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

Metro Hotel Tower Mill, Brisbane: Make Metro a festive base - Metro Hotel Tower Mill Brisbane

BRISBANE is set to come alive this summer with plenty to see and do, including world-class entertainment and cultural events, international sport, Christmas festivities and loads of shopping opportunities.

In the heart of Brisbane close to all major attractions, Metro Hotel Tower Mill provides the ideal place to stay for visitors wishing to take advantage of Christmas shopping, to visit the Myer Christmas window display and other yuletide festivities, as well as enjoy the big events being held in Brisbane this season.

And Metro Hotel Tower Mill is making staying there even more attractive with a special Shop and Explore Package at $130 for either a queen or twin room, with full buffet breakfast for two included and complimentary 24-hour wireless broadband.

Just 10 minutes' walk from Queen Street Mall and many of the city's greatest attractions such as Treasury Casino, South Bank Parklands, the Botanical Gardens, art galleries and museums, Metro Hotel Tower Mill allows visitors a central location to do some Christmas shopping while exploring the many other attractions the city has to offer.

Queen Street Mall, home of the popular Myer Christmas window display, has about 700 specialty stores, while many of Brisbane's up-and-coming fashion designers can be found nearby in the Elizabeth Arcade. Stroll across the river to South Bank for lunch and explore the South Bank Young Designers Market, or take the bus to Fortitude Valley and New Farm to experience young artists and emerging fashion designers, along with the trendy retailers along James Street.

On December 10, the annual Lord Mayor's Carols in the City will be held a short distance from the hotel on the Riverstage in the City Botanic Gardens, while the blockbuster musical Mary Poppins will fly into the Queensland Performing Arts Centre on December 30 - a must-see stage event for both young and old.

At the Gallery of Modern Art, the Matisse: Drawing Life exhibition will run from today to March 4 next year, while the Brisbane International 2012 will be played at the Queensland Tennis Centre from January 1-8. For those who prefer watching sport to shopping, head to the Gabba for the Australia versus New Zealand five-day Test match on now until Monday.

Metro Hotel Tower Mill is a distinctive cylindrically shaped hotel and a popular landmark on the inner- city Brisbane skyline. It has 80 guest rooms, all with private balconies that take in panoramic views across Brisbane. The hotel has a variety of rooms from twin, queen bed and family rooms (accommodating up to four people), to executive suites.

Limited complimentary parking is available for guests.

The Mill Hotel Bar and Restaurant provides an idyllic setting for guests to enjoy a leisurely meal or drink after a day of sightseeing or business meetings, with a new outdoor dining area ideal for the sunny Brisbane weather. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and evening meals, and also provides room service.

The $130 a night Shop and Explore package at Metro Hotel Tower Mill on Wickham Terrace is valid from now to February 29 next year, subject to availability.

For more information visit Metro Hotels.

Make Metro a festive base - Metro Hotel Tower Mill Brisbane

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!

WWE 2012 RAW WORLD TOUR PRE SALE OPPURTUNITY

The WWE Raw World Tour is heading back to our shores in 2012!

We're giving you the opportunity to purchase tix
before the general public in our Dainty pre sale!

Pre sale runs
Mon 5 Dec (today!), noon > Wed 7 Dec, noon
Click here

Tix for the general public go on sale Thursday 8 December

WHAT:The WWE RAW World Tour returns to Australia on Thursday August
30th in Brisbane, Friday August 31st in Sydney and Saturday
September 1st in Melbourne.


WHO: WWE's unique brand of action packed entertainment is returning to
Australia with WWE RAW. Fans will be able to see all their
favourite WWE Superstars including John Cena®, Alberto Del
Rio®, CM Punk®, The Miz® and many more*.

WHEN: In Brisbane from 19.30, Thursday, August 30th
In Sydney from 19.30, Friday, August 31st
In Melbourne from 19.30, Saturday September 1st

WHERE: Live from the Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Live from the Sydney AllPhones Arena
Live from the Melbourne Rod Laver Arena

*Card subject to change

See you there!

WWE 2012 RAW WORLD TOUR PRE SALE OPPURTUNITY

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.

Publish Post

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.''

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

High-Speed Rail on Track - Sydney to Gold Coast

THE Gillard Government is pressing ahead with its plans for a high speed rail network on the East Coast.

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The second and final stage of the government's landmark study into high speed rail is underway.

Travelling at 400km/h, the fast train would make a trip between Sydney and Gold Coast possible in just three hours, yet the cost of the network is tipped to cost $100 billion.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the latest development comes after the government retained AECOM, the lead author of the interim report.

"After a competitive tendering process, this leading global consultancy now has the opportunity to complete the work it started almost a year ago - and to do so it has assembled a consortium which brings together a broad range of expertise: KPMG, SKM, ACIL Tasman, Booz & Co, Hyder and Grimshaw Architects," Mr Albanese said.

Over the next 12 months, the work done in stage one and the findings contained in the interim report will be further tested and refined, he said.

"AECOM and its partners will determine with greater precision the alignment of the track and station locations, improve the accuracy of the costs associated with building and operating the network, re-evaluate patronage projections, and recommend financing options along with possible governance arrangements,"

Since its release in early August, more than 316,000 copies of the interim report have been downloaded from my Department's website - an indication of widespread community interest in this technology.

"Indeed High Speed Rail could be a game-changer, with the potential to better integrate our regional and metropolitan communities, ease congestion on our roads and at our airports as well as provide a new foundation for a low carbon, high productivity economy.

"However, this kind of monumental endeavour must take place in a deliberate, thoughtful manner.

"The work we're undertaking is all about planning for Australia's future, not just for the next five years but for the next five decades," he said.

Copies of the interim report and the terms of reference for the study can be downloaded from: www.infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/high_speed.

High-Speed Rail on Track - Sydney to Gold Coast

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."

Mr Brackenridge says two bedroom, two bathroom apartments overlooking the beach can be purchased for $400,000, and rent for $250 a night as a holiday rental, or for between $500 and $550 a week to long-term tenants.

In Far North Queensland, Port Douglas is also maintaining a steady stream of holiday bookings, says David Cotton, Principal of Raine & Horne Port Douglas / Mossman.

"To date, our holiday bookings have been on a par with 2010, if not higher, and we currently have between 60% and 70% occupancy for Christmas," said Mr Cotton.

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