Numbers Up at Australia's Big Airports

Large conferences and events helped to drive international traffic growth at all three of Australia's largest airports in May.

Melbourne Airport grew international traffic at a faster rate than Sydney Airport and Brisbane Airport in May, with the southern city citing benefits from new direct Jetstar flights to Japan and two large medical conferences during the period.

Melbourne Airport's international traffic rose by 11 per cent in May versus the same month last year, ahead of Brisbane Airport with 7 per cent growth and Sydney Airport with 5.6 per cent growth from a larger base than its rivals.

"The strong growth of the Japanese market in May shows that people are taking advantage of Jetstar's Melbourne-Japan service which commenced in late April," Melbourne Airport chief executive Chris Woodruff said. "International passenger growth in May was also boosted by two global conferences, the World Congress of Cardiology and the International Congress of World Federation of Haemophilia, both held at the Melbourne Convention Bureau."

The airport is also likely to benefit from increased traffic in July from the 20th International AIDS Conference being held in Melbourne, which will have 14,000 participants.

Sydney Airport chief executive Kerrie Mather said international traffic in May at her airport had been assisted by strong Chinese passenger growth of 11.4 per cent. The 2014 International Rotary Convention also helped boost traffic from the US, Japan and Canada during the month.

In Brisbane, the Australian Tourism Exchange in Cairns helped boost international traffic as did the World Congress of Audiology.

New Tourism Australia managing director John O'Sullivan has made events and conferences a key focus for his organisation in helping to increase the number of international visitors to Australia.

Industry body Tourism & Transport Forum on Thursday warned urgent action was needed to ensure Australia met its Tourism 2020 growth target of boosting overnight spending to up to $140 million. A new Tourism Research Australia forecast showed total spending growing at 1.7 per cent a year over the next decade which would see spending in 2020 reach just $115 billion - the low point of a $115 billion to $140 billion target range.

For Australia's largest airports, the domestic market remained more subdued than the international market at a time when Qantas Airways and Flight Centre have warned consumers are tightening their belts in reaction to the federal budget handed down in May.

At Brisbane Airport, domestic traffic fell by 1.7 per cent from the prior May, which was a greater rate than the 0.9 per cent decline in domestic capacity at the airport. Despite that, the airport said domestic city pairs showing growth in May included the three busiest routes of Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns as well as Roma, Hobart and Gladstone.

"It's been a busy year on all fronts and with the end of the financial year only a couple of weeks away we expect to see another strong result for Brisbane Airport," the airport's chief executive, Julieanne Alroe said.

Sydney Airport reported 2.1 per cent growth in domestic passengers, which was lower than Melbourne Airport's 3.1 per cent growth

Numbers Up at Australia's Big Airports

Large conferences and events helped to drive international traffic growth at all three of Australia's largest airports in May.

Melbourne Airport grew international traffic at a faster rate than Sydney Airport and Brisbane Airport in May, with the southern city citing benefits from new direct Jetstar flights to Japan and two large medical conferences during the period.

Melbourne Airport's international traffic rose by 11 per cent in May versus the same month last year, ahead of Brisbane Airport with 7 per cent growth and Sydney Airport with 5.6 per cent growth from a larger base than its rivals.

"The strong growth of the Japanese market in May shows that people are taking advantage of Jetstar's Melbourne-Japan service which commenced in late April," Melbourne Airport chief executive Chris Woodruff said. "International passenger growth in May was also boosted by two global conferences, the World Congress of Cardiology and the International Congress of World Federation of Haemophilia, both held at the Melbourne Convention Bureau."

The airport is also likely to benefit from increased traffic in July from the 20th International AIDS Conference being held in Melbourne, which will have 14,000 participants.

Sydney Airport chief executive Kerrie Mather said international traffic in May at her airport had been assisted by strong Chinese passenger growth of 11.4 per cent. The 2014 International Rotary Convention also helped boost traffic from the US, Japan and Canada during the month.

In Brisbane, the Australian Tourism Exchange in Cairns helped boost international traffic as did the World Congress of Audiology.

New Tourism Australia managing director John O'Sullivan has made events and conferences a key focus for his organisation in helping to increase the number of international visitors to Australia.

Industry body Tourism & Transport Forum on Thursday warned urgent action was needed to ensure Australia met its Tourism 2020 growth target of boosting overnight spending to up to $140 million. A new Tourism Research Australia forecast showed total spending growing at 1.7 per cent a year over the next decade which would see spending in 2020 reach just $115 billion - the low point of a $115 billion to $140 billion target range.

For Australia's largest airports, the domestic market remained more subdued than the international market at a time when Qantas Airways and Flight Centre have warned consumers are tightening their belts in reaction to the federal budget handed down in May.

At Brisbane Airport, domestic traffic fell by 1.7 per cent from the prior May, which was a greater rate than the 0.9 per cent decline in domestic capacity at the airport. Despite that, the airport said domestic city pairs showing growth in May included the three busiest routes of Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns as well as Roma, Hobart and Gladstone.

"It's been a busy year on all fronts and with the end of the financial year only a couple of weeks away we expect to see another strong result for Brisbane Airport," the airport's chief executive, Julieanne Alroe said.

Sydney Airport reported 2.1 per cent growth in domestic passengers, which was lower than Melbourne Airport's 3.1 per cent growth

Numbers Up at Australia's Big Airports

Large conferences and events helped to drive international traffic growth at all three of Australia's largest airports in May.

Melbourne Airport grew international traffic at a faster rate than Sydney Airport and Brisbane Airport in May, with the southern city citing benefits from new direct Jetstar flights to Japan and two large medical conferences during the period.

Melbourne Airport's international traffic rose by 11 per cent in May versus the same month last year, ahead of Brisbane Airport with 7 per cent growth and Sydney Airport with 5.6 per cent growth from a larger base than its rivals.

"The strong growth of the Japanese market in May shows that people are taking advantage of Jetstar's Melbourne-Japan service which commenced in late April," Melbourne Airport chief executive Chris Woodruff said. "International passenger growth in May was also boosted by two global conferences, the World Congress of Cardiology and the International Congress of World Federation of Haemophilia, both held at the Melbourne Convention Bureau."

The airport is also likely to benefit from increased traffic in July from the 20th International AIDS Conference being held in Melbourne, which will have 14,000 participants.

Sydney Airport chief executive Kerrie Mather said international traffic in May at her airport had been assisted by strong Chinese passenger growth of 11.4 per cent. The 2014 International Rotary Convention also helped boost traffic from the US, Japan and Canada during the month.

In Brisbane, the Australian Tourism Exchange in Cairns helped boost international traffic as did the World Congress of Audiology.

New Tourism Australia managing director John O'Sullivan has made events and conferences a key focus for his organisation in helping to increase the number of international visitors to Australia.

Industry body Tourism & Transport Forum on Thursday warned urgent action was needed to ensure Australia met its Tourism 2020 growth target of boosting overnight spending to up to $140 million. A new Tourism Research Australia forecast showed total spending growing at 1.7 per cent a year over the next decade which would see spending in 2020 reach just $115 billion - the low point of a $115 billion to $140 billion target range.

For Australia's largest airports, the domestic market remained more subdued than the international market at a time when Qantas Airways and Flight Centre have warned consumers are tightening their belts in reaction to the federal budget handed down in May.

At Brisbane Airport, domestic traffic fell by 1.7 per cent from the prior May, which was a greater rate than the 0.9 per cent decline in domestic capacity at the airport. Despite that, the airport said domestic city pairs showing growth in May included the three busiest routes of Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns as well as Roma, Hobart and Gladstone.

"It's been a busy year on all fronts and with the end of the financial year only a couple of weeks away we expect to see another strong result for Brisbane Airport," the airport's chief executive, Julieanne Alroe said.

Sydney Airport reported 2.1 per cent growth in domestic passengers, which was lower than Melbourne Airport's 3.1 per cent growth - See more at: http://australiatourismnews.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/numbers-up-at-australias-big-airports.html#sthash.ktjlh2E5.dpuf

Opera in the Reservoir | Spring Hill, Brisbane | August 1st to 30th, 2014

Opera in the Reservoir. The Spring Hill Reservoir, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Friday 1 August 2014, 7:30pm – Saturday 30 August 2014, 10:30pm

Brisbane’s Heritage-listed Spring Hill Reservoirs are set to become the new home for a leading Australian private opera company after being locked up and unused for decades.

Devoted to creating performance events in unusual, breathtaking spaces the Underground Opera Company (UOC) has provided a platform for professional singers and the audiences that love them for seven years.

Following negotiations over two years with the Brisbane City Council, UOC has the approval (and the keys!) to enter, clean and establish a purpose-built, high-quality performance space inside the Reservoirs. The interior is a stately, Victorian-esque space with pseudo-gothic arches and partitioned quarters conducive to comfortable, intimate seating.

A season of thirty (30) performances will be held throughout August 2014 to launch the new venue, with a maximum of 120 audience numbers per show.

“The Reservoirs are the ultimate space for our company – they are underground, rustic, earthy, conducive to good acoustics and have a special place in the historical heart of Brisbane people”, said company Director Bruce Edwards.

Built in 1871, the Reservoirs were once the main store house for drinking water extracted from hollows within Spring Hills, drawn up by the recently restored Spring Hill Windmill (Brisbane’s oldest surviving building, also Heritage-listed).

A quite achiever until recently, UOC has hosted events throughout Australia in natural, breathtaking spaces including the Jenolan Caves (Jenolan), Capricorn Caves (Rockhampton), Bli Bli Castle (Bli Bli), the Workshops Railway Museum (Ipswich), the Central Deborah Gold Mine (Bendigo) and in just a few weeks, the Hard Times Mine (Mt Isa).

“We are incredibly proud and grateful to be provided this significant opportunity by Brisbane City Council and are ecstatic to bring world-class concerts and events to the backyard of all Brisbane people”, said Mr Edwards.

Tickets for the launch season will be available for purchase from TODAY 6 May 2014 via Ticketmaster. www.ticketmaster.com.au

Our audience have said-

"I laughed, cried and cheered. Do not miss these incredible concerts!"  D. Morgan

"I never thought I would enjoy Opera so much.  Underground Opera has just converted me!"  M. Boyd

"I have seen Opera concerts all around the world and Australia and this one certainly ranks as one of the best." R. Williamson

Get a group together for a great night out or make a perfectly romantic evening for just you and your partner.  

Get Tickets HERE

Find Ideal Brisbane Accommodation for this event at Metro Hotel Tower Mill

See you at the show!

Executive Parkview Room at Metro Hotel Tower Mill

Relax on your own private balcony overlooking Wickhan Park & Brisbane City.
Comfortable and convenient, with modern conveniences including Wi-Fi and  Foxtel.  Ideal for the corporate or leisure traveller. Close to Roma Street Parklands, Queen Street Shopping Mall, Brisbane Town Hall, the Treasury Casino, Southbank and the CBD.

One queen bed. Suitable for up to 2 guests.

Amenities

• Air Conditioning
• Alarm Clock/ Radio
• Balcony
• Private Bathroom
• Flat screen TV with Foxtel & in-house movies.
• Coffee/tea making facilities
• Hair Dryer
• Iron/Ironing Board in room
• Closet/ wardrobe
• Refrigerator
• Work desk with lamp

View this room at: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/queensland/metro-hotel-tower-mill/accommodation/executive-parkview-room/

Victoria trials GST refund reforms for tourists departing Australia

Refunding GST to tourists when they leave the country will make Australia more attractive to big spenders, travel agents say.

Victoria has been chosen to trial reforms to the present refund model, which travel agents say is too complicated.

Victorian Treasurer Michael O'Brien said tourists were entitled to a refund on retail purchases over certain thresholds.

"It is frankly a bit embarrassing when you see how difficult it is for tourists to get GST refunds," Mr O'Brien told a leadership forum in Melbourne on Tuesday.

"This is something which I think is not currently working nearly as well as it might."

Australian Federation of Travel Agents chief executive Jayson Westbury said many Australians would be familiar with how the system worked in Britain and other countries.

"From a tourism point of view, it is a no brainer because it puts us in the league of being competitive," Mr Westbury said.

Mr Westbury said private operators ran the system overseas, taking a small fee from the GST refund.
He said tourists shopping in Australia would be more likely to stay around if they knew they were getting money back when they left.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-essentials/travel-news/victoria-trials-gst-refund-reforms-for-tourists-departing-australia-20140604-39hu2.html

One Direction is coming to Brisbane in February 2015

SUNCORP Stadium is heading for another sell out event next year with One Direction announcing a concert in Brisbane on February 11, 2015.

Minister for Recreation and Sport Steve Dickson said the world's biggest pop boy band will hit Brisbane on February 11, as part of the "On the Road Again Tour 2015".

Mr Dickson said the concert was expected to inject at least $5 million into the Queensland economy.

"With all 190,000 tickets sold for the 18 shows held in Australia and New Zealand during their 'Take Me Home Tour' last year, I'm sure this will be a sell-out," Mr Dickson said.

"Major sporting and entertainment events have a vital role in contributing to the Queensland Government's tourism target of $30 billion a year in overnight visitor expenditure by 2020.

"Our ongoing investment in maintaining and developing Suncorp Stadium infrastructure ensures it is an ideal outdoor concert venue, and the entire community benefits from the economic flow-on.

"One Direction will be the 14th international act in eight years to perform at the Stadium, and with more than 485,000 patrons having attended concerts there so far, it seems appropriate for One Direction to smash through the half million barrier."

Liam Payne from One Direction said, "We can't wait to come back to Australia and play for all our fans again on the On the Road Again 2015 Tour. Our Australian fans have been there for us since day one, and we always have such a great time there. We'll see you all in February next year!"

Mr Dickson announced residents living in the Stadium precinct would be offered the opportunity to pre-purchase tickets to the concert before they went on sale to the general public on May 31.

"Details of this special pre-sale will be shared with the local community via a letterbox drop next week," he said.

Mr Dickson said a 10.30pm curfew and noise control measures applied.

"The Stadium will engage specialist acoustic consultants to assist in the management of noise control," he said.

"As part of that process, sound engineers will be at the control panel during the concerts and will be in communication with technicians monitoring noise levels at various locations outside the Stadium to ensure they remain compliant with guidelines."

Public transport to and from the venue is provided free for all ticketholders.

Source: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/one-direction-coming-brisbane-february-2015/2262147/