New Research to Shape Tourism Australia's India Growth Strategy

New consumer research carried out in six of India's fastest growing cities is being used by Tourism Australia to further shape its 10-year marketing plan for the country, aimed at tapping into the future tourism potential of a market estimated to be worth up to A$2.3 billion for Australia by the end of the decade.

The release of the findings comes as the latest international visitor arrival and spending figures confirm India's status as one of Australia's fastest growing and most valuable international tourism markets, with 164,000 visitors (up 7.8 per cent on the year ending June 2012) contributing A$804 million to the Australian economy in overnight spending.

The publication of the research coincides with the start of the India Travel Mission (ITM) 2013, which will see a delegation of up to 40 Australian tourism representatives spend a week in Goa developing and establishing business relationships with Indian travel agencies and tour operators.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said insights from the research would support Australian efforts to lure travellers from India where leisure spending has increased by more than 25 per cent since the launch of Tourism Australia's India 2020 Strategic Plan just over 12 months ago.

"India is one of the world's fastest growing outbound travel markets, with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation predicting 50 million outbound travellers by 2020. While these numbers are staggering, the bulk of this travel is to near neighbours. Tourism Australia has been very active in the market for a number of years and now has a 4 per cent share of medium to long haul travel," Mr McEvoy said.

"We've significantly upped our efforts in India over the past three years and the results are evident. Whilst overall arrivals are up a solid 7.8 per cent, leisure visitors have grown at double that rate. By getting in on the action early, we hope to reap the benefits as long haul leisure travel becomes more common amongst India's rapidly emerging middle classes," he said.

Mr McEvoy said the findings would inform Tourism Australia's own marketing efforts in India and, by sharing the results, assist Australia's tourism industry gain a share of outbound travel from India.

"This research provides some really valuable learnings into the Indian consumer, their purchasing intentions and desire for experiencing travel. India is already Australia's tenth largest source market and has the potential to grow strongly in coming years if we get the marketing, product, distribution and aviation access right," Mr McEvoy said.

The research found that Australia has 'wow' factor and is considered a 'highly aspirational'destination for Indian travellers, with the country's beaches and iconic landmarks high on their travel wish list. Australia's strongest appeal is its natural landscapes and wildlife, with a wide range of experiences appealing to families as well as the more adventurous independent traveller.

Indians' perceptions of Australia are largely positive, acknowledging the beautiful scenery and unique wildlife, as well as the country's contemporary cities and modern infrastructure. Australians are viewed as laid back and friendly.

Although seen as a significant financial investment, an Australian holiday is considered to provide a 'memorable experience' and offers good value for money. Most associations with Australia tend not to go beyond icons, which include kangaroos, Sydney and cricket, while knowledge about specific Australian destinations and attractions is low.

Other key findings of the research:

• Recommendations from family and friends who have visited or who live in Australia play a very influential role in destination choice;
• Indian travellers want a holiday that offers comfort, happiness, relaxation and adventure;
• Pre-packaged holidays are preferred for long haul travel as they provide convenience, a range of options, value for money and safety;
• Online travel information is their primary source when 'dreaming' or considering a holiday destination as well as in the holiday planning phase;
• Most Indian travellers continue to use travel agents to plan and book a holiday to Australia. 

Mr McEvoy said it was the first time Tourism Australia had undertaken comprehensive consumer research into its target Indian consumer living outside of Mumbai and Delhi - by including the cities of Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Mr McEvoy said including some of India's more important secondary cities in the research had highlighted similarities but also some interesting differences. For example, Delhiites are more likely to design and book their own holiday; while the ease and comfort of a package holiday was considered more appealing for respondents from Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Tourism Australia will share the findings and insights from the research with industry and governments in Australia and India to help drive targeted marketing communications, and inform the development of products and experiences most likely to drive further demand amongst Indians for Australia.

The research - undertaken by research consultancy Ipsos Social Research Institute (Ipsos) - was conducted in two stages using both qualitative focus groups and in-depth, quantitative interviews, and was based on a targeted sample of 2,054 Indian nleisure travellers.

It also included interviews with travel sellers in India, who provided feedback that Australia's visa application process  out the need to continue to innovate, create and communicate new reasons to travel to Australia.

Hannah Race, Research Manager at Ipsos Social Research Institute believes the research highlights the potential outside the traditional target cities of Mumbai and Delhi, and presents opportunities to raise awareness of specific locations and attractions in Australia.

"The research revealed the high status and importance of overseas travel to Indians in all six of the cities included. Australia certainly has a 'wow' factor for this market, with its natural environment being among the strongest attractions. There is now an opportunity to further build on these positive perceptions by raising awareness of specific destinations and activities on offer to visitors to Australia."

The India 2020 Strategic Plan was developed to maximise India's tourism potential and to set the foundation for the future, when long haul leisure travel becomes more common. Launched in June 2012, it was developed by Tourism Australia incollaboration with industry and government stakeholders. It is a key deliverable of the industry's broader Tourism 2020 strategy, recognising India's role in driving tourism growth in this 'Asian Century'.

Top 10 historical secrets of Newcastle - Australia's second oldest city celebrates History Week with a calendar of exciting events

For those keen to uncover the tales and tribulations of the past there’s no better place to indulge your interest than Newcastle, Australia’s second oldest city and the birthplace of much of our history – and there is no better time to visit than during History Week.

To whet your historical appetite – see below (and attached) 10 facts you may not know about Newcastle:

(the attached also provides information about the City of Newcastle’s History Week events and its year-round historical attractions offering)

1.       Newcastle was founded by one of Australia’s most important colonial artists – Captain James Wallis, and the city continues its strong connection to the arts to this day, boasting one of Australia’s best regional galleries.

2.       Newcastle convict James Hardy Vaux wrote Australia’s first full length autobiography, and our first dictionary (a vocabulary of ‘Flash Language’, or convict slang) during the 1800s under the reign of Commandant Thomas Skottowe. 

3.       Newcastle was home to the first ‘lighthouse’ on the east coast – a coal-fired beacon at Colliers Point which opened in 1804. The famous Nobbys Lighthouse was turned on in January of 1858. 

4.       The Reverend L.E. Threlkeld began the first systematic study of Aboriginal language in Newcastle in 1824.

5.       Newcastle was the birthplace of Australian railway – with the Australian Agricultural Company officially opening Australia’s first railway in 1831. A plaque on Wharf Rd commemorates the occasion.

6.       Iconic Australian biscuit manufacturer Arnott’s traces its humble beginnings back to Newcastle when a small bakery was opened by William Arnott in1865. 

7.       Australia's first Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton, was married in Newcastle to Novocastrian Jane (Jean) Mason Ross in 1877 at the Presbyterian manse on Newcastle’s oldest street - Watt Street.

8.       Newcastle is home to Australia’s first European-style swimming baths – the Bogey Hole, which was hand-carved by local convicts in 1819 under the commandment of Major James Morriset.

9.       On June 7^th, 1942, Fort Scratchley became the only Australian fort to fire at an enemy ship during war time when the Battery’s six inch guns fired two salvoes at a Japanese submarine that bombarded the city with two dozen shells.

10.   Newcastle was the first Australian city to elect a female lord mayor, Joy Cummings, in 1974.

Travel and tourism hero, Bill Peach dead at 78

Bill Peach's Australia, a ground-breaking TV travel show,
 introduced Australians to their own backyard. (The Australian)

Bill Peach, the former presenter of trail-blazing ABC current affairs program This Day Tonight (TDT), has died.

It is with great sadness that Bill Peach – journalist& travel doyen - died today aged 78. After a short illness he passed away in the early morning surrounded by family.

Following his eight years as the presenter of the ABC's ground breaking current affairs programme "This Day Tonight", Bill began his "Peach's Australia" documentary series. He made 27 programmes in 2 years, filming in every part of Australia. Bill probably added another 5 times around the world while making his other programmes "Holidays with Bill Peach", "Peach's Australian Cities", "Peach's Gold" and "The Explorers". But in 1984 he exchanged the ABC's battered 4 wheel drive vehicles for a more salubrious mode of transport - the F27 Fokker Friendship plane.

For thirty years Bill hosted travellers on trips in Australia and around the world. He was also a great writer publishing ten books on Australian history, as well as many magazine stories and newspaper columns. He received many awards including a special Logie for Outstanding Personal Contribution to Australian Television and was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the Australian media and tourism.

Bill was an amazing man, whose passion for travelling in Australia never swayed, whose zest for life was incredible. He will be greatly missed by all those who have worked and travelled with him.

Bill’s family and the team at Bill Peach Journeys would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and kindness.

Read related story at abc.net.au

Seychelles launches its biggest and fastest high speed ferry, the Cat Cocos - Isle of Mahe

Inter Island Boat Company of Seychelles has this week launched its new high speed ferry on the route Mahe to Praslin Islands. The company has now ensured that Seychellois and tourists alike can enjoy the one hour crossing in total luxury.

The Cat Cocos - Isle of Mahe has been built in Australia, and it arrived in Seychelles aboard a special cargo ship. For the Inter Island Boat Company this latest acquisition represents an investment of over one hundred million Seychelles rupees.

Cat Cocos - Isle of Mahe fast ferry is inaugurated

The Cat Cocos -Isle of Mahe, the fourth ferry of the Cat Cocos fleet has been commissioned for the inter island crossing for over five hundred passengers in Business, Comfort Upper Deck and in the main cabin. The owners of the company have been quoted assaying that this new ferry is providing a model of international luxury ferry service in the Seychelles waters.

A state of the art thirty six metre long vessel designed with a dynamic fresco depicting the essence of Mahe with the symbolic Clock Tower of Victoria and Trois Freres Mountain is increasing the comfort of passengers moving between Praslin and Mahe islands.

 Guillaume Albert of Inter Island Boat Management Company said that it is the company’s belief that the ferry will bring added benefits to the business of Inter Island ferry service in Seychelles.

“This new boat is also equipped with a state of the art right control system which will accentuate considerably. It is our strong belief that this vessel will contribute to increasing tourism flux between our two islands and ultimately benefit the business of Praslin and La Digue operators’’ Guillaume Albert said.

Addressing the crowd at the launching ceremony, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture said that the ferry is a big move forward for Praslin and La Digue Islands.

“This is indeed a remarkable success story for the islands. I am sure Seychellois and visitors alike will appreciate that this service, on such a big fast boat is today available in Seychelles. Those of us who know the region well will appreciate that the launching of this modern luxury fast ferry in Seychelles is a success for the region. On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and on behalf of the Government of Seychelles we need to thank Mr Joe Albert and his family, as we need to congratulate you for having brought to Seychelles such a fine product’’ Minister Alain St.Ange said.

Minister St.Ange said with the launching of the high speed ferry service Seychelles realises the mechanism to develop andto stimulate the Inter Island ferry market.

“It was clear a couple of years ago when Mr. Joe Albert and his partners brought in the small Cat Cocos ferry everybody was surprised. Could he make money out of it? Could it sustain that run to Praslin? Everybody was proved wrong because it did not only succeed in proving the need for a fast boat to Praslin, but the owning company made money out of it. That prompted Joe Albert and his family and his Creole Travel Services Company to move forward and bring a bigger Cat Cocos. This big five hundred plus seat Cat Cocos - Isle of Mahe ferry shows you that it was needed. Joe Albert stimulated and developed that business. I salute you Joe and your company for having the fore sight, and for having the bravery that is needed for you to really put your money where your mouth is” said Minister St.Ange

The Minister went on to say that with the arrival of the new big boat in the Inter Island fleet, this will also bring more competition.

“As we are launching this new boat I take the opportunity to salute the ferry operator William Rose and his daughter Cindy for having provide for many years a ferry service of quality between the islands of Praslin and La Digue. Today as we launch another new ferry in Inter Island Boat Group we must anticipate that this brings with it new competition for the inter island ferry businesses. Because of our size, competition should also bring the need for us to relook at how we operate. On behalf of the government I appeal to you all to work in partnership in this ferry business to ensure that as you move forward, everyone in the industry moves with you for a more joyous Seychelles, and for a better environment in our tourism industry’’ Minister Alain St.Ange said. The French Ambassador to Seychelles, Mrs Genevieve Iancu had the honour of smashing the traditional bottle of champagne on the new boat as the 'godmother' of the new Cat Cocos - Isle of Mahe and Minister Alain St.Ange and Mr Joe Albert jointly cut the ribbon to declare open the gang way to the vessel. Bishop Denis Wiehe of the Roman Catholic Church and Fr Danny Elizabeth of the Anglican Church blessed the vessel and crew.

Zambiatourism.com Has Had A Major Relaunch!

Zambiatourism.com has been the leading online tourism guide to Zambia over the past 15 years providing in-depth information about Zambia to millions of visitors.

The site has recently had a major revamp and now offers far more functionality, news and excellent imagery to boost awareness of Zambia’s excellent tourism gems.

Visitors can explore the interactive map with links to attractions, activities and lodgings, while the destination pages have in depth information and high quality photographs depicting the fabulous scenery, wide range of activities or excellent wildlife and safari options. The layout is also fully compatibility with smart phones and tablets.

The new website gives a clear and visual representation of what’s on offer with easy navigation on what to see, what to do and where to stay, without ever having to leave the site. Visitors can make direct enquiries to hotels, travel agents, car hire or air charter companies and zoom right into the map to see where everything is. All tourism companies are invited to add their illustrated listing to ensure they can be found.

A new addition is the News portal for tourism developments, cultural and sporting events, as well as the latest sightings from safari guides or conservation and community development projects,thus keeping the site fresh and dynamic.

Take a look at the Zambia Tourism website www.zambiatourism.com. Learn more about beautiful Zambia, explore cities and towns, find accommodation, tours and book adventure activities. Learn about the rich culture,historic and wildlife heritage or find out about upcoming events and festivals.

It’s almost as good as being here!

Khiri Travel Enhances Credentials for its Tour Leaders

Khiri Travel Thailand has been certified with Dutch ANVR tour leader accreditation following a three-day intensive course held in Bangkok.

Khiri organized the tour leader program August 19-21 in conjunction with partner organizations, Shoestring and Koning Aap, both Kuoni companies.

The ANVR (The Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators) regulates much of the tourism industry in The Netherlands, inbound and outbound. They are now in the process of certifying their tour operators' tour leader credentials. By 2014/15 all official Dutch tour operators must have ANVR tour guide accreditation.

For the training, two trainers were flown in from Amsterdam, Mr. Bart van den Heuvel from Shoestring and Ms. Marieke Schutter, an external trainer. Between them, they have over 20 years of experience in leading grouptours all over the world. Training involved intense briefings, role play and group interactions.

Khiri Travel Thailand General Manager Mr. Andre van der Marck said: "As tour operators we live and breathe by the quality of our tour leaders. We are constantly enhancing and training them -- and also learning from them. ANVR accreditation builds our already highly respected reputation in the Dutch market. It also makes our tour leaders more confident while on the road with our groups."

At the end of three full days of training, 20 tour leaders were successfully certified as ANVR tour leaders.

"Khiri's policy is to invest in our future," said Van der Marck. "The training was another proof point of Khiri's commitment to quality tourism."

The training took place in the Pak Ping Ing Tang Boutique Hotel in Nonthaburi.

Once Upon a Time in Ubar – The Lost City of the Sands

Once upon a time there was a city where the streets are paved in gold and fortified by imposing, lofty pillars unlike anything ever created in the world.

Coined ‘Paradise on Earth’ its inhabitants were also one of the richest due to the many prosperous years in the trade of priceless, exotic and luxurious commodities: fruits, silks, gemstones, spices and frankincense which was revered throughout the world.

The Holy Quran describes it as the "City of Towers",  the legends of the "Lost City of Ubar” has for centuries been one of the Middle East’s greatest mysteries. Bedouin tales and local folklore is cited even today among the local population about the ancient city.  

Located in Shisr in the southern Dhofar region of Oman, it is believed that Ubar existed from about 2800 B.C. to about 200 A.D. and was a desert outpost near a verdant oasis, on the camel tracks where caravans assembled for the transport of frankincense across the desert to the rest of the world.

Today only a hole in the desert floor, a black void full of ones imagination of what this ‘Paradise on Earth’ must have been like, is what remains in present day Oman. Tours are readily available from near-by Salalah for those curious in a site that was one mans mission for over twenty years.

The Lost City of Ubar, was discovered in 1992 by NASA imaging technology by a team of British archaeologists lead by the passionate Sir Ranulph Fiennes, uncle of actor Ralph Fiennes.

The Fabled City

Myths surrounding Ubar were unparalleled even by "lost city" standards. Ubar was a magnificent kingdom, immensely rich with "streets paved with gold." It was a city of tall towers whose like had not been built ever in the whole world. T.E Lawrence called it "The Atlantis of the Sands."

Legend has it that Ubar was said to have become a hotbed of wickedness and its people corrupted by its riches. It is believed that like the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, it also suffered the wraths of God. It is said to have been destroyed by the cyclonic storms that swept away the fort and sucked it into the deep hole that remains even today. Historians chronicle Ubar's destruction somewhere in the first century AD.

Very little is known of prehistoric times in the barren deserts of Arabia. The rock drawings in the desert suggest that the prehistoric people of the second millennium were not the Arabs from the north. In the past the descendants of the Mahra tribe inhabited these regions. They were Australoid by DNA analysis and lived in Yemen and the Shahra of south-western Oman, on the Dhofar highlands. They are now known as the 'lost Arabs'(al-'Arab al-ba'ida), representing the present-day tribes of 'Ad, Tamud and Gurhum. The Shahra tribe are probably descendants of the People of 'Ad. The population is now in small numbers. Their native language is very different from Arabic, something older and called the "language of the birds."

The Dhofar region is a rugged and mountainous region. The Shahra called their land Uz, after the patriarch who must have led them out of The Empty Quarter of the deserts. There was a man in the land of Uz, a man named Job whose tomb is located just outside of Salalah in Oman.

The 'Ad region possessed something that the civilized world greatly desired and valued in those days: the frankincense tree. The Dhofar mountains had numerous groves of the small trees, whose resin was as valuable as gold in ancient times. It was used as a fragrance, for medicinal purposes and for embalming. The Sumerians were using frankincense and it is mentioned in the Egyptian Book of the Dead.

The People of 'Ad tended to the frankincense groves with great care and reverence. The harvest was during the month of August. As a holy tree the farmers were only allowed to wear clean clothes, they had to abstain from sex and could not touch a corpse until the harvest was completed. They would make cuts in the branches and gather the sap when it hardened into fragrant crystals. By 900 BC the trade had become a major component of the ancient world trade. Camel caravans and ships carried products throughout the known world. The People of 'Ad had to find a way around their competitors in the desert, so they redirected their trade routes directly across The Empty deserts. On that camel caravan route they built the fabled city of Ubar, around an Oasis. Traders came here with their wealth to do business and to enjoy the fabulous riches available in the city.

It became a walled city known for great wealth and it was the only source of available water before the perilous trek across the desert. The vast wealth of 'Ad was used to create a paradise in the sand with vast palm groves and orchards. It is mentioned in Claudius Ptolemy's Geographos written in the 2nd century AD as the land of the Iobaritae. To the Arab it was called ‘Irem of the Pillars’.

The Downfall of Ubar.

The story by the 13th century historian, Rashid al-Din, tells how the sinful inhabitants of Ubar were punished:

"God punished the people of Ubar with a great wind and a terrible noise from the clouds, which struck them dumb. And in the morning there was nothing to be seen except ruins. From then onwards Ubar belonged to evil creatures, each with a single arm, leg, and eye. And it was known that anyone who went near the ruins would be driven mad with fear."

Excavations at the site at Ash Shisr found conclusive evidence that Ubar had indeed been located at the oasis and affirming the legends about the destruction of Ubar. The city was located over an immense limestone cavern a natural feature of the region. Heavy flooding had dissolved it and washed away the lime stones from the underground. Perhaps an earthquake had sucked in the city along with the water in the oasis. It was swallowed up by the very earth it stood on.

What actually happened?

Ubar was a trading outpost when the Arabian Desert was not in its current barrenness. It was near a water stream which is buried with desert sand now. The rocky bottom was of lime stone which melts when water remains over it during floods. The city was built on such a rocky terrain which dissolved in a flood and thunder storm. From the satellite pictures it is evident that the walls of the settlement had been built over a huge limestone cavern that had collapsed burying the city beneath the sands. The towers guarded a water source in the surrounding 50,000 square miles qualified as the "great well of Wabar." When the city crumbled it was the result of something like an earthquake and that the city fell into a kind of hole in the ground just behind a large hill. The path to walk down the hill to the hole has a bit of a slope now. Ironically, the Arabic word "Shisr" is the word used for hole.

You can drive up to this place now and in the middle of the night when there is nobody else around except the vastness of the desert; you can feel the strangeness of the ancient past, which is buried below your feet.

Full Day Tours of the Ancient Settlement of Shisr are available with any Salalah Tour Options. Contact your local travel agent for more information or visitwww.tourismoman.com.au

Oman is accessible by air with Emirates/Qantas and Etihad flying daily to Muscat via Dubai or Abu Dhabi. For a one-stop flight the national carrier Oman Air are currently offering a special from $1,545 per person return*. Conditions apply, contact your local travel agent for more information or visit www.tourismoman.com.au