News in Brief: Thursday September 26

News in Brief: Thursday September 26
By admin


Virgin Australia will increase direct services between Perth and Karratha as demand from the mining sector remains strong.

The carrier will add two weekly return flights from October 22, to be operated by 100-seat Fokker 100 jets. It will take the number of weekly flights between Perth and Karratha to 38.

 

The Remarkables ski area in Queenstown will remain open for an extra week because of good snow conditions but Coronet Peak will shut a week early.

Originally due to close this Sunday, slopes at The Remarkables will stay open until October 6 while Coronet Peak will welcome its last skiers and snowboarders on September 29 having initially been expected to shut the following weekend.

Mt Hutt in Canterbury has already extended its ski season for an additional two weeks and will now close on October 13.

 

A single environmental approval process, proposed by politicians yesterday, will make investing in Queensland's tourism industry a more attractive proposition, according to the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF).

The lobby group said the duplication of state and federal approvals processes was "an unncessary burden" that delayed projects.

The comments came after federal environment mniste, Greg Hunt, and Queensland minister for environment and heritage protection, Andrew Powell, signed a draft memorandum of understanding aimed at streamlining the environmental approvals process.

"The proposed one-stop shop doesn't mean lower environmental standards, it just means a simpler process," TTF chief executive Ken Morrison said. "Having a single environmental approvals process would give investors greater certainty and confidence to put money into new tourism products and experiences."

 

Princess Cruises has released a range of voyages from Brisbane in 2014, ranging in duration from seven to 104 nights.

Round-trip cruises include a 35-night Australia and New Zealand voyage on Dawn Princess, departing April 15 which costs from $4499 per person and a 41-night Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific cruise on Sea Princess, departing April 7 which costs $5799 per person.  

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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