Shows Australia: Marilyn Manson Australian Tour 2012 – Soundwave Sidewaves

Marilyn Manson has announced Australian tour dates on the back of their appearance on the Soundwave 2012 line-up next year. They’ll be doing 3 sideshows at Eaton Hill Hotel in Brisbane, Enmore Theatre in Sydney and Metro City in Perth, with Coal Chamber and Wednesday 13 and Motionless in White.

Very rarely does an artist come along that defies the boundaries of convention and remains relevant in a storied career spanning over two decades, selling in excess of 50 million albums. Marilyn Manson has successfully pioneered ‘Shock Rock’ whilst redefining alternative music, blazing a trail of controversy and originality.

Joining Manson will be the recently reformed Coal Chamber. Disbanding at the peak of their career in 2002, Coal Chamber will be joining the Soundwave tour as well as Manson on his Sidewaves.

Forming whilst on hiatus with Murderdolls, Wednesday 13 has firmly cemented himself as the leader in Horrorpunk. With an unruly live show of fun and debauchery.

With a blend of intense melodic metal and a penchant for the macabre, Motionless in White is taking the metal world by storm. Their spectacular debut album Creatures has fans and critics alike singing their praises.

Tickets on Sale Friday 16 December, 9am

Marilyn Manson (Coal Chamber, Wednesday 13, Motionless in White) Australian Tour 2012 – Soundwave Sidewaves

Metro City, Perth – 18+
Tuesday 6 March
*Coal Chamber and Motionless In White not appearing in Perth

Marilyn Manson Australian Tour 2012 – Soundwave Sidewaves

Australia’s best baseballers to take on the world - Perth tourism News

Perth has secured the rights to host the Australian Baseball League’s (ABL) first All-Star game on Wednesday, December 21 at Barbagallo Ballpark.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the ABL All-Star Game would feature Australia’s national baseball team taking on international players from the US, Japan, Korea, India, Italy and Taiwan currently playing in the ABL.

“The event, secured exclusively for Western Australia, will showcase our extraordinary State to millions of viewers across the world via Fox Sports and the Major League Baseball (MLB) Network,” Dr Hames said.

“The MLB Network alone broadcasts to about 53 million households across the US, and being seen on this is a great outcome for the State.”

The Minister said the unique event was the result of a collaboration between the ABL; Baseball WA; the Perth Heat; and the State Government, through Eventscorp.

“A number of major Australian and international league baseball players are expected to participate in the event, including Perth native and current Minnesota Twins major leaguer Luke Hughes,” he said.

Other big names expected to play on the Australian team include Los Angeles Dodger Shane Lindsay and other former and current major league players such as Justin Huber and Chris Oxspring.

“The international team will comprise Taiwanese legend Chin-Lung Hu, former Korean star Dae-Sung Koo, ‘Million Dollar Arm’ winner Rinku Singh and several players from other major US leagues,” Dr Hames said.

Fact File

• For more information on the event visit http://www.perthheat.com.au
• The game will be held on Wednesday, December 21 at Barbagallo Ballpark in Thornlie
• Gates open at 2pm

Portfolio: Tourism

• Perth secures unique international baseball game thanks to Eventscorp funding
• Australian team to take on squad of international players
• Event to be televised worldwide

Tourism WA Announces Record Events Calendar

Leading the 2012 Calendar is the Perth International - the newest addition to the global golf agenda. Tourism WA's Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Buckland, said the Perth International will take place at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, one of Australia's finest golf courses, and is set to attract some of the world's best golfers all competing to win US$2 million.

"The Perth International, owned by the International Management Group, will be sanctioned by the European Tour that is currently experiencing unprecedented success and boasts the top four ranked golfers in the world," Ms Buckland said.

"We're excited to announce a three year agreement with the tournament and are planning to develop the Perth International into a key occasion in the Asia Pacific Region."

Ms Buckland said another new event scheduled for 2012 was the Action Sports Games Mandurah, a three-day International Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup.

"Events on the 2012 calendar will have a significant impact on Western Australia's tourism industry with more than 1.2 million people forecast to attend the events generating over $221 million worth of value to the State," Ms Buckland said.

"The events are crucial to the development and growth of Western Australia and since the State Government invested a record $36.7 million into the program, we are now starting to see the rewards."

As part of the funding boost revealed in the May State Budget, Eventscorp will receive $40 million over the next four years from Royalties for Regions for events in regional Western Australia. The State Government recognises the value of regional events and the support they provide to the local communities.

Tourism Western Australia has also developed an events marketing strategy to ensure the State maximises rewards from the investment in event sponsorship.

For more information, please visit www.tourism.wa.gov.au/Events/Calendar

Tourism WA Announces Record Events Calendar

Tourism WA Announces Record Events Calendar

Leading the 2012 Calendar is the Perth International - the newest addition to the global golf agenda. Tourism WA's Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Buckland, said the Perth International will take place at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, one of Australia's finest golf courses, and is set to attract some of the world's best golfers all competing to win US$2 million.

"The Perth International, owned by the International Management Group, will be sanctioned by the European Tour that is currently experiencing unprecedented success and boasts the top four ranked golfers in the world," Ms Buckland said.

"We're excited to announce a three year agreement with the tournament and are planning to develop the Perth International into a key occasion in the Asia Pacific Region."

Ms Buckland said another new event scheduled for 2012 was the Action Sports Games Mandurah, a three-day International Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup.

"Events on the 2012 calendar will have a significant impact on Western Australia's tourism industry with more than 1.2 million people forecast to attend the events generating over $221 million worth of value to the State," Ms Buckland said.

"The events are crucial to the development and growth of Western Australia and since the State Government invested a record $36.7 million into the program, we are now starting to see the rewards."

As part of the funding boost revealed in the May State Budget, Eventscorp will receive $40 million over the next four years from Royalties for Regions for events in regional Western Australia. The State Government recognises the value of regional events and the support they provide to the local communities.

Tourism Western Australia has also developed an events marketing strategy to ensure the State maximises rewards from the investment in event sponsorship.

For more information, please visit www.tourism.wa.gov.au/Events/Calendar

Perth to Host Australia's Richest Golf Tournament

Eventscorp today launched its 2012 events calendar, featuring a record 84 events including Australia's richest golf tournament.

The US$2 million 'Perth International,' held in October next year at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, is expected to attract some of the world's best golfers.

The Perth International is a joint initiative of Eventscorp and International Management Group (IMG) to bring another major international golf event to Perth. IMG will be the owner and promoter of the tournament, which will be sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia. The European Tour is currently experiencing unprecedented success and boasts the top four ranked golf players in world.

The Perth International will be the only tournament in Australia to be sanctioned by the European Tour, and is expected to generate more than 1,000 hours of television coverage around the world, which is great exposure for Western Australia.

Australia Must Boost Tourism: Govt

Australia must do more to boost inbound tourism as the sector suffers from a strong local currency, increased competition from Asian destinations and less European visitors, the federal government says.

Speaking at an Australian Tourism Export Council conference Senator Nick Sherry said tourism operators needed to be more productive and innovative to halt the sector's decline.

"Australia's international market share has declined in recent years and domestic tourism expenditure has fallen since 2000," Mr Sherry told the conference on Wednesday.

"Not least of these challenges (is) increasing competition and the rise of the Australian dollar.

"We need to do something about this through investment in new products, boosting productivity, increasing uptake of digital technology and addressing labour and skills shortages."

He said there were no short term solutions to problems facing the industry, but said a surge in the number of tourists from Indonesia had been positive.

"Indonesian visitor growth alone was about 32 per cent in the last two years and by 2020 we expect the market value to more than double to $1.1 billion," he said.

Australia Must Boost Tourism: Govt

Shows Australia: DURAN DURAN TO TOUR AUSTRALIA IN MARCH 2012!

Dainty Group is thrilled to announce that after a long absence, one of the world’s most iconic bands, DURAN DURAN, will return to Australian shores in March 2012 for a series of concerts, in support of their latest album ‘All You Need Is Now’. This highly anticipated tour will see the band perform across the country, with shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and the Hunter Valley. Last in Australia in 2008, DURAN DURAN will showcase songs from their critically acclaimed new album on the March dates, alongside all of the unforgettable hits from across their thirty-year career.

TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER

Go to www.duranduranmusic.com for exclusive pre-sale of tickets and VIP packages for Duran Duran VIP members DURAN DURAN’s stunning new album: ‘All You Need Is Now’, has already been proclaimed a triumph by fans and critics alike, and hit the #1 spot on download charts in the top 15 markets around the world when it was released earlier this year (on Shock Records in Australia). Produced by Grammy Award-winner Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Adele, Kaiser Chiefs, Lily Allen) and mixed by Spike Stent (Madonna, Björk, No Doubt), it features guest vocals/rap from long-time Duran Duran pal/collaborator Ana Matronic of
the Scissor Sisters, and R&B/neo-soul superstar Kelis; while Owen Pallett of Arcade Fire contributes the album’s string arrangements. ‘All You Need Is Now’ is a return-to-roots homage to DURAN DURAN’s most celebrated musical panache, and has already been dubbed the “imaginary follow up to Rio that never was.”

The announcement of the band’s 2012 Australian dates comes hot on the heels of their brilliantly reviewed North American tour, a sold out 11 show arena run in the UK, and a whirlwind year that has seen them, amongst other things, make a spectacular live film with director David Lynch, and most recently release a uniquely DURAN DURAN video for the song ‘Girl Panic !’. Directed by Grammy-award winner Jonas Åkerlund (who has shot videos for Madonna, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, including the notorious “Telephone”), this dazzling short film reunites top supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen, Eva Herzigova and Yasmin Le Bon, and was shot over the course of two days this past June at the Savoy Hotel in London. As the models take on rock star roles playing Simon, John, Nick, and Roger, the nine minute video unfolds into a stunning, fast-paced, high fashion affair, that has fast become the most talked about collaboration of its kind this year. Australian fans can view the video here.

The original Duran line-up of Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Nick Rhodes continues to reign supreme as one of the biggest British bands of all time - reimagining pop music, creating ground-breaking music videos and winning over millions of new fans worldwide with their unique fusion of music, art, technology and fashion. From the very beginning, when DURAN DURAN first took the visual imperatives of the New Romantic movement of the 1980s to a whole other level, defining the MTV generation, they have built a loyal army of fans who have stayed with them to this day.

As this new chapter begins, they have nothing left to prove, but everything to play for. So for them and their loyal army of fans… All You Need Is Now!

TOUR DATES

SAT 17 MARCH BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

MON 19 MARCH MELBOURNE ROD LAVER ARENA

TUE 20 MARCH ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

SAT 24 MARCH PERTH SANDALFORD ESTATE, SWAN VALLEY

TUE 27 MARCH SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

SAT 31 MARCH HUNTER VALLEY TEMPUS TWO WINERY

View Source and Book Tickets

DURAN DURAN TO TOUR AUSTRALIA IN MARCH 2012!

Australia's Airline War Hots Up With Virgin Plans to Steal Market Share

TRAVELLERS will reap the rewards of an airline war with cheaper fares and more regional routes, Virgin Australia boss John Borghetti said.

The airline chief executive who used to work for rival Qantas has revealed ambitious plans to steal market share from his old employer and expan services to regional areas.

"A lot of these routes have not had competition. All you have to do is look at the airfares that are being charged,'' he said.

He also questioned why Qantas had dramatically dropped prices on certain flights after his airline launched business-class services on the same routes.

Mr Borghetti said Qantas reduced business-class fares between Sydney and Perth by nearly 25 per cent after Virgin introduced the same service.

After Virgin announced launch business class fares on the Sydney to Perth route for $1399, Qantas reduced their fares from $2,013 to $1,519.

"Why haven't they done that in the last ten years?''

As well as returning Australian aviation to the kind of competition not seen since the Ansett days, Mr Borghetti also wants to increase his frequent-flyer membership to three million.

Membership of Virgin's Velocity has increased 10 per cent to 2.75 million members in 3 1/2 months.

Pop star Dannii Minogue helped launch a frequent-flyer partnership with Westfield online last week.

Virgin was also given regulatory approval to form an alliance with Singapore Airlines, allowing passengers who book flights with the airline the chance to fly on Singapore Airlines flights, get lounge access and accumulate frequent flyer points.

In addition to previous alliances with Etihad, Delta and Air New Zealand, it will take the number of destinations it flies to to more than 400 worldwide.

Mr Borghetti said the move would open up emerging markets such as China and India and continue the airline's
expansion into regional Australia.

The airline also recently began flying between Brisbane and Port Macquarie and Brisbane and Gladstone and plans to announce new regional routes soon.

"We will now be able to promote regional Australia through those 400 odd destinations around the world, from Dallas to Port Macquarie,'' he said.

As well as reconfiguring the interiors of its domestic planes this year and will launch business class services across the network on January 18.

At the moment, Qantas boasts 41 per cent capacity share in the domestic market or 65 per cent including its low-cost subidiary Jetstar, while Virgin's is about 30 per cent.

But Mr Borghetti said he had no desire for Virgin to be the biggest airline in the country.

"Whatever market share gives the best return is the market share that I want,'' he said.

"What we do have the desire to do is be the airline of choice.''

Aussies Snub Airfare War and Stronger Dollar to Spend Christmas at Home

- Up to 100% occupancies for many east coast summer holiday destinations

- 20% increase in revenues for holiday home owners over the last six months

Despite the strength of the Australian dollar and the proliferation of cheap overseas airfares, many of Australia's favourite summer holiday hot spots are reporting up to 100% occupancy rates for the Christmas 2011 holidays, according to leading real estate group Raine & Horne.

"It's pleasing to see that more Australians are ignoring cheaper airfares and a strong Aussie dollar for the tradition and relative safety of a summer holiday in Australia," said Angus Raine, CEO, Raine & Horne.

"It's also good for the Australian economy to see more of our travel dollars staying at home to support the Australian economy."

In Yamba, on the NSW north coast, the height of the summer holiday rush is expected in the first week of 2012, says Denise Jillett, Principal of Raine & Horne Yamba.

"We have 100% occupancy on our holiday homes between New Year's Eve and the end of the first week in January," said Ms Jillett, who added that there were still some vacancies between Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

"These vacancies came about as a result of cancellations, so holiday makers considering Yamba need to be quick.

"Modern two bedroom apartments close to the beach are available from $1,600 for the week plus booking fee," added Ms Jillett

The holiday market on NSW's Central Coast is also booming with increasingly more Sydney-siders choosing the region for weekend getaways and longer vacations, according to Brett Hunter, Principal of Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach.

"We have secured a 20% increase in revenue for our owners over the last six months, and this proves the strength of the Central Coast holiday market," said Mr Hunter.

Indeed, Mr Hunter says Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach has achieved this result by altering its approach to holiday lettings with a busy Christmas period looming.

"The Central Coast usually has a bumper crop of holidaymakers at Christmas time, with 100% occupancy of holiday properties during the two-week Christmas / New Year period.

"Knowing we can't improve on a 100% result, instead we have focused on helping people extend their vacations before and after the Christmas period, as well as assisting them with shorter stays of perhaps three or four days on multiple occasions," said Mr Hunter.

Mr Hunter says two bedroom holiday units in Terrigal, in walking distance to the beach, rent for $1,000 a week over the holiday period, while at the other end of the market, four and five bedroom homes with pools and landscaped gardens can rent for up to $15,000 a week.

In Sydney's Palm Beach, this summer is shaping up as the busiest holiday period in five years, according to Rebecca Lee, General Manager of Raine & Horne Palm Beach.

"At present, we have 80% occupancy for our holiday homes in Palm Beach, with 90% of these properties renting to ex-pat clients based in Hong Kong, Singapore, the U.S. and Europe," said Ms Lee.

Comfortable beach houses in Palm Beach start at $7,000 a week, while high-flyers seeking a luxury escape can pay up to $40,000 a week for premier properties across from the beach, some of which include personal staff.

In Queensland, the Gold Coast holiday market is picking up again after a tough year, says Clark Brackenridge, Principal of Raine & Horne Surfers Paradise.

"Our property markets are showing signs of turning the corner, and as it stands, our holiday bookings for the Christmas period are reasonably strong, and are certainly well up on this time last year," said Mr Brackenridge.

"In addition, buyers are beginning to recognise that property prices on the Gold Coast represent good buying, with good yields available to investors."

Aussies Snub Airfare War and Stronger Dollar to Spend Christmas at Home

Smart Travel is Safe Travel

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has launched the newest phase of the Australian Government's Smartraveller campaign.

The new initiatives, which put Australia at the leading edge of consular services around the world, are targeted at making smarter travel easier for Australians.

Mr Rudd relaunched the Smartraveller website - a cleaner, clearer, more intuitive and easier to navigate site that will link to social media platforms and embedded videos.

Mr Rudd also unveiled the Smartraveller web app, "It's vital that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's consular services are as effective and accessible to as many Australians as possible," Mr Rudd said.

"This app makes it easier for travellers to access key Smartraveller services anywhere in the world, including updated travel advisories.

"We are working hard to adapt to the changing needs of travelling Australians - at any one time, we have about one million Australians abroad.

"This Government will always make the safety and security of Australians its highest priority, but unfortunately, things can - and do - go wrong."

Mr Rudd encouraged travellers to be prepared before they headed off for their summer holidays by registering their travel plans, reading and subscribing to travel advice and alerts, and taking out appropriate insurance before leaving the country.

www.smartraveller.gov.au

Smart Travel is Safe Travel

Government Plans to Lift Ban on Liquid Restrictions

Next year international travellers will be able to travel with their favourite bottle of perfume or alcoholic beverage, under a new security plan being implemented at Australian International airports.

The federal government has announced the “easing of restrictions” as Australia's international airports begin introducing new explosive detection equipment, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Currently, around 8000 items including water bottles are confiscated at Sydney Airport security checkpoints per month and 1250 duty free items such as alcohol and perfumes.

The new detection equipment has been tested at Sydney airport allows authorities to detect the smallest sign of explosives in liquids.

Federal Transport Minister said Anthony Albanese said the relaxing of restrictions will undoubtedly be welcomed by travellers.

"It will make air travel easier and less stressful for passengers as well as free airport security staff to better focus on their core screening responsibilities without the distraction of having to confiscate items from people's bags," Mr Albanese said.

"While preventing acts of terrorism remains our number one priority, we're also determined to minimise the disruption and inconvenience experienced by passengers as they transit throughout major airports, including by deploying the latest technologies, He added.

The ban on carrying liquids on international flights was introduced globally after UK police blocked a terror plot which involved detonating liquid explosives on trans-Atlantic flights in 2006.

Government Plans to Lift Ban on Liquid Restrictions

Visits to Australia Defy Strong Dollar and Keep Building

The strong Australian dollar has failed to scare off visitors and they keep heading to Australia.

That’s the message from Australian Bureau of Statistics data for September, released yesterday, which shows that short-term arrivals are matching the same month last year. They are close to the all-time record set last October.

Comparing Septembers over the past decade, you can track the trend arrivals building:

Sept 01 403,600
Sept 02 405,100
Sept 03 425,000
Sept 04 439,500
Sept 05 458,900
Sept 06 462,500
Sept 07 471,700
Sept 08 454,700
Sept 09 466,300
Sept 10 500,200
Sept 11 500,600

For the year to September, the ABS trend series shows 5,898,400 visitor arrivals, up 87,600 on the previous year and quite healthy. That’s despite a dollar riding high against most major currencies in the world, making Australia a more expensive place to visit, comparatively, than it was last year.

ABS trend estimates for arrivals show that short-term visitor arrivals during September 2011 (500,600 movements) increased 1.1% compared with August 2011 (495,400 movements). This followed monthly increases of 1.0% in July 2011 and 1.1% in August 2011. The current trend estimate for arrivals is 0.1% higher than in September 2010.

When trend estimates for short-term visitor arrivals for September 2010 and September 2011 were compared, the highest percentage increase was recorded for China (22.9%). The highest percentage decrease was recorded for Japan (16.3%) followed by the US (10.6%).

When seasonally adjusted, short-term visitor arrivals (481,500 movements) recorded a decrease of 4.1% compared with August 2011 (501,900 movements). This followed monthly increases of 2.5% in July 2011 and 2.7% in August 2011. ABS original estimates: There were 432,200 short-term visitor arrivals to Australia in September 2011.

ABS trend estimates for departures show that short-term resident departures during September 2011 (665,100 movements) increased 0.3% compared with August 2011 (663,100 movements). This followed monthly increases of 0.8% in July 2011 and 0.5% in August 2011. The current trend estimate for departures is 10.2% higher than in September 2010.

When seasonally adjusted, estimates for September 2011 show short-term resident departures (663,500 movements) increasing by 0.3% compared with August 2011 (661,500 movements). This followed monthly increases of 3.2% in July 2011 and 0.3% in August 2011. ABS original estimates: There were 790,600 short-term resident departures from Australia during September 2011.

The figures indicate that travel is healthy in both directions.

New Zealand remains Australia’s biggest source of tourists and biggest tourist destination. New Zealand held that position on the arrivals front (trend estimates) in September, followed by (in order) Britain, China, USA and Japan.

Following New Zealand on the departures front in September on the same basis were (in order): USA, Britain, Indonesia and Thailand.

Visits to Australia Defy Strong Dollar and Keep Building

Aussies Warned to be Wary of Xmas Scammers

Flights too cheap to be true? Then they are probably fake.

Aussies have been warned to be cautious of online bookings over the Christmas period as scammers set up fake websites offering cheap flight deals.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s SCAMwatch website has issued a statement advising that online scammers have the potential to not only distribute invalid travel documents but are also capable of stealing a travellers well-earned cash as well as their identity.

Utilizing the look and ABN of a legitimate travel website, travellers have lost in excess of up to $1,000 on fake international flights.

"It's all bad for these poor scam victims,” MyCRA national credit repairer Graham Doessel said.

“At best they can be left with no holiday - but at worst fraudsters can take their personal details and use them to construct a fake identity which would allow them to borrow in their name - the ramifications of that can last for years.”

With the Attorney General’s office revealing that one in six Aussies having their identity stolen or misused in some way, MyCRA recommends travellers looking for a cheap vacations do research on the company and confirm the URL is correct for the company before sending any credit card details through.

Online bookers have also been advised to avoid any unsolicited emails, take an extra five minutes to research the company and always go with your instinct if a flight seems to cheap then it probably is fake.

"If someone suspects fraud, their credit file could show changes, which if detected early, would prevent their good name from being ruined,” Mr Doessel added.

“If there are any unusual credit enquiries, or some attempt to alter personal contact details this should be a red flag.

“People should alert creditors to prevent their credit rating from being ruined and protect their ability to obtain credit in the future.”

(Source: etravelblackboard.com)

Worldwide Television Coverage for Perth 2011

More than 25 international and national broadcasters have signed up to take television coverage of the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships next month.

The championships will be televised in more than 60 countries. Live coverage in Australia will be featured on the Ten Network and its high definition channel, One.

The Perth 2011 broadcasts will include the latest developments in animated tracking and graphics to show the positions of boats on the water as well as 3-D graphics that will complement the live television coverage.

Spectators in Fremantle will have the ability to watch the medal races close to shore in Bathers Bay or to follow the racing on more distant courses on the large screen located at the Worlds Village in Fremantle's Esplanade Park, complete with explanatory graphics and commentary.

Tennis Stars Coming to Perth for Hopman Cup

Tennis fans are in for a star studded treat at this summer's Hyundai Hopman Cup XXIV, with one of the best fields ever assembled in the tournament's 24-year history. Caroline Wozniacki, who has held the number one ranking for the past year, is coming to Perth for the first time, along with three of the top seven ranked women players and two of the top 10 men.

The line-up also includes three Grand Slam event winners such as Petra Kvitova, Li Na and Lleyton Hewitt, as well as some of the rising stars of tennis. The tournament will be held from December 31, 2011 to January 7, 2012 at the Burswood Dome. The State Government, through Eventscorp, is a founding sponsor of the Hopman Cup and last year put in place a new four-year sponsorship agreement until 2014.

(Source: Talking Tourism, WA Tourism)

Perth to Welcome Inaugural China Southern Flight Next Week

A range of activities have been planned in preparation for China Southern's inaugural flight from Guangzhou to Perth. Due to arrive on November 9, the inaugural flight will be celebrated with various media functions, trade training and touring activities.

The Tourism Council WA is also hosting an industry luncheon with the Chairman of China Southern on November 10, 2011 from 11am to 1pm at the Royal Perth Yacht Club. For more details click here.

Tourism WA has been working closely with China Southern Airlines and Tourism Australia to develop a $2.5 million marketing campaign to raise consumer awareness of WA in China. The campaign started in September and involves press and radio, outdoor advertising in key public areas and airports, bus wraps at the Shanghai and Guangzhou airports, media posters, online marketing, direct marketing and in-flight advertising on China Southern flights.

(Source: Talking Tourism, Tourism WA)

Perth-ect Aussie Farewell for the Queen

The 'Big Aussie Barbecue' was the State of Western Australia's 'sizzling' farewell to the Royal couple who were in Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Held at the Perth Esplanade on the banks of the picturesque Swan River, event organisers couldn't have wished for a more perfect day with the sun shining brightly, clear blue sky and a top of 25 degrees.

Crowds gathered steadily throughout the morning, with the sound of The Swan Bells ringing out from the Bell Tower as The Queen's motorcade arrived.

The Queen paid tribute to the beauty of WA's Margaret River region and the Kimberley in her address to crowds and congratulated Premier Colin Barnett and the WA community for hosting CHOGM.

"Over the years I have seen how this State has developed; Western Australia has evolved in its own unique style which is distinctive yet complementary.

"I can think of no more fitting way to end my visit here than in this idyllic Swan River setting which I have enjoyed on so many occasions.

"The rich diversity of this vast state has never been more apparent, from Margaret River wine to the rugged beauty of the Kimberley.

The Queen also made comment about Western Australia's economic potential and professionalism as the host city of CHOGM.

"And, your proximity to Asia has created opportunities for Western Australia to lead the nation's economic future in this region.

"This past week the world has come to Perth as host of the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

"You have endeared yourselves to the international Commonwealth, showing them a state of professional excellence, generosity and good will," she said.

The historic event was beamed across Australia and to the United Kingdom.

(Source: Travmedia.com)

Royals Visit Australia: Giant Aussie Barbecue Farewells the Queen

Australia threw a giant barbecue in perfect weather to farewell the Queen after an 11-day visit in which she opened Perth's CHOGM and bolstered the stock of the monarchy in the face of Australia's apparent indifference to becoming a republic.

The Queen and Prince Philip left Australia on Saturday for the 16th, and possibly final, time following a community barbecue on the banks of the Swan River attended by an estimated 100,000-plus people.

The picture-postcard scene - under a "big blue Australian sky" as West Australian Premier Colin Barnett noted - was not lost on the Queen.

"I can think of no more fitting way to end our visit than in this idyllic Swan River setting," the Queen told tens of thousands of flag-waving Aussies whose sausage sizzle purchases were all going to charity.

"Once again we return to the UK with fond memories of our warm welcome on our 16th visit to this beautiful country."

The Queen praised Australia for hosting a "most successful" CHOGM, saying the nation had endeared itself to the international community through its professional excellence, generosity and goodwill.

"We have enjoyed our visit immensely," she said.

"We have been overwhelmed by your kindness and support."

The Queen is no stranger to barbecues, either as a guest or host.

When Prime Minister Paul Keating visited her at Balmoral castle in Scotland in 1993, to tell her most Australians felt the monarchy was an anachronism, she offered him the choice of a formal dinner or a barbecue.

Mr Keating took the Aussie option.

The Queen, dressed down to tweeds, drove him in her Land Rover to a remote hut on her estate where Prince Philip was busy cooking the steaks.

Mr Keating has told how the Queen asked him to help her fetch the plates from the boot.

And when the barbecue was over she asked him to help with the dishes, which he did.

This time the hosting duties were reversed, and Lyn Barnett, the WA premier's wife, gave Prince Philip a gift which will come in handy if he has another Keating moment - an Aussie barbecue cookbook.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh waved at throngs lining the streets on their motorcade from Government House.

Perth's Bell Tower rang in welcome as they arrived on the Swan River foreshore, where the Queen addressed the crowd and enjoyed a leisurely walkabout.

Wearing a pink and white silk dress, she spoke with celebrity chef Anna Gare, and told her she was very excited about the fresh food movement among Australian youngsters.

"I told her England's Jamie Oliver has had a huge influence on cooking in Australia," Ms Gare said.

Jill Bishop, from Gidgegannup, told the Queen: "It's been wonderful to have you here" and Her Majesty replied: "It's been wonderful to be here."

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi, the last person to farewell the Queen, said: "She was just adorable."

During her Australian visit the Queen had audiences with Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

She paid tribute to Australia's fallen soldiers at Canberra's War Memorial, and had lunch with a number of notable Australians including Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush, horse-racing legend Bart Cummings and indigenous leader June Oscar.

Perth easily turned on the biggest crowds of her visit, but in Brisbane, where she met flood and cyclone victims, an estimated 45,000 well-wishers cheered her on a boat trip.

In Melbourne she officially opened the new Royal Children's Hospital almost 50 years after opening the original.

In Perth she visited an Aboriginal college and opened CHOGM with an appeal to leaders of more than 50 countries to implement bold reforms to rejuvenate a beleaguered Commonwealth.

Republicanism has been on the wane in Australia since the failure of the 1999 referendum, and the Queen's visit capped a purple patch for the royals, highlighted by Prince William's marriage earlier this year to Catherine Middleton.

Giant Aussie Barbecue Farewells the Queen

Perth Tourism News: Tourism Praises Perth Hotel Plan

Tourism leaders in Western Australia have welcomed a government plan to encourage hotel development in Perth after warning the shortage of rooms was “killing regional tourism”.

State tourism minister Kim Hames this morning unveiled a package of measures designed to solve the capacity squeeze. They include releasing crown land for hotel

Development through expressions of interest, concessional lease payments and the allocation of funds for hotel upgrades and development on a case by case basis.

Hames conceded the “severe shortage” of rooms was damaging the city’s ability to attract corporate and leisure visitors, conferences and events.

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall praised the government for finally listening to the concerns of the industry, “Our hotel shortage is killing regional tourism because visitors can’t get a room in Perth on their way to Monkey Mia, Margaret River or Kalgoorlie,” he said.

“Tourism Council WA has been warning successive governments for years about our hotel crisis. Minister Hames is the first minister to take this seriously and get the ball rolling on tourism investment.”

Hall also called on the federal government to provide tax bonuses to assist the growth.

Perth Tourism News: Tourism Praises Perth Hotel Plan

Tourism Praises Perth Hotel Plan

Tourism leaders in Western Australia have welcomed a government plan to encourage hotel development in Perth after warning the shortage of rooms was “killing regional tourism”.

State tourism minister Kim Hames this morning unveiled a package of measures designed to solve the capacity squeeze. They include releasing crown land for hotel

Development through expressions of interest, concessional lease payments and the allocation of funds for hotel upgrades and development on a case by case basis.

Hames conceded the “severe shortage” of rooms was damaging the city’s ability to attract corporate and leisure visitors, conferences and events.

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall praised the government for finally listening to the concerns of the industry, “Our hotel shortage is killing regional tourism because visitors can’t get a room in Perth on their way to Monkey Mia, Margaret River or Kalgoorlie,” he said.

“Tourism Council WA has been warning successive governments for years about our hotel crisis. Minister Hames is the first minister to take this seriously and get the ball rolling on tourism investment.”

Hall also called on the federal government to provide tax bonuses to assist the growth.

(Source: Steve Jones, Travel Today, 26^th October 2011)

Forget the BBQ - Record rains soak Perth

Spring may be here, but it feels like winter with Perth's wettest October in 12 years.

Perth is in for its wettest October in 12 years after last night’s rains took the monthly total past the long-term average of 52 millimetres to 64 millimetres.

In the city's wettest three-day period since July, Perth received 29 millimetres earlier this week and another 22 millimetres overnight.

It is the wettest three-days in October since 1999, when 55 millimetres fell, with a total of 96 millimetres for the month.

The bad weather has had CHOGM organisers holding their breath, with activities such as the Queen's Big Aussie Barbecue fast approaching.

Luckily meteorologists have predicted fine weather for this Saturday, when 100,000 people are expected to attend the event at Langley Park.

Perth hasn't been the only place in WA to have record rainfall.

Geraldton picked up 48 millimetres, its heaviest rain since May and heaviest October rain in 64 years.

Soaking rain has also affected much of the south-west land division in the past week with traditionally dry Salmon Gums area receiving record falls.

The coastal town had its wettest October in 80 years, with help from big rain earlier in the month reaching more than 90 millimetres.

An unseasonably high amount of moisture in the air combined with an unstable atmosphere has brought the widespread heavy showers and storms, which came after days of warmer weather.

Showers and storms are becoming confined to the desert areas of WA, where they will persist for a week.

Perth and much of the South-West can expect almost a week of dry weather from tomorrow.

Sydney Tourism News and Information: Aussie Surf Tops World Beaches

AUSTRALIA has the world's best surfing beaches, according to an international gathering of scientists, legislators, environmentalists and wave riders.

At the Global Wave Conference in France this week attendees from more than 20 nations gave a thumbs up to Australia's surfing beaches as they considered an increasing threat to surfing environments.

"Australia has long been regarded as having many great beaches," National Surfing Reserves chairman Brad Farmer said.

"Now this conference is recognising Australia's 10,000 plus beaches as the world's best."

Founder of the organisation he represents, Mr Farmer is lobbying for the establishment of a Ministry for Coasts in Australia to help protect beaches.

"The world is looking to Australia (for) how to manage and protect beaches. It's an honour for us to be leading the way forward," he said.

Aussie Surf Tops World Beaches

Queensland Tourism News: Australian Domesic Intentions Fall as International Picks Up

More Aussies are taking advantage of the strong Aussie dollar and planning overseas trips, dropping the number of Australians intending to travel domestically down three percent over the year compared to the same time last year.

According to a Roy Morgan Research Holiday Tracking Survey, the number of Aussies intending to go on a domestic trip over the next 12 months has fallen to 55 percent while the number planning an international trip grew nine percent in August this year, up one percent on the same month last year.

Roy Morgan Research international director of tourism Jane Janniello said domestic travel may pick up if expert predictions that the Aussie dollar will weaken come to life.

“However, the long-term outlook for domestic tourism is not rosy, with the percentage of Australians saying they would like a domestic holiday at 76% in August 2011, down from 78% in August 2010 and 80% in August 2006,” she explained.

Of the Aussie 14 years and older, around 68 percent said they intend to take at least one holiday over next, down from 70 percent last year.

Ms Janniello added that the leading was for Aussies to plan a trip is online and through books, with 86 percent of holiday intenders access the net at least once a month, while 61 percent say internet is most useful media for travel and accommodation.
“Of those holiday intenders who booked their last holiday, 58% did so via the internet,” she concluded.

Australian Domesic Intentions Fall as International Picks Up

Royals Visit Australia: Going Gaga for Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth II begins this week her 16th official tour of Australia, competing with Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey as the biggest celebrity visitor down under in the past year as her fame outweighs her political relevance in a country where she is officially the head of state.

Arriving late Wednesday in the capital Canberra, where she will meet Prime Minister Julia Gillard—who publicly supports Australia's becoming a republic—the queen will take trips to Brisbane and Melbourne before traveling to Perth to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

"The queen's visit now is less a factor in politics than it is popular entertainment," Richard Stanton, senior lecturer in political communication at University of Sydney, said. "She is seen today by a generation in the same way Lady Gaga is seen."

Still, it's hard to picture the queen's hand-waving and flower-show excursions inspiring the hysteria that celebrities do. Lady Gaga, for instance, was granted honorary citizenship to Sydney when she flew in for a single concert in July, and Oprah Winfrey's visit last December was celebrated with a giant "O" installed on the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

The queen's visit isn't expected to reignite a debate over cutting the links that make her Australia's head of state—as much as Australia's Republican Movement wishes otherwise. The lobby plans receptions in each of the major cities the 85-year-old queen plans to visit to push for a constitutional change making Australia a republic, with an elected president as head of state.

Royals Visit Australia: Going Gaga for Queen Elizabeth

World's Best Kite Surfers Heading for Perth

Two of the fastest kite surfers in the world will be in Perth this December to compete in the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton Kite Surfing Race.

Current and former world speed sailing record holders Rob Douglas from the United States and Alex Caizergues from France have entered this year's race. In addition, 100 kite surfers, including 50 international and national competitors, will also be participating.

The State Government, through Eventscorp, is proud to sponsor the event for the next three years and has also commissioned the production of a half-hour national and international television program.

(Source: Talking Tourism)

Australian Open Tennis: Tennis stars coming to Perth for Hopman Cup

West Australian tennis fans are in for a star studded treat at this summer’s Hyundai Hopman Cup XXIV with one of the best fields ever assembled in the tournament’s 24-year history.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said it was great to see Caroline Wozniacki, who’s held the number one ranking for the past year, coming to Perth for the first time.

“Caroline Wozniacki has won 18 WTA events and will be a major drawcard - she’ll become the 24th world number one player to play in the event since it started in 1988,” Dr Hames said.

“To have three of the top seven ranked women players in the world and two of the top 10 men coming to Perth this summer is fantastic.

“There are three Grand Slam event winners in Petra Kvitova, Li Na and Lleyton Hewitt in the field as well as some of the rising stars of tennis, which will guarantee some thrilling and entertaining games.”

The Minister said the State Government, through Eventscorp, is a founding sponsor of the Hopman Cup, and last year put in place a new four-year sponsorship agreement that carries through to 2014.

“The last Hyundai Hopman Cup broke attendance and television coverage records, and with the star studded field assembled for Hopman Cup XXIV those records will again be under threat,” Dr Hames said.

“This Hopman Cup will signal the end of an era with the tournament moving to Perth Arena next year and I want to publicly thank Burswood for being such wonderful hosts since 1988.”

Australian Open Tennis: Tennis stars coming to Perth for Hopman Cup