BUSINESS AS USUAL ON LORD HOWE ISLAND

The Lord Howe Island Tourism Association and tourism operators report that it’s back to business as usual on the island, following the storm earlier in the week.

The island’s airport will re-open tomorrow, and the damage to the airstrip has been repaired. Four QantasLink flights from Sydney and two from Brisbane are scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, which signal a return to normal for the island’s flights and tourism operations.

“The damage to the island reported in the media has been somewhat exaggerated,” said Pixie Rourke, Chair of the Lord Howe Island Tourism Association and proprietor of Pinetrees, the oldest and largest guesthouse on the island.

“The storm caused some damage to infrastructure, including to the airstrip, and there were disruptions to the power supply. But the airstrip has been repaired, the power’s on – and the beer is still cold!”

As is the tradition on the island in the case of flight cancellations, guests have been treated to a taste of island hospitality during their extended stay.

World Heritage-listed Lord Howe is located 700km north-east of Sydney and has a limit of 400 tourists at any time.

Further information: www.lordhoweisland.info.

Come to the biggest party under the sun

Grab a hot deal for the Noosa Mayfiesta
Take off to Noosa for warm weather and a month full of events. Plan your Mayfiesta trip around one of many highlights on the calendar including the Settler's Cove Noosa Food & Wine Festival and the Noosa Blue Water Swim. With events like this and fantastic offers on holidays, there really is something for everyone. So get in the party spirit and book now for your Blue Holidays Mayfiesta getaway or call 13 15 16.

65% off 14-night luxury cruising Istanbul to Venice

PREMIUM Cruise Holidays has 14-nights of the very best in cruising luxury when the brand-new Seabourn Odyssey sails from Istanbul to Venice in September of this year, and it comes with savings of sixty-five per cent pp.

This brings the price down from an advertised US$16,670pp to an affordable US$5899pp* twin-share, inclusive of all-suite accommodation, open-seat  gourmet dining with dishes created by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, drinks from the open bars, barbecue dinners and gala parties on deck with live music and dancing, the finest in-suite toiletries by Hermes, L'Occitane and Molton Brown, water-sports and Caviar in the Surf (where permitted,) and even shopping tours with the Chef.

And for Premium Cruises Holidays' guests there's an exclusive onboard Cocktail Party and two full-day shore excursions... and tipping is not expected.

The 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey will offer intimate yacht-like cruising when she departs Istanbul on September 19 this year for fourteen ports in Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy.

For full itinerary details and shipboard information phone 1800 266 190 or visit www.premiumcruiseholidays.com.au  *Port Charges of US$43pp and air travel are additional.

ADDITIONAL CRUISE INFORMATION: Seabourn Odyssey's ports of call include Dikili, Kusadasi, Bodrum (exclusive complimentary full-day shore excursion for Premium Cruise Holidays' guests,) Santorini, Amorgos, Navplion, Athens, Pylos, Corfu (exclusive complimentary full-days shore excursion for Premium Cruise Holidays' guests,) Kotor, Dubrovnik, Triluke Bay, Rovinj and Venice.

Seabourn Odyssey has two outdoor pools and six whirlpools, an indoor Thalasotherapy pool, three shops/boutiques, two restaurants and a Patio Grill, six bars and lounges, a casino and watersports marina.

 

Best Western Unveils New 4½-star Apartments

Best Western Australasia has added another luxurious four-and-a-half star property to its apartments range – the Best Western Space Holiday Apartments (Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, QLD).

The designer apartment block is situated in elegant tropical gardens and features 49 self-contained apartments, each equipped with full kitchen, full internal laundry and a private balcony overlooking sweeping ocean or river views. Most two-bedroom apartments feature a second TV and several apartments overlook the ANZAC cenotaph, giving a bird's-eye view of this week's commemoration. 

The property features a heated lap pool, spa, gymnasium, a restaurant and cafe, secure undercover parking and two private BBQ areas. 

Perfect for business or leisure travellers, the Best Western Space Holiday Apartments offers large, spacious rooms – ideal for long stays and small meetings – and facilities that allow guests to remain completely self-sufficient.

The property is perfectly located, directly opposite the Maroochydore River, just a short walk from vibrant restaurants, cafes, bars, the Maroochydore Surf Beach and, only 15 minutes drive from the domestic airport.

For more information or to book accommodation at the Best Western Space Apartments, call 131 779 (from Australia), 0800 237 893 (from New Zealand) or log on to www.bestwestern.com.

­www.bestwestern.com.au

BEST WESTERN  IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST CHAIN OF INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED HOTELS, MOTOR INNS AND RESORTS
Operated by Motel Federation of Australia Limited (ACN 000237141) (ABN 33000 237141)

 

SINK INTO THE BLUES ON THIS SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISE

IT'S not often you're encouraged to sink into the blues on a luxury holiday cruise, but you will be on a 14-day escorted trip to New Zealand in February next year aboard Dawn Princess.

And the reason is that Cruiseland's fourth annual Cruise Blues and Rock 'n Roll cruise will be part of this holiday, that departs Melbourne on February 19 2010 for Milford Sound, Dunedin, Lyttleton for Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga for Rotorua, Auckland and back to Melbourne.

Cruiseland's guests will receive exclusive Complimentary Invitations to all Blues and Rock 'n Roll events that will add an extra dimension to this New Zealand luxury cruise, including scheduled performances by James Reyne, Joe Camilleri, Russell Morris, Lisa Edwards and Mike Brady and Band.

As well, Cruiseland's guests will be escorted throughout by a Cruiseland host team and will have access to Cruiseland-only daily shore excursions with savings of up to 50%, a $100pp on board spending credit, and a unique Cruiseland gift valued at $150pp.

Early Bird cruise prices start from just $3296pp twin-share if booked by June 30; for full details phone 1800 800 640 or email groups@wingsaway.com.au

 

TAIPEI STOP-OVER ON WAY TO 7-NIGHT ALASKA CRUISE

SEVEN-night cruises in Alaska aboard the luxury ships of Princess Cruises, coupled with airfares from Sydney or Brisbane, a 2-night stop-over in Taipei and a hotel night in Anchorage, are selling through ecruising.travel from just $2749pp twin-share for travel on select dates in May and June of this year.

Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princess are the focal point of these packages, with all cruises sailing from Whittier (the port for Anchorage) and passing by spectacular College Fjord, calling at Glacier Bay National Park and historic Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, and having a final full-day at sea before arriving in Vancouver.

All onboard meals and entertainment are included, as well as a wide diversity of recreational facilities on each ship, and a choice of bars and lounges; airport/hotel/airport transfers in Taipei are also included.

For detailed itineraries, departure dates and facilities aboard each ship, phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel.  *Air taxes and fuel surcharges applicable at time of booking are additional.

 

Australians Cruising through the downturn

Travelscene American Express reports first quarter P&O sales up 135% yoy

APRIL 20 2009: Australians are making the most of the incredible travel deals on offer with Australia's leading travel network, Travelscene American Express, reporting a 135% year on year increase in sales for P&O Cruises alone for the 3 months of 2009.

"Our members around Australia are reporting not just record level of inquiries but also a significant increase in demand for cruise products," Travelscene American Express General Manager Jacqui Timmins said.

"Across the Travelscene American Express group, we have actually recorded a 135% increase in sales for P&O Cruises for the first three months of 2009 compared to the same period a year ago . Driven by our exclusive launch and relocation specials on the Pacific Jewel and Pacific dawn which finished this week."

"Plus, we're currently in the midst of a full scale airfare war, presenting a rare window of opportunity for consumers travelling to Europe, especially during the Australian winter."

"Airlines are suffering from lower passenger numbers during these challenging economic times. This type of sale represents a rare chance for Australians to save close to $1000 per person off normal airfares for peak season on some of the world's best airlines."

"Consumers are strategically and proactively moving to make the most of these unbelievable deals which are coming out day after day and which represent unprecedented savings.  We've branded 2009 as "The Year of Great Travel Deals" for a reason and our customers are looking to our members to help them choose the best possible deal for them.

Plus, if you're an American Express Cardmember, you can use your Membership Rewards to pay for all or part of your travel by booking through Travelscene American Express.

For further details on these great savings or to make a booking call Travelscene American Express on 13 13 98

 

Singapore Stopover for only $1

There has never been a better time to enjoy a stopover in Singapore. Singapore Airlines is offering passengers a $1 stopover between 15 April and 30 September 2009 (bookings must be made before 15 May 2009). Visitors can enjoy unlimited rides on the SIA Hop-on bus, 50% dining discount at designated food outlets in selected hotels, admission to a range of attractions, shopping discounts and vouchers at Changi Airport to name a few.

Now is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of this great offer with the annual Great Singapore Sale offering up to 70% off island wide commencing on 29 May and running until 26 July, or indulge your taste buds during the Singapore Food Festival in July

For more details on Singapore Airlines great offers to Singapore, log onto www.singaporeair.com/ssh or contact your local travel agent.

For more details on Singapore, log onto www.visitsingapore.com or follow the STBOceania on twitter.

Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau launches new website

www.visitsolomons.com.sb

(Honiara) The Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau website has been completely restructured and has received a complete visual makeover, making it one of the leading travel websites in the South Pacific.

Michael Tokuru, General Manager of the Solomon Islands Visitor Bureau said "This is a great day in the development of tourism services for Solomon Islands. We now have a website that's a one-stop shop for anybody travelling to and around Solomon Islands".

He said, "The new website includes more information than previously available on the former SIVB website, and also presents this in a very user friendly manner."

The new design also merges general information about the Solomons as a destination alongside the contact details of tourism operators, such as accommodation, activities or service providers.

While there are countless new features on the new site, one of the most exciting is the new translation capability.

"It is now possible to automatically translate the whole website in a matter of minutes into as many as 35 different languages. This new capability breaks down the language barriers and will allow SIVB to reach even more potential tourists," Mr. Tokuru said.

Other features include a live chat service (for travel assistance), three day weather forecast, newsletter sign-up, image galleries, extensive travel tools, traveller stories, Pidgin phrases, FAQs and news updates.

Perhaps one of the most powerful new tools for the Visitors Bureau is in the website statistics. These enable SIVB staff to see a whole range of information on the characteristics of those people visiting the website. This information will enable SIVB to respond to the market demands more efficiently by revising content on a regular basis.

However, Mr. Tokuru stressed that this is only the beginning. "While the new website may now be live, the hard work is yet to come. In order for the website to remain effective, a continuous process of reviewing, analyzing and finding new and innovative ways to reach tourists will need to be undertaken by SIVB.

The website project was begun in August of 2008 and has been run and managed by Alejandra Cares Henriquez, an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development who joined SIVB on a 12 month volunteer contract.

Visit the site: www.visitsolomons.com.sb

Fall into Autumn with Vacations & Travel!

The autumn 2009 issue of Vacations & Travel is out now, with 204 pages of intriguing stories, travel news and stunning photography, plus a bonus 68-page supplement on Australia, a 36-page supplement on Oman and a 20-page lift-out on Bali. In short, an amazing 324 pages of the best in travel, still for just AU$9.95.

The main magazine is packed with fascinating features and all the global news on hotels, airlines, shopping, dining, golf, cruising and more. With the usual Vacations & Travel mix of adventure and relaxation in exotic places, we head off to destinations such as Egypt, Canada, Chile, Finland and Papua New Guinea. We take an extraordinary safari to Tanzania to see chimpanzees in the wild, and scuba-dive among the brilliant fish life and reefs of Fiji. Our special focus is on the delights of Asia. Rug up for an ice festival in Korea and a trip through the rugged northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Find out what else you can see in Agra besides the Taj Mahal, then explore the back streets of Macau and the Chinese capital of spicy cuisine, Chengdu.

Our main supplement is on Australia, from the natural wonders of the Top End and the Kimberley to the trendy restaurants of Melbourne, the luxury hotels of Queensland, and the bars and boutiques of Sydney’s Surry Hills. We also follow the wine trail around Margaret River, ride the rails on the continent’s best train journeys, and explore Tasmania.

In our bonus Oman supplement, we discover this exotic Middle East destination and feature everything from its shopping and souqs to its adventure activities and best hotels and resorts. Finally, a 20-page lift-out on Bali highlights the best hotels and resorts in one of our favourite tropical getaways.

In this issue, a lucky subscriber to Vacations & Travel will win a wonderful seven-night vacation in the Philippines courtesy of Philippine Airlines, El Nido Resorts and Makati Shangri-La Manila.

Vacations & Travel is out now at newsagents. For subscriptions, call Global Publishing on (02) 9555 8100 during business hours, e-mail info@globalpublishing.com.au or visit www.vacationsandtravelmag.com