Radisson Mumbai Goregaon opens in the Financial Capital of India

Situated in the main commercial and retail hub of Goregaon suburb of Mumbai, the hotel is an upscale international branded hotel well suited for both business and leisure travelers alike. The hotel is surrounded by shopping districts, entertainment centers, tourist attractions, corporate set-ups and located in proximity to the international airport and Bombay Exhibition Centre.

"We are pleased to announce the opening of Radisson Mumbai Goregaon as this hotel marks an important addition to the Radisson brand family in a key gateway city. The Balwa Group are astute hoteliers and we are looking forward to expanding our relationship with the group," said Raj Rana, chief executive officer, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

"We are confident and delighted to be working with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Their proven experience and marketing expertise in India will benefit the hotel. We are committed to offer a differentiated experience at Radisson Mumbai Goregaon and epitomize the business tradition of our city. The team is proud to be a part of the Radisson brand family," said Hussein Balwa, managing director, Balwa Group.

Radisson Mumbai Goregaon features 98 cotemporary rooms with modern amenities. The rooms are spread across three categories namely, superior, business class and suite. The sleekly designed rooms are bright, spacious and modern, complemented with loungers and beautiful furnishings. All rooms are equipped with amenities including free Wi-Fi, 42-inch LED TV with premium channels, and coffee and tea making facilities. The suite includes extra features like a separate living room, dining table, walk-in wardrobe, bath tub and more. With wellness as a brand pillar, the hotel features facilities such as an in-house spa and salon; Tattva, that offers variety of massages and beauty treatments and, a rooftop swimming pool that offers a magnificent view of the city.

The hotel's dining options include 180 Degree Dining, the all-day dining restaurant that serves up Continental, Oriental and Indian cuisines. Craft cocktails and mocktails are served at the open-to-sky restobar, The Tipsy Terrace where guests can unwind and relax in the vibrant ambience and relish bar bites, tapas, local delicacies and international favorites being dished out by the show kitchen. Liquid Lounge, the stylish open bar houses a wide selection of wines, cigars and drinks.

Radisson Mumbai Goregaon boasts 11 banquet halls for meetings and events. The hotel is an ideal destination for weddings, social and corporate events with banquet facilities that can accommodate up to 500 guests with a rooftop pool terrace that offers an option for casual get-togethers before or after a main event. For a more intimate space, the hotel offers a convenient boardroom. Facilities include Wi-Fi, data projectors and other state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment. Business room guests are also provided access to an onsite business center with latest technology.

Panda-Themed Chengdu-Europe Freight Train Promotes Tourism in Sichuan

As of December 4, 2017, 777 rail journeys between Chengdu International Railway Port and 11 destinations in Europe have been completed, with Prague in the Czech Republic and Tilburg in the Netherlands as two of the more common destinations. Among all Chinese cities included in the China-Europe Rail Express plan, Chengdu as a departure or terminating point now has the largest amount of traffic, accounting for nearly one third of the journeys scheduled under the plan. The More Than Pandas - Kickoff Ceremony of China-Europe Trains (Sichuan-Europe Express) Tourism Promotional Campaign was held at the Modern Logistics and Trade Zone in Qingbaijiang District, Chengdu, at 10:00am on December 15, 2017. Co-organized by the Sichuan Provincial Tourism Development Committee and the Chengdu Municipal Port and Logistics Office, the event was designed to support China's One Belt, One Road initiative, create synergy with the upcoming China-EU Tourism Year 2018, and open the door to new and unprecedented opportunities to further boost the development of the province's tourism sector.

 Chengdu-Europe Freight Train Promotes Sichuan as a Compelling Tourism Destination

The panda-themed freight train showcased at the launching ceremony has drawn the attention of visitors. From the locomotive to the individual compartments, the train features a panoply of artistic renditions of the panda, many of which highlight the naive charm that the iconic animal is known for. The renditions show pandas in different poses, including running, sitting, lying prone and lying on their back. The decorative train represents what the collaboration between Sichuan province's tourism authorities and Chengdu-Europe express train services can achieve, demonstrating and further enhancing Sichuan's unique qualities as a leading tourism destination while drawing in more tourists from overseas markets. "Beautiful China, More than Pandas", a large global tourism marketing campaign hosted by the China National Tourism Administration and managed by the Sichuan Provincial Tourism Development Committee, has been kicked off, with pandas galore strolling the streets worldwide. The panda-themed train is the latest of Sichuan's efforts in promoting the province as a great place to visit. In addition to the existing list of stations where the train stops, the Sichuan Provincial Tourism Development Committee has been in talks with stations along the route with the goal of adding more stops in a bid to further promote Sichuan's tourist attractions, brand awareness and marketing campaigns.

SOURCE: Sichuan Provincial Tourism Development Committee

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Tasmania's Top Places to Play and Stay in 2018

2018 is shaping to be a brilliant year of new openings and new products in Tasmania - from hotels and retreats to completely new ways to learn about our history and our future.

wukalina Walk

The Tasmanian Aboriginal (palawa) people's distinctly different culture has evolved in isolation for over 10,000 years.The wukalina Walk is a journey across the larapuna/Bay of Fires area (through wukalina/Mt William National Park) as well as a 'never before' exploration of this unique landscape, culture and history. Tasmanian Aboriginal owned and operated, the Walk offers two nights within the National Park in architecturally designed - culturally inspired huts, and one night in the restored Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage at larapuna. Led by qualified guides and with the chance to spend time with palawa elders and craftspeople, this is a guided walk like no other. The walk opens on 7th January, 2018.

Three Capes Lodge Walk

In September 2018, the Three Capes Lodge Walk opens, taking guests to the edge of the world on a fully guided walking experience along the dramatic Tasman Peninsula. With the Southern Ocean as your constant companion, the 46 kilometre adventure runs over four days and three nights. Starting with a boat voyage, and trekking past dolerite spires and craggy cliffs covering 37,000 years of history, each night is spent in comfortable architecturally designed lodges. As the daily walk draws to a close, the lodge appears offering afternoon tea, a beautiful deck for enjoying a Tasmanian wine under the stars, three course dinners, even restorative bathtubs on the last two nights. Bookings are open now.
 

Woolnorth Aerial Experience

There's nothing like seeing a region by air to give a true perspective on how spectacular a place really is. The Woolnorth Aerial Experience starts with a scenic flight from Stanley with Osborne Aviation over the iconic Nut, out to the trio of Robbins, Three Hummock and Trefoil islands and onto Woolnorth Station. Once guests are back on terra firma, a personal guide will conduct a behind-the-scenes tour of the Van Diemen's Land Company, Woolnorth Wind Farm's first installation at Bluff Point and a visit to Cape Grim. After the tour, guests will enjoy a three course lunch of local produce such as Cape Grim Beef, Cape Grim Water, Robbins Island Wagyu Beef, Bolduans Bay Oysters, local seafood including crayfish, abalone and calamari, matched with Josef Chromy Wines, all within the historic grounds of Woolnorth.

Pumphouse Point The Retreat and The Shorehouse Dining Room

Pumphouse Point at Lake St Clair has just extended their wilderness offering with the opening of The Retreat, a private space designed to show off the raw beauty and unpredictability of the lake via some pretty gorgeous designer digs. Built for two, The Retreat features locally crafted furniture, ceramics and bath products and an abundant larder with local produce, wines, craft beers, ciders and spirits. Farmhouse dinners are included, served privately in The Retreat, or at shared tables in The Shorehouse Dining Room. Inviting togetherness, couples can relax to the sound of water gently lapping at the shore, with privacy in spades. There are even two deep tubs for soaking, one of them under the stars. Now that's a spot for quiet contemplation with a glass of Tasmanian sparkling. The Shorehouse has also been extended with a contemporary wing housing the dining room, honesty bar and cellar, and a new menu in partnership with Coal River Farm featuring the best of Tasmanian produce. Bookings are open now.

Freycinet Lodge Retreat
Nine new Coastal Pavilions are set to open at Freycinet Lodge in March 2018, as environmentally sensitive suites, nestled in the Freycinet National Park landscape. Curved glass, warm Tasmanian timbers and beautifully tactile textures will come together to showcase the natural beauty of the site. Outdoor baths on the expansive decks and lounge spaces taking in the framed views will add to the grounded luxury offering. Each stay includes breakfast, local sparking wine, and refreshments on arrival, as well as a cheeky Tasmanian nightcap to send guests into perfect slumber. Later in the year will see the addition of a lift and a gorgeous accessible suite in the main Lodge building, and six new rooms with floor-to-ceiling views of The Hazards mountain range. Bookings are open now.

Launceston Peppers Silo Hotel

After a $25 million development, Launceston's 108-room Peppers Silo Hotel will open in May 2018 under the Mantra Group banner. Peppers Silo Hotel features the repurpose of the Kings Wharf grain silos, first erected in 1960 and will be the first hotel development to open in Launceston since 2010. The history of the soaring 35 metre silos is incorporated into the interior, with historic photographs and artefacts playing a role. 52 rooms will reside in the silo barrels, with a new North Tower built to house 56 more rooms, overlooking the confluence of the North Esk and Tamar Rivers.

Marriott Luxury Collection 

Repurposed heritage buildings in Hobart's Parliament Square will be home to a new Marriott International Luxury Collection hotel. Scheduled to open in 2018, the hotel will have 128 gorgeous rooms and suites, with care being taken to restore original features including windows, floorboards and fireplaces. Sydney-based hospitality interior design firm JPDC is on the case - maintaining the Georgian and Art Deco styling throughout and drawing on the the hotel group's exacting standards of what luxury is today. Each Luxury Collection property is an expression of its location - the design-led development's harbourside location will be drawn upon, evident in the use of pared back, natural materials. When it's completed, the Parliament Square area will include generous outdoor space, meticulously designed contemporary architecture seamlessly coming together with heritage buildings and exciting local amenity.

For a full and up-to-date listing of Tasmanian events, and information on travelling to Tasmania, visit the Discover Tasmania website discovertasmania.com.au.

Travel to Tasmania
Travellers can fly to Tasmania on Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Qantaslink, Tigerair, Sharp Airlines or Rex Airlines, or take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Port Melbourne (VIC) to Devonport (TAS).

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The New Perth - WA's Capital Continues to Transform

People are talking about Perth. Foodies, investors, sun-lovers, entrepreneurs, creatives – and even locals – are experiencing the 'wow' factor as unprecedented investment in Western Australia's cosmopolitan capital comes to fruition.

Long celebrated as one of the world's prettiest and most livable cities, Perth is now striding confidently on to the international stage as a leading player in Australia's cultural, hospitality and events scene. More visitors than ever are marveling at the explosion in attractions, accommodation and nightlife which complements the city's natural beauty – delivering an all-round, exceptional destination.

So what's trending in the capital?

Urban offerings

• The vibrant waterfront precinct of Elizabeth Quay opened in 2016, connecting Perth's central business district to the Swan River. It's quickly become a focal point for visitors and locals, with an ever-expanding range of attractions. Look out for the Isle of Voyage restaurant inside a heritage pavilion, kids frolicking in the water playground, GoCultural's Indigenous walking tours and new river cruises departing from the Quay and neighbouring Barrack Square. Multiple development projects are taking shape, including the Ritz-Carlton's first WA property in a prime riverfront location.

• New Indigenous tours in Perth are enabling visitors to discover more about local Aboriginal lands and culture. Jump on board a solar electric boat for Indigenous Experiences Australia's two-hour cruise along the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River), learning about ancestral stories, sacred places and legendary warrior Yagan. Back on land, walking tours with Go Cultural's Noongar guides reveal fascinating alignments between modern Perth and ancient Aboriginal sites and tracks.

• Perth's multicultural and authentic flavours are revving up in the form of food trucks. The mobile meals are so popular that they inspired a local foodie and entrepreneur to launch the Food Truck Rumble – a gathering of some of the city's best street food in one place.

• Previously separated by a train line, the city centre is reconnecting with the Northbridge entertainment precinct through the Perth City Link project, near Perth Arena. Already up and running within the 13.5 hectare development are a state-of-the-art, subterranean bus station and the 120-room Peppers Kings Square, which will soon be joined by other accommodation including The Dorsett. Perth City Link's flagship public space, Yagan Square, is due to be unveiled in late 2017 with a design that celebrates WA through gardens, water feature, public art, and a digital tower and canopies for light, art, video projections and interactive content.

• Formerly disused heritage buildings and laneways are now home to bustling bars and street art. Through independent non-profit group FORM, more than 80 walls across Perth and surrounding suburbs have become a canvas for local, interstate and international artists.

• Fremantle was included in Lonely Planet's 2016 Best in Travel guide for good reason. With more than $1 billion dollars of redevelopment in the planning pipeline, look out for new venues such as Seashells and the Sweetwater rooftop bar in the Richmond Quarter, COAST at Port Beach, Segway and self-guided walking tours, a range of cruises and a thriving craft beer scene.

• Scarborough Beach is on its way to becoming one of Australia's best beachfronts. A $100 million foreshore redevelopment is set to be unveiled in early 2018, including a beachside swimming pool, cafes, restaurants, kiosks, public art and a skate park, as well as improved transport.

• Slightly further south, popular City Beach is home to lush lawns, white sand and an expanding range of waterfront dining options including the chilled-out deck at newly opened Odyssea Beach Café and watching sunsets from Clancy's Fish Bar.

• Visitors to Rottnest Island will see upgrades to the golf course and walk trails, as well as a new marina. Luxury refurbishments are complete at the Hotel Rottnest while an upmarket 'glamping' experience is expected to open at Pinky's Beach in late 2017.

International Horseman Guy McLean to Perform in Hervey Bay

World champion horseman and entertainer Guy McLean has wowed crowds of up to 8000 in stadiums across America and Canada and is excited to be bringing his show home to the Fraser Coast in a special one-off performance on January 27.

In a coup for the region and great family entertainment value on the Australia Day long weekend, Guy will perform a two-hour show at Hervey Bay's Seafront Oval.

The Guy McLean Spectacular is being hosted by Fraser Coast Tourism and Events supported by councillors' discretionary funding.

This has enabled the event to be staged at the special ticket prices of $20 for adults, $10 for children and $50 for a family of four.

Guy grew up at Susan River Homestead Adventure Resort, between Hervey Bay and Maryborough, and has childhood memories of going to rodeos, carols and Aussie Rules footy training on the Seafront Oval. He left Australia in 2010 to launch his international career.

Fraser Coast events manager Robyn Peach said it was a thrill to book the renowned horseman and performer for a local event.

“His shows aren't just for people who love horses, they're for everyone,” she said.

“I think people will be impressed by the special connection he has with his animals and to hear the lessons that he shares, that he's learned from his horses, which are universal.”

Guy said if you were a good horseman, you had the opportunity to be a good parent and a good partner – “it's all just relationships”.

“The lessons they've taught me are far more wide reaching than anything I've learned in the human world,” he said.

Being able to perform at the Seafront Oval “in front of that beautiful beach in one of the prettiest towns in Australia is really exciting”, Guy said.

“I've driven past the Seafront Oval several times and I can already see the arena there and I can already see the crowds around and I'm so excited to go and do that because this is a beautiful area that I take with me all across the world. Now I get to share what I do across the world with everybody here.”

The Australian Stock Horse Ambassador is also looking forward to showing children they can chase their dreams to the other side of the world if they want to.

“That means more to me than anything,” he said.

Guy used to think his performances were about showing what a life dedicated to horses was like “but I realise now that it's showing people what a life dedicated to anything looks like”.

“So when I go to schools, I say to them whether you want to be a doctor, a policeman, a fireman or anything that you want to be, if you dedicate your whole entire life to it, this is what it looks like.”

The youngest of five boys in family of six children, Guy was probably the most awkward but around horses, he felt comfortable.

“To be able to share them with the world and see people get so excited about them is just fantastic,” he said.

“My shows are never the same - they always have the same core principles but I'm able to express what's in my heart and that's the coolest thing.

“That's what I love about horses and my steer Faith, they live in the moment and from moment to moment it can change. They're so real with everything, there's no lies in the animal world and I love that.”

The bush poet and whip cracker also appreciates audiences coming to see his shows.

“I'm very aware that if they weren't sitting there I'd just be performing to myself,” he said.

“I do so many hundreds of hours here at home with nobody watching, I really enjoy the company of the crowd.

“Even as a 42-year-old, I'm still quite a shy individual but I'm an entertainer, when I get out there I love being able to share it with everyone.”

In America, most of the crowd members were extreme horse lovers and “it's like preaching to the choir a little bit”, Guy said.

“The crowds over there are incredible, they just go off, you can get a standing ovation for just winking your eye over there,” he joked.

“Australia makes you work a bit harder.

“I'm really thrilled to have been able to do the Brisbane Ekka and Sydney Royal (Easter Show) over here because it made me as an entertainer.

“You had to do things that would bring non-horse people into it.”

Guy said it was wonderful to see people of all ages delighted by his horses.

“It brings me so much joy to be able to share it with everyone,” he said.

“People say to me all the time 'Guy do you do clinics or do you teach other people', I say if I was doing that I wouldn't have the relationship I have with my horses.

“Everything I do is dedicated totally to the relationships I have with the team here and the two teams in America.

“It's a big job to have so many horses understand at the level that they do but I dedicate my life completely to that.

“If you dedicate yourself, set yourself goals and dreams you can have them.”

To purchase tickets, which go on sale on Boxing Day, or for more information log on to frasercoastevents.com.

Guy McLean Spectacular:

Saturday, January 27, 2018
Seafront Oval, Hervey Bay
Gates open 4pm, show 6-8pm
Market stalls
Alcohol-free event
BYO chair
Tickets on sale Boxing Day, Tuesday, December 26 – go to frasercoastevents.com

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Coming in Western Australia in 2018

This year has been a big one for Western Australia, and it's only going to get bigger in 2018, with a number of exciting new projects and experiences coming to life. Everyone is starting to talk about WA, and with Perth, the State's capital city undergoing such a significant period of change – that's not about to stop anytime soon. We've put together a rundown of what will be trending in WA for 2018.
Yagan Square will to open to the public in early 2018, and is set to become one of the city's most popular community, meeting and celebration places. It will be a hub of activity during the day and night with cafes, restaurants, green spaces, native gardens, public art, interactive digital media, pop-ups and shopping providing plenty to see and do.

Perth is fast becoming a sport-lover's dream destination following the construction of the 60,000 seat Optus Stadium, which will officially open in January 2018. The stadium will be one of the major sporting and entertainment venues for Perth and one of the top international sporting venues in Australia.

It'll also be home to Australian Rules Football in WA, with the first AFL game to be between the Fremantle Dockers and Collingwood women's teams on February 10, followed by the main season with the first game at the stadium on March 25.

New Vibe Hotel North Sydney, Northpoint

TFE Hotels will open the doors of the beautiful new Vibe Hotel North Sydney in the area's most exciting new social and shopping address, Northpoint, in April. Hotel guests will have access to a rooftop pool and bar and Northpoint's exciting new eat street and casual dining atrium, making it a one-stop destination seven days a week.

Cromwell Property Group's newly reimagined Northpoint development offers residents, guests and tenants a new retail precinct packed with specialty stores, and an exciting new array of dining offerings, all in the heart of the suburb's existing cafes and shops, conveniently close to the train station.

Northpoint will offer employees and the 72,000 residents of North Sydney a well-connected destination for work, lifestyle and convenience, with a range of boutiques, a Woolworths supermarket and many great new casual dining options on site.

The new Vibe Hotel North Sydney has an inspired design by Nettleton Tribe throughout its 187 rooms as well as access to a sophisticated new rooftop pool and bar with sweeping views of the urban skyline. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, excellent fitness facilities and four flexible meeting and conference room options, providing a great place to relax, recharge and connect – whether for work or play.

TFE Hotels will operate the new hotel as one of a series of new generation Vibe Hotels to have opened in recent years, including Vibe Hotel Canberra and Vibe Hotel Marysville near Victoria's Yarra Valley. Others are due to open soon at Darling Harbour, Sydney, and Hobart.

TFE Hotels CEO Rachel Argaman said North Sydney had seen very few hotel openings in the past 40 years – serviced apartments opened there in October 2016 and hotels in 1973 and 1978 – so the hotel would meet a supply shortfall that had existed for some time.

"This new addition will give local residents and business people something to celebrate, when this landmark building becomes an attractive social hub and overnight destination," she said. "The area is New South Wales' second biggest commercial office district and the hotel will do very well servicing the corporate clients visiting the area.

"This will be the first Vibe Hotel to be incorporated into a mixed-use development, highlighting the growing trend for emerging lifestyle precincts featuring drinking, dining and retail together with a hotel at their hub and heart."

Cromwell Head of Property Damian Horton said the Northpoint redevelopment was a central component of North Sydney's broader rejuvenation to a seven-day destination.

"We have shaped the development with both convenience and style in mind, tailored to the ever-growing professional population in the area," he said. "The base of the retail façade will feature Woolworths and Westpac, as well as a suite of speciality retailers, with the upper levels dedicated to dining and leisure.

"Once it opens in early 2018, Northpoint will fill the gap in quality retail, dining and accommodation in North Sydney. Partnering with Vibe Hotels has helped us to create a truly integrated, one-stop destination for residents, workers and travellers alike. With all the pieces coming together, it's exciting to see our vision for the North Shore being realised."

Located on the corner of Miller Street and Pacific Highway, Northpoint will be directly across from the proposed Victoria Cross Metro station to be opened in 2024. The hotel is due to open in April.