Jetsettersblog

Qantas announced today it would grow its North American network with the commencement of expanded codeshare relationships with US carriers Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.

Qantas Group General Manager Sales and Distribution, Mr Rob Gurney, said the airline would codeshare on Horizon Air services between Los Angeles and Flagstaff (Arizona), Boise (Idaho), Reno (Nevada), and Alaska Airlines services between Honolulu and Seattle (Washington) and Anchorage (Alaska).

“North America remains a key market for Qantas that continues to grow and we are always looking at opportunities to expand our network. We recently added new codeshare destinations operated by American Airlines from Los Angeles to Austin, Nashville, San Jose, Fresno, Santa Barbara and Monterey,” Mr Gurney said.

Qantas currently operates 47 return services per week between Australia and the US and from October, will add capacity with the introduction of the A380 from Melbourne and Sydney to Los Angeles.

“The extension of our codeshare partnerships with Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and American Airlines will provide our customers with new itinerary choices and seamless travel to these destinations in the USA.” “Australia is one of the biggest international markets for travel to the Grand Canyon and we are particularly pleased to now offer customers a service to Flagstaff, Arizona, the gateway to the Grand Canyon.” “Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air already offer onward connections for Qantas customers from Los Angeles to Seattle, Portland, Vancouver and Calgary and from San Francisco to Seattle, Portland and Vancouver.” Qantas now offers codeshare flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York to 25 cities in the USA as well as six cities in Canada.

Members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program can earn and redeem points on eligible Qantas, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights.

Not only is Yap famous for its large population of resident Manta Rays but during filming of the BBC’s current wildlife series, Pacific Abyss, new discoveries of fish were spotted including a large, slate-blue Chromis Damselfish, along with other more likely residents such as Silvertip and Grey Reef Sharks, Lyretail Angelfish and Yellow-striped Squirrelfish. For the opportunity to get immersed with some of world’s most spectacular marine life, specialists Dive Worldwide offer 11-day holidays incorporating 7-nights at Manta Ray Bay Hotel in Yap with a 10-dive package – tours depart London NOW!

Guests are based at the Manta Ray Bay Resort, designed by, and built for divers. Choose from elegant and spacious en-suite, air-conditioned rooms complete with mini bar, safe, balcony and satellite television or deluxe ocean view with private roof jacuzzi and sun deck! Enjoy delicious meals and lagoon views at Manta Ray Bistro, the finest restaurant on the island, and a refreshing cold drink by the water’s edge in the Nautical Weaver Bar.

Resident 5-star PADI diving facility, Yap Divers, offers world-class diving and a full lineup of diver education programmes along with five radio-equipped twin engine dive boats - to get divers quickly to where the underwater action is - including sharks, turtles, Pipefish, Frogfish, Nudibranches and Mandarin fish. Topside, Yap is the most intriguing of the Micronesian Islands, with its giant stone money, grass skirts and traditional Men’s Houses. Other activities on offer include sea kayaking, hiking and village tours.

The holiday costs from £2,059 p/p including scheduled flights, transfers, 7-nights B&B accommodation at the Manta Ray Bay Resort, 1-night in Manila with breakfast and a 10-dive package, tanks and weights.

Dive Worldwide
0845 130 6980
sales@diveworldwide.com
www.diveworldwide.com

Brings the “Hawaii Nei” to the Cannery Casino & Hotel

Festival presented by Vizzun Entertainment and will run October 10 through October 12

LAS VEGAS – There will be lots of “good fun” and “ono” food at the Islands of the Pacific Cultural Festival, formerly known as the Pure Aloha Fall Festival, presented by Vizzun Entertainment at the Cannery Casino & Hotel.

The three-day festival runs Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 12 and will be held at The Club, an indoor/outdoor festival venue located at the Cannery Casino & Hotel. The event includes a concert featuring some of the most popular Polynesian acts and daytime festival vendors that bring the culture of the islands to Las Vegas.

Tickets for the Friday evening concert are $28 in advance and $33 the day of the show. Tickets are available at the Cannery Casino & Hotel’s ticket sales counter located at the front desk check-in, or by calling 702-617-5585 or 866-287-4643 (toll free).

“Every year, we look forward to a fantastic turnout to this festival due to the large Hawaiian population in Las Vegas, who affectionately call their new home ‘the ninth island,’” said Bryan Cory, director of special events at the Cannery Casino & Hotel. “‘The Islands of the Pacific Cultural Festival’ offers a little bit of home to this community while introducing fabulous Polynesian culture, food and music to the rest of our population.”

The Islands of the Pacific Cultural Festival kicks off on Friday, October 10 at 6 p.m. with an evening concert of popular Hawaiian and reggae musical acts. The evening’s lineup includes pop, rock and reggae band Natural Vibrations, also known as Natural Vibes or Da Vibes by their fans. In May 2007, their single “From the Heart” reached number five on the Billboard reggae chart and won “Best Reggae Album” in 2008 at Hawaii’s prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The concert will also feature performances by Pati, Bonafide and B.E.T.

Admission to the daytime festival on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12 is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10, military, and seniors 65 and older. Festival tickets are only available for purchase at the door with the festival doors opening at 10 a.m. each day. The daytime festivities will include cultural performances, amusement rides and Pacific island vendors featuring a variety of island arts and crafts. Food booths will offer everything from local plate lunches to delicious snacks and desserts.

Cannery Casino Resorts, LLC, owns and operates the Cannery Casino & Hotel in North Las Vegas; the Rampart Casino within the Resort in Summerlin, also home of the J.W. Marriott Resort; and Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel. The company also owns and operates the Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington County, PA. Cannery Casino Resorts can be reached at (702) 856-5100. The specific property websites are as follows: Cannery Casino & Hotel and Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel, www.cannerycasinos.com  Rampart Casino, www.rampartcasino.com   The Meadows Racetrack & Casino can be reached at (724) 503-1200, (877) 824-5050, or by visiting www.meadowsgaming.com

Virgin Blue’s international airline Pacific Blue (Aust) and Airlines PNG have today jointly announced that they have entered into Heads of Agreement^ that will lead to the commencement of code-share services between Port Moresby and Brisbane from November this year.

Virgin Blue will operate four return flights a week to PNG - a total of 720 seats - using Pacific Blue’s modern fleet of Boeing 737-800 jet aircraft.

To celebrate the announcement Virgin Blue has launched a special SALE FARE of AU$249.00* one way on the net (inclusive of taxes fees and charges).

The $249* fares are for travel from 3 November 2008 until 6 December, 2008 and are on sale for 72 hours only (or until sold out). Everyday lead-in fares start from AU$289 one way between Brisbane and PNG.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “We strive to make as many global destinations available to our Guests as possible whether by opening up new routes of our own or through strategic arrangements with quality airlines and we look forward to adding PNG to our expanding network.”

Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, The Hon. Charles Abel MP, applauded the new code-share partnership, “The Government welcomes the joint decision by both Virgin Blue and our own Airlines PNG to enter into this joint partnership agreement to provide airlines services both on the international and domestic sectors.

“My Ministry and the Tourism Promotion Authority of Papua New Guinea have worked hard in bringing genuine and independent competition to our airline sector to address one of the identified weaknesses in Tourism infrastructure and in the country generally.”

Airlines PNG’s Chairman, Simon Wild, said, “This capacity sharing arrangement with Pacific Blue will allow us to further expand our international services and will ensure that travellers to and from PNG benefit from greatly increased competition.”

Airlines PNG’s Chief Executive Officer, John Fitzgerald, added, “When we first started flying between PNG and Australia, we provided real competition that significantly reduced the cost of air travel between our neighbouring countries. This agreement with Virgin Blue will introduce another strong carrier onto the route between Port Moresby and Brisbane and will heighten competition considerably because of the increase in available seat capacity.”

Both carriers have committed to exploring opportunities to enhance the experience for Guests.

The partnership with Airlines PNG brings Virgin Blue’s interline and code-share partners to 12 which offers travellers a convenient and extensive global airline network.

Connections from Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and New Zealand will also be available in the coming weeks.

Celebrated authors, journalists, historians, commentators, actor-dramatists, filmmakers, an astronaut, marine biologist, Harvard economist, Japanese TV personality, and an officer of arms to the Queen of England await guests of Silver Shadow’s 92-day Grand Pacific Voyage, sailing March 7 to June 7, 2009.

Departing from Los Angeles, Silver Shadow’s Grand Pacific Voyage will follow the mild trade winds of spring as they dry the skies south of the equator, find northern Japan’s cherry blossoms in full bloom, and arrive in Alaska as the region awakens from its winter slumber with warmer, longer days. On this epic journey, guests will visit 45 ports, 15 countries and two hemispheres, enjoying overnight stays in Bora Bora, Sydney, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

“Our Grand Pacific Voyage is designed to be a truly extraordinary journey offering broad cultural exploration and intellectual adventure,” said Joseph Proto, Silversea’s director of world cruise and business development. “We searched the globe to find just the right professors and distinguished personalities to share their knowledge and insights for the benefit of our inquisitive guests. The result is an impeccable enrichment roster featuring esteemed experts from Australia, Japan, Great Britain and the United States.”

Following are the segments of the Grand Pacific Voyage and a preliminary lineup of guest lecturers:

VOYAGE 3907: “Enchanted Polynesia,” March 7 - 23, Los Angeles to Papeete, 16 days.

– Frank McCourt — Author born in Brooklyn, New York, to Irish immigrant parents, grew up in Limerick, Ireland, and returned to America in 1949. His first book, Angela’s Ashes, a memoir of his childhood in Limerick, won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the L.A. Times Book Award. The bestselling autobiography was also made into a movie in 1999.

– Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan — Astronaut and first American woman to walk in space, Dr. Sullivan is a veteran of three shuttle missions and a 2004 inductee to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Her life-long commitment to science education earned her the National Science Board’s Public Service Award in 2003 and a presidential appointment to the NSB in 2004.

– Dr. George Losey — He received his Ph.D. at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and has studied the behavior and ecology of marine animals throughout the world. An expert in South Pacific history, culture and marine life, he is an emeritus professor of zoology and marine biology at the University of Hawaii.

VOYAGE 3908: “Escape to Dreamland,” March 23 - April 11, Papeete to Sydney, 18 days.

– Scott Pearson — After earning a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University, Pearson taught economic development and international trade at Stanford University. He has spent over four decades studying economic change in developing countries, and won several awards for his research and teaching. Pearson has led university travel groups worldwide.

– David O. Frazier and Joe Garry — Actors and dramatists who created fifteen original scripts and performed in theaters from New York to Budapest to Bombay. Their award-winning television show, Odysseys and Ovations, a travel and history series, appears on PBS in the U.S. They will present original cabaret-style lectures with a regional focus.

VOYAGE 3909: “Adventures of the Imagination,” April 11 - 29, Sydney to Singapore, 18 days.

– Bradley Trevor Greive — One of Australia’s most successful authors, his books have been published in 115 countries with more than 17 million copies sold. His international bestsellers include Priceless: The vanishing beauty of a fragile planet, The Meaning of Life, A Teaspoon of Courage and The Blue Day Book, which received the 2000 Australian Book of the Year Award.

– Dr. Geoffrey Blainey — One of Australia’s best-known historians and commentators, Dr. Blainey has authored over 30 books. For 20 years he successively held the chair of economic history and then the Ernest Scott Chair of History at the University of Melbourne. In 1975 he was made an officer of the Order of Australia and in 2000 became a companion of that Order.

– Alastair Bruce of Crionaich — A descendent of Robert the Bruce, he is the author of numerous books on British royalty and a commentator for Britain’s Sky News and the BBC. He is also a documentary filmmaker with Days of Majesty, Nicholas and Alexandra, and Victoria and Albert to his name. He is a member of the Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland and is also an officer of arms to the Queen. Lecture topics will include Captain Cook’s adventures as well as the British Empire and Australia.

– Michael O’Brien — A retired major general in the Australian Defense Force, his interest in history has led to the publication of several books. In 2008, he lead an archaeological dig in northern France, ultimately confirming the most significant British and Australian group burial discovered since World War I. He is an expert on the Pacific region and its history.

VOYAGE 3910: “Oriental Mystique,” April 29 - May15, Singapore to Tokyo, 16 days.

– Elizabeth Kiritani — Author, award-winning journalist and Tokyo television personality, Kiritani has twice received the “Nihon Bungei Taisho,” a Japanese cultural award for journalism. Her book Vanishing Japan: Traditions, Crafts & Culture catalogues the small traditions that are still found in Japan, but are disappearing with the modern age. Her lectures celebrate the traditions of Japan.

– John Hartley — Retired Australian Major General Hartley is a graduate of Duntroon’s Royal Military College, the University of Queensland and the U.S. Army War College. He served twice in Vietnam, as a platoon commander and advisor to the South Vietnamese Army, and was wounded three times. His lectures will focus on regional cultural issues and history, as well as military history.

VOYAGE 3911: “Bridge Across Time,” May 15 - 28, Tokyo to Seward, 14 days.

– Jon Bowermaster — Adventurer extraordinaire, author, filmmaker, and ardent kayaker, he has spent more than 20 years exploring and documenting some of the world’s most exotic regions. His Oceans 8 project, designed to explore the world by kayak, has taken him to the Aleutian Islands, Vietnam, French Polynesia, South America’s Altiplano, the Antarctic Peninsula and the wild coasts of Gabon, Croatia and Tasmania.

– Stephen Dachi — A foreign policy specialist who served in the U.S. Foreign Service for 30 years, Dachi is currently in charge of South Asia Area Studies at the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute. He lectures on political issues at the Elliott School of International Affairs of George Washington University. He also teaches a course on the global economy at Georgetown University.

VOYAGE 3912: “Of Mists and Majesty,” May 28 - June 7, Seward to Vancouver, 10 days.

– Niki Sepsas — Author and magazine writer with more than 800 articles to his credit that have appeared in over 40 U.S. magazines and newspapers. Sepsas is a contributing author to Chicken Soup for the Soul, a series of bestselling books. His 30-year travel career has taken him to more than 100 countries on six continents around the globe. His adventures include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, hot-air ballooning across the Serengeti and trekking the Australian Outback, to mention a few.

Guam Preparing for the Biggest Cultural Event of the Year

Guam’s largest cultural fair, hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau, is being planned with an eye to this year’s theme, Celebrating Our Seafaring Traditions.

The Guam Micronesia Island Fair, in its 21st year, is a celebration of the island cultures, arts, and performances of the entire Micronesia region. Seafaring traditions are the focal point of this year’s fair and the master canoe builders of Micronesia will gather to showcase their art in tribute of 2008 being the Year of the Proa, the local word for the handcrafted seagoing canoes of Guam and Micronesia.

The 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair will be held at Guam’s Ypao Beach Park from October 17 – 19 and like past fairs, will welcome representatives from all parts of Micronesia. Currently, the islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (Saipan, Rota, and Tinian) will participate along with the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae), the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and of course, the host of the fair, Guam USA.

The Guam Micronesia Island Fair will feature cultural performances, exhibits of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, many products from Guam and Micronesia that will be available for purchase, a traditional Chamorro Hut display, and a botanical garden. A display of traditional outrigger canoes will be displayed, courtesy of Project Proa and TASI – Traditions About Seafaring Islands. TASI will also be giving rides on a real proa. Local produce and livestock will be exhibited and there will be plenty of activities to keep children entertained. Food and drink booths, many featuring authentic Micronesian cuisine, will insure tummies stay happy and full during the Guam Micronesia Island Fair.

Two other signature events will occur during the weekend of the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair. The 10th Annual Micronesia Cup (Outrigger Canoe Races) will take place over the weekend and on Sunday, runners from around the world will participate in the 3rd Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race, also sponsored by GVB. An exciting feature of the Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race is the live cultural entertainment that takes place along the streets of the race course and the many local spectators that come out to cheer the runners on.

If anyone is interested in becoming a vendor at the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair, there is still plenty of time to sign up.

 Applications are available online at www.visitguam.org click on the logo and then select Vendors.

All the information needed is in this section of the website, including the application form. Interested parties can also pick up an application at GVB’s offices in Tumon during regular business hours or contact event organizer Ruder Integrated Marketing Strategies for additional information on how to participate in the fair. Organizers would like to encourage food vendors who offer snacks, confectionary items, and fiesta-style food plates to participate in the fair.

The Guam Visitors Bureau would like to thank the presenting sponsors of the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair for helping to make this the biggest fair in history. Special thanks to Continental Airlines, the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, and the stations of KUAM.

The Guam Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce that the 2008 Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race will be held on Sunday, October 19. To attract additional serious athletes, this year’s Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race has been expanded to an individual half marathon, increasing the length of the race to 21.08K, or 13.1 miles. The four person Ekiden, or relay race, will remain a 20K event with each team member completing a 5K leg.

The Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race, now in its third year, is one of GVB’s key signature events and traditionally held during the weekend of the Guam Micronesia Island Fair. Last year’s race welcomed a 64% increase in participation with over 600 runners competing along one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The course, which runs along Guam’s lovely East Agana Bay, has been slightly modified this year to accommodate the half marathon length yet still begins and ends at Ypao Beach Park, where GVB’s offices are located.

Trophies will be awarded to the top overall male, female, and overall team division winners. The overall team winners from the Corporate and Military teams will be recognized on the perpetual trophies for these divisions. Medals will be presented to the top three teams in each division. In addition, Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race sponsor Continental Airlines has graciously donated round trip economy class tickets for the overall male and female winners to return to Guam for the 2009 Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race. All finishers will receive a medal for their participation in this year’s race.

The Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race was created by GVB to garner increased interest in the island by international athletes, but more importantly, to bring attention to the plight of Guam’s territorial bird, the Guam Rail or Ko’ko’ bird. The Ko’ko’ is a flightless bird, endemic to Guam, who’s numbers have been decimated to near extinction by the brown tree snake, pesticides, and other predators. Efforts to save the Ko’ko’ from extinction are ongoing and in 1995, a hundred Ko’ko’ birds were released on Rota, the Mariana island just north of Guam, where there are no snakes.

The Guam Rail also thrives in 17 zoos in the US mainland, but the most exciting news is that the Ko’ko’ has been successfully re-released into the wild on Guam, in a 60-acre, snake free zone located on Andersen Air Force Base, where breeding pairs have produced 10 chicks so far. Guam’s Department of Agriculture is also working to rid Cocos Island, the tiny island located just off Guam’s southern shore, of predators so the Ko’ko’ may also be re-released there as well. It is these efforts that GVB plans to continue supporting through the Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race.

Interested athletes may register for the 2008 Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race online by clicking on the race logo at GVB’s website, www.visitguam.org/main, and scrolling through “Fast Facts” to the Register Online button. Local participants may register and pay the registration fee at GVB’s offices in Tumon during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and at Hornet Sporting Goods in Tamuning. (Payments can be made by cash or credit card.)

Special thanks to our presenting sponsors Continental Airlines, the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, and the stations of KUAM. For more information about the 2008 Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race, please visit GVB’s website or contact koko@visitguam.org

One of the South Pacific’s most beautiful yet uninhabited islands – and another that’s famous for its extraordinary cultural heritage involving sorcery, spell-casting and the original Bungy Jump – are amongst ports of call by super-liner Pacific Dawn to Vanuatu and New Caledonia in May 2009.

Tiny Mystery Island in Vanuatu’s south is less than a kilometre long and just half as wide, but has one of the South Pacific’s most spectacular beaches; officially called Inyeug it was dubbed “Mystery Island” many years ago when cruise ship Fairstar decided to call there – but found that with tides, currents and winds it was a “mystery” whether she could drop anchor or not each visit.

Today passengers aboard the few cruise ships that do call there for its beautiful beach swimming, are also greeted by villagers from nearby islands selling fresh fruits and drinks, carvings, curios, shells and bead jewellery.

Another call is at Pentecost Island that’s home to the famous “Land Dive” – the South Pacific’s answer to the Bungy Jump, but from bamboo towers six-storeys high, not bridges, and with vine ropes not rubber and elastic ones.

Pentecost, that has no towns, is also famous for its sorcery and spell-casting and its extraordinarily rugged beauty; the 70,000 tonne Pacific Dawn that sails 11-nights return from Sydney on May 5 2009 will also visit Luganville in Vanuatu’s north, capital Port Vila, and the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia.

Prices through ecruising.travel start from just $1899pp twin-share with $100 per adult onboard spending credits for select cabin categories; book through 1300 369 848 or www.ecruising.travel

Goway Travel, an operator of expeditions to Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Asia and Africa, announced a multi-year agreement with GE Money to offer the GE Money Travel finance program on Goway products.

The private-label credit card program, managed by GE Money’s Sales Finance unit, provides a menu of offers and promotions, including deferred interest for six months with monthly minimum payments as well as extended payment financing on one-time trips or ongoing travel.

For more information on Goway Travel, call 800-387-8850 or see www.goway.com