Best Incentive Travel destinations: ULURU, Australia

In the very heart of Australia, lies the Red Centre. It is home to the country’s most recognisable natural icons, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.  It is a truly unique destination for Business Events and Incentive Travel, unlike anywhere else in the world.

The most recognised icon of Australia alongside the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Uluru was declared a national park in 1950 and has been welcoming local and international visitors for decades. Here the ancient culture of the local Anangu people complements the breathtaking beauty of the desert country and its famous landmarks. 
Uluru offers a range of versatile venues for conferences, incentives and meetings... continue reading article >>>

For more information, visit the UNIQ Uluru Incentive Travel website

UNIQ Destination: Cricket World Cup | Australia & New Zealand

For six weeks New Zealand ovals and the historic grounds of Australia will host the world’s best cricketers when the Cricket World Cup returns Down Under for the first time in 22 years. Whether for business or leisure, what a great incentive it is to venture this part of the world and enjoy the best of.

We’ve chosen three of the top destinations, hosting some of the biggest matches.

> Sydney

> Melbourne

> Auckland 

Read about Cricket venues in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland and learn about must see places.

The best of Melbourne: where to take your incentive travel delegates during incentive trip to Australia

As the world’s most liveable city, Melbourne is a city of memorable days out. Days spent walking, eating, hanging out and simply enjoying life. All served deluxe style for incentive travel delegates visiting Australia.

Here is just a highlight of Incentive travel options available in Melbourne. For many more go to http://uniqtravel.com/2015/01/28/best-of-melbourne-incentive-travel-dmc-australia/

See the hundreds of Little Penguins as they make their way across the beach and return to their burrows in the sand dunes. Incentive group will watch Little Penguins reunited with their partners and waddle up into their burrows.

Go down the Great Ocean Road and see waves smashing on the southern edge of the continent and spot koalas. During this trip incentive group gets to see the Twelve Apostles and discover first hand why this trip has become a tourism pilgrimage for so many

 

For a dining experience with a difference, take your incentive travel delegates on a tour of inner Melbourne while enjoying a first-class meal at the same time.


Here is just a highlight of Incentive travel options available in Melbourne. For many more go to http://uniqtravel.com/2015/01/28/best-of-melbourne-incentive-travel-dmc-australia/ 

Air New Zealand customers free to use electronic devices during flight

Air New Zealand customers will be some of the first in the Asia Pacific region to be able to use their handheld portable electronic devices in non-transmitting mode for the entire duration of their flights following approval from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority.

From July 16, the airline will allow the use of handheld portable electronic devices including tablets, smartphones, e-readers and mp3 players during all phases of flight provided the devices are in flight mode.

Previously customers could not use their devices during the taxi, take-off and landing phases of flight.
Initially this option will be available to customers travelling on domestic and international services operated by Airbus A320 and Boeing 787-9, 777-200 and 777-300 aircraft with plans to include Air New Zealand’s regional turbo prop and Boeing 767-300 fleets over time, subject to regulatory approval.

“We are living in a digital age where the majority of our customers use electronic devices while travelling,” said Air New Zealand’s general manager customer experience, Carrie Hurihanganui.
“Today’s announcement will give customers further freedom to use their handheld devices to take photos, listen to music or watch pre-loaded movies gate to gate.
“Air New Zealand prides itself on being a leader in innovation and technology and continues to actively explore what can be done to make the travel experience easier and more enjoyable for our customers.”

Australia's Hayman Island One & Only | Luxury deluxe style

All eyes are on Hayman Island this month as One & Only opens its resort after a $80 million makeover.

Along with the major refurbishment are new programs for couples and families and a focus on special dining: a progressive dinner starting on Whitehaven Beach, then shifting to Langford Island, then back to Hayman's Main Kitchen and finishing on Hayman Beach.

Virgin Australia flies direct to Hamilton Island from Sydney and Brisbane daily, and from Melbourne up to five times a week. Qantas returns to the region this month for the first time since 2005. Direct services between Sydney and Hamilton Island will connect with hour-long boat transfers to Hayman ($175 one way), as well as helicopter and 15-minute seaplane transfers.

For more on Australia and luxury travel ideas >>

5 Business Travel Tips That Will Improve Your Life

If business travel is your life, you know how darining it can be.
Here are a few tips that will improve the quality of your travel experience.


1. Use a travel checklist. Even if you travel all the time, it’s easy to forget something. Keep a checklist and cross things off until you’re sure you have everything you need. Store it in the Evernote app and you will have access to it from all your devices.

2. Keep an energy bar in your carry-on bag. It could be a lifesaver in some instances. Remember to add it to your travel checklist!

3. Have some painkillers on hand. Make sure you stay hydrated but when the headache kicks in don't hesitate to take one pill. It will make the trip more enjoyable and will make your sleep more comfortable.

4. Have an empty water bottle in your carry-on. Especially when travelling through different countries and airports, it's much quicker to find a water station than.



5. Get a Local or International SIM Card & Use Skype whenever possible. If you have an unlocked phone, great, if not buy a cheap extra mobile phone, then either get a SIM card from the country you are visiting upon arrival, usually the cheapest solution and rates for a single visit. And for calling home, now that just about every hotel and lots of other places offer WiFi, there is no reason to ever pay more than the ridiculously low rates for Skype and other internet based calling, whether it is through your smart phone, tablet or laptop.

Journey to the heart of Central Australia. Incentive travel to Uluru by dmc Australia

The below incentive experiences are the story of UNIQ and my journey to the heart of Central Australia with one of our fantastic incentive groups and what we learned about the region. A combination of raw excitement and practical, reliable delivery. It's all here in Australia.

Treasures like Uluru made the perfect centre for a dreamtime incentive and Aboriginal culture made this Australian trip truly memorable for everyone.

At sunset incentive group rode high above the desert surrounds and explored the central Australian region just as the early pioneers did - on a a camel. With stunning views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the incentive group watched the colours change as the sun set from atop a sand dune.

 After lunch we joined Aboriginal artist and learned about the different symbols illustrating Creation Time stories and made our own dot artworks. This was a fun introduction to Western Indigenous Art.

After exciting day full of activities we enjoyed a tantalising menu of international flavours at Ilkari Restaurant and had a very comfortable five star sleep in newly refurbished rooms at the Sails in the Desert Hotel. At this premium hotel incentive group got to experience modern minimalism adorned with a subtle desert pattern and elements of Indigenous art and tradition.

The next day incentive group and UNIQ Tour Leader start trek around the base trail of Uluru. We all embraced the culture, geology and environment that is the essence of this amazing monolith. Our guide took us to the waterholes, showed the rock art sites and told about Uluru's cultural significance to the local Aboriginal people.



Here are more incentive travel experiences in Uluru / Ayers Rock to get your creative juices flowing>>

Give an experience of a lifetime... Contact your DMC in Australia today.

To enquire about having your incentive trip or business event in Australia or New Zealand please contact me. Luiza Nowakowska Incentive travel & Business Events Director UNIQ Travel & Incentives Australia

Airport in Singapore named WORLD'S BEST | by dmc Australia

Changi Airport in Singapore has been voted the World's Best Airport by air travellers for the second year in a row at the 2014 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

The World Airport Awards are based on 12.85 million customer nominations across 110 nationalities of air travellers. The survey included 410 airports worldwide and was based on 12.85 million air travellers across 110 nationalities. Key performance indicators were airport service and product, from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration, through to departure at the gate.

"Changi Airport offers a travel experience in itself and continues to develop its quality standards to be named the world's favourite airport again," said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax. “Changi Airport is a well-known leader and innovator for the airport industry and genuinely delights and surprises travellers who are lucky enough to enjoy the airport facilities. Changi Airport demonstrates how to make the airport experience an enjoyable part of the journey that is so important in today's fast-moving world."

Uluru Camel Cup Race Day & Outback Fest 2-5 May 2014 | by dmc Australia

Uluru, camels and dining in the desert

Ayers Rock Resort will host the annual Outback Fest from 2 to 5 May 2014. The event will feature the Uluru Camel Cup Race Day complete with Fashions on the Field.

This is perfect opportunity for incentive groups to join locals at this fun filled weekend of activities and experience a true Aussie Outback. A special outback style Sounds of Silence dinner under the stars will kick off the festival.

By day guests will get to browse the many market stalls at Ayers Rock Resort's Town Square and sample local produce and bush tucker. The weekend culminates with a true blue Frock and Rock Up Ball set under the sparkling night sky complete with a red desert dance floor and live entertainment.

Other incentive travel activities around Australia inspired by nature >>

Planning a trip to/from Australia? | NEW TOURIST FEE IN DUBAI

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

If you are planning an incentive trip to Australia and plan to stopover in Dubai, beware of a new tourist fee.

The Government of Dubai has announced the new Tourism Dirham will be applied to guests staying in all hotels, hotel apartments, guesthouses and holiday homes from 31 March 2014.

Five-star or higher-rated hotel or resort: AED 20; ~A$6.10
Four-star hotel or resort: AED 15; ~A4.60

The guest will pay the fee directly to the hotel on a per room, per night basis. The fee will be added to the bill, invoice or receipt on a separate line and collected by the hotel at checkout.

The fee will part-fund the new Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing.