A splash of colour

THE iconic family brand announced at a press conference today that it will open a Crayola Experience at Chandler Fashion Center next summer. This is the fifth location for the popular family attraction, which also has facilities in Orlando, Florida; Bloomington, Minnesota; Plano, Texas; and Easton, Pennsylvania – the home of #Crayola crayons since 1903.

At Crayola Experience Chandler, guests will enjoy classic experiences such as naming and wrapping their own Crayola crayon (Wrap It Up!), starring in their own coloring page (Be a Star), using their touch to bring art to 4-D life (Color Magic), creating melted wax spin-art (Drip Art) as well as some new experiences that will debut in #Arizona.



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Day trips on the Odakyu line

THE Odakyu Electric Railway, established in 1948, is one of Japan's major private railway companies. With the Shinjuku central transportation terminal in the capital of #Japan, Odakyu lines extend to Hakone, one of Japan's foremost hot spring tourist destinations, and Enoshima-Kamakura, the historical seaside town close to the city center, and they are used not only for sightseeing but also by two million commuters traveling to work every day.

Four types of day tours allow travelers from abroad to enjoy the tourist attractions in areas along the Odakyu lines.

1) Yoyogi Uehara near Shinjuku and Shibuya in downtown Tokyo;

2) Shimokitazawa well known for young people's subculture;

3) Nature-rich, sacred mountain Oyama also known as a historic site; and

4) Odawara, which is the gateway to Hakone and where there is a station on the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line.

All four tours are day trips requiring advance reservations. On all these tours, guides provide detailed information in English on local tourist attractions in these four respective areas. Reservations for these tours can be made online as well as at INBOUND LEAGUE and Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center Shinjuku West for foreign tourists, both situated in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward.


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Rare honour bestowed on Heckfield Place

THE Times of London, has proclaimed Heckfield Place as “Hotel of the Year 2018.” The accolade appeared in the October 28 edition of The Sunday Times, a rare honour for a hotel that had opened only the previous month. 

Heckfield Place is located in the county of Hampshire, an hour southwest of London and just 45 minutes from Heathrow Airport. At the heart of more than 400 acres of grounds, formal gardens, woods and active farmland, the 250-year-old mansion offers 45 rooms.

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New global campaign to boost inbound tourism

NATIONAL tourism agency VisitBritain is this week launching a new global campaign for 2018 to boost inbound tourism to Britain. The campaign ‘I Travel For…’ uses short films and story-telling to shine the spotlight on unexpected experiences and less-explored destinations in #Britain, alongside its globally renowned and iconic landmarks and attractions. The campaign aligns the passions that motivate people to #travel with experiences that can only be had in Britain, inspiring overseas visitors to book a trip right now.


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New tax for international travellers to New Zealand

THE tourism industry wants to work with the Government to ensure its new tax on most of New Zealand’s international visitors is used to enhance their experience of the country, the key issue is how it will be spent.

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will see around 2.3 million of the 3.8 million annual international visitors required to pay a levy of $35 each before they come to New Zealand, raising an estimated $80 million in the first year.

Australian and Pacific residents will not be required to pay the levy, which is due to be introduced in the second half of 2019.

The main collection method will be a new Electronic Travel Authority, which visitors from visa-waiver countries like the UK and USA will have to complete before travel. They will have to pay an estimated $9 for the ETA, on top of the visitor levy.



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Up in the air . . .

THE UK Civil Aviation Authority has published its initial review of how airlines allocate seats to passengers.

CAA research concluded that, for most people, having to pay in advance to sit together was one of their biggest concerns. The findings were further reinforced by the number of consumers who contacted the CAA directly for advice.

Seating policies varied between airlines operating in the UK, which meant those flying with some airlines were more likely to report being separated from their group than those flying with others.

The CAA report revealed consumers were most likely to spend £5-£30 per seat, per journey, but seats could cost up to £100.00.  Collectively, consumers may be paying between £160 million to £390 million per year for allocated seating.

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Gloriously Green

ONE of the first things people remark on when they visit Glen Avon Lodge Boutique Hotel in Cape Town’s famous Constantia Valley is often its greenery. Usually they are referring to its magnificent rose-filled gardens – but whilst a lot of love and care goes into the grounds, they are not what this 5-star boutique hotel is most proud of. What the Stringer family and the team at Glen Avon is most proud of is their top rating for other green credentials! 

General Manager Hans Heuer and his team were delighted with its most recent accolade as a “Green Champion with Distinction”, scoring 88% overall for Sustainable Tourism Management. This recognition as a CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY was awarded by Green Tourism Active which is a non-profit, global sustainability assessment & certification company that is recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and is also a member of the UN World Tourism Organization.

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A right royal rendezvous in New York harbour

CUNARD'S flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 had a rare meeting in New York Harbor and paid tribute to British Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth during the carrier's first visit to the U.S. The rendezvous between these renowned vessels celebrates the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom and their committed alliance.

Luxury cruise line Cunard is a company known for its rich history and significant role in both World Wars. Having deep roots in both England and the U.S., it's an honor for the brand to welcome the Royal Navy carrier to its U.S. homeport of Brooklyn, #NewYork.

Awarded '#1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line' by Travel + Leisure's 2018, 2017 and 2016 World's Best Awards and 'Best World Cruise Itineraries' and 'Best Trans-Atlantic Itineraries' by Porthole Cruise Magazine's 2016 Readers Choice Awards.

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GFEST 2018

THE annual November LGBTQI+ entertainment and cross-art event GFEST – Gaywise FESTival will be launched on Monday the 12 November at Alexandra Palace, Palm Court. GFEST 2018 events will be listed on the website: https://gaywisefestival.org.uk

This year’s festival theme is #SociallyEQUAL and the organisers are proud to present a free entry entertainment evening full of live acts presenting music, dance, acapella, performance poetry at the launch.


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Brewing up some Halloween fun

LOOKING for scary good fun? The travel experts at The GO Group, LLC found these events brewing across the U.S.

The Ken's Korny Corn Maze is N. Carolina's first and longest operating corn maze. The Maze opens September 28 and runs every weekend until November 10.

In Philadelphia, test your nerves at Eastern State Penitentiary's Terror Behind the Walls, a spooky haunted house inside an abandoned prison. The event includes Hollywood-quality special effects and lighting, digital sound, animatronic creatures and custom props. Open until November 10.

Boo at the Zoo in St. Louis offers kid-friendly events with haystacks, pumpkins and souvenir T-shirts complete with a costumed grizzly bear dressed as Wonder Woman. 

On Halloween for two decades, Voodoo Authentica, New Orleans, has hosted Voodoo Fest in the French Quarter. On-site priests will speak and teach Voodoo, Louisiana's version of the faith, and the music and spirituality associated with the Lwa — the spirits of the Voodoo pantheon.

Get your frightening fill of creepy creatures and underwater Halloween happenings at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium in Dallas. Watch trained costumed divers compete to see who can carve the best jack-o-lantern underwater surrounded by sea creatures on Wednesdays and Saturdays, October 17-31. Plus, trick-or-treat alongside sharks, crocodiles and other eerie creatures on October 31.

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Zero emission Fuel Cell Electric bus service launched at Gatwick

A prototype fuel cell electric double-deck bus was shown in public for the first time at Gatwick's Annual Transport Forum on Friday 12th October.

In a first for the region, the new technology will soon trailed with an in-service trial of the bus run by local service provider Metrobus on the company's Fastway 100 service between Crawley, Gatwick Airport and Reigate. 

Metrobus expects to follow this with an order for 20 single deck fuel cell electric buses to expand provision of zero emission journeys and improve local air quality.

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And a dash of pixie dust

WHETHER at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, or Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, World of Disney is the ultimate shopping destination for all things #Disney. Now these two dynamic retail experiences are unveiling complete transformations that make shopping easier and more fun.

More than a year in design and development, the makeover has touched every feature and function in the store, as if the Fairy Godmother outfitted the store herself. From displays to signage to lighting and much, much more, guests discover magical Disney storytelling wherever they look.

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Above and beyond

SOUTH AFRICAN Airways have come in at number 3 on a list compiled by Condé Nast Traveler for ‘best legroom on long haul flights’ going ‘above and beyond’ the average with a generous seat pitch of 33.5 inches in economy class. 

South African Airways (SAA) is the leading carrier in Africa, serving 57 destinations, in partnership with SA Express, Airlink, and its low-cost carrier, Mango, within South Africa and across the continent, and nine intercontinental routes from its Johannesburg hub.

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Hole in one

FOR the second year running, Hua Hin in Thailand has won the International Association of Golf Tour Operators Award for Golf Destination of the Year in Asia. The award carries enormous weight as it is voted for by specialist golf tour operators who are IAGTO members.

Awards like these are well-deserved for the Tourism Authority of Thailand who have invested significantly to attract golf visitors to the Kingdom and inspired investment in golf tourism and hospitality excellence.

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Below the surface

RECENTLY named one of the Best Small Towns in #California by Country Living Magazine, the charming town of #MorroBay offers visitors some of the most breathtaking coastline and unspoiled open spaces in the state. But search just under the surface, or along Morro Bay beaches etched with tide pools, and find lingering living species that are uncommon to most—creatures that you cannot find everywhere. Here, kayaking and paddle boarding provide up close encounters with these underwater residents in their natural environment.

"Morro Bay is a very biologically diverse place," explains Mary Robinson, owner of Morro Bay Stand Up Paddleboarding. And she should know. Mary leads tours that focus on nature and animal life inside the Morro Bay harbor. "The harbor is not only home to a multitude of birds and marine mammals, but hundreds of species of the lesser known invertebrates, which are as biologically important."


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Must visit, Moscow

EVERY year the number of tourists visiting Moscow grows significantly. In 2017 21.6 millions of tourists visited #Moscow, by the end of 2018 the growth of the tourist flow is expected to increase by at least 10%. 

Moscow is the biggest cultural center of the world. Every year more than 500 recreational and cultural events take place and there are more than 270 functioning museums and 170 functioning theaters in the city. One third of the Moscow territory is covered by park areas. In 2017 a new park “Zaradye” was opened in the very center of the capital, it was included by the “Times” magazine in the list of the best places in the world 2018.

Today there are 1586 classified accommodation facilities in Moscow from hotels to hostels. The transport infrastructure is widely developed and there is Wi-Fi in public places. The city pays considerable attention to safety measures – there are more than 184 000 surveillance cameras around the city.

There is even a special service PASSCITY in Moscow, which lets you visit museums, restaurants, sport centers and use the public transport for free.

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Air Travel News & Views

STRONG growth in passenger volume at Ontario International Airport (ONT) continued in September as the number of air travelers who passed through the airport rose 14%, while passenger numbers increased more than 13% in the first nine months of the year.

JetBlue launched nonstop service to New York City in early September. A month earlier, Frontier Airlines began daily service to Florida. Last week, Delta Air Lines announced it will add nonstop service to its Atlanta hub in the spring. Meanwhile, the completion of multi-million dollar upgrades of the airport's dining and retail concessions has brought new, popular amenities to ONT passengers.



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Brits most treasured memories revealed

A study into childhood memory has revealed some of the nation's most vivid early memories, with school trips and first pets proving to be the most popular. The research, collected by beach holiday specialists On the Beach, provides an insight into Brits' most treasured childhood memories, and reveals why certain memories are more likely to be stored and used to form the story of our lives.

The holiday company has collaborated with Peter Kinderman, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool and honorary consultant clinical psychologist with the NHS, who has provided insight into how memories are constructed - and advice which may help people remember life's best moments more clearly.

When it came to the memories we look back on most fondly, the survey revealed our happiest memories include whole days in the swimming pool on holiday (14%), moving house (11%), making a holiday friend (10%), and our favourite childhood teachers (9%).

Almost half of the people surveyed (48%) said their most vivid childhood memories were formed when the weather was hot and sunny, while 30 per cent said their strongest memories relate to cold winter temperatures.

The research also proved Brits are a nostalgic bunch when it comes to looking back on our favourite memories. A staggering 88 per cent said they talk about their best childhood memories with family and old friends, while 20 per cent said looking back on happy memories helped them feel more optimistic about life in general.

Almost half (44%) said they looked through their holiday photos and video footage on a regular basis, and more than a third of parents (37%) said they talk to their children about happy memories they have shared together in a bid to help their children remember their best experiences more clearly.



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Wuzhen Theater Festival

IN the sixth Wuzhen Theater Festival, which will be held from October 18 to 28, 2018, in addition to the list of theatrical performances specially invited to the event, represented by masters of the world theatrical and operatic, there will be an Outdoor Carnival that will be presented to more than 100 companies and performances that will perform more than 1800 works in the district of Xizha in Wuzhen during the 11 days of the event.

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Up in the air . . .

CINNAMON Air (www.cinnamonair.com), Sri Lanka's premier domestic airline, gears up to meet the demand for domestic air travel this Winter (Northern Hemisphere) by introducing their newest daily scheduled flight route from the cultural city of Sigiriya to Sri Lanka’s Southern coastal cities, Hambantota and Koggala.

Effective from the 1st of December 2018, these daily scheduled flights will enable travellers in and around the cultural triangle to fly to the South expeditiously in less than an hour, compared to travelling approximately 7-8 hours on the road, allowing such tourists more time to explore and unwind at the tranquil coasts before they head back to their country. 

For tourists who find the conventional road travel troublesome and inconvenient, these flights maybe be the best solution as they will offer clients an effortless link to travel between Sigiriya and its surrounding attractions such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Habarana and the South Coast, while also being treated to stunning aerial views of the island.
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The Perfect Road Trip

THE perfect road trip involves three people, covers 190 miles and is accompanied by rock music, according to new research by British Airways. To celebrate the airline’s new route to the South African coastal city of #Durban; the gateway to national parks, African plains and safaris, travellers were also asked to name the celebrity they would most like to see in the passenger seat, with James Corden topping the poll (11 per cent), followed by Tom Hanks (9 per cent) and Stephen Fry (9 per cent). 

To be considered a road trip, the journey needs to be at least 190 miles long and last three hours and 42 minutes and the ideal drive should take place in a VW camper van (16 per cent), Range Rover (14 per cent) or Ford Mustang (8 per cent). There needs to be at least one toilet stop every 100 miles, good weather and a reliable sat nav, yet one in three Brits (33 per cent) said getting lost is the fun part of a road trip. 

The study also found that the music played on a road trip is more important than the destination, but your road trip companions topped the list as the most important factor with 62 per cent, closely followed by the scenery outside (60 per cent). 

More than half (57 per cent) of Brits like the idea of a ‘fly drive’ holiday and 35 per cent would happily drive in a foreign country, even if they hadn’t before. 

However, almost half (48 per cent) worry they won’t be able to get used to driving on the other side of the road and 39 per cent worry they won’t be able to read or understand the road signs. 


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A four-season land

IRAN, a four-season land, has 23 UNESCO World Heritage sites. These sites have long attracted tourists from across the globe. Foreign tourists #travel to #Iran to visit numerous historical and natural sites and enjoy time in a country which is home to many attractions. World Economic Forum data show Iran's ranking in tourist attraction moving higher from 114 in 2011 to 93 in 2017. That bears proof to the fact that foreign tourists have not become unwilling to travel to Iran.

As foreign currencies, including the US dollar and the euro, claimed ground against the Iranian Rial, the tourism industry in Iran entered a new phase, particularly for foreign visitors. The Rial's slide represents a unique opportunity for foreign tourists visiting Iran as their travel costs have fallen incredibly.



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Top tips for a family safari

LOOKING for something completely different to do with the kids for your next holiday? Well, for families seeking extraordinary adventures off the beaten track, or for those who enjoy the great outdoors and connecting with nature, international luxury travel specialist, Sanctuary Retreats has just the answer. When it comes to keeping inquiring young minds stimulated, an African safari through unspoiled landscapes teeming with extraordinary wildlife is guaranteed to broaden your family’s horizons, and ensure that everyone shares a truly memorable experience. Here are top tips for parents planning the ultimate African ‘school excursion’ with the family. 

Choosing the Right Camp - Will the kids enjoy a tented camp or find it a little too rustic? And if your kids are younger, it might also be worth considering whether the camp is fenced – although older children may enjoy hearing larger animals close by during the night, chances are smaller kids might find it a little scary. 

How long? - We generally recommend that families take in 2 – 3 camps and lodges, with a stay of 3 days or longer per camp. That gives everyone plenty of time to get acclimatized and experience the full program of activities on offer at each property, plus a little rest and relaxation in between.

Meeting the locals - Squeezing in some culture or a philanthropic component is also good idea so that your kids have a chance to immerse themselves in local traditions and experiences. 

Preparing for Game Drives - With no standard minimum age for children to go on safari, and camps can differ significantly on how they accommodate younger guests. Some have a strict minimum age for safari, while others leave it up to parental discretion. 

What to Bring? - Regardless of your children’s ages, going on safari is guaranteed to create memories that will last a lifetime. So to keep kids engaged, definitely binoculars and a digital camera to capture every moment.

The Sanctuary portfolio includes safari camps and lodges in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, as well as river cruise ships on the Nile, the Yangtze and in Myanmar.   

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Saddle up and ride towards well-being

WHETHER it’s enhancing our creativity or taking our first steps towards a healthier lifestyle, in 2019 travellers will place a much greater emphasis on “the self” and life-enrichment.

Ruth Daly, Marketing Director at Ranch Rider comments, “No longer a simple means of escape, we now see the potential for holidays to make a very real and lasting difference to the way we lead our lives, so our existence can be more fruitful and fulfilling.”

Ideal for guests who want to step out of their comfort zone and embrace their authentic selves, the new four-day women-only, “Unbridle Your Creativity” retreat will be hosted by Devon Combs, “The Cowgirl of the Wellness Industry,” and Kris Drewry, published author and lifestyle blogger.

Based at Arizona’s Rancho de la Osa, the course aims to silence your inner critic and make creativity part of your routine, through Equine Gestalt Coaching (described as healing through interaction with horses), writing and trail riding. Additional activities include an evening of cowboy poetry (with a real cowboy), a moonlight bonfire and cowgirl cocktails.

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Emirates lands in Edinburgh

EMIRATES has celebrated the inaugural flight of its new service between Dubai and Edinburgh.

The Emirates Boeing 777-300ER touched down in the Scottish capital on October 2, making #Edinburgh the airline’s second destination in #Scotland and the eighth in the United Kingdom.


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Cruise to the city of Three-Frontiers

CONSTRUCTION of the new La Jangada catamaran began In April 2018. The 12 and 13-day adventure itineraries expect to be operational by April 2019 and will cruise through Brazil, Peru and Colombia. 

 La Jangada, which means The Raft in Portugese will have 12 luxurious and spacious cabins on board, each with a private bathroom and large windows that look out on to the river. This cruise is the only luxury tourist catamaran operating in the Amazon region. 

Cruise from Manaus, Brazil to Tefe, Brazil or from Manaus, Brazil to Leticia, Colombia. Leticia is also known as the city of Three-Frontiers, as it borders Brazil, Peru and Colombia.

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Columbia: future larder for the world

COLOMBIA has been identified by the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture as one of the countries with the greatest agricultural potential in the world. By the year 2030 the world population will surpass 8.3 million inhabitants, which will create a 50% increase in food consumption. Colombia has the ideal lands to be one of the countries capable of satisfying this demand.

According to the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture, #Colombia has 114 million hectares, of which 44.8 million are suitable for the agriculture, livestock and reforestation sectors. The agricultural production of Colombia presented an annual growth of 6.8% between 2010 and 2015, reaching 4.5 million hectares sown.

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Dundee campaign targeting Americans

TOURISM Australia has launched the next phase of its A$36 million Dundee campaign with a series of videos inviting Americans to book a trip Down Under and visit the ‘set’ of the movie. 

Starring Aussie actor Luke Hemsworth, the videos will take US travellers on an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Dundee movie backlot, showcasing the breadth of spectacular and unique experiences on offer across #Australia. 

The second phase of activity, Visit the Set of Dundee: Son of a Legend, builds on the momentum of the Dundee: The Son of a Legend Returns Home campaign, which was unveiled at the Super Bowl in February to over 100 million American TV viewers.

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Contribute to sustainable tourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon

CEO of Advantage Travel and Anakonda Amazon Cruises, Raul Garcia, has been nominated for PURE Awards 2018’s Contribution to Experiential Travel honor. Garcia is one of five contestants shortlisted for the award. The annual trade show describes the honor as going to an “individual whose efforts have directly influenced the development of the experiential travel movement.”

Driven by a desire to conserve and explore the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest, Raul Garcia has spent over 40 years promoting responsible tourism and introducing people from all over the world to the ancestral communities of the Amazon. Raul founded the first and only luxury river cruise in the Ecuadorian Amazon—the Anakonda. On the 25th anniversary of his successful travel agency, Advantage Travel, Raul unveiled a second vessel, the Manatee, in July 2017. By developing a model where the local communities of the rainforest share in the profits of the industry, Raul has helped to promote sustainable tourism in the region.


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Working together in the air and on the road

AIRASIA and SkyBus have announced an enormous boost in bus services to Melbourne’s West, as the region prepares for the first-ever international flights to touchdown at Avalon Airport on December 5th. 

Around 4,500 new SkyBus services per year will be delivered under the deal, almost doubling the number of existing services connecting Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station in the heart of the CBD with Werribee and the new international terminal at Avalon. Those flying with AirAsia will also get access to discounted SkyBus fares and onboard offers in hotspots right across Asia, making the entire experience one of the most affordable ways to travel between Melbourne and the more than 130 destinations found in AirAsia’s network.

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Flight Attendants Cheer in the U.S.

THE 50,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines represented by the Association of Flight Attendants, received the news of the passage of a five-year FAA Reauthorization Bill including a 10 hour minimum rest provision to combat Flight Attendant fatigue. The bill includes more Flight Attendant safety priorities including forever banning knives on planes, no voice calls on planes, and extending the smoking ban to e-cigarettes. 

Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America.



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Sustainable travel off the Golden Route

TOKYO based startup tour operator Heartland JAPAN is leading the way in creating sustainable #travel #destinations off the so-called Golden Route (Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima etc.) which is currently overburdened by the year on year increase in inbound travellers (an increase of 450% over the past five years), set to reach 40M in 2020.

In spite of the staggering rise in foreign tourists, relatively little has been done so far to make travellers aware of alternative destinations, with a continued fixation on commercialised travel spots. It is here that Heartland JAPAN positions itself in providing the information and means for inbound visitors to journey off the beaten track.

Heartland JAPAN aims to create life-changing journeys, to provide physical and spiritual fulfillment through outdoor activities, hands-on experiences and cultural exchanges with locals. The company’s current fully guided adventure tours cover five destinations across #Japan, all of which are reachable from the various 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics game sites, providing the perfect opportunity for visitors to these events.

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Mission Yangtze milestone

BRITISH adventurer and extreme athlete Ash Dykes, from North Wales, arrived at his first major milestone during Mission Yangtze, his third world-first record attempt to walk the entire 4,000 mile length of the Yangtze river in China - one the world’s genuine and last remaining world-firsts.

After setting off in late August, Ash has completed the first 550 miles and has arrived at his first city - Yushu, situated in Qinghai province in the west of China.

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The Musical North East

THE Hartlepool Folk Festival is celebrating its fourth year with a newly-announced grant from Arts Council England. The festival, which has sold out for the last two years, is also upscaling its mainstage events from the 400-seat Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre to the 1200-seat Borough – a testament to the event’s popularity, artistic quality, and its contribution to the region’s cultural life – and will take place from 19th – 21st October.

Those who prefer jazz to folk are encouraged to head to Middlesbrough Town Hall’s Jazz Weekender, which takes place on the same weekend as Hartlepool’s Folk Festival. Programmed by Gateshead International Jazz Festival’s Ros Rigby, the Jazz Weekender will include a nod to the past, but also firmly look to the future, the festival is set to be an action-packed weekend in celebration of the genre.

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Chatbot helps find your dream ski holiday

THE Austrian National Tourist Office have overseen an industry-first, a Facebook Chatbot to help users find their dream ski holiday. The bot was created by chatbot specialists Chit Chat Agency.

The bot asks users 5 questions and then displays relevant ski resorts based on the user’s personal preferences. 4 chatbots have been developed for key territories including UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.

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Conde Nast Traveler’s 2018 Reader’s Choice Awards name three Six Senses Resorts

WINNING prestigious awards is always a great honor for Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. And the recent recognition of excellence for Six Senses properties in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2018 Reader’s Choice Awards is an added celebration, especially as it was the result of voting by the publication’s print and online readers; guests who have experienced the Six Senses resorts first hand. Three Six Senses resorts were included in the top-ten listing for their regions.

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Tourism campaign to stimulate your dog

VISIT Victoria is putting your next short-break in the paws of your dog with the world’s first tourism campaign optimised for dogs. The campaign, developed by Clemenger BBDO, highlights how dogs love the quality experiences of regional Victoria as much as much as their pet owners and non-pet owners alike. It is the first digital tourism campaign optimised to stimulate dogs’ sight and sound, featuring content curated by local pet-fluencers @MyAussieTribe, @Tomandcaptain, @ChandlerThePug and @HuckAndCo.

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