Jet off to South-East Asia for the Ultimate Shopping Experience,

 
This winter, your wardrobe upgrade is only one flight away. With the MasterCard Priceless Upgrade, all travellers flying from Australia to Singapore or Bangkok with British Airways will be able to upgrade one leg of their trip when purchasing their tickets with their MasterCard cards.

Whether flying World Traveller economy, World Traveller Plus premier economy, Club World business class or First class – all passengers will get an upgrade without having to ask. Tickets must be purchased between June 1st and July 15th 2008 for travel from Sydney between June 1st and November 30th 2008.

"Travelling in style – and on a budget – to one of the world's premier shopping regions is every fashionista's dream come true," said Michelle Pilot, vice president, brand marketing, Australasia, MasterCard Worldwide.

From 23rd May to 30th July 2008 – whether you want to check out the latest trends in fashion and home interiors or are just in need of some retail therapy – get ready for an island-wide mega sale unlike any before, with irresistible discounts of up to 70% during the Great Singapore Sale. Scour the shops from downtown Orchard Road to Marina Bay for pampering treats and an astounding array of items ranging from fashion, watches, jewellery and consumer electronics – including luxury brands.

And when you find yourself exhausted after all this window-shopping, fuel your empty stomach with all the fabulous food this popular destination has to offer. To find out how shopping at the Great Singapore Sale gets even more rewarding with MasterCard, visit www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg.

"Bangkok is also another fantastic South-East Asian destination," said British Airways regional general manager Roger Burr, "and has long enticed travellers with its breathtaking ancient temples, delicious cuisine, huge shopping malls and vibrant nightlife – perfect for long weekend getaways."

And with your MasterCard card, the only restriction on your next shopping holiday is your imagination. MasterCard is accepted at more than 26 million locations worldwide and serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard Global Service™ also helps you with card-related emergencies (lost or stolen cards, emergency cash advances, locating an ATM, etc) wherever you go – anywhere in the world. One toll-free call puts you in touch with a representative who speaks your language, 24/7, 365 days a year.

The MasterCard Priceless Upgrade promotion is available to all MasterCard cardholders and redeemable on daily flights to Singapore and Bangkok.

Further details of the upgrade offer can be found at ba.com/mastercard and tickets can be purchased through your AFTA travel agent or call British Airways on 1300 767 177. Terms & Conditions Apply.


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1 Travel permitted from Sydney and Melbourne / Brisbane / Adelaide via Sydney on Qantas operated domestic services.

About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 18 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.
For more information go to http://www.mastercard.com.

About British Airways
British Airways has a worldwide route network that covers more than 150 destinations in 75 countries. British Airways is one of the world\'s largest international airlines carrying approximately 36 million passengers around the world every year. This year (2008), British Airways was awarded best transatlantic and best business class airline by frequent travellers from across the world at the Official Airline Guide (OAG) Airline of the Year Awards. British Airways' new home at London Heathrow's Terminal 5 opened on March 27, 2008. The new terminal is capable of handling 30 million customers a year. The airline's move to Terminal 5 will be complete by October 2008. When all flights have moved into Terminal 5 we will be handling approximately 510 flights every day. For further information on British Airways visit www.ba.com

Malaysia Goes On Sale!

The 9th annual Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival will run for 59 days from 5 July to 1 September 2008.

Shopping precincts in the Klang Valley, Penang, Johor Bahru and Miri are all in their final stages of preparation for this mega sales season.

Director of Tourism Malaysia Sydney, Mr Shahrin Mokhtar, says if not for anything else, the popular sales carnival in Malaysia is definitely worth a trip making.

"Malaysian sales are well known for their generous discounts, especially on famous international brands including Topshop, Zara, Saba, G2000, Next, Raoul, Guess, and even the luxury names Gucci, Armani, D&G, Jimmy Choos and many others.

"The atmosphere in KL, especially in malls such as the Pavilion, Sungei Wang, Lot 10 and Starhill Gallery in Bukit Bintang; as well as that of those in the city outskirts such as Mid Valley, Sunway and 1 Utama will be an extremely vibrant and festive one.

'Shops open from 10am to 10pm, sometimes later...this is where shoppers literally shop til they drop.

"The Malaysian shopping culture is huge, one which many first-time tourists can find overwhelming. Large multi-storeyed and air-conditioned malls where restaurants, cafes, massage and beauty parlours, gyms and other retailers share the same space is often not found in many countries or cities.

"Shopping in Malaysia is an experience in itself and if visitors are there during the shopping season, that's a definite added bonus.

MasterCard Worldwide, the official card of the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival will present the 'Nationwide Cardholder Usage Contest' with a RM100,000 (approx. AUD $33,000) cash prize. Each transaction made with a MasterCard prepaid or debit card within Malaysia entitles the cardholder to an automatic entry and a chance to win this fantastic prize.

All across the country, locals and visitors can look forward to numerous themed promotions, unheard-of bargains, contests, redemption programs as well as entertainment.

In Kuala Lumpur, shoppers will not be disappointed with the bargains they will find at malls such as those in the Bukit Bintang Golden Triangle, Sunway Pyramid, 1 Utama, The Curve, Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens. Even the luxurious Starhill Gallery will showcase some of its top selling products and services at heavily discount prices.

For more information, contact Tourism Malaysia offices:

Sydney
Level 2, 171 Clarence Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
T: (02) 9299 4441
F: (02) 9262 2026
E: malaysia@malaysiatourism.com.au

Melbourne
1/355 Exhibition Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
T: (03) 9654 3177
F: (03) 9654 3176
E: tmmelbourne@malaysiatourism.com.au

Perth
56, William Street
Perth, WA 6000
T: (08) 9481 0400
F: (08) 9321 142
E: tourism@iinet.com.au

Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove - Australia's Leading Golf Resort

ANOTHER WORLD TRAVEL AWARD FOR HYATT REGENCY SANCTUARY COVE

For the second consecutive year, Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove has received world recognition after being announced Australia's Leading Golf Resort at the 15th Annual Travel Awards held in Sydney on June 10.

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the "Travel industry's equivalent to the Oscars", the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards program in the global travel industry today.

Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove General Manager Patrick Hardy is delighted about winning the award for the second year in a row.

"We are extremely happy to once again be endorsed by the industry and recognised as Australia's Leading Golf Resort," said Patrick.

"With two Championship Golf Courses at Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island Resort only minutes away, golf plays a pivotal role in both our conference and leisure business.  To be recognised and positioned as an industry leader is once again testament to our staff and satisfied clients," he said.

Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove took the honours in the Australian region over other strong contenders including Bonville International Golf Resort, Crown Plaza Royal Pines Resort, Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort, Joondalup Resort Perth, Le Meilleur Horizons Golf resort, Port Stephens and Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Hotel.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 and are dedicated to the contributions and achievements of the travel industry.  In this 14th edition, the voting campaign reached a total of 167,000 travel professionals worldwide, including more than 110,000 travel agents.

Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove is a five-star hotel located on the northern end of the Gold Coast within the world-class residential resort - Sanctuary Cove.   Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove is the perfect destination for golfers who will appreciate – and respect – The Pines and The Palms, the two championship golf courses situated at Sanctuary Cove.

The only Arnold Palmer designed course in Australia, The Pines has been called one of the most challenging and exclusive courses in the country, while The Palms is one of Australia's favourite resort courses.

The Pines is a private course for members of the Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club; however, guests staying at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove have the privilege of being able to book in to play this exclusive course.

Hope Island Golf Course is located a short drive from the resort and is available for both conference and leisure.

For more information on Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove visit www.sanctuarycove.hyatt.com.


About Global Hyatt Corporation

Global Hyatt Corporation, one of the world's premier hotel companies, offers today's travelers more than 730 hotels and resorts around the world in 45 countries. The company's affiliates own, operate, manage and franchise Hyatt-branded hotels and resorts under Park Hyatt®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Resorts™, Hyatt®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt Summerfield Suites® brands. In April 2007, Hyatt launched its newest global brand, Andaz™.

Global Hyatt Corporation is also the owner of Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Inc., operator of Hyatt Vacation Club® and fractional residential properties and U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc., which franchises Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inn and Suites. Reservations for any Hyatt hotels worldwide may be obtained by calling your local Hyatt hotel, Hyatt Worldwide Reservations Centre or logging onto www.hyatt.com

Tangalooma wins Best Family Accommodation Award

Tangalooma Island Resort has been awarded Getaway Best Family Accommodation at the Australian Gourmet Traveller and Espresso 2008 Travel Awards.

The second annual event held in Sydney on Monday 2nd June 2008, celebrated the nation's best travel experiences – from fine luxury hotel to eco adventure tourism.

Tangalooma Island Resort's Director of Sales and Marketing, Mr David James was thrilled to have won this award.

"To win this national award in a very competitive category is a tribute to the sustainable development and the planning strategies Tangalooma Island Resort has implemented.

"This in turn has provided us with the capabilities to successfully target both the domestic and international markets and meet the expectations of our guests.

"Tangalooma Island Resort is fortunate to be located in the Moreton Bay & Islands region, which is undoubtedly one of Queensland's greatest natural assets.

"The future development of tourism in the Moreton Bay & Islands Region has the potential to become one of the most important tourist destinations in Queensland,' Mr James said.

www.tangalooma.com

Korea Tourism Offers Free Cultural Festivals Guidebook

Korea's cultural tourism festivals are perhaps the best way for foreign visitors to understand the culture and traditions of this ancient country and have a lot of fun along the way. Korea Tourism Organization has published a special booklet 'Cultural Tourism Festivals of Korea' which will assist foreign visitors to decide which festivals they can actively enjoy the most.

Of the thousands of festivals held in Korea each year the Boryeong Mud Festival and the Andong Mask Dance Festival have become the most popular festivals with foreign visitors. The Boryeong Mud Festival nowadays draws huge crowds of young people who enjoy the festival atmosphere. Boryeong mud is rich in minerals and is good for the skin, but visitors are perhaps more interested in the various mud festival programs from enjoying a bath in a mega mud tub to mud wrestling, mud massages, and mud sliding. Boryeong has become known as Mud City to overseas visitors in recent years. This year's mud festival will run from 12-20 July, 2008. Details at www.mudfestival.or.kr

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival is held in Andong, the home of Korea's Confucian culture. At nearby Hahoe Village which has been designated as one of Korea's Cultural Heritages, visitors can enjoy the spectacle of the unique mask dance performances in the pine tree forests and join in many folk games and events. This year's festival will take place from 26 September to 5 October, 2008. More info at www.maskdance.com

Try your hand at making some Korean Celadon pottery at the Gangjin Celadon Cultural Festival taking place from 9-17 August, 2008. Gangjin was a central production site for the world famous blue green celadon for over 500 years and more than 80 per cent of the nation's celadons designated as national treasures were made in Gangjin. Festival highlights visit www.gangjinfes.or.kr

Korean ginseng is known around the world for its remarkable medicinal effects. The popular Ginseng Festival will be held from 29 August to 7 September, 2008 in the prime growing area of Geumsan. Here you can see how ginseng grows, learn about its health benefits and enjoy traditional folk dance and music events. See www.insamfestival.co.kr

If you would like to see the 1,600 year history of Korean Paper Art (Hanji) then Wonju City is where you can see the entire paper-making process and visitors can enjoy a hands on paper craft making experience. The Wonju Hanji Paper Art Festival will be held from 24-28 September this year. Full details at www.wjhanji.co.kr

The Gwangju Kimchi Festival occurs in the autumn when Korean households around the country are preparing their supply of Kimchi for the coming winter months.

Here you can enjoy many events like the national kimchi cooking contest and get your hands all messy making your own kimchi. Kimchi is Korea's number one dish and Koreans can't live without it, like Australians and vegemite. Full details of the festival which takes place from 15-19 October, 2008 at www.kimchi.gwangju.kr

To discover more of Korea's many festival events and to plan your trip around around one of Korea's exciting festival events contact the Sydney office of Korea Tourism Organization for your free Cultural Tourism Festivals of Korea guidebook
Phone: 02)9252-4147/8 or Email: visitkorea@knto.org.au Details of all festivals are also available at the official travel website for Korea www.visitkorea.or.kr

Cook Islands Glitters at the World Travel Awards 2008

Cook Islands Glitters at the World Travel Awards 2008

Sydney, 11 June 2008: With four prestigious accolades, the idyllic South Pacific islands of the Cook Islands (www.cookislands.travel <http://www.cookislands.travel> ) have come up on top at the World Travel Awards held in Sydney on 10th June 2008.  Recognised for its outstanding beauty, One Foot Island, or Tapuaetai Motu on Aitutaki, has been crowned as having 'Australasia's Leading Beach'.  Awarding the outstanding Polynesian accommodation, Pacific Resort Aitutaki has won 'Australasia's Leading Boutique Resort' and 'Cook Islands Leading Resort' and Little Polynesian has the title of 'Cook Islands Leading Boutique Hotel'.
 
These accolades firmly position the Cook Islands as one of Australasia's and the World's finest holiday destinations.  One Foot Island or Tapuaetai Motu is a must on visitor's itinerary when holidaying in Aitutaki.  With glittering stretches of pure white sand and Aitutaki's pristine turquoise lagoon packed with an abundance of marine life, it is a paradise that should be on everyone's list to visit in their lifetime as mentioned by international travel writer and photographer, Steve Davey in his book "Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die".  
 
Aitutaki's beauty is also supported with Pacific Resort Aitutaki (www.pacificresort.com <http://www.pacificresort.com> ) winning both the Australasia and Cook Islands leading resort award for the second year running.  It has held the 'Australasia's Leading Boutique Resort' title since 2007 and 'Cook Islands Leading Resort' since 2006 and it also was a finalist in 2007 for the 'World's Leading Boutique Hotel'.  

The World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and prestigious in the global travel industry. Established in 1993 and hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the 'Travel industry's equivalent to the Oscar's', they seek to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. With thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from travel agencies in over 190 countries across the globe, winning a World Travel Award has become one of the highest accolades a travel product can receive. Nominations are based on the previous year's voting and recommendations made by travel industry professionals. Please see its website for further details www.worldtravelawards.com <http://www.worldtravelawards.com/> .
 
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation would like to congratulate all winners and nominees for recognition in these world-renown awards!

Ends

Last Call… For Votes! More than 50,000 Beer Lovers Have Cast Their Vote for The Four Points by Sheraton First Ever Best Brews Intern

From Africa to Asia Ale Aficionados are Voting Around the World for their Favorite Candidate.

Primaries and Super delegates are taking a back seat for sud sippers around the globe as the end of voting for the Four Points by Sheraton Best Brews Intern draws to a close. Who will snag "the" summer dream job? Will it be the Ivy League student from Cornell, an Aussie Lad who has sampled more than 1,000 beers, the "black sheep" of a sommelier family or the foodie from the Big Apple. Right now it's anybody's position, with almost 4,000 votes a day, 3 lager lovers are logging are voting every minute to make their voice heard.

Corporate America was changed forever a year ago when Four Points by Sheraton appointed the world's first-ever Chief Beer Officer (CBO), Scott Kerkmans. After a year in office the resident CBO has realized that a dream job can come with a nightmare workload. Scott is seeking a little sudsy help by bringing on the world's first ever Best Brews Summer intern. The lucky lad or lass will assist the CBO with his Best Brews duties including beer tasting, trend research and brewery relations.

The frothy four finalists stood out amongst just under 2,000 applications from 15 countries, 36 states, 5 Ivy League schools, 3 branches of the military and hundreds of beer lovers. Several bubbly beer lovers were flown into Starwood Hotels & Resorts corporate offices where they went through panel interviews with top executives and during the visit these four truly demonstrated their knowledge, passion and love for beer. South America and Asia Pacific have been showing their support, not to mention all the frothy fans in the Middle East. Here at home California and New York are leading with the most ballots cast with Alaska trailing with the least.

Last Call for Votes!

It's not too late to pour in on who you think should aid our Chief Beer Officer this summer – the polls close on June 13th. Visit fourpoints.com/bbi and brew the vote for your favorite candidate!

Cheese monger reporting for Duty
Dan Suarez may have started out as an A&R Scout for Columbia records, but these days he's following his true passion of the foodie and beer loving lifestyle. Spending his summers on his family's farm in Ecuador, Dan has always had a love of food and was taught how to milk the goats and cows that would give him the ingredients to make homemade mozzarella. He has now made his professional foray into the cheese world with a position at New York City's dairy Mecca, Murray's Cheese Shop. Dan's passion for beer has led him to start home brewing his own beer to pair with the countless cheeses that passed through Murray's doors. Now he wants to share his passion for food and beer pairings by becoming the first ever Best Brews Intern at Four Points by Sheraton.

Aussie boy washes up on the Best Brews shore
Shawn Lee is a Sydney, Australia native who applied for the Four Points internship two weeks after arriving in the good old USA. A self-proclaimed world traveler and beer aficionado, Shawn has traveled to more than 26 countries and tasted over 1,000 beers from around the world ranging from Guinness straight from the factory to Bintang in Indonesia. The Gold Coast beer lover wants to take his hobby to the next level and hopes to come on board and learn the inner workings of the beer industry by interning for the Four Points CBO.

Ivy Leaguer says, "Beer isn't just a boy's beverage"
Kristen Rainey has attended Princeton, Cornell and done work for Harvard, but says her true love lies with the brewing of small craft beers. Having worked and studied in the far corners of the world this multi-lingual marathon runner has tasted her share of unique brews. Kristen hopes to be able to learn more about the large larger world while working under the Chief Beer Officer this summer.

Squash the Grapes – this Son is of a Wine Sommelier is Hoppy for Beer
Julian Sherman of Cambridge, Massachusetts comes from a long line of foodies and wine lovers, including his master sommelier father who teaches courses on wine at the California Culinary School and his brother who is also a sommelier. Julian is definitely the "black sheep" of a devoted wine family, who until recently secretly brewed his own specialty beers while in college. He appreciates wine but thinks that beer is just as complex but far more approachable for the entire world to enjoy. Julian loves home brewing and experimenting with new flavor profiles but still wants to learn more and is hoping the Four Points by Sheraton Chief Beer Officer will school him on the ways of the hop.

Best Brews

Four Points by Sheraton offers a wide selection of brews featuring imports and North American craft beers, each chosen for their unique flavors, popularity and quality ingredients. Through Best Brews, each participating Four Points hotel around the world provides a selection of local, regional and imported craft beers from the extensive list of almost 300 available brews in bottles, and on tap. Participating properties offer a minimum of four draught beers and a selection of up to 20 bottled beers, including imports representing Belgium, Germany, England and the Czech Republic, as well as regional craft beers.

For additional information on Best Brews and Four Points by Sheraton, including room rates and availability, and the search for the Best Brews intern please visit www.fourpoints.com/cbo.

Four Points by Sheraton, with more than 130 properties in 22 countries, offers the self-sufficient traveler a new kind of style and comfort combined with a spirited "can-do" service -- all at an honest value. Four Points by Sheraton hotels are located in easy-to-reach areas – close to major airports, suburban centers, urban hot spots and resort and vacation destinations. Four Points' Simple PleasuresSM program offers little indulgences such as tasty pie, a great cup of coffee and premium craft beers from around the world. It's those little extras that score big points with Four Points by Sheraton customers.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Christmas In July cruise

This July Celebrate Christmas Everyday …

This July celebrate Christmas everyday with Captain Cook Cruises Christmas in July Top Deck Lunch Cruise on the MV Sydney 2000 - the official vessel for Pope Benedict XVI for World Youth Day 08.


While the prestigious, three deck, MV Sydney 2000 cruises the picturesque Sydney Harbour the "Top Deck Lunch Cruise", will feel just like Christmas again.

Decorated with Christmas trimmings, a two or three course Australian a la carte menu will offer a traditional winter Christmas selection including Turkey, Ham, Christmas pudding and much more.

As well as experiencing Christmas, passengers will still enjoy personalised service, ambient music and million dollar views of Sydney's main Harbour sights.  

The two and half hour Christmas in July Top Deck Lunch Cruise will depart every day in July from Darling Harbour No.1 Jetty King Street Wharf at 12 noon or from No 6 Jetty Circular Quay at 12.30pm.

Prices are adults $64 for 2 courses or $74 for 3 courses, concession $55 for 2 courses or $65 for 3 courses and children (5-14yrs) $39 for 2 courses or $49 for 3 course. Guaranteed window seating is an additional $15 per person and a bar package including beer, bottled wine and soft drink is available from $18 per person.

For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises toll free on

+ 61 1800 804 843 or (02) 9206 1111; Email: reservations@captaincook.com.au or visit www.captaincook.com.au

Tall Tales and Unsafe Sax on Norfolk Island

  

A piano-playing humorist who embellishes his concerts with tall tales and true and a veteran crooner who has grooved with Sammy Davis Jr are among 22 performers taking at this year's Norfolk Island Jazz in the Pines Festival from December 8-12.

Now in its seventh year, the five-day event attracts favorite acts from across Australia and New Zealand and presents them in a range of concerts at various island venues.

Jazzing the luncheon concerts up will be author-composer-singer-pianist Dorian Mode, who peppers his Harry Connick Jr music style with rib-tickling yarns and readings from books he has written on life and travel. Backing the Central Coast-based performer will be saxophonist Graham Jackson and bassist Ian Esplin.

Dinner concerts and a matinee will roll out a huge array of talent, including Al Davey and his monSTARS from Sydney (Peter Locke on piano/organ, Stan Valacos on bass, tenor, Brad Child on sax/clarinet and Anthony Howe on drums), and Newcastle-based saxophonist Trevor Furmer and his Unsafe Sax group (Peter Toohey guitar and double bass, Gavin Ahearn piano and Doug Gallacher drums and percussion). They will also back award-winning Newcastle/Sydney soloist Julie Wilson.

Joining them from the NSW South Coast will be crooner Les Crosby, who has performed with the likes of Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Allen and Shirley Bassey, and across from New Zealand will be singer Malcolm McNeill, who will team up with the Mike Walker Trio (Mike piano, Bruce King drums and Peter McGregor bass).

Former Kiwi and now Sydney-based jazz soloist, Jo Elms, will also be on the island to lend her talent to a line-up offering the full compliment of feel-good jazz, swing and blues music.

Oxley Travel is offering special seven-night Jazz in the Pines packages from $1587 from Brisbane, $1652 Sydney, $1630 Newcastle and $1855 Melbourne, taxes included. Prices are per person twin share and include return flights with Norfolk Air, seven nights accommodation and car hire, airport transfers, a half day island tour and the full festival package as well as a souvenir program and welcome drink on arrival. Subject to availability. For information or to book call Oxley Travel toll-free on 1800 671 546 or visit www.oxleytravel.com.au

For extra information about the jazz festival email jazz@nigtb.nf and for general information on Norfolk Island go to www.norfolkisland.com.au.

New Operator and Aircraft for Norfolk Air

Norfolk Air today announced it had signed a contract with Nauru-based Our Airline to provide flights between Norfolk Island and Australia from May 21 next year.

The move follows the recent sale of Melbourne-based Ozjet Airlines, which has chartered a Boeing 737-200 to Norfolk Air since it began operations a little over two years ago.

Norfolk Air CEO Ewan Wilson said the island would get a newer-generation 737-300 aircraft under the terms of the contract, signed by the Norfolk Island Government as the owner of Norfolk Air.

“This is excellent news because we will be getting a newer generation airline that will not only reduce our fuel bill considerably but give us extra reach and capacity,” Mr Wilson added.

“We can also base the aircraft on the island and paint it in our own livery, and will be able to call on a second 737-300 as back-up, something that will improve our efficiency considerably.”

Mr Wilson said the agreement capped off a great year for Norfolk Air, which operates three services a week to Sydney and Brisbane, single flights to Newcastle and Melbourne, and is to start a second Melbourne flight on September 1 and a new Gold Coast service from October 2.

“Not only have we added new gateways but we’ve been able to improve our year round load factor and yield, and are on line for a second profit in as many years despite record fuel costs.”

He said the Our Airline contract provided for two highly regarded Australian aviation companies to service the new aircraft – Brisbane-based Jetcare for line maintenance work and John Holland Aviation Services in Melbourne for all heavy maintenance.