JNTO Sydney welcomes new director

Ms Mariko Tatsumi

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Sydney Office has welcomed a new Executive Director to its team, with Ms Mariko Tatsumi taking over from former Executive Director Mr Hiroshi Kuwamoto.

Ms Tatsumi, who hails from JNTO’s head office in Japan, has moved from Tokyo to Australia to take up what is her second overseas posting.

Ms Tatsumi said she is delighted to be promoting her country to the Australian market as Mr Kuwamoto’s successor: “I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to show Australians what a fantastic destination Japan is.”

“Over the past years, JNTO Sydney office has received the cooperation and support of the travel industry and media in promoting Japan. 2014 saw a record number of Australians visit Japan (302,656, a 24% increase from 2013). This will undoubtedly increase in the coming years as more and more Australians discover what makes Japan extraordinary. The lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is a particularly exciting time,” she said.

“The ski and cherry blossom seasons are the most popular times to visit Japan, but I would like Australians to also experience other aspects of Japan such as the autumn leaves, outdoor activities and summer festivals. During my time in Australia, I intend to continue the various advertising and media projects, seminars and other marketing activities that JNTO Sydney has been focusing on,” explained Ms Tatsumi.
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SIVB CEO Jo Tuamoto appointed to SPTO deputy chair role

Honiara, Solomon Islands – Strong recognition of the Solomon Islands ever-growing presence on the international and regional tourism stage, the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau's CEO, Josefa 'Jo' Tuamoto has been appointed deputy chair of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

Speaking from the SIVB head office in Honiara, Mr Tuamoto said he was extremely humbled to have been nominated to the role and to have had so much trust placed in his hands by his South Pacific peers.

"This is indeed a prestigious honour for the entire Solomon Islands tourism industry as well as me personally and I would like to express my extreme gratitude to each and every one of the SPTO member countries who voted for me – and particularly Samoa for its initial nomination - to take on the deputy chair role," Mr Tuamoto said.

"Being appointed to the deputy chair and being able to contribute further to an organisation that continues to provide amazing support and set industry benchmarks on behalf of each and every one of its members is beyond a privilege."

Mr Tuamoto is pictured standing second from left with the Solomon Islands tourism team attending last week's 2015 South Pacific Tourism Exchange in Melbourne.

Also pictured standing - SIVB chairman, Wilson Ne'e; SIVB marketing representative AU/NZ, Richard Hankin and Solomon Airlines regional general manager AU/NZ & Asia, Victor Sharan.

Seated (from left to right): SIVB marketing manager, Freda Unusi; Travel Solomons' managing director, Karen Foimua and SIVB marketing officer, Stella Lucas.

Visit: www.visitsolomons.com.sb

Facebook: www.facebook.com/visitsolomonislands

NSW Indigenous Tourism Champions Lead the Way

NSW shines the spotlight on Indigenous tourism in the lead up to NAIDOC Week  

NSW Indigenous tourism businesses lead the way in Aboriginal tourism in Australia, providing more visitors with an authentic Indigenous experience than any other state in Australia.

Waradah Aboriginal Centre - Katoomba

Last year Australia welcomed 3.4 million international and domestic visitors that participated in an Aboriginal tourism experience and of these NSW received the lions share, 1.4 million visitors year ending December 2014.

According to Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, “With one in five International visitors to NSW likely to engage in an Aboriginal tourism experience at some point during their stay, we know that visitors want to experience and understand NSW's significant Indigenous heritage first hand. This is why Destination NSW launched the Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan to provide support for and to grow Aboriginal experiences in the state.

“NSW has the largest Aboriginal population in Australia and is home to some of the highest concentrations of Indigenous engraving sites and rock art in Australia,” said Ms Chipchase.

NSW currently has 16 Indigenous Tourism Champions that are leading the way in immersive cultural experiences in the tourism sector.

The Indigenous Tourism Champions Program (ITCP) is a collaborative national program instigated by Tourism Australia and Indigenous Business Australia with significant involvement and support from the State and Territory Tourism Organisations.

According to Ms Chipchase, “The NSW Indigenous Tourism Champions are providing exciting and immersive tourism experiences that allow visitors to participate, learn about the local people, experience the culture and art, and visit Indigenous sites.

“These leaders in Indigenous tourism are spread across NSW and offer very unique experiences, be it quad biking to heritage site on the North Coast, attending art and craft markets and workshops on Sydney's southern beaches, sampling bush tucker in the Royal Botanic Gardens or having a full day cultural immersion tour of Mungo National Park in Outback NSW.”

Here is a snapshot of some of leaders in Aboriginal tourism in NSW:

• Harry Nanya Tours – Learn about the Aboriginal significant of Mungo National Park in Outback NSW in a full day cultural immersion tour that visits the restricted Walls of China. 
• Aboriginal Blue Mountains Walkabout – Focusing on Dreamtime, this full day cultural immersion walkabout tour in the Blue Mountains visiting sacred art and ceremonial sites. 
• Dreamtime Southern X The Rocks Dreaming – Is a 1.5 hour walking tour through The Rocks and around Sydney Harbour that delves in the history of Aboriginal Sydney, past and present. 
• Sand Dune Adventures – This is where fun meets history, on a two-hour quad bike tour of Stockton Sand Dune that visit heritage sites and touches on bush tucker.  
• Royal Botanic Gardens Aboriginal Heritage Tour – Located in the heart of Sydney is a two-hour bush tucker tour of Sydney's stunning Royal Botanic Gardens. 
• Taronga Zoo Nura Diya – Journey through Taronga Zoo and hear stories of Australia fauna and flora through the perspective of an Aboriginal guide. 
• Tri State Safaris Mutawintji Eco Tours – Experience a full day immersion tour in the closed access site of Mutawintji National Park discovering the areas significant rock art and engraving sites. 
• Waradah Aboriginal Centre– A contemporary Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Echo Point, in the Blue Mountains, providing dance performance.  
• First Hand Aboriginal Markets and Workshops – Once a month on Bare Island are Aboriginal art and craft markets that also offer workshops, such as speak making, learn to cook bush tucker and shell art. 
• Tribal Warrior – A Sydney Harbour cruise that provides heritage and cultural interpretation on Sydney Harbour. 
• Australian Museum Indigenous tour –  Join a 1.5 hour guided tour of the Aboriginal exhibition and be entertained with Indigenous music and dance. 
• Ngaran Ngaran Cultural Awareness – A full weekend experience on the South Coast be entertained with dance and dreaming stories, as well as a bushwalk focusing on cultural practices and significant sites. 

Share your favourite Indigenous tour or cultural site with Destination NSW @sydney_sider and #ILoveSydney
For more information go to visitnsw.com

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New small group safari cruise product on Nitmiluk Gorge

Nitmiluk Tours and Cicada Lodge today announced the launch of a new small group safari cruise product on Nitmiluk Gorge.

The Nitmiluk Cultural Safari series combines the exclusivity of small group touring with the authentic cultural interpretations of the Jawoyn people to create a new safari style cruise on Nitmiluk Gorge which gives a personalised and intimate view into the history and culture of the traditional custodians and of the ancient landscapes of the Gorge.

The Nitmiluk Cultural Safaris series offers three options for a maximum of 8 guests in a covered flat-bottomed safari boat visiting exclusive and spectacularly scenic sites along the gorge system with commentary at each location from a local guide’s perspective. These safaris are not only educational but also interactive and can include basket weaving, Didj playing, spear throwing and storytelling.

“This new product has been designed for guests at Cicada Lodge to provide them a new and more immersive means of experiencing and appreciating the Gorge and the culture of the Jawoyn people”, said General Manager Mr Tony Clementson.

“More and more we are finding that Cicada Lodge guests are seeking more personalised touring options that reflect the experience and boutique feel of the Lodge. This safari product will get guests up close and personal in a way that the larger cruising options cannot.

“This is the first new product from Nitmiluk Tours since the opening of Cicada Lodge and we hope it will be the first of a larger program of boutique touring options “, said Mr Clementson.

Nitmiluk Tours and Cicada Lodge are the Indigenous owned and operated tourism enterprises that operates on Jawoyn Land.

For bookings and enquiries please contact Cicada Lodge Ph: 1800 242 232 (Australia), Ph: +61 8 8974 3100 (international); or reservations@cicadalodge.com.au

Victoria's East Gippsland has it all

From surfing to skiing, food to wildlife, find it all in Victoria’s East Gippsland Surf at the beach in the morning and ski down the snowy slopes in the afternoon: from watersports to hiking, biking to skiing, fly-fishing to caving, East Gippsland has it all.

Whether you want to boat, sail, swim, kayak or fish, you can do it all on the many rivers and lakes. Head to secret fishing spots on board a charter from Metung or Lakes Entrance. Surf the waves at Red Bluff, go kite surfing off the beach or dive in a marine national park. Cruise through the estuarine Mallacoota Inlet or hire a canoe and paddle the Tambo River.

Join Sea Safari Eco Tours to learn about the history and ecological significance of the Gippsland Lakes or hire a boat from Riviera Nautic or Bulls Cruisers to explore on your own, sleeping on board for a truly relaxing experience. Spot seals and water birds, watch the recently discovered Burrunan
dolphins hunt and frolic, or pull up at a jetty on Raymond Island and wander through the eucalypts to see koalas in their natural habitat.

Buchan Caves

Explore the labyrinth of the Buchan Caves, a honeycomb of caves formed by underground rivers that cut through limestone rock almost 400 million years ago. Admire majestic stands of coastal rainforest near Marlo and Cape Conran Coastal Park or hike through the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Croajingolong National Park and end up in Mallacoota, where you can reward yourself with a bowlof fresh, local abalone noodles. There are dozens of walks and trails ranging from easy to challenging in coastal, forest, riverside and high country areas, but for a true fitness challenge in spectacular surrounds, join the Australian Adventure Festival in October, for three days of competitive adventure sports.

Head along the Great Alpine Road Touring Route to discover the beautiful vistas, hospitality and rich gold-mining heritage of the high country or explore Australia’s famous Snowy River country, which spans from the mountains around McKillops Bridge to the sea at Marlo. Join Rafting Australia for a white-water adventure. Cycle or ride a horse through the mountains or watch the locals test their skills in camp drafts and rodeos.

The food bowl of Victoria, the region is renowned for its fresh local produce, including seafood, fruit and vegetables, cheeses and wine. Lakes Entrance has a thriving seafood industry and one of the largest fishing fleets in Australia. Buy delicious fresh fish and chips from the fishing co-operative shop Omega 3 Seafood, and lick the salt from your fingers as you look out to sea on Ninety Mile Beach. Or choose your own fresh fish from the trawlers docked along the shore and cook it at home.

There also is a variety of other wild-caught seafood, including crabs, scallops and abalone; Mallacoota is a major source of Australian abalone. Many of the region’s best food and wine offerings are available to sample all in one place at the Metung Food & Wine Festival in June.

W: inspiredbygippsland.com.au
www.facebook.com/loveeastgippsland
@loveeastgippy

Mantra Group Expands CBD Hotel Network in Adelaide and Melbourne

Expansion of their Australian CBD portfolio continues for Mantra Group, today announcing the addition of two hotels in Adelaide and Melbourne.

CEO Bob East said this was indicative of Mantra Group's focus on growing its CBD network across its three brands – Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree:

“We have made substantial additions to our CBD network with eight hotels added over the last 12 months in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart and Launceston and I am pleased to announce these new additions in Adelaide and Melbourne in what has been a solid year of growth for Mantra Group.”

The Group will manage the 202 room Adelaide hotel under the up-market Peppers brand. The Peppers Adelaide Hotel will officially launch on 1 September 2015. It will be the first Peppers property in Adelaide and join two Mantra and two BreakFree hotels to bring the total number of Mantra Group hotels to five in Adelaide CBD.

The property is a well-established, leading 5 star CBD hotel, located within walking distance of the Adelaide Convention Centre, Casino, Rundle Mall, the cultural boulevard of North Terrace, and the city's restaurant precinct. Centrally located on Waymouth Street, it offers 202 stylishly appointed hotel rooms; two food and beverage outlets, Straits Cafe and Lounge 55; a heated indoor lap pool, spa, sauna, and fitness centre. For meetings, events and private functions the 120 square metre conference room caters for up to 150 guests (cocktail) and can be divided into two smaller rooms.

Mantra Group will work with Hotel Invest Pty Ltd to upgrade the property.

Peppers Adelaide Hotel is the latest example of the evolution of the brand in CBD locations. It will join Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra and Peppers Seaport Launceston in the existing portfolio, with new build Peppers properties set for completion in Docklands Melbourne and Kings Square Perth in 2016.

The Group is also set to offer a quality affordable accommodation option in the heart of Melbourne CBD with the management of Darling Towers at 233 Collins Street. The property will rebrand as BreakFree on Collins on 26 June 2015 and undergo a refurbishment program over the coming months.

The hotel offers 193 one and two bedroom apartments in a prime location near the soon to be relaunched St Collins Lane (formerly Australia on Collins shopping centre); with Her Majesty's Theatre, Regent Theatre and Federation Square all within close proximity.

BreakFree on Collins will join a network of six CBD BreakFree properties across Australia, including BreakFree Bell City in the greater Melbourne suburb of Preston. It will bring the number of Mantra and BreakFree properties in Melbourne to twelve.

Mantra Group is a leading manager and marketer of hotels and resorts in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia and operates three well-known and trusted brands – Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree. With 119 properties and over 13,000 rooms under management, Mantra Group is the second largest accommodation operator in Australia. The Group is positioned to offer both leisure and business style accommodation ranging from full service city hotels and self-contained apartments to luxury resorts and retreats:www.mantragroup.com.au; www.peppers.com.au; www.mantra.com.au; www.breakfree.com.au. 

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Discover Native Australian Wildlife, Coastal Adventure, Local Food + Wine and Plenty of Family Fun on Phillip Island

Phillip Island, situated in Western Port, is a place where visitors can immerse themselves in the magical natural wonders of Australia, from its distinctive animals to beautiful beaches, rugged coastline and picturesque landscapes.

With diverse coastline and bush land, wildlife encounters, idyllic coastal dining and family adventure, the Island has many experiences to share, all within an easy 90 minute drive from Melbourne.

Nature enthusiasts will love the island's beautiful and varied beaches that offer ideal conditions for surfing, swimming, fishing and boating; and its rugged, scenic coastline and native bush land with designated hiking trails and cycling tracks, which can also be taken in from above with a helicopter tour.

Food lovers can sample the region's delicious local wine and produce at the many restaurants and cafes scattered across the island or buy direct from the farm gate, cellar doors or Churchill Island Farmers' Market.

Families can create holiday memories with a wide range of fun-filled attractions including a three-dimensional maze, chocolate factory, go-karts and of course the world-famous Penguin Parade.

For full information on Phillip Island's natural attractions, experiences, events and accommodation offerings, visit www.visitphillipisland.com or call the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre on 1300 366 422