With all the great member benefits you have come to know and love – the EscapesPlus team is eager to bring you the best in travel and accommodation membership.

Throughout the year, the Jupiters Summer Surf Girls become the public face of Surf Life Saving to promote Surf Life Saving and the vital need for support and funds from communities across Queensland.

You can read the full story here.

Visit: Green accommodation

Best Sunshine Coast

The Best Sunshine Coast site has a Noosa and Mooloolaba listing.

They have both a Gold Coast listing and a Surfers Paradise listing.

Visit: Best Gold Coast

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1800SCHOOLIES is the premier schoolies accommodation provider on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and the greater Queensland area.

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Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor launched the Tourism Projects Pre-feasibility Grants Program (the program) during a Tourism Strategic Roundtable meeting with key industry stakeholders today.

“The Queensland Government has committed $450,000 to support planning for the development of tourism opportunities in regions throughout the State,” said Mr Lawlor.

“This grant program is an outcome of the State Government’s Tourism Action Plan to 2012 and will help facilitate the progress of priority regional tourism projects which demonstrate a good opportunity for investment and enhancement of a destination.

“Funding which is to a maximum of $30,000 per successful applicant, can be used to cover up to 50 per cent of the total cost of eligible project planning activities such as feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, market assessments, business case development or investment briefs to potential investors,” he said.

Mr Lawlor said applications would be considered on a merit basis with priority given to those applications which potentially contribute to job creation and economic development; deliver a high quality tourism product; enhance the existing character of a destination; or fill a tourism infrastructure gap identified in a destination’s Tourism Opportunity Plan (TOP).

“TOPs have been developed for each of Queensland’s regions to provide direction for sustainable tourism development over 10 years,” said Mr Lawlor.

“The plans identify gaps in product or service provision and the need for new or upgraded tourism infrastructure, and provide research based information on supply and demand for each region.”

Mr Lawlor said today’s Tourism Strategic Roundtable honoured an election commitment made to the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and was a precursor to a Ministerial Tourism Forum scheduled for November.

“Today’s meeting was an opportunity for industry leaders to share their views and ideas on matters affecting our State’s tourism sector,” he said.

“Discussion focused on investment, business support, planning and the regulatory environment and skills development.

The November Ministerial Forum will build on the issues raised today and examine how we can better deliver tourism planning outcomes for the industry.”

Applications for the Tourism Projects Pre-feasiblity Grants close on 19 November 2010 and Mr Lawlor encouraged interested parties to discuss their proposal with Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation regional officers before completing an application.

Queensland’s peak tourism industry body has indicated its strong support for this new initiative. Daniel Gschwind, Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council said “The future of tourism in Queensland depends on our ability to create and deliver innovative and competitive new products. I welcome the Queensland Government’s new grants program as a pro-active initiative to work in partnership with businesses who are willing to invest in our future. New investment in tourism is an investment in regional communities, regional jobs and a sustainable economy.”

For more information visit www.tourism.industry.qld.gov.au

The TasVillas Group’s properties include a wide choice of self-contained units and villas, motels and hotels, with accommodation styles varying from city apartments to country holiday retreats. Whether the budget traveller or indulgence seeker, TasVillas Group can accommodate to suit style and budget.

From country holiday villas and superbly-appointed coastal retreats to award winning city apartments and hotels – all offer great value, good quality accommodation all around Tasmania.

Visit: TasVillas on Discover Tasmania

The latest Hotel Price Index,  showed average room rates on the Coast fell four times more the national average in the six months to June. While average room rates across Australia fell 2 per cent during the first half, the Gold Coast suffered an 8 per cent fall.

This makes it the cheapest hotel destination in Australia with an average rate of $123 a night.

The Gold Coast’s loss was far north Queensland’s gain as room rates in Cairns – formerly the country’s cheapest stay-over market – rose 8 per cent during the same period. Cairns and Sydney (up 4 per cent) bucked the national trend and were among only a handful of cities around the world to see a rebound in room rates.

Sydney is now the most expensive hotel market in Australia, taking over from Perth in the latest quarterly survey. The Hotel Price Index is measured in Australian dollars and gauges the prices of hotels for Australian travellers.

It showed that hotel room rates globally edged 2 per cent higher in the June quarter, compared to a year earlier. It is the first time room rates have risen in almost two years, but  still lower than in 2004.

1. Establish guidelines Set clear guidelines for your employees to follow when booking travel. Some basic guidelines include:

• What fare class can employees fly for domestic and international trips?
• What hotels can they stay at?
• What trip expenses can they charge back to the company?
• What level of approval is required before booking a work-related trip?

2. Communicate Make your employees aware of your expectations around travel. Once the guidelines are set, record them and make them a living, breathing document that is not just filed away in a bottom draw, but that is agreed by your employees and then discussed regularly and refined when needed.

3. Track spending and monitor your progress If you aren’t already doing so, track and record your travel and entertainment spending not only to identify your savings, but also the factors that are contributing to them.

1800SCHOOLIES specialises in negotiating discounted and cheap accommodation for school-leavers and to ensure they have a memorable, fun-filled and safe holiday experience during “Schoolies Week”.

The 1800SCHOOLIES website is an information directory of discounted accommodation options for school-leavers in sort after destinations as well as it provides information on popular activities and ways to stay safe during the celebrations.

Visit: 1800SCHOOLIES

Cradle Coast regional tourism development manager Ian Waller said judges had their work cut out for them choosing just 14 winners from a large and exceptionally presented pool of candidates. “For a first up effort the number of entries received and the quality of them far exceeded any thing we had expected,” Mr Waller said.

The independent judging panel, lead by Rod Stendrup, took five weeks to assess the 60 entries received. Assessments included visits to accommodation, tourism experiences and operators entered in the awards plus a review of references.

Entries were open to all tourism and associated businesses located within, or actively operating in, the Cradle Coast region. Mr Waller said among the quality winners was an exceptional young woman who has continued championing the tourism industry. Stephanie Nissen, of the West Coast Visitor Information Centre has grown up with tourism in her blood. Last night she took home the Young Achiever award.

Mr Waller said in an industry traditionally made up of older people it was good to see a young person taking the lead. “Stephanie has found ways to work in the tourism industry in restaurants, on cruises at Strahan and at the visitors centre. She actively gets involved,” he said. Jason Clare, of the Circular Head Tourism Association, was awarded Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Local Tourism. “Jason is a tireless worker. He spends a lot of time away from home promoting the region,” he said.

Waine and Sharon Witbread took home the Contribution to Local Tourism award for their work in setting up the Wilmot Produce Market. Mr Waller said the market was a pillar of community inclusion and a drawcard to the area. The inaugural Awards were organised by the Cradle Coast Authority tourism team to recognise tourism excellence in the region and encourage participation in state and national competitions.

The winners were revealed at the 2010 QantasLink Cradle Coast Regional Tourism Forum dinner held in Ulverstone last night.

Owners Frank and Lynda White put the win down to staying one step ahead of the industry and endeavouring to be the best accommodation provider in the region.

“We are in the process of doing numerous developments around a third of the whole park including 40 new sites, 10 new cabins and a brand new 10 kilowatt solar panel system which will save on energy,” said Frank.

2010 has been a successful year for the couple, who have also been awarded the Caravan and Camping Industry Association’s (CCIA) 2010 Best 4 1/2 – 5 Stars Park (less than 100 sites) Award.

It will open its doors in October after hotel owner and operator Mantra Group on Friday unveiled a deal struck with Gold Coast developer Niecon.

Under the deal Mantra will manage the $850 million, 505-apartment twin tower development The Oracle.

Mantra chief executive Bob East said the towers would be branded as Peppers Broadbeach.

“The new Peppers Broadbeach will be the largest property within the Peppers portfolio and represents the brand’s first foray into the metropolitan hotel market,” Mr East said.

He said apart from harnessing the latest in portable technology, the hotel also would offer guests other unique services such as the use of retro scooters and customised surfboards. Mantra Group has committed to almost $390 million worth of new hotel developments this year.

Mr East said Peppers Broadbeach would be launched in three phases, with a soft opening from October with room rates starting from $260 a night. It will officially open with the full suite of Peppers services next March.

Gold Coast-based property and tourism analyst Bill Morris said the local tourism industry was set to rebound over the next 12 months to two years. “With the emerging markets from China and India it’s a good time to be opening a new five-star hotel on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“The market has been tough in the last two years. Occupancy rates on the Gold Coast are about 70 per cent, barely satisfactory to make good money but it’s going to get better.”

The recent Visa PATA Travel Intention Survey found that more than half of the travellers surveyed from mainland China intended to travel to Australia over the next two years. During the year ending March 2010, Australia received 360,000 visitors from China, generating $2.3 billion in economic value.

The results reflect Australia’s position as the preferred destination for Chinese travellers, according to Tourism Australia managing director, Andrew McEvoy.

“Australia has been at the forefront in destination marketing since becoming the first Western destination to receive approval to host group leisure travellers from China,” McEvoy. “Since gaining Approved Destination Status in 1999 the China travel market has grown exponentially for Australia to become one of our top five sources of international travellers.”

The survey also revealed that the top three attributes that Chinese travellers are looking for in destinations overseas are natural scenery, sunshine and beaches, and new places.

McEvoy said Tourism Australia would focus on these attributes in its new There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign to be launched in China next month: “Over the coming year we are doubling our effort in the market and working closely with our airlines partners to ensure that we continue to grow the market further.”

The campaign will include the interactive online map of Australia featuring 3,200 images and stories provided by Australians that will be translated into Chinese, along with print and cinema advertising. Tourism Australia hopes the campaign with position Australia as an ideal destination for Chinese travellers, says McEvoy.

“Early testing of our new campaign in China suggests that it is resonating strongly with Chinese travellers, which will help to convert the desire for travel to Australia in to actual visits,” said McEvoy. “For example of those who have seen the new broadcast ad in Shanghai, 90 percent said they were more likely to travel to Australia.”

Last month the Australian Government announced plans to invest $30 million to market Australia to the dynamic Chinese travel market, which includes increased marketing funds being allocated by Tourism Australia to grow tourism from China.

Cheap Brisbane is an information directory about Brisbane accommodation, from 3.5 to 5 star hotels and resorts, to beachfront villas and apartments. It also offers information about events and attractions in Brisbane.

Visit: Cheap Brisbane

The Gold Coast offers something for everyone; stunning beaches and surfing, exciting theme parks, sophisticated style, and much, much more! The Gold Coast truly is a holiday destination of wonderful contrasts.

Visit: Best Gold Coast

The revitalization of the hotel is expected to include the addition of three luxury rooftop suites and significant changes to all areas of the hotel as part of a strategy to refresh the property while “maintaining the contemporary luxury for which Park Hyatt Sydney is known”.

Positioned between the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Park Hyatt has become one of the city’s most iconic hotels.

In a media release the hotel’s management said the project, being spearheaded by interior designers BARstudio, will involve a redesign of the hotel’s guest rooms, including architectural fixtures and finishes, custom designed contemporary lighting, new furniture and unique artwork by renowned Australian artists.

“The hotel’s new interiors will offer a natural feel with rich layers of chocolate, cream and beige hues. Designed to celebrate the indoor-outdoor experience, all guest rooms will feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto spacious private balconies that honour Park Hyatt Sydney’s exclusive harbour front location.

In addition to the complete makeover of accommodation, the hotel’s restaurants and bars, private dining rooms, day spa and recreational facilities will also be enhanced to reinforce Park Hyatt Sydney’s position as one of Australia’s premier hotels.

The proposed renovation program will also be used by the hotel to extend its environmental initiatives with energy-efficient lighting and water-saving devices are expected to be added throughout the hotel.

The hotel’s general manager Andrew Mensforth said the transformation will raise the bar when it comes to hotel luxury in Sydney.

“Our primary focus remains our valued guests,” he said. “We look forward to proceeding with our proposed renovation as this transformation will provide for an enhanced guest experience and a new benchmark in luxury.”

For luxury and indulgence you can’t pass Launceston. Launceston offers a number of high quality 5 star resorts and hotels. Why not pamper yourself at one of the numerous day spa’s.
Visit: Discover Launceston

An extensive range of accommodation is available for all budgets from 3.5 star to 5 star resorts and hotels, from family holiday apartments to luxury beachside villas, and complemented by a world class array of Hobart restaurants and boutiques.

Visit: Discover Hobart

From the slim black suits, T-shirts, casual loose pants and pencil skirts that pass as various styles of uniform (staff are better dressed than most guests) to an outpost of Milan’s 125-year-old Peck Deli and Armani Dolci confectionery and biscotti boutique, this property is like a carefree little Italian colony lightly tethered to the homeland.

The 160-room hotel, which opened in April in the designated Downtown Dubai district, is the first Armani property (others are in the pipeline; one in Milan is scheduled to open next) and occupies floors ground to eight and levels 38 and 39 of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. It’s a joint venture with the developer Emaar Properties, whose chairman, Mohamed Alabbar, describes the location as “one of the most prestigious” on earth. There are also Armani Residences for sale, for jetsetters with cool millions to spare, on levels nine to 16. As Dubai slowly recovers from its debt crisis, the hotel’s opening is evidence of renewed investment confidence in a destination frequently derided for its bling-a-ding fakery.

A comprehensive strategy of Armani branding extends to monogrammed towels in the grey stone bathrooms and sugar cubes stamped with a blocky capital A. Mr Armani (call him Giorgio at your peril) is no fan of hectic colours and even wanted black soap but there was “a design problem” I am told. Instead, after months of trials in (perhaps) special soap clinics, Armani Savon is rusty red and in the irregular form of volcanic stones from Sicily’s Pantelleria Island, where he keeps a holiday villa. This splash of colour – and the scarlet-trimmed chairs and bunched flowers in Hashi, the hotel’s Japanese restaurant – are the few vibrant exceptions in a studiously sober property where black, white, grey and beige rule unopposed.

It all seems very un-Dubai; there isn’t a framed picture to be seen, no curlicues or chandeliers. The only gold leaf adorns the hand-sculpted desserts at Ristorante. If he could, surely Mr Armani would turn down the brash desert sun scorching the Burj Khalifa’s massive glass walls.

The soaring lobby, with a faux-cathedral installation of interlocking bronzed arches, has no reception desk but Lifestyle Managers, all faultless in their grooming and shiny smiles, waft about like runway models. These members of staff are assigned to specific guests (each handles about 20 rooms) and make personal contact by email as soon as a booking is made; you can have your stay tailor-made according to your preferences. It’s a hands-on approach (“360-degree service,” says my Lifestyle Manager) that enhances the carefully managed and clubby nature of the hotel but won’t suit every traveller; there’s a feeling of trying just a bit too hard to please that could border on the intrusive.

The corridors are so streamlined and intriguingly lit that opening a handle-free guestroom door requires confidence and techno-cred (fumble, as I do, and a gleaming Lifestyle Manager may just pop up on cue, like an uncorked genie). There are 11 room categories, from studios to signature suites, all with curved walls and columns, and super-sleek decor. “Minimalist opulence” is the official tag and Mr Armani apparently spent five years overseeing the materials used throughout the property.

There are Eramosa stone floors in the lobby, zebrawood panelling and spongy, tatami-like flooring in corridors, walls covered in Florentine leather and satin-weave fabrics, all extremely plush and tactile. The level of detailing and regard for comfort is very high. The shiny black guestroom desks, which look like honky-tonk pianos, are even fitted with black pencils and sharpeners, while at turndown, black Armani slippers and candied nuts appear, the latter in Armani-branded boxes.

“Mr Armani’s favourite flower is the white rose,” a Lifestyle Manager tells me in hushed tones as we pause at Armani Fiori, a mini-florist off the lobby where all the blooms are indeed white, from unblemished roses and hyacinths to flouncy hydrangeas. “Only one type of flower in each arrangement, of course,” she whispers. 

Dining: Excellent breakfasts (scrumptious Sicilian honey and marmellata) and buffet meals at Mediterraneo on the first floor; there’s fancy Indian at Amal; and sashimi, noodles and teppanyaki dishes at Hashi, which has sit-up counters and a sake bar as well as more formal seating. But the stand-out option is Ristorante where executive chef Emiliano Bernasconi and his all-Italian brigade work in a central open kitchen, performing as if on a stage.
Ristorante is softly lit with arching lights, there are circular tables with sink-into lounges and the imaginative pastas, saffron or black ink risottos and Mediterranean classics are terrific. Do try the signature dessert, a blown-sugar cone that looks like a Faberge egg and encases vanilla bavarois, violet-flavoured cream and cassis sorbet.  “It is made by the same method as glass-blowers use on the island of Murano in Venice,” Bernasconi tells me. He’s not bragging; it’s just another moment of Italian operatics, Armani-style.

Hot tip: Check the late-night action (to 3am) at the Armani Prive lounge with its backlit onyx booths and international DJs. It is the place to be seen in Dubai this northern summer — and Planet Dubai, with its myriad groovy places catering to the expat push, is not short of show-off venues. Be sure to try the Armani Spa where you book a time slot (say, 90 minutes) and therapists design a series of treatments to suit. These are “bespoke sensory experiences”, if we are to stick to the hotel parlance; it’s a different take on choosing from a standard spa menu and the atmosphere wafts with (naturally) fragrant Armani oils and dainty aromas of hibiscus and lemongrass teas. There’s also a gym, outdoor pool and a thermal suite of hydro-therapy gizmos, ice fountains, saunas and steamrooms.

Stepping out: Next door is the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping centre, which is enhanced by the planet’s biggest dancing fountain (they don’t go in for anything squib-sized in the United Arab Emirates). The mall has more than 1200 retail outlets, a gold souk and branches of Bloomingdale’s and Galeries Lafayette department stores. There’s private access from the Armani Hotel for guests but, oddly, not a direct route or priority entry to Burj Khalifa’s observation deck on gasp-inducing level 124.

Everyone’s talking about: The in-room technology includes a remote controller with camera that allows you to see who’s at your door and then unlock it without leaving your bed or sofa. A vestibule entrance to each guestroom has double doors in deference to female Muslim guests who can have room-service meals delivered and left in this entryway, ensuring no contact with male staff. As a further nod to cultural sensibilities in the UAE, the complimentary mini-bars in each guestroom contain no alcohol. But cocktails and the like are served at all outlets in the hotel and Italian wines by the glass are a feature, as are the most fashionably presented espressos in Dubai.

Separated from mainland Australia by the 240 kilometre stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a green island of wild, mountainous and beautiful landscapes; friendly, welcoming people; temperate climate; quality cool-climate wines and food; a spirited history; and a creative arts community.

More than 40 per cent of the island is protected as World Heritage Area, national parks and reserves. And because Tasmania is so compact it is easy to walk through an ancient alpine meadow in the morning and be on a pure white beach in the afternoon.

Visit: Discover Tasmania, Australia

For businesses with a global presence, business travel is essential to growth. Across different parts of the world it facilitates the face-to face interaction needed to pursue new business opportunities, build critical relationships and secure new deals. Corporate travel should therefore be managed like any other controllable expense in your business.

Taking a strategic rather than ad hoc approach where travel and entertainment activity is planned and measured can create significant time and process management efficiencies as well as tangible cost savings. A well-managed travel program will help your business monitor and measure all aspects of your travel from flights to accommodation, car hire, spend reporting, travel patterns and traveller security.

To improve overall business performance, adapt these guidelines to suit the needs of your organisation, and help protect your travellers and your bottom line.

1. Work with one travel manager

For exporters, travel is an essential operational component, so travel management requires specialist expertise from a single travel manager or travel management company (TMC) that understands a business’ unique travel patterns, its needs and cost parameters. By using a dedicated TMC, your business has a single point of contact to take care of all your travel requirements, from bookings to insurance and visas to the negotiation of airfares. A travel manager has fingertip access to a ‘fares dashboard’, which shows the best airfares and hotel rates at the time of booking.

By working with the one travel manager, businesses also have the security of knowing where their people are located at all times through a centralised booking system. There is also greater consistency in your business’ booking processes and travel patterns, which in turn can deliver long-term savings.

2. Create a cost savings travel plan

Ask your TMC to assess how your business spends its travel dollars and then work out a plan to reduce or contain those costs. This plan will help to define the level of service you need from your travel manager, strategies for business travel improvement, travel policy education for your staff, strategies to maximise your spend on air and accommodation and how you can provide traveller security.

3. Develop a travel policy

Put together a program that includes travel guidelines that everyone in the business must abide by, from the top down. The policy will include guidelines for booking accommodation, flights and car hire that will help to drive savings through strategic travel management. Make the policy black and white. This puts the onus on the traveller to think about how they are booking their travel and helps to develop a whole-of-business attitude that’s geared towards cost efficiency.

4. Educate your staff

Communicate the guidelines of your policy to staff clearly. This ensures all of your people know what is expected of them when they’re travelling for business. Staff should know about any changes to the policy and should be able to access the document easily. Your TMC can help you educate your travellers on the best way to achieve cost savings by focusing on ensuring business travellers understand why changes are needed, the benefits of the change and how it impacts them as individuals and as a business.

5. Streamline your air travel

The cost efficiency of your organisation’s air travel can be streamlined using a range of strategies including:

• Working with your travel manager to source the lowest logical fares, also known as Best Fare of the Day;
• Analysing whether more cost effective classes of travel can be booked, for example Economy class for domestic flights and minimum flight times for Business or First Class;
• Businesses can also consider low-cost carriers for short-haul flights;
• Ensuring there are ramifications for people in your organisation who make non-compliant bookings.

6. Maximise hotel bookings

Your travel manager should be able to assist you to further leverage your existing hotel program or accommodation processes so you can achieve better savings. You can do this by:

• Analysing your accommodation patterns to determine whether there are more cost effective alternatives that are equally convenient;
• Identifying preferred hotel suppliers to be included in your travel program;
• Negotiating on the total cost of your accommodation by including value-added services specific to your business’ requirements, for example telecommunications, food and beverage, laundry;
• Monitoring your organisation’s compliance to your hotel program by identifying leakage and lost opportunities for savings;
• Proactively benchmarking your hotel rates against similar sized clients in the market to ensure your rates are competitive relative to current market conditions and renegotiating if the hotel rates are found to be uncompetitive;
• Mandating that all business hotel bookings are booked through your travel manager where possible, to give your TMC more negotiating power to secure the lowest rates from suppliers.

7. Save through advance purchase

Include guidelines in your travel policy to encourage travellers to book their airfares as early as possible. A recent FCm study showed businesses could save up to 72 percent on the cost of their air tickets if they book three weeks in advance rather than at the last minute.

8. Hold regular reviews

Work with your travel manager to continually assess the success of your travel policy and program through benchmarking. Your travel manager can also help to identify opportunities to reduce costs by looking at items such as travel policy compliance, missed savings, advance purchase airfares or fees incurred through booking changes.

9. Protect your travellers’ security

Risk management planning is a vital part of protecting your business travellers. It is important that your travel manager can assist you in your duty of care to employees on the move or planning to travel. As a minimum, ensure a central travel policy is in place and that your travellers’ profiles have been supplied to your travel manager, conduct all travel bookings through the one TMC, and ensure business-wide compliance with your policy: this ensures your travellers can be readily located in the event of a crisis.

Businesses should also use the risk management services of their TMC. These services can help minimise the travel-associated risks to your people, alert you to any incidents worldwide that may affect your travelling employees, track the whereabouts of your people and assist with transfers and urgent changes to bookings. This level of duty of care is essential, particularly if your people are travelling to places that are dangerous or unstable.

Comprehensive travel insurance for your travellers is also important, as are comprehensive briefings for your travellers on all health-related requirements, such as vaccinations and precautionary medication, before they depart. FCm also recommends that you work with your travel manager to identify any potential safety hazards prior to each business trip and ensure all visa, passport and foreign currency exchange matters have been organised prior to departure.

10. Develop a handover strategy for travellers

Organisations should develop handover strategies that employees can use and adopt to suit their needs when they’re travelling for work and away from the office. It should be effectively communicated and implemented prior to an employee’s departure.

Introduce a buddy system where colleagues take over the portfolios of their buddies to ensure clients continue to be serviced by someone who is familiar with their needs. This system involves creating detailed notes that can then be reviewed at the handover stage. Buddy notes identify key pieces of information, key tasks or checklists that ensure continuity of service. Buddies can be introduced to key client personnel via an email, telephone call or face-to-face. This ensures everyone knows who will be in charge when his or her usual contact is absent. Your buddy should be able to access account information, contact details, websites, email accounts and the appropriate equipment to successfully take over.

The last point, perhaps, is one of the most important.

Being able to provide guests, particularly foreigners, comfortable, clean and safe transportation has been a key element for hotels over the last three decades (think back to the classic James Bond films of the 1960s and 70s when 007 would find himself in a hotel’s Rolls-Royce) – but only last year was it again brought to the forefront.

A way for hotels offer something a little extra in late 2009 and during 2009 was through a limousine service, either within a 5km radius or to the airport, at little or no cost for the most frequent and VIP travellers.

If not for free, some hotels would price the service equivalent to a taxi fare, but with that Hyatt, Sheraton or Langham touch. Taking a ride to the airport in a BMW 7 Series with refresher towels and cold water bottles was so much better than the back of a smelly Melbourne taxi.

Several hotels in Australasia have taken the lead with in-house limousine services over the past 18 months, including the Park Hyatt hotels in Sydney and Melbourne, The Langham in Auckland and Pullman Sydney Olympic Park.

At the top of the shopping list for hotels are cars, both luxurious and economical, from brands such as Audi, BMW and Lexus.

BMW Group Australia’s Communications Manager Tim James said there has been significant interest from hotels of late for several models, including the brand’s class-leading 7 Series.

“As the company’s flagship model, the BMW 7 Series represents the very best of BMW from a technology, comfort and brand perspective,” he told HM.

“Leading hotels such as The Peninsula in Hong Kong, The Plaza in Manhattan and The Park Hyatt in Melbourne are just a few to consider the BMW 7 Series to be their car of choice.

“There is a definite synergy that exists between the core values of BMW and the respective hotels – exclusivity, innovation and culture,” he said.

James said more than just exclusivity, innovation and culture, BMW has also been chosen for its product offering and features of its models, particularly the 7 Series.

“The BMW 7 Series is designed to embody the BMW brand values providing a cultured, exclusive experience and challenging the status quo,” he said.

“For hotels that have created their own brand and reputation that aligns with these values, the BMW 7 Series is an ideal choice.

“Available features relating to rear passenger comfort include active rear seats with a massage function, soft-close doors, rear DVD entertainment system and automatic side and rear sun blinds.

“A key distinguishing feature of the BMW 7 Series that sets it apart from its competitors is that it not only provides supreme comfort for passengers, it offers the driver a dynamic and sporting experience,” he said.

Not just the 7 Series, James said the BMW X5 has also proven popular of late for hotels and resorts in regional areas.

“The X5 sets the benchmark in its class with regard to driving dynamics and agility,” he said. “Coupled with a remarkable level of comfort and safety, with advantage of being able to carry seven people, the X5 makes for a very logical and sound business choice.

“In addition to the features above, the X5 offers a unique blend of power and efficiency unrivalled by others in its class… further evidence the X5 is Australia’s best-selling luxury Sports Activity Vehicle for the past seven years running,” he said.

At Sydney Olympic Park, the Pullman Hotel has been partnering with BMW’s German rival Audi, whereby guests have been able to request an A6 for transfers to events, meetings and nearby attractions.

“We have been thrilled to be partnering with Audi to personalise our service for our guests even more and offer them the opportunity to enjoy one of the world’s most prestigious vehicles as part of their hotel experience,” said Accor’s Director of Sales and Distribution, Kerrie Hannaford.

“Everything that Audi stands for is present in the Pullman brand’s DNA and the experience we offer guests – stylish, high-quality, modern technology and highly individualised service to suit our customer’s specific needs.

“Both brands are about exceeding customer expectations and I am confident our guests have been enjoying the opportunity to experience this high-level brand and service,” she said.

In Auckland, the Langham hotel has not only been driving the guest experience, but also supporting the environment.

In mid-2008, the hotel switched its limousine fleet to the environmentally friendly Lexus LS600hL, the world’s first V8 hybrids that operate on a fuel consumption of just 9.3L per 100km.

At the time, the three cars formed Australasia’s first fleet of hybrid limousines and reinforced the property’s position as New Zealand’s most sustainable hotel.

“It’s wonderful for us to be able to offer our guests the pinnacle of refinement and elegance with these vehicles in an environmentally conscious way,” said Langham Auckland General Manager Jeffrey van Vorsselen.

He said the vehicles are used by the 5-star hotel’s corporate, diplomatic and leisure guests for airport transfers, business meetings, and for shopping and sightseeing tours.

An added bonus, van Vorsselen said, was that customers who used the hotel’s limousine service from the airport (which is priced around the same cost as a corporate taxi when in traffic) are able to check-in to the hotel during their journey.

As hotels continue to enhance their guest experience in 2010 and beyond, Audi, BMW and Lexus can only expect more orders from Australasia’s leading hotels. After all, when a hotel can save a guest $50 on an airport transfer, they can be confident they’ll return – most likely sooner rather than later.

Each computer comes with a giant LCD screen, wireless keyboard and mouse. There is also the traditional remote, which allows you to switch between “Mac Mode,” video-on-demand, TV, and guest services. This is the first system of its kind to come to the United States. Other hotels, such as the upscale Fountainbleau in Miami, have iMacs, but they augment the television, rather than replace it.

Michael Stano, Vice President of Technology for Joie de Vivre, the California-based company that owns The Citizen Hotel, says that the hotel’s test program earlier this year was a hit. “We’ve received extraordinary feedback,” he said.

All rooms now have computers permanently installed, and while the hotel is still offering the VOD option, Stano believes VOD technology, which was cutting-edge in the 1990s, is becoming obsolete. “The trends are changing rapidly. With Hulu, Netflix, and Youtube, people are going to want more options,” he said.

The software that enables switching between computer mode and TV mode was developed by Paris-based Direct Streams. The company has also installed the software on Macs at hotels in Paris and the Maldives. Thierry Beau started DirectStreams in 2007 exclusively to offer in-room hotel entertainment on the Apple platform.

While one selling point for the computers is that they allow guests to “leave their laptops at home,” business travelers who carry sensitive documents on their hard drives probably won’t do that anytime soon — especially those who love their non-Mac computers. And for those on vacation who leave their laptops at home with dreams of a disconnected existence, apologies.

The hotel is keeping its business center, which is equipped with iMacs. Guests can print out their boarding passes to the community printer from the comfort of their rooms.

Assuming the change is embraced, Joie de Vivre will start rolling out Mac Minis to other hotels later this year.

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based ITA is a major source of information about airfares to the industry, used by a slew of airlines, travel agents and other sites, including AMR Corp’s American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Hotwire, Kayak, Orbitz and Microsoft Corp’s Bing.

The concerns are so real that Kayak offered to buy ITA to keep the company out of Google’s hands, a travel industry source close to the situation said.

Kayak was being backed by Expedia Inc, which would have injected under $200 million into Kayak to make a deal happen, the source said.

But the talks went nowhere as Google was in exclusive talks with ITA, the source said, requesting anonymity because the person did not want to be named talking publicly about the search giant.

“We are going to watch the potential to abuse dominance,” said Robert Birge, Kayak’s chief marketing officer, declining to confirm or comment on his company’s bid for ITA. “They have dominance on the general search side. When you couple that with ITA’s airline relationships there is reason to be concerned.”

“We have definitely heard from other folks, including on the agency side and on the supplier side. They are concerned,” Birge said.

Google declined to comment. ITA was not immediately available for comment.

DOMINANCE QUESTIONED

The concerns center around how Google might combine its dominance in the general search business with ITA’s strengths in the travel sector. ITA, for instance, provides data from its airline searches to others, including Kayak, Birge said.

“What if they decided to stop providing that data? What if they only provided that data to the parent company? What if they provided better data for those airlines to their parent company?”.

Some industry executives would like to see Google give assurances that it would not link using ITA to its general search results, the industry source said.

“They would have to commit that the two sides of the business don’t talk to each other essentially,” the source said.

They would also like Google to commit to not “dumping” the services of ITA at lower prices than others could afford, the source said.

Industry executives are expected to voice their concerns if a deal is announced and the Federal Trade Commission reaches out to them for comments, the source said.

Not everyone in the industry is worried, though. Last month Priceline Chief Executive Jeffrey Boyd was cited by Tnooz, a travel industry-focused publication, as saying an acquisition by Google would help if it resulted in their getting better leads to customers.

Indeed, the travel industry source said Google had been careful about antitrust concerns and if they “keep behaving the way they behave today, I don’t think it will be a big issue.”

But the potential for abuse remains a concern.

“It is in a position, because of its search dominance, to control all of these travel sites that have been using ITA,” said Gary Reback, a lawyer at Carr & Ferrell, referring to Google. “It can boost its own travel over anybody else, by using the power of its now vertically-integrated search engine and on top of that gets access to data it didn’t have before.”

(Reporting by Paritosh Bansal and Megan Davies; Editing by Bernard Orr)

Chairperson Julie-Anne Schafer said the board was very pleased that Michael has accepted the position.

“I am pleased to announce that Michael has won the role from a wide field of well-credentialed candidates,” Ms Schafer said.

“This is an extremely important decision to ensure the new Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd has a leader than can work on the further development of industry and the region.

I look forward to working with Michael and supporting his leadership in establishing the corporate structure and implementation of the 10 year Destination Management Plan to be developed by the board.”

Mr. Denton said he is enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie ahead but also fully aware of the current tourism climate and the need to unite the region’s industry for greater gains.

“I want to thank the Board for putting its faith in my ability to deliver on this new and exciting role,” Michael said.

“My commitment is to move swiftly to action the priority tasks, particularly with respect to the corporate direction and structure.”

“It’s now about creating an organisation that can deliver on the vision and strategies for industry and the region.”

“We are moving quickly to finalise our management team and we understand the need to commence driving the business hard to position the Sunshine Coast as one of the best destinations to visit in Australia, especially during these challenging times.”

Mr. Denton was previously the Chief Executive of Queensland Events Corporation for 11 years before moving to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to establish the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid Directorate. Prior to that Michael was Managing Director of the Gold Coast Events Company and Executive Officer with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing. He currently sits on the Griffith University, Industry Advisory Committee for its Department of Tourism, Leisure, Hotel and Sport Management.

Established in 1900 as a mud brick dwelling, the hotel in its present form was built mainly by Welsh businessman Frank Morgan in the 1920s.

Owners Neta and George Lavender said yesterday the pub’s colourful past could be felt as soon as you walked through the door.

The hotel, 160km south of Perth, gave patrons a taste of history, the Wheatbelt region and some good cooking.

Mrs Lavender spoke of some mischievous, unexplained happenings.

“Quite some time before (Mr Morgan’s tenure) a young child was killed after she was run over by a cart,” she said. “When they did the extensions (in the 1920s) they removed the headstone and built over the top of her grave. I do a lot of work in the kitchens. Quite often I’ll turn around to talk to somebody, because I think someone’s there, but there isn’t.”

Friendly ghosts aside, Mrs Lavender said the hotel was frequented by workers from mines in nearby Boddington and was the heart of the community for locals, hosting everything from christenings to wakes.

She said the hotel was again proving popular with day trippers from Perth. The Lavender family believed the heritage listing would help ensure it was looked after.

The Australian Financial Review reports that Virgin is planning to change its ticket pricing, increase its presence in the Australian Capital Territory and give benefits to government and corporate travellers as part of a major restructure announced by new chief executive John Borghetti.

Mr Borghetti is reportedly aiming to double the company’s share of the corporate market to 20 per cent as competition heats up in the airline industry.

Fairfax Media reports that Virgin has poached two senior executives from Qantas, and speculation exists that more staff from the national carrier may make the switch.

The new recruits are from the key areas of government relations, yield management and sales, and include Jane McKeon, Qantas general manager of government and international relations, and Will Owens, Qantas head of pricing.

According to Fairfax, Ms McKeon played a key role in negotiating air services agreements at Qantas, and will boost Virgin’s presence in Canberra.

Mr Owens is regarded as one of the best yield managers in the aviation industry.

The news comes after Mr Borghetti slashed Virgin’s profit guidance for the full year by up to 75 per cent last month, due to deteriorating demand and a slump in consumer confidence and highlighting the industry’s fragility.

Mr Lawlor said the “Living Green in Queensland” 30 second segments would promote the outstanding work done by Queensland tourism operators to become more environmentally sustainable.

Member for Capalaba Michael Choi said Fishes at the Point had done a great job in reducing its carbon footprint.

“Guests of Colin Battersby’s the Fishes at the Point can take comfort in knowing that the 200 litres of oil used each week to cook their meals will be filtered and reused in the fishing boats that supply by the café,” Mr Choi said.
“Additionally, by recycling their food waste at a community farm, Fishes at the Point will divert 128 cubic metres of waste from landfill, resulting in a massive reduction of 45.5 tonnes in CO2-e.

“Other initiatives undertaken by the cafe include investing in a heat exchanger that creates hot water from unwanted compressor heat to reduce both their heating and cooling bills by up to 25% and replacing wax-covered cardboard takeaway containers with recyclable alternatives.”

Minister Lawlor said following on from Tourism Queensland’s Sustainable Regions pilot program, we wanted to promote the fact that various Queensland tourism operators had implemented changes to become more eco-friendly to the domestic market.

“The aim of the Sustainable Regions pilot program was to encourage Queensland tourism operators to adopt practices that reduce the environmental impact of their operations and also encourage visitors to view Queensland as a sustainable destination,” he said.

“A number of Queensland tourism operators from the five chosen pilot regions -Winton, North Stradbroke Island, Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island and Pioneer Valley/Cape Hillsborough, successfully committed to lowering their carbon footprint after participating in the program.

“Each ‘Living Green in Queensland’ segment will feature an operator that has participated in the Sustainable Regions program from some of these regions.

“In addition, some of the various destinations showcased in the segments will also feature in Nine News’ weather forecast with Weatherman Garry Youngberry crossing live from these locations.

“The expectation is that the segments will help to create greater consumer awareness of the hard work Queensland operators have done to become more eco-friendly and hopefully encourage domestic tourists to book their next guilt-free holiday in Queensland.”

The ‘Living Green in Queensland’ segments will be 30 seconds each and began airing on Sunday 20 June for 10 weeks.

Approval for a 100-room hotel has been granted by the Copper Coast Council, but construction is unlikely to begin for at least another year.

Yorke Peninsula regional tourism manager Jo Barrie says the hotel will cater for a new market.

“Historically Yorke Peninsula was often thought of as a budget holiday destination and it probably was with the cheap budget shacks and things, but to have an eight-storey hotel of this calibre with 100 rooms totally adds another dimension to what we’re already offering and it’s just brilliant for the region,” she said.

“It can help us attract new business and conference markets to the region that we can’t currently cater for.”

The move is a boon for the Gold Coast generally, as well as Azzura, which still had a number of the building’s 192 apartments for sale, following sluggish results since completion last year.

Visit: Wyndham Surfers Paradise

Guests at Hong Kong’s Langham Place can rent an iPad for use in the hotel as well as out and about in Hong Kong.
The hotel has six 16GB Wi-Fi iPads available for daily hire, as long as guests plonk down a deposit of HK$7,000 (or A$1,030, leaving ample margin in case a guest adds an iPad to their haul of soap and slippers).

Each iPad is loaded up with Langham Place’s own Hong Kong city guide, a Cantonese-English translator of must-know phrases, maps of Hong Kong, a guide to using the city’s  superb MTR metro system, as well as a restaurant locator and information on how to match Hong Kong delicacies with wine. A selection of magazines and e-books are also installed.

The iPads can be used throughout the hotel or taken out on day-trips into the city, although connectivity there will of course rely on finding a handy and free wireless hotspot.

The hotel’s concierge desk is also equipped with iPads to provide up to date information on the city’s must-see and must-do attractions.

The Northern Territory is home to rich wetlands, wild rainforests and thundering waterfalls, and is one of the most sparsely settled environments on the planet. Ancient woodlands meet sandy beaches and escarpments tower above lush billabongs in this land of diversity. Aboriginal art and culture holds a spiritual connection to the land that dates back tens of thousands of years, yet these experiences can still be shared in the present day. Travellers can walk through the scrub in search of bush tucker on a cultural tour or visit on of the many ancient rock art galleries in the national parks, such as Kakadu or Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Visit: Discover Northern Territory

Some of the accommodation categories include:

• Darwin Accommodation
• Kakadu Accommodation
• Katherine Accommodation
• Alice Springs Accommodation
• Tennant Accommodaton
• Uluru Accommodation

An extensive range of accommodation is available for all budgets from 3.5 star to 5 star resorts and hotels, from family holiday apartments to luxury villas, and complemented by a world class array of Melbourne CBD restaurants and boutiques.

Visit: Discover Melbourne CBD, Victoria

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey for the year ended March 2010 revealed 665,000 Melbournians holidayed in Queensland, a 25 percent increase on the previous year.

“The Gold Coast was Melbournians’ favourite Queensland destination, with 281,000 holidaying on the Coast – 20 percent up on the previous year,” Mr Lawlor said.

“This was followed by Tropical North Queensland, with 157,000 Melburnians travelling to the region for a holiday (up 28 percent) and the Sunshine Coast, with 142,000 (up 41 percent).”

Mr Lawlor said on average, Melbournians spent more than a week holidaying in Queensland with holiday nights increasing 26 percent to 5.3 million in the year ended March 2010.

Almost 240,000 Melbournians also visited friends or relatives in Queensland, three percent more than during the previous period.

Mr Lawlor said Queensland had long been a favourite destination for Victorians in general, and had grown increasingly popular over the past year with 1.4 million Victorians visiting Queensland in the year ended March (up 4%).

Of these, 848,000 came for a holiday, an increase of 14% on the previous year.

“In fact the growth in Queensland’s popularity as a holiday destination for Victorians has been supported by airlines such as Jetstar, Tiger and Virgin Blue, which have begun phasing in additional capacity to a range of Queensland destinations,” Mr Lawlor said.

“Queensland’s relaxed lifestyle, fantastic outdoor climate and our friendly locals are huge drawcards for Southerners looking to reconnect with friends and family and have a fun, relaxing holiday.”

Mr Lawlor said overallthose who visited stayed longer, with nights up two percent to 69.9 million. Expenditure remained steady at $11.7 billion.

“The fact that those who are holidaying in Queensland are staying longer is a strong testament to the impact of the aggressive tactical marketing campaigns Tourism Queensland has run over the past 12 months,” Mr Lawlor said.

“Many of these offered fantastic deals which often included free nights – a tactic that has paid off by encouraging holidaymakers to stay longer in Queensland.”

“My views reflect those of a 1950s baby. I grew up on the Gold Coast and saw what happened there – it’s ugly. In Shellharbour and Kiama, developers have raped whole mountainsides,” she said.

Ms Lewis said if the same happened to Culburra Beach, tourists would go elsewhere.

“They might as well go to Bondi,” she said.

Ms Lewis said the majority of her clients chose to rent holiday houses at Culburra Beach because it was unique – quiet, relatively unspoiled and on a peninsula.

Landholder Warren Halloran’s Realty Realizations recently lodged a Part 3A application with the NSW Department of Planning to construct up to 1200 new dwellings on the edge of the town, which would effectively double its population.

Long-standing family friend and president of the Culburra Beach Progress Association Jack Kerr, has claimed the majority of the local population “can’t wait” to see the development go ahead, a claim disputed by opponents of the development.

The Culburra Beach Progress Association will meet on Wednesday July 7 at 7pm to hear community views.

Shoalhaven City Council will call further public meetings to gauge community attitudes as its frames its submission to the NSW Planning Department.

Accor’s vice-president in Australia, Simon McGrath, said rising room rates were more likely in Sydney and Brisbane.

“We all predict for the rest of the year in Sydney it will grow every month,” he said. “It’s likely 10 out of the 12 months will be record occupancy months.”

Sydney suffered last year when some five-star-hotel room rates fell to about $150 a night due to the downturn in corporate travel.
But preliminary figures released by STR Global for last month show Sydney’s occupancy increased 14 per cent to 79 per cent from the previous corresponding month and revenue per room (revpar) gained 16 per cent, with average daily rates now about $168 in the city.

In Brisbane, where occupancy increased 6 per cent from the previous corresponding month to 82 per cent, rooms averaged $177.

Occupancy rose 2 per cent in Melbourne and Perth, but room rates either fell or remained flat.

Hilton Hotels Australasia vice-president Ashley Spencer said the group had started to increase prices and had alerted customers to this.

Most hotels were running at 80 per cent-plus occupancy in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, he said. “Those three key locations should expect some more aggressive pricing.”

Mr Spencer said the group had recently put up prices in Adelaide.

Just how much room rates would rise was difficult to say, but he hoped for more than 20 per cent. “It’s just demand coming back into the marketplace,” Mr Spencer said. “Last year we were all into the leisure dollar, with family packages and incentives to travel interstate.

“Now the corporate market has kicked back in again and people are willing to travel more to do business and the incentive market has kicked back in again, which is great for Sydney.”

Serviced apartment operator Mantra Group said the Melbourne central business district market had been a standout performer for the group, despite it being the only area to open new hotel properties in the CBD.

“June occupancy in Melbourne is averaging 80 per cent, which is 10 per cent up on this time last year. Revenue per available room is also up more than 10 per cent.” Mantra chief executive Bob East said he was expecting a revpar increase of $20 in June for Sydney.

“Brisbane has performed well with a June forecast of 81 per cent occupancy and a 10 per cent increase in revpar.”

Mr McGrath said Melbourne had soaked up the recently added supply of 1600 rooms through recent hotel developments.

Melbourne would continue to experience strong demand, with high-profile events such as the 2010-2011 Ashes series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in December and January and the arrival of Tiger Woods in the city during November.

Spurring demand in Sydney would be the arrival of 15,000 Chinese Amway winners, who would come during January.

The room rates of Australia’s 500 biggest hotels fell last financial year by an average $9 a night, according to hotel research group STR Global.

According to figures from STR Global, if you took into account an average occupancy rate of between 70 and 75 per cent between 2008 and 2009, and an average $9 room rate reduction over the year, hotel operators in Australian cities would have missed out on an average $739,000 per day, or $270m for the year.

Lend Lease won a bid to develop the southern part of Barangaroo, an unused 22-hectare site at East Darling Harbour.

It released plans for the $6 billion project in December, including four office towers, residential apartments and a 30,000 square-metre shopping area.

But plans for a 150-metre pier on which a 213-metre tall hotel would stand, sparked a wave of public criticism, with one architect describing it as ‘the worst of Dubai ‘look at me’ architecture’.

Bowing to public pressure, the NSW government’s Barangaroo Delivery Authority on Wednesday confirmed the hotel will no longer stand so tall.

‘After extensive negotiation and listening to the community, Lend Lease has delivered substantial changes,’ Barangaroo’s CEO John Tabart said in a statement.

The changes include the height of the contentious hotel being reduced to 159 metres, although it will still have 250 rooms, Lend Lease spokesman James Longfield told AAP.

The pier on which the hotel will stand will also be reduced from 150 metres to 85 metres, casting less of a shadow and improving navigation by minimising its projection into Darling Harbour, Mr Tabart said.

Other changes include a reduction in the number of planned commercial towers from four to three, while about 100 new residential apartments have been added.

Glenn Byres, who is the Property Council of Australia’s acting executive director, welcomed Lend Lease’s updated design.

‘I think what they’ve done with this design is produce one that Sydney will embrace,’ he told AAP.

‘We think it will ensure that Sydneysiders start to see the vision that is behind the project.’

But Ian Campbell, from the Barangaroo Action Group, criticised the new plan.

‘It is still a huge monstrosity,’ he told the Ten Network.

‘It will be a very long, drawn-out fight.’

Mark Goodsell, director of the NSW arm of the Australian Industry Group, said Sydney needed ‘continuing quality development’ to reaffirm its position as a global city.

‘Without such projects, many companies in the construction industry and the industries which supply it, including manufacturing, off-site fabrication and building projects, will continue to face uncertainty,’ he said.

Lend Lease will submit its new concept plan to the Department of Planning next month.

The Business Case: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has experimented with several technologies for concierges, from interactive wall boards, which guests use to find local attractions or check on their flights, to mobile phone apps. “We’ve been working to establish the InterContinental brand as the in-the-know brand,” says Bryson Koehler, IHG’s senior vice president of global revenue and guest technology. “Our concierges are front and center. We make a lot of investments in the people themselves and the technology to support them.”

So when Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad in January, Koehler saw a potentially effective tool for getting concierges at the 166-hotel chain out from behind their desks. His team had tried and failed at that before. Windows-based tablets were too clunky; smartphones were too small. He discussed the iPad with CIO Tom Conophy and CMO Tom Seddon, and they agreed that “this might be a neat way to try again,” Koehler recalls.

For example, Koehler pictured London concierges using the device to deliver directions to sightseers more effectively than drawing on a paper map. “They can pull the map up, move around on the screen-you’re here, go out the front door, take a right, walk down three blocks and look up-there’s Big Ben,” says Koehler. “I thought its interactive nature would make it a more conversational tool.”

First Steps: Koehler’s team hatched a plan to deliver 16 iPads to IHG’s marquee properties in New York, Atlanta, London and Hong Kong. Then he rolled the dice and told his developers to use the iTouch software development kit. They took existing Web-based concierge applications and adapted them for hardware they had yet to see.

When the iPad went on sale April 3, Koehler and his team were first in line at the Atlanta’s Apple Store on Peachtree Road. By the end of the day, the iPads were loaded with each hotel’s customized app and ready to ship. Development to deployment took less than a month.

So far, concierges like the device, and guests, who IHG invited to tweet about their reactions, appreciate the enhanced experience, says Conophy. “Technology pilots are a great way to gauge guest appetite for product innovations quickly, easily and cost effectively.”

In a few months, IHG will decide whether to expand the rollout. If some concierges like it but others don’t, “we could do an opt-in program,” Koehler says. He also wants to know whether location makes a difference-is it cooler in New York than in Hong Kong? Meanwhile, Koehler is thinking of more ways to deploy the devices, such as lending them to guests to access newspapers or watch movies by the pool.

What to Watch Out For: Maps are vital to a concierge. But Koehler says the iPad’s native map application has a clunky interface, so concierges are currently using Web-based Google Maps instead. Koehler hopes to find a better way to use the map app.

Discover Margaret River Western Australia is an information directory about Margaret River Accommodation, Tourism, Events, Attractions and Discount Accommodation and Specials available in Margaret River in Western Australia.

Visit: Discover Margaret River

Properties will continue to be rated one to five stars, but new categories including business, beach, desert and heritage will now highlight their uniqueness.

Under the new ratings, five-star hotels will have three categories – Platinum, Gold and Silver.

The selection criteria for other hotels categories, ranging from four to one star also have been overhauled, with hotel apartments now rated in three categories instead of two – Basic, Standard and Deluxe.

Discover Metung Victoria is an information directory about Metung Accommodation, Tourism, Events, Attractions and Discount Accommodation and Specials available in Metung in Victoria.

An extensive range of accommodation is available for all budgets from 3.5 star to 5 star resorts and hotels, from family holiday apartments to luxury beachside villas, and complemented by a world class array of Metung restaurants and boutiques.

Visit: Discover Metung

Discover McLaren Vale South Australia is an information directory about McLaren Vale Accommodation, Tourism, Events, Attractions and Discount Accommodation and Specials available in McLaren Vale in South Australia.

An extensive range of accommodation is available for all budgets from 3.5 star to 5 star resorts and hotels, from family holiday apartments to luxury villas, and complemented by a world class array of McLaren Vale restaurants and boutiques.

Visit: Discover McLaren Vale

Discover Adelaide CBD South Australia is an information directory about Adelaide CBD Accommodation, Tourism, Events, Attractions and Discount Accommodation and Specials available in Adelaide CBD in South Australia.

An extensive range of accommodation is available for all budgets from 3.5 star to 5 star resorts and hotels, from family holiday apartments to luxury villas, and complemented by a world class array of Adelaide CBD restaurants and boutiques.

Visit: Discover Adelaide CBD

International travel to Australia increased over the first three months of 2010, as well as to the year ending in March.

International Visitor Survey quarterly results released on Wednesday show visitor numbers for the March quarter up six per cent, nights up eight per cent and expenditure up three per cent.

For the year ending March 2010, visitor numbers were up three per cent, nights up five per cent and expenditure up four per cent.

There was also growth in the visiting friends and relatives market for the quarter and year ending March 2010, with China and India prominent.

For the first time in many quarters there was an increase in Japanese visitors, up three per cent on the March 2009 quarter.

During the year ending in March there were 5.2 million visitors to Australia with 46 per cent coming for a holiday and 25 per cent visiting friends and relatives.

Most visitors came from New Zealand, with just over a million, followed by the UK, the USA and China while total spending was $17 billion over the 12 months.

Backpackers made up 11 per cent of visitors and spent 44 million nights in Australia with an average expenditure of just under $6000 or $79 per night, with an average stay of 74 nights.

The economic slowdown has not stopped buyers from forking out $40 million since Easter on luxury apartments in the $700 million Hilton Hotel twin towers project under construction in the heart of Surfers Paradise.

Since April purchasers have secured or placed deposits on 27 apartments including a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments worth an average $1.5 million.

Tim Willing, from Brookfield Multiplex, says buyers came from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and overseas including China, India, Singapore and Dubai.

‘Two of our last four sales have been at the top end of apartments currently available, both three bedroom residences priced between $2 million and $3 million,’ he said.

‘Our first tower, Boulevard Tower, is already sold out with settlements expected in December 2010 and three-quarters of apartments have now sold in the second tower, Orchid Tower.’

Construction of the Boulevard Tower, which will feature 186 apartments, is on track for completion late this year, while Orchid Tower which will comprise 224 residences and a 169-room Hilton hotel, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2011.

Facilities available at the hotel include a luxury day spa, signature restaurant, executive lounge, gymnasium and swimming pool and a retail precinct at street level.

Come and see the great deals here: Discover Surfers Paradise, Queensland

The Bligh Government will invest $ 15.7 million to secure the Gold Coast as the home of the Magic Millions through to 2017.

Premier Anna Bligh said the increased funding support from the State Government, delivered through the Queensland Events Corporation, would help make the Magic Millions “bigger and better” with more money for marketing and promotion and additional activities to enhance the event.

“The Magic Millions Racing Carnival and Yearling Sales showcases Queensland’s racing industry and the Gold Coast to the world,” Ms Bligh said.

“It also cements the Gold Coast as the events capital of Queensland and a premier tourism destination.

“There was strong interest from New South Wales and Victoria in taking this event away from Queensland so I’m extremely pleased to announce that it is staying at its rightful home – the Gold Coast.

“This year the Magic Millions Sales had a turnover of $76 million and that’s despite the Global Financial Crisis.

“The glitz and glamour associated with the event generates international publicity and puts the spotlight on the Gold Coast and Queensland as a holiday destination.

“Magic Millions is the biggest race day in Queensland and the most significant event on the State’s racing calendar and a fixture on the national calendar.

“It belongs on the Gold Coast and that’s where it’s staying,” Ms Bligh said.

David Chester, Magic Millions Managing Director, said the partnership between Queensland Events and Magic Millions which began in 2000 had grown the Magic Millions Carnival into one of the world’s most popular sales and race carnivals.

“This partnership has delivered to the Gold Coast prominent racing identities from Australia and overseas, Mr Chester said.

“Racing enthusiasts from all over really enjoy the Gold Coast experience. There is no racing/sales event anywhere that offers the same attraction as the Gold Coast. The global publicity this Carnival attracts is great for the Gold Coast tourism industry. Here we are not talking about paid advertising but live coverage through Magic Millions marketing.”

Mr Chester said the direct benefits of the Magic Millions Carnival to Gold Coast business are huge.

“You only have to talk with hotels, restaurants, limo and taxi companies and as they will tell you, there is nothing like Magic Millions Sales time.”

Wyndham and Sol Melia also will form a strategic alliance to develop the Tryp brand globally and market the hotels co-operatively through their central reservations systems and loyalty programs.

Tryp represents approximately 13,000 rooms, catering to both business and leisure travellers in major cities including Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

AHICE, hosted by HM magazine and the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), is a conference firmly focused on the management and operation of accommodation hotels throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific region.

During the day, delegates will be given a snapshot of the accommodation industry, from an overall outlook to special topics, including: social media marketing; technology trends; international markets; aviation outlook; surviving in a downturn – maximising revenue; MICE market and business events; managing distribution channels; sustainability; recapturing the domestic market; food and beverage trends; and human resources issues.

On top of this, one of two special keynote speeches will be given by Dr Tony Webber, Chief Economist for Qantas Airways. Using years of research in the airline industry, where the business of selling seats is closely aligned to selling hotel rooms, Dr Webber will discuss tried and tested means of maximising profits through understanding what drives travellers, and therefore revenue. He will draw on his insights and unique strategies developed during his years at Qantas and will apply this to the hotel business with surprising and valuable results.

An exhibition will also be held at AHICE, whereby leading industry suppliers will showcase their latest products and services for the hotel industry.

Lorens Ziller, the managing director for Elisabetta Gucci Hotels says the first ever Gucci hotel will open in Dubai’s Media City by the end of the year.

The building has been completed, but work on the 87-suite interior has yet to start, Ziller said in a phone interview on Monday. Gucci also plans hotels in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman and China.

Elisabetta Gucci, a daughter of the famed designer Paolo Gucci, is assisting with the design of the Dubai hotel, Abu Dhabi-based Baitek International Real Estate is the developer.

In April, Armani opened his first hotel in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest skyscraper.

A little bit about the top Australian cities is mentioned below:

Sydney

The wonderful city of Sydney stands as the capital of New South Wales and has a host of tourist attractions such as the amazing Sydney Harbor with its seductive outdoor lifestyle and amazing natural beauty. It is also home to the Sydney Opera House where countless theater, ballet and opera performances are hosted. The Rocks with its cobblestone streets also acts as a major attraction along with which the harbor side quarter gives tourists an idea of the recent development that has taken place in the city. Travelers will also have the opportunity to go kayaking under the Harbor Bridge and go rock climbing from Bondi to Bronte. Along with this Sydney is also renowned for its amazing cuisine and a number of world heritage listed sites such as Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains.

Melbourne

As the state capital of Victoria, the city of Melbourne has the most amazing shopping experiences to offer. At the same time this city is known for its love for food and arts. Along the way you will be able to find many cafes, art galleries and out-of-the-box boutiques. The Chapel to Brunswick streets in particular are renowned for the amazing shopping experiences that they have to offer. St Kilda is the place to be if you want to experience the beauty of this top Australian city. The Federation Square is another top tourist attraction of Melbourne.

Canberra

The capital city of the Australian Capital Territory gives visitors a chance to learn more about the history and culture of the official national capital. The old Parliament House and the Parliament House are interesting attractions that give an insight into the political past of the country. The National Institute of Sport and Science along with the Questacon are also the major attractions of Canberra. This is a well-planned city that consists of a number of parklands, lakes and Bushland territory. Along with this you will be able to find many stylish restaurants, hotels, boutique shopping arcades and luxury resorts welcoming visitors with arms wide open.

Brisbane

Brisbane is the center of Queensland and features a unique mix of old-school Australian tradition with contemporary times. Here you will have the opportunity to cruise down the Brisbane River, visit the city botanic Gardens and go rock climbing at the Kangaroo Point. The Queensland Cultural Center and the powerhouse arts center are other prominent attractions of Brisbane.

Adelaide

Adelaide is regarded as being one of the most elegant cities of Australia. It is characterized by an extensive area of stone architecture and expansive parklands along with which it hosts a variety of lively festivals all around the year. The North Terrace features excellent museums and libraries whereas the city has its own dedicated food streets and picnic gardens to explore. Visitors will be able to find excellent Adelaide accommodation in the form of hotels, resorts, holiday apartments, bed and breakfast joints as well as camping grounds in the city.

Find excellent Adelaide accommodation or hotels in Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne through http://www.accommodation24×7.com. Here you will be able to find the most up to date hot offers on all kinds of Australia accommodation.

Some of the great Western Australia accommodation deals that you might want to check out are mentioned below:

If you are looking for suitable holiday accommodation in Perth then know that your options are many. In fact you will have so many options open to you that deciding upon one might be quite a challenge. From 6 star hotels to backpacker motels and luxury resorts to fine holiday apartments, Perth has all kinds of accommodation to offer. It has been observed that Perth apartments offer the best value to tourists. You will find the local apartments to offer you excellent services and a spacious accommodation catering to all your comfort needs. Since the popularity of the concept of holiday apartments the availability of hot offers has also picked up. One of the leading local holiday apartments is the Seashells Serviced Apartments located in the area of Scarborough. Currently this apartment is on the hot accommodation lists because of the interesting packages they are offering.

Seashells Serviced Apartments is conveniently located just 100 meters from the beach. From the apartments you will be able to catch a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. In its essence this property serves as the ideal escape home away from home. The inviting apartments have been rated at 4.5 stars which gives you an idea of the kind of living experience they have to offer.

If you are traveling along with your family then you might want to explore the category of Western Australia resorts. The South West region in particular has some excellent family resorts like the Amalfi Resort. Ideally located, this resort acts as the gateway to the Margaret River Wine Region and comprises of two and three bedroom villas.

Broome and North WA are also amongst the most visited regions of Western Australia. But naturally you will be able to find plenty of great accommodation choices in this region as well. The Kununurra Country Club Resort for example is one of the finest resorts in the region. Strategically located on the entrance of the wonderful North West region this is a prime accommodation choice for tourist families.

Credited as being one of the finest new properties to crop up in the region, The Frangipani is a unique resort situated at the Cable Beach. To its credit is the fact that it won the Best Deluxe Accommodation Tourism Award for 2008. The property has been rated at 4.5 starts and has 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom accommodation to offer. At the lowest you will be able to rent out space in this resort.

Above mentioned are just some of the hot deals that you will be able to find on Western Australia accommodation. However it is recommended that you make an updated search at the time you are planning your actual trip.

Find hot offers on Western Australia accommodation at http://www.discoverwa.com. This is your one stop shop for finding and making reservations in the best Western Australia hotels, resorts and holiday apartments.

Some of the top New South Wales hotels in different regions are mentioned below:

Hunter Valley Hotels

A visit to NSW is never complete without staying for a few days in the picturesque Hunter Valley. This region is home to some fine hotels such as the Segenhoe Inn Luxury Boutique Hotel & B&B. The exact location of the hotel places it in the Aberdeen area. It is renowned for its superior level of comfort and quality living that it has to offer. It caters to the tourists with an extensive range of amenities ensuring that you have a pleasurable stay in this part of the country. Along with this guests will have a wide range of local tourist attractions in close proximity.

Cessnock is another popular area of Hunter Valley. Here you will be able to find the wondrous Comfort Inn Cumberland. Not only will you enjoy the amazing architecture and professional services but you will also be able to engage in a game of golf, go hot air ballooning, trail riding and even hop on to a cruise from close by locations. Set about in a peaceful location, this is an excellent choice for people making their way to this part of Australia.

Sydney Hotels

As the cosmopolitan center of the region you can expect Sydney to have some of the best New South Wales hotels. The Rydges Hotel located in Bankstown for example is counted amongst one of the high quality accommodation choices in the region. It is located in the south western commercial district of Sydney with close by attractions including the University of Sydney, the Telstra Stadium and the Powerhouse Museum. You can get to this hotel in 15 minutes from the airport which adds further value to it.

The Four Seasons Hotel is also regarded as being a fine accommodation choice in Sydney. This hotel is located in the popular Circular Quay area and provides a panoramic view over the Sydney Harbor. This particular hotel is unparalleled when it comes to comfort and quality service. The Opera House, Customs House, Museum of Sydney and the Sydney Observatory are some of the close by attractions. The intercontinental Hotel in Sydney is also a renowned name in local accommodation.

Above mentioned are just some of the fine New South Wales Hotels you will have the opportunity to explore during your trip. Other regions including Port Stephens and the Tweed Coast are also renowned for having some excellent hotels.

Find hot offers on the top New South Wales hotels at http://www.discovernsw.com.au. This is your one stop source for finding the most suitable New South Wales accommodation including hotels, resorts and holiday apartments.

The quarterly survey measures the demand and supply of tourist accommodation in hotels, motels and serviced apartments with 15 or more rooms and expanded to include those with five to 14 rooms as well as caravan parks, visitor hostels, holiday flats, units and houses in 2005.

But the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (DRET) has said the wider scope of the survey will cease at the end of the June quarter due to “cost, the significant amount of data that is collected yet not published due to confidentiality issues and the availability of other accommodation data sources”, according to a statement on the department’s website.

The statement added the funding will be redirected towards new research to support the implementation of the National Long-Term Tourism Strategy to “maximise the net economic benefit of the tourism industry to the Australian economy”.

But YHA Ltd CEO Julian Ledger said the cuts will mean the hostel accommodation industry is “flying blind”.

“The consequences would include operators losing comparative data for benchmarking, STOs and RTOs would lose hard occupancy data on which to measure campaign success and valuers, analysts, bankers and investors lose data on which to base decision making,” Ledger added.

Information on the publication can be found on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

Entrants to the competition were required to submit proposals for an ecologically sustainable and creative insect habitat. The shortlisted designs include:

The Bumblebee City Nesters by Fisher Tomlin

This design is inspired by the City of London’s prestigious tower buildings and uses a flexible system that allows it to be adapted to create anything from a two-storey wildlife B&B for smaller spaces, to a complete 5 star hotel for larger gardens.

The team will create a series of five towers ranging in height from 900 mm to 1,200 mm and made entirely from recycled materials, including recycled timber, recycled broom poles and garden and building waste.

Brookfield Bug Buddies by Brookfield Europe in collaboration with consultants Arup, DP9, Hilson Moran Partnership and Sir John Cass’s Foundation school, Stepney Way

Taking its inspiration from the City of London and the juxtaposition between the ancient past and the modern age, the hotel uses pipework of different widths and lengths sourced from the Pinnacle project. These are fixed together in a sweeping line, rising up from a recycled wood planter base.

Reinforcement bars used to create the framework will both support the structure and allow a plant climber, such as native traveller’s joy, honeysuckle or hop.

Shot by acclaimed Aussie expat director Michael Gracey, the man behind the tremendously successful T-mobile campaign and YouTube’s most watched commercial, the Evian Roller Babies, the campaign video (iPhone/iPad users view the spot here) will connect consumers with Australia’s landscapes and people through a song, jointly composed by musician Josh Abrahams and DDB Sydney, which is sung by a variety of Australians amidst various iconic Australian locations.

The amendment allows the development of up to two dwellings, known as rural workers’ dwellings, in addition to an existing house. Additional dwellings will be considered by Council on an individual basis. The proposed amendment was advertised for public comment and drew no responses.

Shire president Noel Nancarrow said he was in favour of the amendment as it would be appeal to businesses wanting to start up in the area.

“We need to be opening [the land] up and need to come to terms with the fact we are no longer a big, broadacre farming area,” he said.

“We have to be fairly liberal or we will lose businesses that want to start up.”

Discover Gold Coast now has a fantastic deal for the Q1 Resort & Spa – right in the heart of Surfers Paradise.

Visit: Discover Gold Coast