WESTERN A U S T R A L I A ’ S DIVERSE EVENTS CALENDAR

Shinju Matsuri

Visitors can experience Western Australia’s natural beauty, state-of-the-art venues and diverse culture in unique and unforgettable ways through an incredible range of world-class cultural, arts, sporting and culinary events.

• SHINJU MATSURI

Culture, food – Broome (Rubibi), North West August 26 to September 10 2023 

Japanese for ‘festival of the pearl’, Broome’s annual Shinju Matsuri is a vibrant celebration of the town’s unique multicultural and pearling history. Since the late 1800s, Broome’s prized South Sea pearls have brought together local Aboriginal people with Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Koepanger, Filipino and European workers. This cultural fusion continues to flourish in present-day Broome, where Shinju Matsuri’s nine-day whirlwind of colour, sound, taste and smell showcase the region’s natural beauty and unique history. shinjumatsuri.com.au

• HIGH VOLTAGE

Music, culture – Fremantle, Perth May 7 2023

WA’s iconic rock history will be celebrated in a new AC/DC-inspired event — High Voltage. The new street circuit-style event will celebrate music and community, as well as the spirit of Fremantle-raised former lead singer of AC/DC Bon Scott. National and international live music acts will perform from trucks in a musical procession throughout the streets of Fremantle. 

• F I F A W O M E N ’ S W O R L D C U P A U S T R A L I A & NEW ZEALAND 2023 

Sports – Perth – July 20 – August 20, 2023 

Perth Rectangular Stadium will host five matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM, giving sport lovers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of this global spectacular. Among the visiting teams will be Denmark, China PR, Canada, Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, Morocco and Colombia. 

• T H O M A S D A M B O ’ S G I A N T S OF MANDURAH 

Thomas Dambo's Giants of Mandurah

Art, culture – Mandurah and Perth Region – November 12, 2022 to November 2023 

In an Australian-first, a series of enormous wooden sculptures have be installed south of Perth. Created by renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo, and standing at around five metres tall, the sculptures are intended to be protectors of the environment, and will each have their own distinct personality. Visitors will be encouraged to explore and discover these installations at five secret locations in Mandurah and the wider Peel region. An artist of international acclaim, Dambo has exhibited extensively throughout the world. His practice celebrates the diversity, beauty and importance of the natural world, with his works all handmade using recycled materials.

• B O A B M E T A L S O R D VALLEY MUSTER 

Culture, music, food — Kununurra (Goonoonoorrang), North West – May 19 to 27, 2023 

The Boab Metals Ord Valley Muster celebrates the culture and extraordinary natural landscapes of the Kimberley region in WA’s North West. The festival prides itself on embracing the local community to present an impressive line-up of events including comedy nights, a street party and the Waringarri Corroboree. The muster’s major drawcard, the Kimberley Moon Experience, is held on the banks of the Ord River and provides an idyllic setting to enjoy a stellar line-up of national and local musical acts. ordvalleymuster.com 

• TRUFFLE KERFUFFLE 

Truffle Kerfuffle

Food and wine – Manjimup, South West – June 23 to 25, 2023 

Truffle Kerfuffle is a weekend long celebration of WA’s famous black truffles — found in Manjimup in the State’s South West. Held during truffle season at Fonty’s Pool in Manjimup, festival goers will enjoy interactive and hands on experiences. Join truffle hunters and their truffle dogs to search out prized truffles, visit the festival village to meet the producers and get a taste of the region, or enjoy a range of exclusive dining events. trufflekerfuffle.com.au

*Source: Tourism Western Australia, info@westernaustralia.com

https://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/

JOIN US FOR THE BONDI FESTIVAL 30 June - 16 July

We are thrilled to partner with Bondi Festival for the second year in a row as their accommodation and venue partner. In celebration to kick off the festival we are offering an exclusive deal for anyone who wants to stay with us during the festival period.

Book directly at theblue.com.au and use the code BONDIFEST for 20% off our best available rate. This is valid from 30th June till 30 16th July 2023. All bookings are non refundable.
Book Now

IT'S MORE FUN IN BONDI!

CHECK OUT THE NEW $50M RENO ON OUR PAVILION!
Containing new restaurants, cafes, exhibitions & views.

STAY WITH US FOR FREE!
Book a stay for any date in 2023 or 2024 and get a 100% credit voucher for your next stay
All bookings must be made by 30th of June.

Use code "GODFATHER" during checkout
The deal you can't refuse
Learn More
Book Now

THE BLUE Hotel Bondi

Street Address: 113 - 115 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, Sydney - New South Wales
Phone: 02 9066 4400
Email: stay@theblue.com.au

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will organize inspection teams to ensure the quality of tourist accommodation facilities in 2023

Panorama of Vung Tau city. Photo: The Phi

On May 11, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Plan No. 1819/KH-BVHTTDL on inspecting and ensuring the quality of the system of tourist accommodation establishments in Vietnam in 2023.

This is an activity to raise awareness of state management agencies, investors, and managers and operators of accommodation establishments about the need to maintain and control service quality and sustainable development. sustainable development, creating a positive response of the entire tourism industry in enhancing the quality management of tourist accommodation services, especially in the recovery period after the COVID-19 epidemic.

Create a fundamental change in improving professionalism and service quality, environmental hygiene in the system of tourist accommodation establishments, quality assurance facilities according to standards. At the same time, raise the sense of civilized behavior, polite and friendly attitude to serve guests for all staff in tourist accommodation establishments.

Strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of tourist accommodation establishments; implementing administrative reform, raising public service consciousness; carry out the appraisal and recognition of tourist accommodation establishments according to standards and procedures, ensuring objectivity and fairness; resolutely handle officers who commit violations, negative, cause difficulties or cover up for the unit to fail to comply with regulations.

The implementation of the Plan demonstrates the determination and strong commitment of the tourism industry in terms of awareness and action in correcting, restoring and improving the quality of tourism services, meeting the requirements of rapid tourism development. , lasting. Thereby, creating specific changes and results in improving service quality in the system of tourist accommodation establishments in Vietnam in the recovery period after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, the test subjects are star-rated tourist accommodation establishments throughout the country; tourist accommodation establishments that improperly advertise service quality, advertise, list or advertise star-class without being recognized by a competent authority.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requires Departments of Tourism Management to proactively organize inspection teams to monitor the quality of tourist accommodation services in the area. At the same time, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in coordination with the Inspectors of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Departments of Tourism Management, will inspect and supervise a number of key areas for tourism development, including: North (Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An); Central region (Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam); The South (Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Kien Giang.

The estimated time is from June to October 2023, in which, inspection will be carried out in June in the North, from July to October, in the Central and South regions.

Deploying this Plan, the management agencies will organize propaganda and grasp the guidelines, goals and measures to improve the service quality of the tourist accommodation system, regulations and standards. for tourist accommodation activities, require hotels to implement and maintain service quality according to the recognized star class.

Organize inspection and supervision teams of tourist accommodation service quality according to the industry standard system. For tourist accommodation establishments, there are a number of limitations: they require rectification, investment in upgrading the quality within 3 months, if not, the decision on recognition of grades shall be revoked. For tourist accommodation establishments that do not maintain the quality of facilities, do not ensure hygiene, do not meet the standards of human resources, and behave uncivilly, the decision on recognition of grades shall be revoked.

At the same time, it will support to organize training and retraining programs to improve hotel management skills and professional skills for managers and staff of tourist accommodation establishments. The localities have plans to support the professional training of human resources of accommodation establishments in the area.

Continue to supplement and perfect the standard system of tourist accommodation to meet the requirements of international integration. Organize activities to honor and reward collectives and individuals providing good quality tourist accommodation services, which are highly appreciated by tourists, and coordinate with the ASEAN Secretariat to award annual ASEAN tourism awards. .

For tourist accommodation establishments nationwide, it is necessary to be aware of the requirements and responsibilities to comply with regulations on quality management, strictly comply with the classification standards of tourist accommodation establishments; participate in and respond to the improvement of the quality of tourist accommodation establishments.

Inspect and review all facilities and equipment; upgrade and promptly replace degraded and damaged equipment; ensure that tourist accommodation establishments, especially star-rated hotels, must maintain quality standards.

Review and re-evaluate the entire contingent of officials and employees working in tourist accommodation establishments; have a plan to recruit, organize training, foster vocational skills and improve civilized behavior for employees; replace, transfer employees with limited expertise to another appropriate department.

Inspecting the work of ensuring security and order, environmental sanitation, fire prevention and fighting; Ensure all areas in the accommodation facility are clean and safe at all times.

Implement social security policies, take care of the material and spiritual life of employees, implement appropriate solutions to direct and reward within the tourist accommodation establishments, promptly correct orders you don't take it seriously.

Regarding implementation, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism was assigned to advise and propose leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to issue documents directing tourism management departments on strengthening management and ensuring quality. tourist accommodation establishments for the purpose of sustainable tourism development. To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies and units in, organizing specific inspection activities. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism organizes teams to inspect and supervise the quality of tourist accommodation services on the basis of a system of industry standards. Synthesize and report the results of the implementation of the plan to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The Department of Training (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) is assigned to direct and guide tourism training schools to organize appropriate training and retraining courses on tourism management and professional skills to meet the requirements of improving service quality. specific tourism in each period.

Inspectors of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism strengthen inspection, resolutely handle and rectify tourist accommodation establishments that advertise improperly the quality of services, advertise or list the wrong star ratings. or promote the star class without being recognized by the competent authority, especially check and review the promotion of tourist accommodation establishments on social networking sites, online booking systems such as Agoda. com, Booking.com, Traveloka.com, Facebook, Zalo…

The Ministry requested the Department of Tourism Management of the provinces/cities to advise and propose the People's Committees of the provinces/cities to issue plans and documents to direct relevant departments, agencies and sectors in the area to implement the plan. . Coordinating to participate in the inspection team to ensure the quality of the tourist accommodation system in the area. Report the results of implementation of the Plan integrated in the content of the unit's quarterly, six-monthly and year-end work reports.

*Source: Tourist Information Center
*Key word: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism,tourist accommodation establishments,check accommodation facilities,

Feeling ruff? We have a (delicious) antidote!

BI AN CA cafe @blenda_pechico on Instagram 

BI AN CA cafe in Kyoto is a tasty and fun experience, offering cute dog-shaped sweet treats! 

Like this strawberry and chocolate pizza topped with fairy floss that is shaped like a Bichon Frisé puppy.
Bone Appétit! 

#Cuisine

Japan National Tourism Organization

Instagram: visitjapansg

Website: japanbyjapan.com
Website: https://www.japan.travel/en/au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitJapanAU

The Holiday and Travel Magazine

https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Emirates bets on strong China demand after COVID opening

Emirates Airline Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim
says travel demand from Asia is outstripping supply.  
(Photo courtesy of Emirates Airline)

Gulf airline aims for full capacity by next March as Asia travel appetite grows

Emirates Airline says it aims to return to nearly pre-COVID capacity by next March as demand for air travel in Asia outstrips what airlines are offering.

In an interview with Nikkei Asia, Emirates Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said global travel demand is exceeding pre-COVID levels.

"We have restored 85% travel capacity in China [compared with pre-COVID], and the Chinese market can take up to five daily Emirates flights or more. We are operating at 85% capacity on our main global routes, and we aim to ramp up to 90% by summer 2023," he added.

Kazim said Emirates' operations have ramped up more slowly in Asia than Europe and the Middle East, because of the more gradual lifting of COVID restrictions in that region. Emirates is now seeing strong demand in mainland China, while Hong Kong is gradually picking up in terms of capacity recovery for the carrier.

"Airline competition in Asia is healthy and strong, and there is more demand in Asia than what airlines are offering," he said.

Emirates operates 440 daily flights, or 3,080 departures per week, from its hub in Dubai, equating to 1.3 million seats each week.

"By the end of this financial year [on March 31, 2024] we aim to operate at almost full capacity and full flight frequency," Kazim said.

The carrier has been serving China for nearly two decades and has established its presence in the Chinese market through strategic partnerships. It offers passengers connectivity to eight domestic points via Guangzhou through a codeshare agreement with China Southern Airlines, while providing customers of its partner airline with access to additional destinations in the Middle East and Africa.

Kazim said Emirates is facing higher costs -- in terms of fuel, catering, ground handling and overflight fares, or fees charged by countries to traverse their airspace -- but said the airline is trying to avoid passing on full cost increases to customers. Finding skilled workers has also been a challenge for the industry since the pandemic, he added.

Asked about plans by Gulf rival Saudi Arabia to launch long-haul carrier Riyadh Air, Kazim said Emirates' strong brand will help it maintain its market share in Asia, adding that "competition is healthy."

The executive also acknowledged that the transition to environmentally friendlier fuels is moving more slowly for airlines than other industries, saying that hydrogen is a costly option and sustainable aviation fuel still needs more testing. Emirates did not provide a time frame on when it will operate its flights using such fuels.

*Source: PATA, Level 26, Gaysorn Tower, 127 Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand communications@PATA.org

Occasions at Capital Hotel Group - EOFY Celebrations!

Say farewell to the financial year with us!

Meet and eat in style with the team and celebrate your accomplishments as the financial year draws to a close! Reserve a table at Marble & Grain, Restaurant Two14 or The Atrium. 

Book now, and let us create an unforgettable celebration for you and your team as you look to the year ahead.
DINE WITH US

Marble & Grain

Celebrate the end of the financial year at Marble & Grain. Choose between our inviting restaurant, or host a private gathering in the Muster Room or lounge area. Whether you prefer a lively ambiance or secluded space to recognise your team's achievements, our expert team is here to help. Explore our food & beverage offerings in our function kit and let us assist you in hosting a memorable event.
Marble & Grain Functions Kit
Book Now

Restaurant Two14

Come together as a team at our contemporary, Italian-inspired eatery Restaurant Two14. Book a table for your end of financial year event.
BOOK A TABLE

The Atrium

Take the team out for a meal at the inviting Atrium Restaurant & Bar. Book your spot and enjoy a tropical ambiance surrounded by lush greenery with your team.
BOOK A TABLE

Connect with -
Avenue Hotel
Deco Hotel
Pavilion on Northbourne

Anantara in the Maldives Celebrates World Oceans Day to Support Our Planet’s Most Valuable Asset

The ocean covers the majority of the earth, but only a small portion of its waters have been explored. Despite humanity’s reliance on it, the ocean receives only a fragment of our attention and resources in return. World Oceans Day celebrated on June 8th every year is about raising awareness of this invaluable resource and to celebrate, Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas turns the focus on the magical Maldives and how that little piece of paradise really showcases the wonder that is our Earth’s oceans.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives is the perfect place to celebrate the world’s majestic oceans. Thanks to its privileged location within the Baa Atoll, a renowned UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah is the ideal base from which to explore the world that lies hidden beneath the calm turquoise waters. Built on a naturally formed island, the resort is encircled by a magnificent coral reef that is widely regarded as the best house reef in the Maldives. From June to November, and a perfect way to celebrate World Oceans Day, there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with the thousands of majestic manta rays which frequent Hanifaru Bay during the season.

Another way to appreciate the wonders of the ocean at Anantara Kihavah is to dine at SEA, regarded as the world’s best underwater restaurant and wine cellar. SEA takes diners six metres beneath the waves to the very edge of Anantara Kihavah’s famed house reef. Giving guests so much more than just an unforgettable dining experience, the restaurant serves up an exceptional feast for the senses whilst marvelling at the panoramic views of tropical marine life at play amongst the vibrant corals of the reef.

Anantara Kihavah invites guests to join an exclusive event in celebration of World Ocean Day at the award-winning SEA. Held in collaboration with Sea Change Wines, the event features a gastronomic 5-course dinner paired with wines produced by Sea Change. Sea Change is an eco-friendly wine brand that uses minimal packaging to reduce waste and environmental impact while also contributing to ocean initiatives. Every sale of ethically sourced Sea Change Wines helps fund ocean conservation projects across the globe.

Coral reefs protect the pristine beaches at Anantara Dhigu Resort, Anantara Veli Resort & Naladhu Private Island Maldives, and guard the islands’ crystal-clear lagoon. They also support an astounding array of tropical fish, crustaceans and mollusks. However, for all of their beauty and apparent resilience, coral reefs in the Maldives are sensitive, vulnerable to extreme weather and sudden environmental changes. In a commitment to protect the oceans and the environment, Anantara initiated the Coral Adoption Programme. Throughout the year, the resorts invite guests to participate in this long-term project, by planting coral in the reef nursery and following growth with photo updates or return visits.

To celebrate World Oceans Day itself at Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Private Islands Maldives, a day of fun yet educational activities have been arranged with the arrival of their new marine biologist, Oriana Migliaccio. The day starts with a marine talk on The Wonders of the Ocean, discussing black tip sharks, rays, turtles, octopuses, and a rich variety of fish commonly seen at the resort. Later in the day, guests are invited to join a reef cleanup and snorkelling at Gulhifushi, the resort’s picnic island, followed by coral planting activities on the beach for easy participation for all ages and abilities.

Whichever island you choose to celebrate World Ocean Day 2023 Anantara in the Maldives will be on hand to make your moments special. 

For more information please visit: https://www.anantara.com/en/maldives

*Source: CHARLIE LONESMINOR HOTELS, PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT
clones@minor.com

AIR BNB SEEKS HOSTS FOR VIVID SYDNEY

Airbnb is encouraging Sydneysiders to list their room or home to help the city accommodate the influx of visitors that Vivid Sydney 2023 will bring. 

Airbnb data shows hosts collectively earned more than $17 million during Vivid Sydney 2022, with individual hosts earning a median of over $2200 during the festival. 

Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand Susan Wheeldon said: “Hosting on Airbnb is a great way to help showcase Sydney’s incredible world-class events and the diverse and exciting experiences the city has to offer. And after years of being isolated during the pandemic, people are looking for ways to connect and have authentic experiences."

LEARN MORE

FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here

*Source: Destination NSW

VIVID SYDNEY 2023 KICKS OFF WITH BIGGEST OPENING WEEKEND ON RECORD

Vivid Sydney has enjoyed its largest ever opening weekend, attracting more than 453,000 visitors to experience Australia’s largest event in 2023.

Festival goers from Sydney, as well as regional NSW, interstate and international markets, turned out for the festival’s first weekend to experience some of the 300+ events and activations that make up the 2023 program. The opening weekend attendance represents a 4 per cent increase from Vivid Sydney’s previous highest opening weekend in 2022.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, said the 2023 program was all about bringing people together while also providing economic benefit Sydney and NSW businesses.

“It was great to see tens of thousands of families out enjoying the Vivid Light Walk and it was encouraging to see the city’s CBD so vibrant and businesses benefiting from the record turnout...

“This festival is about community, bringing Sydneysiders and visitors from around the state, the country and the world together to celebrate our creative industries, and experience something new from world-class activations and events to diverse food culture and hospitality.

“Vivid Sydney 2023 is off to a flying start but there is still plenty of time to get out and take part in this unique Sydney celebration. I encourage those who are thinking about visiting the festival to plan their visit to the city and enjoy the festival in person.

“There are plenty of extra transport services running during Vivid Sydney. When planning your trip please remember that the best way to get to and from the festival is to catch public transport, you can plan your trip at transportnsw.info.”

The longest ever Vivid Sydney Light Walk, festival first experiences including Lightscape and Dark Spectrum, as well as Vivid Food, were all among the most visited festival offerings on the opening weekend. Restaurants, cafes and bars benefited from over 120,000 diners (up 5 per cent on opening weekend in 2022). Overall, 85 per cent of attendees purchased food beverages during the festival’s opening weekend.

Vivid Sydney 2023 started with First Light, a moving Welcome to Country followed by a celebration of First Nations peoples and culture featuring Yothu Yindi performing the iconic song Treaty.

Then, at 6pm on Friday 26 May, the bright and dazzling lights of Vivid Sydney 2023 were turned on as fireworks, searchlights and drones lit up the sky around Circular Quay and the sails of the Sydney Opera House were illuminated with the vibrant works of the late John Olsen AO OBE animated by creative technologists Curiious for Life Enlivened (2023).

On Sunday, more than 1,000 drones took to the night sky in the first of six scheduled drone shows titled “Written in the Stars”. Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors were amazed by the incredible images and animations from the largest drone show in the Southern Hemisphere which provides an awe-inspiring journey through the natural world above us.

“Written in the Stars” will be staged throughout the festival on Sunday and Wednesday nights, and on Monday 12 June, from 9:10pm (subject to weather conditions), and is set to an accompanying audio track available on Cineway.

Vivid Sydney Festival Director, Gill Minervini, said the expanded program and new, innovative events were key to engaging audiences in 2023.

“Vivid Sydney is the ultimate celebration of creative industries and our spectacular city. The program this year raises the bar and reimagines the types of activations that we offer – there are festival firsts, world premieres and never before activated spaces, as well as the brand-new pillar, Vivid Food.

“The programming is so diverse – there really is something for everyone. We are thrilled that so many have been part of our first festival weekend – the feedback and response has been incredible. There is still so much more to come!”

Vivid Sydney is the largest festival in Australia and runs nightly from 6pm until Saturday 17 June. In 2022 the festival welcomed 2.58 million visitors and injected $119 million into the NSW economy.

*Source: James Toovey, Ogilvy PR  james.toovey@ogilvy.com.au

NORTH DAKOTA: Theodore Roosevelt And The Badlands Boat Thieves

Theodore Roosevelt CREDIT Library of Congress

Some stories are too good for the big screen. They’re for the history books.  One icy morning, a ranch hand ran to the Billings County Sheriff claiming a boat had been stolen, a severed rope and a red mitten as proof. The idea of pursuing armed and dangerous thieves on a flooded and ice-filled river was a life-threatening task. However, this sheriff lived for rugged adventures. His name was Theodore Roosevelt.  

In the 1888 book “Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail,” he recounts the tale of battling the Missouri River through rolling clay buttes and zero-degree weather. When they approached the camp, Roosevelt wrote, “For a moment, we felt a thrill of keen excitement and our veins tingled as we crept cautiously toward the fire.” Using the element of surprise, all three thieves were apprehended. The trip took 36 hours and 300 miles – all for a replaceable boat – and was only made possible with Roosevelt’s undying sense of justice and need for adventure.

Stories like these tested his resolve, and are part of the reason he said, “I would not have been president if it had not been for my experience in North Dakota.” Today, you can visit the area where this happened at the Elkhorn Ranch in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  

For more information on North Dakota, visit NDTourism.com.

You Can Visit the Infamous Woodchipper in Fargo

Fargo was absolutely put on the map by the 1996 namesake film “Fargo,” written and directed by the Coen Brothers. The dark comedy movie depicted a frozen tundra with a hilariously unprepared police department trying to solve a crime.

The “Fargo” woodchipper scene goes down as one of the most infamous murder scenes in cult classic cinema history. Although the film wasn’t actually shot in Fargo (you’ll notice it looks nothing like the movie), you can still visit this original movie prop (and its stunt double) at the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center. 

For more information on Fargo-Moorhead, visit www.VisitFargoMoorhead.org.

*Source: Caroline Davidson - Davidson Communications – Account Manager RMI AUNZ, CONTACT FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST: AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND caroline@davcomm.com.au

How to Choose a Booking System: Arival Launches Guide to Help Experience Companies Grow Online Bookings

Arival, a global leader in the tour and activities industry, today launches a new guide aimed at helping tour operators choose a booking system. This new report comes ahead of the Arival Activate event in Bangkok on June 12-14, where the report will be launched to delegates with educational sessions about the importance of tech and connectivity to grow their business.

The report follows a recent study by Arival, which found that nearly half of surveyed tour operators are not using a booking system to secure customers. And 57% of these operators are small companies, versus just 7% of large companies. However, 71% of small agencies want to grow their online bookings.

Douglas Quinby, CEO of Arival said: “Every tour, activity and attraction operator, no matter how small or large, should be using an online booking system. The right technology saves companies time and money by helping them automate all of the routine tasks of running a tour or experiences business, so they can focus on what makes their operation special. Small agencies and tour operators are at a particular disadvantage by not using booking systems, because they can’t capture reservations online or manage their capacity in real time as effectively as larger players. Our research shows that many smaller companies want to grow their online bookings but don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing a booking system – this guide provides them with an actionable roadmap and advice on how they can make informed decisions about which system is right for them."

The ‘How To Choose A Booking System’ report includes topics such as why every operator needs a booking system and what factors should be considered when evaluating different systems. It also provides details on how to get started with the evaluation process and outlines key questions businesses should ask themselves before selecting a solution.

With this new guide from Arival, tour operators and experiences agencies can now make an informed decision about which booking system is right for their business needs. This is essential for any business looking to grow its online bookings and increase its market share in today's competitive market.

The information found in the guide will be discussed in more detail at the Arival Activate event in Bangkok on June 12-14 - an event dedicated to connecting creators and sellers of in-destination experiences to grow their business. In the meantime, the report is available to subscribers now on the Arival website.

More information about the Arival Activate Bangkok event can be found here.

More Thrillifying WICKED News!

The Broadway sensation WICKED is flying into Australia’s Emerald City at the Sydney Lyric from 25 August!

Wicked - the untold true story of the Witches of Oz.  

Book yours seats now.

New seats are released for 25 October to 12 November. These go on sale at 9am on Friday 2 June.

A new matinee has been added on Saturday 26 August.

During the last week of October, they will be celebrating 20 years on Broadway with 2 very special anniversary performances on Sunday 29 October. Secure your tickets now!

Starring Courtney Monsma as Glinda, Sheridan Adams as Elphaba and the newly announced Robyn Nevin as Madame Morrible, Todd McKenney as the Wizard, Liam Head as Fiyero, Adam Murphy as Dr Dillamond, Shewit Belay as Nessarose and Kurtis Papadinis as Boq.

Winner of over 100 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, WICKED is "A COMPLETE TRIUMPH! An original musical that will make you laugh, cry and think" USA Today.

Foe more information and bookings go to WickedtheMusical.com.au

Preserve and promote natural and cultural values ​​to turn Moc Chau into a national tourist area

The delegation of Vietnam National Administration of
Tourism surveyed at Long Sap international border gate

In order to support Son La province to implement the Project "Development of Moc Chau national tourist area eligible for recognition by 2025", on May 19, the delegation of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism led by Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy General Director as the head of the delegation, came to survey and evaluate Moc Chau tourist area.

Receiving the delegation were Comrade Trang Thi Xuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Management Board of Moc Chau Tourist Area; representatives of some departments and branches of the province and leaders of the People's Committee of Moc Chau district.

The survey was conducted according to the conclusion of the Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh at the meeting with Son La province on 4/4/2023. Accordingly, the Director General agreed with the proposal of the province on supporting the preparation of dossiers of application for recognition of Moc Chau National Tourist Area.

To implement the program, the delegation visited Long Sap international border gate, assessed the scale, potential, and oriented towards investment in infrastructure development for inter-regional tourism and international tourism in the region. future. Surveying Moc Chau Island tourist area, Dai Yem waterfall tourist spot; surveyed a number of hotels, accommodation and restaurants serving cuisine in Moc Chau district.

The delegation of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
surveyed and evaluated accommodation spots in Moc Chau district

Evaluating the surveyed tourist spots, Deputy Director General Ha Van Sieu said that Moc Chau's tourist attractions still retain their natural and pristine beauty. That is very necessary and important to develop sustainable tourism in the future. Moc Chau district needs to develop tourism in association with nature conservation, preserving natural landscapes and indigenous traditional cultural values. It is necessary to strengthen the attraction of investment in infrastructure, attract businesses to develop quality tourism products, and improve the quality of local human resources for tourism work.

The survey was to evaluate and complete the conditions and criteria for the national tourist area, to prepare for the preparation of the application for recognition of the Moc Chau National Tourist Area, Son La province.

*Source: Tourist Information Center
*Key word:: Deputy Director,Ha Van Sieu,Son La,Moc Chau,National tourist area,

Explore the beauty of one of Japan’s best kept secrets - the vibrant and breathtaking Tokushima Prefecture!

Tokushima Prefecture

Appreciate unique, traditional dance at the 400-year-old Awa Odori Festival (Awa Dance Festival), which takes place over 4 lively days each August.

 
Thrill seekers will rejoice at the breathtaking gorges of Oboke and Koboke, a fantastic location for some whitewater rafting and water adventures on the Yoshino River. 

Marvel at the stunning greenery of the Iya Valley and enjoy the rugged side of Tokushima on the awe-inspiring vine bridges. 

They were traditionally hand-woven from locally gathered materials and were once essential to the residents of this mountainous region. 

Experience the centuries-old craft of aizome (traditional indigo dyeing) then see some of the fastest currents in Japan in the Seto Inland Sea, a unique natural phenomenon known as the Naruto Whirlpools.

 
After a busy day exploring the wonders of Tokushima, refresh your tastebuds with Handa Somen - a thin wheat noodle that is slightly thicker and firmer than regular somen. 

Try it chilled with some dipping sauce or in a warm broth (nyumen).

Japan National Tourism Organization

Instagram: visitjapansg

Website: japanbyjapan.com
Website: https://www.japan.travel/en/au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitJapanAU

The Holiday and Travel Magazine

https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Saudi Arabia leads MENA region in international tourism

Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East are expected to see a 36 percent spike in international tourism between June and August compared to last year, a report by travel data firms ForwardKeys revealed.

“The MENA region’s tourism industry is set to continue its strong recovery during the summer months thanks to a combination of a substantial increase in travel intent,” Vice President of Insights at ForwardKeys Olivier Ponti said.

“Flight searches for international trips to MENA made in the first three months of the year [are] up by 39 percent on the same period last year and the enhanced flight connectivity, with available seats for travelling to MENA destinations internationally up by 19 percent on 2019 levels (plus 5 percent versus 2019),” he added.

Saudi Arabia is expected to lead this demand with a 475 percent increase in travelers compared to 2022 and a 56 percent surge from pre-pandemic levels, the report said.

The upcoming influx of travelers this summer will largely be the result of the government’s decision to lift the cap on the number of pilgrims who can perform Hajj this year – the first time since COVID-19.

The Kingdom has been investing heavily in tourism in a bid to attract regional and international markets; the report suggests that the investments are working.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) Fahd Hamidaddin told the Arabian Travel Market last month that tourism would be “the new oil” for the Kingdom.

“The world in the 1920s came to Saudi for oil, now the world will come in the 2020s for tourism. Tourism is the new oil,” he said at the time.

Meanwhile, neighboring UAE, which enjoys most of the MENA region’s tourism influx, will see a 43 percent increase compared to 2022 and an eight percent drop compared to pre-pandemic times, according to the same report.

Earlier this month, Saif Mohammed al-Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), announced that the number of passengers travelling through UAE’s airports during the first quarter of 2023 increased by 56.3 percent compared to the same period in 2022.

The number of passengers through the UAE’s airports reached approximately 31,862,635, an increase of more than 11.48 million passengers from the same period in 2022, where about 20,381,324 passengers were recorded, according to al-Suwaidi.

Flying out of the Middle East

According to the report, travelers flying out of the MENA region are expected to flock to destinations in the east during the summer months.

“Now that travel restrictions have eased and air connectivity is returning closer to pre-pandemic levels in the APAC (Asia Pacific) region, we are seeing a surge of travelers from the MENA flocking East this summer, in search of adventure, relaxation and a much-needed escape from the challenges of recent years,” Ponti said.

Another destination that is set to attract a large number of MENA travelers this summer is Austria, a refuge for people looking to escape the Middle East’s scorching temperatures.

*Source: PATA, Level 26, Gaysorn Tower, 127 Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand communications@PATA.org

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort Named In Travel + Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels in the World

Travel + Leisure’s The T+L 500 list has been announced with Anantara Chiang Mai Resort being named as one of the top hotels in the world. The list is drawn from readers’ favourite travel experiences across the globe, based on the results of the magazine’s annual World’s Best Awards, with the winners featuring in May’s iconic The Hotels Issue.

The T+L 500 list features the top hotels of eight geographic regions. This year, there were 40 winners from Asia and six from Thailand, including sister hotel Anantara Siam Bangkok, with Anantara named the best hotel in Chiang Mai. Hotels were chosen based on the superiority of their accommodations, facilities, location, service, food and value.

“To be named one of the top 500 hotels in the world is a great honour, and I would like to thank the readers who voted for us, as well as the editorial team of Travel + Leisure magazine. Although a historic property, we are constantly fine-tuning the guest experience with contemporary luxuries, as well as authentic encounters of the destination, and many of our guests return to visit us again and again”, says Chin Pitak Norathepkitti, General Manager of the hotel.

Anantara Chiang Mai maintains a boutique ambience, with only 84 rooms and suites. The distinctive tropical design by renowned architect Kerry Hill marries traditional Thai and the contemporary, with spaces that are open and airy, with natural light, but cool.

Rooms are incredibly spacious, beginning at 50 sqm, with soothing views of nature from private balconies or terraces. The setting is tranquil, right on the riverside, and only a short walk from the Old City.

The resort’s dining experience centres around the 100-year-old historic mansion that was formerly the British consulate. Here, afternoon tea, cocktails and bar bites, and steak and seafood from the grill are served daily. North-to-South Thai cuisine can be enjoyed under the bodhi tree, and champagne cocktails at the rooftop bar, with both settings overlooking the river.

Authentic experiences of the destination include indigenous Lanna wellness therapies at the award-winning Anantara Spa, Thai kickboxing, massage and cooking classes, and explorations of the city by tuk-tuk with the Streetwise Guru. Every moment is of course imbued with the attentive yet understated service for which the Anantara brand is known.

For more information or reservations, visit anantara.com, call +66 53 253 333 or email chiangmai@anantara.com

*Source: Supa-arpha Itthikaiwan (Mandy), Director of Marketing & Communications
supaarpha_it@anantara.com

Driftwood the Musical - a must see in Sydney!

The cast of Driftwood

I had the privilege of attending the opening night of Driftwood last week in Sydney. I was amazed at how good it was on all levels.

Firstly, it is a new Australian production in all aspects. The production, script, lyrics, music were all done in Australia. It is great to see a new Australian musical! Hopefully this will be the first of many new musicals the production company will produce.

The musical is about a true story in history, but it is more than just about history. It is about people, family, creativity, perseverance, love, survival. 

It is based on the memoirs of Eva de Jong -Duldig  "DRIFTWOOD - Escape and Survival Through Art" published in 2017. 

The talented producer and creator is Tania De Jong, who performs one of the characters in the musical. More about this later....  The musical's Director Gary Abrahams, Producer, Craig Donnell, Designer Jacob Battista, do a splendid job in presenting this production on stage. 

Driftwood covers three generations of the one family and their movement over three continents. It tells how a family moves from Europe and settles in Australia and the adventures and struggles they had on the way.

Driftwood is a story of a Jewish family from the viewpoint of Eva, the daughter of Slawa and Karl. She asks for more information about letters and photos she comes across and her families past comes to life.

Slawa was an artist, and something I did not know, invented the folding umbrella. Slawa is beautifully played by Tania de Jong. What is amazing about this production of Driftwood is that Tania is actually the grand daughter of Slawa, and daughter of Eva, who wrote the book.

Karl was an acclaimed sculptor, and is played by Anton Berezin. Both Karl and Tania are excellent actors and singers, and extol all the emotions of the different scenes perfectly.

The three other actors in Driftwood bring the story to life. The daughter, Eva, is played by Bridget Costello. Rella, the sister of Slawa, is played by Michaels Burger. Nelson Gardner plays the multiple roles including Ignaz, Marcel and Gauleiter. Their extensive background in musical theatre shows in the stunning performances they give.

The music is provided by just three people who play on stage. The keyboard, violin, and cello provide the wonderful mood setting background music.

The set is simple and is based what was important to the families life and journeys - art, sculpture, folding umbrella, letters. At appropriate times photos are projected o a screen above the stage.

Seeing this musical sent me on a roller coast of emotions as I sat through the 2 hour performance. So many thoughts went through my mind as I responded to each scene portrayed in this families amazing life. A good musical not only revokes a response while watching it, but should also prompt you to action after seeing it. Seeing Driftwood did this for me. I now want to get a copy of Driftwood and read it. I also want to visit the Duldig Studio - Museum and Sculpture Garden next time I go down to Melbourne.

Driftwood will be playing in Sydney at Riverside Parramatta from 31 May to 4 June, then at Eternity Playhouse from 7 June to 18 June. Don't miss it!

Driftwood the Musical

Website: www.driftwoodthemusical.com.au

Bookings: www.driftwoodthemusical.com.au/book-tickets/

Traditional Owners of The Whitsundays will host a special ‘welcome to the whales’ ceremony on Fri 16 June

Each year between June and October, thousands of whales – especially Humpbacks – migrate north from the cold waters of Antarctica to breed and give birth within the warm and calm tropical waters of The Whitsundays, situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

To mark the official start of the 2023 whale season, Traditional Owners of The Whitsundays will host a special ‘welcome to the whales’ ceremony from 5pm on Friday 16 June.

The sacred Indigenous event at Airlie Beach Foreshore will be held in partnership with local organisations including Tourism Whitsundays and Master Reef Guides of the region, and will be followed by a movie night presented by Whitsundays Reef Guardian Council.

Archaeological research suggests that Aboriginal people have inhabited The Whitsundays for at least the past 9000 years, and they hold a deep cultural connection to the whales. Master Reef Guides – who are champions of the Great Barrier Reef and work closely with high-standard tourism businesses and bodies that operate throughout the World Heritage-listed wonder – regularly consult with First Nations peoples to learn from their teachings regarding whales in The Whitsundays.

“There’s no doubting our First Nations peoples’ profound understanding of the habits of whales within the area. By working with the Traditional Owners of The Whitsundays, we’ve gained very valuable insights to ensure we’re adequately respecting and protecting marine life in the region, especially this time of year,” says Crystal Lacey, Director of Little Fish Tourism and member of the Master Reef Guides programme – an initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators and Tourism and Events Queensland.

“We’re truly grateful to the Traditional Owners for allowing The Whitsundays community to participate in formally welcoming the whales this year, as well as the many other cetaceans – that is, dolphins and porpoises – which also live and visit the area,” adds Ms Lacey.

The event will see Traditional Owners in full traditional dress lead the ‘welcome to the whales’ ceremony. Open to locals and tourists, children are encouraged to wear blue to the ceremony. The Traditional Owners will invite children to be painted in traditional markings. As per Indigenous custom, boys will be marked by male Traditional Owners and girls will be marked by female Traditional Owners.

Children will then be guided to put their hand-prints on a traditional painting of a mother and calf Humpback to signify the community’s bond and connection with the whales. In keeping with long-established First Nations ritual, a smoking ceremony will then take place, before an ancient whale chant sung by the Traditional Owners.

Following the ceremonial proceedings, representatives of the Ngaro people will speak about their cultural connection with the whales, what the start of the whale season means to the Traditional Owners of the region, and the deep-seated cultural significance of the season’s first arrival of whales to The Whitsundays.

A film by Master Reef Guides about The Whitsundays and the cetaceans that live and visit the area will follow the ceremony, before the commencement of Whitsundays Reef Guardian Council’s alfresco screening of The Snail and the Whale movie at 6pm.

The Whitsundays is on track to become the world’s first Whale Heritage Area within a World Heritage-listed site. Currently, Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast is the sole Whale Heritage Area within Australia.

Those lucky enough to capture imagery of whales within The Whitsundays are encouraged to upload their imagery to GBRMPA’s Eye on the Reef app to assist with tracking and long-term monitoring of marine wildlife.

For more information about The Whitsundays, visit tourismwhitsundays.com.au

WELCOME TO THE WALES CEREMONY BY TRADITIONAL OWNERS OF THE WHITSUNDAYS
WHEN: Friday 16 June 2023, from 5pm-6pm AEST
WHERE: Airlie Beach Foreshore, The Whitsundays
WHY: Marking the official start of The Whitsundays’ 2023 whale season (June – October)

*Source:Susan Darwiche, Senior Publicist, susand@vervepr.com.au  vervepr.com.au

DESTINATION NSW JOINS SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT

Destination NSW has become an Associate Member of the City of Sydney Sustainable Destination Partnership (SDP), following the signing of a three-year MoU. 

Among the SDP’s objectives are improvements to the sustainability of Sydney’s accommodation and entertainment sector and help to facilitate the achievement of Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 targets. 

Destination NSW is also working with City of Sydney and BE Sydney to turbocharge Sydney’s ranking on the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI), the leading sustainability benchmarking and improvement program for destinations around the world. Sydney is currently ranked at number 27 on the GDSI.

LEARN MORE

FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here

*Source: Destination NSW

Spain Registered 13.7 Million International Tourists in First Quarter of 2023

© Mario Cupkovic | Dreamstime.com

The National Institute of Statistics (INE) has revealed that in the first three months of this year, Spain received 13.7 million international tourists, which is an increase of 41.2 per cent compared to the same period last year.

From the beginning of January to the end of March, tourists spent a total of €17.201 million, marking an increase of 44.7 per cent compared to the quarter of 2022, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

According to INE data, 5.3 million visitors arrived in Spain in March alone, marking an increase of 30 per cent compared to March 2022, who spent a total of €6.657 million, which is 31.1 per cent more than a year ago.

“These data show that 2023 is being an extraordinary year for tourism, not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively, with higher spending and longer stays,” the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism notes in a press release regarding the statistics.

During the month of March, the average expenditure per tourist was €1.266, with an annual increase of 0.7 per cent. As a result, average daily expenses increased up to 6.6 per cent or €168.

Meanwhile, regarding the stay, the average duration of international tourists’ trips was 7.6 days, which is almost similar to that of the previous year.

US Tourists Marked Largest Increase in Arrivals in March

The figures provided by INE also show that the United Kingdom continues to lead the tourism outbound market, with 1.1 million tourist arrivals. At the same time, it has experienced a significant increase in March, with 29.4 compared to the same month of 2022.

In terms of the number of visits to Spain, the second and third places are occupied by France and Germany. Thus, Germany contributed with 673,584 tourists, which is 10.7 per cent more in the annual rate, and France with 613,323, which represents an increase of 34.1 per cent compared to the previous year.

In addition, the other countries that saw an annual increase in visitors in March 2023 were the United States, with 74.1 per cent more compared to the same month in 2022, followed by Portugal, with 51.1 per cent more and Italy with 35.0 per cent.

Canary Islands & Catalonia Among Main Destinations for Tourists

Among the first main destinations for tourists during the month of March was the Canary Islands with 24.7 per cent of the total or a number of 1.3 million tourists, with an increase of 15.5 per cent compared to a year ago.

INE also revealed that the UK and Germany are the main countries of residence for tourists expected by this community with a percentage of 35.2 per cent and 18.4 per cent respectively.

The second community in terms of the number of international tourists is Catalonia – with 19.5 per cent. The same has also experienced strong growth compared to a year ago with 44.9 per cent more tourists arriving this March than last year. The female visitors who come to this community the most are French with 19.5 per cent and Italian with 9.8 per cent.

Andalucía took third place with a total of 803,139 visitors in March and an annual increase of 31.7 per cent. The main country of origin is the UK, with 26.6 per cent of the total, followed by the Nordic countries with 10.1 per cent.

Further INE data reveal that in the first three months of this year, the communities that receive the most tourists are the Canary Islands, with more than 3.7 million and an increase of 30.9 per cent compared to a year ago, Catalonia with almost 2.8 million and an increase of 53.4 per cent ​​and Andalusia with almost 2.0 million, 46.2 per cent more.

The annual increase in the number of tourists was also observed in other communities such as the Community of Madrid with 32.8 per cent and in the Balearic Islands with 17.5 per cent.

*Source: PATA, Level 26, Gaysorn Tower, 127 Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand communications@PATA.org

WESTERN A U S T R A L I A ’ S NORTH WEST

Kimberley Coastal Camp

A billion years in the making, the North West is one of the world’s last true wilderness areas. Here you’ll find ancient gorges, thundering waterfalls, remote stretches of coastal paradise and rich culture and history.

Check out: 

• Otherworldly wonders

Discover Australia’s only horizontal waterfalls, created when massive tidal movements squeeze through narrow cliff passages. Aerial tours from Broome (Rubibi) and Derby enable you to circle the phenomenon from above, alongside other scenic wonders of the Buccaneer Archipelago, where turquoise blue water contrasts with rugged red cliffs. Land nearby on a seaplane and experience the thrill of the falls up close by zipping through them on a speed boat, then stay overnight on a houseboat. Discover incredible natural wonders such as the world famous Cable Beach (Walmanyjun) sunsets, dinosaur footprints, some of the biggest tides in the world and the natural phenomenon of the Staircase to the Moon; all whilst slipping into ‘Broome time.’ 

• The pearling capital of Australia

A laidback tropical oasis, and where the outback meets the ocean, Broome’s unique pearling history dates back to the late 1800s. Today, Broome, the western gateway to the Kimberley, is the western gateway to the Kimberley, is one of the world’s finest producers of pearls, and its unique history coupled with the culture of the Yawuru people offers a truly unique melting pot of Aboriginal and Asian heritage. Pearl farm tours offer a fascinating insight into the history and process of modern pearl farming, or visit the pearl showrooms in historic Chinatown and take home your own piece of pearl jewellery. Celebrate Broome’s unique multicultural and pearling history at the annual Shinju Matsuri (festival of the pearl).

• Aboriginal experiences

The North West offers a range of profound Aboriginal experiences with the world’s oldest living culture and the traditional custodians of this land. Explore ancient rock art galleries in remote places. Join an Aboriginal guide to go mud crabbing and spear fishing and listen to ancient stories. North of Broome, the Dampier Peninsula on Yawuru country has the highest concentration of Aboriginal tourism offerings in Australia. On the Burrup Peninsula in Murujuga National Park, join an Aboriginal guide to witness the most prolific rock engraving (petroglyph) site in the world. The North West is also home to Australia’s first ‘Camping with Custodians’ sites, offering selfdrive visitors the chance to interact with local communities while staying at campsites run by Aboriginal people on Aboriginal lands.

• Unforgettable outback adventures

Get off the beaten track at two of WA’s most spectacular national parks. At Karijini National Park, in the Pilbara region, ancient rocks have been shaped into mountains and escarpments, awe-inspiring gorges and tree-lined watercourses. Stay in the heart of the park at Karijini Eco Retreat’s luxury tents. The World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park in the east of the Kimberley is home to one of the world’s most striking geological features, the Bungle Bungle Range. The striped, beehive-like mounds are breathtaking from the air, or camp nearby to explore hidden gorges and pools.

• Remote luxury resorts and Kimberley cruising

Escape the wellknown and well-trodden, and truly get away from it all at one of the North West’s remote luxury resorts. The Berkeley River Lodge can only be reached by sea or air, Kimberley Coastal Camp is accessible only by helicopter, El Questro Homestead is cantilevered atop Chamberlain Gorge, and — true to its name — Faraway Bay is so remote you won’t even find it on a map. For the ultimate wilderness adventure, experience the luxury of a Kimberley expedition cruise and discover the wild untamed beauty of the Kimberley coast. Cruise by sheer rugged cliffs, meander through secluded gorges, get up close to cascading waterfalls — then retreat back to the comfort of your own private suite. 

• The hub of the eastern Kimberley

Kununurra (Goonoonoorrang)

Kununurra (Goonoonoorrang) on Miriwoong country is the perfect backdrop for an outback adventure and the gateway town to exploring the eastern region of the Kimberley. Base yourself here and join one of the many tours to experience the region’s awe-inspiring attractions including the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Mitchell Falls (Punamiiunpuu), El Questro and the mighty Lake Argyle. Start your epic Gibb River Road journey here, or venture around the town to discover vast, stunning landscapes, remarkable waterways and waterfalls, lush farmland, Aboriginal art galleries and Western Australia’s oldest operating still.

*Source: Tourism Western Australia, info@westernaustralia.com
https://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/