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Whitsunday Islands back to normal: pay us a visit!

2011-03-07T06:46:39.000Z

After some extreme weather in the surrounding region that made news worldwide, life in the Whitsunday Islands is back to normal and the travel industry is again welcoming guests in the usual friendly Queensland way. The islands were fortunate enough to escape the worst of the damage, and although the Hayman resort on Hayman Island has closed until August 2011 to repair storm damage just about everywhere else is back to picture-perfect normal.

So whether you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime luxury holiday or just a short getaway to relax in spectacular surroundings, make the Whitsundays your choice. Accommodation is available to suit all budgets from backpackers to jet-setters, and if you ever tire of lounging in paradise there are no end of activities to enjoy. We hope to see you soon!

Double Ooooppsss..Now a new spoof Tourism Australia website creates a HUGE Ruckus!

2010-04-09T14:00:00.000Z

At the same time the cheeky Kiwis hijacked the new Tourism Australia Social Media Campaign someone (!!??) in the US created a very NON PC parody of the "There's Nothing Like Australia" website...very very NON PC - but - VERY VERY Funny..!

Tourism Australia originally were VERY not amused and wanted the site pulled..but as it used a private 'whois' address the owner could not be found. And that begs the question, how could TA "forget" to register ALL the domain names around their campaign.. as the domain name used for the parody site is: www.NothingLikeAustralia.net - a VERY big name NOT to register!????

I guess this exercise shows everyone that uses social media that it is exactly that - social media - and it's viral..and once out of the box - it's fair game - and if you are a control freak for your brand - it can be risky..

Some of the highlights of the parody site include the late Steve Irwin holding his baby as he fed crocodlies with the caption - "There's nothing like taking your child to work".. another is a pix of a guy with 6 toes on each foot with the caption "Theres nothing Like Tasmanian family trees..(my favourite..!) - and many more really naughty captions...

Oopssss....New Tourism Australia Social Media Campaign gets hijacked by the Kiwis..but in a nice way!

2010-04-09T13:06:54.000Z

In a simply BRILLIANT piece of 'friendly' "brand jacking" carried out under the auspices of it being an April Fools Day prank (hmmmm..!) The Kiwis hijacked the new (and frankly rather bland) Tourism Australia social media campaign: "There's Nothing Like Australia" with their own - albeit temporary - facebook, flickr and twitter versions - Good one guys!

Actually ticks ALL the boxes with how to use social media..and shows up in a big way the fresh, cheeky, insouciant "thumb-to-nose-not-afraid-to-take-the -mick-out-of-themselves" attitude the Kiwis have to promoting their country - as their flag carrier - Air New Zealand - also has with it's cracking videos on their 'painted on' staff uniforms..and their racy Cougar Advert - short lived - totally NON PC - but again brilliant!

And - the copy on the Facebook Page - Priceless!

"Nothing like Australia

100% Betterer

100% Pure New Zealand

It's nothing personal Australia, we love your new advertising campaign, its just that we're nothing like you.

Love from

New Zealand"

And then of course the iconic New Zealand photos in 'Nothing Like Australia' photostream..

Whales up close and personal

2010-03-13T00:19:12.000Z

Wow! You are only a few feet from 35 tonnes of Whale that is looking back at you. Blue Dolphin Marine Tours offers you this chance to see the Humpback Whales up close and personal. Hervey Bay in Queensland offers the best whale watch experience along the East Coast of Australia, in the calm waters protected by the World Heritage listed Fraser Island.

Blue Dolphin is the only award winning sail tour operater in Hervey Bay offering you an exclusive full day whale watch experience. The vessel is 10.7 m and 5 tonnes so you can imagine the feeling of looking at the whales that 5 times our weight and the same length as the vessel.

If you are traveling in Australia and will be in Queensland between late July and early November be sure to allow yourself some time to see the Humpback whales in Hervey Bay. The full day trip includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea and a drink with lunch. Be One of the Few, Not the Many with Blue Dolphin.

Brits, they're our best hotel guests

2010-03-11T01:40:39.000Z

We are a 3.5 star property in Sydney. UK is one of our biggest market and we love the Brits.

they are very appreciative, friendly and not so messy in the room.

they usually know what the are getting for booking a 3.5 star property in Sydney

when you come to Sydney and need accommodation check our website www.devere.com.au and contact us and we shall be very happy to assist you.

Extracts from IBIS World Market Research out today: UK TO AUSTRALIA MARKET 2010-2014

2010-02-03T18:00:00.000Z

IBISWorld forecasts that Australia's tourism industry's revenue will grow by 1.6% over the five year period to 2014-15. The industry requires a more concerted effort and strategic focus to be taken by internal operators. Expanding low-cost flights and the arrival of super jumbo jets provide opportunities for growth for airline firms, however continuing fragmentation of the accommodation industry will occur, as travellers shift their preferences over time towards serviced apartments and other smaller, more hospitable styles.

Online travel information, booking and payment will become much more popular, resulting in fewer travel agencies in operation. There is expected to be an increase in both the number of trips and per trip expenditure over the outlook. International visitor arrivals will improve, particularly from the UK and New Zealand.

This industry is generally expected to experience positive revenue growth over the five years due to improving domestic and international economic conditions. However, the speed by which the industry becomes more strategically focused and competitive with emerging tourism markets will determine the momentum of growth and positive performance.

More from Smart Company Australia and Ibis World Here:

The Perfect Bush Adventure for a Family

2010-02-02T21:47:38.000Z

Families love getting out into the Australian Bush on an Aussie Bush holiday with Aussie Farmstay and Bush Adventures. With the entire organisation, accommodation, transport, activities and food prearranged, parents can relax and be guided on four days of adventure. The whole family experiences the variety, hospitality and beauty of rural Australia.

The Beaudoin family from the United States made the trip in March 2008 and their experiences and comments are indicative of the enjoyment to be had on tour. At its conclusion father Tony had this to say:
“Thank you for letting us experience the heart and soul of both the people and places of NSW. The farmstay made the trip for us and the kids. For one night we truly felt like part of your extended family in the bush. That is what sets your tour apart."

And the farmstay does set the tour apart, making it a unique holiday experience. For one afternoon, evening and following morning visitors are immersed into country Australian life as they stay on a family owned sheep farm. Here they witness demonstrations of faming practices, watch whip cracking and performing animal shows, sit around a campfire for a home cooked meal and are entertained with singing, poetry and star expositions.

Bill and Mary Norris, farmstay hosts, and their family and friends create an environment so welcoming and friendly that visitors invariably comment that they felt like part of the family. For Tony’s wife Laura and children Isabelle 9 and Colton 6 it was the highlight of the trip. Laura commented;
“My kids loved the farmstay the best. Your family and friends are so welcoming and friendly.”
and Isabelle wrote:
“The farm-stay was the best! I loved holding the baby lambs and riding the sheep”

But there’s also more to an Aussie Farmstay and Bush Adventures tour than the farm. Isabelle added:
“I also liked the horseback riding a lot! I loved petting the koalas, wombat and kangaroos. They were so cute!
Animal experiences make up a large part of tours. The first stop is the Koala Park Sanctuary where visitors can pat a koala, hold a wombat and hand feed kangaroos. There are a myriad of Native Australian birds and animals to see here.
On the last day of the tour travellers enjoy a one and half hour horse ride through native Blue Mountains bushland. Werriberri Trail Rides who provide this awesome experience are experienced in choosing horses to suit any rider, from children and adults who’ve never ridden before to experienced dressage riders or showjumpers.

Other Experiences on tours include a visit and tour at Abercrombie Caves, stunning limestone caves which have the largest archway in the Southern Hemisphere. Kids love to explore in the cool, dark underground environment with magnificent Stalagmite and stalactite formations highlighted with feature lighting.

Another favourite with kids is The Age of Fishes fossil museum in Canowindra where visitors can touch actual fossils of animals alive 360 million years ago.

Other historic rural towns and villages are explored, such as the former mining town and artists’ retreat of Hill End, and the vibrant wine producing Mudgee region where parents can relax and try some of the area’s produce, without having to worry about driving after a tipple.

A trip on the steepest railway in the world, Katoomba’s Scenic Railway will have everyone gasping as they descend into the breathtaking Jamison Valley. Here they can stroll on the network of boardwalks to explore the history and scenic nature of the Valley floor.

By the end of the tour the Beaudoins were delighted they’d experienced as much of genuine Australian life as they had and Laura commented:
“Sally, you're the best! We had a lot of fun and learned so much about the people, animals and culture. Thanks for a great time."

Sally the guide for Aussie Farmstay and Bush Adventures tours has a passion for showing visitors the area where she grew up and her enthusiasm is infectious. Isabelle summed up the feelings of most travellers:
“You were very nice and I hope I see you soon!"
www.aussiebushadventures.com

More than half a million British travellers went 'Down Under' to Australia in the first 11 months of 2009..

2010-02-01T18:30:00.000Z

More than half a million British travellers travelled to Australia in the first 11 months of 2009. This figure of 564,000 represents a decline of ONLY one per cent on the same period in 2008 and ALSO was during the height of the global financial crisis.

Just in the month of November 64,200 visitors from the UK arrived in Australia, representing a 5% increase on November 2008, according to latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

And it's looking GOOD as well for 2010 - as new carriers like the multi-award winning Qatar Airways and the new giant A380 Airbusess of Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Qantas take to the skies with daily services to OZ with cheaper aircraft to fly - and MANY more seats to fill!

Tourism Australia general manager Europe Rodney Harrex said:

“Throughout the economic down-turn we continued to market actively to the British public via consumer marketing and trade campaigns, as we felt sure that there was still an appetite from Brits to holiday in Australia.

“We have promoted the Working Holiday Visa to those aged 18-30 via www.facebook.com/australianworkingholiday, we told the story of our luxury credentials to take advantage of the resilience of the high yield segment, and we partnered with airlines and tour operators to deliver a price and accessibility message to convert intention in to bookings."

“Promoting flying from your local airport and two week holidays in Australia helped us attract first time visitors.

“Our campaigns invited Brits to come and enjoy uniquely Aussie experiences, delivering messaging about our weird and wonderful wildlife, our welcoming personality and the rejuvenating power of a holiday in Australia.

“The contrast between the laidback coastal lifestyle in Oz and the climate – from an economic and a weather perspective here in the UK – certainly resonated in this market.”

Release Date: 01 February 2010