Extreme weather event management in the palm of your hand

Technology-driven Toolkit available to Address Extreme Weather Events 

Extreme weather events are one of the major global risks facing communities around the globe. To address the impact of extreme events, Brisbane-based EarthCheck has developed a Risk and Crisis Toolkit for the travel and tourism industry. It's a practical technology-driven resource to help businesses, operators and destinations to collectively address risk management before, during and after an emergency event.

Organisations are likely to face some form of crisis every 4 to 5 years. Knowing when and how to act can be critical in saving time, money and jobs. EarthCheck's CrisisReady Program, App and Toolkit helps businesses, tourism operators and destinations create a 24/7 risk and crisis management plan and the CrisisReady App executes the plan step-by-step when disaster strikes.

EarthCheck Founder and CEO, Stewart Moore

"The CrisisReady technology puts a risk and crisis management plan at your fingertips. Set to go at the push of a button, the App sends information directly to a Content Management System which controls the alerts and provides a more streamlined response process," said EarthCheck Founder and CEO, Stewart Moore.

EarthCheck plans to export the user-friendly cloud-based technology of the CrisisReady App globally.

"As the world's leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism, EarthCheck has identified a need for emergency preparedness and we have the capacity to support businesses and destinations in uncertain times, Mr Moore continued.

"The world is at a tipping point and the type and impact of climatic events such as the wildfires in California, bushfires in Australia and the tsunamis in Asia are likely to continue," Mr Moore warned. "It's not so much about if, but when, a disaster will strike. Today it's about having a business continuity plan already prepared, and that means adopting new technologies and operational procedures to help build resilience. With unpredictable weather affecting cities, communities and the environment, adopting interactive mobile technology that works 24/7 and linking the App to deploy teams quickly to the most important jobs in a crisis is critical."

The mobile application is an evolution of technology that puts paper-based crisis management practices into a smartphone and into the hands of your team; no matter where they are. "Effectively it's a 'Disaster HQ' in your pocket," said Mr Moore.

"The most exciting thing about the toolkit is the positive implication this has for government, local authorities, businesses and destinations all over the world."

For every dollar invested in disaster mitigation, three dollars is saved in recovery costs allowing organisations and destinations to get back into market as quickly as possible - 80% of businesses without continuity plans do not survive more than two years after a major crisis.

"Visitors can be overlooked in disaster planning. As non-locals, they may not know the escape routes, may not be connected with local media, and they may not speak the same language as local residents.  A different level of vulnerability can come into play, which is where the CrisisReady technology can prepare communities to be crisis ready for disruption," Moore concluded.

Intrepid Group CEO James Thornton is joint Hospitality and Tourism Executive of the Year

Intrepid Group CEO James Thornton has been recognised as the joint Hospitality and Tourism Executive of the Year at CEO Magazine's 2018 Executive of the Year Awards. Thornton was also shortlisted for the major award; CEO of the Year.

The awards are considered Australia's most prestigious business awards event, recognising the exceptional contribution made by the CEOs, managing directors, and senior management who drive Australia's leading organisations in a range of sectors.

"I'm equally humbled to accept the award as I am to lead Intrepid Group. We are finishing off a spectacular year of growth and significant milestones; having become Australia's largest certified B Corp, and largest travel company in the world to achieve the rigorous certification. Our growth, coupled with our purpose beyond profit, means that as a business, we can be an even greater force for good" commented Thornton.

Now in its seventh year, the 2018 Executive of the Year Awards were the biggest yet, with more than 550 guests and nominees attending from the country's most respected and innovative brands.

Intrepid Travel has also been awarded Best Family Tour Company at the Family Travel Magazine Awards. The awards were a result of over 120,000 unique votes.

Family Travel People's Choice Awards revealed

Family Travel today announced the results of its annual awards recognising the best of the best in family travel.

Providing a 100% independent snapshot of the family travel segment, this survey was carried out from April 2018 through to July 2018, and polled a broad cross section of Australians from coast to coast, small families to large, single parents to blended families, and those travelling with special needs considerations.

“These awards enable us to share useful insights to our ever-growing audience of families,” said Janeece Keller, Founder & CEO, Bound Round. “Our consumers can feel confident selecting these destinations, brands and businesses as they have been voted as the best by a large pool of family voters just like them. And our winners can celebrate the fact that the award means their customers genuinely value their brand and this accolade helps set them apart.”

With over 120,600 unique votes case in over 70 categories, consumers submitted a record number of responses rating their travel experiences, providing a clearer picture of the current Australian family travel climate.

The awards were broken down into four distinct categories:
Best of Australia - focused on domestic destinations, attractions and services
Best of International - focused on international destinations, attractions and services
Best Travel Providers - focused on service providers such as tourism operators, airlines etc
Best for families of all shapes and sizes - focused on families of larger or smaller sizes and those with specific requirements

The full list of the 2018 Family Travel Awards recipients are published on the Family Travel website www.familytravel.com.au/awards and are celebrated in the next issue of Family Travel magazine, hitting newsstands on 24 December 2018.

Traveloscopy | 

Canberra Region’s best in tourism celebrated at 2018 Gala Awards

Leaders of the Canberra Region tourism industry gathered last night, Friday 23 November 2018, to celebrate another year of success and excellence in tourism at the annual Canberra Region Tourism Awards.

The National Capital Attractions Association together with supporting partner, Visit Canberra, hosted the awards, the most prestigious event in the Canberra region tourism calendar, and were joined by ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, as guests enjoyed the Masquerade themed ball at Hotel Realm’s newly renovated ballroom.

Amongst the major winners were the National Gallery of Australia which won the award for Major Tourist Attraction, making it the second year in a row they have scooped the award in this highly desired category. Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre won the Tourist Attraction category, having also claimed this prize in 2017.

Other major awards were collected by the Royal Australian Mint which won the Cultural Tourism category (also taking out the Visitor Experience Award), the Australian Institute of Sport’s Experience AIS which won the Specialised Tourism Services category, and the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre which won the Visitor Information Services category.

“We are all so proud of the hard work of our industry partners and the high calibre of experiences available in the capital as a result of those efforts, the visitor economy is going from strength to strength. Canberra and region tourist attractions and tourism businesses really do punch above their weight when it comes to the programs and services on offer here,” said Dr. Naomi Dale, President of the National Capital Attractions Association.

Dr. Dale acknowledged the contribution of Stephen Byron to the Canberra region tourism industry. Mr Byron, Managing Director of the Canberra Airport, this year won the award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.

Dr. Dale was also quick to point out the high calibre of accommodation properties in the Canberra region recognised last night, with Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Leumeah Lodge, Little National Hotel and Hyatt Hotel Canberra all winning their respective categories. And she congratulated Destination Southern Highlands which won the Destination Marketing category for Pie Time for the second year running.

All Canberra Region category winners are now off to compete at a national level at the 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Launceston in March 2019.

“We know the fabulous pride, determination and commitment held by our tourism industry here in Canberra, and we wish all of our winners the very best when they compete at the Australian Tourism Awards in early 2019,” concluded Dr. Dale.

The full list of award winners can be viewed below. For more information on the awards, visit http://canberratourismawards.com.au/ For more information on the National Capital Attractions Association, visit http://www.nationalattractions.com.au/

Adventure Travel Trends 2019 - slower, quieter, smarter and greener

Key factors shaping adventure travel in 2019 to be slower, quieter, smarter and greener

The need for downtime, concerns about over-tourism and the dual desires to travel sustainably and to have informative experiences are the major influencers on adventure travel in 2019, according to leading adventure travel specialist, World Expeditions.

Being constantly "connected" and the resulting lack of downtime in our everyday lives is driving demand for "slow travel"; concerns about over-tourism is convincing adventure travellers to avoid travel hotspots and seek out alternative routes in lesser known destinations; the desire to maximize positive impact in the destinations we visit and the desire to learn something from the experience are all shaping the future of adventure travel globally.

Slow travel: A multi-day trek or a cycling journey allows travellers to switch off and immerse themselves in the natural landscape and puts them in touch with their senses in a way that is becoming a luxury for many people.  World Expeditions offers guided and self-guided treks, challenging cycling trips at altitude and touring style trips on e-bikes (now available in Vietnam, China, New Zealand and most European destinations.)

"It's a case of travelling less and seeing more -  rather than travelling more and seeing less – that is inspiring many people to undertake slow travel," says World Expeditions CEO, Sue Badyari.  "When your body is your vehicle and you are immersed in your surrounds, life slows down."

Quieter travel: Publicity about over-tourism is encouraging more confident travellers to look beyond replicating what they may see on social media of friends' travel. World Expeditions reports a significant increase in enquiries for the company's range of exploratory expeditions in remote regions and in alternative treks in better-known destinations.

"We've been long-time advocates for the "off the beaten track' style of travel and we're well positioned to cater for this trend," Ms Badyari said. "We're finding that more confident travellers are less interested in replicating the travel experiences of others that they may see on social media and more interested in seeking out lesser visited destinations and trails.

Smarter travel: Travelling with an expert – whether it be one of our world-class guides or with someone widely recognized in their field adds a dimension to a trip that is not possible otherwise.  Exploring Sri Lanka's cuisine with Peter Kuruvita, delving into the history and culture of Israel, Jordan and the Middle East with George Negus or travelling to Antarctica with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki deliver unique life experiences and opportunities for seeing a destination that cannot be matched.

"Long time friendships are a part of World Expeditions and we've worked with the likes of Tim Macartney-Snape, Jon Muir, Simon Yates, Mary Moody and Peter Kuruvita for years, " Ms Badyari said.  "We're constantly crafting new itineraries to offer new and different experiences for our travellers."

Greener Travel:  Being a Thoughtful Traveller and ensuring the places we visit are positively impacted by our visit is a priority for many travellers.  Child safe tourism, animal welfare, conserving environments and cultures are will all remain important aspects of the travel experience.  In 2019, many people will be focussed on reducing their use of plastic by taking refillable water bottles and avoiding buying single use plastic bottles.

"Sustainability sits at the core of World Expeditions' adventure itineraries," Ms Badyari said.  "In 2019, we're rolling out an ambitious carbon-neutral project across all itineraries, which will be analysed for carbon outputs and the costs of mitigated and built into the trip cost."

Read the blog here and find your adventure at www.worldexpeditions.com or call 1300 720 000.

South-East Asia travellers complacent about health and financial risks

A joint survey by the Insurance Council of Australia’s Understand Insurance initiative and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller, has found many travellers to South-East Asia are complacent about their health and financial wellbeing.

Two-thirds of survey respondents who recently visited South-East Asia admitted to undertaking a risky activity or behaviour during their trip, and one in five said they didn’t declare a pre-existing medical condition before departure.

The 2018 survey* found:

• One in 10 Australians travelled to South-East Asia without travel insurance. Men and under 30 were the most likely to leave home without cover
• 82 per cent of under 30s admitted to undertaking a risky behaviour 
• One in four Australians rode a motorbike or scooter during their trip. Of those with insurance, 58 per cent didn’t know if their policy covered this high-risk activity 
• More than 50 per cent of travellers didn’t know if their travel insurance policy covered their trip activities. 

Lisa Kable, spokesperson for understandinsurance.com.au, says: “South-East Asian destinations including Bali, Vietnam and Thailand are popular with Australians. Many travellers to these destinations will unwittingly void their travel insurance if the claim involves risky behaviours that include:

• Drinking alcohol and being affected by it (48 per cent of travellers to Indonesia) 
• Engaging in a high-risk water sport (25 per cent of travellers) 
• Riding a motorbike or scooter (44 per cent of travellers to Vietnam) 
• Undertaking an adventure sport (14 per cent of travellers) 
• Riding a horse, camel or elephant (24 per cent of travellers to Thailand) 
• Taking illicit drugs

“The insurance industry and Smartraveller are increasingly concerned for Australian travellers for three reasons.

“First, we are concerned that 215,000 Australians travelled last year to SE Asia without insurance. Second, too many travellers with insurance aren’t aware of their policy inclusions and exclusions and how easily they can invalidate a claim.

“Third, many travellers fail to declare a pre-existing medical condition to their insurer.

“Our survey found one in five travellers didn’t check their policy covered their pre-existing medical condition, with 30-49 year-olds the least likely to check.

“The importance of reading and understanding the Product Disclosure Statement cannot be overestimated; it’s there to help travellers make an informed choice. It’s a priority to travel with the right travel insurance and be aware of cover inclusions and exclusions.”

It’s also worth noting the Australian Government does not assist Australians overseas with any medical treatment or emergency travel home if something goes wrong, despite 25 per cent of travellers wrongly believing the Government will assist.

Understand Insurance and Smartraveller encourage all Australian travellers to read the travel advice on Smartraveller.gov.au before they leave home and subscribe to receive travel updates or follow Smartraveller and Understand Insurance on social media.

*Source: 2018 Quantum Market Research survey on behalf of Smartraveller.gov.au and understandinsurance.com.au

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Bawah Anambas Foundation launches with Bawah Reserve

The Bawah Anambas Foundation (BAF) has launched with support from luxury private eco-resort Bawah Reserve, as part of their CSR program, established to help conserve and expand the precious biodiversity found in the Anambas Islands both in the sea and on land, whilst also nurturing community welfare.

Deeply committed to sustainable practices, the foundation was established from a deep understanding of the need to create programmes which rehabilitate and conserve the biodiversity of marine and terrestrial life located not just around Bawah Island but also beyond, throughout the larger space of the Anambas Archipelago.

The foundation has approached sustainability priorities with three inter-related pillars – marine conservation, forest conservation and community development.

Bawah Reverse's commitment to sustainable tourism is ultimately interlinked with these pillars by core sustainability factors: the environment by protecting and preserving the surroundings; the economy by creating business that is profitable; and social by ensuring the welfare of the local community.

Bawah Reserve owner Tim Hartnoll said Bawah Reserve was created with sustainability and the environment in mind and as such, the foundation's key projects are critical in order to improve and protect the ecosystem of the archipelago.

"When we built Bawah Reserve, it was very important that we followed a sustainable operational plan and that we also gave back to the local community, the land and the sea," Mr Hartnoll said.

"While running the resort as a profit-making entity, there is a need of an independent force to implement marine and terrestrial conservation programs, as well as the community empowerment as any achievements with the resort become meaningless if our neighbouring villages and the environment don't grow and prosper together with us. This is something the foundation enables us to do," he said.

Located 160 miles North-East of Singapore, the Anambas Archipelago consists of more than 250 islands across seven sub-districts with 45,000 inhabitants.

Located within the Coral Triangle, an area with 10 times more diverse than the Great Barrier Reef, the archipelago's marine biodiversity urgently needs to be protected. Through BAF's Marine Conservation Programme, projects have been developed for coral reef preservation and rehabilitation, turtle conservation, and fish stock management.

Similarly, BAF's Forest Conservation Programme has created focus on reforestation around Bawah Island, nursery development and the introduction of new species.

In many ways, the most significant is Community Development, with many of Anambas' environmental needs stemming from a lack of education and welfare in the local communities.

Identifying a series of programmes and activities to assist and complement what has been initiated by local governments, BAF is striving to ensure the welfare of the local community which in turn will aid marine and forest conservation and protect the environment.

Head of Anambas Foundation Jerry Winata said after travelling to some of the most remote villages to gain unprecedented insight into the community, their behavioural patterns and daily challenges, and the environmental impact from their actions.

"80 percent of the community's livelihood relying on the ocean, there is a need to educate local villages on the importance of keeping the ocean clean, as well as teaching them ways to reduce this reliance," Mr Winata said.

"With Bawah's unique location within the archipelago presenting BAF with a strategic opportunity to assist some of the farthest villages from the capital of the Anambas district as well as the poorest communities, we identified several critical projects to work within these villages to create local empowerment," he said.

BAF works closely with the local community, government and non-government organizations, as well as academic and research institutions and other private sector companies who share the same ethos to aid community welfare.

Areas of focus include providing an English lesson program to enable locals options to gain work within the tourism sector; actioning a dedicated solid waste management plan, not only for protection of the ocean and villages but to improve hygiene for better health; and to educate the community on the impact of littering and its damage to the environment.

Participating in Indonesia's Our Ocean conference, Bawah Reserve has dedicated $300,000 USD in 2018 to support BAF implement its above, below and beyond priorities, furthering this commitment with nearly $470,000 USD by the end of 2019 to the Our Ocean Conference to support the Indonesian government's targets of reducing marine pollution and management of Marine Protected Areas.

With an unrivalled dedication to marine conservation, Bawah Reserve is an ecologically sound destination with the preservation of the island's natural beauty of paramount importance. An untouched paradise comprising six islands, three azure-blue lagoons and encased by 13 pristine beaches, Bawah is a project of love designed to integrate guests with nature.

Visit www.bawahreserve.com for more information