Destination Wrap: Swiss town’s message of solidarity, Sri Lankan lockdown lifts + MORE
Go on a pretend holiday through all the wonderful destinations featured in this week’s wrap. It’s the closest we’ve gotten to the real thing in months.
Aussie flag projected onto Swiss Alps in message of solidarity
Messages of hope and solidarity alongside different national flags have been projected onto the Matterhorn mountain overlooking the Swiss town of Zermatt.
Last Thursday local time, the region’s tourism body projected the Australian flag onto the mountain as a show of support.
According to ABC News, the projections are a project by light artist Gerry Hofstetter “to say thank to all these people working hard during this crisis”.
South Australia tourism launches digital training program
The SA Tourism Commission (SATC) reported that 525 tourism businesses and events have signed up for its Digital Training Program, which kicks off this week offering participants an extensive online course to upskill during this period of reduced business.
SATC is hosting a series of regional engagement sessions with 11 video meetings in total. The sessions will help inform our future planning, as well as help us gather background for when we revisit the 2025 Regional Visitor Strategy which is currently suspended due to the impact of COVID-19.
For more information, go HERE.
Niue invites people to look at the stars
To celebrate International Dark Sky Week the Pacific Island of Niue, recently declared an official Dark Sky Place by the International Dark Sky Association, invites people across the world to switch off their lights and look to the stars.
When visitors can travel to Niue they will be able to enjoy guided Astro-tours led by trained Niuean community members and witness the wonder of a night sky illuminated by thousands of stars, the Milky Way, Andromeda constellation and the large and small Magellanic Clouds.
Sri Lanka’s 24/7 lockdown now fully lifts
Based on advice from Sri Lankan health authorities, the 24/7 lockdown across all districts will be lifted from 27 April.
The night curfew will be in place in each district once their lockdown is lifted in their district.
For updates on COVID-19 in Sri Lanka go HERE.
Washington, DC inspires future travellers through armchair education
Free downloadable and virtual learning resources are the latest armchair education tools to roll out of Washington, DC as the American capital looks to inspire future travellers.
Supporting at-home learning for all ages, the International Spy Museum has launched lesson plans that cover the role the secret service has played in historical events, to fun activities including code-cracking downloads and formulas on how to make invisible ink.
Australians who share a fascination of American history including past president Abraham Lincoln will enjoy Ford’s Theatre’s investigation downloads on Lincoln’s life and legacy through distance learning programs. Teachers and parents can also download narrative writing lessons linked to the assassination of President Lincoln.
Washington, DC’s Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, has launched a free webinar series on the Mass Extinction – Solving the Dinosaur Mystery. This webinar video features Dr Kirk Johson, a paleobotanist and director of the museum. Viewers can see how he and other experts joined forces to figure out what happened at the end of the Cretaceous, 66 million years ago.
Education in visual and performing arts is also amongst the mix with The Kennedy Center offering performance-based lesson plans and activities for download. The Kennedy Center also features digital downloads on previous stage performances.
Keep calm and Colorado
To keep our minds open and our wanderlust fuelled, Colorado Tourism Office has introduced a Daily Dose of Colorado Calm, revealing a new Colorado moment each day through breathtaking video that allows viewers to escape and perhaps picture themselves in the moment. Check out Colorado on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. #ColoradoCalm.
Switch up your soundtrack from rolling news updates to music inspired by the mountains. A Colorado Calm Playlist features tracks synonymous with the state, such as John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High, Johnny Cash’s You Wild Colorado and local singer-songwriter, Gregory Alan Isakov, who toured Australia for the first time last year.
Maldives Tourism launches webinar
Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), in association with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Tripadvisor, will be hosting a special webinar designed exclusively for Maldives tourism marketeers today at 5pm AEST.
The 90-minute webinar entitled Rethink, Recover: Solutions to the COVID-19 Crisis & the Maldivian Tourism Industry, will be led by Damian Cook (CEO of E-Tourism Frontiers), who has managed global tourism crises including the SARS and Ebola outbreaks.
Throughout the session, Mr Cook will offer practical assistance moving beyond the current reassurance phase, in addition to presenting effective solutions for the recovery phase.
The following expert speakers will also share their insights into the COVID-19 affected global travel and tourism sector during the session:
- Mr Thoyyib Mohamed, managing mirector, MMPRC.
- Dr Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA;
- Mr Paul Pruangkarn, director of communications and external affairs, PATA.
- Ms Sarah Mathews, group head of destination marketing for Asia Pacific, TripAdvisor.
- Mr Leon Chan, business development manager for Asia Pacific, TripAdvisor.
Those who are interested in tuning in to the webinar can register here.
Travellers encouraged to explore farm stays in Taiwan
The Taiwan Tourist Board in Australia is encouraging travellers to look outside of the city and consider staying in some unconventional places.
From unexpectedly delightful farm stays to beautifully designed theme stays, there are many to choose from in Taiwan.
At the luxury end of the scale is Fu Wan Leisure Farm. This is an eco-friendly resort with accommodation that, while modern in appearance, fits perfectly within its beautifully landscaped surroundings.
Located down south near Kaohsiung City, this hidden modern paradise happens to be a seafood and chocolate farm as well.
The farm produces international award-winning chocolate bars, and is also famous for its sakura prawn produce And, true to the reputation of its award-winning chef, the food is nothing short of exceptional combining an elaborate mix of flavours and textures.
Hua Lu Flower Home Leisure Farm is run by three sisters with almost every corner of the farm exquisitely designed and decorated with flowers and plants, used to create essential oils.
The Aroma Boutique on the farm is one of the largest of its kind in Taiwan. It houses some of the tools used for extracting citronella and camphor oils in days past, and boasts a vast variety of essential oil products produced by the farm. Visitors can also participate in essential oil and lotion DIY programs to gain insight into how these innovative agricultural products are made.
The farm’s spacious rooms are tastefully designed with large balconies allowing guests to overlook the beautiful floral surroundings and the remote mountains.
At the edge of the beautiful Kenting National Park in south Taiwan is the Ever Spring Eco Farmstay.
The farm is ecologically-friendly and its owners are happy to teach their guests a little about its farming practices and other things such as butterfly cultivation on the farm.
A huge range of herbs, vegetables and fruit, chili peppers, mangoes, papaya, tomatoes, garlic, basil, peppermint, and tea trees are grown on the farm, with all of the produce being used at its restaurant.
Kenting is Taiwan’s oldest national park and stretches out over 180 km of both land and sea and is home to a rich amount of flora and fauna.
Despite the peaceful rural setting, the farm stay is just a few kilometres from Hengchun City which has its own airport.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
colorado Destination wrap Maldives Tourism niue south australia sri lanka Swiss Alps taiwan WashingtonLatest News
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]