Qantas increases fares before Christmas

QANTAS will increase international airfares by up 5 per cent this week, offering further evidence that the recent run of exceptionally cheap air fares is ending.

In its first international fare increase since June last year, Qantas will raise first-class and business-class fares by 3 per cent on Friday. The increases will affect popular routes such as Britain, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong but not the hotly contested routes to the US, reports The Australian.

Premium economy and economy tickets will rise by 5 per cent, reflecting the relative strength of the leisure markets as travellers responded to the cheaper airfares and a high Australian dollar. These increases apply to wider range of destinations that include North America.

“Qantas reviews pricing continuously on all routes, taking into account demand and capacity, competitor actions and business performance,” a Qantas spokeswoman said.

Qantas has already been successful in raising domestic airfares by 5-10 per cent and desperately needs to get international fares up to improve yields, which in October were 24 per cent down on the previous year.

Qantas will test the water to see whether the increases affect passenger loads and whether competitors match them.

But even if the new fares stick, increased competition and continuing market softness is unlikely to see ticket prices return to previous high levels any time soon.

Read the full report in The Australian.

Source  :  www.news.com.au

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AirAsia biggest promotion free airfares up for grabs

Free Seats are back! AirAsia, the world’s best low cost airline is today giving away 1 million free seats*, to over 70 hot destinations including China, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and many more across our extensive network of over 130 routes; stretching across 20 countries.

The free seats promotion kicks off from 11 – 15 November 2009 (booking period) for the travel period from 1 May – 30 October 2010. Guests may log on to http://www.airasia.com or mobile.airasia.com to find out more about these exciting great deals.

AirAsia’s Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said, “To usher 2010, this is the biggest and most exciting promotion of the year. With no fuel surcharge, and no administration fee, it’s a real deal, offering fantastic value to our guests. When the economy is tough, people seek cheaper traveling options which offer them better value for money and there is no better option than flying with AirAsia for Free! This is also our gesture of saying a big thank you to our guests and the public who supported and contributed to AirAsia’s success. Without them, we would not have been conferred the recent “Airline of the Year 2009” award from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), flying over 80 million guests to date.”

“AirAsia always observe the importance of low fares to ensure everyone can fly; and bringing back our highly popular free seats promotion will give our guests the greatest value ever. What’s more? To compliment the free flights, GoHoliday, AirAsia’s one stop travel portal is also offering sizzling deals and fantastic packages, including “Free Rooms” for over 180 Asia Pacific hotels online at http://goholiday.airasia.com. With this incredible offer, guests can plan their holidays ahead to enjoy great bargains, take this opportunity to be creative and map their holiday routing via AirAsia’s ten hubs (Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok, Phuket, Bandung, Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali, Penang and Johor) across our network at ultra low fares. For instance, guests from Australia, Europe or the Middle East may explore exotic ASEAN and beyond to some of the world’s most popular island resorts such as Bali, Phuket, Langkawi, and vice versa. With these great deals, AirAsia’s guests with huge appetite for travel will be spoilt for choice as we not only cater to the leisure market but also the adventure seekers, diving enthusiasts, historical and heritage explorers, shopaholics, and keen golfers all within our vast route network.” concluded Kathleen.

Guests can fly from Kuala Lumpur to domestic destinations such as Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and many more from as low as RM6 (All In Fare)*. Popular international destinations such as Jakarta, Bali, Yogyakarta, Bangkok, Phuket and even Tianjin are offered from as low as RM25 (All In Fare)*.
The best part is that, AirAsia’s long haul affiliate, AirAsia X recently launched routes such as Abu Dhabi, and Chengdu are also offered within the same period with special fares from as low as RM 99.00* (All In Fare)* only. AirAsia X highly in demand “Kangaroo Routes” to Australia such as Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth are offered from as low as RM149.00 (All In Fare)* and the popular London route is also on offer from as low as RM499 (All In Fare)*.

Promotional seats are limited and available on first-come, first-served basis and made exclusively online via http://www.airasia.com and mobile.airasia.com.

Stay tuned! Follow AirAsia on Twitter, Facebook, and AirAsia’s Blog where we will provide real time updates on our latest promotion.

Source  :  www.tourismtravel.com

 

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Broome stopover port for 2011 Around Australia Race and Rally

The Broome to Fremantle Ocean Race will be a part of the 7,500 nautical mile Around Australia Race and Rally event.

Bob Williams the CEO of Ocean Events Pty Ltd, the Western Australian company behind the 2011 ‘Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally’ has spent the last few days in Broome, located in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, and an important stop-over port for both the Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally.

Williams has been meeting with local authorities and business people discussing the event coming to Broome waters in August and September 2011.

‘I couldn’t be more pleased with the reception that I have received in Broome and the enthusiasm for our event. Broome people will make this a memorable stop-over port that everybody associated with both the Race and Rally yachts will thoroughly enjoy.’

Incorporated into the 2011 Around Australia Ocean Race is the Broome to Fremantle Ocean Race. The Perpetual Broome to Fremantle Ocean Race Trophy is designed and manufactured in Broome by the internationally renowned pearl jewellery company Linneys of Broome.

Principal owner of Linneys Mr Bill Reed yesterday gave Bob Williams and Broome Shire President Mr Graeme Campbell the first viewing of of the trophy.

Linneys apprentice Joshua Gower is the proud craftsman of this fine trophy a copy of which will be taken home by the winning skippers of the 2011 Broome to Fremantle Ocean Race.

Originally founded as a pearling port over a hundred years ago, Broome now boasts a multicultural population of many nationalities lured here by the promise of finding their fortunes. Asian, European and Aboriginal cultures have all blended to create a captivatingly friendly and flamboyant personality that is the heart and soul of Broome.

Broome pearls are recognised as the best in the world and pearling remains one of the town’s major industries.

Broome has a permanent population of 15,000 which expands to 40,000 around the time of the Broome Cup Week horse racing carnival (August) attracting visitors from all over Australia and around the world.

The crews of the Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally yachts, shore crew, family, friends, supporters, sponsors, and local and international media people are bound to be captivated by Broome – one of Western Australia’s and Australia’s best loved tourist attractions.

‘Since we opened the doors for Slot Reservations we have been staggered by the responses for both the Race and Rally – still about neck and neck in event preferences at this stage.

Skandia – 2011 Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally for Cruisers  Andrea Francolini ©

‘We’ve heading towards 100 boats now from 100 foot super maxis to Transatlantic racers, from cruising and racing catamarans and many cruising monohulls and the reservations just keep rolling in and we expect that at this rate we will have a total of around 300 reservations.

‘It’s very gratifying to see such interest in the event. It’s plain that the event has such national and international appeal with Event Slot Reservations coming in from South Africa, Europe, the USA, and New Zealand already.

‘Some very significant Australian yacht clubs have chosen to join with us in planning and running this major event and we will be making announcements about that in coming days.

‘Please get your Slot Reservations in as soon as possible, the news is spreading internationally now!!’

Got to www.sailaroundaustralia.com.au to read more and fill in your Slot Reservation now

Source  :  www.sail-world.com

 

 

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Why Australia?

Quality of Life                              

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. Though it’s nearly 50% larger than Europe, it has the lowest population density of any country, with only two people per square kilometre. What’s more, Australia boasts over 10,000 beaches – more than any other nation.  

Add to that tropical rainforests, rugged mountain ranges and vast tracts of desert, and you’ve got a country that’s rich in contrast and bursting with opportunity. Australia’s diversity is world famous for a reason, and it’s yours to enjoy.

With the reverse seasons to those in the northern hemisphere, Australia enjoys a largely temperate climate. Most of Australia receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, an amazing 70% of the total possible hours.

Where else can you find a home with an average of 300 sunny days per year? That’s 300 more great reasons to move to Australia! Australia is culturally diverse, dynamic and innovative, with an enormous amount to offer migrants and returning Australians. It’s little wonder more than 30,000 Brits and South Africans make Australia their new home each year.

Expos

London : 13th June 2009

Manchester : 4th July 2009

Cape Town : 9 September 2009

Johannesburg :  12 – 13 September 2009

Durban : 15th September 2009

http://www.expo-australia.com/seminars.aspx

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