Travelocity APAC expands in New Zealand & South Pacific

Online travel agent www.ZUJI.com which operates Travelocity New Zealand www.travelocity.co.nz is to strengthen their commitment to the New Zealand and the South Pacific Online Market by expanding their operation and increasing their Auckland based staff.

New Zealand Market Manager Kathryn Wilson has been on the ground in Auckland for the past 2.5 years, flying the flag and managing both New Zealand and the South Pacific Markets.  Kathryn will now hand over the management of New Zealand to Market Manager Jacinda Carter, leaving her to focus on the South Pacific.

Jacinda brings extensive experience to this role having worked in hotels for the past 13 years.  She joins the Travelocity APAC team from Sky City Auckland where she led the reservations and revenue team. Jacinda will be responsible for continued development of hotel supplier relationships and strengthening the New Zealand Online Market.

Also joining the team is Leeza Chan as a Market Coordinator supporting both Market Managers in the New Zealand and South Pacific Region.  Leeza has worked in hotels for the past 3 years specialising in reservations and yield.  Prior to joining the Travelocity APAC team she was at Chifley Suites in Auckland.

ZUJI General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, James Gaskell and Alex Niewenhuys, Regional Manager for hotel business, both agree that with a renewed focus on New Zealand and the South Pacific we hope to build on our success and provide greater distribution opportunities to our suppliers and better value for our customers".


About ZUJI

In 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and again in 2009, ZUJI® was recognised as Asia Pacific's 'Best Online Travel Agent', as awarded by TTG travel magazines in Asia Pacific. ZUJI was also awarded as the 'Best Online Travel Agency' in 2007 by the TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards.  'Condé Nast Traveler' magazine (March 08, US-edition) announced ZUJI as the 'best travel web site for flights in Asia'.

ZUJI gives travellers in Asia Pacific online access to real-time travel bookings for thousands of hotels and hundreds of airlines, as well as bringing cruises, car hire, attraction bookings, package tours and other inspirational travel offers, products and tools online.

ZUJI operates travel websites in: Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Korea ('Nextour'), New Zealand ('Travelocity'), and India ('Travelocity India' and 'Travelguru'), as well as many 'Travel Partner Network' sites throughout Asia Pacific.

ZUJI's 'Travel Partner Network' division allows third-party travel suppliers, agents and web sites to harness the travel booking functionality of ZUJI for flight, hotel, packages, activities and other travel content and products. ZUJI's B2B partners include: Virgin Blue (Blue Holidays: Australia & New Zealand).

ZUJI is owned by Travelocity®, an international leader in online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel commerce.

ZUJI has an online member base exceeding 1 million travellers.  ZUJI's Chief Executive Officer is Mr Roshan Mendis.

Shepparton hotel undergoes $2m transformation

An extensive four-year renovation program worth almost $2 million has seen the Best Western Wyndhamere in Shepparton, Victoria completely transformed.

The overhaul of the motel included the addition a new wing, eight new rooms built and two existing rooms renovated, a new look for the on-site restaurant followed by the motel facade, giving the property a contemporary feel.

The queen deluxe rooms were also completely renovated with plastering of the walls and ceiling, new furniture, carpets, new bathrooms, drapes and appliances.

Angela Mangiameli, manager of the Best Western Wyndhamere said, "Our guests have been thrilled with the new look; we've received lots of positive comments on check-out. They're really happy with the quality and standard of the rooms, especially the new flat-screen TVs".

Shepparton, only two hours north of Melbourne is renowned for its friendly people, beautiful natural scenery, wineries, art galleries and sporting precincts for basketball, soccer, football as well as a BMX track that opened earlier this year.

For more information or to book, call 131 779 or visit http://wyndhamere.bestwestern.com.au.

 

Chiva-Som Awarded 6 New Accolades in 2010

Chiva-Som, the pioneering health resort in Thailand, still leads the way in 2010. Sixteen years after inception, Chiva-Som has clinched 6 major awards from the world's most authoritative media. From the USA to Australia, and from the UK to Asia, the endorsements include;

1. 'Top Ten Best Medical Programs' SpaFinder Readers' Choice Crystal Award 2010

2.  'Best Destination Spa' The Crystal Awards 2010

3. '4th Favourite Destination Spa' Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Spa Awards 2010

4. 'Best Amenities/Products' Conde Nast Traveller 2010 Readers' Travel Awards

5. 'Top 5 Destination Spa' Conde Nast Traveller 2010 Readers' Travel Awards

6. 'Best Overseas Spa Resort' Luxury Travel & Style Magazine 2010 Gold List
 

"Chiva-Som has acquired a reputation in helping people all over the world to achieve lasting wellness in mind, body and spirit. In doing so, we have leveraged a quality in the Thai people, that of Thai hospitality. Thai hospitality promotes the genuine care for the wellbeing of our guests and this has distinguished Chiva-Som in the world of wellness and sets us apart in terms of service delivery. It is the staff of Chiva-Som who truly deserves the credit for this important recognition," said Krip Rojanastien, CEO & Chairman of Chiva-Som and son of the founder Boonchu Rojanastien.

SpaFinder Readers' Choice Crystal Awards has recognised Chiva-Som since 2005; the Crystal Awards Asia Pacific has recognised Chiva-Som since 2004; CondeNast Traveller UK has recognised Chiva-Som since 1998 and Luxury Travel & Style Magazine has recognised Chiva-Som since 2007.

Chiva-Som is Asia's first comprehensive wellness retreat and destination spa, providing proven transformations in mind, body and spirit towards optimal wellness.

For more information about Chiva-Som, please contact Travel the World by calling 1300 950 622 or by visiting www.traveltheworld.com.au.

About Chiva-Som

A secluded world of beauty and serenity, Chiva-Som is the "Haven of Life" – a luxury health resort dedicated to revitalising the mind, body and spirit.  The beachfront resort represents tranquility at its best with luxurious accommodation, nestled within lush tropical gardens.          

Focusing on greater well-being and vitality, Chiva-Som offers extensive fitness, spa and holistic health facilities to help you relax, restore, rejuvenate and redirect.  Personalised programmes and treatments are designed for everyone, blending Eastern philosophies with Western diagnostic skills. Widely regarded as the Best Destination Spa in the World, Chiva-Som welcomes you with unique Thai hospitality.  Located in the Royal city of Hua Hin, the resort is less than three hours by car south of Bangkok.
 
Chiva-Som is the proud recipient of numerous accolades, most recently 'Best Destination Spa' The Crystal Awards 2010; 'Top Ten Best Medical Programs' SpaFinder Readers' Choice Crystal Award 2010; '4th Favourite Destination Spa' Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Spa Awards 2010; 'Best Amenities/Products' and 'Top 5 Destination Spa' Conde Nast Traveller 2010 Readers' Travel Awards; 'Best Overseas Spa Resort' Luxury Travel & Style Magazine 2010 Gold List(and every year since 2007), 'Best for Mind, Body and Sprit' and 'Best for Medical' SpaFinder's Readers' Choice 2009; '2nd Favourite Destination Spa' Conde Nast Traveller 2009 Readers' Travel Awards; 'Top 5 Overseas Retreat' Cond้ Nast Traveller Readers' Spa Awards 2009 (and every year since 1999); 'Spa Cuisine of the Year' AsiaSpa 2008; 'Favorite Spa in Thailand' and 'Top 10 Medi-Spas' Spa Finder 2008; 'Best Spa in the world' The ULTRAs-The Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards 2008.

Chiva-Som has achieved the prestigious Green Globe certification recognising our commitment to operating at the world's highest environmental standard on all levels of operation. The resort has several initiatives, policies and practices in place for energy efficiency and conservation, waste water treatment and reuse, fresh water conservation, waste minimisation and recycling, air quality management and environmentally friendly product-usage.

SAA proud to again be part of ATP Tennis Tournament in 2011

South African Airways (SAA) is pleased to announce it is again the official airline sponsor of the ATP tennis tournament starting in January at Sydney's Olympic Park.

According to Thevan Krishna, SAA's Head of Australasia, the airline's exclusive global deal with ATP, governing body of the men's professional circuit, is now in its fifth year and runs until 2012. The airline became a platinum sponsor this year.  

"The Medibank International will take place at Sydney Olympic Park from January 9, 2011 with the women's finals to be played on January 14 and the men's finals on January 15," Thevan said.

"This year both the men's and women's tennis promise to be very exciting. Major players like Juan Martin del Potro and defending champion Marcos Baghdatis in the men's and Kim Clijsters and our own Samantha Stosur in the women's are all scheduled to play," he said.

"During the week we will be welcoming many of our clients in the travel industry to some of the matches, our way of showing our appreciation of their support for SAA through the past year.

"SAA is thrilled to again be the official airline sponsor and the exclusive airline for the event. The ATP sponsorship is a great initiative for us here in Australia. This year's tournament is expected to attract capacity crowds to see some of the world's best tennis players.

"Our involvement with ATP since 2006 when we first signed the deal has been great and each year we benefit from the high quality management of the event and the fact that our clients look forward to and enjoy being with us out at Olympic Park.

"The ATP sponsorship is terrific for our branding in Australia and we look forward to the opportunities for SAA that will result. SAA has had a big year with the World Cup being so successfully staged in South Africa and our involvement with sport continues with being part of the tennis in 2011," Thevan concluded.

Note for editor: SAA flies non-stop every day from Sydney to Johannesburg and daily from Perth, with connections to the largest network in Africa. SAA is consistently voted the 'Best Airline & Cabin Crew in Africa' winning it for the 16th consecutive year in the Travel Weekly Globe Awards in London. SAA took out top honours at the recent WTA awards in London, with three awards in the Africa category. SAA is a member of STAR, the world's largest alliance reaching 916 destinations in 160 countries. For more information on SAA flights and reservations please call 1300 435 972 or www.flysaa.com  

For all SAA media releases and images please visit: www.africaourhome.com.au/media  

AIR VANUATU GROWS WITH ATR

AIR VANUATU LAUNCHES MAJOR GROWTH PLAN WITH ATR 72-500

20 October, 2010 -  Vanuatu's national airline, Air Vanuatu, has embarked on a major expansion programme , centred on its newest aircraft, a 68-seat ATR 72-500 turboprop airliner.

Since replacing a 45-seat ATR 42-300 late last year, the larger, more efficient aircraft has been used to boost capacity on existing domestic services, as well as increasing by 33% the airline's seat availability to Noumea in the neighbouring nation of New Caledonia.

Now, Air Vanuatu is working with regulatory authorities to introduce ATR 72-500 flights to more destinations, the most promising being service between Vanuatu and Fiji. More domestic island destinations are also being considered.

 "The ATR 72-500 has been a welcome addition to our fleet, increasing passenger numbers and comfort," said Air Vanuatu's Chief Executive, Joseph Laloyer.

"The aircraft has allowed us to increase capacity to Noumea, and we are looking at other regional ports, which previously we were restricted from doing," he said.

"The aircraft has proven very popular with our passengers and we are pleased with its steady growth."

Air Vanuatu's total domestic passenger traffic has increased by 10 per cent since late last year when the brightly-coloured ATR 72-500 arrived in the South Pacific from the ATR production line in Toulouse, Southern France.

In the same period, the carrier has achieved an impressive 33 per cent saving on costs including fuel and aircrew, while also reducing significantly its carbon dioxide emissions, thanks to the increased efficiency and lower environmental impact of the ATR 72-500.

Using the ATR 72-500, Air Vanuatu has also been able to offer more seats for passengers connecting to and from its longer international sectors between the national capital Port Vila and destinations including Australia and New Zealand.

And for domestic passengers, there have been even more seats available, due not only to the increased size of the ATR 72-500 over its predecessor, but also the ability of the larger aircraft to continue to access regional airports. .

Although airstrips at some destinations are shorter or narrower than at larger destinations, a key benefit to Air Vanuatu of the ATR 72-500 is its ability to land on strips as short as 1100 metres or just 14 metres wide.

Air Vanuatu also has greater operating flexibility and increased safety margins due to the ability of the larger ATR 72-500 to carry additional fuel, enabling the airline to accommodate diversions to more alternate airfields as required.

ATR Director of Sales for Australasia and Pacific Islands, Guillaume Huertas, said turboprop airliners were continuing to gain popularity, not just with airlines but with passengers.

"Today's turboprop aircraft consume much less fuel and produce less carbon emissions than comparable-size regional jets, or older turboprop equipment," said Mr Huertas.

"They also offer cabin comfort equal to or better than most jets, delivering the highest standards not just on medium to long haul routes but also on shorter journeys, regardless of whether these are between key cities in major markets or the smaller regional communities of the Pacific."

ATR is the world's leading manufacturer of 50-74 seat regional turboprop airliners, having sold more than 1000 ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft, which are used by over 160 operators in 90 countries. At 1 October this year, ATR had a backlog of more than 150 aircraft on order.

These include 98 of the next generation ATR series – 600 family – 93  ATR 72-600s and five ATR 42-600s.

ATR is certified to ISO 14001, the worldwide standard for environmental management and sustainability. 

For more information, visit www.atraircraft.com

Swissôtel The Stamford Wins Double "Oscars" At The World Travel Awards

Swissôtel The Stamford was crowned Asia's Leading City Hotel and Singapore's Leading Business Hotel at the prestigious World Travel Awards held last week in Delhi, India. With these wins, Singapore's towering icon of world-class hospitality has more cause for celebration as it attains several international awards in a year that commemorates the 30th anniversary of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

The hotel recently garnered two other prestigious international awards of excellence - Asia Pacific's "Best Business Hotel" in the BT-MICE Awards Category of the 21st TTG Travel Awards 2010, its second consecutive win, as well as the Luxury Hotel & Conference Centre (Global Winner) award and Overall Winner in the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2010.

The World Travel Awards is widely regarded as the ultimate accolade for the travel and hospitality industry. Founded in 1993, the World Travel Awards has been described by the Wall Street Journal as the 'Oscars' of the travel and tourism industry, and the foremost recognition and acknowledgement of excellence in products and services worldwide. An estimated 185,000 industry professionals from travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organisations from all around the world participated in the voting process that
determined this year's winners.

"These two new awards are resounding tributes to Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts' 30th Anniversary celebration as one of the world's leading hotel groups. The accolades are a testament of Swissôtel The Stamford's unwavering pursuit of excellence in every facet of the signature service that we extend to both business and leisure travellers, and an affirmation of our credo 'A Passion for Perfection'. We are proud and privileged to have received these recognitions," said Mr Aiden McAuley, General Manager of Swissôtel The Stamford and Regional Vice-President, Asia-Pacific, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

"The critical mass of awards that we have received over the two weeks are the apex of what has so far been a truly memorable year. Our sincere appreciation and gratitude to our valued guests, corporate partners and colleagues, and those who voted for us, and have made this remarkable achievement possible," he added.

Renowned for hosting significant international business events, Swissôtel The Stamford hosted the following in the past year alone: the Interpol General Assembly; the APEC Leaders Meeting and APEC CEO Summit; Global Entrepolis @ Singapore; the Aviation Leadership Summit for Singapore Airshow and Events; CommunicAsia 2010 - Ministers' Conference, and the first Soccerex Asian Forum.


Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore
(www.swissotel.com/singapore-stamford) Conveniently located in the heart of Singapore, Swissôtel The Stamford is a deluxe hotel that boasts a prime Singapore location amid the diversions of the Raffles City shopping complex, just 20 minutes away from Singapore Changi International Airport. Southeast Asia's tallest hotel, Swissôtel The Stamford offers a luxurious range of 1,261 guest rooms and suites with a wealth of amenities, as well as panoramic views of Singapore, Malaysia and parts of Indonesia.

It also boasts an impressive array of 16 restaurants and bars, including the Equinox Complex, Singapore's most exciting dining and entertainment complex. The hotel also houses the 70,000sqft Raffles City Convention Centre; comprising 27 meeting venues with technologically advanced business facilities and services.

Tourism and jobs the winners as Indigenous Land Corporation buys Ayers Rock Resort

National and international tourist icon Ayers Rock Resort at Yulara will be purchased by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) for $300 million.

The ILC has exchanged contracts to acquire the entire Resort, including all hotels and accommodation, associated infrastructure, the airport and workers village, in an arrangement with Wana Ungkunytja (WU), which represents Indigenous business interests in the nearby communities of Mutijulu, Imanpa and Docker River.

ILC Chairperson Shirley McPherson said the purchase of the Resort from the GPT Group was a positive opportunity for Australian tourism and Indigenous economic development.

"The ILC Board is delighted that WU, which operates the Anangu Tours business, will acquire an interest in the Resort and will be an integral partner in its running and development," Ms McPherson said.

"The Resort represents a unique and probably the biggest opportunity to advance the training and employment of Indigenous people in the Australian tourism and hospitality industries.

"There is a great opportunity to increase the current limited Indigenous employment at the resort which has a workforce of 670 people.

"By 2015, 200 Indigenous people will be employed at the Resort and this will climb to 340, more than 50% of total employees, by the end of 2018," she said.

The ILC will establish a National Indigenous Tourism Training Academy at Yulara, with 200 people in training each year from 2013.

Over the next five years 500 Indigenous trainees are expected to graduate from the Training Academy, with graduates gaining employment at the Resort and in other jobs in the tourism and hospitality industries across Australia.

One of the first priorities will be to re-establish training facilities and accommodation and, in this regard, there will be a close working relationship with the Sydney-based National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE), with the object of establishing a campus of the NCIE at the Resort.

The acquisition will lead to the return of 104,000ha of culturally significant freehold land to Traditional Owners, and the arrangement with WU will see Anangu playing a continuing role in resort operation and management.

"Traditional Owners already play a key role in the management of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and this has helped to protect and enhance the very things that visitors come to see," Ms McPherson said. 

"The acquisition of the Resort is a turning point for Indigenous economic development in Central Australia where tourism and hospitality are key areas for Indigenous employment growth.  It will also be a catalyst for a surge in Indigenous tourism across Australia".

"The provision of a memorable cultural and environmental tourism experience at Uluru and Kata-Tjuta will continue to be the primary focus, but the Resort will increasingly provide badly-needed Indigenous jobs and industry-accredited training", she said.

Wana Ungkunytja Chairperson Mrs Margaret Smith said the ILC acquisition of the Resort would not only provide training opportunities and employment for Indigenous people – it would also pave the way for a more complete cultural experience for International and Australian visitors.

"Anangu have been watching the Resort for 30 years.  When the Resort was built we thought that there would be lots of training and jobs for us," Mrs Smith said.

"We want our young ones to have good jobs on their own country.  We want visitors to meet Anangu and learn about Tjukupa – traditional Anangu law and culture. 

"We think that the ILC will be a good partner to work with because we want the same things – to share our culture with visitors in the proper way, and proper training that leads to good jobs.

"The Resort purchase is also important to Nyangatjatjara College, an Indigenous secondary college based at Yulara.  Students will be able to do real training and get real jobs.

"The National Indigenous Tourism Training Academy will give our young ones the chance to get real training and jobs and we look forward to strong partnerships between the Resort and other Indigenous groups in Central Australia," she said.

All external borrowings to support the acquisition are forecast to be paid off after seven years of operation and all internal funding by the end of year 10.

As part of the acquisition, the ILC will take over GPT's Voyages platform which administers the Resort's tourist booking and management functions.

The ILC wishes to acknowledge GPT's co-operation during its extensive due diligence process.