Tickets on sale for FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships

Tickets for the 2012 FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships to be held in Perth from December 1-9, are now on sale. 

Challenge Stadium in Perth will host the event with more than 500 athletes from 25 different nations expected to compete. 

Teams will come from five regions - Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, with 20 men's teams and 16 women's teams entered. Sixteen games will be played each day with medal matches to be decided on Sunday, December 9. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.

(Source: Talking Tourism – Issue 243)

International Hockey Stars to Shine in Perth

The InternationalSuper Series Hockey 9s is now on at Perth Hockey Stadium, Bentley. The event features a fast-paced, modified version of the traditional game, which was first played during last year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The event will see Australia's men's hockey team, the Kookaburras, take on some of the highest ranked sides in the world including England, Pakistan and India. In the women's draw, Australia's Hockeyroos and Jillaroos (under 21 squad) will compete against each other and the Malaysian national team. The event finishes on Sunday, November 25, 2012.

(Source: Talking Tourism – Issue 243)

Perth in the Top 10 Destinations On the Rise

Perth has been recognised as the world's fifth "destination on the rise" in 2012, in a TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice survey.

The list is based on increasing traveller interest and positive feedback about the destination's hotels, restaurants and things to do. 

The number one destination was Mar del Plata in Argentina, followed by Sao Paulo in Brazil, Kiev in Ukraine and Montevideo in Uruguay. Hobart in Tasmania was ranked number seven.

Perched on the banks of the wide Swan River, between the Indian Ocean and the... more

Don't miss

• Kings Park War Memorial
• Cottesloe Beach
• Perth Zoo

All 121 things to do

(Source: Talking Tourism – Issue 243)

Perth Airport Considers Reduction in Arrival Spacing

Reduced arrival spacing has been suggested as a means to minimise delays, enhance operations and increase capacity at Perth Airport.

Airservices Australia and the United Kingdom’s air navigation service provider, UK NATS, released findings from their July 2012 jointly-funded study, indicating measures necessary in maximising the airport’s efficiency.

Perth Airport has responded positively to the 45 recommended amendments.

“Perth Airport is well advanced in implementing the 13 recommendations relating to our operations”, Perth Airport chief executive Brad Geatches said.

“We are confident that if Airservices Australia implement the 25 recommendations relating to their procedures and airlines cooperate with the remaining seven recommendations, significant improvements can be made at Perth Airport.”

Perth Airport will employ a schedule coordination system by early 2013, allocating landing and take-off slots at the airport and aiding in airport management during peak operational periods.

“At the moment, we have a significant peak morning departures period, from 6am to 8am every Tuesday to Thursday... There is more than sufficient airfield capacity to meet demand, however, the practices of some airlines and Airservices Australia have not seen optimal usage of the infrastructure,” Mr Geatches said.

“The report highlights that mid-week morning congestion, driven by first-in first-out departures, can only be addressed by continuing to spread airline schedules, or by constructing a third runway.”

(Source = e-Travel Blackboard)

Incoming Passenger Changes into Australia

A quicker and more convenient quarantine, biosecurity clearance is assured when you arrive in Australia now that low-risk products such as commercially prepared and packaged lollies, chips and chocolates need not be declared.

The changes, which have been made on the Incoming Passenger Card, are a result of the latest scientific advice that shows such food poses a lower risk.

Biosecurity officers will now focus on goods such as raw meats, live plants, seeds and fresh fruit and vegetables, which have a “much greater potential to bring diseases and pests to Australia,” Chapman said.