Experience Dublin from all sorts of new angles

Recent additions to its impressive list of tours offer the chance to see the sights from a series of new angles and to really get under the skin of this unique and dynamic city.

A new Land & Sea initiative combines two of Dublin’s best-loved tourist activities, the award- winning Dublin Bus Hop on Hop off tour and a 75-minute cruise on the superb MV St Bridget.

The ticket gives visitors the chance to experience the best of the city’s attractions as well as the beauty of its coastline.

Eugene Garrihy, owner of Dublin Bay Cruises, explains: “Dublin is a city on the edge of nature and now for the first time, with one ticket, visitors will be able see the city sights and to relax on a cruise and view Dublin’s beautiful bay and River Liffey as well as its many fishing villages, islands and wildlife.”

Brand new bus tours include the Traditional Irish Storytelling Tour, a quirky tour of Dublin in a double-decker bus turned old-Irish pub, which transports travellers on a round trip from the city centre to the coast and back again.

Passengers are joined by a ‘seanchai’ – a storyteller – who recounts tales of Ireland’s history, mystery and mythology and shares fables of an enchanted land inhabited by fairies, giants, mermen and leprechauns.

For something a little more edgy, the Gravedigger Bus Tour – recently voted “the most unique experience in world” – takes passengers on a journey into Dublin’s spooky past.

Visiting some of the lesser known parts of the city, the tour’s ‘plague infested’ guides give a ghoulish and highly entertaining account of the darker side of Dublin’s history complete with hideous crimes, haunted buildings, plagues and body snatching.

A ticket for the Gravedigger Bus Tour also covers a free Haunted History Walking Tour through the eerie, cobblestoned streets of old-town Dublin. Seeking out the city’s most haunted sites, and covering some of the more gruesome aspects of its history, the 45-minute tour takes a more serious approach to Dublin’s paranormal activity.

The award-winning Little Museum of Dublin has also launched a new walking tour, which tells the story of St Stephen’s Green in Dublin’s city centre, a square which has been at the centre of Irish history for hundreds of years.

Full of anecdotes and humour the Green Mile tour uncovers the central role the square has played in Irish history: James Joyce studied on the south side of the Green and the Free State Constitution was drafted at the Shelbourne Hotel, which overlooks it.

Vietnam to form highly competitive sea-based tourist attractions

Vietnam’s coastal destinations have lured more and more tourists and created competitive advantage for sea tourism, said the Vietnam Economic News. Sea tourism is one of prioritised orientations in the Vietnam’s tourism development strategy to 2020 with a vision to 2030.

Accordingly, from now to 2020, Vietnam will form five highly competitive sea-based tourist attractions in the region including Ha Long-Cat Ba, Lang Co-Son Tra-Hoi An, Nha Trang-Cam Ranh, Phan Thiet-Mui Ne and Phu Quoc Tourist Site. Other potential tourist areas, including Van Don-Co To will also be invested and developed.

Dr Do Cam Tho from Tourism Development Research Institute under the General Department of Tourism said over the past years, tourism activities in coastal provinces have made an important distribution to local economic development, accounting for over 60 percent of the country’s total revenue from tourism.

Sea tourism is really a natural advantage of Vietnam. The number of foreign tourists coming to coastal regions has tended to continually increase and currently accounts for nearly 80 percent of total foreign visitors to Vietnam while the number of domestic tourists flocking to these areas also accounts for over 50 percent of total domestic tourists who travel across the country.

The development of sea tourism has brought many socioeconomic benefits to the coastal localities and the country in general. Thanks to sea tourism, many coastal provinces like Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan have recorded surprisingly rapid economic growth.

According to Binh Thuan’s Department of Tourism and Sport, the number of tourists coming to Binh Thuan over recent years has seen a steady growth. In 2013 alone, the central coastal province welcomed 3.5 million passengers, a 12.1 percent increase compared with 2012 and earned revenue of more than 5.47 trillion VND.

Binh Thuan is now an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists, in which Mui Ne has been voted the most attractive beach in Southeast Asia by Lonely Planet Magazine or the travel website Skyscanner.

The growing number of tourists helped Binh Thuan increasingly attract tourism investment projects and services. Until now, as many as 445 investment projects in tourism sector have been implemented in Binh Thuan with total registered capital of more than 63.5 trillion VND, focusing primarily in fields of tourist stay, golf course and sea tourism services.

Over 120 high-class resorts with wonderful architectural designs built along provincial coast is really an attractive destination for international tourists coming from various countries like Russia, Germany, the UK, France, the US, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Apart from Binh Thuan, Ha Long Bay, Lang Co, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Vung Tau and Phu Quoc … are also very attractive destinations, contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam’s sea tourism in the region and the world.

Do Cam Tho also said the biggest advantage of Vietnam’s sea tourism is its wildness beaches. The beaches in central Vietnam and natural heritages including Ha Long Bay, Phu Quoc and Con Dao islands with beautiful natural sceneries and white sand will make a dominant characteristic for Vietnam’s tourism products.

She stressed “the investment attractiveness of coastal regions has confirmed the great potential of Vietnam sea tourism.”

Traditional markets heading back to Australia

Australia’s traditional tourism markets – the UK, United States and Europe have shown a healthy re-engagement over the past 12 months, ATEC Managing Director, Peter Shelley said today. Mr Shelley said the latest International Visitor Survey results, measuring Australia’s export tourism performance in the 12 months to December 2013, showed a growth in visitors of 6% to reach 5.9 million – a positive sign for the broader industry.

“China has been a strong focus of the industry for the past few years, but we are now seeing a return to good growth in markets including the UK – recording a 12% growth – and the USA with 9% growth.

“This is a reflection of a more favourable currency exchange, increased confidence in the strength of local economies post the GFC as well as a release of some pent up demand which has grown over this period.”

Mr Shelley said the China market continued to grow strongly with visitor numbers up 14% and holding the number one spot for spending at $4.8 billion – up 16% over the 12 months on the back of a 14% growth in the number of visitor arrivals. “Changes made to tourism laws by the Chinese Government have put some downward pressure on the number of holiday visitors from this market – an impact that will have been felt across the globe.

“The positive effect of this new law is that it appears to have coincided with a growth in holiday visitor spending, up 13% during this period, which bears out in a higher yielding visitor – fewer visitors but spending more money.

“While Australia should be focused on growing visitation from China, we must continue to improving both the quality of the experience and the yield within the holiday segment of the market as well as ensuring we reduce any impediments to travel to Australia.

“Streamlining visa processing for the higher yielding independent visitors who engage more readily with local tourism businesses and have a greater propensity to travel outside of the capital cities is an important part of our potential success.”

The Langham, Xintiandi Celebrated World-Renowned Pianist Lang Lang's Birthday Party

The Langham, Xintiandi celebrated international megastar pianist Lang Lang's birthday party themed Music, Peace and Education on 13 June 2014 as venue host and dinner sponsor. The event, arranged by Lang Lang International Music Foundation and Lang Lang Music World was graced by Dr. K.S. Lo, Executive Chairman of Langham Hospitality Group and Robert Warman, chief executive officer of Langham Hospitality Group, together with John O'Shea, general manager of The Langham, Xintiandi, Shanghai. Several local celebrities Chen Luyu, Zhao Wei, Charles Heung, Tiffany Chan and Yu Long were among the special guests who attended the event.

The Langham, Xintiandi demonstrated their carpentry and culinary creativity with a four feet tall hand-crafted wooden grand piano cake with its keys made of fondant that was rolled out to give Lang Lang a big birthday surprise. Pastry chef Delia Zhu and her team alongside the engineering team at The Langham, Xintiandi spent several days in construction of the cake.

Lang Lang became global ambassador for The Langham in 2010. With his renowned classical repertoire, he has earned international praise for his dazzling style and charisma in piano performances transcending national borders and demographics, identifying him as the perfect personality to reflect The Langham.

PARKROYAL Hotels & Resorts Invites Guests to Take Their Family on the Perfect PARKROYAL Getaway

PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport

From 1 June to 30 September 2014, every booking made under the “PARKROYAL Getaway” promotion includes complimentary breakfast for two adults, while children below the age of 12 eat and stay with our compliments.

Enjoy this offer at 10 participating PARKROYAL hotels and resorts in Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Penang, Sydney and Singapore. Whether it is discovering the cultural diversity of Singapore, enjoying the excitement of Sydney or relaxing at our resort in Penang, our PARKROYAL Getaway promotion provides the perfect reason to spend quality time with your family.

Book direct on the recently refreshed PARKROYAL brand website parkroyalhotels.com to enjoy The Direct Advantage, which promises a Best Rate Guarantee, guaranteed reservations, no reservations fees and loyalty programme benefits for all GHA Discovery members.

List of participating PARKROYAL hotels and resorts
1. PARKROYAL Parramatta
2. PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport
3. PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney
4. PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur
5. PARKROYAL Penang Resort
6. PARKROYAL Yangon
7. PARKROYAL on Pickering, a PARKROYAL Collection hotel
8. PARKROYAL on Beach Road, Singapore
9. PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road, Singapore
10. PARKROYAL Saigon

PARKROYAL Hotels & Resorts is a collection of 18 comfortable leisure and business hotels, resorts and serviced suites (including those under development) located in gateway cities across Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam. Each PARKROYAL reflects the spirit and individuality of its location through creative touches, authentic tastes and local connections. Whether you are travelling for business, leisure, or even with the family, each PARKROYAL hotel and resort is designed so you can work in connected comfort, or relax in soothing surrounds. PARKROYAL Hotels & Resorts is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands. For more information, visit parkroyalhotels.com.

Underground Cooking in the Heart of the City

Two large underground earth ovens will be temporarily installed in Hyde Park to cook a traditional feast of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delicacies in celebration of NAIDOC in the City.

Crocodile, kangaroo, emu, chicken and fish, as well as vegetables such as corn and sweet potato, will be slow-cooked in the earth oven at the City of Sydney event on Monday 7 July.

Sydneysiders are invited to sample the food once it's served from 1pm.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the NAIDOC in the City event was a great way to celebrate traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cooking, culture and history methods in the heart of Australia's biggest city.

“The City of Sydney is a strong supporter of NAIDOC Week events because they are an opportunity for everyone in our community to acknowledge and celebrate the oldest living culture on the planet,” the Lord Mayor said.

“By bringing this earth oven right into the city centre gives all Sydneysiders, workers and visitors a chance to experience a slice of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life.”

From 5am on the day of the event, chefs from Goanna Hut and Fred's Bush Tucker will begin lighting fires inside two 1.5-metre wide, 40-centimetre deep pits that are scattered with large rocks.

Once the wood has burned down and the rocks are heated, the marinated and wrapped food will be placed inside the earth oven and sealed in with banana leaves, branches, wet hessian and sand to cook for about three hours.

The free NAIDOC in the City event, from 11am to 3pm, will also feature a range of other family-friendly activities and performances, including live music, dance, food, art and elders' storytelling at a pop-up lawn library.

The Australian Museum, Sydney Observatory and Taronga Zoo will also be hosting stalls focussing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artefacts, astronomy and Australian animals.

Television fitness stars, Move it Mob Style, are among the many performers who will entertain the crowds on the day. The talented dance crew will also host a workshop where children will be encouraged to join in and learn some new moves.

Entertainment will be focussed on the main stage with some exciting original music acts, as well as in the traditional dance circle and dedicated kids' zone. There will also be a marketplace with arts and crafts, food stalls and information stands.

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2014 is Serving Country: Centenary and Beyond. It was selected by the National NAIDOC Committee to honour all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have fought in defence of country.


NAIDOC Week celebrates the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, which grew from the first political groups of the 1920s and is a chance for all Australian to celebrate the world's oldest living culture together.

NAIDOC in the City
Monday 7 July, 11am–3pm
Hyde Park North
sydneynaidoc.com.au

AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM TO UNDERGO TRANSFORMATION

The Australian Museum will receive $7.2 million, as part of the 2014-15 NSW Budget to transform the educational and cultural institution and generate new life for visitors, Minister for the Arts Troy Grant announced.

“The historic museum, which is one of the nation’s most important scientific research and educational institutions, will receive $4.7 million over two years to develop the Master Plan for the Yurong Street end of the current museum site,” Mr Grant said.

“The New Australian Museum Master Plan will incorporate new spaces dedicated to education and learning, a large temporary display space to host international blockbuster exhibitions, and permanent galleries to display the Museum’s internationally significant Pacific collection.

“A further $2.5 million has been allocated to complete Stage 1 of the New Australian Museum which will improve accessibility, putting the focus back on the visitor experience.

“The NSW State Government recognises the Australian Museum’s significance to the city, the state and the country and is funding these important works and future planning to ensure the Australian Museum can deliver a world-class visitor experience to the people of NSW and to interstate and international tourists,” Mr Grant said.

New bullet train from Tokyo Japan to Hokuriku and Central Honshu in 2014

Japan’s train network extends to yet another corner of the country by the end of March 2015, this time connecting Tokyo to one of the most culturally rich regions of Hokuriku and Japan’s adventure destination in central Honshu. Although this region has long been attracting culture- and culinary-savvy travelers, the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train’s new train service from Tokyo, where the majority of foreign travelers arrive, certainly boast the area’s appeal due to quicker and more convenient access.

Some aspects of these areas have been already made claim to fame. Lonely Planet, for example, has listed Hokuriku as one of its top destinations for 2014 . The most enduring images of Hokuriku and central Honshu include the snow monkey, steep thatched-roof houses, Kenroku-en Japanese garden blanketed in snow, and the elegant yet mighty Japan Alps. Other highlights include traditional cityscape and arts and crafts throughout the region, legacies of powerful feudal leaders who supported and invested in the arts.

Another reason for the area’s high level of Japanese craftsmanship and culture is its proximity to Kyoto. Not only did Hokuriku provide seafood and agricultural products to the old capital, but central Honshu was one of the major transportation routes to Kyoto, bringing cultural exchange in its wake. Today, the tradition of craftsmanship extends to contemporary products, such as the designated Nobel Prize Ceremony flatware from Tsubame City.

The new Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train will reduce travel time between Tokyo and Kanazawa, the most popular destination in Hokuriku, by half to only about 2.5 hours. It will also provide faster access from Tokyo to other destinations like Takayama City, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui and Nagano from Tokyo. Train operator Japan Railway Group has created exquisite designs and details both inside and out the new bullet train. With the futuristic and sleek design, the train is specifically designed to reduce noise and air pressure, minimize vibration and operate with a superior brake system. Its colors, blue and copper, are chosen to reflect the clear blue sky and the hue of the region’s many crafts. Inside, train cars demonstrate Japan’s Zen-like simplicity, compact but with a high level of functionality. In upper class cars, Hokuriku crafts’ colors and materials have been selected to create a sense of place and enhance the traveling experience.

Together with the launch of Hokuriku Shinkansen, there are several new developments in the region’s growing tourism industry to complement the many historic ryokan (Japanese inn) located at the region’s many natural hot springs. Tokyu Hotels Co., Ltd., for example, one of Japan’s major hotel chains, is putting the final touches on a renovation of their Kanazawa property, which will reopen in October 2014 under a new name, Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel. For more traditional experience, the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawago/Gokayama welcomes general public to some centuries-old farmhouses for accommodation, offering the chance to experience daily life and hospitality in an authentic traditional Japanese village.

In 2015, you will be able to discover the new cultural heart of Japan as you zip along in the Hokuriku Shinkansen at speeds of up to 260km/h (161.5mph) between futuristic Tokyo and culturally rich Kanazawa, enjoying the magnificent scenery of the Japan Alps and stopping along the way at traditional gems in Hokuriku and central Honshu.

Sunlover Reef Cruises and Nautilus Aviation Enter New Agreement

Sunlover Reef Cruises are happy to announce a new agreement with Nautilus Aviation for the provision of scenic helicopter flights for their Moore Reef pontoon guests. Set to commence on 16th August 2014, both independently Australian-owned companies look forward to the opportunities this new dynamic collaboration offers.

Julie Duncan, Group General Manager of Sunlover Reef Cruises, said “we are excited with this new agreement between our two companies and the opportunities it opens up for the future, both on a strategic and product level. With all indications pointing to a resurgent Cairns tourism market, this new agreement, along with the millions of dollars in investment into Sunlover Reef Cruises over the last 2 years, places us in a strong position to continue to offer the ultimate reef experience out of Cairns,” Julie said.

As a central part of the agreement Nautilus Aviation recently purchased an EC130 7 seater aircraft that is purpose-built for sightseeing, offering unparalleled views of the Great Barrier Reef. The luxury aircraft is the first of its kind to operate in Tropical North Queensland, is fully air-conditioned, has leather interiors and will allow for both 5 and 10 minute scenic flights from the Sunlover Moore Reef helicopter pontoon. Guests also have the option of flying to and from the Cairns mainland, arriving and departing from Nautilus Aviation's Cairns Airport base.

The new agreement will see Sunlover Reef Cruises and Nautilus Aviation work closely on joint sales and marketing initiatives, both domestically and internationally. The companies are both part of larger independently owned Australian leisure companies, with numerous tourism products in North Queensland.

Aaron Finn, CEO of Nautilus Aviation, said of the new agreement “we are very pleased to be forming a strategic partnership with Sunlover Reef Cruises to support local tourism in Far North Queensland. This agreement reaffirms our recent investment of $11 million into the expansion of our company, both creating jobs and building confidence in the tourism industry. The recent addition of new helicopters to our fleet raises the standard of the local helicopter industry in line with international expectations and provides the ultimate air touring experience over the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.”

Sunlover Reef Cruises

In operation for over 20 years, Sunlover Reef Cruises offers guests from all over the world a full reef experience, from our full-service Moore Reef pontoon. Guests travel to the outer Great Barrier Reef aboard large fully air-conditioned catamarans, and then enjoy complimentary glass bottom boat and semi-submersible tours, underwater observatory, snorkelling equipment and supervised areas, marine life touch tank, and a buffet lunch including seafood. The pontoon has been specifically designed to give guests the ultimate reef experience.

Sunlover Reef Cruises is part of Ocean Hotels and Tourism, which owns and operates Hides Hotel Cairns, and Club Croc Hotel Airlie Beach and BreakFree Long Island Resort in the stunning Whitsundays.

Nautilus Aviation

Operating from fixed bases in Townsville, Cairns, and Horn Island, Nautilus Aviation provides industry leading helicopter services in tourism, public service and emergency response. With a fleet of 11 helicopters, including Bell 407, EC130 and EC120, Nautilus Aviation has some of the most modern helicopters in Australia, an impeccable safety record and a team of highly experienced pilots. Nautilus Aviation is part of the Colonial Leisure Group who own and operate a number of hospitality venues across Australia, including Orpheus Island, Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa, Daintree Hotel & General Store and the pending acquisition of Jupiters Hotel & Casino in Townsville. For a full list of services, simply visit www.nautilusaviation.com.au.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Appoints GTI Tourism

Las Vegas

Leading tourism representation agency GTI Tourism, has been appointed as the Australian and New Zealand representative office for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), effective 1 July 2014.

As the LVCVA's representative in Australia and New Zealand, GTI Tourism will drive awareness of the destination for both leisure and business tourism, through intensive trade marketing, public relations campaigns and social media outreach.

GTI Tourism founder and managing director, Sarah Anderson said GTI Tourism is thrilled to be representing LVCVA after a competitive pitch.

“Since its Rat Pack days, Las Vegas has been renowned for its legendary shows and entertainers, earning itself the title of 'The Entertainment Capital of the World',” Ms Anderson said.

“Many Australians are already regular visitors to Las Vegas recognising that experiencing the city's famous illuminated strip, the incredible shows, nightlife, shopping and sightseeing is something they cannot find anywhere else.

“Over the coming months we will be launching new campaigns to grow awareness of Las Vegas' complete offering and excite more Australians and Kiwis to experience and explore this captivating city,” she said.

LVCVA vice president of international marketing, Michael Goldsmith, said the Australian and New Zealand markets continue to experience rapid growth and are important for Las Vegas' future development.

“We have seen increasingly stronger visitor arrivals from the Australian and New Zealand markets due to the robust Australian economy and by partnering with GTI Tourism we plan to develop new campaigns to build on the good work undertaken in this region over recent years.

“With more than US$8 billion planned Las Vegas product investment underway, we have engaged GTI Tourism to leverage these developments with tactical, brand and PR campaigns to ensure the destination remains top of mind with media, trade partners and travellers alike,” he said.

“Australia is the number two source of overseas visitors to Las Vegas, and one in every five Australian travelers to the US include Las Vegas on their itinerary,” Mr Goldsmith said.

GTI Tourism won the three year contract after a competitive pitch and this is the organisation's fifth new business win since the start of the year.

For more information on Las Vegas visit: www.lvcva.com
For more information on GTI Tourism visit: www.gtitourism.com.au