Red Rock recognised for Industry Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality

Forget the American Oscars - North Coast Holiday Parks (NCHP) Red Rock is celebrating its finalist nomination for the region's 'Oscars' of Business Excellence, the 2017 Sunny's Business Awards.

The popular holiday park, which is part of the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Group (NSWCHPT), has been named as a finalist in the 'Tourism & Hospitality' category with winners to be announced 29 July 2017. The Sunny's Business Awards are an initiative of the Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce and celebrate the achievements of outstanding businesses within the Coffs Coast Region.

Park Managers Kylie and Geoff Wruck were over the moon when they heard the news of their finalist nod, calling it great recognition of their work over the past four years.

"It's wonderful to be acknowledged for our four solid years of tenure with NSWCHPT," Kylie said.

"We have certainly based those years on providing an all-encompassing experience to guests of Red Rock through providing a high standard of park accommodation, our goods and services through Red Rock Shop and our maintenance of the 83 hectares of Reserve.

"We do our utmost to provide the quintessential Australian escape to our little corner of the Coffs Coast. Winning this award would be an amazing achievement and recognition for all the hard work and passion that our team shares for the industry and our beautiful area."

NSWCHPT CEO Steve Edmonds called the finalist nomination a testament to the hard work of the Red Rock team and said that it echoed a similar standard of excellence across the wider Group.

"It is exciting to see that our parks are consistently being recognised by local business communities for their hard work and great contributions to the areas in which they are based," Mr Edmonds said.

"As a Group our mission is to energise the local communities in which we operate and to showcase these sensational NSW locations to both Australian and international tourists.

"This nomination reflects our promise to provide improved services to our park visitors as we look to become a leading provider of recreational destinations which showcase the best of NSW."

Mr Edmonds congratulated all finalists for the Sunny's Business Awards and said the Coffs Coast Region was an incredible destination for visitors.

"Our parks in the region are filled with guests who can't get enough of this exciting pocket of NSW."

Book your next holiday at North Coast Holiday Parks today! For a full list of parks head to https://www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au/.

 

Solomon Airlines and Air Kiribati to partner on new Brisbane-Honiara-Kiribati service

Solomon Airlines and Air Kiribati have announced the commencement of a new service linking Brisbane with Tarawa via Honiara commencing 30 August 2017.

The new service, which will operate ex-Brisbane every Wednesday and ex-Tarawa every Thursday, has been scheduled as per the following:

BNE-HIR-TWR

IE 701   Depart BNE 1100          Arrive HIR 1515

IE 720   Depart HIR  1615          Arrive TRW 2000

TWR-HIR-BNE

IE 721   Depart TRW 1000         Arrive HIR 1145

IE 700   Depart HIR 1300           Arrive BNE 1515

The new service builds on an Air Service Agreement (ASA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Solomon Islands and the Republic of Kiribati last November.

Welcoming the commencement of the service, Solomon Airlines' CEO, Brett Gebers underlined the importance of the aviation partnership as a catalyst for both nations' economic development.

"This service is more than just a link between two nations – it also represents an avenue for both nations to grow and prosper as we walk forward together," he said.

To make a booking on the new service and for more information, visit www.flysolomons.com.
 
F: www.facebook.com/flysolomons

AccorHotels expands in Myanmar

AccorHotels and LP Holding have signed a joint agreement to develop three new hotels in Myanmar. The partnership will see the opening of Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort in the second quarter of this year and the development of Pullman Yangon Centrepoint and Mandalay Hill Resort MGallery by Sofitel slated to open in 2017 and 2020 respectively.

“We are very pleased to partner with LP Holding with the development of these three new properties in Myanmar. The three hotels are situated in strategic locations in Yangon and Mandalay, for tourists and business guests alike,” says Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer of AccorHotels, Upper Southeast and Northeast Asia. “Pullman, our upscale hotel brand, is designed to cater to the requirements of cosmopolitan, seasoned travelers, as well as meetings and incentive events while MGallery by Sofitel is a collection of high-end boutique hotels, each with its own unique personality and story that are experienced by guests through the architecture, interior design and services. Mercure hotels, our midscale brand, are always unique because they are rooted in their local communities and meet shared quality standards. Combined, the three hotels will add to the Group’s growing portfolio, which ranges from luxury to economy,” Mr. Basset adds.

“LP Holding’s partnership with AccorHotels combines the expertise of a global hospitality company with a strong local market expertise,” says Lertsak Nopburanand, Director of LP Holding Co., Ltd. “After the sanctions were lifted, Myanmar became one of the most sought-after destinations in Southeast Asia. These three hotels will give travelers additional hotel choices with the growing tourism in the country particularly in Mandalay, as the city continues to develop.”

In 2015, tourism was the driving force in the Myanmar economy where revenue grew by 19% as inbound traffic increased totally $2.1bn or more than 4% of the country’s GDP. In the next 10 years, the World Travel and Tourism Council projects that Myanmar’s tourism industry will rank second out of 184 countries for long-term growth. It was ranked 15th globally in 2016.[1]

Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort

Set on 11 acres of tropical gardens, Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort features 206 rooms with spectacular views of Mandalay Hill, the Royal Palace, the Irrawaddy River and the city of Mandalay, once the Royal Capital of Myanmar. Dining outlets include three restaurants – Yadanabon, Mings Chinese and Kinsana Garden and two bars - Kipling’s Lounge Bar and Garden Tivaratee. MICE facilities include a conference centre, a ballroom and three meeting rooms.

Pullman Yangon Centrepoint

Situated opposite Yangon’s iconic High Court building and the famous Independence Monument Park, the newly built Pullman Yangon Centrepoint will be part of Centrepoint Towers, one of the tallest commercial buildings in the city. The hotel features 300 guest rooms, an all-day-dining outlet, two specialty restaurants, a destination sky bar and lobby lounge. Meetings and events space include a ballroom and ten meeting rooms. Leisure facilities include a pool, fitness centre and a spa.

Mandalay Hill Resort, MGallery by Sofitel

Debuting in 2020, the newly built Mandalay Hill Resort, MGallery by Sofitel will offer a high-end experience in a truly unique atmosphere. Situated near Mandalay’s most iconic cultural monuments, the luxury boutique hotel will feature 150 guest rooms and villas, a restaurant and bar. The stunning outdoor pool and spa, shared with neighbouring Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort, promise memorable moments.

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Macao and Xiamen Airlines launch “One Fare – Two Cities”

click to enlarge flyer

Macao has linked with Xiamen Airlines to launch a new “One Fare – Two Cities” product aimed at further boosting numbers of Australians travelling to the former Portuguese enclave.


With return air fares to Macao beginning from as little as $768 per person from Sydney or Melbourne, the campaign offers an alternative route to the traditional Hong Kong flight path with travellers having the chance to visit and explore the beautiful Chinese coastal city of Xiamen en route to Macao.

It’s the first time the Chinese airline has teamed with the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia) to offer a dedicated fare, the offer including a complimentary night’s stay in Xiamen (6-24hrs) along with free coach tour (4 -24hrs) of a city popular for its beaches and colonial past.

In addition, passengers would not require a China visa if spending up to 72 hours in Xiamen.

Macao is visa free for Australian passport holders staying no more than 30 days.

Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Australia, 
welcomed the new multi-destination route and the dedicated fare and accompanying bonuses.

“This is a very exciting venture between airline and destination which should build on our numbers of Australian holidaymakers to Macao,” she said. “Merge the low air fare with some attractive accommodation offers and we have the makings of an affordable Macao experience.”

In 2016, more than 93,000 Australian passport holders visited Macao, an increase on the previous year’s figure. A majority arrived from Hong Kong via the high-speed ferry transfer.

Xiamen Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

The new Xiamen Airlines product will allow Australians to fly from Sydney and Melbourne to Xiamen for a night’s stopover before boarding the connecting short-haul flight to Macao International Airport.

Mr Yang Hua Chen, general manager of Xiamen Airlines (Australia), also welcomed the new link with Xiamen and Macao and said it was yet another example of Mainland China’s “One Belt, One Road” economic and strategic initiative. In further emphasising the importance of the Australian route to Xiamen Airlines, Mr Chen said his airline was the only Chinese-based carrier to service Australia with the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (pic: NewsCorp)

Both MGTO and Xiamen Airlines will host a series of travel industry workshops in Sydney over the next two months to coincide with giant shopping centre exhibitions for consumers. Those expos will be highlighted by the exclusive 360-degree (virtual reality) showings of Macao and the airline, beginning with a four-day event at Parramatta Westfield on July 6-9, 2017.

Further shopping centre events will be staged at Castle Towers, Castle Hill from July 20-23, Chatswood Chase from August 3-6 and Eastgardens Westfield from August 17-20. Travel industry workshops will also take place in Melbourne.

The Xiamen Airlines $768 fare to Macao applies to tickets booked before October 30, 2017.

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office, www.visitmacao.com.au or phone (02) 9264 1488.

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Whale watching in Byron, Ballina and Beyond

A fluke might be a rare thing, but not when it comes to whale watching along the NSW North Coast with guests of North Coast Holiday Parks (NCHP) in Byron, Ballina and beyond currently being treated to the playful sight of whales fluking and breaching as they undergo their annual migration.

With daily sightings being made across the Region, North Coast Holiday Parks in Brunswick Heads, Byron and Lennox Head are reporting a rise in guests booking in who are hoping to take advantage of this year’s Whale Watching season. The 2017 Whale Census hosted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and ORRCA is reporting record numbers and the east coast will see as many as 30,000 of the gentle giants in migration mode this year.

NCHP Clarkes Beach Manager Nancy Sparkes said Whale Season had hit Byron Bay in a big way with many guests captivated by the gentle giants as they swam in their family units and enjoyed the water.

“There are plenty of whales to see at the moment whilst they are embarking on their migration north with guests reporting how breathtaking it is to watch tens of whales at a time flapping around, breaching, or just cruising through the bay,” Nancy said.

“It is certainly a major drawcard for our guests at this time of year and overseas backpackers making their pilgrimage to Byron Bay often report the Whales as a major drawcard in visiting the area.

“It’s like a water park with the all the blowholes going off directly in front of the park; anytime you get to see the massive humpbacks breaching it’s a special moment with the majestic beauty, sheer size and power leaving you with a feeling of awe and wonder.

“We especially love it at Clarkes Beach from September to early November when the newborn calves swim with their parents a lot closer to shore.”

NCHP Lennox Head park managers Deb Smith and Aaron Matenga said they regularly spot a number of Whales during their daily morning walks along the beach and make sure they do the rounds to guests to ensure they are able to take advantage of this majestic sight.

“The most common Whale to sight is the Southern Right Whale, who are easily spotted as they are famously slow swimmers who tend to rest with their calves in shallow water just below the surf line,” Deb said.

“It truly is a special experience to see the Whales on their migration and there are plenty of great spots to see them in Lennox Head. Aaron and I recommend checking out the Whales from the Pat Morton Lookout or going for a stroll along the Lennox Head Boardwalk, though you’ll also have a strong chance of seeing Whales breaching the water at Seven Mile Beach and Flat Rock.”

North Coast Holiday Parks are part of the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust (NSWCHPT), which is committed to providing unforgettable holiday memories in iconic destinations across NSW. NSWCHPT also manages the operations of Inland Waters Holiday Parks (IWHP) and South Coast Holiday Parks (SCHP).

NSWCHPT CEO Steve Edmonds said the Group was dedicated to providing guests with a unique experience not found in other holiday destinations, noting the opportunity to see Whales in their natural habitat as a particular example of this.

“We pride ourselves in the fact our parks are located in some of the most idyllic tourism hotspots in NSW,” Mr Edmonds said.

“We can offer our guests experiences that may not be found on your typical holiday and we look forward to welcoming anyone hoping for the opportunity to Whale Watch.

“Our goal is to be recognised as a leading provider of recreational destinations in NSW and we certainly see our parks’ vicinity to popular Whale Watching areas as a strong example of our ability to offer our guests exciting and exceptional experiences.”

A Winter getaway in Byron Bay and surrounds provides the perfect prospect to scout out the Whales. With six parks in the local area there is no shortage of accommodation options for your animal adventure.

For a full list of parks and to book your next holiday visit North Coast Holiday Parks

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All new glass bottom kayak tours on Rarotonga ­ Cook Islands

Ariki Adventures on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands has introduced an all new experience to view marine life and coral formations, with guided glass bottom kayak tours.  The glass bottom kayaks are modified so the usual plastic base is replaced with clear viewing glass.  Guests need only bring swimmers, sunblock and a hat.

Rarotonga's world renowned Muri lagoon is the launch pad for the tours, which venture out to accessible tiny islets, known as motus, nestled invitingly in the lagoon.

Home to countless varieties of brilliantly coloured tropical fish and marine life, Muri lagoon also offers some of the best snorkelling and swimming spots on the island of Rarotonga for guests who want to take a dip in the crystal clear waters.

Glass bottom boat tours operate twice daily with a minimum of four people.  Tours for single glass bottom kayaks are $59pp, while double kayak's are $99.  For bookings see http://www.arikiholidays.com/

Ariki Adventures is also the only sea scooter snorkelling operator on the island of Rarotonga, offering sea scooter tours both inside the lagoon and also outside the reef to a shipwreck.  The sea scooters act as an under water towing device travelling at 4km p/hr pulling guests along effortlessly as they swim through schools of fish and coloured coral.

For information on visiting the Cook Islands see www.cookislands.travel

Cairns secures direct mainland China flights

Tropical North Queensland will deliver tens of thousands of visitors to Queensland with the announcement today (June 30) that China Southern Airlines will operate three flights a week direct from Guangzhou to Cairns from December with modern Airbus A330-300 260-seat aircraft.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chair Max Shepherd said it was incredibly rewarding for the destination to have direct China services confirmed as it would provide a substantial opportunity to build on the growth in arrivals from the region's number one source market.

"Established under the Queensland Government's $33.5 million Advance Queensland: Connecting with Asia initiative, this will be the first direct year-round service from mainland China to Cairns," he said.

"The China Southern flights will inject $30.8 million in overnight visitor expenditure for the region in the first year and $90 million over three years with three flights per week delivering 33,852 seats on an A330-200 aircraft.

"The establishment of scheduled services from the world's largest tourism market will connect new consumers to Australia and create profound opportunities for the Tropical North Queensland industry.

"TTNQ developed the concept for Australia's Tropical Resort Holiday Destination two and a half years ago as a catalyst for the introduction of direct flights to Cairns.

"Since then we have worked diligently with our partners to position our region not only as a group holiday destination, but as a potential mono-destination for the Chinese market, tapping into the rapidly growing free independent traveller (FIT) market.

"Australia caters very well to the multi-destination visitor, but a very large proportion of the FIT market is currently travelling to Guam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Maldives and Hawaii.

"The State Government investment in partnership with Cairns Airport, Cairns Regional Council and TTNQ will open this very rich vein of opportunity, not only for Tropical North Queensland, but for Australia as a whole.

"It will also offer the opportunity for visitors to stay longer and disperse further throughout the region.

"Growth from China continued for the year ending March 2017 delivering 218,000 visitors to Tropical North Queensland, an 8.8 per cent increase which represented more than half of Queensland's 406,000 Chinese holiday visitors.

"Direct flights will allow us to tap into the positive response from both the Chinese travel industry at the recent Australian Tourism Exchange and the rapidly growing online travel agents in China."

Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Norris Carter said this was great news for Cairns to receive during the 2017 China Australia Year of Tourism.

"We look forward to rolling out the red carpet for China Southern's first flight in December," Mr Carter said.

"The service from Guangzhou will provide more convenient access to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef for the world's largest visitor source market.

  "In addition, it opens up the 'Canton Route' for travel between Europe and Cairns.

"Whether as a standalone visit or as part of a longer Queensland and Australian itinerary taking advantage of our extensive domestic connections, visitors from mainland China, other parts of Asia and Europe using the China Southern service will be able to spend more of their time enjoying their holiday rather than travelling.

"These flights will also offer new opportunities for our region's high quality primary produce to be exported to China."

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said it was wonderful news for the region and something the Council and its partners had been working toward for a long time.

"Cairns' tourism product continues to grow and the addition of any new international flight contributes to our region's success," he said.

"The introduction of year-round flights will further increase Chinese access to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, with the benefits to flow through to every part of our local economy.

"I'd like to thank Tourism Minister Kate Jones and everyone involved in delivering this great boost for Cairns' and Queensland's tourism industries."

Mr Shepherd said the direct flights were an outstanding example of a great partnership between China Southern Airlines, Cairns Airport, Cairns Regional Council, TTNQ, Tourism Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland to collaboratively develop, invest in, and deliver a fully integrated campaign to market Tropical North Queensland to the resort holiday traveller in China.