Domestic Travel to Brighten the Gloom

Concerns about the global economic crisis, natural disasters and the strength of the Australian dollar have led to a gloomy outlook for Australian tourism operators as performance hits its lowest point in three years, according to the latest TTF-MasterCard Tourism Industry Sentiment Survey.

With the upcoming Christmas – New Year period, operators are bracing for a struggle with more than 40 per cent expecting international tourism to be worse than usual.

Domestic tourism is expected to be more positive with 15 per cent of those surveyed forecasting for improvement. Tourism operators are not getting their hopes up too high, but hoping for better weather than Christmas and January last year, especially in Queensland.

"If there's a brighter spot, it’s that tourism operators are slightly less pessimistic about domestic travel for the upcoming holiday period, but keep in mind that expectations remain well below average,” Tourism Transport Forum chief executive John Lee said.

The survey also mentioned concern for the increasing labour shortages, with two thirds of those surveyed indicating their operations were impeded by a lack of skilled labour.

The TTF-MasterCard Tourism Industry Sentiment Survey is conducted among senior executives from some of the most important Australian tourism operators including airlines, hotels, tour operators and attractions.

(Source: eTravelblackboard.com)

Shop ’Til You Drop: Top 4 Shopping Spots in Sydney

Forget shopping for souvenirs! Sydney’s the place for a splurge. From designer wares in hip boutiques to vintage clothing, historic arcades and local handicrafts at community markets, there’s a world of temptation beckoning you from every street corner. Find your way through the maze of consumer delights with our guide to the absolute best of Sydney shopping.

1. Queen Victoria Building
Because it fills an entire city block in central Sydney, it’d be hard to miss the QVB. This handsome building dates back to 1898 and is now Sydney’s grand dame of shopping. Its five levels are packed with boutiques, chocolatiers, souvenir shops, mainstream Australian brand stores and cafes.

2. The Strand Arcade
Six years older than the QVB, the Strand Arcade has been a drawcard for shoppers for over 118 years. In the early 1900s people came from all around to see the ‘electric lights’. These days shoppers cram its elegant arcade and balconies in search of unique designer fashion and specialty stores such as the ‘Strand Hatters’.

3. Paddington Markets
Held every Saturday in the fashionable inner suburb of Paddington, Paddington Markets prides itself on showcasing the very best in emerging contemporary art, craft and fashion. You can find over 250 stalls selling a whole range of unique collectibles and fashion.

4. Bondi Markets
The inner Sydney suburb of Bondi is iconic Aussie culture at its best. Every Sunday, the Bondi market sets up next to Australia’s most famous beach with a string of stalls offering everything from designer clothing, handmade jewelry, art, craft and homewares. When you get tired of shopping, simply flake out on the golden sands of Bondi beach!

Shop ’Til You Drop: Top 4 Shopping Spots in Sydney

Aspire Hotel Sydney: Aspire Hotel Sydney Facebook Promotion: One Night's Accommodation in a Standard Room for 2 Guests

Aspire Hotel Sydney is Offering the oppertunity to win a night's Accommodation for two at Aspire Hotel Sydney Facebook Promotional Accommodation giveaway

The Prize:

One night's accommodation at Aspire Hotel Sydney staying in a standard room for up to 2 occupants*

To Enter:

1. Visit Aspire Hotel Sydney on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AspireHotelSydney

2. LIKE Aspire Hotel Sydney on Facebook

2. Describe on Aspire Hotel Sydney’s Facebook Wall in less than 100 words "Why you want a Quiet Sydney City Escape at Aspire Hotel Sydney?"

Terms and Conditions:

• Stay period: 2nd January 2012 until the 31st January 2012.
• Booking period: Must book a week prior the stay or even before.
• Winner will be chosen randomly using http://www.random.org/ where each entrant will be assigned a number, the winner will be notified through Facebook messages.
• This competition will close on Monday 19th December at 5.00 PM (Sydney Time)
• This prize is for Accommodation only and subject to terms and conditions.

Aspire Hotel Sydney Facebook Promotion: One Night's Accommodation in a Standard Room for 2 Guests

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.

Raine & Horne is an iconic Australian property firm, with more than 370 offices worldwide. Also an established Superbrand along with the likes of Qantas, Vegemite, Woolworths and Myer, the company has four distinct property service brands including Raine & Horne Residential, Raine & Horne Commercial, Raine & Horne Financial Services and Raine & Horne Rural.

(Source: Travemedia.com)

Sydney Tourism News and Information: 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

The Changing Shape of the ‘Family Holiday’

Work and family commitments are being blamed for only a fifth of Queenslanders taking holidays once a year for less than one week.

Despite this figure, Tourism Research Australia reports the number of Australians taking more day and overnight trips was on the increase.

According to Moreton Island Adventures chief executive Roz Shaw there has been a big increase in time-poor Queenslanders coming for short weekend breaks over the last few years.

“There is no doubt that the traditional family holiday is changing shape, but what still remains is that 91 per cent of people recently surveyed still prefer the beach holiday whether it be for an overnighter, a long weekend, or if they are lucky the week,” Mr Shaw said.

“We have some of the world’s very best beaches at our door step and with this increase in weekend visitations, Moreton Island is certainly experiencing the positive effects of the short term holiday market.

Also supporting the local tourism push, Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said the new ‘There’s nothing like Australia campaign’ aims to encourage Australians to take a fresh look at the best local holiday experiences.

Tell the Nation Why There's Nothing Like Australia and Win!

Tourism Australia is inviting the nation to tell their fellow Aussies why There's nothing like Australia for a chance to win an amazing holiday.

To enter, simply upload your favourite Australian place or experience to nothinglikeaustralia.com.au and in 25 words or less explain why there's nothing like Australia.

Entrants could win one of 16 Australian holidays to the most inspiring and creative holiday entry, as voted by a judging panel made up of representatives from Tourism Australia, Qantas and Luxury Lodges of Australia. In addition you can enter a 'dream team' and bring up to five people with you to share in the amazing holiday experience.

The promotion runs until October 31, 2011.