Opera House Lottery Marks 40th Anniversary Celebrations

After a 27 year hiatus a modern edition of the famous Opera House Lottery will be brought back to celebrate the iconic building’s 40^thAnniversary, Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner and the Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts George Souris announced today.

Mr Stoner said that over four weeks in November (2013) the NSW Saturday Lotto draws will promote the Sydney Opera House thanks to a partnership between NSW Lotteries, the NSW Government and Sydney Opera House.

“The Sydney Opera House has become Australia’s most internationally recognised landmark and a vital part of our identity and visitor economy,” Mr Stoner said.

“The Opera House has a historic connection with lotteries, with the Opera House Lottery raising more than $105 million from 1957 to 1986 to help finance the iconic building’s construction.

“To celebrate its 40^th Anniversary the Sydney Opera House is rekindling this connection with the lottery.

Mr R Faulder, holding his winning ticket in the fourth lottery in 1958

“During the month of November the Saturday Lotto draw, along with other marketing initiatives, will promote the Sydney Opera House’s Anniversary milestone.

“Unlike the Opera House Lotteries of the past, this initiative will not see a direct connection between ticket sales and Opera House funding.

“Funding from the partnership will instead support the Anniversary celebrations and a new Opera House Welcome Centre to help enrich the experience of the 8.2 million people who visit the Opera House each year,” he said.

In total, the partnership represents a multi-million dollar investment with the NSW Government contributing $1.5 million.

The NSW Lotteries investment includes:

• A significant sponsorship fee for Sydney Opera House;
• Extensive media and marketing support to promote Sydney Opera House through the Saturday NSW Lotto partnership;
• Special-edition Opera House branded Instant Scratch-It tickets; and
• Development support for an Opera House grassroots fundraising campaign.

Mr R Faulder, holding his winning ticket in the fourth lottery in 1958

Minister for Tourism George Souris said the NSW Government has provided more than $150 million towards Sydney Opera House’s recent major infrastructure works, the largest construction project undertaken since the Opera House opened in 1973.

“The Opera House is an internationally recognised symbol of our State and one of the NSW Government’s most significant cultural assets. It anchors Sydney as the gateway for international tourism in Australia,” Mr Souris said.

“That’s why the NSW Government has recently committed $13.7 million to the Sydney Opera House in 2014-15 to develop a Masterplan for the building’s future.

CEO of the Tatts Group, the operator of NSW Lotteries, Robbie Cooke welcomed the partnership, saying: “The Opera House is a symbol of national pride and we are delighted to support this icon.”

Opera House CEO, Louise Herron, said: “The November Saturday Lotto partnership is a highly symbolic show of support for the renewal of the Sydney Opera House.

“Our 40^th Anniversary is about reaching into our history as we launch into a decade of renewal to secure the Opera House for future generations,” Ms Herron said.

“I am thrilled that the NSW Government and NSW Lotteries have generously agreed to support the Opera House through this initiative.”

Denmark’s Crown Prince Couple, HRH Crown Prince Frederik and HRH Crown Princess Mary will visit in October this year in tribute to the Opera House’s Danish architect Jorn Utzon, and to celebrate the enduring links between Denmark and Australia first forged by the Opera House.

Vanilla Islands Organisation Joins UNWTO

The Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organisation has been endorsed by the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation), when its Secretary General, Mr. Taleb Rifai formally invited this grouping of islands of the Indian Ocean as a full member of the UNWTO.

The announcement was made following discussions between Mr Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO and Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles who is the sitting President of the Vanilla Islands. The meeting was held in Reunion yesterday, 10th September, during the Ministerial Meeting of the Vanilla Islands Organisation which is running parallel to the UNWTO conference on Sustainable Development of Tourism in Islands which starts today, 11th September.

Mr. Rifai is fully supportive of the Vanilla Islands initiative and has proposed that the fully fledged organisation be launched jointly with the UNWTO at their annual press conference at World Travel Market in London this coming November. Minister St. Ange and Mr. Rifai also discussed on further plans to move the organisation into the Community of Nations as the new tourism destination.

The Vanilla Islands Organisation is now fully operational with an initial budget for 2013 of Euros 650,000, with Pascal Viroleau assuming his role as CEO and Derek Savy as Director of Marketing of the organisation.

The Vanilla Islands comprises of the Seychelles, La Reunion, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte and the Maldives.

Queenstown hits highest guest nights ever

Queenstown has broken its record for highest number of guest nights ever according to Statistics New Zealand figures released today.

The Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM) for July 2013 showed that total guest nights rose 10 percent to 289,891 – the highest figures recorded across any month of any year.  The previous record was January 2012 at 288,994 guest nights.

The CAM also showed a sharp spike in domestic guest nights - up 15.3 percent (or an extra 13,406 nights) to 100,977 compared with July 2012.  International guest nights rose 7.3 percent to 188,914, accounting for 65.2 percent of the region’s guest nights.   Growth was experienced across all accommodation sectors.

Destination Queenstown CEO Graham Budd said it was great to see numbers continue to build after a record-breaking start to winter in June.

“July is traditionally our peak winter month so we would expect a strong performance but good snow conditions, increased scheduled flights and flight capacity, and New Zealand and Australian school holidays were definitely key drivers for the surge in guest nights.

“This is the third year we’ve seen incremental guest night growth for July so we’re very pleased with the results.”

The July 2013 Commercial Accommodation Monitor report for Queenstown is available on the Destination Queenstown website:http://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/Media/Statistics2_md/.

Embrace the Great Outdoors in Tasmania

Spring: crisp air, pure waters and clear skies, the winning combination for banishing the winter blues and kick-starting a new outdoor escapade.

The adventure location of choice for the Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge, Tasmania is the place to get amongst the great outdoors, whether it be walking amongst the ancient trees of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, this year celebrating its 30th anniversary; ticking off a bucket list item (scenic plane flight, absolute seclusion, wilderness walk, gourmet food, luxury tent) on the Port Davey Wilderness Camp Experience; discovering Cradle Mountain with Quamby Estate's walking packages or exploring new terrain on one of the Greater Hobart Trails (walks and cycling); giving trout fishing a go; or finally getting to theBay of Fires Walk - now with the added perk of a new day spa.

Par Avion Wilderness Tours Incorporating the Port Davey Wilderness Camp

Par Avion Wilderness Tours has recently opened the luxurious and absolutely remote Port Davey Wilderness Camp; making Tasmania's pristine Southwest Wilderness Area more accessible than ever before. Beginning in November, Par Avion will offer a three day, two night, all inclusive, guided wilderness retreat at the new camp, nestled in the forest on the shores of Bathurst Harbour within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area currently celebrating 30 years since its inscription. The wilderness experience begins with a spectacular light plane flight across the state's rugged south coast, followed by a boat trip across the Port Davey Marine Reserve to the wilderness camp. There, experienced local guides will share their intimate knowledge of the flora, fauna and indigenous history, accompanying guests on beautiful walks, visits to Aboriginal middens and caves, remote waterways and untouched beaches. The completely guided experience is available for groups of between two and eight guests from November through to April each year at a cost of $1950 per person including meals, boat and scenic flights.

W: http://paravion.com.au/tours/wildernesscamp

New Day Spa at Bay of Fires Lodge

Wilderness lovers taking in the four-day, three night Bay of Fires Lodge Walk who also like to indulge in a little luxury can soothe their weary walker's body at the new day spa set to open at the Lodge in October. Perched on a cliff top overlooking the ocean beside the Lodge; where walkers spend day two of the iconic trek, the spa will offer breathtaking views, an outdoor deck where guests can continue to relax after their treatment, cosy indoor lounging spaces, an extensive wellness and wilderness library, and a small spa boutique. The treatment range will include massages, facials and body treatments with a focus on rejuvenation. Reflecting the company's commitment to the environments, the spa will use Li'tya products, a unique range of skin, hair and body products based on Indigenous Australian plants and the principles of modern and Indigenous herbalism, aromatherapy and touch therapy. The bathing pavilion will also offer therapeutic bath treatments; the perfect prelude to any spa treatment. The Bay of Fires Lodge Walk follows Tasmania's pristine northeast coastline through the spectacular Bay of Fires Conservation Area.
W: www.bayoffires.com.au/lodge/spa/ 

Quamby Estate Overland Track Walk Packages

The majestic Quamby Estate located in the state's pristine Meander Valley has launched five and seven day walk packages in partnership with Cradle Mountain Huts where guests will trek the spectacular Overland Track and discover the rare beauty of Cradle Mountain. Starting with overnight accommodation at Quamby's luxurious country hotel, guests will wake to the call of the wilderness and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before joining their experienced guide and heading out on their adventure. The following days will be spent walking the 65km Overland Track, discovering the world-renowned Lake St Clair National Park with evenings spent relaxing in private accommodation along the trail, enjoying sumptuous meals and Tasmanian wines. The final night of the adventure is spent with a rewarding return to Quamby, a delicious dinner, a soak in the spa for tired muscles and a restful night's sleep. The completely guided walk package is available for groups of up to nine from 1 October through to 1 May with prices starting at $2422 per person for a five night package. During Spring and Summer Quamby also offers 4 night golfing packages taking in Barnbougle Dunes as well as the Estate's own 9-hole golf course and an overnight 'Hunter Gatherer' package where guests experience the best of Tasmania's world-class cuisine.

W: www.quambyestate.com.au 

Trout Season Opening

Renowned as a haven for trout fishing, Tassie puts on its best show in spring, when the pristine waterways are flowing and the fish are biting. There is plenty for anglers to do - in addition to being the 150th anniversary of the first successful transfer of wild brown trout from England to Tasmania, there have been two new additions to the trout scene. The Australian Fly Fishing Museum, situated on the grounds of Clarendon Estate on the banks of the South Esk River, opened its doors in May. The only one of its kind in Australia, the museum houses displays of angling equipment, artefacts and educational programs, all celebrating the history and traditions of fly fishing in Australia.

Located in prime fishing territory on the edge of Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area, the new RiverFly Wilderness Huts are the only commercial accommodation with direct access to the state's famed Western Lakes fishery and the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. Built to strict environmental principles utilising steel and timber walls, canvas roofs and raised platforms, the huts sleep two people and offer a secluded retreat amongst breathtaking native flora and fauna and a world-class fishery just outside the door.

W: www.troutguidestasmania.com.au

Walking Season Commences with NEW Great Walks of Tasmania guide

Tasmania's wide expanses of untouched land and wild, untamed beauty have made it a destination of choice for travellers lured by the call of a wilderness challenge, or the appeal of an escapist walk with hints of luxury. Spring marks the start of walking season for the island state and is a time when Mother Nature puts on her best show with stunning floral displays, flowing waterways and clean, fresh alpine air. The Great Walks of Tasmania; a collection of independent guided walk companies offering unforgettable experiences in Tasmania's most inspiring and extraordinary locations have released a new guide with details of walking attractions and information for the 2013 season.  Variety and options abound with walks of different lengths for every fitness level and accommodation in tents, standing camps or award-winning luxury lodges. Together, the walks cover over 300km of Tasmania's prime walking tracks with prices ranging from $1,095 to $3,150.

W:  http://www.greatwalkstasmania.com/ebrochure/

Greater Hobart Trails

The Greater Hobart Trails project was created as a one-stop portal for visitors interested in walking and riding in and around Hobart, pulling together all the great walking and cycling routes in the region for easy access. From leisurely bushwalks, ideal for those seeking a nature-filled escape, to sculpture trails, pet-friendly paths and more challenging tracks for the avid rider or bushwalker, the Greater Hobart Trails offers something for all levels of fitness and interests. Almost 80 different track options are on offer and are a great way for visitors to go behind the scenery and immerse themselves in the beauty of the Southern Tasmanian region.

W: www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au

Roaring 40s Ocean Kayaking

Roaring 40s Ocean Kayaking offer exhilarating wilderness kayaking adventures exploring Tassie's pristine wilderness harbours and rugged coastlines, and is now operating expeditions and day kayaking tours direct from Hobart. In addition to their range of premium eco-tours into the remote and magnificent Wilderness World Heritage Area of Southwest Tasmania, Roaring 40s new owners Reg and Jenny Grundy will host regular day tours in the vicinity of Hobart, including around Tinderbox, the D'entrecasteaux Channel, Bruny Island and Fortescue Bay on the Tasman Peninsula. Two to seven day paddling expeditions run from December to April and take visitors through the sheltered waterways of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour.

W: www.roaring40skayaking.com.au

For a full and up-to-date listing of events, information and to discover the intriguing places, people and stories behind Tasmania's scenery, visit discovertasmania.com.

Omani chocolatiers rally

Ready to take their preservation of country's heritage and culture to the next level, the world.

Friday the 13^th is most commonly associated with spooky traditions and stories of misfortune and gore; however, it also is famous for another significant product – chocolate, as it is the International Day of Chocolate. Let's place the spotlight on Oman and its very first chocolatiers.

Presenting, preserving and promoting Oman's heritage and culture through its sweets are the key aims behind Salma's Chocolates, http://salmaschocolates.com .  Run by Oman's first chocolatiers Salma and Aisha al Hajri, they aim to grow their business from a two-person start-up into a successful Omani brand.

Having set up the company two and half years ago, the pair make all the chocolates by hand themselves and source most of their ingredients locally in order to give their sweets an authentic Omani taste.

From zaatar (thyme) truffles and ginger chocolates to more modern mint and cheesecake creations, the principle of the company is to take traditional Omani desserts, give them a modern chocolate twist and present the taste of the Sultanate to Omanis and foreigners alike, according to Salma al Hajri.

She said, "We want to take Oman and present Oman through our chocolates. The name, the taste and even the packaging material will eventually come from Oman and represent our culture."

However, to take the company to the next level, the pair has embarked on a major marketing and presentation overhaul, working with local designer Dalida Abdulnour to change the packaging and branding to give it a fresh outlook.

According to Salma, "We had some idea of the business plan, company profile and mission statement, but we faced a lot of challenges as we were new to the business."

She added that a factor behind the growth from selling through word of mouth and working from home to setting up their own shop three months ago and having companies buy their chocolates is through self-improvement, training and research.

"We read and researched, and we also took some foreign courses. It is all part of investing in ourselves and our business. We were just beginners, but we have tried to be professional from the beginning," she said.

Aisha adds that preservation of traditional sweets is a way of keeping the Omani heritage and culture alive, by reintroducing the old sweets to the new generation. She said, "The new generation did not know about the old sweets and it took to chocolates like Mars. Slowly traditional Omani sweets started to vanish.  We use these traditional sweets in our chocolates, so when we introduce those sweets again with the chocolate, it is like they are reborn."

The old sweets used in the company's chocolates include a milk and cardamom dessert known as mahoo and a sweet coconut dish called halwa narjeel as well as date and halwa concoctions.

To help preserve the heritage of Omani sweets through their chocolates, Salma and Aisha source all their ingredients locally, with their honey coming from BidBid and Musannah and their thyme, lemons, dates and rose water are also from the Batinah region.

Although the company's Belgian chocolate is currently being imported from a European supplier, Salma added that the company is still in 'the stage where we are trying to build the supply chain' for all its local ingredients.

She added that although the company is looking to expand regionally and eventually sell in foreign markets like the UK and the US, the company's objective is to present and promote the Sultanate through its sweets.

"We can make enough money here, but it is not about money. It is about Oman. A box of chocolates can say a lot about a country," she said.

Salma's Chocolates  is located at Alazaiba next to Um Al Qra mosque in Muscat, Oman. Store hours are Saturday – Thursday, 9am – 10pm. Distribution to Australia is being discussed at the moment.

For more information regarding the Sultanate of Oman, visit www.omantourism.com.au

Video links:

Salma's Chocolates, http://youtu.be/6qXyLKJyhTA

CNN Report, http://youtu.be/s_ckFBdcFc4

Myanmar: rare opportunity to sail in style into the former Burma

Dazzling Yangon

WITH mysterious Myanmar (the former Burma) sizzling near the top of the 'hot list' of places to visit as it now opens its doors to tourists after being "closed" for four decades, SeaDream Yacht Club has a unique half-dozen opportunities to visit aboard its luxury 5-star SeaDream II in November and December this year.

And it includes staying aboard in capital Yangon (Rangoon) for up to 2.5 days to avoid hotel and shore-side meal costs while sightseeing this photographer's paradise.

The mega motor-cruiser SeaDream II will sail from Singapore on November 25 this year for 13-days to Yangon and onwards to Phuket in Thailand, and a second 13-day opportunity sailing on December 8 from Phuket to Yangon and back to Singapore – including visits to eight popular as well as smaller and lesser-visited ports and islands in South East Asia, and with prices (inclusive of 5-star dining with wines and bar drinks) starting from US$8044pp twin share.

Alternatively these two-week itineraries can be split into two 6-day or 7-day sailings beginning or ending in Yangon, and which each include a night aboard SeaDream II in Yangon and are priced from US$4189pp twin-share.

SeaDream II

SeaDream II has just 56 staterooms for a maximum 112 guests served by 95 crew. Prices include all 5-star dining, drinks from the open bars, wines with lunch and dinner, nightly cocktail gatherings, use of a fitness centre and 30-course golf simulator, power and sail water-sports where permitted, gratuities and port charges and taxes.

For bookings and flight reservations, contact SeaDream specialist Cruise Express on +61 2 9810 5377

For details of SeaDream II's Myanmar and other Asia and northern Australia sailings from October this year to April 2014, visit www.seadream.com

(Prices do not include air fares to ports of embarkation and disembarkation.)

Website and Brochure for Travel Sellers

Luxury Travel Ltd. (www.luxurytravels.asia) has released its latest annual brochure for travel professionals, featuring a wide range of tailor-made tours and luxury travel products across Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.  

Featuring the world’s most authentic luxury travel experiences, the 140-page full-color brochure is filled with pictures contributed by the Luxury Travel team, as well as professional and freelance photographers specialising in Southeast Asia.

Providing insider information and a wide selection of recommended hotels and resorts, the brochure also keeps travel professionals updated with the ‘What's New?’ section discussing the latest tourism developments in each country.

"We are very excited to unveil our latest and updated Luxury Travel Ltd. brochure for premium travel professionals in conjunction with our 9th anniversary celebration. We have just launched numerous new “Lux’s Signature Travel Experiences” for discerning travelers for the next season and our brochure is truly rich in content and very educational.” says Pham Ha, founder & CEO of Luxury Travel Vietnam. 

“ Our team, dedicated to agents and tour operators, will be your personal experience managers and deliver you and your customers the world’s most authentic luxury travel experiences with our expertise, knowhow and solid infrastructure.”

Luxury Travel Ltd. has also announced the launch of a sophisticated new b2b website in French, English, German and Spanish for premium Travel professionals last month. Designed specifically with travel sellers in mind, Luxury Travel's trade website (www.luxurytravels.asia) provides quick and easy access to travel information on Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand destinations, hotels, tourism products, selling tips and travel news.  It will be updated every day and there will be free training with Luxury Travel’s online modules.

Earlier this year, the company published the Lux Guide for premium travel professionals. Also, Luxury Travel Ltd. will attend all major b2b trade shows around the world such as WTM London and Latin America, ILTM, ITB Asia and Berlin, AIME, TOP RESA, SATTE, OTM, ATF, FITUR and 40 travel shows in the USA.

“We hope that our new website and newest Luxury Travel brochure for 2013-14 helps our travel professionals to generate sales. Interested travel colleagues can make an appointment with us and have a further discussion about the profitable market share in emerging destinations such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. We exhibit at almost all trade shows around the globe and work through our rep offices on five continents.” he added.

Luxury Travel Ltd. also is venturing into new markets in India and Latin America, and is recruiting more dedicated travel agent staff. They are seeking more representatives in various markets and target double digit growth in 2014 despite the uncertain global economy.

Vietnam-based Luxury Travel Ltd. is a long established Asian specialist in the art of travel and serves today’s most sophisticated travelers with luxury privately guided and fully bespoke touring holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel Ltd. has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent The Guide Award 2013: “leading specialist in the art of travel with luxurious and private service.”