NYC & Company invites visitors and locals to explore NYC’s five boroughs

NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organisation, encourages visitors and New Yorkers to venture throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island as part of the relaunched See Your City campaign.

Now in its fourth iteration, See Your City originally targeted New Yorkers and has recently expanded to also entice domestic and international visitors to experience NYC like a local. New this year, the campaign highlights an inside look at what to do in New York City through user-generated, visual content on nycgo.com/seeyourcity.

“New York City never runs out of new places to explore and is one of the most visually dynamic and iconic destinations, so we are motivating New Yorkers and visitors to get the most out of being in NYC and to share their experiences,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Through the program’s evolution, we’re making it easier for locals to go beyond their block and for visitors to live like a local so everyone can experience the greatest city in the world.”

To encourage participation on social media, a new See Your City partner, Beautiful Destinations, is sharing New York City moments on Instagram in a way never seen before in their home city. Through preprogram efforts, See Your City has already received more than 4 million impressions from a live, engaged audience on Beautiful Destinations’ Instagram and Snapchat channels.

LA tourism reveals updated visitor forecast and tourism data at market outlook forum

Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) shared new visitation forecasts and tourism data with local hospitality partners and business leaders at the organisation’s fourth annual Market Outlook Forum. Among the highlights, visitation to Los Angeles is expected to set a new record in 2016 with more than 46.5 million total visitors, an increase of 2.4 per cent from the previous record-setting year.

International visitation to Los Angeles is estimated to grow 3.9 per cent to more than seven million, with Australian visitor numbers forecast to increase by 5.4 per cent in 2016. Total visitor spend in 2016 is projected to eclipse USD$21.5 billion, an increase of 4.4 per cent from last year.

“With global interest and desire for the Los Angeles experience propelling the City of Angels towards another banner year in 2016, we have our goal of 50 million visitors by 2020 locked in our sights,” said Ernest Wooden Jr., president & CEO of L.A. Tourism. “From exploring our hidden gem neighbourhoods like the Arts District to becoming fully immersed in our thriving art and culinary scenes, there’s never been a better time to get lost in L.A.”

Thredbo launches 2017 Season Pass Sale

Thredbo has launched its Season Pass Sale for the 2017 winter season. Providing incredible benefits and savings, this early sale is the best opportunity for snow enthusiasts to guarantee unlimited riding and some awesome global snow benefits at the lowest possible price.

With two flexible pass options on offer during the sale, skiers and snowboarders can choose between the Thredbo Winter 2017 Season Pass or the Thredbo 365 Pass (16/17) which includes benefits from some of the world’s best ski resorts around the globe thanks to the Mountain Collective, including Aspen Snowmass, Whistler Blackcomb, Jackson Hole, Mammoth Mountain and many more during the North American 2016/17 Winter.

The Thredbo Winter 2017 Season Pass for only $729 for adults provides unlimited lift access to Thredbo all winter long, so pass holders can make the most of all the slope-side action, fresh pow and Australia’s longest runs throughout the season.

For those snow enthusiasts looking to chase winter all-year round, the Thredbo 365 Pass (16/17) for only $829 for Adults has added Mountain Collective benefits, which allow you to access amazing global benefits, with 50% off at some of the world’s best ski resorts in Canada, USA, Europe, Japan, South America, Australia and New Zealand. This 365-day pass also includes access to Thredbo in summer, offering pass holders the chance to experience the beauty of summer in the Aussie Alps, including over 25km of epic mountain biking trails, with something for every ability thanks to Thredbo’s downhill, cross country, all-mountain and BMX style trails.

Thredbo’s Season Pass Sale is only on for a limited time. To secure your pass and lock in the lowest price guarantee, all you have to do is pay a small deposit of just $49* during the sale. In addition, you can secure Season Pass Protection, which insures you in case of injury not allowing you to be able to get full use of your pass next winter.

To get your pass or for more information on the sale or the Mountain Collective, visit www.thredbo.com.au/seasonpass

The Maria Island Walk – Four amazing ways to spend four amazing days

The Maria Island Walk is now offering visitors a variety of opportunities to explore this beautiful destination off the east coast of Tasmania.

Renowned for its’ amazing landscapes, well preserved convict history and vast array of wildlife, Maria Island is one of this country’s most spectacular and deeply interesting destinations.

Recognising the importance of showcasing the Island in as many different ways as possible, there are now four different walks available.

The Winter Escapes walk will depart on September 9 from Hobart and is the only experience that varies in length and accommodation style from the usual departures.  It is a three day/two night trip with guests staying at the heritage listed Bernacchi House in the world heritage convict settlement of Darlington.  During their time on Maria Island, the group will be offered the opportunity to explore the various heritage sites, take in some of the spectacular landscape visiting the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Bay, summit Mt Maria or Bishop and Clerk or simply stroll through the gentler tracks and mingle with the wildlife.  The Walk costs $1290 per person.

From 1 October – 1 May each year, The Maria Island Walk reverts to the acclaimed four days and three nights.  The first two nights are spent in the rustic Casuarina and White Gum camps purpose built for the Maria Island Walk.  During the days, the two experienced guides will help the group explore five fabulous beaches, the amazing mountains, and discover flora from rainforest settings to the world’s largest stand of Tasmanian blue gums.  On night three the group will arrive in Darlington for a final night of shared experiences over Tasmanian gourmet food and wine.  Prices start from $2400 per person.

Visit Sunshine Coast appoints new high-profile New Zealand representative

Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC) has announced the appointment of Louise Brooks (Sneddon) as the Queensland region’s New Zealand representative under her own business, Elbe Communications.

Louise is one of New Zealand’s most experienced tourism marketers, with a long history of promoting Australian destinations in the New Zealand marketplace.

She has worked with leading organisations including Air New Zealand, Travel 2, Harvey World Travel and for the past 11 years, has headed up her own travel and tourism PR agency, 4pr which she retains an interest in. Clients have included Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, Carnival Cruise Lines and Niue Island Tourism.
New Zealand continues to be the Sunshine Coast’s most important international market, with direct services by Air New Zealand from Auckland helping deliver 62,000 New Zealand tourists to the region annually and 538,000 room nights, an increase of 22.9% to the year ending March 2016.

Enrich your Korean Experience by staying in a traditional Korean Hanok

Planning on visiting Korea and immersing yourself in the culture and history of the country there could be no better choice than to experience life in a traditional Korean house (hanok).  Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) have released a very useful Hanok Stay guide which details hanoks and hanok villages around the country selected and certified by KTO as outstanding accommodations where visitors can have a truly authentic Korean experience.

Hanoks are available all over the country and provide a very budget friendly way to experience the real Korea and meet the locals.  One of the best places to do this is in a Hanok village which gives you a better understanding of the lifestyle of Korean ancestors who valued their sense of community.  Some of these living villages are a wonderful place to spend a few days to understand and enjoy Korea in a true sense.

Hanoks offer a variety of hands-on cultural programs for visitors to truly experience Korean life as it used to be in the past.  Depending on the hanok, visitors can enjoy traditional food experiences, tea ceremony, traditional cultural experiences like trying on hanbok (traditional Korean dress), making arts and crafts, calligraphy, playing traditional music and games and more.

Many of Korea’s historic villages are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites like Andong Hahoe Folk Village, Gyeongju Yangdong Village and the beautiful Jeonju Hanok Village.  In Seoul itself there is the Bukchon Hanok Village which is an area of traditional hanok in the northern part of the city.

Several of the hanok villages are located in beautiful natural scenery where you can commune with nature – take walks in the surrounding forest, go biking or just relax and enjoy the fresh country air.  A hanok is known for their embrace of nature, bringing the outdoors in and some even making their own kimchi and storing in large ceramic pots in their backyard.

Brisbane’s CBD restaurants dish up Brisbane’s best

Brisbane’s dining scene is hot right now and from today diners can pick up a copy of dish – Brisbane City’s foremost eating and drinking guide.

The comprehensive food and drink guide highlights the CBD’s foodie hotspots from fine dining to the best cheap eats. With many of the restaurants throughout the CBD using local produce and offering competitive prices, there is no better time to experience dining in Brisbane City.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said dish provided an opportunity for locals and visitors to experience the City’s food footprint and offered food lovers the chance to rediscover the CBD’s restaurants and bars.

“Brisbane CBD has a fantastic restaurant and cafe scene featuring some of the Australia’s best chefs, delivering a wide range of culinary options,” Cr Quirk said.

“There is always something new to explore in the CBD and dish will provide a great starting point for your foodie adventure.”

dish will feature award-winning restaurants, breakfast-to-brunch hotspots, coffee hideaways, high tea options, hidden gems and laneway feasts, international delights, quick bites and healthy food options.