November 2009

Viral Online Game "DER BESTE URLAUB DER WELT", Germany TQ Europe has launched a new Online Game on their German website to promote the "Best Holiday in the World" (BESTER URLAUB DER WELT). The game will be online until December 31 2009. The involved partners are Dertour, Emirates, Tourism Australia, Apollo and Hamilton Island (Qualia). If you live in Germany, Switzerland, Austria or Luxemburg click here to participate.

Accommodation
	Bloomfield blooming again / Tropical North Queensland After closing briefly for maintenance, Bloomfield Lodge has reopened its luxurious doors in Tropical North Queensland. The exclusive five-star rainforest retreat now features a new fitness centre and treatment room complex as well as updated bathrooms. Bloomfield Lodge offers guests the ultimate in indulgent relaxation against the breathtaking backdrop of two World Heritage listed areas - the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. www.bloomfieldlodge.com.au
	Kewarra Beach Resort Renovations 2010 / Tropical North Queensland Kewarra Beach Resort will soon be embarking on a multi-million dollar renovation and capital improvements project. The work will include renovation to reception, lounge areas, the restaurant, cocktail bar and conference facilities. A new health spa will be introduced, gardens overhauled and a wildlife rehabilitation reserve added. The work is scheduled between 9 April and 1 June 2010 and during that time Kewarra Beach Resort will be closed. www.kewarra.com
	Treetops rebranded to Mercure Port Douglas Treetops / Tropical North Queensland One of Port Douglas’ pioneering resorts - Treetops Resort & Spa - is joining Accor’s Mercure hotel network after the completion of a major refurbishment. The hotel was re-branded to Mercure Port Douglas Treetops in May. Over the past six months, the hotel has received an extensive renovation, including upgrading of rooms, the restaurant and public areas and a fresh new paint scheme throughout the resort. Renowned for the sensitive design of the hotel, the Mercure is built around melaleuca trees, with the low-rise accommodation set amongst rainforest gardens, free flowing waterways and lily ponds. www.mercure.com.au
	Spicers Clovelly Estate opens in Sunshine Coast Hinterland / Southern Queensland Spicers Clovelly Estate is set on nine hectares of lush country land within easy reach of the beaches of Noosa and Mooloolaba, just 90 minutes from Brisbane, and located five minutes drive from the township of Montville. The property features accommodation in 10 five star provincial French style rooms, including a spacious suite and junior suite and will be one of the Sunshine Coast’s most luxurious and intimate accommodation experiences. Other facilities include a day spa and a fine dining restaurant specialising in an innovative four or seven course degustation menu and an extensive wine list. www.spicersclovellyestate.com.au
	New Brisbane YHA offers "Australia experience"/ Brisbane A new purpose-built Brisbane City YHA offering budget travellers from around the globe the ultimate Australia experience has opened in the CBD. The state-of-the-art 372 bed hostel redevelopment project at Brisbane City YHA offers guests the full ‘Australia Experience’, with themed accommodation facilities promoting the iconic experiences of Australia; city, rainforest, Outback, reef and beach. Located in Brisbane’s CBD with elevated views across the Brisbane River, Brisbane City YHA features top quality budget accommodation and living areas with roof-top pool, indoor and outdoor dining and entertainment areas, private and multi-share accommodation, tour desk, high-tech communications facilities, self-catering kitchen and a licensed bar/bistro. www.yha.com.au
Tours & Attractions
	Sailaway receives highest environmental accreditation / Tropical North Queensland Port Douglas-based luxury reef vessel Sailaway recently received the highest environmental accreditation by Ecotourism Australia. Sailaway was named a "Climate Change Leader" at the Going Green Expo in Brisbane for becoming 100% Green Carbon Neutral sailing to the Great Barrier Reef. The vessel’s environmental initiatives include its primary wind power, use of bio-diesel, low emission tenders, recycling and onboard waste water treatment. For more details, visit www.sailawayportdouglas.com
	New safaris in the sky / Tropical North Queensland Skysafari Australia has launched four new tours combining a scenic helicopter flight and some of Tropical North Queensland’s famed attractions. For a taste of indigenous culture join the new ‘Guurrbi Experience’ tour which takes passengers on a scenic coastal flight to Cooktown where Aboriginal elder Willie Gordon leads them on a guided tour to six rock art sites. Or to experience some of the tropical north’s best fishing, Skysafari's new ‘Reel Heli Fishing’ tour is sure to please. For a unique pampering experience the new ‘Height of Indulgence’ tour includes return scenic flights over the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest to an exclusive landing destination at Julatten Mountain Retreat. The new ‘Cape York in a Day’ tour means visitors to Tropical North Queensland no longer have to spend hours driving to discover the northernmost tip of Australia. The full day experience includes return flights from Cairns to Bamaga where passengers then transfer to a 4WD to discover the rugged beauty of this remote area. www.skysafari.com.au
	New audio tour for Reef HQ / Townsville Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville has released a new multi-media audio tour for visitors. The audio tour of the complex, which includes the world’s largest living marine aquarium and a range of other exhibits including one featuring marine predators, provides a guided commentary with full colour images for all of the major exhibits and displays within Reef HQ www.reefhq.com.au
	Whitsundays welcomes Koala Adventure Island /Whitsundays The former South Molle Island Resort in the beautiful Whitsundays has been transformed and reopened as The Koala Adventure Resort for guests aged 18 and over. The resort has been renovated and now features Balinese-inspired massage beds, bamboo day beds and thatched pergolas along the beach and foreshore area. There are plenty of activities to choose from including sailing, diving, snorkeling, fishing, bushwalking, tennis, beach volleyball and nightly entertainment. www.koalaadventureisland.com
	Discovery launches new tour/ Sunshine Coast Noosa-based The Discovery Group has added to its family of Noosa-Fraser Island packages an experience that connects the two stunning areas with Lady Elliot Island, the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. The six-night package combines the best of Noosa’s cosmopolitan beach atmosphere, and recent UNESCO Biosphere Reserve rating, with two UNESCO World Heritage destinations - Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island. The new Reef and Beach Discovery package is ideal for the discerning traveller seeking a uniquely Australian experience. www.thediscoverygroup.com.au
	A Great Day Out on Great Keppel Island / Central Queensland A new day trip to Great Keppel Island is enticing visitors back to this pristine island near Rockhampton in Central Queensland. The ‘Great Keppel Island Great Day Out’ package includes return ferry transfers from the mainland, tea and coffee on arrival, a thrilling tube ride along Fisherman’s Beach and free use of snorkel gear and fins, kayaks, catamarans, sun suits and life jackets. Situated just 30 minutes by boat from the mainland, Great Keppel Island is renowned for its 17 beautiful beaches and fantastic bushwalking opportunities. Snorkel, scuba dive, swim and paddle in the safe beaches, relax on the sand, or enjoy a walk to the lookout for fantastic views of the other 13 islands in the Keppel Bay group. You can also choose to add an overnight stay at the Great Keppel Island Holiday Village just behind the sand dunes amongst the gum trees. www.gkiholidayvillage.com.au
Miscellaneous
	New name and corporate identity for Stella Hotel Group Stella Hospitality Group announced a new corporate identity and changed their company name to Mantra Group. They will continue to operate the three successful hotel brands of Peppers, Mantra and Break Free. The new name of Mantra Group with 140 properties and 3500 employees, represents the best in home-grown skills and service and is synonymous with integrity and professionalism. www.mantragroup.com.au
	Hamilton Island opens new golf course / Whitsunday Islands Hamilton Island has opened its Peter Thomson-designed 18 hole golf course. The Hamilton Island Golf Course is a 6.083m, par 71 course featuring unparalleled panoramic views of the Whitsunday islands from all 18 holes. Golfers will reach the course by a short five-minute boat ride from Hamilton Island. www.hamiltonisland.com.au
	Lady Elliot goes greener / Islands of the Great Barrier Reef Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort has become one of the first island resorts in Australia to move almost entirely to renewable energy, dramatically reducing its carbon footprint and lowering dangerous risk to marine life. The Great Barrier Reef island resort has reduced its diesel consumption and carbon emissions by at least 75 per cent since 2005 through a combination of activities including solar and gas technology, water desalination and most recently a new three-phase solar hybrid power station. www.ladyelliot.com.au

	Korean Air increases flights to Brisbane Korean Air will increase its direct air capacity to Australia from 5.541 to 6.686 seats per week, effective from 25 October. This represents a total 21 per cent increase in capacity to Korean Air’s three Australian gateways, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The Brisbane route will increase from three flights per week to five flights, resulting in 592 new seats or a 66 per cent capacity increase per week. www.koreanair.com
	Thai Airways reinstates direct flights between Bangkok and Brisbane Thai Airways has announced it is reinstating direct flights between Bangkok and Brisbane. Thai Airways is the only airline to fly between Thailand and Queensland and last week reinstated five direct flights per week. The airline ceased direct flights from Bangkok to Brisbane in June 2007 when the airline decided to fly inbound to Sydney and then on to Brisbane. Thai Airways is a major international player with extensive flight coverage across Continental Europe, the UK, China, Japan, India and South East Asia. www.thaiair.com

25.11.- 06.12.2009 : Tourism Tropical North Queensland Roadshow, Europe
26.11.2009 : Asia dans votre ville: Agent Training Nantes, France
28.11.2009 : Reismarkt Wereldcontact, the Netherlands
29.11.2009: Aussie Tours Consumer Show, Belgium
07.-10.12.2009: ILTM Cannes, France
12.-17.01.2010: Vakantiebeurs, the Netherlands
19.-21.01.2010: Australia Roadshow, France
28.-31. 01.2010: FESPO Trade Show, Switzerland
18.-21.02.2010: BIT Milan, Italy