Australia’s favourite travel news magazine

WWW.TRAVELTALKMAG.COM.AU -  APRIL 2013 -  ISSUE TT583

TASTE THIS! Our gourmet guide to Hawaii

THAILAND’S CULTURAL WONDERLAND PARIS OF THE PACIFIC

PLUS: Have YOUR say in our brilliant new section, Agenttalk

CONTENTS ON THE COVER

30

Australia’s favourite travel news magazine

WWW.TRAVELTALKMAG.COM.AU - APRIL 2013 - ISSUE TT583

TASTE THIS!

THAILAND’S CULTURAL WONDERLAND PARIS OF THE PACIFIC

Our gourmet guide to Hawaii

PLUS: Have YOUR say in our brilliant new section, Agenttalk

Ahi cuisine in Hawaii by Scott Podmore

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

4 AGENTtalk 10 NEWStalk

18

30 Hawaii

14 PROPERTYtalk 15 CRUISEtalk

$ 16 Smart Business 22 SKYtalk

Fast becoming a food lover’s paradise, Hawaii offers gourmands a superb gastronomical journey, as Scott Podmore discovers.

36 Europe

18 Smart Business

A look at some of the latest offers and developments in rail and river

We talk to young entrepreneur Elliott Donazzan, the founder of Australia’s first travel based penny auction website, One Cent Flights.

24 42

4

42 Arabia

24 New Caledonia

Max Veenhuyzen explores the ‘Paris of the Pacific’, a sliver of French chic right on Australia’s doorstep.

44 Thailand

36 2 | W W W. T R AV E LTA L K M A G . C O M . A U

Claudia Vidor from Sun Island Tours shares her experiences of Oman and we look at the growth in the number of Australians visiting Dubai.

Jessica Zoiti dives head first into Loei, Thailand’s cultural wonderland where the locals live and breathe the traditional Isan way of life.

Contents EDITORIAL Jon Underwood Managing Editor Email: [email protected] Jessica Zoiti Deputy Editor Email: [email protected] Deborah Dickson-Smith Online Editor Email: [email protected]

Contributors MAX VEENHUYZEN

Max Veenhuyzen is a Perth-based food, drink and travel journalist. As well as being Australian Gourmet Traveller’s Western Australia editor, he regularly contributes to QANTAS The Australian Way and The Sunday Times. And if he lived over east, his passport would be filled with a lot more stamps from New Caledonia.

Rebecca Lawson Sub Editor EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Scott Podmore, Max Veenhuyzen, Jessica Zoiti, Deborah Dickson-Smith, Claudia Vidor, Jessica Halliday ART DIRECTOR Stephen Richards Email: [email protected] Gino Hawkins Graphic Design ADVERTISING NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Sydney: Jenny Rowland Tel: (02) 9969 3390 Fax: (02) 9969 3390 Email: [email protected] Perth: Debbie Sproule Tel: (08) 9401 8682 Fax: (08) 9401 4101 Mobile: 0403 833 295 Email: [email protected] DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Jenny Rowland (Sydney) Debbie Sproule (Perth) Perth Office: PO Box 1105 Hillarys WA 6923 DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: (08) 9401 8682 Email: [email protected] 12 issue subscription (within Aust) $72.60 12 issue subscription International $106.70 Rates include GST, postage & handling PUBLISHED BY Pointer Publishing Pty Ltd ABN 92 150 111 701 PO Box 1105 Hillarys WA 6923 Tel: (08) 9401 8682 Website: www.traveltalk.biz

Cab Audited - Distribution 6345 Period March - September 2012

While every care and precaution has been taken in the preparation of Traveltalk, no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions herein. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation by the reader. Views and opinions expressed in Traveltalk do not necessarily reflect those of the management. All articles are fully protected by copyright. To obtain written permission to reproduce any material please contact the managing editor on [email protected]

SCOTT PODMORE

The work of Melbourne-based bestselling author and freelance writer/photographer Scott Podmore features regularly in Escape magazine, in-flight publications, Elite Traveler Asia, ACP magazines and several more. He is the managing director of his full service agency October Grey Media and produces several digital publishing products, including travel videos and interactive ebooks

FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s the phrase that popped into my head as I studied back issues of Traveltalk. I had just been approached to step into the managing editor’s shoes and wanted to get a feel for the magazine before making a decision. Fortunately, that decision was easy. I could see my predecessors had done a brilliant job in constructing a magazine that brought the latest news, views and reviews to the target audience – the hard working men and women of the travel agency industry. I was keen to continue their work but was there something that could be added or altered to make the product even better? In this issue you’ll find a brand new section called Agenttalk, right up the front of the magazine where it belongs. Here, you’ll find all the latest travel offers, famil trips, brochure releases and other information geared specifically for travel agents to help keep you informed and (hopefully) entertained. But that’s not all. We want to hear your views on the current issues affecting travel agents, so we’ve introduced yet another new feature. Within Agenttalk you’ll find our exclusive survey of selected agents from around Australia, commenting on a variety of topics from airline mergers to favourite travel destinations. We’ll be running this on a regular basis and would welcome your feedback and participation. The answers are likely to create quite a bit of discussion around the office water cooler. While we’ve added new sections, we

haven’t forgotten the favourites that we know you love. Newstalk, Skytalk, Propertytalk, Smart Business and Cruisetalk are all here, along with our regular travel features, including New Caledonia, Hawaii and Thailand. All of these additions have been done with one aim in mind: to provide even more information from your favourite travel news magazine. Traveltalk is YOUR magazine and I hope you enjoy the new look and feel. I’d love to hear from you so please send any feedback to editorial@ traveltalk.biz We may not have re-invented the wheel but hopefully we’ve at least added a new set of tyres. T R AV E LTA L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 3

Agenttalk

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY Here’s a look at some of the best offers currently available for travel agents. BECOME AN EXPLORA

FIRE AND ICE

Leading eco-adventure operator, explora, is offering special travel trade promotions to three of its lodges in South America. Based on the theory that the best way to sell a holiday experience is to sample it yourself, the ‘Live it to Tell it’ promotion is valid for stays up until October 15. The three lodges involved are the Hotel Salto Chico in Patagonia Chile (above), Hotel de Larache in the Atacama Desert and Posada de Mike Rapuin Easter Island.  The company is offering industry rates of only US$240 per night per agent, and US$290 per night per companion sharing the same room, with a minimum four night stay. This is a discount of approximately 65 per cent off the regular room rate for guests. Rates include transfers from local airports to the lodge, three meals a day with open bar and daily explorations with guides and equipment including horses, vehicles and boats. For more information, contact Ximena Zamora on [email protected] and include your IATA number with your enquiry. For further details on the lodges, visit explora.com

Agents have the chance to experience the fire of Hawaii and the ice of Alaska later this year in a new double-destination ‘Supertour’. The 2013 Fire and Ice Supertour will be offered to the top 20 Globus travel agents in Australia, who will be joined by a further five ‘rising stars’ who show the greatest sales growth potential. The trip takes place in August over 12 days. Globus family of brands Marketing Manager Australasia Christian Schweitzer said 200 agents had already been notified they were in the running for this year’s Supertour. The tour is a reward for selling Globus, Cosmos and Monograms tours as well as Avalon Waterways river cruises. “As the final announcement gets closer, we’ll notify the top 150, top 100 and then top 50 agents that they’re within reach of the final 20 positions,” Mr Schweitzer said. “The five rising stars will then be nominated by our area sales managers.  “This year’s Supertour will be our best yet and provides a worthy reward for the most successful travel agents in Australia,” he said.  For more information, visit the Fire and Ice Facebook page http://facebook.com/GFOBSupertour or call 1300 130 134.

CULTURE VULTURES Explore the evolution of Thai civilisation on a seven day agent famil that will bring to life the historic culture of Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Lampang, Lamphun and Chiang Mai. The ‘Into the Thai Heartland’ trip is being run by Khiri Travel and will include a bicycle night ride, a trip to an elephant hospital and a ride on a horse drawn carriage to accompany visits to some of the most impressive temple and heritage sites in the world. The five departure dates are April 22; May 6 and 20; June 10 and 24. The size of the trip is limited to a maximum of 11 people. Prices are US$275 per person for agents, US$450 for partners, and US$95 for a single supplement. “Our itinerary into the heart of Thailand is perhaps the most rewarding, symbolic and indicative Thai trip anyone can take,” said Andre van der Marck, General Manager of Khiri Thailand. “We will witness the wonderful evolution of Thai culture down the centuries.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit  khiri.com

4 | W W W. T R AV E LTA L K M A G . C O M . A U

CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY Creative Holidays has announced it will be sending more than 800 agents away on educational famils this year to a variety of exciting destinations, designed to provide invaluable first-hand knowledge. The yet to be disclosed destinations will cover a broad variety of regions from Creative’s product range, and will continue on from 62 successful hosted agent famils in 2012 to destinations such as Hawaii, Fiji, Mauritius, Europe and Dubai. “As well as providing a fantastic learning experience which can increase sales opportunities, these educationals are also a way that we can offer our thanks for the continued support they offer us,” said Paul McGrath, Managing Director, Creative Holidays. “These famil opportunities will also be supplemented by a robust schedule of prize incentives which will be offered exclusively to travel agents throughout the year.” For more information, visit creativeholidays.com

Agenttalk

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Hotel representation company, Randall Marketing, has just released the latest special rates available for Australian travel agents. The rates are for nearly 30 properties belonging to the 18 groups or hotels for which the company handles marketing in Australasia. The hotels are located in Thailand, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau and offer a range of rates and conditions for travel agent stays, as well as booking information, incentives and discounts, validity periods and other conditions. For more information, visit randallmarketing.com.au

New African Territories are running two educational safaris through Kenya in May and October, covering four of their properties. These are Sabuk Lodge, Laikipia; Serian, Maasai Mara; Kipalo, MbuliaTsavo and Delta Dunes, Tana Delta. Cost is US$1,340 per person and includes full board accommodation, conservation fees, local transfers and internal flights. International flights and Nairobi accommodation is not included. Trips are from May 1 to 9 and October 13 to 21. For more information, visit [email protected]

Accor is offering staff rates to industry partners throughout April as a way of thanking the travel industry for its support. Savings of up to 30 per cent are available at a variety of Accor brands, including Ibis Budget, Ibis and Ibis Styles, Mercure, Novotel, Grand Mercure, MGallery and Pullman, The Sebel and Quay West. Bookings must be made online at accorhotels.com

Tourism New Zealand, in partnership with Emirates, will run its biggest-ever trade familiarisation and training event next month with plans to host 300 Australian travel agents from May 15-20. Selected agents will come together in Auckland to participate in a day-long workshop, and then take one of 12 itineraries around the country. Tourism New Zealand will also use the famil as a way to launch its refreshed 100% Pure New Zealand specialist online training programme. tourismnewzealand.com

A Masai warrior

OFF THE BENCH

AFRICAN SAFARI EXPERTS Bench International are offering travel agents the chance to win an eight-day trip to Kenya for two people. The winners will travel to East Africa to enjoy one of Bench’s most popular tours – the Kenya Highlights tour which travels from Nairobi to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, visits Lake Nakuru, home to thousands of flamingos and pelicans, and Samburu National Park. The winner will be an agent who completes the on-line training module put together by the Kenya Tourist Board for consultants who want to improve their knowledge of the highlights and major attractions of Kenya. The promotion will be in place until April 30. For further information, visit benchinternational.com.au

Been there, done that A GROUP OF AGENTS have just spent seven days circumnavigating Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island, as guests of Captain Cook Cruises on the MV Reef Endeavour. The select invitees included four of TravelManagers’ personal travel managers, who described the famil as a great networking opportunity. Lyn Tyson, a PTM at Pymble in New South Wales, was impressed by the historical and environmental aspects of the Vanua Levu experience. “This Captain Cook Cruise took me snorkeling at Yadua Island - a natural hatchery for the gigantic Manta Rays,” she said. “Then we mixed with the Banabas people at a school visit on Rabi Island and we crossed Bligh Water where the man famous for his crew’s mutiny once showed his remarkable maritime skill. There’s a lot here to give the leisure-seeker a more layered experience.” The agents were hosted by Alex Raicebe, who is Captain Cook Cruises’ Sales and Marketing Manager for Australia, and Louisa Siniasi from Tourism Fiji.

T R AV E LTA L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 5

Agenttalk

YOUR SAY Traveltalk asked four experienced agents from around Australia for their thoughts on the hot topics affecting the industry. Paul Gardner (Business Manager, Travelscene on Eastern Hill, VIC) 1. What will the effect of proposed airline mergers and partnerships be? The Emirates and Qantas partnership will benefit both airlines – Emirates for the domestic network and Qantas will have an even better feed to the world with one stop, as opposed to the limiting ‘via London’ option offered previously. A great selling point for Qantas frequent flyers. 2. Your thoughts on the winding up of the Travel Compensation Fund? It raises a few questions without knowing what will replace it. Most states currently require TCF accreditation before a license is issued. Will the state business licensing authorities now be the body taking a closer look at finances before issuing travel agent licenses? 3. What’s the biggest challenge for the travel industry? Like all retail businesses, tackling online sales is a huge challenge. There is a definitely a trend swing to consumers researching online prior to buying, even if they intend to purchase in a shop front, which invariably leads to price matching. 4. Your secret ‘hotspot’ for 2013? Sri Lanka - it is a largely unexplored destination for Australians, yet it’s very accessible with great connections through Asia. The beaches are fantastic but at the same time there are wonderful safari adventures, cultural experiences and glimpses at the nation’s colonial past.

particularly to Europe, making the job of agents easier! Provided the deal gets full approval, it will be an all round win for Qantas frequent flyers.

Primarily, airlines are discounting and marketing directly to our clients. Industrywide there is also a significant shortage of qualified staff.

2. Your thoughts on the winding up of the Travel Compensation Fund? Transactions are increasingly being done on credit cards, so airline collapses and wholesaler failures are being handled via chargebacks rather than TCFs. The winding up of the TCF has eliminated administration costs for agencies, but needs to be replaced with some kind of governing body to protect both agencies and consumers.

4. Your secret ‘hotspot’ for 2013? The strong Aussie dollar makes Europe an incredibly good value destination, in particular Spain – perfect weather, great value and an exciting culture.

3. What’s the biggest challenge for the travel industry?

travelextra.com.au; 08 8344 4433

5. Hands down favourite destination? My family and I travel widely and often, but nothing beats the rolling countryside of Italy.

OUR EXPERTS

Paul Gardner

Anne Willacy

Marcelo Buccella

Andrew Moloney

5. Hands down favourite destination? That question is way too tough to answer! travelsceneeh.com.au; 03 9417 4320      

Marcelo Buccella (Owner, Travel Extra, SA) 1. What will the effect of proposed airline mergers and partnerships be? The deal between Qantas and Emirates will open up many more routing options, 6 | W W W. T R AV E LTA L K M A G . C O M . A U

Agenttalk Anne Willacy (Director, Travel Success WA) 1. What will the effect of proposed airline mergers and partnerships be? Travellers will now have access to more destinations while being able to remain loyal to their preferred airline. The Qantas/Emirates merger opens Europe to Australia with so many more seamless and convenient destination options. 2. Your thoughts on the winding up of the Travel Compensation Fund? I have some reservations with the winding up of the TCF. I believe our customers and the travel industry might be disadvantaged. I am looking forward to receiving further information with regard to the proposed outcome. 3. What’s the biggest challenge for the travel industry? Our biggest challenge is encouraging and recruiting young people to enter and remain passionately engaged in the travel industry. 4. Your secret ‘hotspot’ for 2013? Myanmar. A destination shrouded in mystery and alluring to the adventurous and inquisitive traveller. The word is slowly spreading about this incredible, relatively undiscovered country.

5. Hands down favourite destination? Africa. The continent has something to offer any kind of traveller: gorillas in the mist in Uganda, the migration season in the Masi Mara, hot air ballooning in the Serengeti. Africa really does steal your heart, but leaves you with a smile that never fades with the memory. travelsuccess.com.au; 08 9367 3020

Andrew Moloney (Director – Travel Schmoo Pty Ltd, NSW) 1. What will the effect of proposed airline mergers and partnerships be? It will have very little impact, as far as the way we do business day to day, however a Qantas frequent flyer who can no longer fly with Qantas direct to London, for example, may feel a little differently. 2. Your thoughts on the winding up of the Travel Compensation Fund? Our company is focused on growth, but the Travel Compensation Fund can make it difficult and expensive to expand by opening new shops. Overall it’s a positive for the industry.

3. What’s the biggest challenge for the travel industry? The joint challenges are to remain relevant and profitable. To achieve these, agents have to maintain customer service excellence and build long-term, trusting relationships with their clients. 4. Your secret ‘hotspot’ for 2013? The Cook Islands, especially Rarotonga and Aitutaki. I recently returned from visiting the Cook Islands and can’t wait to return. A real gem. 5. Hands down favourite destination? Africa! An hour spent with the mountain gorillas in Uganda is the best hour you will spend in your life. travelscenetweedvalley.com.au; 02 6646 7342

Would you like to be a part of Your Say? Please e-mail us your details and we’ll contact you for our next issue. Send your details to [email protected]

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T R AV E LTA L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 7

Agenttalk

MIND THE GAP

It is estimated that there are 1,000 jobs currently available for travel agents in Australia. Here, Traveltalk looks at what is being done to attract more people to the industry.

Teen movie High School Musical may seem a strange source of inspiration when considering the paucity of new travel agents coming into the industry, but for Jayson Westbury, Chief Executive of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, it is totally apposite. “My favourite song is We’re All in This Together. AFTA in isolation can’t do it on our own. This is a collective approach and if we’re all on the same path, I am optimistic that with the strategies we have in place, we will continue to achieve ongoing success.” As part of this collective approach, AFTA announced last month that it is teaming up with the Australian Tourism Export Council, Service Skills Australia and other key industry partners in a $10 million program called Workplace Futures. The initiative is designed to help provide tailored business advice and strategic planning for agencies. “AFTA has been at the forefront of workforce development,” adds Westbury. “We owned colleges and would recruit people straight from school to come into the travel industry. What we have seen is a massive truncation or reduction in the number of people wanting to do travel courses. We know that’s a problem and not an easy one to fix.” One of the first steps has been to lobby

8 | W W W. T R AV E LTA L K M A G . C O M . A U

the government to change the actual name of the course being offered to those considering a career as a travel agent. The long-winded and confusing Certificate Three Tourism (Retail Travel Sales) has now thankfully been replaced with the more appealing Certificate Three Travel. A small step but an important one when considering the bigger picture. “For every person who does a travel course nowadays, there are five jobs waiting. And it has been said to me that there is anywhere in the vicinity of 1,000 jobs available on any one day within the Australian travel agency industry.” The reasons for this current situation are many and varied. The reluctance of small operators to take on junior staff, a mature workforce and a lack of succession planning when long-serving agency owners retire have all played their part. “And how do you turn a 20-year travel consultant into a small business owner? It’s not the same thing. You can be the best agent in the world but less effective running the business. And some people just don’t want to do that. They are quite happy doing their job and picking up their pay check. They don’t want the responsibility. “It’s about having sensible solutions to all those permutations and variations and we do our best to try and provide assistance. “

Westbury estimates there are currently 35,000 agents working in 4,000 retail shops. But he denies that online operators are killing the high street stores. “I’m not going to dress it up in cotton wool. Online is here to stay and it is definitely taking market share. But it is doing it much slower than some people would have us believe, particularly consumer media. “And online centres still need people with travel experience. As much as the computer might do the booking, they still need people familiar with travel product, contractors, business development managers, sales and marketing staff. All those people need to have travel backgrounds.” Westbury is proud of the recent campaign run by the organisation, highlighting the need for tourists to book with an accredited AFTA agent (below). He says the promotion not only lets consumers know agents still exist in the high street, but encourages people to join the industry. “Without that constant reinforcement, you can just fade away. But being a travel agent is still an attractive proposition. Travel is the main appeal obviously, but there are a number of other activities that go on around the industry that make it attractive.”

Agenttalk

HOT OFF THE PRESS Australia & New Zealand 2013/14

TOPDECK 1973

2013

Prices valid until 31 March 2014

A

RS

CEL

EBR

AT I N G 4 0 Y E

FEEL INSPIRED

TASTE OF AUSTRALIA

VIETNAMESE TREASURE

KINGS OF THE ROAD

Territory Discoveries have released their 2013/14 brochure, offering a range of holiday specials and packaged deals. New operators for the season include Inspiring Journeys touring, as well as luxurious and remote accommodation options including Seven Spirit Bay in Arnhem Land and the Berkeley River Lodge in the Kimberley. territorydiscoveries.com or call 13 43 83

Topdeck has released its Australia and New Zealand 2013/14 program featuring new trips which include kangaroo and emu meat tasting in a tiny outback town and a Great Barrier Reef excursion. The 64-page brochure features more than 50 itineraries with more than 3,000 departure dates which take travellers from Sydney, Cairns and Uluru to Fiordland National Park, Fox Glacier, Queenstown and more. topdeck.travel; 1300 886 332

Helen Wong’s Tours’ comprehensive Vietnam brochure for 2013/14 has been released with the addition of a leisurely three-day cruise of breathtaking Halong Bay. The cruise, aboard one of the two Au Co luxury ships, is included in the newly created 12-day Treasure of the Bay itinerary from the company’s list of Premium Group Tours. helenwongstours.com

AAT Kings has brought all its Northern Territory Short Breaks and Day Tours into one easy-to-use brochure for 2013/14. This gives agents the full suite of AAT Kings’ products at their fingertips and reflects the brand’s position as the region’s number one operator. aatkings.com

Getting stoned. More fun in the

Philippines facebook.com/itsmorefuninthephilippines

Visit morefuninthephilippines.com.au

T R AV E LTA L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 9

Newstalk

Dream job Tourism Australia has just launched a $4 million global campaign offering ‘the best job in the world’ to six lucky winners. Traveltalk’s Deb Dickson-Smith spoke to Ben Southall who won a dream job in Queensland in 2009. TT: What gave you the edge over the other finalists in 2009? Ben: I was told having a ‘Queenslanders way of life’ was one of the benefits I brought to the position; loving the Great Outdoors, BBQ’s and socialising. Having enough energy to carry on at a relentless pace, experiencing new things, blogging every two days and carrying out media interviews almost every day was a definite necessity, too. The three day final on Hamilton Island was a good testing ground for the 16 candidates to see who’d fade. TT: How much did you know about Queensland before you took this on? Ben: I consider myself fairly educated when it comes to the world’s geography but I’d only really learnt about the Great Barrier Reef back in my school days in the UK. The job gave me the chance to explore a totally new country and every square centimetre of Queensland. TT: How much work was actually involved? Ben: It was never going to be a holiday - most people thought it was - but it was actually a position with lots of responsibility, representing more than 100,000 businesses that rely on tourism for 10 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

an income in Queensland. Being a global spokesperson for them all when working with the media was always top of my mind. I’d start at around 6am with a run then spend the day doing everything and anything that a tourist could do, from sailing to diving to bushwalking to jumping out of a plane. Then I’d spend the evening dining with the local tourism organisation or hotel owner and at around 10pm start my day’s work - writing about the experience for my website and responding to interview requests. It could have been called the busiest job in the world! TT: What did you enjoy most about your experience? Ben: I’d say having the chance to explore a totally new country that I now call home. I met my wife Sophee here and we went back to Hamilton Island to get married in November 2012, so it was the perfect ending to my experience. TT: And your worst experience? Ben: I did get stung by a jellyfish with only three days to go on my contract. Not the nicest experience but I survived and have a good story to tell now.

Best Job in the world. BenSouthall TT: What opportunities have arisen for you as a result of winning the competition? Ben: I present for a few TV stations and work with the national tourism body on promotions such as the new best jobs campaign. I’ve started my own video production company, engage in public speaking gigs for businesses and universities, and create my own expeditions around the world which people have a lot more confidence in supporting now.

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Newstalk

INDUSTRY EVENTS

The Incredible India stand

AIME fires at target audience THE 2013 ASIA-PACIFIC Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) took place in Melbourne last month with more hosted buyers, 196 new exhibitors, seven new initiatives and a substantial focus on technology. Held at the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre, the two-day networking event brought together associations and event planners from around the world. The best meetings and incentives destinations and products are showcased to the industry. “We are all things to all people, bringing together the whole gamut of suppliers, both local and international,” Sally de Swart, Exhibition Director, told Traveltalk. “If you don’t get a high from this week, you’re

HIGH HOPES The Japan Tourism Agency wants to reach 18 million visitors annually by 2016. That was the ambitious goal outlined to some 300 industry professionals from 17 countries at the recent Visit Japan Travel Mart in Yokohama, writes Rebecca Lawson. ‘Powerful Japan’ was the slogan of the mart and it certainly seemed appropriate for a country determined to grow tourism to pre-2010 numbers despite suffering numerous recent natural disasters, political conflict with China and the GFC. 12 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

in the wrong industry.” Technology was a fundamental theme of AIME this year, with the launch of the Future Events Experience, mobile concierge and a new mobile app. There was also an inPlace Recruitment stand, where employers looking for candidates or professionals looking for their next opportunity could connect. “I’m also excited about our A List Open House. We listened to our locally based visitors who said they wanted to meet service providers who could handle meetings or the Christmas party. So we invited niche suppliers and put them all together in one house.” Awards were also handed out to some of

“We suffered from the downward impact of the tsunami and the earthquake but figures show inbound tourism to Japan has almost returned to those figures pre-earthquake,” said Norifumi Idee, Commissioner of the JTA during the opening ceremony. If tourism figures manage to reach JTA’s ambitious targets, it will equate to a 110 per cent increase on Japan’s record 2010 visitor figures of more than 8.6 million. With the success of such events as the VJTM, it seems the JTA is also willing to put its money where its mouth is. Only time will tell if their optimism is misplaced or not.

the best displays with India Tourism taking out the Best Stand Over 36m² award, while Business Events Sunshine Coast was named Best Innovative Stand. Best New Exhibitor Stand went to City of Sydney while Best Environmentally Sustainable Stand was presented to Accor Asia-Pacific. It was also announced during AIME that Melbourne will host Tourism Australia’s largest trade marketing event in December, Dreamtime 2013, helping to further grow the $12 billion business events sector. Dreamtime 2013 will bring together 125 international buyers with the Australian business events industry to experience the destination’s capabilities for doing business.

Newstalk

Spotlight on…

THE PHILIPPINES

THE SUCCESS of the recent “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign saw foreign arrivals breaking through the four million barrier for the first time in 2012. But the aggressive marketing and promotion of this intriguing country hasn’t finished there. “Our target this year is 5.5 million visitors,” said Domingo Enerio, Chief Operating Officer for the Philippines Tourism Promotions Board, in an interview with Traveltalk. “It would be unprecedented for any county to go from 4.3 to 5.5 in one year but we are very confident. We know we have all of the products that will attract people to the Philippines.” Australian visitors currently rank number six on the list behind Korea, the USA, Japan, China and Taiwan but could climb above the latter thanks to increasing awareness of what the Philippines has to offer. “We want to push the campaign as far ahead as 2016, when we hope to reach 10 million visitors. The Australian market is very important to us and we are trying different types of media and campaigns in order to get the message across.” That message is that the country of more than 7,000 islands offers great beaches and

associated water activities including worldclass diving spots. Adventure tourism, shopping, local culture and high-class dining are also on the menu. “Our analysis shows that people haven’t known enough about the Philippines in the past. We want to be more aggressive in our marketing in years to come.” While tourists may just be getting the message, hotels have already started showing their support. Global brands like Fairmont Raffles, Grand Hyatt, Movenpick, Raddison Blu and Shangri-La are expanding their operations in the Philippines. “We need 27,000 more rooms over the next four years,” says Mr Enerio. “That’s the number needed to help us cater for 10 million tourists by 2016. We have 7-8,000 rooms in the pipeline and are looking for more so we are getting there. “It’s a good sign that the name brands are coming to the Philippines and they’re very confident about their prospects in this country. They are seeing how serious we are with our thrusts for more tourist arrivals.” For more information, visit itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

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T R A V E L T A L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 13

Propertytalk

Bustling Brissie HOTELS IN BRISBANE are expected to spend $28 million this year in refurbishments and upgrades, according to the Queensland Hotels Association. This follows on from a massive $88 million that was spent last year. Those establishments planning to invest in a new look include the Riverview Hotel, Traders Hotel, Pullman Brisbane King George Square (right), Mercure Brisbane King George Square, Watermark Hotel, Chifley at Lennons, Royal on the Park and

Hotel Grand Chancello. The upgrades are designed to help Brisbane’s hotels attract major business events and conferences. “I cannot commend Brisbane’s hotels enough for investing so heavily in the future of our city and the future of Brisbane’s business events industry,” said Annabel Sullivan, Director of the Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau. “By having high-quality hotels on offer, Brisbane can effortlessly cater for any type of conference. This was certainly proven recently with the announcement the city will host the G20 Leaders Summit in 2014,

which will bring more than 4,000 delegates and 3,000 domestic and international media to Brisbane.”

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Oaks On Market, Melbourne. Rooms: 280 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. It doesn’t just apply to houses – hotels need to be in just the right place if they’re going to attract customers. Oaks On Market is perfectly situated for guests to explore this vibrant, happening city. Just around the corner from the quality restaurant and shopping on Collins Street, it has 280 studio, one and two bedroom fully self-contained apartments. I was given a one bedroom studio room with a river view, one of more than 20 they

14 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

have on offer. As the name suggests, it offers crane’s eye views of the Yarra River and the pulsating South Wharf precinct beyond. The main section was spacious and tastefully decorated with chocolate hues and modern art, and also contained cooking facilities. The bathroom was equally spacious but a little splash of colour here and there wouldn’t have gone amiss. The hotel also features a sizeable heated lap pool, gym, sauna and spa in the

basement. Conference facilities are state-ofthe-art with three dedicated rooms, and the two restaurants provide options for guests and visitors alike. For business or pleasure, you simply could not be better placed than Oaks On Market. Jon Underwood Oaks On Market, 60 Market Street, Melbourne. For more information, visit oakshotelsresorts.com; 1300 790 687

Cruisetalk

NEWS

IN BRIEF

FORMER TEST captain and Australian of the Year, Mark Taylor, has been appointed the inaugural ambassador of the WorldWide Cruise Centres’ affiliate group of agents. The Cruise Marketing Group, one of Australia’s largest marketers of domestic and international cruising, formed the WWCC to provide potential customers with convenience of location, the highest standard of service and cruise knowledge. ECRUISING HAS expanded its travel interests to complement established businesses in Sydney and Hong Kong. Maniago Safaris will be represented exclusively by Ecruising, which will cater specifically for Australian travel to Africa. Maniago Safaris Australia will combine its activities with the already well-known Ecruising group of businesses offering a la carte Africa, allowing travellers to see the continent in style.

LET’S GO DOWNTON FANS OF THE hit Channel 7 series, Downton Abbey, will get the chance to quiz the show’s historical advisor during a cruise aboard Silver Spirit (above) later this year. Alastair Bruce is a descendant of Robert the Bruce and the author of numerous books on British royalty. He is also a documentary filmmaker and was historical advisor to recent award-winning films such as The Young Victoria and The King’s Speech, as well as Downton Abbey. He is one of a number of renowned authors, historians, political

analysts and other cultural experts to host the line’s enrichment program this year. “They will offer insights into a wide range of topics, and their talks just might inspire our guests to see the world from a whole new perspective,” said Karen Christensen, General Manager and Director Sales and Marketing Australasia for Silversea. Bruce will be aboard when Silver Spirit sails from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale in November. silversea.com

Set aside October 2013 for a mega travel experience! Combine the 17 day “EXOTIC ASIA” cruise on the Royal Caribbean

Voyager of the Seas with tours of China or Vietnam, or both!

ASIA MEGA CRUISE-TOUR

Option 1: CRUISE ONLY - From 08 Oct in Beijing to 24 Oct in Singapore, the cruise visits Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Okinawa in Japan, Hong Kong, Saigon, and Bangkok. From just $2831 pp twin share for Ocean view Stateroom with Balcony, onboard gratuities, onboard meals and entertainment, return airport/port transfers by private vehicle. That’s just $167 per day! International flights & taxes extra. Option 2: CHINA + CRUISE - Start in Shanghai on 29 Sep for a 10 day tour of China visiting Suzhou, Xian, the Great Wall and Beijing, then cruise from Beijing to Singapore, ending on 24 Oct. China tour includes four star hotels, daily sightseeing, all meals. Option 3: CRUISE + VIETNAM - Start in Beijing on 8 Oct, cruise to Vietnam to start a 12 day tour from Saigon, visiting the Mekong, Hue, Hoi An, and Halong Bay, ending in Hanoi on 30 Oct. Vietnam tour includes 3-4 star hotels, some meals & daily sightseeing. MEGA OPTION: CHINA + CRUISE + VIETNAM - Start 29 Sep in Shanghai, tour China for 10 days, cruise Asia for 12 days visiting Japan and Hong Kong, tour Vietnam for 12 days, ending in Hanoi on 30 Oct. Mega! All options can be packaged to include international flights from Australia and taxes.

Visit www.interasia.com.au or call 1300 133 001 TCF/IATA/AFTA Lic No 32572

T R A V E L T A L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 15

Smartbusiness

Dolphin makes a splash A 40 PER CENT increase in productivity, the ability to track and monitor staff KPIs, and detailed tailor-made reports for customers. These are just some of the benefits 27-year travel veteran Sean Simmons has been enjoying since his agency became the first in Australia to implement the Dolphin Booking Management Module under their new partnership with Amadeus. “We literally searched the globe for the solution we needed,” said Sean. “Dolphin offered a number of benefits and their system has made a massive difference for us.” Based in Richmond, Victoria, Simmons also praised the data integrity, the support network provided with the system, and ease of integration with other programs. “We have a staff member who has worked in the industry for 26 years and she loves it because it is helping develop her skills. I believe I have the most complete end-to-end travel technology solution on the market.” Dolphin Dynamics is the latest addition to Amadeus’ comprehensive mid and back office offering in Australia and New Zealand, alongside Travelog, Tramada, VTO and Amadeus Agency Manager. Dolphin Booking Management Module, a highly scalable and functionality rich web-based system, interfaces with

Tony Carter - MD Amadeus, Sean Simmons, Roberto Da Re - Dolphin, Andrew Paton Smith - Amadeus, Fergus Park - Amadeus Amadeus e-Travel Management, e-Power and Selling Platform, Amadeus’ awardwinning front office solution. Dolphin also provides a user-friendly interface for fulfillment, pricing, CRM, workflow and reporting, and includes the innovative Dolphin Inbox, a rules-based task management solution that dramatically improves consultant efficiency. “We recognise that no one mid office meets the needs of every agency profile so we work with leading industry partners to offer the full spectrum of relevant solutions and skills,” commented new Amadeus IT Pacific Managing Director, Tony Carter. Meanwhile Amadeus IT Holding, parent

The right connection

Beautiful minder AUSTRALIA’S SITEMINDER channel manager is making major inroads into the booming Chinese travel market. China’s premier, invitation-only travel site, Zanadu, has plugged into SiteMinder’s Room Distribution Exchange (RDX) to gain direct access to leading hotel reservation systems around the world. Income growth, the strengthening of the Chinese currency and visa relaxations for Chinese tourists saw a record 57 million Chinese travel abroad in 2010, spending US$48 billion, according to Zanadu. The company says China’s outbound travel market is forecast to grow by 17 per cent a year over the next three years, with its value more than quadrupling from $321 billion yuan (US52 billion) in 2010 to 1.5 trillion yuan (US$238 billion) in 2015. “There are now more than half a billion internet users in China and that figure is growing rapidly,” said Aymeric Naudin, Zanadu Hotel Relations Manager. “By 2020, 100 million experienced affluent travellers, 16 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

company of the Amadeus Group, has just released its financial and operating results for 2012. Adjusted profit from continuing operations increased 18 per cent to reach €575.1 million. This was backed by a sevenand-a-half per cent growth in revenue to €2,910.3 million and a rise in EBITDA to €1,107.7 million. “Despite another year of global macroeconomic challenges, Amadeus’ proven business model and geographically diverse base again allowed us to maintain our growth record and increase our year-onyear revenues,” said Luis Maroto, President and CEO of Amadeus. For more information, visit amadeus.com

The Carlyle, New York which is Zanadu’s market, will account for 40 per cent of China’s outbound market. “Our new partnership with SiteMinder and RDX will enable Zanadu to respond instantly to the needs of our growing member base by making rates, availability and bookings automatic, cutting down on manual work and making our operations much more efficient.” RDX is the only real time hotel room exchange platform, eliminating the gap between hotel reservation systems and booking channels. For more information, visit rdxglobal.com

AFTER A SUCCESSFUL beta launch last year for the Australian/South Pacific market, TourConnect, the tourism industry’s first automated solution for contracting, has enjoyed a fast start to 2013.  Eight new tour operators have chosen TourConnect as their preferred method for contracting and rate loading. These companies are Australia One, All Pacific Travel Concept, Broome and The Kimberley Holidays, Goway, Southern Crossings, Southern Travelnet, Southern World, and Wilderness Australia.  TourConnect automates the contracting and rate loading process for tour operators and their suppliers, saving time, resources and money. TourConnect will be adding additional tour operators prior to the commencement of the next contracting season. For more information, visit tourconnect.com

Smartbusiness

The cent of success

Young entrepreneur, Elliott Donazzan, is the founder of Australia’s first travel based penny auction website, One Cent Flights.

Traveltalk. You’re only 20 yet this is not your first business venture. What gave you the idea for One Cent Flights? A. I actually started my first business when I was 17, selling gaming codes on an auction site. So this is actually my second auctionbased business. Since I can remember, I’ve had a passion for travel. This might have something to do with the fact that I have been lucky enough to travel the world because my dad is a pilot. When I first came up with the idea for One Cent Flights I was still at school. I thought it could be cool to combine auctions and travel. TT. What do you like most about running your own company? A. Getting to work with such a wide range of people across different areas of business. I’m learning a lot and it just makes going to work so enjoyable. I also still really get a kick out of watching an auction. There’s something nice about seeing your product in action. TT. What has been the reaction from customers and airlines? A. The feedback we’ve had from our customers is really encouraging. People really get excited about the auctions, so at the moment we’re focusing on making the bidding experience as engaging and exciting as possible. As for the airlines, we’re actually creating demand for their 18 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

product. We purchase all our flights at full price through our travel agent partner. Essentially our auction winners get premium airline tickets. TT. Tell us about some of the more amazing bargains people have got with OCF. A. We often see domestic auctions ending at under $1. We never can tell just how low an auction will end. But more recently we’ve had a return flight to Bali go for $11.03 and a return flight to New York for just $4.06. Some of our customers have even won auctions using the five free bids that they get when they sign up. TT. So how are you able to offer such cheap flights when airlines charge thousands for some of these tickets? A. We use a pay-per-bid auction model. So essentially you pay a small amount to bid. Each time a bid is placed, the auction price increases in set increments of one cent, and, just like a house auction, bidding continues until no one else wants to bid. The winner of the auctions pays the final auction price, and the up-front purchase of bids enables us to offer the flight at that price. TT. So how do people get in on an auction? A. You just visit OneCentFlights.com and

sign up. It’s free and you get five free bids when you sign up so you can check out how the auctions work. TT. Are there any destinations that tend to get more bidders than others? A. It really just depends on the day and we really never can tell just how popular an auction will be. London and New York are often popular - we had that auction to New York recently that sold for $4.06, so there’s always a chance you’ll score a bargain. TT. What have you got coming up that might be of particular interest? A. I’m hoping we might have a flight to Las Vegas for a group or something fun like that, but we’ll see how we go. We’re always trying to expand the range of destinations and travel packages on offer. TT. As a young entrepreneur, what is your ultimate goal with OCF? Do you want to make millions and then sell it onto someone?   A. Who knows what the future has in store for One Cent Flights? I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from the experience. Not many people go into business to make a loss, so making a profit is the end goal. But being able to give people the chance to score their dream holiday when they may otherwise not be able to afford it is a great thing. 

Smartbusiness

shiny penny PENNY SPENCER, Managing Director of corporate travel agency Spencer Travel, has been listed in SmartCompany’s Top 30 Australian female entrepreneurs for 2013. Ranked number 24 on the list, Penny (pictured right) is listed alongside some of Australia’s highest profile business women.  “I am thrilled to make the SmartCompany listing. To be recognised alongside such successful business women is truly an honour,” said Penny.  “I have worked hard over the last 15 years to develop Spencer Travel into an award winning agency. The team and I are immensely proud of what we do and it’s great to get such recognition for that work.” The top 30 listing is another success for Penny and Spencer Travel who were awarded a number of industry accolades in 2012, including Best Corporate Travel Agency for the third year in a row at the National Australian Travel Industry Awards. In addition to that, Spencer Travel went on to win the Tourism category at the 2012 City of Sydney Business Awards.  “For me the most important thing is being passionate about what you do. Travel was something that always interested me. Even after years of working in the industry I still love everything about my job.  “Every day is a new experience. I love a challenge and still have the energy for both my business and the industry. For me, there is no secret recipe for success. It is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. And it goes without saying action is the foundation key to all success.” The list of Australia’s top female entrepreneurs is ranked according to revenue. Where possible, revenue has been provided by the entrepreneurs. If not, SmartCompany has sourced the revenue from publicly available sources, industry contacts or internal estimates. The top three are Gina Rinehart (Hancock Prospecting), Vicky Teoh (TPG) and Lesley Gillespie (Baker’s Delight). To see the full list, visit smartcompany.com.au

WHAT A TRIP

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TRIPADVISOR HAS announced it is the first travel site to reach 100 million reviews and opinions. Covering more than two million tourism businesses in more than 116,000 destinations, the world’s largest travel site has candid traveller reviews of hospitality businesses in every country of the world. The scale and freshness of content allows travellers around the globe to make informed choices, based on the experiences of many, whatever their destination or personal preferences.

T R A V E L T A L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 19

Skytalk

AIRLINE PILOTS ITS WAY TO SUCCESS Traveltalk spoke with Stu Myerscough, Commercial Manager for AirAsia in Australia, about the airline’s ambitious plans for the Australian market. TT: How did the whole concept of AirAsia come about? A: It was down to one man, our group CEO, Tony Fernandes. He had a vision to create an airline that would enable everyone to fly. He bought an existing troubled airline with two very old Boeings – he bought it for one Malaysian ringgit, about 30 Australian cents – and that was the start of it. TT: The airline has certainly come a long way in 11 years. A: Essentially Tony’s dream has been realised. We are the largest, low cost carrier in the region, paired with exceptional growth plans over the coming years. TT: So your airline has opened up the skies to people who might not have been able to fly before? A: Absolutely. We have done a lot of analysis on this and have figures to demonstrate it. AirAsia X does not cannibalise market share of other carriers but grows and stimulates an entirely new market. We have figures showing passenger numbers from Australia through Kuala Lumpur before and after the introduction of AirAsia X services and we grew the market by about 90 per cent. We are creating an entirely new market of travellers because we are appealing to a different portion of the market. People who could not previously afford or even contemplate taking an international holiday can now look at that. With our flatbed seat on AirAsia X, we are also enabling more businessmen to travel to Asia and get their deals done face to face, which is so important in that area of the world. 20 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

“I think big things are about to come from AirAsia in the Australian market.” TT: And that works both ways? A: We bring in a greater number of foreign tourists who could not previously have afforded to fly to Australia from all over the Asia region. They are now coming in through AirAsia X and stimulating domestic tourism in this country. TT: How important is the Australian market to AirAsia? A: Immensely. Both AirAsia X and the broader AirAsia group have established a great affinity with the Australian market and it seems Australians have a great affinity with us as well. Asia and Australasia

are the key areas for us at the moment. You can expect to see a lot of focus from us on building this market and creating a stronger, ongoing relationship with Australia and Australians. TT: As part of that campaign I believe you’ll be working more closely with Australian travel agents? A: We’re actively looking to work with agents here to get our message across and establish great relationships with those agents. TT: How are you going to do that? A: It’s a slow process. We’re building our

Skytalk

infrastructure to further support the ease of booking for agents. We’re looking at different methods of offering incentives to agents who work with us. And we’re looking at the possibility of establishing someone locally who can manage agent relationships in Australia. TT: What exciting developments have you got coming up? A: We’ve just completed a major brand campaign in Australia, the first fullyintegrated national campaign that we’ve run across TV, online, cinema, radio, mobile and outdoor. It was aimed at delivering awareness of the AirAsia product but also trying to dispel some myths of low cost carriers. It was a way to introduce ourselves to the broader Australian market and to stimulate awareness, consideration and demand. From an AirAsia X perspective, we are taking delivery of seven new A330s this year and seven more next year - we are more than doubling our long haul fleet. So within our core markets, which includes Australia, you can expect to see greater capacity. I think big things are about to come from AirAsia in the Australian market. TT: How does AirAsia manage to keep costs so low? A: It’s a very simple premise. The core of our business is about cost control, not cost cutting. We want to offer everything and anything that another airline offers and

that a consumer wants but we offer it at an a la carte level. You get to choose what you do and don’t want and only pay for what you need. If you want to sleep, you can opt out of a meal and know you’re not paying for one. We offer value to our consumers through choice. TT: So you keep prices low but not at the cost of quality? A: A lot of people are under the assumption that if you fly with a low cost airline you are going to get stung in the air, which is not true with us. Everything is kept low for the consumer. Our fresh cooked meals, which have won awards, are about $5 so add that onto the cost of your already low fare and it’s not significant. We are also able to offer more choice than most airlines. With AirAsia X, you have a choice of more than 15 different hot meals when you pre-book.

TT: Your business model must be working because you’ve picked up a number of awards. A: You’re referring to our Skytrax awards for World’s Best Low Cost Airline, which we’ve won for the past four years in a row? Just one of those is an achievement in itself but to win it four years in a row is something that’s never been done before. TT: Do you think Tony Fernandes would ever have dreamed AirAsia would have the success it has? A: Tony’s mantra is ‘believe the unbelievable, dream the impossible and never take no for an answer’. It fits in well with the history and story of this airline. To have started from two old Boeings to what is now four times world’s best low cost airline is incredible. airasia.com T R A V E L T A L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 21

Skytalk

The bear necessities Non-stop Perth to Phuket 3 times weekly* plus more flights to Thailand with THAI’s legendary service. *16 Jun to 26 Oct ’13 AIR NEW ZEALAND has maintained its reputation for ground breaking safety videos by teaming up with adventurer Bear Grylls (above). The British daredevil, who came to fame in the hit TV series Man vs. Wild, filmed the safety video in a remote part of the Routeburn Track near Fiordland in New Zealand’s South Island. Entitled ‘Bear Essentials of Safety’, the video shows Grylls contending with a cast of native creatures including a Kea, a

Tuatara, native glow worms and the extinct flightless bird, the Moa. “We hope the global attention this safety video will receive generates more awareness of our amazing country and gets a few more bums on seats,” said Air New Zealand Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, Mike Tod. “We shot in a truly amazing setting with an amazing team – and that is always a privilege,” added Grylls.

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Phuket

Virgin Australia has announced that it will fly its two-class, widebody Airbus A330 from Brisbane to Perth for the first time. The daily weekday flights will depart Brisbane at 8:45am and 8:15pm, arriving into Perth at 12:25pm and 11:55pm respectively. virginaustralia.com

798 gross

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829 gross

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Reinforcing its commitment to the key Australian market, China Southern Airlines has announced it will begin flying its latest Airbus A330-200 aircraft on Perth and Brisbane routes offering Business Class passengers flatbed comfort and personal seatback TV screens throughout all classes. flychinasouthern.com

Conditions apply

Call 1300 65 1960 or visit thaiairways.com.au, Travel Agents Only for the latest news, industry discounts and sign up for THAI’s e-News. 2501_244_v2

22 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

Malaysia Airlines will be increasing its direct services between Brisbane and Kuala Lumpur from five services a week to daily. From June 20, flight MH134 will depart daily from Brisbane at 11.20pm, arriving in KL at 5.50am the following day. malaysiaairlines.com

Fly

CANTON ROUTE to the

WORLD 35 flights a week connecting you to over 280 cities worldwide via Guangzhou China. Call China Southern Airlines on,

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View from the lighthouse on Amédée Lighthouse

THE FRENCH

CONNECTION New Caledonia is a great place to feel the sand between your toes, but gorgeous beaches are just part of its allure. MAX VEENHUYZEN discovers a sliver of French chic right on Australia’s doorstep.

24 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

New Caledonia CONSIDERING THAT New Caledonia is a French territory, it comes as little surprise that French tourists are thick on the ground. More surprisingly, perhaps, is the number of Japanese holidaymakers. If you’re looking for a catalyst, late Japanese author Katsura Morimura is your woman, specifically her 1960s novel The Island Closest to Paradise that introduced fellow countrymen and women to New Caledonia. The Japanese have been making the trans-Pacific voyage ever since. What you won’t find too many of – at least as far as local tourism authorities are concerned – are Australian travellers, particularly when one considers the flight between Sydney’s Kingsford Smith and Tontouta international airport is a shade under three hours. To put that in perspective, it’s quicker to fly to New Caledonia than it is to New Zealand. It’s also an infinitely closer destination for Australians than Paris, making New Caledonia an attractive long weekend option for Francophiles desperate for their hit of French language and culture. And Nouvelle Caledonie has both in abundance. Although the country’s topography and frangipani-rich scents are unmistakably Pacific, New Caledonia maintains strong ties to its colonial mothership some 17,000kms away. EU passport holders glide through immigration. The South Pacific Franc is set at a fixed value against the Euro. New Caledonians vote in the French election.

The island feels very much as if someone took a tiny slice of France and transplanted it south of the equator. The ‘Paris of the Pacific’, perhaps? It has a nice ring to it. “Paris is a big word, I would say we’re more like the French Riviera,” muses Perrine Ferme, Marketing Manager for Le Méridien hotels by day, but tonight my dinner date at the hotel’s flash in-house fine diner, L’Hippocampe (The Seahorse). She has a point. New Caledonia has an abundance of sandy beaches and shimmering blue waters not found in the French capital, and a capital city the size of bilingual Nouméa has scant need for a metro system (despite being surrounded by a 120km long

necklace of islands, New Caledonia is just 70km across at its widest points). Many come to New Caledonia to kite-surf, including the restaurant’s chef, Aurélien Buig, a Cahors native who worked his way through Michelin-starred venues in France and Switzerland. Sadly, time on the water isn’t as plentiful as it used to be, especially when Buig is busy overseeing the preparation of dishes like prawn and periwinkle carpaccio. Paired with a bottle of crunchy petit Chablis, it’s a timely reminder that wherever the French go, so too does their culture of food and drink appreciation.

La baie de l’Orphelinat (Bay of Orphans), New Caledonia

T R A V E L T A L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 25

New Caledonia Visit in November and venues will be feverishly celebrating the arrival of weeks-old Beaujolais Nouveau. Locals are even trying their hand at producing local foiegras, that most French (and controversial) of foodstuffs. Yet New Caledonia isn’t so handcuffed to tradition that you won’t find stores spruiking New Zealand wines loudly and proudly. But despite these gastronomic riches (hardcore diners should add Le Roof and La Coupole to any restaurant hit list), New Caledonians, by and large, appear to have inherited the enviable ability of the French to wield good taste and willpower in equal parts. If Mireille Guiliano is contemplating a sequel to French Women Don’t Get Fat, perhaps she could investigate why New Caledonian femmes – as well as their similarly olive-skinned male counterparts – seem to be unfailingly trim, fit and just as glamorous. But New Caledonia is more than just the frou-frou (although like most destinations, it’s entirely possible to fill an itinerary with all manner of ritziness). Although two-thirds of its population lives in the Greater Nouméa area, this Pacific island is not without its rugged, rural charms. Take, for instance, Blue River Park, a 90-minute drive from Nouméa. Here, red dirt clings to mountain bike tyres like caramel icing. Papaya trees jut out of the earth like giant asparagus spears. Towering conifer trees regularly score supporting roles in Jurassic- and Triassic-era dinosaur documentaries. “The south of New Caledonia is like a museum of all the old plants of our planet,” says the erudite and charming François Tran from Caledonia Tours as he talks and walks us through this time-unchanged wonderland. The only thing more impressive than his knowledge of flora and fauna is his commentary being available in English, French, Japanese and Spanish.

‘The island feels very much as if someone took a tiny slice of France and transplanted it south of the equator.’

NEED A HUG? IN FRENCH, the word calin means hug. It’s the perfect way to describe the relaxing ambience and atmosphere passengers enjoy aboard Aircalin, the international airline of New Caledonia. The airline operates one of the youngest and modern fleets in the South Pacific rim area, offering seven flights a week from Sydney to Noumea, three from Brisbane and four from Auckland. The airline has just completed a major upgrade to the interior of its A330 fleet and passengers can now enjoy new and more comfortable seats, tableware, cutting-edge technology and the latest in-flight entertainment system. As you would expect from an airline with a French influence, the food onboard is of a high quality, featuring both international and Melanesian specialties. Fine French champagne is available to compliment these gastronomic offerings and Aircalin offers a complimentary meal and drink service, regardless of fare paid. For more information, visit aircalin.com 26 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre

New Caledonia

Aurélien Buig, chef at L’Hippocampe at Le Meridien

Guestroom interior, Le Meridien Ile des Pins

New Caledonia N

Experience the difference!

NCT/T-Talk/April13

owhere else in the South Pacific will you find so much to do and experience in the one place. And still all under three hours from Sydney and two hours from Brisbane.

From the cosmopolitan French delights of Noumea to the adventure playground of the rugged hinterland, and all encircled by the largest lagoon in the world.

www.newcaledonia-tv.com www.visitnewcaledonia.com Or call on 1800 673 745

You won’t find this anywhere else in the South Pacific! T R A V E L T A L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 27

New Caledonia Ile des Pins

Away from the country’s main island, Grand Terre, smaller daytrip-friendly islands like Amedee and L’Escapade warrant consideration (if the opportunity to stay in one of the latter’s overwater bungalows presents itself, you should definitely take it). But perhaps best known of these smaller islands is Ile des Pins (Isle of Pines, so-named for the tall timber that dot the island), a popular stop on cruise ship itineraries. Reachable by a three-hour ferry ride or 25-minute flight from Nouméa, it’s also a good place to practice your French linguistics as little English is spoken outside the hotels. Traditional wooden boats skippered by local fishermen offer photo ops galore as well as glimpses into the islanders’ traditional way of life. As well as whiling away an afternoon at Kuto Beach, tasting some indigenous Kanak cooking is the island’s other must-do. Look out for bougna (a hearty stew that often requires pre-ordering) and bulimes, the island’s native plus-sized snails. Anointed with the holy Burgundian flavour trinity of butter, garlic and parsley, they become insanely delicious and are as good – if not better – than any escargots you might encounter at a Parisian bistro. Grounded in French tradition yet big on Pacific charm, these molluscs are everything that’s great about New Caledonia in a snail-shell.

FAST FAC TS /// GETTING THERE Qantas and Aircalin fly to Nouméa from Australia’s east coast airports. qantas.com.au; 13 13 13 au.aircalin.com; 1300 655 737 ACCOMMODATION Le Méridien Noumea and Le Méridien Ile des Pins. starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien Le Royal Tera Beach and Spa. tera-hotels-resorts.com WHEN TO GO The Caledonian climate is pleasant throughout the year, with the most popular time to visit being between April and November. CURRENCY The currency of New Caledonia is the CFP Franc (French Pacific Franc). For further information: en.visitnewcaledonia.com

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… ainodelaC weN are i vi R hc nerFwe h taere h w e ni N c i f i c aP htu oSde oh tes tee m l e l a Ca n S O New Caledonia offers a unique blend of French and Melanesian cultures, surrounded by the world’s largest lagoon ... now on the World Heritage List. All just 2 hours from Brisbane and less than 3 hours from Sydney, flying Aircalin. And right now there are some fantastic deals to this island paradise.

These great deals are valid for sale until 15 June 2013.

* 1049 $ FROM pp Ex BRIS

Ex SYD FROM $1,099*pp

LE NOUVATA HOTEL  Includes: Return economy airfares with Aircalin, airport meet and greet, return airport transfers, 4 nights’ accommodation for the price of 3 staying in a Superior Room. BONUS: 1 FREE night. BONUS: Buffet breakfast daily.

Ex BRIS

FROM

$1199*pp

Ex SYD FROM $1,249*pp

LA PROMENADE APARTMENTS  Includes: Return economy airfares flying with Aircalin, airport meet and greet, return airport transfers, 4 nights’ accommodation for the price of 3 staying in a Studio Room. BONUS: 1 FREE night. BONUS: Upgrade to a One Bedroom Apartment.

* 1799 $ FROM pp Ex BRIS

Ex SYD FROM $1,849*pp

LE MERIDIEN HOTELS  Includes: Return economy airfares with Aircalin, airport meet and greet, return airport transfers, 4 nights’ accommodation in a Classic Garden View Room Noumea, 3 nights’ accommodation in a Superior Garden Room on Isle Of Pines. Return domestic airfares Noumea-Isle of Pines. BONUS: 2 Free Nights. BONUS: Complimentary upgrade in Noumea. BONUS: 3000XPF Food and Beverage credit in Noumea. BONUS: Breakfast daily Isle of Pines.

Call 1800 111 653

www.omnicheholidays.com www.aircalin.com Booking Conditions: Prices are per person, twin share, inclusive of pre-payable taxes and subject to availability at time of booking for new bookings only. Valid for sales until 15 June 2013 and valid for travel from 1 April – 31 October 2013. Blackout dates & seasonal surcharges may apply during peak periods as availability becomes limited.  Packages are based on the room type as specified. International flights are with AirCalin and include 23kgs of checked luggage and must be purchased at least 21 days prior to departure. Domestic airfares are with Air Caledonie and include 12kg of checked luggage. All prices are subject to change at any time without notice. Conditions, amendment and cancellation fees apply. Free nights & discounts are already included in costs. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. TAG1616. ABN 61 087 521 355. Opening hours are 8.00am-6.00pm Mon - Fri & 9.00am-2.00pm Sat. 

Hawaii

THE TASTE OF SCOTT PODMORE puts his belt buckle to the test on a gastronomical tour of Hawaii, fast becoming a food lover’s paradise. THE VIEWS WERE alluring, my resistance weak. How dare they place another Hula Pie in front of me with its hypnotic blend of choc fudge, nuts and ice-cream tantalisingly stacked on a biscuit base? Those Hawaiians had got me again. This time during a distant ocean stare as a whale was breaching in slow-motion yonder. As I quickly looked away to the left, a smiling hula dancer bewitched me while swaying rhythmically to the sweet sounds of ukulele on the stage. Glancing back out to sea, the whale had disappeared. I had found a way out… until a double rainbow appeared out of nowhere, that is.  There is a saying in Hawaii that the surrounding views add something special to the taste of its food.  “It’s onolicious,” Hawaii’s Ambassador for Aloha, George Cam, tells me as we fight over - ahem, share - a Hula Pie the size of the Big Island itself at Duke’s Waikiki restaurant, named in honour of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of international surfing. The word ono means delicious and onolicious translates to broke da mouth in local slang.

Hawaiian man making Poi 30 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

Chef Pang

Hawaii

Food truck

Pupu

Forget the mouth. I was well on the way to breaking da belt buckle as my gastronomical journey rumbled its way through the land of Aloha and its four main islands – Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island – all within a half-hour flight of each other. All with something different to offer.  From high-end resort restaurants to the rise of the food truck scene and roadside markets, there’s never a dull moment for foodies. 

“It never gets boring,” George says, before trumping me on the last swirl of choc fudge. “You could eat something every day in Hawaii and feel like you are having a new culinary experience each time.” When one talks of Hawaiian food, terms such as plate lunch, bento and okazuya are used to describe the style of food based on the different origins. All the dishes have a story, and where there’s a poi there’s also a lau lau, poke, loco moco, aku, musubi or

as much sticky white rice as you can lasso with a lei. The cuisine is as diverse as the ethnicities of the people who make up the islands, and for that reason you can island hop and possibly not eat the same thing twice… except for Hula Pie, of course. Imagine a fusion of Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino and Portuguese, due to the influx of immigrant farmers into the sugar cane field industry in the 1800’s, and you’ll start to get a taste for what’s on Hawaii’s menu. In more recent times throw in Vietnamese, French, Thai, Indian, Spanish, Italian, Greek and Middle Eastern and it’s easy to see why Hawaii is carving a name as a food lover’s paradise. In consummating that, many of the chefs in the top resort restaurants are bridging the food of yesteryear with dishes of the future.  At Azure, The Royal Hawaiian hotel’s signature restaurant, the concept is largely ‘fresh fish from Pier 38’ at the markets early each morning as the best of the Pacific are chosen. The menu comprises such treats as cheese selections, organic dinner salads, flame roasted seasonal fish, lobster, prawns and chilled seafood choices served on crushed ice.   T R A V E L T A L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 31

Hawaii Ahi cuisine

Poke cuisine

32 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K .MB AI ZG . C O M . A U

Famous Maui chef and author, Tylun Pang, from the Fairmont Kea Lani’s signature restaurant, Ko, says Hawaiians are passionate about food because what they cook is part of their heritage. “People in the islands have tremendous pride in their background and culture. Food is a very simple way for them to share that pride with others,” he says. “I love the dishes that come from local family recipes. The pancit noodles and the Kare-Kare are family recipes from two of our chefs. This is the food they grew up eating. Occasionally we’ll offer a fish special, which is a whole onaga, head on, steamed with peanut oil. This recipe comes from my family… my dad used to prepare it growing up. Every time I see one leave the kitchen I feel proud that our guests are enjoying it.” Among the standouts on the hotel circuit is the casual poolside restaurant Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Waikiki. While the food is onolicious, what sets it apart is the nourishment for the soul it provides patrons every evening as some of Hawaii’s top island entertainers take to the stage. Ocean House restaurant, also at Outrigger Reef, offers sea-view dining in a casually elegant venue reminiscent of a plantation-manor. The menu features Pacific Rim cuisine but is equally famous for its slow-cooked prime rib. Over at Grand Wailea in Maui, Alan Wong’s Amasia is setting tongues wagging, while the Aston Hotels and Resorts chain is building a reputation for sublime dining throughout all of Hawaii. While all the bigger name eateries and hotel restaurants fly the food flag, another

Hawaii People in the islands have tremendous pride in their background and culture. Food is a very simple way for them to share that pride with others

HAWAII ISN’T JUST A PLACE, IT’S A FEELING.

Let Hawaii’s playful spirit, endless beaches and breathtaking beauty create lasting memories. Choose a family-friendly Aston hotel or condominium resort for your stay and enjoy amazing locations, island-style comfort and gracious hospitality. Plus at Aston, kids stay free!

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T R A V E L T A L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 33

Hawaii

HAWAII

TRAVEL AGENT

Updates

Now Open! Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Newly renovated, this beachfront resort features 255 new guest rooms and suites with modern interiors infused with Thai elegance. Activities include an enhanced water park, new fitness center and a “member-only” floor. Travel Agent rates available. See OutriggerAgent.com

Outrigger on the Lagoon, Fiji Named Best Deluxe Resort Outrigger on the Lagoon, Fiji was named Fiji’s Best Deluxe Resort at the 16th Annual AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards. Also, the resort’s signature restaurant Ivi was named Best Fine Dining Restaurant.

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way to whet the appetite on a grassroots level is to tackle the food truck phenomenon known as Eat The Street on the last Friday of every month. At the event dubbed ‘ono on the go’, there are two basic requirements: patience and appetite. There are large queues, so either get in early or be prepared to wait. Eat The Street is a chance to join the after-work crowds in a charge towards the most popular trucks amid the music and endless sea of smiling, hungry faces. The approach is to sample a bit of everything, and there’s much to choose from including Asian, Italian, Portuguese, Jamaican, and many others amid an endless smorgasbord of interesting and tasty offerings. I started with juicy, tender sirloin steak pieces with salad, brown rice and chocolate chili sauce, then it was on to Egg Poppers (waffle-like egg things with the peculiar

OUTR-36601_TvlTalkAprFNL.indd 1:32 PM 34 | W W W . T R A V E 1L T A L K M A G . C O M . A3/15/13 U

pairing of custard and cayenne) and malasadas (warm, puffy Portuguese holeless doughnuts) from the famous Leonard’s Bakery, all washed down with a cup of kava juice to numb the senses. Next up was nachos with swordfish poke, musubi, Onopops flavoured ice bars, and wild won ton combinations at Paul’s Poppers. Ultimately, in Hawaii the food is allinclusive. You need to explore the food as much as the land. Foreign flavours and cooking styles are welcome and shared with Aloha whether on the street or at a high-end hotel restaurant. At trip’s end, a friend rightly asked me: “So, mate, who ate all the pies?” Yes, I confess, it was I. And there’s a fair chance you will, too. Scott Podmore was a guest of Hawaiian Airlines and Tourism Hawaii.

Hawaii FAST FAC TS /// GETTING THERE Hawaiian Airlines flies 10 times a week from Australia to Honolulu, including daily from Sydney and three times a week from Brisbane. Hawaiian connects to Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island. 1300 669 106; hawaiianairlines.com GETTING AROUND There are several car hire companies on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, including Budget. budget.com Excellent and cheap public transport on Oahu includes a bus system and trams that are nearby or out the front of most hotels. WHERE TO EAT Duke’s Waikiki restaurant. 2335 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu. dukeswaikiki.com Azure, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. 2259 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu. royal-hawaiian.com Ko, The Fairmont Kea Lani, 4100 Wailea Alanui Drive, Maui. fairmont.com Kani Ka Pila Grille/Ocean House, Hummu.185mmx130mmTravel_Talk.pdf

1

Outrigger Reef on the Beach, 2169 Kalia Rd., Waikiki, Honolulu. outriggerreef-onthebeach.com Amasia, Grand Wailea, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea-Makena, Maui. wailearesortdining.com Aston Hotels and Resorts. astonhotels.com Eat The Street. streetgrindz.com WHERE TO STAY Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Oahu has had an extensive transformation and is set right on Honolulu’s famous coastline. 2169 Kalia Rd, Honolulu. outriggerreef-onthebeach.com Grand Wailea in Maui features 780 luxury rooms and some of Hawaii’s best restaurants. 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, Maui. grandwailea.com Aston Hotels and Resorts can be found on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, astonhotels.com For more information, visit gohawaii.com/au

delicious

3/15/13

3:58 PM

Best Table for Two, Islands Magazine

Best Resort Restaurant & Best Ambiance, Maui News Readers’ Choice*

Reservations recommended. 808.875.1234 ext. 4900. Scan QR code for menu or visit wailearesortdining.com Located inside Grand Wailea Resort. 3850 Wailea Alanui, 96753 *Awards received in 2009, 2010 & 2011 respectively.

Chef Mike Lofaro James Beard NYC, Wailea Grandeur Dinner, May 2012

T R A V E L T A L K A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | 35

Europe: Rail & River

A hit track

The Jungfraubahn

Boasting the most dense rail network in Europe, Switzerland is very proud of its excellent public transport system. DAILY SERVICES into Switzerland operate from major cities in France, Germany, Italy, Austria and the Benelux countries. Most trains include dining cars, bars and a wide range of other amenities. For night travel, services offer a variety of comfortable sleeping compartments to suit all budgets. With the upgraded France – Switzerland high speed line, travelling into Switzerland by high speed train has never been easier. TGV Lyria now offers 14 direct, high-speed services daily, taking as little as three hours from the heart of Paris to the cosmopolitan city of Geneva. TGV Lyria runs services from Paris to Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Basel and, as of last December, a brand new route into Interlaken, the heart of the Swiss Alpine region. Services from Paris run daily and

36 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

return services from Interlaken to Paris run on the weekend. TGV Lyria offers both first and second class accommodation with ample luggage space, a buffet car and even an on-board nursery. This high speed service has also introduced Lyria première for all customers travelling first class between Paris/Dijon and Switzerland. This innovation is designed to turn a journey into a moment of pure relaxation, offering a welcome drink, breakfast, lunch and a snack or dinner served at your seat, depending on travel times. There is also a large selection of Swiss, French and international magazines and newspapers available for perusal throughout the journey. In first class carriages, travellers also have access to power sockets, so you can plug in your laptop or recharge your mobile phone, meaning there is no need for any downtime from work. If you are looking to explore Switzerland, you simply cannot go past the Swiss Rail Pass. This all-in-one

pass not only gives you unlimited access to the country’s fantastic rail system, but also free use of buses, ferries and free entrance into more than 470 museums within Switzerland. There are also discounts of up to 50 per cent for most mountain railways and many more bonuses that come standard with the purchase of a Swiss Pass. For those who aren’t staying long, the Swiss Card entitles you to travel to and from a border railway station or airport to your holiday destination. It also gives you a 50 per cent discount off train, bus, boat and mountain railway travel during your entire stay. The Swiss Card is perfect for holidaymakers who would like to spice up their stay with a few excursions. Travelling with children? The Swiss Family Card can be requested free of charge and entitles all children under the age of 16 to travel free when accompanied by at least one parent holding any Swiss Travel System ticket. These include the Swiss Pass, Swiss Card and Swiss Transfer Ticket. Swiss Rail Passes and TGV Lyria tickets can be purchased through Rail Plus by visiting railplus.com.au

SwiSS PaSS Free Day Promotion Purchase a 4 Day Swiss Continuous Pass for your clients and they will automatically receive An extrA dAy of trAvel free! There is simply no better way to explore Switzerland than by train, bus and boat. Sale ends 23 April 2013. valid for travel between 1 february - 30 April 2013 Advantages of a Swiss Pass: • Unlimited travel throughout the Swiss Travel System by rail, bus and boat • Valid on the public transport systems in over 75 cities and towns • Covers scenic trains • 50% reduction on most mountain-top trains and cable cars • Free entrance to over 470 museums • Children from 6-15 years inclusive travel free with a Family Card if accompanied by at least 1 parent

In this edition of Travel Talk, you will find your exclusive Switzerland Sales Manual to assist you with selling Switzerland, courtesy of Rail Plus, Switzerland Tourism and Holidays on Location. If you would like more copies please contact Ingrid at [email protected]

www.railplus.com.au/agents

Destina tion: Sw itzerlan d.

MyS w itzerla nd.com Profes sional sales m anual 20 12 / 2013

.

Europe: Rail & River

Tourists go deeper SOUTHWEST GERMANY, Cordoba in Spain, Basel in Switzerland, Istanbul in Turkey, Brittany in France, Copenhagen in Denmark and Veneto in Italy. These are the top destinations for 2013 according to the latest travel trends recorded by Rail Europe. An increasing number of visitors to Europe are venturing past the popular cities and getting to know the continent on a deeper level, while taking advantage of new offers that provide more value for their time and money. In response to this, a number of new and improved routes and services are being rolled out to meet the growing demands of travelling through Europe by rail. These include Trenitalia and Italo high-speed services in Italy, a wider range

of fares across Germany as well as new services between Interlaken and Paris with TGV Lyria. “Getting to know a place is similar to getting to know a person,” says Richard Leonard, Manager Australasia of Rail Europe. “Peeling off the layers, so to speak, while getting to know a country requires one to explore beyond the conventionally popular or commercialised places. And that is something we are seeing more and more of. “That, coupled with the growing trend of combining itineraries, such as a cruise, is becoming more common with the new routes on offer.” Among the top picks for 2013, Southwest Germany is home to picturesque

and fairytale-like Heidelberg, the Black Forest and Freiburg, while Cordoba, once ruled by the Romans, is where you’ll find Europe’s second largest Old Town. “Travellers visiting regional areas across Europe have increased by 15 per cent in the last year and this trend will only continue to grow at an estimated 10 per cent each year,” added Leonard. Rail Europe is the world’s leading distributor of rail tickets and passes offering travellers the widest and best selection of European rail products across 22 countries and 25,000 destinations on more than 11,000 different routes. For more information, visit raileuropeconnexion.com

No time to waste

Highland adventure THE TRAIN won’t be the only thing that will be well oiled when a new Classic Whisky journey takes place aboard The Royal Scotsman (above) later this month. Departing from Edinburgh Waverley on April 21, the exclusive four night rail voyage, in association with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, will include visits to wellknown Scottish distilleries and will be led by an expert ambassador from the Society. Also new to the train’s list of itineraries is 38 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

an extension aboard the luxury cruise-line Hebridean Princess, offering the ultimate tour of Scotland. Five and seven-night cruises of the beautiful Scottish Isles and coastline are available to add to a journey aboard the train. Also reintroduced this year is the Country Homes & Gardens four-night journey departing Edinburgh Waverley on June 7. For more information, visit orient-express.com; 1800 000 395.

INTERNATIONAL RAIL is expanding its offering of non-rail products and services to travel agents so that Australian tavellers visiting Europe avoid timewasting queues. During the upcoming European summer season, International Rail can offer transport passes in London and Paris, sightseeing tours in major European cities and ferry tickets. The benefit of pre-booking particular services is the convenience it offers once travellers arrive at their destination. These include avoiding queues and lengthy delays in purchasing tickets, being able to immediately leave the airport with tickets for the next leg of the journey, avoiding difficulty in finding ticket machines and other frustrating situations after a long flight. There are no booking fees, excellent commission and all products may be sold stand alone. This includes products such as the London Oyster card, the Paris Visit Pass - which includes travel from the airport or famous sites such as Versailles outside central Paris - and also gives discounts to many tourist attractions, or a ferry crossing ticket such as the popular Ancona to Split journey. This can be done in a comfortable overnight trip with excellent on-board facilities. For more information, visit internationalrail.com.au 1300-387-245.

Europe: Rail & River

The suite life

One of Australia’s favourite celebrities will christen a new addition to the Avalon family this year AVALON WATERWAYS has stepped up the expansion of its successful Suite Ship concept, announcing three new luxury vessels to enter service in 2014. The new ships will join what is already the most modern river cruise fleet in Europe and represents Avalon’s biggest single fleet upgrade since its inception. Details are revealed in Avalon’s 2014 preview brochure, along with group discounts and early-bird savings of up to $1,000 per couple on more than 60 departures throughout the season. The brochure also details 26 of Avalon’s most popular itineraries on the great waterways of Europe, including the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhône and Seine rivers. With the launch of the new ships – Avalon Impression, Avalon Poetry II and Avalon Illumination – the river cruise specialist will offer a total of eight Suite Ships in an overall European fleet of 13 modern vessels. Their introduction will follow this year’s launch of Avalon Artistry II and Avalon Expression in April and May.

Popular Australian celebrity, Deborah Hutton, will christen Avalon Illumination in Europe in June. Operating a range of cruises on the Rhine and Danube, Avalon Illumination will offer 30 per cent more suite space than most river cruise ships. In-room enhancements include a sophisticated European design, premium bedding from the Comfort Collection by Avalon, fresh flowers, contemporary marble bathrooms and luxury products by L’Occitane. Other ship features will include an impressive central lobby, dining room with sweeping views, club and main lounge, hair salon, gym, internet corner and Wi-Fi access, as well as Avalon’s popular rooftop Sky Deck with a whirlpool and open-air bistro. “I couldn’t be more delighted to be ‘Godmother’ to such a magnificent ship - what an extraordinary honour,” Hutton said. “Avalon is renowned for offering a premium experience and I’m very much looking forward to spending some time enjoying such a world class holiday.” First pioneered in 2011 with the launch

Europe

of Avalon Panorama, the Suite Ship concept was developed with Australian travellers in mind and has met with sell-out success. Each vessel has two entire decks of all-suite accommodation, with 30 per cent more cabin space than the average competitor. They feature wall-to-wall panoramic windows that slide back to turn the entire cabin into an open-air balcony allowing passengers to enjoy the outdoors without compromising space. Cruises in the preview brochure are priced from $1,401* per person twin share (including discount) for the eight-day A Taste of the Danube itinerary between Budapest and Vienna. Other popular itineraries include the eight-day Romantic Rhine between Zurich and Amsterdam (from $1,676*) and the 11-day Burgundy & Provence between the Côte d’Azur and Paris (from $2,803*). For more information, visit avalonwaterways.com.au; 1300 230 234 *Prices subject to availability and conditions.

RiveR CRuising 2014

All inclusive luxury – only with APT �  � Complimentary meals, sightseeing, shore excursions and entertainment � Complimentary drinks served on board throughout your cruise^ � A choice of up to 7 incredible onboard dining experiences � All tipping, personal airport welcome, airport transfers and port charges � Freedom of Choice sightseeing inclusions and signature experiences � gold and silver Private Butler service† � exclusive Twin Balcony suites with conservatory area and outside balcony†

2014 PREVIEW BROCHURE OUT NOW! ORDER YOUR FREE COPY & DVD TODAY

NETHERLANDS Amsterdam Rhine River Les GERMANY Andelys Moselle Cologne Main Prague Rouen River River CZECH Vernon Cochem Nuremberg REP. Giverny Paris Vienna FRANCE Main-Danube Basel Canal Budapest SWITZERLAND Lyon HUNGARY Lake Geneva Vienne Tournon Rhône River Arles Avignon

SPAIN Barcelona

Monte Carlo

FLY FREE* + TRAVEL AT 2013 PRICES

Budapest to Amsterdam 15 Days from $6,445*

FLY FREE* + TRAVEL AT 2013 PRICES Amsterdam to Arles 15 Days from $7,495*

CALL 1300 278 278

Enquire online at www.aptgroup.travel

*Conditions apply. Prices are per person twin share. Prices are based on EUMCR15: 15 March 2014 (Cat. E) and EURCR15: 24 April 2014 (Cat. E). Information correct as at 22 March 2013 but may fluctuate due to changes in surcharges, fees and taxes. Book by 30 April 2013. Prices include port charges. Offers subject to availability, are not combinable and are available on new bookings only. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. FLY FREE: Includes air taxes to the value of $800 per person. Fly Free offer valid on a selection of cruise/tours departing in 2014. Flights must be booked by APT. Flights are in economy class with Singapore Airlines (or an airline of APT’s choosing). Subject to availability of airline and booking class. ^Complimentary beverages exclude French Champagne, premium spirits and selected wines. †In selected suites only. Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd ABN 44 004 684 619 Lic. No. 30112 MKT11462

MKT11462 V2.indd 1

T R A V E L T A L K A P R22/03/13 I L 2 0 1 3 11:07 | 39 AM

Europe: Rail & River

SPLASH THE CASH SCENIC TOURS HAVE announced a $10 million refurbishment to their world-class fleet of ‘Space-Ships’ sailing the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle and Black Sea. “At 135 metres in length and boasting two entire decks of cabins with private balconies, Scenic Space-Ships are the next generation of river cruisers,” said Scenic Tours Managing Director, Glen Moroney. “They are longer than other ships sailing Europe’s waterways, boasting 22 per cent more space.” The ships all feature new dining additions - the casual River Café for all-day grazing and Table La Rive for a dégustation experience, whilst Portobellos has also been upgraded. The main restaurant, Crystal Dining, is enhanced with new pizza ovens, omelette and carver stations and the Panorama Lounge has a new bar embellished with Port Laurent black Moroccan marble, additional coffee machines and Eurocave wine dispensers. Each ship also features new carpet, soft furnishings and designer furniture throughout, whilst the luxury staterooms

have private balconies that are 24 per cent larger than normal balcony cabins and fitted with exclusive Scenic ‘Sun Lounges’, which allow guests to enclose the entire balcony at the touch of a button for a unique indoor lounge with full window views. “We have always presented the best examples of top design and innovation in creating the best all-inclusive luxury river cruising experience on the market. And we will continue to elevate that standard to the highest possible level,” said Mr Moroney. The five-star in-suite inclusions

Seeing double WITH THE POPULARITY of European river cruising and a sell-out 2013 program, Evergreen Tours is doubling capacity in 2014 with the launch of two custom-built ships, Riva Royale (above) and Riva Princess. The 135-metre long ships will launch from April 2014 on Evergreen’s popular Rhine, Main and Danube cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest. The 90 cabin 40 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

ships have a capacity for 180 passengers and are exclusive to Evergreen Tours. “The ship design is high-spec and over 80 per cent of cabins have balconies. The superb on-board amenities and service will provide an outstanding guest experience,” said Angus Crichton, General Manager Evergreen Tours. evergreentours.com.au; 1300 383 747.

range from private butler service and a complimentary mini-bar stocked daily to queen size slumber beds with Egyptian cotton linen, pillow menu, L’Occitane products and 32-inch Samsung HD TVs linked to MiniMac computers for in-cabin email and complimentary new fast-speed Wi-Fi system for easy internet access. First launched in 2008, the fleet was the first river cruise ships in Europe to be 100 per cent owned and operated by an Australian company. For more information, visit scenictours.com.au

HOT OFF THE PRESS TRAVELMARVEL’S EUROPE River Cruising 2014 preview brochure profiles two ships built specifically for Europe’s waterways. Travelmarvel Jewel and Travelmarvel Diamond are new ships for Travelmarvel’s 2014 season. The preview brochure also features three cruise and land programs with book early deals (before April 30, 2013). The main brochure will arrive later this year.

Europe: Rail & River

PERFECT PREVIEW FIFTEEN CRUISES, seven land journeys and early booking deals are just some of the features in APT’s recently released Europe River Cruising 2014 preview brochure. The brochure heralds three new trips for 2014 – 15-day Highlights of the Danube (Prague to Munich), 20-day Rhine and Rhone Moselle Discoveries (Paris to Lucerne) and 14-day Douro Delights (Lisbon to Madrid). Lead in cruise is the 15-day Magnificent Europe, priced from $6,445 per person, twin share. It cruises between Amsterdam and Budapest on the Rhine-Main-Danube river network between now and December. Debra Fox, APT General Manager Marketing, said the preview brochure was an extraordinary opportunity to secure preferred suites, itineraries and departure dates well in advance, and at exceptionally attractive rates. “We’ve got 18 years experience in this market behind us and still it keeps growing because it really exceeds customer expectations,” she said.

The preview brochure offers early booking deals that combine 2014-at-2013 prices with fly-free-to-Europe offers, air credits or discounts, based on pre-April 30, 2013 bookings. New prices will feature in the complete 2014 brochure, which is expected in a few months and will carry a selection of more than 50 cruise and tour holidays. The brochure also highlights the structure of APT’s fully-inclusive packing, featuring all sightseeing, excursions and entertainment, gratuities, personal airport welcome, transfers, Wi-Fi and port charges. Also included are all meals and complimentary beverages throughout the cruise, expert local guides, VIP access to all the must see sights and hidden treasures and optional Gold and Silver Butler services. “On top of the deals, our own 13ship fleet, and our all-inclusive pricing, unpacking the once is a very highly valued factor in our 98 per cent customer satisfaction ratings.” Meanwhile actress, producer and philanthropist Sharon Stone has christened

the 106-passenger AmaVida which will cruise the Duoro River in Portugal in 2013. Hosting 106 guests and 79 metres long, the AmaVida has been specifically designed for the Duoro River and offers the choice of six suite styles. APT is offering three dedicated AmaVida itineraries for Australian passengers, with the full range of options. “There has been strong take-up of this new APT cruise, especially from our customers who have already cruised the Rhine-Main-Danube network with us,” said Ms Fox. For more information, visit aptouring.com.au

Legendary river cruises, Inspired design

THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF EUROPE

THE HEIGHT OF LUXURY

2014 OPEN FOR SALE For bookings call 1300 130 134

EARLYBIRD SPECIALS

For earlybird flyers and main season e-brochure visit our website.

or go to www.globusfamily.com.au/onlinebookings

Scan to view the Avalon video clip

TH ANNIVERSARY

SAVE $1000 *PER COUPLE on selected Avalon European river cruises and inaugural cruises on Avalon Poetry II, Illumination and Impression.

SAVE $500 * PER COUPLE on any Avalon European river cruise

SAVE $300 * PER COUPLE

on any World Collection river & small-ship cruise

avalonwaterways.com.au

*Conditions apply: Save $1000 per couple valid for new bookings to 30 June 2013. Save $500 and Save $300 per couple offers valid for new bookings to 30 September 2013. Full terms and conditions refer Avalon Waterways website at www.avalonwaterways.com.au.

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OMAN UNVEILED CLAUDIA VIDOR from Sun Island Tours shares her experiences of Oman.

The Grand Mosque in Muscat OMAN’S HISTORY tells stories of heroism, courage, wisdom, patriotism, love and devotion to homeland. This brings us closer to understanding the richness of the cultural experience which has contributed to the building of modern Oman. In general, the Omani people are characterised by a broad smile and the authentic Arabic generosity that is in their blood. This is evident in the hospitality widespread throughout the country where aromatic coffee will be offered to visitors. Oman is recognised as one of the safest countries on the Arabian Peninsula with crime rates being very low, due largely to the people’s warmth, respect and welcoming acceptance of foreigners when opening their country to tourism. The country has made giant strides in the opportunities for women in the past decade. There are currently more women than men enrolled in higher education at

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university level. The rate of participation for women in the labour force is on the rise, and an estimated one-third of all civil servants are women. Muscat is the capital city and is described as Arabia’s jewel, a blend of the old and the new. The Corniche, with its promenade and souqs (markets), is one of the highlights of the city. But the ‘real’ Oman lays outside the bright lights, in the mountains and the desert, amongst the dunes and in the welcoming Kayf halesh (how are you?) of the people. Oman has a moderate to seasonal hot climate and very little rainfall and the weather in summer (June to August) can reach up to 50°C. The climate in the mountains at 3,000 metres above sea level can range from -5 to 28°C with the southern Dhofar region experiencing a monsoon climate during the warmer months. I was lucky enough to experience

the beauty of this country thanks to an educational tour run by Oman Tourism Board. Every participant on the trip fell in love with the warm, dry weather, the green oasis in the middle of the mountains, the incredible red dunes of Wahiba Sands, the long and wild beaches of Sur and the ancient city of Nizwa. Swimming in water holes and watching turtles hatching at Ras Al Hadd was a highlight of the tour, while the dances under the stars and the freshness of the food also need to be mentioned. My company has been selling Oman for many years and we deal with the best Omani operator, introduced to us directly from the Oman Tourism office. I highly recommend spending two to three days in Muscat before visiting the country. Sun Island Tours offer a three day Oman city-break from $450* per person twin share, which includes two nights’ accommodation with breakfast, transfers and a Muscat city tour. We also offer privately escorted tours which range from two to 13 days, including The Grand Tour of Oman. This is our most comprehensive tour and takes visitors to the culture capital of Nizwa, the red dunes of the desert - where you can meet a Bedouin family - and the tropical southern city of Salalah, a gem completely unknown to most tourists. For more information on Oman, visit sunislandtours.com.au; 1300 665 673. *Conditions apply

Arabia

G’DAY DUBAI

Burj Khalifa

VISITORS TO DUBAI from Australia and New Zealand increased by seven per cent last year, seeing overall numbers reach more than 225,000. Figures released by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing also show that the number of Australian visitors to Dubai climbed to 193,575 from 179,214 the previous year, marking an increase of eight per cent. “The growth from Australia and New Zealand has surpassed our expectations,” said Julie King, Director of the DTCM Australia and New Zealand Representative Office. “The market’s interest in Dubai continues to go from strength to strength and we are looking forward to an exciting year ahead with the launch of Qantas flights to Dubai as well as the commencement of the Emirates and Qantas partnership.” According to the figures, the year’s highlights included a major increase of 29 percent in January which contributed to an impressive 21 percent increase in the number of Australian visitors to Dubai in the first quarter of 2012. Other significant increases were in February and December - both months had an increase of close to 20 percent - indicating that more Australians are choosing to travel to Dubai in the cooler winter months. “One of our primary objectives is to increase the length of stay in Dubai. To do this, we will continue to work closely with our industry partners both here and in Dubai to help drive awareness on the diversity of the country as well as positioning Dubai as a holiday destination in its own right,” added King. For more information, visit dubaitourism.ae or definitelydubai.com

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LOEI

At the Phi Ta Khon Festival

AND BEHOLD Tired of vacations that skirt around the fringes of local culture? Dive head first into Loei, Thailand’s cultural wonderland where the locals live and breathe the traditional Isan way of life. By JESSICA ZOITI WITH A SHAWL draped over my shoulders and morning coffee in hand, I gaze lazily over the dam, across rice paddies and out to the milky, misted mountains. My sprawling deck, despite its peeling paint and rickety balustrade, is the perfect stage from which to soak in the serene and uncharacteristically crisp Thai morning. An adventure seeker at heart, I don’t often crave serenity, yet here I am at the spiritual PhuNaCome Resort in Dan Sai on the Loei (pronounced “loy”) province’s western border. The past seven days have led me through ancient Buddhist temples, down the sleepy Khong River (Mekong) and into the homes of warm-hearted villagers. Famously humble and honest, the local Isan people’s brand of hospitality is hard to refuse. These are Thailand’s roads less travelled – Loei is a relatively unchartered goldmine of authentic cultural tourism attractions and is starting to make a lot of noise on the domestic travel scene. Located an hour’s flight north-east of Bangkok, it neighbours Laos, the slow 44 | W W W . T R A V E L T A L K M A G . C O M . A U

moving Mekong creating a natural border to the west and north of the region. Its population is sparse (around 630,000 people), and it’s covered in vast national parks and fog-tipped mountain ranges. The high altitude gives Loei Thailand’s coolest annual temperatures, sometimes dipping below zero in mid winter. At Loei’s core is its capital district, Mueang Loei. The city of Loei is a tiny although typically congested Thai metropolis – a single daily flight to and from Bangkok ferries people in and out, making this the most accessible and convenient entry point. But it’s not the city sights that visitors are coming to see. Chiang Khan, the charming riverside community in the far north, is proving to be the crowning jewel – a shining Siam star – with surrounding districts, like spiritual Dan Sai, benefitting from the overflow of travellers seeking greater cultural diversity. My hostess at PhuNaCome, Neeracha “Hui” Wongmasa, may be Bangkok-born

but she’s now an avid promoter and guardian of Loei’s rich cultural virtues. “Visitors here get a true cultural experience,” she insists. “We have so many national parks, but besides nature we also have a lot of authentic culture which is different in each district so tourists can have fun exploring the unique culture in every corner of the province. “Loei is very new to tourism. We’re not as well set up as operators in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, but we have a unique Isanstyle of hospitality. The people here are so sincere, modest and honest.” New to tourism? Yes, but not ready? Certainly not, and if your journey through Loei is anything like mine, it will be rewarding and filled with rich human interactions.

MUEANG LOEI Landing in Loei – the seams of the pintsized airport groaning under the strain of rapidly rising visitor numbers – I head straight for the Loei Palace Hotel. Although dated, the art deco-style

Thailand

The Mueang Loei evening market

A cycling group in Dan Sai

hotel is still the city’s grandest with simple, sweeping suites. Its location is also excellent and as dusk approaches I set off by foot, across the Loei River (a tributary of the Mekong), straight into the city. By day, it’s a hot and dusty centre of commerce but right now, as the setting sun casts a pink glow across the central lake and locals jog past in pairs, it begins to feel like an entirely different city. What it lacks in charm by day, it makes up for in flavour by night. Great food isn’t hard to find here with every second turn revealing another conga line of local hawker stalls, like the popular “Eat Street” located adjacent to the lake, and the Mueang Loei evening and morning markets at the northern end of town. I wisely choose to chow down at the Lanchang Bar & Restaurant where warm lantern-lit wooden terraces flank tropical gardens and the food is cheap and authentic. A decent wine list is a treat (and as I came to learn, a rarity in the region). The city of Loei however, is little more than a launch pad into the culturally rich countryside, starting first at Ban Na Or, an authentic Tai-Loei (CORRECT SPELLING OF TAI, JON) village a five-minute drive away. The wooden and stone architecture here is original and being cared for by the local monks. A small private museum is like a looking glass into Mueang Loei’s centuriesold way of life. Accompanied by my monk guide, I stroll through the immaculate streets to the cornfields on the village outskirts, and am welcomed to join the local women as they prepare a communal lunch of noodles, chicken curry and sticky rice. It’s the perfect send-off from Mueang Loei and hints at the hospitality to come in magical Chiang Khan.

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The replica Isan Village at PhuNaCome Resort

CHIANG KHAN The drive from Mueang Loei to Chiang Khan (just 40 minutes) follows a meandering mountain range, so shrouded in haze that at times it disappears completely from sight. Hui accompanies me on the drive, my knowledgeable companion chatting eagerly about our end destination. “What makes Chiang Khan so unique are the rows of old houses along the bank of the Mekong,” she begins. “The way the people live there is a very quiet village lifestyle, although these days the pace of life is getting a little busier with the new shops and increased numbers of local tourists visiting the town. “Most of the people from Chiang Khan have migrated from Luang Prabang (in Laos), so the people there have a lot of Laotian ways of living, like offering the monks sticky rice in the mornings – in other regions they offer money and other foods, but in Chiang Khan it’s just sticky rice.” In just two short days I’ll be among the locals kneeling on the curb, head lowered,

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passing handfuls of the popular rice to the procession of saffron-robed monks. I’ll also float a hand-made krathong (a banana leaf and floral vessel) down the Mekong, asking the river goddess to release me from any sufferings and bad luck I may be experiencing. But for now, I’m eagerly anticipating my arrival at the picturesque Chiang Khan River Mountain Resort. Located just outside the old town, the manicured resort sits peacefully on the banks of the river, its luxurious rooms looking across the sleepy waters to Laos on the other side. So tranquil is the atmosphere, travellers looking to do little would be content here, but after breathing in the clean river air I’m eager to explore. According to Hui, the past two years have seen tourism in Chiang Khan grow by more than 500 per cent. Sceptics need only walk down the main street to realise this figure may in fact be close to the mark. Many of the century-old wooden houses have now been restored and almost all operate as guest houses offering a wellpriced bed and local breakfast.

At street level are small restaurants, coffee shops brewing surprisingly good coffee (another rarity) and countless souvenir stalls selling T-shirts, handcrafted wooden goods and children’s toys. Between them is Wat Sri Kun Muang, a national heritage Buddhist temple displaying collections of both Lanna (northern Thai) and Lan Chang (Laotian) arts. The beauty of this place is that nothing much seems to happen. Life moves at a snail’s pace and there’s a general laissez faire feeling in the air – a sunset cruise up the river with sleepy Thai villages to one side and Laotian children frolicking in the shallows on the other paints a perfect picture. A half hour’s drive east of Chiang Khan is the Tai Dam village, Ban Na Pa Nat. I spend a morning here, but could easily while away the whole day weaving colourful amulets, joining traditional dances and feasting on local cuisine. Originally from Laos, the tribe took refuge in Loei some 300 years ago, but has managed to preserve its rich cultural identity and belief in ancient spirits.

Thailand DAN SAI I fall for Dan Sai immediately, not only for its stunning mountain setting and dewy mornings, but also for the region’s palpable spirituality. Dan Sai’s people, who like most Thais are predominantly Buddhist, also have deeprooted beliefs in ghosts. “Dan Sai is also called the ‘ghost town’,” explains Hui, who has made the pretty rural village her home. “Even today, the people here believe in good spirits, which is why they have so many ceremonies and festivals, like the Phi Ta Khon festival.” The only ghost festival in the world, Phi Ta Khon put Dan Sai on the map. Held annually in June or July, the dates for the three-day event are divined by Jao Phaw Kuan, the local spiritual leader who channels information from the town’s guardian deity. The festival highlight is a colourful cross between Halloween and Carnivale –revellers outfitted in ghoulish masks take to the streets in their thousands, dancing in the hope of warding off drought. Like many visitors to Dan Sai, I decide to ditch the car in favour of a pushbike. Flat and easy, my two-hour cycle leads me past Dan Sai’s oldest residence, and the home of Jao Phaw Kuan, to Pra That Sri Song Rak, the province’s most respected Lan Chang-style

pagoda built around 1560. I also manage to squeeze in time at the Phi Ta Khon local museum to better wrap my head around the fascinating local tradition. Interested to know more, I visit famous local artist Ajarn Abichat Damkasem who tutors guests in the ancient art of Phi Ta Khon mask making. The Loei province’s commitment to preserving its local culture is only matched by its drive to protect the environment, and nowhere is greener than Dan Sai. My Dan Sai home, PhuNaCome, while luxurious and achingly attractive with its infinity-edge pool, tranquil ponds and replica Isan village, is green to its core. A glass drying room replaces clothes driers, there’s a strict “no plastic” code, people get around on bikes, fertilisers are all homemade and chemical free, and the same goes for the soap, lotions and shampoos. My little slice of Isan heaven neighbours a family of Asian buffalo – once numbering around six million in Thailand the species is now endangered with less than 4,000 remaining globally. PhuNaCome is doing its best to protect Thailand’s remaining population and its small herd is considered part of the family. The buffalo aren’t so special. Loei makes all who visit feel like a favourite sweater – warm, familiar and wanted.

FAST FAC TS /// NEED TO KNOW I followed Wild Thailand’s seven-day Loei: The Colors of Mae Kong Tribal Cultures itinerary with local Englishspeaking guide Pui by my side. Signage throughout the region is rarely translated into English, making Pui’s services invaluable. Wild Thailand also caters to independent travellers. MAKE A BOOKING: Chiang Khan River Mountain Resort: chiangkhanriver@gmail. com; chiangkhanrivermountain. com Loei Palace Hotel: oamhotels. com/loeipalace PhuNaCome Resort: sales@ phunacomeresort.com; phunacomeresort.com Wild Thailand: info@wildthailand. com; wildthailand.com Tourism Authority of Thailand: tourismthailand.org/loei

Breathtaking, challenging, awe-inspiring, amazing.

There are par ts of Thailand that haven’t changed in thousands of years. What is truly amazing is being able to explore such beautiful places without affecting the environment. Whether it’s treks through mountainous hilltribe villages or trips through mangrove forests, you will be truly amazed at our diverse landscape. Whether you are planning the trip of a lifetime or you are a regular visitor to Thailand, one thing that’s cer tain is you will always be amazed.

www.thailand.net.au Tourism Authority of Thailand, Level 20, 56 Pitt St, Sydney, NSW 2000

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