Daily News & Opinion

Singapore Airlines has announced that it will commit $10,000 towards the Red Cross’ Disaster Relief and Recovery appeal to support those affected by the ongoing bushfires. Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President, Philip Goh, said the scale of the devastation was hard to comprehend and hoped the donation would go some way to supporting those affected. “Australians have supported us for the past 53 years and we hope that this donation will go some way to supporting the people affected by these bushfires.”

As fires continue to rage across Kangaroo Island, many holidaymakers are questioning whether to keep or cancel their travel plans. According to sustainable tourism expert Dr Freya Higgins-Desbioelles, immediate tourism visits should be discouraged. “While tourism operators and authorities are calling for people to keep visiting Kangaroo Island, the fires are not yet out. Critical services like the Kangaroo Island ferry are needed to transport emergency service personnel and equipment. I just think it’s too soon at this moment.”

A new 360-degree virtual reality tour is now part of Sydney Showground’s offering, allowing clients to experience a dynamic tour of the site. Designed by Rapturous Media, the tool will assist people with understanding the venue, setups and location. Sydney Showground head of sales Andrew Roberts said the program will be invaluable to his team. “The biggest challenge in event sales is painting a picture for clients, demonstrating the possibilities. VR allows us to show them.”

Leading meeting and event technology software provider Aventri has appointed Jim Sharpe as its new CEO. Departing CEO Oni Chukwu has been elevated to the role of executive chairman. Jim joins Aventri from Gerson Lehrman Group, where he spent six years as GM. On his new role, Jim said: “I am thrilled to be joining Aventri at such an exciting time in the company’s history. We are now well positioned to take advantage of our market leadership to significantly scale the business.”

This week the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) announced that it will embark on a core systems uplift of its finance and events management systems in the first quarter of this year. The change will be made to embrace the digital age and enhance customer and visitor experiences. On the announcement, director of information technology Celeste Johnston said: “Following a review of our core systems, MCEC has committed to embarking on a tender process to acquire ‘best of breed’ technical solutions.”

Tourism Australia has developed a resource that shows which tourism areas have been affected by bushfires to ensure that industry and travellers have the most accurate and up to date information. The webpage has been developed in consultation with the states and Territories and will be updated daily. It also provides useful links and general bushfire safety information.

Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd has announced plans for a new resort in Krabi in the second quarter of 2020. Now under development near Tubkaek Beach, a 45-minute drive from Krabi Airport, Banyan Krabi Tree will offer 72 pool suites and villas, among them seven two-bedroom options and one three-bedroom villa. Facilities include all-day dining, a ballroom, a wedding chapel, a beach club, a kids club, and a fitness centre. The resort will also host a rainforest-themed spa.

Leading hospitality group Accor and live entertainment company AEG have announced that their partnership has extended to a global deal and will incorporate a number of AEG and AEG-affiliated venues, festivals and events. Accor will benefit from access to a global set of AEG assets, including a venue partnership with Qudos Bank Arena Sydney. The events will be a part of ‘ALL, Accor Live Limitless’, a lifestyle companion that integrates rewards, services and experiences throughout Accor.