NZbyBike launched to market riding around New Zealand to travellers
Dan Roberts of Xebidy Social Web today launched a new marketing company called NZbyBike to the New Zealand Backpacking, Adventure and Youth Tourism Conference. Read more »
Free internet key to slowing down today’s ‘fast travellers’
The modern traveller is absent minded and disconnected with the environment they travel in, Simon Milne of the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute told delegates at the New Zealand Backpacking, Youth and Adventure Tourism Conference today. Read more »
Air New Zealand passengers to get comfier, greener flights
Air New Zealand plans to become an environmentally conscious market leader offering a superior customer experience in all classes, including YouTube content in back of the seat entertainment, delegates at the New Zealand Backpacker, Youth and Adventure Tourism Conference have been told. Read more »
Conference told New Zealand must focus on quality over quantity when it comes to tourists
New Zealand must focus on quality over quantity when it comes to international tourists according to New Zealand Backpacking, Youth and Adventure Tourism Conference keynote speaker Rob Oram. Read more »
New airfare search engine just the ticket for undecided backpackers
A new flight search engine has been launched specialising in the comparison of fares from low-cost carriers around the world. Read more »
Youth brands clean up at TRAVELtech website awards
A number of backpacker and youth-oriented travel businesses are celebrating this morning after being named category winners at the TRAVELtech Website of the Year Awards.
Among the company’s recognised were Habitathq (Best hotel operator website), Lonely Planet (Best travel destination website), Wicked Campers (Best car/camper hire website), Contiki (Best tour operator wholesaler website) and WorldNomads.com (Best niche website). Read more »
American Express? That’ll do nicely for Expo
Organisers of the Adventure Travel & Backpackers Expo series have announced American Express as platinum sponsor of the Sydney and Melbourne events. Read more »
BOA NSW spreads the word on jobs
The Backpacker Operators Association of New South Wales has issued a press release in the UK about work available in Australia in a bid to capitalise on the shortage of university places and post-graduate jobs in the backpacking sector’s leading source market. Read more »
New figures show a six per cent drop in working holiday visa grants
New figures seen by Thumbrella show a six per cent drop in working holiday visa grants over the last 12 months, a five per cent improvement on preliminary numbers seen by Thumbrella last week. Read more »
Backpacker sues QLD government and tourism operators for injuries on Fraser Island
An Irish backpacker who injured himself while running down a sand dune on Fraser Island is suing two tourism operators and the Queensland government for allegedly failing to warn him of the risks. Read more »
Missing French couple safe and well
Kenji Vongsouvanh and Melissa Gaudin, the French couple travelling in Australia who were feared missing after failing to contact relatives back home or update their Facebook accounts recently, are safe and well. Read more »
English Australia urges incoming government to take action to halt decline in student numbers
With the election result still hanging in the balance, peak English language sector body English Australia has proposed an action plan to both major parties in a bid to halt the decline in international student numbers. Read more »
UK comedian Jeff Green to present Golden Backpack Awards
Award-winning British comedian Jeff Green will host this year’s Golden Backpack Awards gala dinner at Sydney’s Star City Casino on November 4.
Now an Australian resident based in Melbourne, Green is a television regular on shows including Spicks and Specks, Good News Week, The Glass House, World Comedy Tour and The Squiz. He has also made numerous appearances on Ten’s Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala. Read more »
Industry urged to share information on French backpackers’ whereabouts
The backpacker industry is being urged to share any information they might have on a pair of French travellers who have not been in contact with their families in weeks.
Kenji Vongsouvanh and Melissa Gaudin (pictured) have not been in contact with relatives at home nor updated their Facebook accounts recently. Read more »
WYSTC announces keynote speaker
Executive director of the Avant-Guide Institute Daniel Levine has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for this year’s World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC). Read more »
Salary comparisons reveal a wealth of opportunity Down Under
A combination of high base salaries and the strong dollar are making Australia an attractive option for British and French workers in a range of job categories popular with backpackers. Read more »
Australia top pick for travellers in Asia Pacific
Australia has been voted as the most desirable holiday destination in the Asia Pacific Travel Intentions Survey for 2010. Read more »
Working holiday maker visa grants down 11 per cent year on year
Preliminary figures seen by Thumbrella show a drop in working holiday maker visa grants for Australia of just over 11 per cent year-on-year for the year ending June 2010. Read more »