Daily News & Opinion

Luxury travel agency network Virtuoso says Europe is proving to be the hot spot for Australian luxury travellers right now, with Italy top of the pops. This week, 120 Australian-based luxury travel advisors joined more than 5500 travel professionals from across the world for the 29th annual Virtuoso Travel Week event in Las Vegas, where the latest trends for high-end Australian travellers were revealed.  

The Hong Kong Pulse Light Show, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), is back on stage after attracting more than 2.3 million spectators. Running from now until early September, the new version will go beyond just a light show, with playful elements added that touch every sensory point from every angle in the Open Piazza at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.    

The  Australian Turf Club (ATC) – Royal Randwick venue has become the first venue in Australia to achieve a five-star STAT accreditation rating after undergoing an independent and objective risk and safety assessment by Secure Tours and Travel.  STAT accreditation is a unique safety and security tool that has been developed by Secure Tours and Travel and is specifically designed for the tourism, hospitality and event industries.

A specialist in leading hyper-growth in early stage companies, Canadian-born David Chaulk has been appointed CEO of NZ-based ShowGizmo, which makes event apps. ShowGizmo was founded more than seven years ago and David replaces founding CEO Marie-Claire Andrews who remains on the company’s board. The ShowGizmo event app has been the market leader in Australasia since launching mid-2010.  

5500 insurance specialists from 20 countries are in Melbourne for the 2017 International Dragon Awards (IDA). Based at the MCEC for five-days, from 10–14 August, it is expected to generate a $24.7 million economic boost for the state. “With the insurance sector among the top two industries that generate incentive programs, hosting IDA will put Melbourne in front of key decision makers that may influence future groups to the state,” said Melbourne Convention Bureau chief executive officer Karen Bolinger.    

A thrilling underwater activity has been added to Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm’s Ambassador Lagoon – AquaTrek by Night.  Daring divers will descend into the Lagoon to walk with 220 different species and 65,000 marine animals, as darkness approaches. With no swimming experience necessary, guests descend a ladder to a three metre shallow ledge wearing a specially designed helmet that supplies a continuous supply of air. Starting from approximately $225, it includes all equipment, a towel, wetsuit, boots and bottled water.    

With the high demand for Christchurch’s convention and exhibition centre, the New Zealand Government has announced main construction work will get underway soon. “There is growing international demand for this style of premium facility,” says Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) chief executive Sue Sullivan. Adding, that as the convention industry is a major driver for the tourism industry, the Christchurch convention centre will impact on the economic success of the entire South Island, as it will regional New Zealand.    

During the fiscal year – July 2016 to June 2017, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) successfully secured 44 new exhibitions and conferences, 102 events and received 28 awards.  More than 5.7 million people attended these events, while eight new exhibitions and 36 new conferences were also successfully held. Other significant events held during the year included Hong Kong phenomenon Rex Tso Sing-yu winning the WBO Asia-Pacific super flyweight title in front of 8000 enthusiastic spectators.