, however, a degree of convergence in consumption patterns between China and the West. “Luxury is not about limos, but creating memories that are held in our hearts. Luxury is about feeling part of the place, not just being a casual observer,” he said.

The annual Luxperience travel industry trade show runs 2-4 September in Sydney. Visit. www.luxperience.com.au.

Discount on Voyager of the Seas Cruise

HUGE SAVINGS ON VOYAGER CRUISE

MANY of the most exciting port calls in New Zealand, Australia and Asia are included in a 44-night fly/cruise package which has been reduced in price by nearly $4000 per person by cruise specialists ecruising.travel if you book by October 30.

The cruise onboard  Voyager of the Seas departs Sydney on March 9, 2014, and the price includes all accommodation and meals during the cruise, one way air fares from Tokyo to Sydney and all air taxes and port charges. Priced from $5319 per person twin share.

When Voyager of the Seas departs Sydney she will call firstly at Auckland and then travel down the NZ coast to Tauranga, Napier, Dunedin, and the Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds before crossing to Melbourne. The ship will then make calls at Adelaide, Perth and Port Hedland before a few days at sea on the way to Bangkok for a two-day stay.

After stops at Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong the ship will make calls to unusual destinations like Kaohsiung and Taipei in Taiwan and the Japanese city of Nagasaki before disembarking in Tokyo for a two night stay at the Shangri-La hotel.

Voyager of the Seas has a great selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, plus an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, spa and fitness center, golf simulator and casino.

For more information on this itinerary contact ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or check-out www.ecruising.travel

Destination NSW Welcomes New Air India Service to Sydney

(image: smh.com.au)

Destination NSW today welcomed Air India to Sydney, following its inaugural Dreamliner flight which arrived at Sydney Airport this morning.
 
Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, said, "I'm delighted to welcome Air India to Sydney and NSW.  Air India's decision to schedule four direct flights per week to Sydney recognises NSW's status as Australia's premier State for international tourism, visitation and visitor expenditure."
 
"To year-end March 2013, more than 71,000 visitors from India travelled to NSW, spending more than 3 million nights – with most visitors coming to see family and friends, followed by holiday makers and business travellers."
 
"Destination NSW estimates that Air India's new daily Dreamliner service will add more than 890 extra seats from India each week into Sydney, or more than 46,000 seats per year, which could contribute more than $30 million into the NSW economy per year."
 
The new Air India direct service to Sydney was secured by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, in partnership with Sydney Airport and Tourism Australia.
 
"The four weekly, non-stop Delhi to Sydney flights by Air India are a great win for tourism and the NSW visitor economy."
 
"Sydney is Australia's global city, and NSW is Australia's premier State, which is an unbeatable combination for visitors from India."
 
"With our stunning harbour, great beaches, wonderful food and wine, and unique Regional attractions, visitors from India to NSW will enjoy the some of the best holiday experiences in Australia."

Sydney Airport CEO, Kerrie Mather, said, ""Sydney Airport is very pleased to welcome Air India back to Sydney after a 22-year absence."

"India is Australia's largest unreserved market. Last year, around 140,000 passengers travelled between Delhi and Sydney via Asian hubs."

Banyan Tree Spa extends its portfolio in Chongqing with the first spa in south-western China

Banyan Tree Spa, the award-winning Asian spa operator marks its inaugural presence in South-Western China with the launch of Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei, nestled within the new Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei, the first international hot spring resort in Chongqing, China that embraces the natural healing waters of the North Hot Springs.

A Sensory Experience at Banyan Tree Spa

Located 40 minutes from the main city of Chongqing in the tranquil area of Beibei and surrounded by the magnificent landscape of Jin Yun Mountain and Jialing River, Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei features a unique sense of place as the first Banyan Tree Spa to offer the wellness benefits of a therapeutic hot spring facility in China, in addition to its renowned spa experiences. Drawing on time-honoured Asian spa traditions, Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei is an intimate retreat that blends romance and serenity with exotic sensuality. The architecture of the Spa blends seamlessly with the beauty of the natural environment. Set on hilly Chongqing, Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei is a sanctuary for the senses - a true escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Banyan Tree Spa Hot Spring Facility

Situated on the fifth level and adjacent to an indoor swimming pool, guests will be greeted with a beautifully landscaped Hot Spring Area. An all-new Banyan Tree Spa innovation for total rejuvenation, there are seven Hot Spring Pools within the facility, exclusively for guests of Banyan Tree Spa and Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei. With one indoor hot spring pool each located in the female and male locker areas, guests can choose to unwind indoors or in the five outdoor Hot Spring Pools that oversee scenic views.

Guests can relax in the restorative North Hot Spring water, famed for soothing the skin and muscular ailments. At a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, it contains superior mineral contents such as calcium sulphate, magnesium and potassium. Upon soaking in the hot spring water for ten to fifteen minutes, guests will be ready to indulge in a therapeutic spa treatment, during which the body can absorb the beneficial hot spring mineral contents and nourishing massage oils at its best. Other facilities on this floor include a state-of-the art gymnasium, a spacious yoga room and a beauty salon.

A spiral stairway and an elevator connect the Hot Spring Area at the fifth level to Banyan Tree Spa located at the third level. Spanning over 1,200 square metres, the award-winning Spa features nine exquisitely appointed treatment rooms including three Standard Double Rooms, five Deluxe Double Rooms and one Royal Double Room with double Rainmist facilities. The names of each room are inspired by ancient Chinese poetry, a fine touch creating a special sense of place. For a rejuvenating wellness experience, the Spa is complemented by a Relaxation Area and the Banyan Tree Spa Essentials outlet, offering unique Banyan Tree Spa-inspired merchandise like quality essential and massage oils, aromatic incenses, signature hair and body care toiletries, and Banyan Tree-branded aromatherapy accessories including oil burners, incense holders and eye pillows.

Inspired by the old villages in Chongqing and MinGuo style buildings, Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei depicts a modern Oriental design theme with sleek clean lines and assorted geometric patterns, a bold colour palette of brown and beige highlighted with red for contrast, and decorative wall lights.

Decked in dark vertical timbre strips with warm lightings, the impressive Spa Reception exudes elegance with a contemporary wall feature accented with red linear recesses, lush red handmade woollen carpets with floral motif and plush cushions.

The spa walkway features dark wood contrasted with beige wall panels and red woollen floral motif carpets. The treatment rooms draw inspiration from the interiors of old-world Chongqing residences with dark wood frames and beige walls. The feature wall showcases oriental paintings. The ceiling highlights horizontal and vertical exposed wood bands with stylish hanging pendant lamps to add to the soothing ambience.

Signature Spa Treatments

A signature Banyan Tree Spa innovation, the Yin Yang Rainmist experience will be the first-of-its-kind hydrothermal package to debut in Chongqing Beibei. It features a unique combination of Rain Shower and Steam Bath for an invigorating Body Scrub and a cascading Rain Shower which uplifts the senses followed by a therapeutic body massage. The highlight of the Yin Rainmist is the combination of cold body treats, Soya Mint Body Scrub and Orange Honey Body Conditioner, to cool the body and calm the senses. The Yang Rainmist features the warming effect from Oriental Herbal Body Scrub and Creamy Spice Body Conditioner to ease tension and nourish the skin.

First-time visitors are recommended to experience Banyan Tree Spa’s signature Royal Banyan treatment. It features the Royal Banyan Herbal Pouch Massage where a herbal pouch dipped in warm Sesame Oil, complements the East-meets-West massage techniques to improve blood circulation and muscular tension. The unique blend of Lemongrass Cucumber Body Scrub deeply exfoliates while moisturising the skin. The Jade Face Massage improves skin condition and firms facial muscles, leaving behind a glowing complexion.

For spa enthusiasts who are looking for a complete top to toe renewal, Banyan Day is a full day of pampering and indulgence. On top of a luxurious spa treatment which includes a massage, body scrub, bath, facial, and a hand and foot treatment, a healthy spa lunch with seasonal menu is also offered.

Professional Banyan Tree Spa Therapists

The professional spa therapists of Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei are formally trained with the art of touch based on stringent curriculum of the accredited Banyan Tree Spa Academies located in Phuket in Thailand; Bintan in Indonesia and Lijiang in China. The Academy’s rigorous theoretical and practical training ensures therapists deliver consistently high levels of service that guests have come to expect from the ever-innovating and evolving brand.

The Spa is open to both resort guests and visitors daily from 10am to 10pm. For more information or reservations, please contact +86 86 23 6030 8888, email spa-chongqingbeibei@banyantree.com or visit banyantreespa.com.

Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei
101 Hot Spring Road, Chengjiang, Beibei District,
Chongqing 400700 People’s Republic of China

Sofitel Luxury Hotels launches global spa concept, So Spa

 

Sofitel Luxury Hotels last night launched their acclaimed world-wide So Spa by Sofitel concept in the Pacific, officially unveiling a contemporary new-look day spa at the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour.

Auckland is the latest in the continued expansion of So Spa by Sofitel, the global spa concept designed exclusively for Sofitel hotels worldwide and first launched at the Sofitel London St. James and Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port in July 2009.

The Pacific rollout follows on from the consolidation of the So Spa brand in Asia in recent years, with its debut at the Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich in 2011 followed on by key openings at hotels including the Sofitel Zhongshan Golf Resort Nanjing, Sofitel Macau Ponte 16, Sofitel Mumbai BKC, Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra, and the Sofitel So Bangkok in 2012.

Designed to help guests relax, restore and rejuvenate, the So Spa by Sofitel concept combines ancient wellness traditions from around the world with the refinement and skills of modern French cosmetology. The result is an innovative spa concept for today's savvy traveller. Each detail clearly reflects the Sofitel concept of elegance and beauty fused with French "savoir vivre."

Taking a personalized approach to wellness, So Spa Auckland's selection of therapies are categorised in a similar way to a French gourmet restaurant menu so that guests can customize their experience by combining different treatments listed under 'Starters', 'Mains', 'Specials' and 'Desserts' to suit their specific wellness needs. 

Treatments listed under 'Starters' last 30 minutes and are designed for busy urbanites seeking rest and relaxation after a full day. 'Main Dishes' and 'Desserts' last an hour and feature full body massages, facial care, and other luxurious treatments intended to nourish the body and soul.

"With the understanding that each guest is unique, wellness programmes should not be a one-size-fits-all approach," said Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour's So Spa manager Nadia McCracken.

"Inspired by the best health and beauty traditions around the world, So Spa's personalisation concept has been developed to meet each guests' individual needs so they can fully immerse themselves in an ultimate wellness experience. It is the perfect answer for guests seeking a refreshing spa experience unlike any other."

Delivering indulgence from head to toe, So Spa by Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour presents a selection of sophisticated spa techniques and traditional New Zealand inspired remedies in a beautifully designed, intimate sanctuary inspired by local culture and the surrounding waterscape of sparkling Waitemata Harbour.

Specialty beauty products from famed French skincare lines include THÉMAÉ, with other lines from around the world also on offer such as the botanical and organic range from Plantogen.

So Spa Auckland features six world-class treatment rooms, including a dedicated beauty suite. All the massage tables boast a version of the celebrated Sofitel MyBed, the patented bed featured in all Sofitel Luxury Hotels, converted for spa therapy for optimal comfort and relaxation. Guests have the opportunity to enhance the relaxation process with a choice of by Sofitel music and a selection of themed playlists available on customised So Spa iPods to further personalise the experience.

The warm, bright and welcoming So Spa Auckland reception space allows for a personalised treatment consultation and an intimate 'cousu main' (tailor-made) service experience. A Socialising Patio created next to the spa's reception area an ideal and welcoming place for meeting and discovery, or just taking time out before or after a treatment.

So Spa by Sofitel has designed its own exclusive range of therapy products and treatments for guests - So Exhilarating Body Massage and So Rejuvenating Facial – now available in Auckland as the day spa's signature treatments.

For a local flavor, the Auckland So Spa menu also includes a Healing Manuka Honey Facial with New Zealand Manuka honey, known for its natural antioxidant properties; a traditional Greenstone Massage using greenstone, believed to possess intuitive healing and harmonising properties; and the Maori inspired Ataahua Beautiful Body Treatment.

Last but not least, guests at the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour can also enjoy the new So FIT fitness centre which sits alongside a 20 metre indoor lap pool. The area includes a superior, private changing area with premium amenities and locker facilities. A personal sauna and steam rooms are also available as part of So Fit.

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour general Manager Wouter De Graaf said, "Spa culture and wellbeing is such an integral part of the luxury experience for today's travellers, be they visiting on business, leisure or a combination of both.

"To really attract discerning today's traveller, a hotel must be able to provide an exquisite experience that goes beyond just exceptional service. Our guests are becoming increasingly wellness-minded which is why we've welcomed So Spa as a key pillar of our Sofitel experience, one that guests will look forward to being part of whenever they stay with us."

Visit www.sofitel.com