Gold Coast and wider Queensland will come under the spotlight when South Korea’s new reality TV series, Bucket List Travel to Australia, goes on air later this year.
Produced by Seoul Broadcast System, the show will follow five South Korean celebrities as they explore the destination’s offerings, from Gold Coast’s 52km of beaches and Wonder Reef to World Heritage-listed rainforest, native wildlife, and other unique tourism experiences.
Gold Coast and wider Queensland will be in the spotlight on South Korea’s new reality TV series, Bucket List Travel to Australia; Wheel of Surfers Paradise pictured
Bucket List Travel to Australia will air in a prime-time slot in South Korea later this year and is expected to generate more than US$40 million in publicity to profile Queensland destinations.
Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said: “Pre-Covid, South Korea was our sixth largest market for international holiday visitors and we saw steady loads when Jetstar commenced direct services between Seoul and Gold Coast.
“We know South Koreans have an affinity with nature, blue skies, and a relaxed lifestyle which are all attributes of a Gold Coast holiday.”
She commented that after two years of border closures, Bucket List Travel to Australia will highlight the Sunshine State’s attractions and “keep the Gold Coast top-of-mind for future travel considerations”.
In 2019, around 34,000 Koreans visited the Gold Coast, and spent almost 280,000 nights in the destination.
Prior to securing the series, Destination Gold Coast – together with Tourism and Events Queensland, Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Tourism Tropical North Queensland – had recently organised a five-day tourism mission in South Korea and Japan, meeting with airlines and trade partners to reacquaint them with the Gold Coast.
As consumers around the world plan a summer of revenge travel in the wake of easing restrictions, Trip.com data reflects the global travel recovery trend with data from its booking sites across Europe and Asia and the results showing the rise of summer holiday bookings as travellers become more confident in a post-pandemic world.
Wednesdays are the most popular days For summer 2022, the data shows Tuesday through Thursday are the peak days for browsing flights and hotels, with Wednesday as the most popular day overall for flight searches, and Saturday being the quietest.
Summer holiday bookings in Europe and Asia are on the rise as travellers become more confident in a post-pandemic world
From June to September, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the UK markets saw July 1 as the most popular day for flight departures. It was also the most popular hotel check-in date that users searched for on Trip.com’s sites in the UK and Thailand.
Hotel booking window extended by up to a week During the pandemic, the booking window for hotel stays had fallen from 20.3 days (June 2019 data) to 6.1 days in Asia. Flights saw a similar trend, with the booking window on Trip.com’s European sites falling from 22.2 (in 2019) to 13.4 days in June 2021.
For 2022, Trip.com’s data signals a return to pre-pandemic trends, with booking windows once again rising. In Europe, the window for hotel reservations in June 2022 matched pre-Covid levels at 14.2 days; booking windows for flights extended to 14.2 days from 6.4 days of June 2021. Similar trends are evident across Asia, with booking windows for flights rising to 16.4 days in June 2022 from 6.1 days in June 2020.
However, booking windows still remain shorter than pre-pandemic in the region, as restrictions remain across many nations and districts.
City-centric European summer holidays high on the agenda Airlines and hotel chains have reported bookings and occupancy levels rising to pre-pandemic numbers for the first time this spring, with Trip.com’s European sites seeing an average monthly growth in traffic of around 10% between April and July, further underlining the increased demand for summer getaways.
While many choose beach holidays over city breaks this year, data shows that city-centric summer holidays are still high on the agenda for Europeans wanting to visit attractions, culture, food and new experiences in Europe’s most enticing cities.
Trip.com’s European data also reflects the vast increase in short-haul travel demand for June 1 to 31 August 2022 versus the same period in 2021, and that short-haul trips are 27 times more popular than longhaul and proves that most travellers still prefer to stay closer to home.
Customers book longer trips post-pandemic European customers travelled for longer during 2020 than they did previously, with the average trip length in June 2019 being 6.2 days, rising to 8.8 days in 2020 and back down to 6.6 days in June 2022.
Asian travellers, on the other hand, are travelling for an average of 7.6 days in 2022, an increase on the average of 6.6 days in June 2019, but a decrease on 2021’s average of 8.7 days.
Local travel rebounds well in Asia In Asia, countries and regions that have relaxed their travel restrictions have seen an impressive market performance, particularly those in South-east Asia. Overall in the APAC region, bookings increased by 21% in May and by a further 7.8% in June.
The most popular destination among APAC users was Singapore, where it saw a 42% year-on-year increase in hotel bookings in June.
Thailand saw a slight dip in April but following the Songkran Festival, overall bookings have tripled when compared to June 2021, with a 17% rise in bookings compared to May 2022.
While Thailand continues to attract customers from the UK and Asia-Pacific, the country’s recovery has mainly been driven by domestic travel, with domestic flights in June increasing 2.6 times year-on-year.
Japan and South Korea saw sharp growth in 2Q2022, with South Korean outbound flights increasing by 16 times year-on-year and June outbound flight bookings up 31% compared to May. South Korea eased travel restrictions in early June, so an upward trajectory in bookings is expected.
Japan also eased its border restrictions in June, with a large spike in bookings following the news. In May, flight searches to Japan on Trip.com’s global sites were 7.5 times as popular when compared to the same period in 2021.
ZoukOut dance festival will emerge from its three-year hiatus for a December comeback at Singapore’s Siloso Beach Sentosa, this time partnering with Coachella producers AEG to elevate the event’s experience.
Positioned as Asia’s only dusk-to-dawn dance festival, ZoukOut 2022 will be themed as Futuristic City of Dreams and “take party-goers on a journey that transcends time into a future of make-believe”.
ZoukOut dance festival returns this December
Organisers said the event on December 2 and 3 will bring in leading local, regional and global acts across a festival ground with a food village, experience booths, custom installations, roving acts and spectacular stage designs.
Launched in 2000, ZoukOut was named twice by the Singapore Tourism Board as the Best Leisure Event Experience in the city-state.
ZoukOut’s last edition in 2018 attracted 20,000 people in attendance.
Ticket prices and programme details have yet to be released at press time.
Aki Hong Kong – MGallery, Hong Kong
Located in Wanchai, Hong Kong, AKI Hong Kong – MGallery boasts 173 rooms, including 20 signature Japanese-style tatami rooms.
A 10-minute walk from the shopping district of Causeway Bay and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, other nearby accessible landmarks are the Hong Kong Arts Centre, Tamar Park, Wanchai Heritage Trail, and F&B outlets of Lockhart Road.
Aside from the TANGRAM restaurant and Uncle Ming’s Whiskey Bar, the hotel also features a petite garden, co-working space, gym, and lobby lounge.
Hotel staff can arrange entrance to the popular horseracing event in Happy Valley for guests to experience the spirited and social atmosphere of the racecourse.
Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre
Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre, Australia
Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre in the riverside suburb of North Quay offers guests a retreat with local neighbourhood experiences.
The 212-key hotel features Japanese restaurant Izakaya Publico; 1603, a contemporary speakeasy-inspired bar; and Tuk Nook for that cup of java and pastries.
Radisson Resort Goa Baga
Radisson Resort Goa Baga, India
Radisson Resort Goa Baga sits in the heart of North Goa, just 800m from Baga Beach and 39km from Dabolim Airport.
Attractions within proximity include the Chapora Fort, Fort Aguada, Saturday Night Market, nightclubs, and beaches like Baga and Calangute.
Accommodation choices range from superior and premium rooms to suites with pool and terrace. The hotel also offers 24/7 in-room dining, Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and over 185m² of indoor event space.
Agoda’s ranking of top 15 global summer destinations among various source market regions has placed the Thai capital city of Bangkok in prime positions.
Bangkok takes lead position among Asia-Pacific customers, and is the top Asia-Pacific destination for both US and UK travellers.
Bangkok takes lead position among Asia-Pacific customers, and is the top Asia-Pacific destination for both US and UK travellers
In a press statement, Agoda said: “With travel rules almost entirely relaxed, the bustling Thailand capital has embraced the holiday season offering nightlife, beaches, temples, culture, and cuisine.”
Other favourite destinations among Asia-Pacific customers include South Korea’s Jeju Island and Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur in second and third positions. Even with tight entry controls, Japan’s Tokyo takes fourth place in the ranking.
The Philippines’ Manila (fifth), Tokyo (eighth) and South Korea’s Seoul (10th) are the other Asia-Pacific destinations to make it to the North American summer destination top 10 hit list.
Among European travellers, Indonesia’s Bali (eighth) and Thailand’s Pattaya (ninth) are favourites in this region.
The rankings are based on Agoda booking data collected from May to August 2022.
Omri Morgenshtern, CEO, Agoda, said: “Worldwide, we are seeing international travel coming back this year as travel restrictions have eased, proving people have been looking forward to travelling internationally again for the past two years. Travellers are making the most of the holidays and are keen to visit both domestic and international destinations in Asia.”
Silversea Cruises has purchased luxury cruise ship Crystal Endeavor and will rename her Silver Endeavour when she joins the Royal Caribbean Group subsidiary officially in late July 2022.
The new Silver Endeavour was acquired at US$275 million and fully financed through a 15-year unsecured term loan.
Crystal Endeavor has been acquired by Silversea and will be renamed Silver Endeavour
The fifth expedition ship in Silversea’s fleet of 11, the vessel is scheduled to begin service in winter 2022/2023, with her inaugural season in Antarctica starting November this year.
“With (Silver) Endeavour, we are seeking to grow our world-class fleet to meet the exceptional demand for ultra-luxury expedition cruising, while also enhancing our profitability profile and affirming Silversea’s position as the industry’s leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line,” said Jason Liberty, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Group.
The ship is equipped to operate all of Silversea’s current expedition itineraries and is designed to take travellers to remote destinations, including both polar regions.
Royal Caribbean Group will protect the deposits of guests who were originally booked on Crystal Endeavor and make a new booking on one of its brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises.
If Crystal Endeavor guests do not receive their deposits back from the original sources, Royal Caribbean Group will refund any amount paid on their new booking up to the amount of their lost deposits from Crystal.
The city of Launceston in Northern Tasmania has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, joining an exclusive list of 49 cities globally.
Launceston plays a vital role as the region’s gourmet hub and this designation shows the city asserting its place among the world’s great epicurean destinations.
The Truffle Farm is one of the gastronomic experiences visitors can enjoy in Tasmania (Photo: Tourism Australia)
Traditionally recognised for its unique paddock-to-plate culture, Northern Tasmania offers a selection of cafés, restaurants and bars, including experiences like cooking workshops, vineyards, and the Cradle to Coast food trail – a popular gastronomic experience among visitors.
The criteria for the UNESCO designation include vibrant gastronomy community with numerous traditional restaurants and/or chefs; indigenous ingredients used in traditional cooking; local know-how, traditional culinary practices and methods of cooking that have survived industrial/technological advancement; tradition of hosting gastronomic festivals, awards, contests and other broadly-targeted means of recognition; and respect for the environment and promotion of sustainable local products.
Tourism Tasmania’s CEO John Fitzgerald believes the designation is validation of the efforts put in by the region’s chefs, producers and farmers to offer a truly amazing gastronomic experience.
He said: “This incredible achievement places Launceston firmly on the global stage, and cements the City as a bucket-list destination for culinary tourists seeking quality food, wine and produce.”
Rising Covid-19 caseloads across South Korea have forced the government to tighten its testing regime for arrivals, with all travellers entering the country from July 25 required to take a PCR test within 24 hours.
Currently, travellers are given up to three days upon arrival to fulfil the test.
South Korea has tightened its testing regime for international arrivals due to recent Covid-19 surge; Jeju International Airport pictured
Travellers must stay in their accommodation until a negative PCR test result is obtained. In the event of a position result, travellers must quarantine for seven days.
To facilitate on-arrival testing, South Korea is expanding the number of test centres at airports across the country. There are now three test centres in Incheon International Airport and one in Gimhae International Airport. Jeju International Airport will get a test centre within this month.
As of July 21, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported 71,170 new Covid-19 infections in the country, including 320 from overseas. New cases have remained above the 70,000 mark for the third straight day on Thursday due to the spread of a highly contagious Omicron subvariant.
According to a notice posted on the Korea Tourism Organization website, the government may limit the 48-hour pre-entry test method strictly to PCR only should the wave persist. Currently, South Korea accepts negative results through either 48-hour PCR or 24-hour RAT/ART test methods that are supervised by health authorities as a pre-entry requirement.
Vietnam’s second oldest pagoda, Tay Phuong Pagoda, has been assigned as a national tourist attraction and restoration plans have been ordered for the eighth century site.
Located north-west of Hanoi, the pagoda site also houses a collection of ancient Vietnamese Buddhist sculptures. Of the 64 statues, 18 Arhats date back nearly 300 years.
Tay Phuong Pagoda in north-west of Hanoi, Vietnam, will be developed as a national tourist attraction
In a Viet Nam News report, Can Viet Hung, deputy director of Thach That District Cultural Information and Sports Centre, said the city’s Department of Culture and Sports will work with the locality to propose a restoration plan to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The project will attract an estimated budget of VND150 billion (US$6.4 million), and comprise repairs to the pagoda and conservation of its ancient features. Once approved, work is expected to begin next year.
Minor Hotels will bring its first Avani hotel to the Australian market with Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, set to open in 2025.
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel will sit on the corner of Brisbane Road and First Avenue, minutes away from the Mooloolaba beach foreshore. The 180-room hotel will offer four restaurants, bar, spa, rooftop pool, kids’ club, and meeting rooms.
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast will open in 2025
Dillip Rajakarier, group CEO of Minor International and chief executive officer of Minor Hotels, expressed delight at being able to introduce the first Avani hotel to the Australian market.
“We have been keen to add an Avani hotel into our Australian portfolio for some time and have been scouting for a first-class location. We feel confident this property ticks all the boxes for travellers seeking the upscale, contemporary experience offered by our international Avani Hotels & Resorts, and we expect it will be extremely well-received within the Australian market.”
