Gateway to geological wonder in North Qld changes hands

Undara Lava Tubes

The G’Day Group has acquired what eminent naturalist David Attenborough once flagged as the 8th Wonder of the World: the Undara Experience in Tropical North Queensland.

Undara Experience, on the edge of the Undara Volcanic National Park, 275km southwest of Cairns, is a gateway to the network of lava tubes caused by a volcanic eruption 190,000 years ago. These tubes are part of the World’s longest lava flow from a single volcano in modern geological time with vegetation that traces back to Gondwana.

Undara Experience was established by the Collins family, original settlers in the area nearly 160 years ago, who still graze cattle in the area six generations later. The Collins family has a deep connection to the area and will have an ongoing relationship with the property.

Owner and Director of Undara, Bram Collins, said Undara Experience represents the values of the Collins family.

“The decision to sell Undara has been a difficult one. I am extremely proud of what we have built over the last three decades, including the incredible experiences we have created to connect people with nature.

“I would also like to acknowledge this has only been possible through the relationships we have held with the Traditional Owners, the Ewamian Aboriginal People, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and our long association with Savannah Guides,” said Bram.

“A combination of the changing border lockdowns, the next generation of Collins’ pursuing other interests, and after a record year there’s no better partner to hand over the reins to than the G’day Group who have so many other iconic properties in their portfolio.”

G’Dday Group CEO Grant Wilckens said Undara was the latest jewel in the G’Day Group crown of iconic Aussie tourism locations, which includes El Questro in WA, Kings Canyon in the NT, and the Discovery - Rottnest Island (WA) glamping experience among others.

“The Undara Experience is a fantastic addition to our portfolio – very much aligned with our desire to be synonymous with the great Aussie holiday. It’s an internationally significant geological treasure and a wonderful attraction along the Savannah Way, which is the main touring route for travellers across northern Australia from Cairns to Broome.”

“For generations, the Collins family have done a great job in caring for this
natural wonder and sharing it sustainably with tourists – we’re very proud to be taking on the job,” said Grant.

“The Undara Experience is also part of our vision to expand our tourism experiences into high quality food and beverage, golf tourism and conferences,” he said.

The property, which includes a mix of accommodation, tours and food and beverage, is the only accommodation and experience offering in the Undara Volcanic National Park and rates highly on Tripadvisor and Booking.com.

Its tours of the spectacular lava tube network and wildlife at Sunset tours are popular with travellers and it hosts the Undara Outback Rock and Blues festival every year.

The park currently offers a range of accommodation options with 60 cabins comprising 18 Homestead Rooms, six Pioneer Huts, 18 Railway Carriage rooms, 29 Swag Tents and 93 sites, including 57 powered and 36 unpowered sites, with room for further development.

Facilities include large central open-air dining and bar, a pool, petrol pumps, communal campfires, shop, open-air stage, airfield, bush walking trails, conference room and bike tracks.

The G’Day Group, which has more than 300 properties nationwide, including more than 80 Discovery Parks owned and operated parks and the licensed G’Day Parks network, has plans to boost visitation and length of stay by investing in digital marketing and additional tourist experiences. It also intends to improve facilities at the park, including a shady pool and improved WiFi, and to introduce wayfinding and Discovery Way quality control systems.

The group, with more than $1 billion in assets, is investing more than $100 million in park acquisitions and developments in 2021-22 – following similar investment in 2020-21 – and has aspirations to become a $2 billion company in the near future.

For more information visit: www.gdaygroup.com.au

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
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Imperial Hotel celebrates 130th Anniversary and unveils Images of Redesign

The Imperial Hotel

The Imperial Hotel opened in 1890 and quickly became a symbol of Japan’s efforts to westernise. Since then, the hotel has also served as a State Guest House and one of the capital’s most well-known landmarks. Plans are currently underway to build the fourth generation of the hotel, which is expected to open in 2036.

The Imperial Hotel Co., Ltd. (Representative Director Hideya Sadayasu) has announced it will adopt the design concepts of Japanese architect Tsuyoshi Tane of ATTA - Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects, currently based in France, for the construction of its new main building in Tokyo, scheduled to be completed in 2036.

 On March 25, this year, the management decided to implement a rebuilding plan for the Imperial Hotel Tokyo (main building / tower). Of these, the main building will be rebuilt from FY2031 to FY2036 (tentative), while the construction of a single Grand Hotel is planned. 

Imperial Hotel Tokyo Rebuilding Plan 

The Imperial Hotel opened in 1890 (Meiji Era 23) as a guesthouse receiving overseas guests under a national policy of the Meiji government, which promoted modernization of Japan. The hotel opened under the belief of its first chairman, Eiichi Shibusawa, "to meet and contribute to the demands of then contemporary society". 

The stately Western-style architecture of the first main building became a symbol of Japan aiming for westernization. The second-generation main building, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was a majestic modern architecture, and opened in 1923 (Taisho Era 12), and which was commonly known as the Wright Building. It was an historic building that led architectural modernization in the capital of Tokyo. The current main building, which was rebuilt in 1970 (Showa Era 45) at the time of the Osaka Expo, and the Imperial Hotel Tower, which opened in 1983 (Showa Era 58), which became an advanced example of advanced utilization and compounding in the 1980s, were built later. 

As one can see, the hotel management endeavored to serve as a premier facility aiming to be among the best hotels in the world in each era. This plan will continue to serve as the core of the hotel, as a "Made in Japan" hotel for the next 100 and 200 years. 

Background of Design Architect Selection 

We organized an international competition inviting active domestic and foreign architects under the three key concepts of "dignity", " "inheritance", and "challenge" that we seek for the new main building and some conditions for the stage of rebuilding. The hotel corporation solicited design proposals from various architects in Japan and overseas. When soliciting design proposals, it fully recognized the significance of its history and philosophy, and that of the Hibiya district, which is Tokyo's center of business, culture, and commercial exchange. The corporation hopes to lead the next-generation of Japanese hotel culture, represented by the concept of a new grand hotel and state guest house. The corporation believes the design should embody the face, presence and uniqueness of the hotel when viewed from any perspective, both from near and far. 

The Concept of Jewel of the Orient 

Through his unique approach and archaeological research, Imperial Hotel, Ltd. believes Mr. Tane has considered not only the Imperial Hotel but also to the hotel industry itself. The Wright building as a brilliant presence in the center of the capital, befits a unique and new guesthouse by fusing the "palace" concept that welcomes guests with a "tower" that is a proof of human progress. The concept of inheriting the "Jewel of the Orient" used as a palace and connecting it to the future was accordingly proposed. 

We highly appreciate Mr. Tane's approach of "thinking deeply about the history of the Imperial Hotel and building a building that will lead to the future based on it." Furthermore, since Mr. Tane has expressed originality with a completely different design for each project, we expect that he will create our uniqueness and the future Imperial Hotel with talented young architects. From the standpoint of showing the spirit of creating, we decided to appoint Mr. Tane, and we are still in discussions.

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
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TARONGA ZOO HELPS SPREAD A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHEER THIS FESTIVE SEASON!

Christmas came early to a few lucky residents at Taronga Zoo Sydney this week. Taronga’s tower of Giraffe, Lion pride, Red-necked pademelons, Quokkas and Echidnas all enjoyed a variety of festive enrichment items in the form of hand-made Christmas wreaths and even a make-shift Winter Wonderland filled with snow and Christmas trees.

Lions Ato and Maya and their five, four-month-old cubs, Khari, Luzuko, Ayanna, Zuri and Malika saw ‘snow’ for the very first time, thanks to a generous donation of fishy-smelling ice from the Sydney Fish Markets. For the final festive touch, five 6ft-tall pine trees were added to the exhibit to create a sensory overload for the seven Lions.

“It was an all-hands on deck approach to execute this year’s Christmas enrichment for Taronga’s Lion pride. Believe it or not, transporting one tonne of ice from the bustling Sydney Fish Market into the Lion exhibit is no easy task. We had help from Taronga’s Backyard Team who had the task of transporting the ice to wider members from across the organisation who helped the creative vision come to life, it really was a wonderful event!” says Carnivore Keeper Benjamin Haynes.

The Lion pride weren’t the only ones to receive a special Christmas treat this year. Taronga’s Giraffe tower, Jimiyu, Zarafa, Kito and Ebo enjoyed a bespoke hand-made Christmas wreath – specially crafted by Taronga’s Ungulate team.

Consisting of some of the Giraffe’s favourite foods, such as African Olive leaf and apples that replicated Christmas baubles. Taronga’s tallest residents made short work of the tasty enrichment, demolishing the wreath in a matter of minutes.

Some of Australia’s most iconic species were also given a Christmas treat, with an assortment of hand-made native Christmas wreaths and bouquets. Taronga’s dedicated horticulture team lent a hand and their expertise by collecting a range of native foliage and flora from within the Zoo grounds, which was then used to create the festive wreaths.

Having spotted some extra nutritious treats including sugar ants, resident echidnas Pitpa, Leroy and Fin were intrigued by the wreaths from the very start, while Pep and Rocka the Quokkas and Ollie and Melvin the Red-necked pademelons took a little bit of encouragement to get into the Christmas spirit, but when they did they did they were like kids on Christmas Day!

This Christmas enrichment, along with all forms of enrichment, plays a really important role in the lives of 4000 plus animals that call Taronga Zoo Sydney home. Enrichment enhances and gives the animals in Taronga’s care the opportunity to display natural behaviours they would use in the wild – whether it is investigating a new scent or foraging for their meal.

Taronga Zoo Sydney is open every day of the year including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. With so many new arrivals including a baby Pygmy Hippo Calf and five adorable Lion cubs, there has never been a better time to visit Sydney’s only not-for-profit Zoo with a view.

Still looking for that last minute Christmas gift? The new Zoo Friends Family Flex pass is the perfect gift to give any animal lover, little kid or big kid this Christmas. Think 365 days of unlimited zoo entry, plus a range of other benefits like exclusive discounts. Plus! Use one of your NSW Discover vouchers and save up to $25 on the purchase of a Zoo Friends membership, purchase yours now at: www.taronga.org.au/zoo-friends.

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
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2022 BIRDSVILLE BIG RED BASH AND BROKEN HILL MUNDI MUNDI BASH - TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Tickets for  Australia’s biggest Outback events, the Birdsville Big Red Bash, and new sister event the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash, are now on sale with an incredible roll-call of Australian rock legends set to perform at each of the iconic red-dirt locations in 2022.

 

Tickets for the Birdsville Big Red Bash (July 5-7, 2022) and the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash (August 18-20, 2022) can be purcahsed from www.bigredbash.com.au and www.mundimundibash.com.au

 

“There is quite literally nothing like our events anywhere else in Australia, and as we hold the title of running the world’s most remote music festival, I would say anywhere else in the world!  We’re not on a Coast or in a major metro postcode or big entertainment venue, and there’s no wineries within cooee of where we’ll be.  Our events are run on two of the most remote Outback locations in the country, renowned for their rugged beauty and amazing landscape.  Both the Birdsville Big Red Bash and Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash are camping based with awesome Outback activities and a killer music line-up – they’re a true bucket-list experience,” said Festival owner and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group Greg Donovan.

 

The stellar line-up of over 30 artists fronting both events in 2022 includes:

             

Jimmy Barnes and Missy Higgins who are both headline acts for the event, which will also will also feature Kasey Chambers, Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano, Richard Clapton, The Rolling Stones Revue Starring: Adalita, Tex Perkins & Tim Rogers, Bjorn Again, Sarah McLeod, Shannon Noll, Ash Grunwald, Jack Jones, Dragon, The Radiators, Mick Thomas (Wedding Parties Anything), Mi Sex, Chocolate Starfish, Steve Balbi, Bachelor Girl and Mel Dyer for the Birdsville Big Red Bash (July 5-7, 2022).

And Jimmy Barnes and Missy Higgins who will each be headline acts again will join Kasey Chambers, Jon Stevens, Daryl Braithwaite, The Black Sorrows, Richard Clapton, Russell Morris, The Wolfe Brothers, Sarah McLeod, Busby Marou, The Rolling Stones Revue Starring: Adalita, Tex Perkins & Tim Rogers, Bjorn Again, Mick Thomas (Wedding Parties Anything), Ash Grunwald, Pierce Brothers, Eurogliders, Mel Dyer, The Buckleys, Kyle Lionhart and Bachelor Girl for the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash (August 18-20, 2022).  More Broken Hill local artists will also be announced for the Mundi Mundi Bash.

“There’s not another gig in the country that offers anything like the spectacular 40 metre high Big Red sand dune in the Simpson Desert, or the rugged Barrier Ranges on the Mundi Mundi Plains as a performance backdrop.  It’s an exciting year ahead and we know there’s a huge appetite for our events, so we’re expecting tickets to go fast.  We’ve been a sell out for the last four years and with ongoing hesitation around overseas travel we’re banking on people wanting to explore their own backyard and visit these iconic locations, taking in the amazing line-up as part of that experience,” added Greg Donovan.

 

“There’s nothing on earth like the middle of Australia so the band and I are really looking forward to kicking up some red dirt with everyone at these two gigs. It’s a long way to drive but it’s going to be worth the trek,” said Jimmy Barnes.

 

Both the Birdsville Big Red Bash and Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash are all ages, dog friendly camping events, with the Big Red Bash remaining the only multi-day music festival to be successfully staged in 2021.

 

“We had a magic window of time in which we could stage a COVID safe Big Red Bash event in July 2021, which was headlined by Paul Kelly.  Our COVID safety protocols were so detailed and beyond what was required that the Queensland Government were happy for us to proceed despite a rapidly changing environment.  Looking back it feels like some kind of miracle.  Since then however vaccination rates are through the roof, and there’s a clear path forward for staging live events.  We’re looking forward to working in this new normal in 2022,” added Greg Donovan.

 

In 2022 there will be two incarnations of the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash – with the 2021 postponed event and line-up with Paul Kelly as headliner also set to run from April 21-23, 2022.

 

All of the 2022 Outback Music Festival Group events will be run across three days with a capacity of just 10,000 per event – and on locations that are as vast as they are beautiful, allowing for well-above average social distancing.

 

The events offer up a uniquely Australian destination adventure for families, grey nomads, camping and caravanning enthusiasts and intrepid travellers.

In addition to the music line-up, each event will also feature a jam-packed program of outback activities – from a Nutbush City Limits World Record dance off attempt (the current record of 2,787 dancing revelers was set by the Big Red Bash on Thursday July 8, 2021) to a Mad Max costume dress up world record attempt at the Mundi Mundi Bash events, comedy and outdoor film screenings, scenic helicopter flights, camel rides and charity initiatives such as the ‘Bashville Drags’ at the Birdsville Big Red Bash and the ‘Mundi Undie Run’ at the Mundi Mundi Bash – both runs raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. 

And all events will sit under a glittering night-sky that only the remote Outback can offer, with the Milky Way so vivid festival goers will feel they can reach out and touch it.

While the event locations are remote they are easily accessible by road.  The Mundi Mundi Plains location has sealed road leading right up to the event site, while the Big Red Bash location has graded gravel road to reach the festival site.

 

“We share a lot of driving information to help keep our festival goers safe as most people will reach us by road.  And while a lot of these people will be driving 4WD’s, the reality is that most vehicles can reach either event.  Particularly the Mundi Mundi Bash that has sealed roads all the way,” added Greg Donovan.

 

Scheduled and charter flights, bus tours are available to all events, and train transport is also available to Broken Hill for the Mundi Mundi Bash.

 

Both the Birdsville Big Red Bash and Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash events will be BYO alcohol for both the campsite and concert areas, and ticket holders are also permitted to bring their own food.  There will also be a large range of food vendors selling both hot and cold food and non-alcoholic beverages at the events.

The events also have dog-friendly camping and concert areas and children aged 11-and-under will also able to attend for free. 

 

Event organisers the Outback Music Festival Group will continue working with State Health and Government as they countdown to staging the event in 2022.

Tickets for the events are on sale now.

Information and ticket purchasing details follow:

2022 Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash

Where:                              Belmont Station, on the Mundi Mundi Plains 9km north of Silverton - 35km north of Broken Hill

When:                               August 18-20, 2022 (the 2021 event has been postponed to April 21-23, 2022 with a different line-up – tickets are already on-sale for this event)

More info & tickets:      www.mundimundibash.com.au (tickets released from 10.00am AEDT November 25)

 

2022 Birdsville Big Red Bash

Where:                              Big Red sand dune, 35 km West of Birdsville

When:                               July 5-7, 2022

More info & tickets:      www.bigredbash.com.au (tickets released from 10.00am AEDT on November 25)

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Tour America - West Coast Winter Tour

Discover a world of winter just an hour and a half from downtown Los Angeles. Visit Mt. High for a "Snow Day" and enjoy the holiday spirit at the "Festival of Lights" voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today. This multi-day tour from Tour America also includes an LA Christmas shopping experience.

DAY 1 – WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES

• Meet & greet at LAX airport. 

• Transfer to DoubleTree by Hilton L.A. Downtown, or similar, for check-in. 

DAY 2 – HOLLYWOOD & SANTA MONICA 

• Hollywood sightseeing including Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theater, El Capitan, and shopping at Hollywood & Highland. 

• Shopping at The Grove and visit The Original Farmers Market for lunch. 

• Visit Santa Monica Pier & Boardwalk and shopping at Third Street Promenade. 

DAY 3 – SNOW DAY & FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 

• Discover a world of winter just an hour & a half from downtown Los Angeles. Visit Mt. High for a "Snow Day" at the Yeti's Snow Play. Slide down the tubing lanes, crawl through the snow tunnels, or meet the Yeti and his friends. 

• Get into the holiday spirit at the “Festival of Lights”. For 29 years, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa has had the tremendous joy in presenting the Festival of Lights to its wonderful Inland Southern California community. It is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today. 

DAY 4 – DOWNTOWN & CHRISTMAS SHOPPING 

• L.A. sightseeing, including: The Griffith Observatory, Chinatown, Disney Concert Hall, The Broad, Angel’s Flight, Grand Central Market for lunch, L.A. Live, and the Staples Center. 

• Proceed to Citadel Outlets for Christmas shopping. 

DAY 5 – BEVERLY HILLS & DEPARTURE 

• Visit Urban Lights at LACMA, the Beverly Hills sign, and Rodeo Drive. 

• Shopping at the Beverly Center and Westfield Century City. 

• Drop off at LAX Airport for departure.

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

AUSTRALIA THEMED EVENT FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRY

To keep Australia as the go-to destination in Hong Kong, Tourism Australia hosted around 90 airline, travel agency and media guests for the ‘Aussie Bright Sky’ flycation event. 

The journey, which took place in the skies above Hong Kong and was offset via Cathay Pacific Group Fly Greener program, included Aussie fun-fact games and information on Tourism Australia’s programs. 

Following the flight, guests enjoyed an Australian seafood experience, destination updates and a treasure hunt.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES
Tourism Australia Head Office
GPO Box 2721, Sydney NSW 1006
+61 2 9360 1111
ask.us@tourism.australia.com

TRAVEL ADVICE
For travel advice, please visit www.australia.com or speak to a qualified Aussie Specialist travel seller.

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Hampers of Hope bring joy to those facing food insecurity

Left: Pallets of food to be packed into hampers.
Top right: A Hamper of Hope, ready for pick up.
Bottom right: Volunteers wrap a finished hamper

There’s a special kind of energy that flows from good people collectively doing good work.
And today, the air is thick with it. More than 40 volunteers are getting down to work at the Addison Road Community Centre, preparing to pack 1,000 hampers that will be sent to people suffering food insecurity this Christmas.

The Addison Road Community Centre, Addi Road to most, is a microcosm of Sydney multiculturalism.
Since 1976, when this former army depot was handed over to the people of Sydney, it’s been a space where diverse communities come to support each other, to celebrate their cultures, share their stories, art, food and more.

Addi Road also home to one of Sydney’s most vital food relief programs – proudly supported by the City of Sydney. During the pandemic it’s supported more than 8,000 people suffering from food insecurity.

Addi Road has over 700 regular volunteers, 40 of them came together for the first day of packing this year's Hampers of Hope.

The 1,000 hampers being packed this week are not filled with the usual staples.
Instead, they’re brimming with chocolates, gifts, toys, and other luxury items. “We’re filling these hampers with the kind of things many people can’t afford,” explains Addi Road CEO Rosanna Barbero. “With these hampers, we’re establishing a sense of belonging. We’re showing people that they’re cared for, that we’re not going to abandon them, that they’re not forgotten.”

“Christmas is a period when there’s a lot of depression and loneliness, and a lot of angst in communities that are not able to provide for their children, that aren’t able to give gifts to their children,” says Barbero.

Each hamper is capped off with a handwritten note from one of the volunteers and carefully wrapped.
“Taking care, paying attention to detail, goes a really long way,” explains Michelle Flemming, one of the initiators of Hampers for Hope. “The people receiving these hampers have had a very tough year, and hopefully they feel that other people are thinking about them.”

The diversity of the volunteers is as broad as the mix of communities which Addi Road supports.
“Look around – this is multicultural Australia,” says Barbero.

Monica Barone, City of Sydney CEO, agrees, “I think that’s one of the most exciting things I’m seeing here, the mix of the volunteers. The corporates are doing a terrific job by donating, the City of Sydney and Inner West Council are helping through donations or grants, but it’s the ability of the organisation to generate this support – people from right across the community, pitching in to help - that’s really remarkable. It’s a wonderful thing to see.”

Refugees work alongside high school students and CEOs.
“You don’t know where people are from, and it doesn’t matter, everyone is equal here,” says Lynette Foulkes from GHD, one of Addi Road’s corporate supporters.

Foulkes is working in tandem with Mostafa ‘Moz’ Azimitabar. He wields the sticky tape, while she holds the cellophane in place. Azimitabar is a refugee who spent 9 years in an Australian detention centre. “I was locked up for 2,737 days but my message for the Australian people is love. Helping vulnerable people is our responsibility. If we help vulnerable people, we can learn and be helped by them.”

For the volunteers, packing the hampers is also an opportunity to reconnect with likeminded people.
Shamara Haque is the captain of Amity College, one of 12 student volunteers. “This year, we haven’t had the opportunity to take part in things like this. Being around other people working together to help the community, it’s heartwarming.”

Some of the volunteers working on the Hampers of Hope have themselves been directly touched by the work that Addi Road does.

“I’ve lived with food insecurity and I’m on a pension,” says Vivienne Moore. “I’ve received food boxes from both here and other organisations and I’m touched every time they deliver it. I feel like someone has seen me and cared for me.”

“It takes extraordinary people to make this happen,” adds Tanya Lee. “Everyone’s pulled together. And that’s how we’re going to get through whatever we need to get through. It comes from the bottom up.”

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Vietnam has three winners at World MICE Awards 2021

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Asia’s Best MICE Destination 2021

The 2nd annual World MICE Awards revealed Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) as Asia’s Best MICE Destination 2021, Sheraton Grand Danang Resort (Danang City) as Asia's Best Incentive Hotel 2021 and Vietnam Airlines as Asia's Best MICE Airline 2021.

World MICE Awards is the global initiative to recognize and reward excellence in the MICE industry. It is the sister organization of World Travel Awards.

Rina van Staden, Director, World MICE Awards, said: “Our winners are finding innovative ways to overcome the challenges our industry has been facing, driven by guests seeking in-person experiences. Our World MICE Awards 2021 winners represent the brands finding exciting ways of doing things better.”

The results follow a year-long search for the world’s leading MICE brands. Votes were cast by MICE industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.

On 19 October 2021, World Travel Awards honored Vietnam as Asia's Leading Destination 2021 and Asia's Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination 2021, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism was awarded Asia's Leading Tourist Board 2021. Along with that, a series of destinations, airlines, tour operators, and hotels in Vietnam received leading awards in Asia.

On 28 October 2021, World Golf Awards named Vietnam as ‘Asia’s Best Golf Destination’ and ‘World’s Best Golf Destination’.

Tourism Information Technology Center
Tags: World MICE Awards, Ho Chi Minh City, Asia’s Best MICE Destination, Sheraton Grand Danang Resort, Asia’s Best Incentive Hotel, Vietnam Airlines, Asia’s Best MICE Airline,

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
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Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/

QUILPIE SHIRE COUNCIL LAND AUCTION SETS RECORD SALES RESULTS

Quilpie is leading the charge with the boom in Outback Queensland property, with yesterday’s online land auction results exceeding all expectations.

Five blocks of land went under the hammer in an online auction yesterday that saw a flurry of furious bidding between more than 100 registered buyers. The prices generated by the market have set a new record for the region, with blocks selling in excess of $45,000. Quilpie Shire Council had set the reserve price for the blocks of land at $12,500.

It is the first time that Quilpie Shire Council has opted to sell land online, and expectations are high for the remaining four blocks of land that will be sold online today.

“The interest in our land sale has been phenomenal, and we can’t wait to see the housing boom that’s set to follow. We’re thrilled with our first online auction results – it far exceeded our expectations. We look forward to giving the successful bidders a warm welcome to town. We’ll now work with them to help facilitate their build, and will be very happy when we hand over the first round of $12,500 cheques after they’ve lived in their new houses for six months,” said Justin Hancock, Quilpie Shire Council CEO.

The auctions on lots 12, 13, 21 and 22 are still live, with bidding set to finish at staggered times today.

“The online auction has allowed us to determine the true market value of the land. We have already had a higher return than Council was expecting for the sale – and we’re expect a similar result from the next online auction today, so it means we will be able to invest more into this initiative. ,” added Justin Hancock.

The online land auction that was staged yesterday, and continues to run today, by Quilpie Shire Council is part of Stage 1 of the sale of residential blocks following the release of a $12,500 grant designed to encourage new home building.

The online auctions are being managed by local Quilpie Real Estate Agents GDL who administered registrations of interest for the auctions. The online auction site remains open for registrations to purchase land in today’s auction at http://www.auctioncentre.com.au/home.php

Out of the ten lots listed for online sale, an individual and/or entity is only be able to purchase a maximum of two lots.

A Council meeting will then be held on December 10 to assess the Stage 1 auctions results and to determine Stage 2 of the sale of land.

Further information on the Auction and land available in Quilpie Shire, and on the Quilpie Council New Home Owner Grant is available at https://quilpie.qld.gov.au/2021/10/11/new-home-owners-grant/

The New Home Owner Grant is under-written by Council – giving anyone who purchases a block of land in the Quilpie Shire the opportunity to have $12,500 reimbursed when they build and live in the new house for a minimum of six months.

The offer is made in addition to other first home owner Government incentives.

The Grant was created by Council to help drive new home builds in the Shire. The town correctly has employment opportunities to be filled – but is experiencing a shortage of housing to attract people to the region.

Current jobs range from guides for 2022 at the Eromanga Natural History Museum to early childcare, mechanical, bar work, teachers at the State College and more. And there’s also the option to come to town to establish a business with incredibly affordable opportunities in the town industrial area with internet connectivity on-par with city regions.

With a population that sits close to 800, Quilpie offers supermarkets, a butchery, bakery, newsagent, hairdressers, retail shops, a hospital, Medical Centre, Pharmacy Two schools (Prep to Year 10), Early Learning Centre, Community Gym, Sporting ovals, tennis and basketball courts, free swimming pools and an abundance of open space.

The small township of Eromanga has put the Shire of Quilpie on the map globally with the discovery of Australia’s largest dinosaur and recent announcement of an entirely new dinosaur species by the Eromanga Natural History Museum, and COVID has seen thousands of tourists flock to Outback Queensland.

This will continue to open the region up to even more job vacancies.

In addition to encouraging new land purchase to build in the region Council is also redeveloping the Depot in Quilpie into ten, with the potential of up to forty, 2-3 bed townhouse villas. These will add to the current forty-six Council owned housing properties that are sitting at 100% occupancy

With housing affordability and employment options already at crisis point in many capital cities and coastal regions around Australia the appeal of owner/builder options in welcoming Outback regions like Quilpie is soaring.

The Quilpie Shire is located 1,000km West of Brisbane on the Warrego Way with roads sealed all the way into the region. It also has twice weekly REX flights to Brisbane and Mt Isa as well as a regular train service.

Quilpie Shire has an abundance of natural resources and beauty – and is a popular Outback tourist destination.

The region is renowned for and hiking in scenic locations such as Hell Hole Gorge, red dirt bike tracks, taking a step back in time with Australia’s largest dinosaur at the Eromanga Natural History Museum, Opal fossicking, yabbying, bike and horse riding, fishing, tree and rock climbing, kayaking, sand dune surfing in the desert and a rich local history.

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Shinjuku Kabukicho Redevelopment coming to an end in January 2023

One of the foremost centres of urban tourism in the world, the redeveloped Shinjuku Kabukicho will feature new entertainment facilities, like cinema, theatre, and a live entertainment venue. You’ll also find two brand hotels that incorporate the city’s culture such as art and music and a high-rise commercial complex, the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower.

Tokyu Corporation and Tokyu Recreation Co., Ltd. are promoting the Kabukicho 1-chome district development plan (Shinjuku TOKYU MILANO redevelopment plan) (hereinafter referred to as "this plan") on the site centered on the site of the former Shinjuku TOKYU MILANO. The name of the facility has been decided to be "Tokyu Kabukicho Tower" (hereinafter referred to as "this facility"). The name implies that the Tokyu Group wants to create a new tourism base through entertainment together with the town of Kabukicho.

This plan is to develop a high-rise complex consisting of entertainment facilities such as movie theaters, theaters, and live halls, and hotels. It is scheduled to be completed on January 11, 2023, and to open in the spring of the same year.

In addition, the brand logo of this facility was decided in line with the decision of the facility name. The brand logo expresses the diversity of Kabukicho, which consists of various elements such as culture and content, as well as design elements that include the elements of the fountain, which is the motif of the exterior of the facility and the entertainment characteristics such as the piano keyboard and the equalizer of the acoustic equipment. The logotype is used to make this facility one with the Kabukicho area, and we hope that it will contribute to the creation of even more liveliness.

With the recent spread of the new coronavirus infection, the way of enjoying entertainment and the needs for accommodation have changed drastically all over the world, but the craving for real experience value is increasing, and it is becoming a favorite. Passion has spread across generations. At this facility, with the concept of "creating a place to maximize your liking," we will take advantage of the characteristics of a hotel and entertainment complex to create a story that creates new "likes" such as "find, grow, and fly." increase. And, through real and online, while matching with those stories, by creating an opportunity to meet "likes" and a place where the passion of the people who gather there for "likes" can be exchanged, various "likes" have been achieved. We aim to create the future and culture of the city, as well as further diversity (MASH UP), along with the feeling of "like".

This plan has been certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as the first private city regeneration project plan based on the new regional development policy for the area around Shinjuku Station, and is a cultural and arts facility that implements leading measures against infectious diseases. As a facility for attracting customers, we will embody a new way of entertainment and accommodation, and contribute to further enhancing the attractiveness of the international tourist cities of Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Kabukicho.

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au