Jetsettersblog

The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has launched the Melbourne Planner’s Guide 2010/11, featuring new and expanded sections detailing the destination’s incentive offerings, suggested itineraries and regional Victoria’s Business Events products and services.

Director, Marketing + Communications for MCVB, Ms Hayley Blumenthal, said the guide had received excellent support from the Business Events industry, and features new and updated information on conference and exhibition venues, hotels, special event venues, conference and event organisers, and Business Events support services.

“Organisers planning a Business Event in Melbourne and regional Victoria will find our Guide indispensible. It offers detailed information about more than 100 outstanding products and services available around the State,” said Ms Blumenthal.

“The Guide provides essential information about our destination and information on how MCVB can provide support in securing a Business Event and boosting delegate numbers.

“The Melbourne Planner’s Guide provides a taste of the city’s fabulous offerings including designer shopping, fine dining, nightclubs, bars and cultural experiences. It also includes important, practical information about Melbourne, new infrastructure developments to look forward to and advice about holding a green event.

“Our comprehensive, larger than ever incentive travel section features a rewarding five-day sample itinerary, ‘Urban Essentials’ experiences and a range of team-based activities that showcase ‘Made in Melbourne’ experiences, such as barista workshops.

“Additionally, as part of our commitment to showcase products, services and attractions for Business Events in regional Victoria, the guide includes new ‘Conferencing in Regional Victoria’ information and six sample itineraries covering attractions such as the Yarra Valley, Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island penguin parade, Daylesford spa country and more,” said Ms Blumenthal.

The Melbourne Planner’s Guide is one of MCVB’s most important tools in generating interest in Victoria as a world-leading destination for meetings, events, incentive travel and conferences, with 8,000 copies disseminated around the world annually.

The 2010/11 guide is now available free of charge by telephone (+61 3 9693 3333) or visiting

www.mcvb.com.au/plannersguide

Treat yourself to four days of pure indulgence from August to October, at the only Broome resort that’s overlooks Cable Beach – Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa.

Enjoy 30 degree sunshine day after day, staying 4 Nights from $814* per person twin share and receive 4 premium extras; $100 Dining Tab, 50% off Chahoya Spa treatments, complimentary Sunset Bar cocktails and 50% off at the Resort’s Hair Salon.

A tropical oasis set amongst 26 acres of magnificent landscaped gardens, Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is just minutes away from the multicultural pearling town of Broome and offers a truly unique experience for guests travelling to the Kimberley region. You’ll also find two swimming pools, one for families, and the other a tranquil haven reserved solely for adults.

A variety of accommodation options are available at the award winning resort including Studio Rooms overlooking Garden, Pool or Ocean Views, classic Broome style Bungalows, Villas complete with butler service, as well as the Resort’s flagship accommodation being the Colonial and Asian styled Suites.

Use your dining and drinks vouchers at any of the four distinctively different restaurants and bars available at the Resort. Enjoy welcome cocktails overlooking Cable Beach at the Sunset Bar & Grill and for the ultimate in Broome fine dining, head to the Cub Restaurant with a $100 tab on us.

For total relaxation guests can unwind at Chahoya Spa & Hair Salon with 50% off 1 hour spa treatments and Hair Salon services. Complete with seven luxurious treatment rooms and a double Vichy shower room, Chahoya Spa is the perfect place to restore body and mind.

Blessed with sunny temperatures, luxurious facilities, friendly staff and numerous adventures on your doorstep, Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa in Broome is the complete holiday experience.

To make a booking visit www.cablebeachclub.com  or call reservations on 1800 199 099.

*Conditions Apply. Subject to availability. Prices quoted are per person, twin share in a Garden View Studio. Valid for travel from 1st Aug to 10th Oct 2010. See website for full terms and conditions www.cablebeachclub.com

Australian skiers now have a great chance to ski a new destination in the northern hemisphere with Skimax, the Australian ski professionals who have ventured into the Korean ski market for the first time.

Skimax have released new great value accommodation & lift pass packages to ski Yongpyong Ski Resort on the east coast of Korea, one of the most popular resorts in Korea for international skiers.

Yongpyong is well known to international skiers and snowboarders. Known as ‘Korea’s Ski Mecca’ with a growing international reputation Yongpyong provides the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the fresh powder snow and great facilities at the resort.

Yongyong has hosted many international events including the winter Asian Games in 1999, Interski Congress 2007 and is a selected candidate for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Yongpyong offers night skiing on the mountain with lifts open daily from 8.30am to midnight. Accommodation options range from premium hotels right through to traditional Korean-style accommodation (Ondol rooms).

Skimax is offering 7 night accommodation/6 day lift pass packages starting at $741 for quad share at the Tower Condominiums to $825 for triple share at the famous Dragon Valley Hotel and from $916 quad share at the Greenpia Condominiums.

So, whether it’s apartment style accommodation (western or Korean-style) or hotel accommodation Skimax has a good range of properties at Yongpyong to suit any skiers style.

All properties have excellent facilities with western and Asian style restaurants, wireless internet access and entertainment facilities like bowling alley and karaoke bars etc.

Information on Skimax Ski Korea packages is available online at www.skimax.com.au

Email: skimax@skimax.com.au

and reservations phone 1300 136 997.

For general information on Korea’s ski resorts and travelling in Korea visit the official travel website for Korea Tourism Organization

www.visitkorea.or.kr

Don’t think this is like any-old Holiday Park. With the addition of three new, 3-bedroom cabins and four ensuite studio cabins, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday has lifted the level of accommodation to something only dreamt of in the past.

With a fit-out by award-winning interior designer Suzie Beirne of Maison Jardin through her Airlie Beach showroom ‘Island Edge’, you won’t believe your eyes when you check the family in to stay in this gorgeous contemporary holiday accommodation.

Imagine bright fashionable furnishings, upmarket vinyl flooring in warm American oak and clean white shutters in a cabin set amongst acres of tropical gardens.

Calming kiwi green and cream decor is highlighted with splashes of red, lime and citrus.

The decor for the four studio ensuite cabins compliment the main design scheme with the combination of red and lime working back with citrine throws and white sheets.

The furnishings and finishes of the three new, 3-bedroom cabins and four ensuite studio apartments provide unparalleled taste and comfort for a resort-style tropical Whitsunday holiday.

There is also a refurbishment program underway for the existing one bedroom cabins which will bring about a complete transformation.

Kitchens are being refitted in off-white and bamboo green, while furnishings, window treatments and floor coverings have been replaced. Living and bedrooms have been freshened with new scatter cushions, linen and bed throws in a combination of citron and lime.

Adventure Whitsunday has established itself as a preferred destination for travellers searching for quality in every sense of the word. With a choice of over 40 self-contained cabins and 120 caravan and camping sites set amongst 26 acres of tropical gardens and masses of facilities and services, Adventure Whitsunday is the best location for a value for money family holiday.

Adventure Whitsunday has capacity for 600 guests and is normally fully-booked during peak holiday times.

The Park is located in Airlie Beach and has easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands and a vast array of trips, water activities and truly memorable Australian holiday adventures.

Humpback whales are currently making an almighty splash in waters from Esperance in the South East to Broome in the North West of WA.

WA has one of the longest whale-watching seasons in the world, running from June to early December each year and covering the length of the State’s coastline.

Humpback whales first make an appearance in the south of the State in winter during their annual migration north to warmer waters and are then visible on the South West coast again in spring as they head back to Antarctica.

Australia’s South West Chief Executive Officer Sascha Papalia said humpack whales had arrived earlier than usual this year and local whale watching operators were delighted with the numbers they were seeing off the coast of Augusta and Albany in the South West.

“Hundreds of whales visit South West waters each year to play, feed, breed and travel close to the coast during the winter months,” Ms Papalia said.

“Humpbacks are the most acrobatic of all the whale species; their spectacular shows of breaching, spy hopping and tail slapping provide whale spotters with an extraordinary experience they are unlikely to forget.”

Often during July more than 200 whales can be seen at any one time in Flinders Bay, Augusta, offering an amazing spectacle for whale spotters on the mainland and passengers aboard whale watching charters in the area.

The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse offers an excellent vantage point for land based whale watching during winter. Whale watchers can climb to the top of mainland Australia’s tallest lighthouse or look out to sea where two oceans meet through the decking binoculars.

With uninterrupted views across King George Sound, Albany’s Whale World is another great place to spot whales and to learn about the interesting history of this former whaling station.

Victoria Casey from Three Islands Whale Shark Dive said plenty of humpback whales had been sighted near Exmouth on the mid north coast during their annual migration north along Ningaloo Reef’s humpback highway on their way to the Kimberley.

“Humpback whale numbers are increasing daily and our passengers also saw a huge pod of spinner dolphins recently,” Ms Casey said.

Minke whales and orcas have also been spotted off the coral coast in the last few weeks.

Australia’s North West CEO Glen Chidlow said the largest population of humpback whales in the world migrated along the pristine waters of the Kimberley coast annually, using the area as a breeding and calving ground between end of June and mid October each year.

“You can see whales from the shore in many places along the Kimberley coast or join a whale watching tour to see them up close,” Mr Chidlow said.

“Whale watching cruises operating from Broome allow people to see the amazing sight of whales and their newborn calves in the calm, safe waters of Cable Beach.”

A rare white-tailed humpback whale was spotted at Cable Beach this week.

Whale watching tours operate out of Perth and Geographe Bay from September to mid December as the whales stop for a rest on their way back to Antarctica.

The seaside resort town of Dunsborough in Geographe Bay is considered one of the best places to join a whale watching charter because the whales come in close to shore. The north facing bay also offers calm conditions for a comfortable aquatic outing.

The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse near Dunsborough is a great viewing spot for whale watching during spring, as are nearby walking trails through the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park.

The largest animal in existence, the rare blue whales occasionally make an appearance in Albany from May to June and in Dunsborough during November and December. Southern right whales (the second largest mammal in the world) are most commonly sighted from May to June in Albany and in Augusta from August to October.

Visit www.westernaustralia.com for further information.

Tourism WA image gallery: http://imagegallery.tourism.wa.gov.au

A new “ALHI Historic Collection” has been unveiled by Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI).

This specialty segment within ALHI’s worldwide portfolio of more than 125 hotels and resorts worldwide, features 22 Four- and Five-Diamond historic resorts and hotels designed for meetings from coast-to-coast in the United States, as well as an international locale. ALHI provides authorized National Sales services and support for its member hotels and resorts to corporations, associations, incentive/recognition specialists, independent planners, and product launch specialists desiring to conduct meetings, incentive programs, conventions, and exhibitions at its member properties.

As part of the launch of this specialty segment, ALHI has added an “Historic Collection” quick reference button to its home page at www.alhi.com , as well as a “View All Specialty Segments” quick reference button to its home page, to provide fast, one-stop access for planners seeking to research to conduct a program at one of the world’s finest historic resorts or hotels. On the site, planners can quickly see details of the properties’ meeting, accommodation, recreational and dining offerings, as well as destination information and “Luxury on Sale” value opportunities.

A photo gallery, meeting floor plans and specs, and a location map for each property are also easily accessible on the site.

In the northeast, the “ALHI Historic Collection” specialty segment features a diversity of historic options that includes New England’s “Grand Oceanfront Resort” Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod, Mass., situated on 25 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and sandy ocean beaches; the renowned 509-room Jumeirah Essex House, celebrating 75 years of luxury on Central Park South in Manhattan; the landmark New York Palace Hotel, which successfully merges the historic Villard Mansion built in 1882 with a contemporary 55-story hotel tower in midtown Manhattan; the elegant 686-room InterContinental New York Barclay, originally built in 1926 under the aegis of the Vanderbilt family; and one of ALHI’s newest members, the stylish Loews Regency Hotel New York, which provides true Park Avenue luxury in the heart of New York City.

Additional options on the U.S. East Coast include Washington, D.C.’s Willard InterContinental, which has hosted many of the country’s most noteworthy business and political leaders for over 150 years;

The Resort Collection of Colonial Williamsburg, offering a total of 1,051 guest rooms and suites and 67,000 square feet of meeting space in historic Williamsburg, Va.;

The Homestead, founded in 1766 — 10 years before the American Revolution — and featuring a stunning 3,000-acre Alleghany Mountain setting in Hot Springs, Va.;

West Virginia’s renowned Greenbrier, welcoming meeting guests and dignitaries for nearly 229 years, and offering 85,000 square feet of meeting space and over 50 recreational activities; and the 2,000-acre famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, built more than 100 years ago, and featuring 420 guest rooms and suites, 60,000 square feet of meeting space, and eight incredible golf courses.

Offerings in the south include such Florida options as the newly renovated Don CeSar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel, known as Florida’s landmark Pink Palace on St. Pete Beach; and The Biltmore in Coral Gables, set on a private 150-acre oasis and designated as a National Historic Landmark. Georgia boasts the Forbes Five-Star Cloister at Sea Island, a spectacular and secluded meeting retreat for more than 80 years.

The elegant Peabody Memphis, on the National Register of Historic Places and known as the “South’s Grand Hotel,” has been hosting guests since 1869. ALHI’s distinctive portfolio also features two exceptional historic options in Texas — The Driskill, built in Austin in 1886 as the showplace of a cattle baron, and offering 189 rooms and 18,080 square feet of meeting space; and The Adolphus, a magnificent renaissance palace built in Dallas in 1912 by beer baron Adolphus Busch.

In the western U.S., ALHI offerings in Colorado include The Broadmoor, which opened in 1918 and is the longest consecutive winner of the AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes (Mobil) Five-Star awards; and Denver’s Four-Diamond Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, open since 1892 and host to many of the world’s most prominent guests. California features such great choices as the 220-acre Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, an oasis for groups for more than 85 years; the world-renowned Lodge at Pebble Beach, legendary for its four world-class golf courses and breathtaking setting on the Pacific Ocean; and the oceanfront, Victorian-style Hotel del Coronado that was built in 1888 and is a National Historic Landmark.

Among the international options in ALHI’s historic collection is the InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel in France, docked along the side of the magnificent Garnier Opera House. For more information, call 866-303-ALHI or visit www.alhi.com

Qantas today announced it had worked closely with Marc Newson in the design of its new Next Generation Check-in experience, which will launch in Perth next week.

Qantas Executive Manager Customer Experience, Ms Alison Webster, said the Next Generation Check-in elements had been developed with Qantas Creative Director Marc Newson, who provided creative direction on each of the components, including design and aesthetics.

“Next Generation Check-in has been designed to deliver an enhanced check-in experience for our customers – providing greater speed and ease through the airport terminal by eliminating airport queuing,” Ms Webster said.

“With this in mind, careful consideration has been given to the functionality, aesthetics, and ease of use for both our customers and airport employees.

“The Next Generation Check-in experience will feature product elements developed for Qantas by Blue Sky Design Group in conjunction with Marc Newson, including a new Qantas Frequent Flyer Card, Q Card Reader and Bag Drop facility.

The Q Bag Tag, a world first, was designed exclusively for Qantas by Marc Newson.” The new Qantas Frequent Flyer Card features an “intelligent Q” smart chip and will act as a permanent boarding pass, replacing eligible customers’ existing Frequent Flyer cards.

The card will be used at various points throughout the experience, including at check-in, at bag drop, and to board the aircraft.

Customers arriving at the airport who have not yet checked in online or via their mobile device, will be able to simply touch their card at an all-new Q Card Reader located throughout the check-in hall.

The simple and clean design of the Q Card Reader will provide both visual and audible recognition of successful check-in.

All customers travelling with bags will be able to use the new Bag Drop service at Next Generation Check-in airports. The Bag Drop injector has been designed to ensure the Bag Drop process is simple and quick for all customers and will eliminate queuing for those travelling with bags.

The new Kiosks with enhanced functionality will be customised in colour and trim by Marc Newson.

The Q Bag Tag features world first enhanced baggage technology and Qantas is the first airline in the world to introduce this technology. The tag was exclusively designed by Marc Newson for Qantas, and will be introduced later in 2010.

Throughout the Perth trial of Next Generation Check-in, construction and training will continue in Sydney, which will be ready to launch later in 2010, followed by Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra in 2011.

The program is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2011.

About Marc Newson

Australian Marc Newson is one of the most influential designers in the world today. His association with Qantas began with the award-winning Skybed International Business sleeper seat in 2003. As Qantas Creative Director, Marc oversees all Qantas product development, including aircraft interiors, onboard product and lounges. Marc’s designs are an integral part of most major permanent museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, London’s Design Museum, Musée National d’Art Moderne – Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany.

The Rezidor Hotel Group’s eighth property in Switzerland, The Radisson Blu Resort, Andermatt, featuring 240 rooms is scheduled to open its doors in 2013.

It will be part of the project “Andermatt Swiss Alps,” a master development overseen by Orascom Development Holding AG and including six new hotels in the four- and five-star sector, some 490 apartments in 42 buildings and 25 to 30 villas.

An 18-hole championship golf course and sport and commercial areas will complement the project, which will turn Andermatt in an exclusive year-round holiday destination.

For Andermatt Swiss Alps, Radisson Blu is the second hotel cooperation.

“Rezidor is expanding its young, contemporary and successful resort portfolio which now features 45 properties with more than 10,700 rooms in operation and under development across Europe, Middle East and Africa,” said Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of Rezidor.

“Andermatt as a well-established winter sport destination is a perfect fit for us. We are looking forward to also building up the summer business together with our partners.”

Andermatt lies at the foot of the Gotthard Massif in Switzerland. Its ski facilities, renowned for excellent snowfalls, will be upgraded and modernized resulting in 80 miles of varying ranges of ski slopes to suit all levels.

The Radisson Blu Resort, Andermatt will be designed by the architects Burkhalter Sumi (Zurich). In two buildings with wooden façades, it will comprise 240 keys — regular guest rooms as well as spacious apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms, in addition to a restaurant and bar, 1,700 square meters of conference space and a multi-functional concert hall for up to 700 guests.

A spa with an indoor swimming pool, retail shops, game room and children’s club are also being planned.

Sydney’s dining scene is bursting with some of the world’s finest eating establishments, adding to the city’s diverse cuisine and bringing some award winning, international flavours to the table, will be Sydney Harbour Marriott’s new Executive Chef, Harry Callinan.

His mantra is simple – great tasting food using the finest locally sourced ingredients which emphasises the quality of the produce. And that is exactly what you can expect to be on Sydney Harbour Marriott’s menu.

Harry may be a new name to Sydney, but is certainly a familiar face to the Marriott family. He started his international career in 2005 as an Executive Sous Chef at Singapore Marriott Hotel, which saw him develop a dining concept that was awarded Best New Restaurant in Singapore by American Express and Singapore Tatler 2007 Restaurant’s guide.

“This was one of my most rewarding achievements – coming from Australia to open the Pool Grill restaurant, which was voted best new restaurant in its first year of operation,” he said.

Satisfying his adventurous spirit and desire to produce world class cuisine, Harry then moved to Phuket, Thailand as Executive Sous Chef for one of the largest properties in Asia, the JW Marriott Resort and Spa. After two and a half years, Harry was asked to open the brand new Marriott hotel Manila in the Philippines and promoted to Executive Chef.

“Working in Asia has altered the way I view what I do. Their simplistic approach to food preparation, which may actually seem complex to the untrained eye, has changed the way I think about cooking – dishes made with heart and simple product knowledge will always beat complication,” he said.

“Now being able to return home and stay with the company I love working for is like having your cake and eating it. The Marriott’s core values, visions and spirit to serve is both exciting and impressive! In Asia I even had the pleasure of cooking for Mr. Bill Marriott himself.”

Harry brings with him an impressive 17 years of culinary experience, which includes working as Executive Chef at the highly acclaimed restaurant, Roberts At Pepper Tree in the Hunter Valley and in the same role at The Exchange Restaurant at the Exchange Hotel in Hamilton, NSW.

Undoubtedly Harry’s previous career overseas has helped him study international trends, which have encouraged him to be more forward thinking with his culinary creations at Sydney Harbour Marriott.

“For me the most exciting thing about being back in Australia is the abundance of amazing produce I have at my disposal – we’re the luckiest chefs in the world with access to world class ingredients. I encourage everyone to buy locally where ever possible, it’s not only better priced but doesn’t take a week to get to you – At Sydney Harbour Marriott we’ll be using local seasonal ingredients wherever possible.”

Sydney Harbour Marriott’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Helen Radic, said they were thrilled to have such a passionate and dynamic new Executive Chef at their restaurant and look forward to welcoming guests to sample his world-class cuisine.

For further information about Sydney Harbour Marriott please visit

www.sydneyharbourmarriott.com.au  

or contact (02) 9259 7000

For interviews, information or high images please contact Fleur Maxwell-Garrett at Blue by Red PR on 02 8218 2172

f.garrett@redpr.com.au

Click map for CD ROM of restaurant locations.

Qantas launched its new Sydney Domestic Transfer Facility at Sydney International Airport.

Qantas Group Executive Customer and Marketing, Ms Lesley Grant, said Qantas customers now transferring from international to domestic flights will enjoy a new purpose built transfer facility, which will provide faster transfer to Qantas domestic flights.

“The new transfer facility is fifty per cent larger than the current facility and includes a new spacious check-in area, six additional check-in counters and an additional bag drop area,” said Ms Grant.

“Additional check-in staff and counters will ensure Qantas customers are transferred to their domestic flight quickly for passengers to meet their connecting domestic flights.

“An express bag drop facility will provide an even quicker transfer for customers who have their onward boarding passes and bags tagged to their final destination.” Similar to regular check-in at the airport, the new transfer facility will house both premium and economy check-in counters. It also offers increased seating capacity.

The new purpose built facility remains on the arrivals level at Sydney International Airport, and the process for customers transferring remains the same.

The shuttle bus continues to operate between the international terminal and domestic terminals every ten minutes during peak times and every twenty minutes during off peak times.