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Statistics |
| Unique Visitors: 0 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 44172 |
| Visitors Out: 2916 |
| Total Visitors Out: 2922 |
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| Australia waiting for 60,000 more World Youth Day visa applications |
| 2008-07-04 12:34:00 |
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) expect another 20,000 people to apply for a visa for Australia, or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), in order to be eligible for entry to Australia. Officials also expect another 4,000 to come from New Zealand, where citizens are not required to apply for an Australian travel visa.People from more than 170 countries are expected to attend the event, and all will need an Australian tourist and visitor visa before arriving in the country. World Youth Day sees young people from all continents gathering together in the presence of the Pope.Although the numbers are 60,000 people below the estimated target, officials remain confident that the turn-out will be impressive, reports the news provider. An extra 36 flights are still arranged to cope with the influx of tourists. However, Youth Day pilgrims are being warned that without an Australia travel visa, they could miss out on the festivities.
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| Inflation key to housing rally |
| 2008-06-25 03:20:00 |
Investors are needed to fund a big expansion in stock to cope with Victoria's rapidly increasing population, which is growing at 1.6%, or 82,430 people, a year. Australia's population increased 1.59%, or by 331,872 people, last year, but the country is reportedly experiencing a construction shortfall of 30,000 new houses a year."This kind of population growth will support the housing market, but it means that we're facing a long-term under-supply problem regardless of what may look like an over-supply in today's softening (conditions)."Mr Lawless said buyers, particularly second or third-home owners with strong cash reserves, were well positioned to buy investment properties in the today's environment of flat price growth and oversupply.
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| Tourists flocking to Australia cause extra flights to be scheduled |
| 2008-06-11 02:40:00 |
Sydney Airport Corporation said 36 extra flights, including one charter flight, have been scheduled for the event, at which organisers expect to attract 125,000 people on Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visas. Danny Casey, the Chief Operating Officer, said every flight in the lead up to the event is fully booked."World Youth Day is bringing international visitors into Sydney in droves. Sydney is going to come alive this winter with 125,000 young people from more than 170 nations arriving here to celebrate their faith with 100,000 young people from all over Australia," he told the World Youth Day official website. Christopher Brown, the Tourism and Transport Forum Managing Director, said bars, restaurants and hotels are expected to benefit from the tourism boom caused by young people travelling to Australia for the event.
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| Lacuna Coil Reschedules Australian Tour |
| 2008-05-25 15:28:00 |
"Hello to all of our Australian friends! Please accept our most sincere apologies for taking so long to give you an official statement regarding our planned tour of Australia this June.Due to matters completely beyond our control, the tour has unfortunately been cancelled. However, we are thrilled to announce that we will be coming back to Australia this coming February to perform at the SOUNDWAVE 2009 FESTIVAL! We love Australia, and can't wait to rock with all of our amazing friends down under again!"
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| Tourism in Australia Facing Major Challenges |
| 2008-05-14 04:16:00 |
Climate change poses the biggest long-term challenge to tourism in Australia, but an increasingly competitive global market is providing more immediate problems, says a tourist industry expert."Climate change has the potential to impact on Australia's unique natural environment and affect consumers' travel destinations, so it is important that the industry work with government to develop a comprehensive, measurable response," Tourism and Transport Forum's (TTF) National Manager Caroline Wilkie told The Epoch Times.The threat of climate change is causing many in the tourism industry to seriously reconsider their business operations according to the latest industry survey, Tourism Futures, taken in the lead-up to the Tourism Futures conference on June 2–4.
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| Australia's Perth Has Highest Hotel Occupancy Outside U.S. |
| 2008-05-06 03:23:00 |
May 6 (Bloomberg) -- Six Australian cities are among the 20 destinations with the highest hotel occupancy rates outside the U.S. last year, with Perth claiming the top spot, according to a report by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.Perth had an occupancy rate of 85.1 percent, Deloitte said in a report released today. Next on the list, which tracks 7,800 hotels in 165 cities outside the U.S., was Panama with 84.7 percent followed by Dubai at 84.5 percent. Brisbane came in fourth with 84.3 percent. The other Australian cities in the top 20 were Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Cairns.
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| Travel alerts on Australia |
| 2008-04-23 08:01:00 |
Three near-misses with crocodiles in as many weeks in the "Top End" of the Northern Territory prompted a crocodile conservationist to call for a territory-wide public awareness campaign about the ancient beasts for locals and tourists alike. Before heading into the bush, get advice from wildlife officials or tour operators who know the area.
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| Australia's travel industry provided work for some 482,800 people |
| 2008-04-18 11:44:00 |
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released figures showing that the country's tourism industry is worth some £85bn (£40bn) to its economy.Gross value in the tourism industry increased by 7.9% in 2006-07, which was the highest growth rate since 1998-99, according to the figures.Demand from within Australia increased by 6.8% to reach a value of $63bn, while international consumption of the country's tourism product climbed 9.8% to $22bn.
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| Australia Travel Market is targeting Kiwis wanting to go to Australia |
| 2008-04-12 02:47:00 |
Kiwi entrepreneur Dave Simmons this week launched the new approach for New Zealand travellers heading across the Tasman.After 15 years' working in the travel industry in Britain, Simmons has returned with his family to New Zealand, bringing what he says is the unique "meta-search" business model.A less-techy sounding name for meta-searching is "price comparison"."From a consumer perspective, it's like going to a shopping mall and going to all the shops to compare prices on a pair of shoes, or on a suitcase that might be in three different shops," says Simmons. "Instead of going to all the shops - and getting the prices - we do that for you."
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| U.S., Australia sign open skies agreement |
| 2008-04-01 15:37:00 |
The U.S. and Australia on Monday inked an open skies aviation agreement eliminating restrictions on air travel between the two allies that would lead to lower fares, officials said.Visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd witnessed the signing of the agreement at the U.S. Department of Transport in Washington, hailing it as a "new era" in trans-Pacific aviation links."Its aim is to make it easier and cheaper for even more people to make the air journey across the Pacific to add more strands to our ties," he said.
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| A need for travel authors from Australia |
| 2008-03-24 03:40:00 |
Hi, I hope you like the Australia travel news blog.I need travel authors from Australia to help me coverage more Australian travel news.Please send email if you like to participated in this effort. Thanks !tamtree@gmail.com
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| 2007 was a record year for international tourism to Australia |
| 2008-03-20 06:54:00 |
The official figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that international tourist arrivals to Australia increased by two per cent in 2007, reaching 5.6 million visitors. Australia's status as one of the world's most popular destinations was further cemented by the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Report, where the country was voted in the top four out of 130 countries in the category of most competitive destinations in the world.Australia's warm sunny climate, astonishing natural surroundings and easy-going lifestyle are all aspects that have fed to its popularity amongst travellers worldwide, and this tourism demand has been well served by the streamlined Australian travel visa service. The Australian ETA visa currently stands as the most efficient method to gain access to the country, granting eligible citizens immediate access to an Australian travel visa.
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| Where I've Been: Australia |
| 2008-03-16 05:45:00 |
An example of the extra mile that Aussies go was seen by us at the ¡§post¡¨ (post office) in Lakes Entrance. We wanted to mail some souvenirs home and were greeted by the most pleasant staff. They helped with a box and directions. When we returned, they had a bag of goodies for us, including calendars and books. What a way to show us the Aussie hospitality.Our greatest enjoyment was our time with our family. We were able to visit many cities, historical sites and churches, and enjoyed the scenic views. We also compiled a blog that allowed our family, friends and others to enjoy our trip, too. It was a great way to capture and share our thoughts and pictures.
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| New international resort in Townsville, Australia |
| 2008-03-11 04:48:00 |
Plans for the site include 120 condominium apartments with a total letting pool of 160 keys to be managed by Outrigger, together with 24 private residence units over the upper three levels of the building that will include exclusive access and a private residents' club facility. Resort facilities will include a lagoon-style pool and extensive landscaping, 24-hour reception and tour desk, fitness room, private boardroom and breakfast area, along with ground floor restaurant and retail outlets to complement the thriving alfresco dining precinct along Palmer Street.
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| Queen Elizabeth 2's last ever visit to Perth |
| 2008-03-05 15:26:00 |
Fremantle on Wednesday 5 March, 2008, will forever be a part of the history books thanks to Queen Elizabeth 2. The boat not the monarch, that is. As she left Victoria Quay at 7pm, she bade farewell to Australia for the last time ever before the 70 327 tonne liner heads to Dubai to become a floating hotel.The name of the QE2 has almost become synonymous with luxury travel in its 41 years of service and the thousands of people who turned up in Fremantle wanted to get a glimpse of it for a last time.It's also a special occasion for the crew and Captain Ian McNaught. "It is a very special cruise," he confirms, "it's tinged with a little bit of sadness. It is our farewell cruise, and it's a big celebration as well, though. We've got a lot to celebrate: 40 years
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| On Australia’s first people |
| 2008-03-03 10:27:00 |
Think of Aboriginals, and what comes to mind is either exotica or what the media often highlights: a society dogged by alcoholism, child abuse, drug addiction, a lower than average life expectancy, and anything else equally negative.Two years ago, at the Australian Museum, Sydney, this view was swept aside by one of the more compelling exhibitions, and also one of the least patronised. “Indigenous Australians: Australia’s first peoples” ran for over half a year. The themes — spirituality, cultural heritage, the land, family, health and social justice — were chosen in consultation with Indigenous Australians and the museum’s audience groups.
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| Queen Victoria's difficult berth a terminal issue |
| 2008-02-27 03:51:00 |
Carnival Australia's chief executive, Ann Sherry, said if Brisbane were to make the most of the booming growth in cruise travel another terminal had to be built on the Bay side of the Gateway Bridge.Yesterday as passengers on P&O's Oriana disembarked at the Portside Wharf in the northern Brisbane suburb of Hamilton to a modern facility, those on Queen Victoria were greeted with vistas of the grain berth silos and a bustling port.
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| Indian consulate in Australia opens Visa Services Centre |
| 2008-02-23 09:44:00 |
SYDNEY: The plush new India Passport and Visa Services Centre opened by the Indian consulate here on Thursday will provide welcome relief to those who have sweated in long queues to get an Indian passport, visa or Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card.The burgeoning demand for Indian visas in Australia made it necessary for the High Commission and consulates to outsource the receipt and delivery of passports, visas and OCI cards to a private company, VFS Global, a subsidiary of the Kuoni Travel Group's India branch.
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| Australia tipped to see biggest tourist growth in 2008 |
| 2008-02-19 16:52:00 |
The survey of 1,000 independent travel agents in the UK by marketing company The Network revealed that 17 per cent expect Australia to be the big winner.Thanks to the recently-signed US-Australia open skies agreement, extra flight capacity should boost holidays to Australia.Other top long haul destinations expected to do well in 2008 included the US and Dubai.
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| Australia and the US struck an "open skies" deal for their national carriers |
| 2008-02-15 16:21:00 |
"This should result in greater choice for Australians travelling to and from the United States and to other destinations," the minister said after the deal lifting restrictions was announced.But Singapore Airlines remains out in the cold even though it has long lobbied for access to the Australia-US route, which until now was served only by Qantas and United Airlines.
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| Australian travel agent withdraws from airline class action |
| 2008-02-12 03:20:00 |
The law firm argues Qantas, AIR NEW ZEALAND, BRITISH AIRWAYS, CATHAY PACIFIC, SINGAPORE AIRLINES (SGX:S55) and MALAYSIAN AIRLINES have short changed travel agents by up to A$80 million by failing to include fuel surcharges when calculating agents' fees.* Managing director Graham Turner said Flight Centre had advised Slater & Gordon it was "unlikely" to participate in the legal action because of "commercial considerations" and would instead hold direct discussions with the airlines.
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| Australian tourist numbers down |
| 2008-02-07 03:15:00 |
Australian Tourism Export Council managing director Matthew Hingerty said it would take massive innovation to drag the sector out of the doldrums."We need to understand why our competitors are booming and racing ahead, and we need to see what lessons we can learn and apply to the Australian market," Mr Hingerty said.
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| New horizons for travel company boss |
| 2008-02-02 18:01:00 |
Last year the company bought two businesses in Australia and it is currently tendering for a third. Its forecast turnover this year is $1 billion.Started in 1987 in Timaru, the House of Travel business has grown at the rate of about one new business every eight to 10 weeks.Paulsen had sold his successful wholesale travel agency Scholes Oakley and was looking around for other opportunities in an industry that was changing and being deregulated.
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| Peregrine starts tours in Australia |
| 2008-01-29 15:04:00 |
Adventure travel company Peregrine, which started with trekking tours in the Himalayas, has finally made it to Australasia.Now operating on seven continents, it's kicking off its 30th birthday year with the introduction of a new range of adventure holidays in Australia and New Zealand.
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| New passport ruling causing hardship to Malaysians in Australia |
| 2008-01-24 16:09:00 |
Malaysians in Darwin would have to fly about six hours to get to Canberra, via Melbourne or Sydney.The return airfare could be up to A$850 (A$1 = RM2.85) depending on the travel season. Accommodation (one night), food, taxi fare and other expenses could easily amount to about A$400 for a grand total of A$1,250.
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| Tamworth tops for a travelling twosome |
| 2008-01-20 16:26:00 |
Each year, the Tamworth festival attracts more than 50,000 fans from all over Australia.Tamworth retiree Bob Green, 77, who has been volunteering as an assistant at one of the town's temporary campsites for eight years, says he's always shocked at the distances people drive to get to the festival."In the last two days I've checked in people from Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria …" he said.
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| Green guide to Australia |
| 2008-01-16 02:35:00 |
Everyone from travel agents and airlines to hotels and car hire companies now offer travellers the chance to offset their carbon emissions emitted during their holiday.And an increasing number of travellers are doing their research, investigating which hotel and tour operators have the more eco-friendly options.Travel company Flight Centre says many travellers are looking to minimise their impact and maximise connections within the community and the environment.
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| Superstar Gemini now cruising from Australia during January |
| 2008-01-09 18:52:00 |
# Valid for all industry members.# Single Occupancy pays 150% of above rates.# Infant rates not applicable, will be charged at above rates.# Offer applicable for DB-AD cabin categories only (except CC cabin)# Admiral Class privileges are not applicable for Suites, i.e. Blue Card.# Offer is applicable to staff, family and friends of all travel industry employees.# Subject to limited availability - Book now!# SCC/World card member is not eligible to claim points under this promotion.# Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offers, partial/full redemption of points or gift vouchers.# A booking fee of $35 per person applies.# Rates are exclusive of Passenger Handling Charges, Fuel Surcharge and any other incidental charges, and must be paid in addition to fare. See PHC
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| STA Travel voted Australasia's Leading Travel Agency |
| 2008-01-03 02:51:00 |
The awards recognise excellence in all aspects of travel services including product range, customer service, company culture and technology.The winner offered a complete service to travellers, using mobile, video and maps within the blog to encourage excellent community participation.Managing Director of STA Travel Australia and New Zealand, David Burns, believes the company was ranked ahead of bigger and more mainstream travel agency groups due to its ongoing commitment to its core youth market."What we've always done well at STA Travel is understand Generation Y -- where they want to travel, what they are willing to spend and, most importantly, how they want to interact with a travel agent.
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| Films set to boost tourism hotspots |
| 2007-12-28 13:59:00 |
A blockbuster movie starring Nicole Kidman is set to spark a rush of British visitors to a comparatively untouristy part of Australia.Called simply Australia, the film showcases Darwin in Northern Territory and depicts the devastating bombing of the town by the Japanese in the Second World War.Darwin is a popular spot for cruise ship passengers and backpackers but lies in the shadow of the likes of Sydney, Brisbane and Perth as a travel destination for Britons.
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| Australia's tourism sector is running hot |
| 2007-12-20 03:10:00 |
AUSTRALIA'S tourism sector is running hot, with the robust economy and strong dollar bolstering the fortunes of two key players.Travel agency network Jetset Travelworld yesterday lifted its interim profit guidance, tipping a 45 per cent jump in its result for the first half.Meanwhile, funds management group MFS said its hotel business, the Stella Group, is on track to exceed $100 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation over the same period.
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| Solomon's attorney general allowed to travel to Fiji |
| 2007-12-13 04:21:00 |
WELLINGTON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Solomon Islands Attorney General Julian Moti will be allowed to travel freely to Fiji, a Fiji official said on Thursday. Immigration Director Viliame Naupoto said Moti was not on the watch list, the PACNEWS, a regional news agency based in Fiji's capital Suva, said in a report monitored here. "As far as we are concerned, he is not on our watch list and therefore can travel into the country," he said.
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| Qantas says 'happy 60th' to Kangaroo Route |
| 2007-12-06 12:31:00 |
Qantas has celebrated the 60th anniversary of its services between Australia and the UK, better known as the Kangaroo Route.The first ever Qantas flight between Australia and the UK left Sydney on 1 December 1947, an occasion that marked the beginning of a new era of transportation between the two countries, chief executive Geoff Dixon said.
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| Qantas accused of bullying |
| 2007-11-29 12:23:00 |
QANTAS has been accused of bullying travel agents to back out of an $80 million class action that alleges the carrier - along with five other airlines - illegally shortchanged the ticket commissions paid to 1450 agents.Law firm Slater & Gordon yesterday asked the Federal Court to stop Qantas from offering sweetened commercial deals to travel agents in return for withdrawing from the action.
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| Australia's Jetstar offers 5 cent domestic airfares |
| 2007-11-21 04:36:00 |
SYDNEY (Thomson Financial) - Low-cost Australian airline Jetstar said Wednesday it will offer flights for 5 Australian cents on some domestic routes as Singapore's Tiger Airways prepares to enter the Australian market.Jetstar will offer 5,000 tickets for on seven domestic routes through its website for five hours from 7.00 pm (0800 GMT) Wednesday, spokesman Simon Westaway said.
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| Tourism hit by climate change fears |
| 2007-11-16 03:38:00 |
THE tourism industry wants to conquer the fears of Europeans that air travel - and therefore a flight to Australia - is a primary cause of global warming.The Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources is commissioning a study into how Germans and Britons feel about climate change. The study will gauge their worries on the travel plans of two of the largest visitor groups to Australia.A tender document describing the study notes concern that Britons have an "exaggerated understanding" of the greenhouse emissions contributed by aircraft.
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| Australia Ranks #1 Again for World's Top Country Brand |
| 2007-11-13 09:48:00 |
LONDON, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- With the kick-off of London's World Travel Market this week -- the premier global travel and tourism convention -- the big questions on the minds of tourism and hospitality professionals are: "What countries have the best reputations and which ones rank in the top 10 list of desired country brands when it comes to travel?" The answers might surprise you.According to this year's Country Brand Index (CBI), Australia once again earned the coveted spot as the world's top country brand, with the United States ranking second and the United Kingdom ascending to third. Other countries making the top 10 included Japan, Canada, France and Greece. The CBI also identified Croatia, China and the Unit
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| Air deal boost for Australian destinations |
| 2007-11-08 11:04:00 |
Etihad Airways’ customers will gain greater access to destinations in Australia following the signing of a new air deal with Australian, Virgin Blue.The agreement, which comes into effect immediately, will enable Etihad’s customers to travel seamlessly from Abu Dhabi to its flights to both Sydney and Brisbane and then connect on to 22 cities across Australia.
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| Top golfers 'won't travel to Australia' |
| 2007-10-27 15:31:00 |
Australian golf fans need to get used to the fact that the days of foreign marquee players contesting domestic events are over, according to US Tour star Stuart Appleby.Appleby, in Melbourne for the launch of next month's Australian Masters, said the massive money on offer in America and the tyranny of distance meant the days of major winners playing in Australia were at an end."You're not going to get the top Americans to Australia. It's not going to happen, the business has changed," Appleby said.
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