Finnair has been named Best International Airline – Off-Line Carrier for the fifth consecutive year in the prestigious AFTA National Travel Industry Awards for 2017.
These annual awards acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of individuals and product within the Australian travel and tourism industry over the last 12 months.
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Tauck Small Ship Cruising, known for intimate yacht-like luxury ships, all-inclusive packages and intimate shore excursions, is setting sail with four distinct European itineraries in 2018, part of Tauck’s global portfolio of 17 small ship cruises.
From the warmer waters of the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas to the medieval ports along the Baltic Sea and the rugged coasts of the British and Irish Isles,
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Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has launched a fresh series of back-to-back cruises, where longer and more in-depth voyages from 14 to 34 days feature few repeated ports in the new Star Collector Voyages.
In addition to the elegance of an extended trip with the luxury of unpacking only once,
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Aqua Expeditions, one of the world’s leading luxury river cruise companies, will host a 4-night Wellness Departure on Aqua Mekong, in December 2017 for those who want to stay physically and mentally balanced while sailing along one of the most historically and culturally rich areas of the world.
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Casa Angelina on Italy’s Amalfi Coast has announced exclusive offers for Australian guests wishing to stay at this stunning boutique hotel during the European Autumn in 2017.
Casa Angelina overlooks expanses of the Mediterranean Sea from a cliff-edge perch in the quiet and picturesque Campania village of Praiano,
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Travel agents are invited to enjoy a break on Norfolk Island alone or with a friend to experience the wonderful variety of adventure, wellbeing, dining, adventure, cultural and historical activities on offer at this popular short-haul holiday destination for Australians.
Air New Zealand will support the Self Famil Program with a $179 (plus taxes) ‘works’ industry fare and $319 (plus taxes) ‘works’ friend fare for return flights ex-Sydney from 21 July to 1 September and ex-Brisbane from 5 August to 22 August.
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Rayavadee in Krabi has announced a Summer Offer including bonus complimentary nights for guest stays from Australia in a Deluxe Pavilion at this popular resort in Thailand through to the end of October 2017.
This Rayavadee Summer Offer is applicable for new bookings only of a minimum 4-night stay in a Deluxe Pavilion,
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Set against the stunning backdrop of Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach, The Library has announced a Stay 4, Pay 3 Free Night Promotion for guests visiting this beautiful Thai island resort from 1 July until 20 December 2017.
The special promotion is designed to entice guests to The Library and fascinating Koh Samui during and around the peak travel season of July to September and to enjoy the many and varied attractions from lush jungles and waterfalls to the famous Grandma and Grandpa Rocks (Hin Ta &
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Finnair has been named, for the eighth consecutive year by Skytrax, as Northern Europe’s Best Airline at the World Airline Awards at the Paris Air Show.
Finnair General Manager, Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone, said “we are thrilled with this recognition once more with Skytrax as Finnair continues to invest significantly in our growing A350 fleet and customer experience from the time of booking through to check in and on board service”.
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Aqua Expeditions, one of the world’s leading luxury river cruise companies, is giving guests the opportunity to ‘capture the moment’ on an exclusive 4-night Photography Cruise along the magnificent Mekong River in December 2017 being presented by talented fine art and architectural photographer and videographer, Francisco Marin.
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The Unique Tourism Collection has been appointed Australian representative for the beautiful Thailand resort, Pimalai Resort & Spa in Koh Lanta.
Sydney-based The Unique Tourism Collection will be responsible for all sales and marketing activity in Australia for Pimalai Resort & Spa.
Pimalai Resort & Spa General Manager,
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In conjunction with Finland’s upcoming centennial anniversary, Finnair is launching three new food collaborations for its onboard meals.
Finnair General Manager – Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone said the collaborations, which intend to promote Finland’s healthy and hearty food culture, are being rolled out in cooperation with the ELO Foundation,
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Pioneering Thai health and wellness resort, Chiva-Som has announced an all-inclusive accommodation offer across its exclusive range of Specialty Retreats.
The offer applies to guests staying a minimum 3 nights at the resort, which is situated within seven acres of tropical gardens in the Royal city of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand,
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Norfolk Island continues to be a popular short-haul holiday destination for New Zealanders and will be a major focus for increased travel from this market in a new destination campaign being launched in July.
This upcoming activity in New Zealand showcasing Norfolk Island offering a real and authentic holiday experience will also highlight the introduction of Norfolk Island Airlines’ weekly flights from Auckland and Brisbane commencing in June.
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Tauck, the 92-year-old leader in upscale guided travel, has announced its European river cruising plans for 2018, and the coming year will see the launch of two all-new cruise itineraries, the debut of two radically redesigned ships, and added enhancements to the shore excursions featured fleet-wide.
New for 2018 are itineraries on the Danube and Rhine – 14-day ‘Royal Danube,
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Aqua Expeditions has unveiled its 2017-18 four-colour glossy brochure focussing on the leading luxury cruise operator’s hosted departures on its boutique Aria Amazon and Aqua Mekong cruises.
The new brochure provides fully illustrated details of 3, 4 and 7-night cruise offerings being hosted by Aqua Expeditions CEO and Founder,
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Finnair and Finavia, together with Futurice, will test the use of face recognition technology for the check-in process of Finnair flights at Helsinki Airport.
Finnair General Manager, Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone said during the test period until 23 May, the companies will gather information on the applicability of face recognition technology to the airport environment and the systems and processes used by the airline.
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The Unique Tourism Collection has appointed Trina Shepherd to the new role of Account Director for Norfolk Island Tourism.
Based in Sydney, Ms Shepherd will be responsible for continuing to develop the momentum growth in visitor numbers and implementing new marketing opportunities for Norfolk Island.
Ms Shepherd joins UTC from Tourism Australia where she worked in Industry Events on activity in preparation for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
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Due to the continued increase in demand for Lapland as a tourist destination, Finnair is growing its capacity to several Lapland airports for the winter European 2017 season.
Finnair General Manager, Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone said between 1 January and March 24 2018, Finnair will add four weekly frequencies to Rovaniemi operating on Wednesdays,
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Tauck has announced plans to double its small ship cruising capacity within the next four years through strategic fleet expansion, deepened partnership programs and new itineraries.
“We are destination explorers at Tauck and some destinations are best explored by both land and sea,” said Tauck President, Jennifer Tombaugh.
“Tauck Small Ship Cruising is our first product line to sell out each year,” said Ms Tombaugh.
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Norfolk Island Airlines is pleased to announce that their new Norfolk Island flights are now available for booking online.
Customers can see flight availability, and purchase tickets, via our website; www.norfolkislandairlines.com.au or make bookings through the local travel agents.
Weekly Saturday flights will commence Saturday, the 17th June 2017 with return flights from Norfolk Island to Brisbane and Auckland*.
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Award-winning boutique cruise line, Windstar Cruises has announced a return to Alaska sailings in its northern Spring/Summer 2018 ports of call also taking in British Columbia.
The news comes on the heels of Windstar’s recent announcement of its return to Asia in 2017/18, with the 212-guest,
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Aqua Expeditions, one of world’s leading luxury river cruise companies, has announced a Safari Odyssey being co-hosted in October 2017 by Aqua Expeditions Founder, Francesco Galli-Zugaro and renowned safari guide Howard Saunders, Founder of the Shackleton & Selous Society.
The 14-day adventure for up to 10 guests will journey into the African wilderness and has been developed with a dual purpose of exploring two iconic rivers of the world,
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Chiva-Som has unveiled its newly renovated Ocean Rooms and Suites in the north, central and south wings of this pioneering and acclaimed Thailand health and wellness resort situated in Hua Hin, 185 km south of Bangkok.
The improvements provide a truly elegant wellness retreat experience, beyond the world-class treatment quality and comfort for which Chiva-Som is recognised throughout the world.
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Aqua Expeditions, the leading luxury river cruise operator, has announced a new collaboration with renowned champion of ocean conservation and environmental protection, Jean-Michel Cousteau, offering travellers a series of 3, 4 and 7-night cruises in 2017 and 2018 hosted by the famed explorer on the two vessels.
The son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau,
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Top Australian and New Zealand artists will once again be drawn together for the annual Norfolk Island Country Music Festival which is happening from 15 – 19 May.
The Festival this year celebrates 25 years of honouring new and established talent from both sides of the Tasman during the week-long line-up of activities at this popular short-haul holiday destination.
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Stunning Emily Bay on Norfolk Island has been named one of the Top 10 Beaches – Australia in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2017.
Emily Bay has been selected following TripAdvisor’s analysis of the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings across beaches worldwide collected over a 12-month period as well as booking interest on TripAdvisor.
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To celebrate the launch to the Australian market of The Library in Thailand, an additional 2% agency commission will apply for any bookings made in March 2017 for a minimum 3 nights.
A member of Design Hotels, The Library is set against the stunning backdrop of Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach.
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Aqua Expeditions is celebrating the launch of family-friendly cruises aboard Aqua Mekong in 2017 with a Family Promotion offering complimentary travel for children aged 7 to 12 years.
This family incentive will be available on 3, 4 and 7-night Aqua Mekong departures from 5 May to 1 June and 1 July to 11 August 2017 for children sharing with both parents in a triple cabin or sharing with a single parent in a double cabin.
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Visitor numbers from Australia to Norfolk Island are increasing as this popular short-haul holiday destination introduces more wonderful adventure, dining, cultural, historical and relaxation experiences for all to enjoy.
Air New Zealand continues to operate its schedule of flights to Norfolk Island from Sydney on Mondays and Fridays and from Brisbane on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
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The Unique Tourism Collection has been appointed Australian representative for the stunning Thailand resort, The Library, which is set against the seductive backdrop of Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach.
Sydney-based, The Unique Tourism Collection is marking 25 years of luxury travel and tourism marketing communications representation in 2017 and will be responsible for all sales,
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Finnair will offer more connections to Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia, further improving connectivity with Finnair’s network in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Finnair General Manager Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone confirmed Finnair will double its flights between Helsinki and Moscow from 10 April,
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Roland Svensson has been named General Manager of stunning Vietnam resort, Amiana on the Bay, lapping the waters of Nha Trang Bay.
Mr Svensson has a wealth of hotel and resort experience, having worked in a number of international properties, commencing with senior Food & Beverage appointments in Dubai,
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Finnair will introduce non-stop flights to Finnish Lapland from London, Paris, Frankfurt and Zürich from mid-December 2017 until the end of March 2018.
Finnair General Manager Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone said Finnair will operate two weekly flights between London’s Gatwick airport and Ivalo on Thursdays and Sundays,
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Travel the World has appointed The Unique Tourism Collection as Australian Public Relations Representative for Chiva-Som and Windstar Cruises.
Acclaimed Thai destination spa resort, Chiva-Som and elegant small ship operator, Windstar Cruises are within the portfolio of Travel the World, which in 2017 is celebrating 40 years of service to the tourism industry,
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Finnair has announced that it is expanding for the European Winter 2017 season with new scheduled flights to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Havana in Cuba, Goa in India and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
Finnair General Manager, Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone said the carrier would also be adding extra frequencies to many of its popular European Winter holiday and business destinations in Asia.
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Aqua Expeditions, one of world’s leading luxury river cruise companies, has announced two new hosted voyages for 2017 after the extraordinary success of the programs in 2016. Guests will have the exclusive chance of joining company Founder and CEO, Francesco Galli Zugaro, or Consulting Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, on Aria Amazon on the Peruvian Amazon and Aqua Mekong on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.
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In line with its growth strategy, Finnair has today announced that it will be adding capacity on several popular European short-haul routes for the upcoming year.
Due to the popular demand of the new Reykjavik route which begins on 11 April, Finnair General Manager, Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia,
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‘Hmong Songs of Memory, Hmong Threads of Life: Secular & Sacred Music & Textiles’, an all-new exhibition by American researcher, writer and film maker Victoria Vorreiter, is open for all to enjoy at Tamarind Village Chiang Mai in Thailand.
The exhibition explores the music and textile traditions of the Hmong,
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Finnair will extend the lease of an Airbus A330 aircraft and crew from Iberia for its Miami route through to 1 May 2017.
Finnair previously announced that the Miami route would be operated by Iberia from 10 to 31 January 2017. Finnair flies to Miami three times a week.
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Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is constantly on the road getting the first glimpse of the latest openings, game-changing hotel concepts and the most far flung destinations. Naturally, we feel we know a thing or two about hotels and destinations, not least because we’ve made it our business for the last 26 years.
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The Sarojin is inviting couples to enjoy a romantic journey to this acclaimed resort in Khao Lak, Thailand for a memorable time away together during the month of Valentine in February 2017.
This stunning and popular holiday hot-spot for Australians is presenting a 3-night Luxury Valentine offer for couples including beautifully appointed residence or suite accommodation and special resort experiences.
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In case you missed it this week, Norfolk Island as the hottest place for Australia for travellers in 2017. See link below:
Thanks for all your help and support for our beautiful destination.
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Finnair and the Finnish Figure Skating Association have signed a partner agreement for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships to be held in Helsinki from 29 March 29 to 2 April 2017.
Approximately 65,000 people are expected to attend the event, with large groups travelling to Helsinki especially from North America and Asia.
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Finnair has announced a new partnership with Finnish Chef Eero Vottonen for the airline’s latest Signature Menu collaboration. The Signature Menu cooperation with Eero Vottonen will bring true Nordic elements to Finnair’s long-haul business class customers flying out of Helsinki to all destinations as of 11 January 2017.
Last year,
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Finnair will add a new short-haul route to Astana, Kazakhstan for the European summer 2017 season. Finnair will operate two weekly flights between Helsinki and Astana, from 20 June to 11 August. The new route will coincide with the 2017 World Expo which starts in June 2017.
Finnair’s flights to Astana will be flown with an A319 aircraft and have a duration of 4 hours 10 minutes.
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The Sarojin has unveiled two exciting new bicycle adventures inviting guests on a journey of discovery taking in the fascinating history, culture, community and landscape which surround this luxury boutique resort in Khao Lak, Thailand.
In a contrast of experiences, one can head in the direction of the unspoilt land of the rural island of Koh Kho Khao or venture to the historic and cultural town of Old Takuapa – or take on both cycle tours.
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Aqua Expeditions has announced the launch of a series of unique hosted journeys exclusively for women for 2017. Offering unparallelled access to the world’s greatest rivers in utmost comfort, women will be able to embark on limited-edition experiential journeys from January 2017. Cruising on both the Amazon and Mekong rivers,
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This month, SLH welcomes three new properties in Mexico to our portfolio of boutique luxury hotels. The hotels join alongside seven other SLH properties in Mexico.
Stara Hamburgo; Mexico City, Mexico
Rooms from USD210 (approx. AUD278) per night based on two sharing
Newly opened in January 2016,
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The much anticipated Finnair A350 XWB (extra wide body) aircraft on Singapore–Helsinki route departed Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) Terminal 1 for the first time at 11:35pm on Monday 17 October.
The inaugural flight departure was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and meet-and-greet with the Finnish Ambassador to Singapore HE Paula Parviainen.
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