Joint venture sees Website Travel expand to New Zealand
A joint venture between ex-Base and Backpackers World Travel CEO Campbell Shepherd and Website Travel will see the point of sale system expand across the Tasman. Read more »
Immigration changes ‘another blow’ to international student market
Widespread changes to the skilled migration program announced by immigration minister Chris Evans yesterday could do further damage to Australia’s international student industry, according to some commentators. Read more »
New Tourism Australia MD considers backpacker market ‘essential’ to strategy
Newly appointed Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy has labelled the backpacker market “essential” to its strategy with the working holiday visa program a key contributor. Read more »
Industry divided over effects of strong Aussie dollar
The backpacking industry is divided over the impact of the strong Australian dollar on tourism following the Tourism and Transport Forum’s (TTF) latest survey highlighting it as a major concern for business. Read more »
Jobs boost for regions as demand for workers outstrips supply
The Australian casual and contract job market is showing early signs of improvement in 2010, according to Travellers Contact Point general manager Dan Lucas. Read more »
McEvoy: marketing Australia is more than just an ad campaign
Improved infrastructure and better access to the country by air and sea are integral to marketing Australia, not just an advertising campaign, new Tourism Australia MD Andrew McEvoy has said. Read more »
BOAV to host Melbourne Expo function in Federation Square
The Backpacker Operators Alliance of Victoria (BOAV) will host its annual Melbourne Expo function in Federation Square on Thursday February 18. Read more »
Topdeck to launch Australia and New Zealand product on harbour cruise
Topdeck has announced it will host a Sydney Harbour cruise later this month to launch its new Australia and New Zealand tours. Read more »
Outback NSW benefits from increased visitor numbers
Far west New South Wales has benefited from an 18 per cent increase in tourist numbers, seeing an estimated $254 million injected into the local economy, the Outback Regional Tourism Organisation has said. Read more »
Nomads purchases Koala Noosa and Hervey Bay leases and acquires operations of Fraser Island product
Nomads World Hotels has announced the purchase of leases for Koala properties in Noosa and Hervey Bay while the company has also acquired the operational and marketing duties for Koala’s Fraser Island 4WD product. Read more »
Kangaroo Island may charge visitor fee
Kangaroo Island will be forced to close its roads in less than four years or charge tourists a fee to assist with their upkeep, the local Mayor has said. Read more »
ATEC Backpacker Conference on sale this week
This year’s ATEC Backpacker Conference will focus on diversification, the evolution of backpacking and providing a roadmap for the effective use of social media, with interactive breakout sessions in the afternoon. Read more »
Anger as GEOS collapse leaves students and staff A$10 million out of pocket
All GEOS English language schools in Australia were permanently closed yesterday, leaving students and staff owed more than A$10 million in fees and salaries. Read more »
International student numbers up year on year
Latest figures from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for the year ending November 2009 have shown a year-on-year 17.7 per cent increase in full fee-paying international students. Read more »
NZ travel company under fire for hiring backpackers to dress as “fake Maoris”
A New Zealand tour operator has come under fire for hiring backpackers to act as “fake Maoris” for cruise ship tourists. Read more »
Online booking engine Webjet sees 40 per cent rise in profit
A 40 per cent rise in net profit in the first half of the 09/10 financial year for online booking engine Webjet has the company “cautiously optimistic” about a recovery for air travel demand. Read more »
Base Magnetic Island and Taupo properties see management change
Base Tourism Group has appointed new managers to its Magnetic Island and Taupo properties. Read more »
Eight GEOS language schools go into voluntary administration leaving thousands of foreign students in the lurch
Australia’s English language teaching industry suffered a massive blow on Friday with news that eight schools operated by the GEOS group had gone into voluntary administration, leaving up to 2300 foreign students and nearly 400 staff in the lurch. Read more »
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BOA Regional Talks - Port Stephens/Hunter Valley
11 February 2010
@ Melaleuca Backpackers - One Mile Beach, Port Stephens -
MINGLE: Dress as your favourite sporting hero
12 February 2010
@ BASE locations AUS & NZ -
BOA Lawn Bowls
12 February 2010 15:30
@ Waverley Bowling Club - Waverley -
Melbourne Adventure Travel and Backpackers Expo - 20 & 21 February
20 February 2010
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Backpacking Queensland Masquerade Ball
24 February 2010
@ Mariott Brisbane Hotel -
BOA Cricket Match
18 March 2010
@ Reg Bartley Oval, Sydney -
BOA Ball
19 March 2010
@ Sydney -
ATEC Conference Backpacker Famil
19 April 2010
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ATEC Backpacker Conference
20 April 2010
@ Hobart, Tasmania -
ATEC Backpacker Dinner
20 April 2010
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BOA Regional Talks - Wollongong
17 June 2010
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BOA Business Speed Dating
24 June 2010
