New high speed ferry for Sydney

SeaLink Travel Group (SLK: ASX) (SeaLink) has welcomed into Sydney the arrival of its largest and fastest catamaran ferry. The commuter ferry joins the Captain Cook Cruises fleet and will help meet a growing demand for services on Sydney Harbour.

Intrepid helps African women climb Kilimanjaro to highlight female land rights

#expeditioncruising

Female farmers will be joined by Women’s AFL players

This week, Intrepid Travel will lead over 30 women farmers from all over Africa to the peak of Mt Kilimanjaro, to help them raise awareness for women’s land rights.

Led by Intrepid’s expert guides and in partnership with ActionAid, travellers will trek alongside these courageous African women, in a show of support as they fight for land rights and gender equality.

On October 15, to coincide with the UN International Day of Rural Women, the climbers will join over 250 African women at a mass assembly, where those involved will produce a charter of demands for equal land rights to be presented to the United Nations and the African Union. The climb and assembly comes during the African Union’s yearlong focus on the “Rights of Women” in 2016.

In rural Africa, smallholder farmers (the majority of whom are women) produce close to 80% of the continent’s food. From sowing, weeding and fertilizing, to processing and transporting, these women form the backbone of Africa’s food security and production industry. Despite their vital contribution, most African women lack secure rights to their land and any access is usually through a male relative.

Geoff Manchester, Co-founder of Intrepid Travel and Chairman of The Intrepid Foundation said: “Gender issues are very much in the news right now. And while women from all over the world face challenges in their workplaces, these African rural women are trying to overcome a struggle for the most basic equal rights on the land that they work on. Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and it’s a tough climb by anyone’s standards – and overcoming it will give these strong women the highest possible platform to show the world that it’s time to change the outlook for rural women on the continent.”

Intrepid Travel leads hundreds of travellers up Mt Kilimanjaro every year. Intrepid provides fair working conditions to all of their porters, often beyond government regulations, and employs locals from disadvantaged communities.

Women’s AFL players – Katie Brennan of the Western Bulldogs and Melissa Hickey from the Melbourne Demons – are also joining the climb to support gender equality.

ActionAid has been working with women farmers in rural Africa, to help them seek justice and fight for the basic rights they deserve to give their families a chance for a secure future.

Together, Intrepid Travel and ActionAid are helping lead the way for women’s land rights in Africa. Together, they will help women move mountains.

For more information visit: www.intrepidtravel.com/women-move-mountains

Historic time for Cathay Pacific

A HISTORIC TIME FOR CATHAY PACIFIC

When a modern brand like Cathay Pacific turns 70, you know it’s testament to the people working there who have kept the mantra of continuously doing things better, keeping the experience for its passengers stylish, vibrant and innovative. 

Cathay Pacific Airways DC4 Skymaster VR-HEU.
Hong Kong Island forms the background 1 July 1954

The airline took flight in 1946 when two adventurous fellows Australian Sydney de Kantzow and American Roy Farrell bought two used DC3 aircraft (Betsy and Niki) and started a business flying around the region.

Today Cathay Pacific has more than 147 aircraft with 65 on order including the latest Airbus A350-900 (soon to be flying from Melbourne). It employs around 27,000 people and flies to over 170 destinations around the world with both passenger and cargo services.

Tokyo ground crew farewell the last 747 to fly to Hong Kong

It starts a new era as it takes delivery of its new Airbus 350s and said goodbye to its iconic Boeing 747. Called Cathay’s ‘Queen of the Skies’, the revolutionary plane allowed Cathay Pacific to rapidly expand its network to European and North American destinations, and launched it from a respected regional brand to a globally recognised and celebrated organisation. In fact, Cathay Pacific’s first commercial 747 flight was from Hong Kong to Sydney in 1979. 

Cathay Pacific has 26 of these Airbus A350-1000s on order

Cathay Pacific is also paving the way for the future and is committed to sustainable development with initiatives such as investment in a sustainable fuel developer Fulcrum (jet fuel produced will reduce lifecycle carbon emissions in aircraft by 50 to 80 percent); four retired Airbus A340s will have up to 90% of their components recycled; meals using sustainable sources seafood; and Economy Class cabin carpets produced from regenerated nylon waste materials such as discarded fishing nets, fabric, and carpets.

In November, the airline also marks 40 years of service to Melbourne.

Radiance of the Seas makes cruise industry’s maiden call to Wollongong

Wollongong in New South Wales just became Australia's newest cruise port with the arrival of Royal Caribbean International's Radiance of the Seas: the first time a cruise ship has ever visited the South Coast tourist destination.

The 2,200 guests on board arrived in Port Kembla at 8am and were welcomed with a special fly-over by a vintage Catalina flying boat, as well as thousands of excited locals waving the ship in from vantage points along the South Coast.

"We have been working towards our call to Wollongong for quite some time. Guests onboard Radiance of the Seas had a wonderful day exploring the city and local area, making the dedication and hard work that's gone into this project for the past two and a half years all worthwhile," said Adam Armstrong, managing director, Royal Caribbean Australia & New Zealand.

Destination Wollongong General Manager, Mark Sleigh said: "When Councillor Leigh Colacino first approached Royal Caribbean to discuss bringing cruise ships to Wollongong, he promised that the community would look after their guests as well as any destination in the world.  I'm delighted that Wollongong more than delivered on that promise, and made the maiden voyage of Radiance of the Seas a day that Wollongong, and indeed our visitors, will never forget!"

Guests were treated to a special "Welcome to Wollongong" marketplace at Lang Park organized by Destination Wollongong, which showcased local produce and products from the region. More than 400 local volunteers were also on hand throughout the day to help guests get the most out of their day in port.

Seven different shore excursions also showcased the region outside of the city, with visits to scenic Bald Hill Lookout, Jamberoo Action Park, Kiama, Shellharbour Village, Symbio Wildlife Park and the tranquil Nan Tien Temple among some of the most popular.

"This was the first of many visits to Wollongong: we have now scheduled four more calls over the next 18 months with the larger 3,800-guest megaliners Voyager of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas.  In total, we expect to bring in more than 16,000 visitors and inject more than $2.8 million into the local economy," continued Armstrong.

Radiance of the Seas' single visit is estimated to have injected $385,000 into the local economy in passenger spend alone, with 75% domestic and  25% international guests – from places like the USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Germany, China and Taiwan – spending up big in the city and surrounding areas.

"We are very proud to be the first cruise line to bring a ship to Wollongong and this historic milestone marks the beginning of a long-term relationship between Royal Caribbean and the region.  We will continue to explore opportunities to utilise the port as an overflow to Sydney Harbour," Armstrong concluded.

Radiance of the Seas departed Wollongong at 5pm last night, making the short journey back to Sydney this morning, concluding a seven-night roundtrip voyage to Melbourne and Hobart.

At 293 metres long, 13 decks high and weighing in at over 90,000 GRT, Radiance of the Seas boasts 25 restaurants and bars, a nine-hole mini golf course, a rock climbing wall, jogging track and fitness centre as well as industry-first self-levelling pool tables. Known as the culinary ship, her main dining room can seat 1,242 guests. She also boasts a theatre that seats 900 as well as a state of the art cinema.

For further information or to book a Royal Caribbean cruise, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.au, phone 1800 754 500 or see your local travel agent.

TTNQ awards travel industry excellence

Tropical North Queensland last night (Friday, October 28) celebrated excellence and innovation by acknowledging the people and businesses at the forefront of tourism in the region.

About 200 people gathered for the TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Celebration under the stars at the Pacific Hotel Rooftop Terrace.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chair Max Shepherd said the destination had enjoyed a successful year thanks to the hard work of the tourism industry and individuals wanting to achieve excellence.

"We congratulate these high achievers who have not only contributed to the businesses they represent, but brought enormous benefits to Tropical North Queensland."

Chairman's Award for Excellence – Cathay Pacific

Sponsored by Turner & Townsend Thinc, project managing the development of the Tradewinds Esplanade site.

Cathay Pacific made Cairns the airline's first port of call for its first flight to Australia in 1946, before beginning commercial services to Cairns in 1993 with two flights a week. Since then the airline has expanded its service and now operates four direct flights to Cairns from Hong Kong each week, bringing visitors from Asia and Europe. Cathay Pacific has provided a valuable service for not just the tourism industry but for agriculture, education, fishing and the broader business sector.

Life Members - Charles Woodward and Peter Blackburn.

Sponsored by TAFE Queensland North

CaPTA Group Chairman Charles Woodward has had a strong involvement with the tourism industry for more than 40 years since he founded Rainforestation. He has grown the family business into a multi-faceted enterprise that features attractions and tours in Kuranda, Cairns and Port Douglas. His leadership and advice has been long valued by TTNQ and the industry.

Peter Blackburn has been the general manger of four major resort hotels in Cairns over the past 25 years, most recently in a consultancy role as General Manager of Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club. Mr Blackburn has been active in hotel industry associations and is a past president of SKAL International in Cairns.

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual – Ken Chapman

Sponsored by James Cook University

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Director Ken Chapman has a long and distinguished history of involvement in the tourism industry in Tropical North Queensland, Queensland and Australia. He has served as a director of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, the Australian Tourism Commission and Tourism Tropical North Queensland. Mr Chapman continues to participate and volunteer his knowledge and experience to industry groups and meetings.

Award for Innovation Excellence in TNQ – Big 4 Atherton Woodlands Tourist Park

Sponsored by Cairns Regional Council

Recognising the opportunity to attract new business from the emerging mountain biking market on the Atherton Tablelands, Big 4 Atherton Woodlands Tourist Park developed a mountain bike wash down and service bay complete with pro tools and bike pumps and bio-degradable wash products, and launched a mountain bike loyalty card. This innovative approach has generated new and return visitation to both the region and to Woodlands.

Finalists

Hemingways Brewery, a microbrewery, bar and restaurant at Port Douglas Reef Marina.

The CaPTA group of companies which has been meeting market change for 40 years.

Young Achiever Excellence Award – Ben Pratt

Sponsored by Host Plus Hospitality Super Fund

Mossman Gorge Centre General Manager Ben Pratt began his career with Voyages Indigenous Tourism at Kings Canyon in 2006 before moving to Ayers Rock Resort and Home Valley Station. He is a focused and forward-thinking manager and a keen and eloquent advocate for Indigenous tourism. He is a board member of Tourism Port Douglas Daintree.

Finalists

Phil Warring, Phlipvids, producing promotional videos of our region using the latest technology including drones, virtual reality and 360.

Jasmine Portious, General Manager Castaways Resort and Spa, Mission Beach. Jasmine serves on the board of Mission Beach Tourism and the executive committee of the Cassowary Coast Economic Development Board.

Qantas to Launch B737 Services from Brisbane to Port Moresby

Qantas has started a daily service between Brisbane and Port Moresby, providing customers across Australia and the global network with improved connections to Papua New Guinea.

The service operates daily, using a refreshed 174 seat B737- 800 aircraft featuring 12 business class seats, upgraded in-flight entertainment and improved seats with new covers.

It replaces Qantas' previous, turboprop-operated service between Cairns and Port Moresby, and is timed to enable business travellers to arrive in Port Moresby at midday, take meetings in the afternoon or next morning, and return the next afternoon.

Qantas and Air Niugini have agreed to codeshare on routes between Australia and Port Moresby.*

Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans said the route would meet strong demand from the corporate market, in particular the resources sector.

“We're really pleased to be giving our customers more seats and better connections on this important route,” Mr Evans said.

“Brisbane's a growing hub that joins our domestic, trans-Tasman and international networks, and the clear message from our customers was that it was the ideal base for our Port Moresby operation.

“We're proud to be continuing the role we've always played in supporting business, investment and trade between Australia and Papua New Guinea.”

Qantas in Papua New Guinea:

Qantas began services to PNG in the 1940s with two light aircraft stationed in Lae for local operations. Qantas' four engine DC4 Skymaster began flying the Sydney – Port Moresby – Lae route in 1950. In 1959, Port Moresby was used as a refueling point for Qantas flights to Hong Kong.

*The Qantas and Air Niugini code share is subject to government and regulatory approvals.

Traveloscopy | 

Helsinki is the perfect stopover city

Sea, Sauna and Urban Nature

Helsinki is a compact, relaxed and friendly city, chosen as 3rd best city to live in by Metropolis
Magazine in 2016 and ranked 9th most liveable city by the Economist. With an abundance of daily
direct flights, Helsinki can be easily reached from all corners of Asia.

Helsinki is a city of contrasts that create unique experiences for visitors looking for both peace and excitement. The sea, brand new design saunas and the timeless beauty of the urban nature and archipelago offer visitors a unique stopover experience. Historical layers of fine architecture, functional design, a playful and often surprising food culture, and a great range of events, both large and small, intertwine to form a fascinating capital that offers experiences in all seasons of the year.

Add the Finnish sauna to your bucket list Saunas are an integral part of the Finnish culture and national identity and a must when visiting Finland. Helsinki has a number of impressive new public saunas where foreign visitors can enjoy the sauna experience all year round. We promise relaxing moments that you’ll never forget!

The new Löyly design sauna is situated just a short distance from the city centre on the southern tip of the Helsinki peninsula. The modern complex houses a restaurant serving the finest Finnish cuisine, which visitors can enjoy while admiring the stunning views from a large terrace that stretches out over the sea.

The recently opened Allas Sea Pool (cover photo) next to SkyWheel Helsinki and the Market Square in the city centre also offers swimming, saunas and relaxation all year round. Designed using Finnish spruce and the latest cleantech technology, the complex encourages sustainable development and the preservation of the Baltic Sea.

Helsinki breathes the sea with a shoreline that stretches 130 kilometres Being the capital of the World’s Greenest Country (Environmental Performance Index EPI 2016), Helsinki is a green city where nature is ever present, even in the heart of the city. Green areas account for one-third of the
total area, and parks can be found everywhere.

Helsinki is also characterised by its maritime landscape, boasting over 130 kilometres of shoreline. The sea is all around and offers visitors a vast range of experiences, such as the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the stunning archipelago, which can be admired aboard relaxing cruises. New islands have been opened to the public in recent years, including the idyllic islands of Lonna and Vallisaari where visitors can enjoy a combination of unspoilt nature and historical fortifications.

Christmas City Helsinki
The Christmas season begins in Helsinki on Sunday 22 November with the opening of the Christmas Street, the arrival of Santa Claus to greet the kids and the turning on of the Christmas lights. During the run-up to the holidays, shoppers flock to the Christmas markets throughout the city.

Helsinki Christmas Market is the oldest and largest event of its kind in Helsinki. The market attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The Huffington Post (2015) ranked Helsinki Christmas Market among the 15 European Christmas markets we love to love.

The Christmas season culminates with the spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Kansalaistori square and Töölönlahti surroundings. This year the event will open the centennial celebrations of Finland’s independence in 2017.

Helsinki – City of Design
In Finland, design has always belonged to everyone. We have plenty of gorgeous objects and buildings, but design runs much deeper in Finnish society, too. In this corner of the world, designers have always worked towards meeting the everyday needs of ordinary citizens.

Design is everywhere in Helsinki and traditional design is showcased throughout the city, especially in the Design District and the Arabia district, but also in the flagship stores of famous Finnish design brands – such as Marimekko, Iittala and Fiskars – and in numerous smaller design boutiques. Helsinki also stands out in the fields of urban design and service design, which are guiding the development of the city and its services.

More stopover ideas:

What to do in Helsinki in 3 hours
What to do in Helsinki in 6 hours
Buy your Stopover package

Download the new Day in Helsinki –map brochure or Helsinki Urban Nature -map brochure and discover numerous attractions and activities of Helsinki.

Traveloscopy travelled to Helsinki as a guest of Finnair and Visit Finland