Browsing Tag

Sydney

Vivid Sydney – art meets technology with “a little magic on top”

Alastair Newport May 28, 2018

This weekend saw the night above Sydney’s skyline erupt into a dazzling rainbow of colour with the opening celebrations of Vivid Sydney, described by organisers as “the world's largest…

onefinestay launches in Sydney, Melbourne and… Mykonos

Alastair Newport May 2, 2018

Private rental brand and Accor Group subsidiary onefinestay, has unveiled a glut of new sites to its global portfolio of luxury destinations today, with the announcement it will add 22…

Vietnam embarks on Australian tourism roadshow

Mark Elliott Aug 15, 2017

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has kicked off a three-city roadshow in Australia. Supported by Singapore Airlines, the Vietnam Tourism Roadshow will include events…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates from Thai Smile, Lao Airlines, Jetstar and more

Mark Elliott Jul 31, 2017

Thai Smile flies to Lucknow Where? Bangkok (Thailand) to Lucknow (India) When? Four times a week, effective immediately Who? Thai Smile Why? Thai Airways' regional subsidiary taps…

Airlines and Aviation

Aircraft bomb plot foiled in Sydney

Mark Elliott Jul 30, 2017

Australian police have foiled a bomb plot linked to an aircraft in Sydney. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that counter-terrorism teams conducted raids at several addresses in…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas responds to rising Japanese demand

Mark Elliott Jul 28, 2017

Qantas is responding to rising demand for travel between Australia and Japan with the launch of a new seasonal service to Osaka. The airline has revealed plans to operate direct flights…

Where to Stay: new hotels in Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and more

Mark Elliott Jul 26, 2017

X2 Vibe Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel Location: In the On Nut district of Bangkok Grade: Upper-midscale Keys: 145 rooms and 121 serviced residences Facilities: Café, bar, saltwater…

Two new hotels touch down at Sydney Airport

Mark Elliott Jul 20, 2017

Travellers at Sydney Airport will soon have the option of breaking up their journey at a choice of two new hotels. Earlier this week, Australia's Mantra Group officially opened Mantra…

Where to Stay: new hotels in China, India, Australia and more

Mark Elliott Jul 10, 2017

Element Foshan Nanhai Location: In Shishan Town, close to Nanhai Central Park in southern China's Guangdong province Grade: Upscale Keys: 329 Facilities: Restaurant, lounge, 24/7…

Travellanda sees sharp rise in Australian sales

Mark Elliott Jul 6, 2017

Travellanda, the global bedbank, has reported a sharp increase in its Australian sales and plans to ramp up is operations in the country. In the most recent fiscal year ending 31 March…

New ferry service for Sydney conference centre

Mark Elliott Jul 3, 2017

Captain Cook Cruises has been given the green light to launch new ferry services to and from the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney. The new service will commence in just…

Sail around the world with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Maria Airey Jun 28, 2017

Guests onboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Around the World sailing in 2018/19 will have the chance to celebrate New Year in Sydney, as shown in the new brochure. The brochure showcases…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates from AirAsia, China Airlines, Malindo and more

Mark Elliott Jun 28, 2017

AirAsia connects Thailand's regional cities Where? Chiang Mai to Ubon Ratchathani (both Thailand) When? Daily, effective immediately Who? Thai AirAsia Why? Low-cost carrier provides…

Airlines and Aviation

Jetstar’s Dreamliner takes off to Vietnam

Mark Elliott Jun 8, 2017

Australia's Jetstar Airways has launched its first flights to Vietnam, using its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The inaugural service departed this week and Jetstar will now operate…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas boosts Sydney-Auckland capacity as Emirates pulls out

Mark Elliott Jun 2, 2017

Qantas will add more seat capacity on the Sydney-Auckland sector next month, following the suspension of Emirates' services on the route. The Dubai-based carrier currently flies its…

Where to Stay: New hotels in India, Australia, Maldives and more…

Mark Elliott Apr 17, 2017

Eastin Hotel Kurseong Location: Located on the foothills of the Himalayas in India's Darjeeling tea-producing area, West Bengal state Grade: Upscale Keys: 35 Facilities: Five…

Where to Stay: New hotels in KL, Shenzhen, Sydney and more…

Mark Elliott Apr 12, 2017

Mercure Kuala Lumpur Shaw Parade Location: Pudu, on the fringe of KL's Bukit Bintang retail and entertainment area Grade: Upper-midscale Keys: 213 Facilities: Restaurant, lobby…

Adele boosts Sydney hotel sector

Mark Elliott Apr 11, 2017

Sydney's hotel sector continued to perform strongly in March 2017, as Adele's Australian tour helped push citywide occupancy over the 90% mark. According to the latest data from STR,…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: new flights to Sydney, Bangkok, Nha Trang and more…

Mark Elliott Mar 28, 2017

New Chinese connection for Thailand's Hat Yai Where? Kunming (China) to Hat Yai, pictured (Thailand) When? Three times a week, effective 1 April 2017 Who? Kunming Airlines Why?…

Cunard to spend record two months in Australia

Mark Elliott Mar 14, 2017

Cunard has released details of its 2019 international cruise programme, which will include a record two-month season in Australia. Australians will be able to choose from 27 local…

Where to Stay: New hotels around the world, including the latest Nobu

Mark Elliott Mar 13, 2017

ibis Saigon Airport Location: Five minutes' drive from Ho Chi Minh City's airport, Tan Son Nhat International Grade: Economy Keys: 282, including 65 serviced apartments Facilities:…

Airlines and Aviation

Garuda boosts Australian routes

Mark Elliott Mar 8, 2017

Garuda Indonesia will increase its flights to Australia this summer, providing more connections to and from Jakarta and Bali. In a joint press conference with Tourism Australia, the…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas forms Asian connections with Israel

Mark Elliott Feb 23, 2017

Qantas and El Al have formed a new partnership aimed at improving flight connectivity between Australia and Israel. Under the new agreement, the national carriers will connect with…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: Uzbekistan Airways, Jetstar, Tibet Airlines and more

Mark Elliott Feb 9, 2017

New link between biggest cities in Uzbekistan and Pakistan Where? Tashkent (Uzbekistan) to Lahore (Pakistan) When? Twice a week, effective immediately Who? Uzbekistan Airways Why?…

Australia considers high-speed Hyperloop

Mark Elliott Feb 8, 2017

The Australian government is considering plans to use Elon Musk's Hyperloop as an ultra-high-speed way of connecting Sydney and Melbourne. The Hyperloop was suggested this week in a…

Thailand showcases stories on Sydney trams

Mark Elliott Feb 8, 2017

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is ramping up its promotional efforts in Sydney with a new campaign on the city's trams. The so-called "Megasides" on Sydney's Light Rail carriages…

Australian hotel rates hit record high

Mark Elliott Jan 26, 2017

Hotels in Australia are cashing in on strong demand by raising room rates to record levels. According to the latest data from STR, the country's average daily rate (ADR) reached…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas adds new capital connection to China

Mark Elliott Jan 25, 2017

Qantas’ Asian expansion strategy took another step forward today (25 January 2017) with the relaunch of direct flights to China’s capital city, Beijing. The Australian national carrier…

Airlines and Aviation

Australia’s Jetstar plans first flights to Vietnam

Mark Elliott Jan 19, 2017

Vietnam's tourism industry will get a lift this year when Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar launches its first two routes to the country. In May 2017, Jetstar will start operating…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: Vietnam Airlines, AirAsia X and more

Mark Elliott Jan 16, 2017

Second Sydney service for Vietnam Airlines Where? Hanoi (Vietnam) to Sydney (Australia) When? Three times a week, effective 29 March 2017 Who? Vietnam Airlines Why? Continues the…

Viking ship to invade Asia in 2018

Mark Elliott Jan 13, 2017

Viking Ocean Cruises has unveiled a series of new Asian itineraries for 2018 and 2019. The new voyages will enable passengers to board in a series of key Asia Pacific destinations,…

Where to Stay: New hotels in Sri Lanka, China, India and Australia

Mark Elliott Jan 10, 2017

Jetwing Lake Location: 5km from town of Dambulla, central Sri Lanka Grade: Upscale Keys: 94 Facilities: 71-metre pool, spa, gym, two restaurants (including Chinese) Meeting space:…

Chinese mega-incentive returns to Sydney

Mark Elliott Jan 3, 2017

More than 8,000 representatives of Amway China have descended on Sydney for a mega-incentive trip. The group, which is attending the Amway China Leadership Seminar 2017, is one of the…

Airlines and Aviation

Fly round the world in the Southern Hemisphere

Mark Elliott Dec 2, 2016

A new round-the-world fare has been launched by oneworld that offers travel solely within the Southern Hemisphere. The new option has been enabled by the recent launch of LATAM Airlines'…

Sydney expects 10 million summer visits

Mark Elliott Dec 1, 2016

Sydney is gearing up for a bumper tourist season, with 10 million visitors expected to head to the city this summer. Destination NSW revealed that the projected total would include…

Hyatt Regency returns to Australia

Mark Elliott Dec 1, 2016

The Hyatt Regency brand has returned to Australia with the launch of the Hyatt Regency Sydney. The former Four Points by Sheraton Sydney at Darling Harbour has now been rebranded and…

Airlines and Aviation

Wuhan gets new Australian connection

Mark Elliott Nov 11, 2016

Wuhan, the largest city in central China, will get a new direct connection to Australia next year. China Eastern Airlines has announced plans to commence direct flights between Wuhan…

Restaurant pops up at top of Sydney Harbour Bridge

Mark Elliott Oct 14, 2016

Australian celebrity chef Luke Mangan embarked on his most ambitious culinary venture last week, when he opened a pop-up restaurant at the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Mangan served…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas spreads wings in China

Mark Elliott Oct 13, 2016

Qantas will expand its operations in China next year with the launch of a new service between Sydney and Beijing. Commencing on 25 January 2017, flights will operate daily using an…

Airlines and Aviation

Air India adds Australian flights due to “overwhelming” demand

Mark Elliott Sep 30, 2016

Air India will introduce three more flights to Australia next year. The Economic Times reported the national carrier's chairman & managing director, Ashwani Lohani, as confirming…

Emerald Princess begins long journey to Australia

Mark Elliott Sep 29, 2016

Princess Cruises’ largest ship left the UK this week for a journey halfway around the world. The 3,082-passenger Emerald Princess set off from Southampton for a 48-night voyage that…

Airlines and Aviation

SIA to fly direct from Indonesia to Australia

Mark Elliott Sep 28, 2016

Singapore Airlines has unveiled plans for a significant expansion of its operations in Indonesia, including the launch of direct flights between Jakarta and Sydney. The new route, which…

Airlines and Aviation

NSW partners Hainan Airlines as new flights take off

Mark Elliott Sep 14, 2016

Destination NSW has formed a new marketing partnership with Hainan Airlines. Coinciding with the launch of the Chinese airline's new direct flights from Changsha and Xi'an and Sydney,…

Airlines and Aviation

Christchurch to get first A380 flights

Mark Elliott Sep 6, 2016

Emirates will become the first airline to fly to the Airbus A380 to Christchurch next month. Effective 30 October 2016, the Dubai-based carrier will upgrade its daily service to the…

New look for ibis budget Sydney

Mark Elliott Sep 5, 2016

The results of a AU$2.5 million (US$1.9m) revamp of the ibis budget Sydney East hotel have been unveiled, with a new look for the property's rooms and communal areas. All 115 rooms…

Airlines and Aviation

Sydney expands Chinese links with new Hangzhou flights

Mark Elliott Sep 5, 2016

The connections between mainland China and Sydney continue to multiply. Just weeks after the announcements of new connections to the Australian city from Kunming, Chengdu and…

Four Seasons Sydney to revamp high-rise club

Mark Elliott Sep 1, 2016

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney has unveiled plans to renovate of its Executive Club, the 32nd floor lounge that overlooks Sydney Harbour. The venue will close on 25 September to undertake the…

NSW generates record international tourism revenues

Mark Elliott Aug 31, 2016

International visitors to New South Wales spent AU$9.1 billion (US$6.9bn) in the state in the 12 months to 30 June 2016, marking an 18% year-on-year increase and a new record.…

Airlines and Aviation

China Eastern to connect Kunming with Sydney

Mark Elliott Aug 30, 2016

China Eastern Airlines will expand its long-haul route map from Kunming later this year, with the launch of the city's first ever flights to Australia. Commencing on 24 November 2016,…

Airlines and Aviation

Air China to link Sydney with Chengdu

Mark Elliott Aug 26, 2016

Air China has confirmed plans to launch a new direct service between Chengdu and Sydney. At a press conference in Chengdu on Thursday, the airline revealed that the new route would…

Airlines and Aviation

Sydney gets connected to two more Chinese cities

Mark Elliott Aug 23, 2016

China's Hainan Airlines will launch its first ever flights to Australia next month, with the launch of two all-new routes to Sydney within the space of three days. On 12 September 2016,…

Parkroyal adds new club rooms in Sydney

Mark Elliott Aug 18, 2016

Pan Pacific Hotel Group will soon be able to offer more options to business travellers in Sydney, following a major revamp of its Parkroyal hotel in the city that has included the…

Sydney Opera House set for biggest-ever revamp

Mark Elliott Aug 11, 2016

The government of New South Wales has unveiled plans for the biggest programme of upgrades to the Sydney Opera House since the attraction opened in 1973. Troy Grant, the state's…

ibis Sydney Airport revamps rooms

Mark Elliott Jul 27, 2016

AccorHotels has unveiled the redesigned rooms at the ibis Sydney Airport. Local Sydney-based designer Carmen Glenister led the project, modernising all 200 rooms at the budget hotel.…

Starwood signs second Four Points in Sydney

Mark Elliott Jun 30, 2016

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed its second new Four Points hotel in Sydney in the space of a month. Following a deal penned earlier in June for the 297-room Four Points by…

NCL’s Norwegian Jewel to homeport in Australia

Mark Elliott Jun 16, 2016

Norwegian Cruise Lines has confirmed that its Norwegian Jewel cruise ship will homeport in Australia in the 2017-18 season. Following a relocation cruise from Vancouver to Sydney,…

Starwood signs new Four Points hotel in Sydney

Mark Elliott Jun 16, 2016

Starwood has signed an agreement for a brand new Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Sydney. Following the recent announcement that the existing Four Points hotel at Darling Harbour will…

Four Points Sydney to become a Hyatt

Mark Elliott Jun 9, 2016

Hyatt will add another hotel to its Sydney portfolio this year, with the launch of its Hyatt Regency brand in the city. The company has secured the management contract for the…

Brand new Pullman opens at Sydney Airport

Mark Elliott Jun 8, 2016

AccorHotels has opened the Pullman Sydney Airport, a new-build property located 600 metres from Sydney Airport’s domestic terminal and 3km from the international terminal. Spanning 12…

Sydney Airport embarks on new phase of terminal upgrades

Mark Elliott Jun 2, 2016

Sydney Airport has commenced the next stage of upgrades to its international terminal, T1. The latest phase of the project will include the redevelopment of gate lounges, improvements to…

“Indigenous-inspired” ibis hotel to be unveiled in Australia

Mark Elliott May 31, 2016

AccorHotels will unveil its first Indigenous-inspired ibis hotel in Australia on 2 June. Launched to coincide with National Reconciliation Week 2016, the hotel will be located at Sydney…

Australia’s Crown Group unveils new hotel brand

Mark Elliott May 16, 2016

Australia's Crown Group has unveiled details of its first hotel brand. The Sydney-based real estate company has confirmed that its new Skye Hotel Suites concept will open in the Sydney…

AccorHotels adds four in Australia

Mark Elliott May 3, 2016

AccorHotels, which is already Australia's largest hotel operator, has continued to expand its nationwide portfolio with the addition of four new properties. Announced at the…

Airlines and Aviation

AirAsia X adds more flights to eight destinations

Mark Elliott Apr 27, 2016

AirAsia X has unveiled plans for a major expansion of its operations, with additional flights to eight destinations across the Asia Pacific region. The Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost…

Holiday Inn Express debuts in Australia

Mark Elliott Apr 8, 2016

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) will open its first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Australia on Monday 11 April. The new Holiday Inn Express Sydney Macquarie Park is the first of 15…

Is Airbnb affecting hotels in Sydney? New report reveals the truth…

Mark Elliott Mar 30, 2016

Airbnb’s presence in Sydney is growing, but it does not appear to be having a significant impact on the city’s hotel performance, a new report has revealed. STR this week revealed the…

Queen Mary 2 to circumnavigate New Zealand

Mark Elliott Mar 23, 2016

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 cruise ship will embark on a 13-night circumnavigation of New Zealand in 2018. As part of the cruise line's new 2018 World Voyages programme, which goes on sale…

Ritz-Carlton to open at The Star Sydney

Mark Elliott Feb 25, 2016

Ritz-Carlton will return to Sydney as part of a major expansion of The Star development, it has been revealed. At the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne…

United to go “all-Dreamliner” on Australasia routes

Mark Elliott Feb 14, 2016

United Airlines will start operating its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on all routes to Australia and New Zealand this year. 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the US carrier's first flights to…

Vivid Sydney to illuminate zoo

Mark Elliott Feb 11, 2016

Vivid Sydney, the annual Australian light show, will illuminate the city's Taronga Zoo for the first time this year. Marking the 100th anniversary of the zoo, Vivid Sydney will…

Airlines and Aviation

Air China plans direct Chengdu-Sydney flights‏

Mark Elliott Dec 20, 2015

Air China intends to launch the first direct service between Sydney and Chengdu next year. The airline has applied to Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for permission to…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas, American launch two new trans-Pacific routes

Mark Elliott Dec 18, 2015

American Airlines and Qantas will launch two new trans-Pacific routes in the next 24 hours, connecting Australia with the US. Qantas flight QF73 will depart Sydney on Friday…

Airlines and Aviation

ANA launches Dreamliner flights to Sydney

Mark Elliott Dec 14, 2015

Japan's ANA has launched a new direct service to Sydney. The airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, painted in a Star Wars-themed livery, touched down in the Australian city on 13…

Scoot signs marketing deal with NSW

Mark Elliott Dec 1, 2015

Scoot has signed a new two-year marketing partnership with the government of New South Wales. Under the tie-up, the Singaporean airline will undertake a series of marketing campaigns…

Airlines and Aviation

Xiamen Airlines launches first flights to Sydney

Mark Elliott Nov 30, 2015

Xiamen Airlines touched down Australia for the first time on Monday morning, with the launch of its first new service to Sydney. The Chinese airline commenced the first of two new…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas to fly daily to Dallas

Mark Elliott Nov 26, 2015

Qantas will increase the frequency of its Sydney-Dallas service next year, upgrading to daily flights. In April 2016, the Australian carrier will add one more weekly flight to its…

Airlines and Aviation

China Southern to connect Shenzhen with Sydney

Mark Elliott Nov 25, 2015

China Southern Airlines will launch a new service connecting Shenzhen with Sydney early next year. Commencing on 20 January 2016, the new route will mark the first direct link between…

IHG signs new Crowne Plaza in central Sydney

Mark Elliott Nov 24, 2015

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement for a new Crowne Plaza hotel in Sydney’s central business district. Scheduled to open in 2019, the 160-room…

Airlines and Aviation

UAE to increase flights to Australia

Mark Elliott Nov 20, 2015

The UAE and Australia have signed an agreement that will see a significant boost in flights between the countries. It is hoped the move will see an increase in tourism between the two…

Airlines and Aviation

Hainan Airlines links Xi’an with Sydney and Tokyo‏

Mark Elliott Nov 12, 2015

Hainan Airlines has announced further plans to expand its international network from Xi’an, the capital of northern China’s Shaanxi province. Following the recent announcement of a…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas adds flights to Singapore and Hong Kong

Mark Elliott Nov 6, 2015

Qantas will add more flights to the key Asian gateways of Singapore and Hong Kong next month. On 1 December, the airline will add new Tuesday and Thursday services between Singapore…

Airlines and Aviation

Chinese aviation bites, including a new route to Cuba

Mark Elliott Oct 28, 2015

China Southern goes long-haul from Shenzhen‏ China Southern Airlines is planning to launch two new long-haul routes from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. According to a…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas, Solomon Airlines team up for Honiara flights

Mark Elliott Oct 19, 2015

Qantas and Solomon Airlines have signed a new codeshare agreement for flights between Australia and Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. From 15 November 2015, Qantas…

Sydney hotel rates highest since Olympics

Mark Elliott Oct 19, 2015

Sydney's already booming hotel sector improved even further in September. According to the latest preliminary data from STR Global, the city's average daily rate (ADR) increased 6.3%…

Naumi makes Australian debut with Rendezvous Sydney acquisition

Mark Elliott Oct 13, 2015

Naumi Hospitality has launched its first hotel in Australia, located in the centre of Sydney. The Singapore-based company has acquired the Rendezvous Hotel Sydney Central in an AU$38…

P&O’s new Australian ships named via Twitter

Mark Elliott Oct 13, 2015

In a cruise industry and social media first, P&O's two new Australian ships, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, will be officially named via Twitter. The cruise line announced this…

Norwegian Cruise Line opens Australian office

Mark Elliott Oct 5, 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has celebrated the opening of its first office the Pacific region. The new sales and marketing centre is located in Sydney, and forms part of the company's…

Airlines and Aviation

Qatar Airways to launch Sydney flights

Mark Elliott Sep 30, 2015

Qatar Airways will launch daily direct flights to Sydney next year. Commencing on 1 March 2016, the new service will depart Doha every day at 2010 and arrive in Sydney at 1805 the…

Radisson Blu Sydney unveils major revamp

Mark Elliott Sep 28, 2015

Radisson Blu Hotel Sydney has unveiled the first phase of its AU$12 million (US$8.4m) refurbishment - the first major upgrade of its rooms and function spaces since the hotel opened in…

Airlines and Aviation

Philippine Airlines flies daily to Sydney

Mark Elliott Sep 17, 2015

Philippine Airlines will increase the frequency of its Manila-Sydney route next month. Effective 25 October, the national carrier will operate daily flights to Australia's largest…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas adds Bali flights for holiday season

Mark Elliott Sep 17, 2015

Qantas has announced plans to operate new seasonal services connecting Sydney with Bali. During December 2015 and January 2016, Qantas will operate four weekly flights to the ‘Island…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas adds more flights to Hong Kong, Manila

Mark Elliott Sep 9, 2015

Qantas will add more flights to Hong Kong and Manila in the coming months, as a result of increasing demand from travellers. From 26 October 2015, Qantas will start operating four…

Australia looms as top winter destination for holidaying Brits

Aaron Greenwood Sep 1, 2015

Australia is looming as the most popular long-haul destination for holidaying Brits this winter. According to new data released by Asda Money, August saw a 102% increase in the…

Airlines and Aviation

Chinese airlines plans more flights Down Under

Mark Elliott Aug 30, 2015

Two Chinese airlines are planning to launch new direct flights to Australia in the coming month, allowing passengers from more Chinese cities to head Down Under. In a recent statement…

Asian revPAR climbs in July

Mark Elliott Aug 28, 2015

Hotels in the Asia Pacific region experienced rising occupancy, rates and revPAR (revenue per available room) in July 2015. According to the latest monthly data from STR Global, the…

Sydney to be promoted through Expedia

Mark Elliott Aug 26, 2015

Sydney and New South Wales will be promoted globally through Expedia's online channels, following the signing of a new one-year partnership. The deal between Destination NSW and Expedia…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas adds international flights

Mark Elliott Aug 11, 2015

Qantas will add more than 140 international flights between December 2015 and February 2016, to cater for strong demand during the upcoming Australian summer holiday season. In…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas expands in Japan with two new Tokyo routes

Mark Elliott Jul 31, 2015

Qantas is preparing to significantly expand its operations in Japan, with the launch of two new routes to Tokyo. On Friday evening, Qantas flight QF25 will depart Sydney Airport for…

Five P&O ships to meet in Sydney Harbour

Mark Elliott Jul 28, 2015

P&O Cruises has announced that its five Australian ships will come together in Sydney Harbour for the first time on 25 November 2015. The event will form part of a major festival…

World famous noma restaurant relocates to Sydney

Mark Elliott Jul 27, 2015

noma, the world famous Copenhagen restaurant, will arrive in Sydney next year for a 10-week residency. Head chef Rene Redzepi and his team will temporarily close the original noma…

Airlines and Aviation

American’s new LA-Sydney flights to go on sale

Mark Elliott Jul 24, 2015

American Airlines' new flights between Los Angeles and Sydney go on sale this Sunday. The new direct route will launch on 17 December 2015, as part of the airline's partnership with…

Airlines and Aviation

ANA to launch new Sydney route with Dreamliner

Mark Elliott Jul 16, 2015

ANA has unveiled plans to launch flights to Sydney, using its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Pending government approval, Japanese airline will launch daily flights between…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas to launch San Francisco flights

Mark Elliott Jul 9, 2015

Qantas has been given the green light to launch direct flights from Sydney to San Francisco. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently approved the enhancement…

Airlines and Aviation

Etihad flies A380 to Sydney

Mark Elliott Jun 1, 2015

Etihad Airways has launched its largest and most luxurious aircraft, the Airbus A380, on the Abu Dhabi-Sydney route. The double-decker aircraft will touch down in Sydney on Monday…

Australia exceeds one million cruise passengers

Mark Elliott May 26, 2015

Australia's cruise industry has reached a new milestone, as new figures revealed that more than one million Australians took a cruise holiday in 2014. One of the world's…

Starwood signs first Aloft hotel in Sydney

Mark Elliott May 12, 2015

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement for its first Aloft hotel in Sydney. Scheduled to open in November 2016, the new Aloft Sydney Pitt Street will also become…

Airlines and Aviation

Scoot deploys Dreamliners on all Australian routes

Mark Elliott Apr 30, 2015

Scoot has confirmed that from 1 May 2015, all of its Australian routes will be operated by its new fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The Singapore-based airline’s third B787 will be…

Airlines and Aviation

Cebu Pacific wants more Australian flights

Mark Elliott Apr 24, 2015

Cebu Pacific has said it is "keen" to expand its operations in Australia. The Philippine low-cost carrier launched its Manila-Sydney route in September 2014, initially offering four…

Airlines and Aviation

Korean Air to launches A330s on Asia Pacific routes

Mark Elliott Mar 30, 2015

Korean Air will introduce its brand new Airbus A330-300 aircraft on several key Asia Pacific routes next month. Effective 2 April 2015, the new twin-aisle A330s will start flying from…

TFE Hotels to bring new Vibe to Sydney

Mark Elliott Mar 23, 2015

TFE Hotels has unveiled plans to bring its "next generation" Vibe Hotel concept to Sydney. The new-build property in the north of the Australian city is due to open in early 2017, and…

Cricket World Cup boosts Sydney hotels

Mark Elliott Mar 12, 2015

The start of the Cricket World Cup led to Sydney's hotels posting record operating figures in February 2015. According to the latest preliminary data from STR Global, the city's…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas aims to drive Japanese visitors to NSW events

Mark Elliott Mar 9, 2015

Qantas and Destination NSW have teamed up for a new campaign aimed at bringing more Japanese travellers to major events in Sydney and New South Wales. Supported by Qantas' new direct…

Airlines and Aviation

Virgin Australia flies business class to NZ

Mark Elliott Feb 28, 2015

Virgin Australia has started offering business class seats on flights to New Zealand. The new cabin was unveiled on 28 February 2015 on the airline's Sydney-Auckland route. All other…

Sydney gets MICE funding boost

Mark Elliott Feb 25, 2015

Business Events Sydney (BESydney), the organisation responsible for bringing major corporate events to Australia's largest city, has welcomed a decision to provide it with AU$6 million…

Third tower planned at Four Points Sydney

Mark Elliott Feb 24, 2015

The Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Sydney's Darling Harbour has embarked on a major AU$200 million (US$156m) expansion plan. The project will see the addition of a third tower at the…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas returns to Vancouver

Mark Elliott Feb 4, 2015

Qantas will return to Vancouver with an extended seasonal schedule this year. For the North American summer season, running from 20 June to 18 July 2015, Qantas will operate three…

Airlines and Aviation

SIA’s new premium economy class opens for booking

Mark Elliott Feb 3, 2015

Singapore Airlines' new premium economy class is now available for booking. The new cabins will be launched on 9 August 2015 on select flights from Singapore to Sydney, before being…

NSW Premier visits India to promote ‘Jhappi Time’

Mark Elliott Jan 14, 2015

The Premier of New South Wales (NSW), Mike Baird, has travelled to India as part of a major promotional drive intended to attract more Indian visitors to the Australian state. Last year…

Luxperience pop-up planned for London

Mark Elliott Jan 14, 2014

Australia and Pacific trade show Luxperience has announced a pop-up event in London to encourage the UK travel trade to attend its main show. The Sydney-based event is hoping to…

Airlines and Aviation

Air India commences Delhi-Sydney

Mark Elliott Aug 30, 2013

Air India has commenced operations for its Delhi-Sydney flight yesterday. “Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is now connected to Australia with the launch of Air India’s…

Airlines and Aviation

Etihad Airways outlines Australian expansion

Mark Elliott Aug 12, 2013

Etihad Airways outlined a range of major changes to its Australian operations, including new aircraft, new routes, additional flights and new airport facilities. James Hogan, president and…

Asian expansion boosts Merlin profits

Mar 27, 2013 7

Merlin Entertainments has seen a strong rise in full-year profits, following the launch of several new attractions in the Asia Pacific region. The company, which operates attractions…

Qantas welcomes Ellen DeGeneres

Mar 22, 2013 0

Qantas has welcomed US chat show host Ellen DeGeneres Show to Australia for a six-day visit. The airline has partnered with Swisse Wellnes to bring The Ellen DeGeneres Show ‘Down…

Four Seasons Sydney adds meeting suites

Feb 13, 2013 17

The Four Seasons Sydney has launched four new residential meeting suites, creating a new option for event planners. The hotel's entire second floor has been used to create the new spaces,…

Airlines and Aviation

BA boosts Sydney, Singapore

Mark Elliott Oct 31, 2012 1

British Airways will enhance its Sydney and Singapore services next year, with the addition of new aircraft and a move to the new Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow airport. From 31 March 2013…

Airlines and Aviation

Recovering Tiger opens new base

Mark Elliott Jul 3, 2012 12

Recovering Australian airline Tiger Airways has commenced services from its new base at Sydney airport. The launch of the new base - Tiger's second in Australia following Melbourne - marks…