CLIA names Award finalists

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has announced the finalists for the 19th annual Cruise Industry Awards, to be presented at a sold-out celebration next month.

A total of 71 finalists from across Australia and New Zealand have been chosen and will be in the running to win one of cruising’s highest honours when the industry comes together for its biggest night of the year on February 15.

More than 560 entries were received for this year’s awards – more than ever before – with 11 different categories open for self- or peer-nomination and awards for both Australian and New Zealand nominees.

Key categories this year include Agency of the Year, Cruise Consultant of the Year, Home-Based Cruise Agent/Broker of the Year, Rising Star, Cruise Champion, Promotion of the Year and a Media Award.

CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said the awards celebrated the top achievers among CLIA’s travel agent membership.

“This year’s nominations show a genuine passion for the cruise industry and that’s a big part of the success we’re experiencing in Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Katz said. “The most energetic and engaged agents are also some of the most successful in Australia and New Zealand, so these awards are about recognising their commitment and the prosperity they help bring to the entire cruise community.”

Hosted by entertainer Tim Campbell, the 19th annual Cruise Industry Awards will be held at the Star Event Centre Sydney on Saturday February 15.

See full list of finalists.

Most Anticipated Hotel Openings in SE Asia for 2020

Banyan Tree Krabi

Singapore-based Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd, one of Asia's foremost luxury hotel groups, has announced plans to open a new resort in Krabi in the second quarter of 2020. Currently under development in a serene location on Tubkaek Beach, a scenic 45-minute drive from Krabi Airport, Banyan Tree Krabi fronts powdery white sands and the shallow-shelved coast of the Andaman Sea. The new Thai resort will offer 72 pool suites and villas, among them seven 2-bedroom options and one three-bedroom villa. Facilities include all-day dining, a ballroom, a wedding chapel, a beach club, a kids' club, and a fitness center. In keeping with Banyan Tree's holistic branding, the resort will also host a rainforest-themed spa.



Fusion Suites Vung Tau

Fusion's newest hotel, Fusion Suites Vung Tau, is set to open in January in southern Vietnam's popular coastal playground. The new 21-storey property features 171 well-appointed suites and apartments, a multitude of dining options, a spa, yoga studio, and a rooftop infinity pool. The property offers views of the ocean, and complements the setting with playful interiors dressed in sea green, ocean blue, and a wide range of ocean-inspired hues in between. The same sense of whimsy informs the building's complex facade with pastel-coloured glass panels that zig-zag upwards. For dining options the hotel has the Fresh restaurant (open all-day), a rooftop bar, and market stalls in the lobby. The property's 12 treatment room spa is inspired by the sea and features signature therapies based around salt. Conveniently located in the heart of Vung Tau, the hotel is just a short trip by boat or road from Ho Chi Minh City.




Tanah Gajah, a resort by Hadiprana

On January 1, 2020, The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah in Ubud will return to its roots as it becomes Tanah Gajah, a resort by Hadiprana and the flagship property of a new hospitality group Hadiprana Hospitality. The property was first built in the 1980s as a holiday home for legendary Indonesian architect and designer, Hendra Hadiprana, and his family. The family retreat was then transformed into an idyllic resort set among the rice paddies of Ubud under GHM's management. Intimate, yet spacious, the five-hectare property features twenty art-filled accommodation options, ranging from one bedroom suites with open air bathrooms and lotus pond views, to a one-of-a-kind two bedroom estate with a private pool. The Restaurant is set to reopen as The Tempayan, named for the large traditional earthenware jars that decorate the heart of the dining destination amid the rice paddies. A new tapas lounge, Panen Padi, will open in a prime location with a view of tranquil swan ponds on one side and lush fields unfolding on the other. The ceiling of the restored building will be adorned with a traditional Balinese painting that shares Hendra Hadiprana's life story. Hadiprana's original presence is felt at the property, with a myriad of sculptures, antiques, and artwork that the collector picked up over the years adorning all corners of the site. Plans are also in motion for expanding on the array of authentic experiences on offer to guests.





Azerai Ke Ga Bay

The luxurious and secluded oceanfront retreat Azerai Ke Ga Bay is set to open on Apr. 1, 2020 as the third property in Vietnam in Azerai Resorts' growing portfolio. The 55-room resort, which will succeed Princess D'Annam Resort & Spa on the same site following a six-month renovation, is located 180km east of Saigon on a sweeping, five-kilometer white sand beach on the South China Sea. Framed to the north by Hon Ba Island, with its historic 1899-built colonial French lighthouse, and to the south by soaring sand dunes, the property cultivates one of the most naturally splendid oceanfront settings in the country. The guest rooms, suites and villas evoke a contemporary aesthetic defined by elegant and simple design, with many units boasting either plunge pools or more spacious private pools. Azerai Ke Ga Bay marks the brand's first beach resort, and follows Azerai La Residence, Hue, a historic city hotel overlooking the Perfume River in Vietnam's former imperial capital, and Azerai Can Tho, a tropical retreat set on a peaceful islet in the Mekong Delta. Azerai was formed by hotelier Adrian Zecha.




Ancient Hue

When people refer to a room being "fit for a king", they are usually talking figuratively. Not so in the case of Ancient Hue, a luxury boutique complex of authentic nha ruong (garden homes) about to be unveiled in Hue, Vietnam's former royal capital. The five ancient royal houses at the resort were originally used as dwellings for members of the extended imperial families: relatives of the emperors who used to preside over the nation. Beautifully restored by skilled Vietnamese artisans, the garden homes feature an exquisite fusion of traditional charm and contemporary luxury. Ancient Hue is owned and was conceived by Trails of Indochina, one of Southeast Asia's leading boutique tour operators. Indeed, the property is a passion project for Trails of Indochina founder John Tue Nguyen, who is originally from Hue. "Ancient Hue is a way for me to leave some kind of legacy," he says. "Hue is like nowhere else in Vietnam. The original charm is intact. With Ancient Hue we are trying to ensure that the city's heritage and character is preserved."

See here for details.

#Philippines: Look past Bohol's Chocolate Hills for more

#itsmorefuninthePhilippines #Philippines

While most tourists visit the province of Bohol to see the world-famous Chocolate Hills, many are often surprised at the diversity of attractions on offer. The Philippines Department of Tourism encourages travellers to allow plenty of time to discover the picturesque landscapes, white sand beaches, rich culture and jungle activities in what is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Philippines.

Ms Norjamin Delos Reyes, Tourism Attaché at Philippine Department of Tourism Australia and New Zealand said,

"Bohol is the friendly heart of the Visayas. Not many people know that it is also among one of the worlds' most popular tourist destinations which is largely due to the variety of attractions on offer. In addition to the Chocolate Hills, which is on many peoples' bucket list, travellers will be thrilled to find picturesque jungle adventures, ziplining, waterfall climbing, cave exploring, and river cruising, all of which will get the heart racing!"

The Chocolate Hills are a group of unusually shaped hills located in the middle of Bohol. This extraordinary landscape is unique to the small island and mystery still surrounds how the Chocolate Hills were formed. During the rainy season, they are lush and green but at the end of the dry season, the grass turns from green to brown, giving the hills their name. Whilst this is the most popular destination in Bohol, there are many more things to discover.

Loboc River Cruise

The Loboc River is a popular sightseeing destination in Bohol. The best way to explore this must-visit attraction is to take a river cruise on board on one of the many vessels on offer. The boats resemble large floating houses and travellers will often enjoy a buffet lunch, live music and dancing.

Panglao Island

Panglao Island is a hub for all activities and there are many resorts, hotels, and restaurants on offer in the area. A beautiful beach getaway, Pangalao island is known for its white sand beaches and world-class diving sites and travellers will not be disappointed with the amount of exploring to be done, including sunset spots, cliff jumps and the chance to swim with turtles.

Hinagdanan Cave

The Hinagdanan Cave is one of the many wondrous caves in the island province of Bohol. Located on the northern coastline of Panglao Island, the cave is accessible by a staircase leading down to a whole new world below. Features of the cave include incredible stalagmite pinnacles and turquoise pools, offering travellers the chance to experience natural enchanting beauty.

Loboc Ecotourism Adventure Park

Located near the Chocolate Hills, Loboc Ecotourism Adventure Park is the perfect place for those with a love of heights, nature, and adrenaline. Travellers are able to fly through the jungle on an exhilarating zipline course which goes over the jungle, the river and gives a view of the Chocolate Hills.

Dimiao Twin Waterfalls

Around 25 metres tall, Dimiao Falls is a twin set of falls which flow down limestone rocks and into a large pool formed at the base. One of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Philippines, the falls are perfect for swimming and cliff jumping, complete with cool turquoise waters.

For more information, visit Tourism Philippines at https://www.tourismphilippines.com.au/. Follow Tourism Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.

Europe on a Budget with UTracks

From Portugal to the Balkans, seven active breaks for 2020 that will not break the bank

Travel to some of Europe's most iconic landscapes – from the rainbow-painted Cinque Terre villages to Cappadocia's lunar scenery

New in Spain: Follow one of the oldest Camino routes to Santiago de Compostela

Planning an active break for 2020 but are on a tight budget?

From Portugal to Turkey, European active holiday specialist UTracks offers below seven of the best itineraries that will set you back less than $1000 per person.

Goulburn Australia unveils new Destination Guide

#VisitNSW

The 2020 Goulburn Australia Destination Guide was officially unveiled at an exclusive after-hours industry event, held at the Goulburn Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday, 18th December 2019.

The Guide has been designed to complement the new Goulburn Australia destination website – www.goulburnaustralia.com.au – which was officially launched on the same night.

Featuring fresh new imagery and copy, both assets provide visitors, new residents and locals with a comprehensive and definitive guide to Goulburn and the wider Tablelands region.

Acting Team Leader Marketing, Andri Parlett, who oversaw the project, is excited to see the Destination Guide come to fruition.

"This is the most extensive edition ever produced for the Goulburn region. We have introduced four new sections: Family Fun, Wellness, Occasions, as well as a Canberra Region Tablelands section; and have included more contemporary imagery than ever before to create the feeling of a premium country lifestyle magazine."

"A new Goulburn CBD map has been included, as well as an updated City map with complete street index. Another new element is utilising symbols to indicate which accommodation properties are pet-friendly and accessible within the 'Stay' section".

The Destination Guide is an essential marketing tool that is used daily by visitors and potential new residents, and it is often the bridge between budding interest and taking action. It assists in decision-making and planning by providing information on the wide range of experiences and services available in and around Goulburn.

Council's Marketing and Events Unit will distribute 90,000 copies of the Guides over the next two years. The publication is also available online at www.goulburnaustralia.com.au.

This official guide to the region is always in demand, being distributed at around 60 other NSW Accredited Visitor Information Centres and local and regional tourism operators, as well as through direct requests from consumers received as a result of Council's destination marketing campaigns.

Boxes of Destination Guides are also now available for collection from the Goulburn Visitor Information Centre.

Balloons Over Bagan Marks Milestone in the Sky

Myanmar’s favorite travel experience celebrates its 20th anniversary

Look at any travel story or poster promoting tourism in Myanmar and chances are it will feature one of two iconic images - the shimmering golden stupa of Shwedagon Pagoda, or a hot-air balloon drifting celestially over the ancient temples of Bagan at sunrise.

Explore Every Day with Lonely Planet's 365 Daily Prompts to Refresh Your Life

With Explore Every Day, Lonely Planet presents an idea a day to refresh your life.

You don’t have to travel far to discover a world of new experiences in Explore Every Day, published this month. From new ways to connect with friends, family and the community, to appreciating art and unleashing your creative side, Lonely Planet shows you how to explore new cultures, meet new people and have amazing adventures – every day.

"Think of this book not as a simple guide to fun things to do, but as an act of rebellion. As a stand against the forces that hold us back from exploring our creativity, our adventurousness and our communities." author Alex Leviton writes in her Introduction. "You don’t need to fly to the Maldives and stay in an above-water bungalow or trek through the Himalayas for months on end to awaken that sense of adventure or connection."

"You have no excuse, either," Alex continues. "Some of these prompts take an actual, literal minute ('breathe deeply'), others a full day or more ('living-room camping') but most take anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour. The vast majority of them are completely or almost free."

"These 365 prompts (plus one leap prompt, of course) offer a dozen different types of archetypal experiences," Alex says. "Do you want to connect with family ('call a relative'), friends ('hide a note for a mate') or your community ('use your volunteer skills')? Do you want to appreciate art ('mural walking tour') or would you rather create something yourself ('draw a map of your town')? You can editorialise your home town ('a travel-writing assignment') or just use your imagination ('dedicate today to your favourite person in history'). And yes, you can even recast your housework as fun ('turn a chore into a game')."

"When we think back to what gave us that spark of joy during the day, was it that time you spent on social media or reading the news?," Alex asks. "Or was it the dusty orange sunset you saw on the way home, or that conversation you had with a new colleague? We can’t take away the former (well, we do try: 'unfollow one social media account'; and 'don’t read any news today') but this book will help remind you to do more of the latter."

About the author: Lonely Planet author, sometimes start-up director and creative coach Alex Leviton has been advocating for more creativity, exploration, and play for almost 20 years. Since getting a master’s in journalism from UC Berkeley, she’s contributed to dozens of Lonely Planet titles, done stand-up comedy, mentored teen poets, led travel writing workshops around the world, and performed Improv badly. However, her favourite thing is to help others find their creative voice. Find her at www.alexleviton.com.

LONELY PLANET: EXPLORE EVERY DAY
Published: December 2019
ISBN: 9781788686358
Price: AU$14.99 / NZ$16.99