RIVERINA MURRAY SET FOR TOURISM BOOST

RIVERINA MURRAY

The Riverina Murray Destination Management Plan was launched this week and is set to grow the local tourism industry and drive overnight visitation to the region.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “The Riverina Murray Destination Management Plan recognises the current health of the visitor economy in the region and identifies nine strategic development themes and over 40 priority projects to ensure the region continues to thrive and grow.”

The Plan has been developed by Destination Riverina Murray in consultation with the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW and Murray Regional Tourism. To view the plan, click here.

10 ECO-FRIENDLY BEACHES IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA THAT TOURISTS HAVEN’T RUINED YET

Gili Air is a two-hour boat trip from Bali (Sylke Rohrlach)

South-east Asia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world: with golden sands, crystal-clear waters and lush green plant life, it’s no surprise this region attracts millions of tourists a year.

But its popularity has come at a price, with overcrowding, coral damage and waste becoming increasingly common problems for the region’s coastlines.

A viral video of diver Rich Horner swimming through a sea of plastic pollution off the coast of Balibrought the issue to light once again recently, as did Thai officials’ decision to temporarily close the popular Maya beach (from Danny Boyle’s film The Beach) due to the damage tourism is having on the environment. It’s the second Thai beach to be closed for this reason in less than two years.

But undeveloped havens do still exist; here are 10 eco-friendly beaches found on South-east Asia’s shores.

1) The beaches of Gili Air, Gili Islands, Indonesia

A two-hour boat trip from the wildly popular island of Bali will bring you to the relaxing paradise of Gili Air, part of an Indonesian archipelago in the Indian Ocean called the Gili Islands.

Motorised transport is forbidden on Gili Air, so you can only get around by foot, bike or horse-drawn carriage, making it the perfect location to while away the hours with no distractions.

2) Ngapali beach, Thandwe, Myanmar

Ngapali beach has a number of community protection rules in place to safeguard its coastline, including strict bans on horse riding, jet skis and sand mining.

Many of the beach’s restaurants also support sustainable fishing practices, with whistleblowing policies in place to protect marine life.

Air and noise pollution are kept to a minimum by having only electric mopeds available to hire.

3) Sunset beach, Koh Kradan, Thailand

With the majority of its land protected by Hat Chao Mai national park, Koh Kradan has a very limited amount of development, unlike Koh Phuket or Koh Phi Phi to the north of the island.

At dusk, take a 15-minute walk from the main beach through a jungle to reach the secluded sands of Sunset beach; it lives up to its name, and is one of the best places to enjoy Thailand’s sunset.

4) Dat Tham beach, Can Dao, Vietnam

With the likes of Da Nang, Na Trang and Mui Ne now packed with tourists, Dat Tham beach, protected by the Con Dao national park, is one of the few undeveloped stretches of sand left in Vietnam.

Getting there requires some effort, with visitors clocking-in at the park office before beginning a four-mile hike to the beach. Once you reach the shore, however, you are met with a beautiful (and most likely completely secluded) crescent-shaped bay.

5) The beaches of Isla de Gigantes, Philippines

Isla de Gigantes is an island chain within the larger Western Visayas archipelago in the Philippines.

Basic accommodation and limited amenities keep many tourists away from its smaller islands, which means its beaches are untouched and pristine.

6) Juara beach, Tioman Island, Malaysia

Tioman Island and its beaches are part of a nature reserve and as such are strictly safeguarded, along with the diverse wildlife.

Several protected species of mammals, birds and reptiles can be found here, such as the frigate bird and soft-shell turtle.

The island boasts plenty of sandy coastline to enjoy, but Juara beach is one of its most secluded and relaxing spots.

7) Bottle beach, Koh Phangan, Thailand

Take a trip to the quieter side of Koh Phangan (home to Thailand’s infamous Full Moon parties) and visit its lesser known Bottle beach on the north of the island.

A steep and bumpy “road” down to the beach makes access by foot pretty limited, with many people opting to reach the beach by boat.

8) The beaches of Kepayang Island, Belitung

Home to an eco-resort and turtle sanctuary, environmentalism is something this island takes seriously, which is good news for its beaches.

Colourful hard and soft coral can be explored off its shores, with coral protection projects in place. Iconic stone boulders and rows of coconut trees also give Kepayang Island’s beaches plenty of character.

9) Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Philippines

Bacuit Bay is one of the beach locations for El Nido Resort’s complex of luxury eco-resorts in the Philippines.

The whole organisation is based around sustainability and eco-friendly tourism, including nature-based activities, green architecture and a special sewage treatment plan.

Regular coastal clean-ups, marine monitoring and wildlife protection keep Bacuit Bay and its neighbouring beaches healthy and happy.

10) Lalaji Bay, Long Island, The Andamans

Though not technically in South-east Asia, India’s Andaman Islands are too geographically close to Thailand and too beautiful to miss out, with Lalaji Bay on the small but perfectly-formed Long Island offering tourists a slice of paradise.

Lalaji bay’s waters attract manta rays (Tim McDonald)

Those who want to pay it a visit must apply for a forest permit and embark on an hour-long trek. Despite being a lengthy trip, rewards are plentiful thereafter.

The beach’s warm waters are so pristine that large manta rays and tropical fish can be spotted swimming around the many mangrove trees that line the far end of its shores.

Read full article at Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/south-east-asia-best-beaches-eco-friendly-tourists-thailand-vietnam-indonesia-a8247616.html

http://www.mekongtourism.org/

Food, Glorious Food at the Sydney Royal Easter Show

Gelato Burger

It is easy to build up an appetite when wandering around the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The good news is that there is a wide variety of dining options at the Show.

You do not have to spend a fortune to eat, with several budget options available around the showgrounds. The $2 Cheese Toasties are very popular from their stands scattered around the Showground. There is a Snack Shack at the Spotless Stadium, located under the grandstand seating near the video screen. Here all food and drinks on offer cost $3 or less. Pizzas, chips pies and other yummies are available.

The Big Bush BBQ offers sausage sandwiches with onion and sauce, and a bottle of water for $5. All proceeds go to rural communities who volunteer their time on the BBQ.

For those wanting more gourmet options head to The Stables, where some fine dining options are available.

The Country Women's Association (C.W.A.) provides a range of meal options. They sell thousands of their freshly made scones with jam and cream.

The good old Aussie meat pie is available at several places around the Showgrounds. In addition to the classic beef pie, some new varieties are available this year. I spotted the Donut Pie and the coca cola beef pie.

Stroop Bros waffle

On hot days there is nothing better than an ice-cream or gelato. All flavours and styles can be found, including the hot cross bun gelato.

Old favourites are still there to delight kids, of all ages, including Fairy Floss and Dagwood Dogs.

Enjoy the 2018 Sydney Royal Easter Show, and enjoy all the food and drinks on offer!

The Sydney Royal Easter Show continues until Tuesday, 3 April, 2018. Gates open daily at 9am and Pavilions from 9.30am. The evening entertainment and fireworks conclude at 9pm, while the Showbag Pavilion closes at 9.30pm. The Coca-Cola Carnival stays open until late every night.

Where: 1 Showground Rd, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127 Australia
Website: http://www.eastershow.com.au/

ADB CALLS FOR EXTENDING TRADE FINANCE IN GMS AT FIRST REGIONAL CONFERENCE

The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Trade Finance Program (TFP) 

The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Trade Finance Program (TFP) called for greater financial integration, including the development of trade finance, among Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries at a recent conference for trade finance professionals, central banks, and government ministries in Bangkok.

The conference gathered 80 participants, representing 36 organizations from 6 GMS countries—Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

“Creating a transparent and effective financial system in the region is the shared responsibility of both the regulatory authorities and the private commercial sector,” said Janet Hyde, TFP Relationship Manager. “The sizable participation from across GMS countries at this conference shows the importance of extending the availability of trade finance in the region, especially to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).”

Participants at the conference reviewed the GMS banking sector, particularly its performance, governance, and progress towards compliance with the Basel regulatory framework. Experts also raised awareness of the potential impact of financial and blockchain technology on trade finance, as well as the importance of supply chains in GMS, which can significantly benefit SMEs and rural communities throughout the subregion, according to ADB.

The conference highlighted the prospects of taking a more sophisticated approach to security for trade finance. Participants also discussed how GMS countries can take advantage of deeper and more diverse local currency markets, as well as the value and low-risk nature of a trade finance franchise to a bank’s business. TFP will continue with its bespoke training program, particularly for interested banks in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar.

TFP, backed by ADB’s AAA credit rating, provides guarantees and loans to over 200 partner banks to support trade, enabling more companies throughout Asia to engage in import and export activities. With dedicated trade finance specialists and a 24-hour response time, the program has established itself as a key partner in the international trade community, providing fast, reliable, and responsive support to fill gaps in the region’s most challenging markets.

TFP complements its financial support with a regular series of workshops and seminars to increase knowledge and expertise in trade finance products and operations, risk management, and fraud prevention.

Read full article at The Financial: http://www.finchannel.com/business/70994-adb-calls-for-extending-trade-finance-in-gms-at-first-regional-conference

http://www.mekongtourism.org/

COFFS HARBOUR TO HOST YOUNG FOOTBALLERS

The Football Federation Australia (FFA) National Youth Championships will shine the sporting spotlight on the Coffs Coast once again, with the regional event returning to Coffs Harbour for the next two years.

Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser said the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with Northern NSW Football had secured the FFA for 2018 and 2019.

“The 2018 and 2019 FFA National Youth Championships are expected to attract more than 4,800 overnight visitors and generate more than $5 million for the local economy across the two-year period,” Mr Fraser said.

The FFA National Youth Championships is the leading annual national football competition for boys in the under 12 and 14 year old age groups and girls in the under 14 and 15 age groups.

Instagrammable Food Guide To Tokyo - Starbucks (Shibuya Tsutaya) and Mcdonald’s

Mochi Frappuccino! And while I’ve been there during Christmas and Halloween, they also have awesome specials.

Time of visit: April, December & February (Spring, Autumn & Winter)
Address: QFRONT Udagawacho 21-6 Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042
Hours: 6:30–16:00

Mcdonald’s
Not going to give you the full lowdown on this one because McDonald’s is what it is. But just like Starbucks, if you happen to walk past, check out what drinks they’ve got going on because they’ve also got a whole bunch of seasonal offerings.

* By Tara Milk Tea
https://www.jnto.org.au

SYDNEY’S PARAMOUNT HOTEL NOW OPEN

Paramount House Hotel

Located in the former headquarters of Paramount Picture Studios in Surry Hills, the 29-room Paramount House Hotel is now open

The property is the first accommodation offering by Russell Beard, Ping Jin Ng and Mark Dundon, the team behind Reuben Hills, Paramount Coffee Project, Seven Seeds and Bondi Hall.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, Poly, and guest rooms are located in the former film storage warehouse, where a two-storey copper-clad extension has been added to the roof.

Also on-site will be the award-winning café Paramount Coffee Project, the Golden Age Cinema & Bar and co-working hub The Office Space. A rooftop health club and outdoor garden café called Paramount Recreation Club will also open later this year.

For more information and to book your stay, visit paramounthousehotel.com.

http://www.mekongtourism.org/

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of
Tourism and Sports, Pongpanu Svetarundra

A total of 3.5 million foreign tourists visited Thailand in January 2018, generating more than 180 billion baht in tourism revenue.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Pongpanu Svetarundra said today that out of 3.54 million foreign visitors, 2.14 million came from East Asia, more than 900,000 from European nations, and 811,000 from the United States, South Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa.

Compared with the same period last year, the number of overseas visitors to Thailand grew 10.87%. The number of visitors from South Asia alone increased by 20.65%.

In terms of revenue, Pongpanu said Thailand had gained more than 188.89 billion baht from the influx of visitors, an increase of 11.59% year-on-year.

As for domestic tourism, he said Thai travelers throughout 2017 generated up to 956.75 billion baht in cashflow, accounting for an 8.38% rise on the previous year.

Read full article at NNT: http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en/news/news_detail/WNECO6102240010008

http://www.mekongtourism.org/

New Cargo Plane Train Service Announced for Sydney

Cargo Plane Train

Sydney Trainsport has come up with a new strategy to convert its annual loss making trains into a profit making venture.

Extensive studies have found that even though some Sydney passenger trains are full to capacity, most trains have empty seats. The only way to make an annual profit is to have all the seats occupied by paying passengers. 

As the population of Sydney is too low to provide these extra passengers, Sydney Trainsport will commence daily flights from London and Los Angeles to Sydney in specially converted cargo planes. The planes are especially restored WW2 cargo planes, and each has been given a fresh coat of paint. 

These will bring into Sydney the extra passengers needed to fill up our suburban and inter-urban trains. Rather than cargo, each plane will be fitted out with 22 disused train carriages. Passengers will be able to sit in the luxurious economy class train seats, with the convenience of not having to leave them upon arrival at Sydney Airport. The train carriages will be rolled out from the plane onto a new underground train line that will be built by Airconnex from Sydney Airport to Central Station. The passengers will then change trains to fill up the seats on the suburban network trains to go to their final destinations in Sydney.

To make the flights affordable, passengers are encouraged to bring there own food and drinks for the 23 hour flight. This way they can eat and drink their favourite foods throughout the flight. 

Passengers will be able to place their bags on their laps for safekeeping throughout the flights, as all available space in the cargo planes will be occupied by the train carriages. This is like the current convenient baggage situation on all city and inter-urban train services in NSW.

"This new cargo class of air flights is just what we have been looking for", said Allan Colins, the CEO of Sydney Trainsport. "The extra cargo plane passengers from overseas will fill our Sydney trains to capacity each day, thus enabling a profit to be made."

All of Sydney is buzzing today with the announcement of this new cargo plane train service.

NEW RESORT FOR BATEMANS BAY

The first new resort in Batemans Bay in five years is due to open in 2019.

Batemans Bay is a popular destination for Sydneysiders and is a key stop-off for those driving from Melbourne to Sydney.

The $23-million Ramada Resort Batemans Bay will be the first development on the South Coast for the Wyndham Hotel Group and includes 84 guestrooms.

Find out more here.