Travel agent bookings rise

The number of Australians booking their overseas trips through travel agents has risen for the first time in four years, News.com.au has reported.

According to figures from Roy Morgan Research, in the year to March 55 per cent of Aussies used a travel agent to book their last international trip, compared to 53 per cent in December.

However, the number is still significantly down on June 2007’s figure, which was 71 per cent.

Recent catastrophic events like the Christchurch earthquake and Japanese tsunami are thought to be behind the recent uplift in travel agent bookings.

Colin Bowman, Flight Centre executive general manager, commented, “The uncertainty of it all has highlighted the importance of having someone like a travel agent back at home to call on in a time of need.”

A comprehensive travel insurance policy, such as those offered by InsureandGo, can provide holidaymakers with valuable assistance, however they’ve booked their holiday.

Top summer hotspots revealed

National Geographic has published a list of what it believes are the top 10 destinations to visit this summer.

According to The Telegraph, the US periodical is recommending that its readers head to Canada to visit Muskoka Cottage Country, a historic area of Ontario.

The Patagonia region of Argentina was named as the runner-up, followed by three US destinations – the San Juan Islands, Washington, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

Welsh capital Cardiff came next at number six, receiving praise for its “iconic” castle and for being a “modern sports-entertainment destination”.

Making up the rest of the top ten were the Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden, the Azores, Portunal, Roatan, Honduras and Istria, Croatia.

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Tips on tipping

A report by The Sydney Morning Herald has addressed a common issue faced by Australian travellers today – how much to tip.

While tipping 10 per cent for good service is often regarded as the standard in Australian restaurants, in other parts of the world, such as New York City, 20 per cent is closer to the norm.

In contrast, some countries frown on any kind of tipping and travellers making such a gesture are likely to have their tip swiftly returned to them.

Many other nations that have previously been seen as ‘non-tipping’ nations are now changing with the times, causing even more confusion for overseas visitors.

Prime examples are New Zealand and Japan, where whilst guidebooks may advise not to tip and tips may not necessarily be expected, they are likely to be well received.

Asking a local or a hotel concierge is a good way of finding out up-to-date information on tipping customs in a particular destination.

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Sydney to welcome new cruise ship

The world’s largest cruise line is to base one of its ships in Australia full time, Breaking Travel News has reported.

Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that the 88,500 tonne Carnival Spirit is scheduled to arrive in Sydney in October 2012, and between operate 8-12 day voyages to the Pacific Islands.

At 53 metres above the waterline, the ship is three metres above the specified height for sailing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and will be the first ship to be based in the city year-round that cannot sail under the bridge.

The ship will be able to carry 2,667 passengers, and around two-thirds of its cabins will feature private balconies – more than any other Australian ship.

Carnival Australia chief executive Ann Sherry commented, “Cruising is booming in this country because it offers passengers a great value holiday that includes accommodation, top quality food and loads of entertainment that appeal to all age groups.”

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Royal couple praise magical Seychelles

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have returned from their honeymoon in the Seychelles, Breaking Travel News has reported.

Clarence House confirmed that the couple spent 10 days staying on the North Island, which was named as the Indian Ocean’s ‘Leading Green Resort’ at the 2010 World Travel Awards.

The honeymoon is said to have been described by Prince William as “magical and amazing”, and the couple are also believed to have been presented with a Coco de Mer, a coconut regarded as a powerful aphrodisiac and fertility symbol, at the end of their stay.

Seychelles Foreign Minister John-Paul Adam commented, “We are truly honoured that Prince William and his wife chose to return to Seychelles for this special holiday and we are proud to have been able to offer them a peaceful and private getaway.”

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Domestic holidays on the cards for most Aussies

New research has revealed the travel plans of Australians for this year, The Sydney Morning Herald has reported.

According to the National Travel Monitor, which was conducted by Sweeney Research on behalf of Fairfax Media, 80 per cent of Aussies are planning a domestic holiday in 2011.

Melbourne was highlighted as the most popular destination, followed by the Gold Coast and Sydney.

George Souris, Minister for Tourism, commented, “It is particularly encouraging to see a strong majority of Australian leisure travellers expressing interest in exploring what is available in their own backyard, despite the rise in the value of the Australian dollar.”

The research also revealed that 19 per cent were planning an overseas trip, with Britain the most popular country followed by Thailand and New Zealand.

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NYC popular with Aussies

The number of Australians travelling to New York City is continuing to rise, The Sydney Morning Herald has reported.

According to figures from marketing and tourism organisation NYC & Company, the Big Apple welcomed 509,000 Australian visitors during 2010, 21.5 per cent more than in 2009.

NYC & Company spokesman Chris Heywood commented, “The strength of your dollar has certainly helped increase the numbers, but we’ve also worked hard to make New York a value-for-money destination for tourists.”

Mr Heywood also advised those considering a trip to New York City to travel around key US holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Independence Day.

“The domestic market is not as strong in those holiday periods, with people tending to go home, so you find queues at the major tourist attractions and museums and shows are also less of an issue,” he continued.

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More Aussies heading to New Zealand

The number of Australians travelling to New Zealand is continuing to increase, the New Zealand Herald has reported.

According to figures from Statistics NZ, in the year to November 2010 New Zealand welcomed just over one million Australian visitors, an increase of 4 per cent on the previous year.

Australians are also accounting for a larger percentage of visitors overall, now representing nearly half of all visitors to New Zealand compared to 37 per cent back in 2006.

A favourable exchange rate, along with the rise of several low cost carriers, has contributed to the increase, industry experts have claimed.

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Record-breaking year for Singapore

A record number of visitors headed to Singapore in 2010, The Sydney Morning Herald has reported.

According to figures from the Singapore Tourism Board, visitor numbers totalled 11.6 million last year, an increase of 20 per cent compared to 2009.

Arrivals from Indonesia, China, Australia, Malaysia and India all increased year on year, and accounted for more than half of all visitors.

The opening of two luxury casino resorts in Singapore during 2010 is thought to have contributed to the rise in visitor numbers.

February last year saw the opening of the Resorts World Sentosa casino complex, while the Las Vegas Sands opened its doors three months later.

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Round-the-world career breaks proving popular

Demand for business and first class round-the-world flights is growing, The Calgary Herald has reported.

According to online flight specialists Round the World Experts, sales of such flights have risen by 166 per cent over the past six months.

The company attributed the rise to over 50’s professionals harbouring a desire to see the world and longing for a career break.

Paul Bondsfield, Round the World Experts head of marketing, commented, “We’re seeing the growth of a new, completely different type of round-the-world traveller with demand for business and first class itineraries trebling in the last six months.

“They are inspired by younger travellers and are looking for similar experiences in the same destinations, but with an added element of comfort.”

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