New Truffle Tour a Feast for Foodies

Foodies visiting the Margaret River Region can now uncover the mystique of one of the world's most elusive and celebrated gourmet delicacies – the truffle.

Fuelled by a growing demand for gourmet tourism and paddock-to-plate experiences, Margaret River-based tour company 'Go In Style' has launched a new luxury truffle-hunting tour – the first of its kind in Western Australia.

The fully inclusive day tour operates out of the Margaret River Region, taking guests on a day trip to nearby Oak Valley Truffle Farm in Manjimup followed by a decadent truffle-themed lunch at Watershed Premium Wines in Margaret River.

Tour guests travel in luxury transport through picturesque countryside via the heritage town of Nannup to Oak Valley Farm near Manjimup in the Southern Forests region – renowned as prime truffle country.

Guests experience first-hand how truffles are grown, harvested and processed, and learn about the history and operation of Oak Valley Truffle Farm.

The tour includes a guided walk with a specially trained truffle-hunting dog and its handler, to witness how they find and harvest the truffles amongst 75 hectares of spectacular oak and hazelnut trees.

Tour company owner Peter Norris said that there has always been a certain level of intrigue around the subject of truffles.

“People are fascinated by truffles - particularly their rarity and expense, which is part of how the tour concept came about; the aim is to demystify the humble truffle,” said Mr Norris.

“It is also a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful Southern Forests region to people who are staying in the Margaret River Region – and ties in with the Southern Forests Food Council's current 'quality food' campaign for Manjimup and surrounding areas,” he said.

Geoff Barrett, Chairman of Oak Valley Truffle Farm and Managing Director of Watershed Premium Wines advised that he was thrilled to be involved in such a unique initiative.

“Oak Valley is truly an exceptional truffle farm; we are delighted to be a part of Go In Style's truffle tour. Within 6 – 7 years, Oak Valley will be the single largest truffle producer in the southern hemisphere - with an anticipated annual harvest of 15,000kg (15 tonnes),” said Mr Barrett.

“Moreover, to end with lunch at Watershed Premium Wines is a truly iconic Margaret River experience – Watershed has been named Western Australia's Winery of the Year by Ray Jordan, and is the first WA winery in history to be a finalist for the prestigious NSW Royal Agricultural Society President's Medal,” said Mr Barrett.

“The Oak Valley Truffle Tour provides an ideal opportunity to showcase Watershed's award winning wines and outstanding dining to our target market,” he said.

The Oak Valley Truffle Tour runs all year round and can be booked directly or via the Margaret River Visitor Centre on +61 8 9780 5914, www.margaretriver.com or via email welcome@margaretriver.com.

Centara Grand Azuri Resort & Spa Mauritius offers more than 20 leisure activities on land and at sea free to guests

With more than 20 activities on sea and land offered free of charge to guests, and with more charged activities available bringing the total to over 30, Centara Grand Azuri Resort & Spa Mauritius, and the adjacent Centara Grand Azuri Residence & Suites Mauritius offer more leisure activities than any other resort on the island.

The five-star resort hotel and the adjacent serviced residences, townhouses and penthouses, are sister properties.

Chris Bailey, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts says that the number of activities available means there is something for everyone, no matter how adventurous or how relaxed they wish to be.

“No other resort in Mauritius can offer this choice of leisure action, and it will enhance the stay of any holidaymaker,” he says. “We consider the activities to be an important value-added aspect of this newly built resort.”

Working in conjunction with Azarine Activities, the resort offers water sports including water skiing, reef snorkelling, kayaks, wind surfing, dinghies, pedal boats and a glass-bottom boat.

On land the action includes trampolines, archery, quad bikes, dune buggies, off-road motorised go-karting, an assault course, mountain boarding and mountain biking, with a climbing wall and a zipline being added later this year.

A family games centre includes boules, badminton, tennis volley, croquette and giant chess.

Various excursions are also available, including cycle trips, cultural tours, a kayak up-river safari, and sea cruises.

The hotel and residences are part of the new Azuri oceanfront community, set right on the beach and with a backdrop of sugarcane fields and verdant landscapes. The ambience is that of an understated luxury village, a laid-back community next to the lagoon, and with its own shops. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is a 70-minute drive away.

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading operator of hotels, with 47 deluxe and first-class properties covering all the major tourist destinations in the Kingdom. A further 21 resorts in Maldives, Vietnam, Bali, Shanghai, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Qatar, Laos and Oman brings the present total to 68 properties. Brands and properties within Centara ensure that specific categories such as couples, families, individuals, and meetings and incentives groups will all find a hotel or resort that is appropriate to their needs.

VFR Tourists (people who visit their friends and relatives) the 'Most Underestimated' Segment in Australia

Tourist attractions can earn more money and local councils and government bodies could build their visitor economy more effectively by better servicing people visiting friends and relatives in their area

A new report shows that people who visit their friends and relatives (VFRs) around the country are the unsung heroes of the tourism industry – and more should be done to encourage their visits.

An online survey in July by Sydney-based MyTravelResearch.com of 800 Australian residents who visited friends or relatives domestically in the last 12 months, showed that visitor information centres, regional and local tourism websites, council websites and search engines could do more to empower the sector which is worth an estimated $15 billion per year, according to Tourism Research Australia.

"The MyTravelResearch.com survey shows that around 25% of people planning and going on trips to visit friends or relatives are not finding the information they would like as quickly and as easily as possible," says Bronwyn White, co-founder of MyTravelResearch.com.

"All around Australia there is massive potential for more and better programs to attract VFRs," says White, who adds that around 45% also seek accommodation during the trip.

Only some smart operators are VFR-savvy. Carolyn Childs, fellow co-founder at MyTravelResearch.com, cites Paronella Park near Innisfail in Queensland, where tickets can be used all year round by locals. This incentivizes them to take out of town guests to the park. She also praises IHG and Marriott for having VFR programs.

The survey reported that 43% of VFRs who use social media post images of activities at the destination on social media. Some 34% post "beautiful" images of the scenery while there. Around 20% of the over 55s are already using social media on their VFR trips. Local attractions should be more aware of the huge marketing potential such social media exposure brings to the area.

MyTravelResearch.com is running a workshop in Sydney on 30 July for travel industry operators, local businesses and government-related bodies that want to unlock the potential of what Childs calls, "Australia's most underestimated market segment."

The workshop will teach the travel industry information about the VFR market and how to connect with them, how to market directly to VFRs, what content messages they want to hear, clever ways to stimulate the local visitor economy via VFRs, how to increase local VFR market spend, how to engage the local community to champion local attractions, and how to change local residents' and community perceptions about their area in order to promote attractions, events and sights of the region.

To join the workshop and/or get the full VFR report, visit www.MyVFRresearch.com.au. Or call MyTravelResearch.com at + 61 (0) 416 213962.

Incheon International Airport, World No. 1 in Airport Service Quality for the Ninth Year in a Row

Incheon International Airport has accomplished the feat of being ranked number one in the world in airport Service quality for nine consecutive years.

At 8:30 pm on May 27, the 2013 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) award ceremony was held by Airport Council International (ACI) on the special stage at Lotte World Ice Rink in Seoul, during which Incheon Airport went on the podium for the ninth consecutive year.

This year’s award ceremony was held as part of the 2014 ACI Asia-Pacific/World General Assembly, which is the biggest gathering for the global airport industry. The General Assembly was held from the 26th to the 28th at COEX, Seoul. This is the first time the ASQ award ceremony was held in Korea.

Incheon Airport has ranked number one in the ASQ Global Ranking for nine consecutive years since 2005 to 2013. It also maintained its spot in first place for the ninth consecutive year in the categories for “Best Airport in the Asia-Pacific” and “Best Medium to Large Airport (25 – 40 million passengers)”. After recording 4,148 passengers last year, Incheon Airport will be categorized as a Large Airport (more than 40 million passengers) starting from this year’s ASQ survey.

Reeling in the reed fishes

Freedom Whale Watch & Charters has launched its latest sports fishing vessel, Freedom III. The luxury 17.7 m catamaran will carry anglers to what is considered a premier fishing destination; just four hours off Fraser Island. Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Strait is a meeting place for warm and northern cooler southern ocean currents, luring twice as many species - such as Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Parrot and Cod - and creating a fisherman's haven.

Licensed for extended fishing expeditions up to 200 miles offshore, the vessel offers a range of options from micro and deep water jigging to popper fishing and billfish, depending on the time of the year.

Further information:
Rates: All charters are a minimum two days and include food, bait and ice. A three-day charter for up to eight anglers costing $9000. BYO brinks.
Website: www.freedomwhalewatch.com.au

Chauffeured in '60s Cadillac

A genuine 1960s Cadillac has been restored for guests staying in Atura Hotel in Prospect.

The Cadillac arrived at the hotel last week and is included in the hotel's Ultimate Time Warp package, which consists of overnight accommodation, breakfast for two and being taken by Cadillac to the drive-in cinema.

The premium package gives guests the privilege of being chauffeured around in the Cadillac.

"We will actually drive the guests over to the drive-in [cinema], leave them there . . . they can sit there and watch it in the comfort of the Cadillac," hotel general manager Joel Gordon said.

"At the moment we have an Atura bus that transfers our guests around to corporate places.

"If they want to feel a little bit special, they can do so in the Cadillac."

After using the Cadillac at the drive-in cinema, hotel guests return to the hotel and let an employee know that they've finished in order for someone to retrieve the Cadillac and park it back at the hotel. It is displayed in front of the hotel to create a sense of arrival for guests.

"Our main aim is to keep the Cadillac on the driveway at all times," Mr Gordon said

"I think it gives out a great 'wow factor'

"It's all about creating the experience — the Atura experience."

Mr Gordon said the Cadillac coincides with the Atura image, which is 1960s retro.

"It's going to be here from now until forever."

Public to Marvel as VCA Artists Transform Historic Windsor

Alex Cuffe

Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) students will transform Melbourne's Windsor Hotel into a public gallery while vying for The Windsor Art Award, a $10 000 scholarship recognising Australia's best emerging talent.

Opening on Melbourne Day, 30 August, running until 14 September 2014, the Marvel exhibition and Windsor Art Award will be judged by a prestigious panel including Heide Museum of Modern Art director Jason Smith and artist Julia DeVille.

As part of a collaborative exhibition between the VCA's School of Art and the landmark hotel, visual art students will install works that are conceptual and material interpretations of the theme Marvel.

The installations will feature in many of the hotel's unique spaces including the heritage listed lace iron lifts, Victorian windows, renowned tea room and even a once secret hotel entrance.

The Head of the VCA School of Art Jan Murray said the partnership with The Windsor presents a unique opportunity for honours and graduate students to offer their interpretation of the city's history and experiment creatively in a new environment.

“The idea of Marvel is intertwined with Melbourne and the talented artists it produces. At the VCA we encourage artists to contribute to the artistic character of this city. I look forward to seeing each artist's vision of how Melbourne is marvellous to them, using The Windsor as their blank canvas.”

Adipoetra Halim, Hotel Director of the Halim Group, owner of The Windsor, said he was thrilled to show the hotel's ongoing support for philanthropy and the arts by awarding some of Australia's greatest emerging talent.

“The Windsor is synonymous with Melbourne and the opening of Marvel on Melbourne Day is one way in which we can pay tribute to our vibrant city and “Marvellous Melbourne,” he said.

The exhibition highlights the partnership between two of Melbourne's most cherished institutions that share a combined history of more than 280 years.

Alice McIntosh

In 2017, the VCA School of Art will celebrate 150 years since the establishment of its predecessor, the National Gallery School.

Established in 1883, The Windsor is Australia's oldest Grand hotel and is one of the world's most revered hotels of Victorian architecture.

China becomes the biggest source market for Vancouver tourism

According to the latest tourism figures, the Chinese outbound travellers have taken over the U.K. travellers as far as travelling to Vancouver is concerned. Tourism Vancouver revealed that the recent number of visitors from China has outstripped those from the U.K. for the first time in history.

Thus, China becomes the biggest international market for Vancouver with domestic tourism from the U.S. travellers leading the way to a more concrete tourism sector. Almost 209,499 Chinese travellers are expected to travel during the entire year of 2014 to Vancouver, an increase by 15.1% over last year.

The rise has prompted the city’s tourism organization to look for ways to promote and capitalize on the growing Asian interest. A revised version of their Chinese-language website has just been launched, and the organization continues to work with Vancouver-raised Chinese singer/songwriter Wanting Qu as part of their marketing plan in China.

Generally, tourism in the city is up, Tourism Vancouver notes, with overnight visits up 5.5 per cent over last year, and hotel occupancy for the same period up 8.5 per cent.

According to the tourism department of Vancouver, the growing tourism sector will see almost 69,000 new jobs in the city and the tourism value of the city reaching a whopping $3.6 billion.

Swimming with the humpback whales

Making waves around the country, Sunreef Mooloolaba has launched Australia's first swim with Humpback Whales experience, a three-hour magical marine tour that puts nature lovers within metres of the massive creatures.

The 100 percent natural experience allows snorkelers to hold a rope off the back of the dive boat while eyeballing whales as they freely swim around. To increase the chances of an encounter, Sunreef also has access to a spotter plane and will provide a 50% discount toward the next booking if the whales prove elusive.

Swimming with the whales is operated under a strict Code of Conduct to protect both whales and swimmers. Sunreef is a PADI 5 Star Training Centre operating since 1976 on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Further information:
Rates: Tickets are $114 per person and children under the age of six must be accompanied into the water by an adult. All participants must be competent swimmers.
Website: www.sunreef.com.au 

ART DECO FESTIVAL TURNS 10: Labor Day Weekend At The Queen Mary - August 28 to September 1

The Queen Mary, in association with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles (ADSLA), celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Art Deco Festival with a robust program of activities extended to five days. Largely influenced by the architecture and design of its time, the Queen Mary is the world’s largest floating collection of Art Deco. The illustrious salons are replete with elegant woodcarvings, elaborate murals, priceless sculptures and lavish interiors, offering a matchless backdrop for a festival like no other.

The festivities begin Thursday evening with the Captain’s Strolling Art Deco Walk and continue through the weekend with an expertly curated program of lectures, parties, tours and tastings. Festivalgoers can don their best period loungewear at the Deco Derby and Pajama Jam, or sport their black-tie finest for the Grand Deco Ball. An eclectic bazaar showcases vintage fashion, jewelry, collectibles and art as well as a vintage pop-up hair salon. A Gatsby Soirée will offer classic libations, entertainment and lawn games. New events include a tasting of prohibition era cocktails and the Bootlegger’s Bash featuring big band music, dancing girls and the best moonshine in the city.

The 10th celebration also honors the yearly tradition of the Queen Mary’s prestigious Starlight Club, a one-night revival of the notorious club dubbed “the most sought after reservation from South Hampton to New York.”

The Daily Lecture Series will cover topics spanning fashion, music, dancing, cultural practices and more. Prohibition’s impact on the soda fountain is explored in Farnsworth’s Art Deco & The Soda Fountain talk while Art Deco Shoes Lecture & Display delves into the birth of shoe design in the 20’s and 30’s. Society’s fascination and commitment to dance is presented in Dancing In The Jazz Age and two rival world fairs are studied in the lecture Last Art Deco World’s Fair.

“ADSLA is honored to co-present the 10th Annual Queen Mary Art Deco Festival. The event has grown in both attendance and popularity and we are pleased that our members and the public, many from all over the world, attend with great interest. New events presented this year are sure to enhance the festival,” says John Thomas, President of ADSLA and Queen Mary Preservation Specialist. The ship is a fitting venue for the 10th Anniversary of the festival, representing the best of Art Deco’s elegance and splendor.

Day Passes start at just $25 and an all-inclusive weekend Grand Passport is $399. Art Deco aficionados can stay onboard for the weekend’s duration with a variety of spectacular packages.

For more information, schedule of events and full program details visit http://www.queenmary.com/events/art-deco-festival/ or call (877) 342-0738

THE QUEEN MARY

Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary features award-winning restaurants, historical attractions, numerous special event salons and 346 staterooms. Visit www.queenmary.com

THE ART DECO SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES

The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles (ADSLA) celebrates and preserves the architecture, design, arts, music, dance, fashion and elegance of Art Deco. The ADSLA is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the education, preservation and awareness of Art Deco as a major influence on the 20th century and beyond. Since 1983, the ADSLA has welcomed people with an interest in the many facets of Art Deco. More information at http://adsla.org/info/