Office News

Important news from our New Zealand Office:

Please note that as of the 01^st OCTOBER 2010 effective our New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be increasing from 12.5% to 15%.  The New Zealand Government passed this legislation on the 20^th May 2010 and this will be applied to all goods and services throughout all New Zealand industries accordingly. Even though New Zealand’s Tourism Industry suppliers and Inbound Tour Operators, who all gathered at the New Zealand Tourism Rendezvous (TRENZ) convention in Auckland from 24^th to 28^th May 2010, had high hopes for any last minute amendment to be applied to the tourism sector, they were disappointed to learn that no exceptions were to be made. Therefore the following important points apply to all quotation and bookings:

1. The GST increase to 15% will be applicable to all quotations and bookings with a travel date from the 01^St October 2010 onwards.  This includes any quotation or booking already actioned or confirmed.
2. If payments are received prior to the 30^th September 2010 for any confirmed bookings with a travel date after the 01^st October, we will be able to invoice this booking at the existing quoted rate. However, any bookings not prepaid as of the 30^th September 2010 will have to be charged accordingly at the new GST rate of 15%.
3. Any changes or amendments made to confirmed bookings after the 1^st October 2010 will incur rates based on the new GST rate of 15%.
4. Any cancellations made to confirmed bookings that have already been prepaid prior to the 01st October 2010 where refunds are applicable, these will incur the new GST rate of 15%.

We will notify you very soon with regards to any quotation or booking in which will be affected, in order to update you with updated rates, including the new GST Tax rate of 15% accordingly.  We hope this clarifies any questions that you may have on the GST Tax increase, however all queries can be directed to: accounts@aptc-nz.com.

Product of the Month

 

The Sebel Pier One

Built ‘on and over the water’ and nestled alongside the iconic Harbour Bridge, The Sebel Pier One Sydney is the perfect base to explore Sydney. Choose from 160 well appointed guestrooms including 79 featuring magnificent water views of Sydney Harbour, 10 elegant suites and 19 beautiful king rooms which blend heritage with contemporary chic.

The luxurious suites are uniquely different and feature original timber and exposed steel beams as well as a spa bath, CD player, plasma television and a separate bedroom and living area. Some of the suites even boast relaxing day beds positioned directly in front of the large windows, perfect for soaking up the water vistas. Delight in diverse modern Australian cuisine at Front Restaurant where Executive Chef Jonathan Bruell structures his a-la- carte and daily special menus around Sydney’s wonderful climate. Chef specialities include Moreton Bay bug tails, Venison loin, Yamba prawns and Barramundi fillet which can be enjoyed al-fresco on the pier while soaking up the harbour views.

For a casual drink, the adjoining Front Bar is the place to be and offers a range of local beers and

cocktails in a casually stylish atmosphere. The friendly Sebel welcome is also extended to your pet as the hotel is canine-friendly. For a Sydney getaway with your pooch, The Sebel offers accommodation in a heritage room with direct access to the pier, bedding for your dog and a dog-sitting service can be arranged on request.

As a Sebel guest you also enjoy the convenience of 24-hour reception, concierge and room service, daily housekeeping, complimentary daily newspaper, a well equipped gymnasium and valet car parking.

Whether you want to climb the Harbour Bridge, ride the roller coaster at Luna Park, pat a Koala at

Taronga Zoo or shop to your heart’s content in the CBD…The Sebel offers easy access to the best of Sydney!

The Sebel Pier One Sydney is part of the Mirvac group of over 45 hotels and resorts in Australia and New Zealand, under such well known brands as Quay Grand, Quay West Apartments & Resorts, The Como, Sea Temple Resorts & Spas, Sydney Marriott Hotel, Citigate Hotels, Cairns Harbour Lights, Hotel Lindrum, Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney and of course The Sebel Hotels & Resorts.

What’s New

Australia wide

Luxury Lodges of Australia

• Luxury Lodges of Australia is a new association, formed by fifteen of Australia’s leading independent luxury tourism properties.
• The aim is to promote the uniquely Australian breed of luxury experiential lodges, domestically and internationally.
• Properties include: Arkaba Station (SA), Bamurru Plains (NT), Bedarra (QLD), Capella Lodge (NSW), Cape Lodge (WA), Lake House (VIC), Lizard Island (QLD), Longitude 131 (NT), qualia (QLD), Sal Salis (WA), Southern Ocean Lodge (SA), Spicers Clovelly Estate (QLD), Spicers Peak Lodge (QLD), The Louise (SA) and Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa (NSW)

Best Accommodation Group

• New Marketing Corporation, with the purpose to deliver strength to small and medium sized apartment hotels
• Currently 7 properties in the group, with a focus on Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast

Rendezvous Hotel Group

• Has launched a new ‘Value Promise’ product available at all Rendezvous Hotels and The Marque Hotels
• Value priced services and products and include; Free guest Internet up to three hours every calendar day, Free local telephone calls and low cost international phone calls, Value focused mini-bar item prices, Value focused dry cleaning and laundry prices, No credit card surcharge, No weekend or public holiday surcharge in our restaurants, bars or room service

Australian Eco Adventures

• Has announced three new tours to their extended program for 2010. They have been designed to showcase a “once in a lifetime” natural event in Australia, exploring the flooded regions of south west Queensland, western New South Wales and eastern South Australia.
• After many years of drought, the transformation of this arid and parched land has been very significant. This unique opportunity will allow our guests to see Australia’s Outback at it’s very best - lakes and billabongs full, Channel Country luxuriant and deserts flowering at their best.
• Touring Options include : 1) Departing Sydney, exploring Queensland’s flooded country - The Condamine, Balonne, Barcoo, Warrego, Thomson, Cooper and Paroo Rivers and concludes in Broken Hill 2) departing Broken Hill and covers the Western Channel Country; Cooper Creek, Diamantina, Warburton and Strzelecki Rivers and Lake Eyre, returning to Broken Hill via the Flinders Ranges and 3) departing Broken Hill and ending in Sydney, after once again covering the Queensland to New South Wales flooded rivers systems.
• Available for set dates only over July - August. Please contact our office for further information

New South Wales

Australia in Style

• Hot new Romantic Island Dining in Sydney - A most unique experience… A private and exclusive luxury water transfer to an island in the middle of Sydney harbour for a barbecue. Suitable for aomantic dining for two or a small group.
• New winery tours in Classic Cars - A personalised tour of Hunter Valley boutique vineyards is now available. Up to 8 people can travel together in the Cadillacs with local wine enthusiasts as driver-guides. Enjoy the fruits of the region, private and exclusive transport from Sydney is available.

Northern Territory

Wildman wilderness Lodge (Anthology)

• In February 2011, an immersive new Australian wildlife safari experience will be revealed at Anthology’s Wildman Wilderness Lodge.
• Situated halfway between Darwin and Kakadu in Australia’s breathtaking Top End, on the beautiful Mary River Wetlands, the emphasis will be on the best of cultural and nature-based tourism.
• With a well-appointed 30-room lodge, 15 air-conditioned rooms and 15 safari tents, Wildman Wilderness Lodge will form a unique footprint on some of the country’s most majestic, yet equally accessible, surrounds.

APT and Djabulukgu

• Australian Pacific Touring and Djabulukgu has formed a new partnership.
• This indigenous association represents the interests of the Traditional owners in Northern Kakadu and parts of Western Arnhem Land.

Queensland

Hamilton Island

• The new Yacht Club Villas are stunning four-bedroom holiday homes offering a new level of luxury and impeccable style. All are individually designed by renowned architect, Walter Barda, set amongst tranquil landscaping crafted by celebrity green thumb, Jamie Durie and include furnishings by leading design group, Coco Republic.
• Each Yacht Club Villa booking will benefit from the individual attention of a member of the Island concierge team, who will contact them before their visit and personally look after them during their stay.
• Services through the concierge include access to qualia’s restaurants and Spa - exclusive facilities that are available by invitation-only to non-qualia guests, and priority bookings for tee times on the new Hamilton Island Golf Course .

Specials

New South Wales

Citigate Central

• Has an attractive B&B offer for new bookings until 30 September.
• Please refer to iCom for updated rates.

Blue Sydney

• Stay 2 or more nights in a Deluxe Pier View room and receive complimentary upgrade to a Deluxe Pier Loft Suite, Complimentary continental breakfast in Blue Cafe for 2 people daily and late checkout until midday.

• Valid for new FIT bookings until 31 August 2010
• Not combinable with other offers

Park Hyatt Sydney

Guaranteed Upgrade Offer: 

• A minimum 3 night stay required.
• Reservation for City Harbour Rooms will be given a complimentary upgrade to Opera Room
• Reservations for Opera Room will be given a complimentary upgrade to City Harbour Deluxe Reservation for City Harbour Deluxe will be given a complimentary upgrade to Opera Deluxe Room.
• All upgrades subject to availability at the time of booking
  Suites are excluded from this offer.
• Offer not combined with other offer or any value-adds

FULL Breakfast Offer:

• A minimum 3 night stay required.
• Receive a full complimentary breakfast for 2 people daily in the main water-side restaurant the harbourkitchen&bar
• Offer not combined with other offer or any value-adds

Queensland

Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas

• New Stay 3 Pay 2 package from Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas.
• This special package includes:
  - Purchase one full buffet breakfast get one free
  - 15% off food and beverage in resort restaurants for lunch and dinner
  - Kids dine free in resort restaurants when dining from the children’ menu
  - Unlimited free nights Available on all room types
  - Pay for one child Kidz Club and get one child free

• Valid for sale and travel through to 31 March 2011, for new bookings

Queensland Rail

• 40% discount for the second adult fare for travel in Queenslander Class on The Sunlander
• Available for all sectors/locations serviced by The Sunlander - i.e. Brisbane, Maryborough West (Fraser Coast) and Gladstone (Heron Island) to Whitsundays, Townsville or Cairns -  or vice versa.
• Discount not available on Trainlink coach services.
• Valid for new bookings only, for travel dates from 01 October 2010 to 31 March 2011.

Lizard Island

• Book four nights on Lizard island and receive an additional night for free.
• Offer includes: 4 nights accommodation including meals, selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, use of non-motorised watersports & dinghy hire and 1 bonus night.
• Sale period: 01 June 1 - 31 August 2010
• Travel period: 01 June - 20 December 2010
• Black out dates apply: 01 August - 04 September 2010 and 14 -24 October 2010.
• Offer is available on all room types and is subject to availability.
• Offer cannot be combined with any other offer and is only applied to new bookings.  
• 5 night minimum stay applies.
• Air transfers from/to Cairns are an additional cost.
• Please quote ST5P4 at time of booking. For full rates and information contact our office.

Northern Territory

Voyages

• Sounds of Silence Escape Package representing a 15% saving off the retail rate for both Sounds of Silence and accommodation
• 2 night minimum stay required.
• Package includes 2 night’s accommodation at Ayers Rock along with Sounds of Silence dinner. Sounds of Silence will be booked on first night of stay.
• Sale Dates: until 31 July 2010
• Travel Dates: until 31 January 2011
• Bookings are subject to availability and not combinable with other offers
• Please enquiry with our office for rates and full details.

Tasmania

Mercure Hobart & Mercure Launceston

• Stay 3 consecutive nights and receive complimentary breakfast for up to 2 adults
• Valid for new FIT bookings and stay before 31 July 2010
• Not combinable with other offers

Changes & Refurbishment

New South Wales InterContinental Sydney

• InterContinental Sydney has confirmed the dates for the Club InterContinental ’soft’ refurbishment. Refurbishment will be undertaken from the11 - 16 July 2010, returning to operation on the 17 July 2010. Details as follows:
• The refurbishment of Club InterContinentalwill focus on upgrading the soft furnishings and will further enhance our guests experience at Club InterContinental after completion. During this time Club InterContinental will be relocated to the Harbour Room on Level 31.

Formule 1 Kings Cross Sydney Hotel

• The Formule 1 Kings Cross Sydney has been renamed Formule 1 Sydney East.

Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney

• Work is well underway at their restaurant and bar area. Those areas are temporary relocated to the lower ground level. Bistro-Fax is continuing to operate for lunch and dinner daily and the ABX Bar operating till late.
• For a short time they will be relocating the Reception area to opposite the guest lifts while the remainder of our lobby is designed, this will be followed by further styling of their entrance.
• Further enhancements to the hotel include Plaza Club Lounge.

Northern Territory

SKYCITY Darwin

• Refurbishment of 15 deluxe rooms has now been completed.  The rooms have been fully renovated with new air conditioning, new carpet and cabinetry.  The bathrooms have been fully replaced with corner showers, new basins and vanities. 

Novotel Darwin Atrium

• There is an apartment development in the adjacent block to the hotel, with excavation work and construction.
• The site will be fully fenced off and all vehicle access will be away from the hotel boundary. With late starting times the noise impact is expected to be minimal.  The work is expected to go on for 12 months, to May-June 2011.

Queensland

The Brampton Island jetty

• The Brampton Island jetty is undergoing repairs and is currently not accessible.
• The repairs are expected to be completed towards the end of June at which time the jetty will re-open for normal usage.

Holiday Inn Cairns

• The refurbishment program is continuing and is moving into the final phase, the guest room furniture & fittings.  
• Over the past 2 years, Holiday Inn Cairns has already made significant changes to the hotel with the upgrade of the Lobby, all guest room bathrooms, the restaurant and our beautiful rainforest atrium area.
• The rooms will be progressively upgraded to ensure minimal disturbance to guests.

Kewarra Beach Resort Cairns

• Since the beginning of April, Kewarra Beach Resort have been undergoing major renovations
• Work is expected to be completed mid-June 2010

Mercure Cairns Harbourside

• The refurbishment at Mercure Cairns Harbourside is now half complete, with all rooms due for completion by the end of July 2010.
• The Mountain Tower, which is already complete, has received new carpets, painting, bedding and flat screen televisions, while the Harbour Tower will get a complete renovation with the above as well as new furniture fittings and joinery.

Tjapukai Park

• NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia in July each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week 2010 is held from 4 to 11 July.
• Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is holding a special celebration day on Tuesday 6^th July 2010. The park will be open from 9.00am to 3.30pm.

Kuranda Scenic Railway

• Due to the decrease in demand for Kuranda touring on days when Skyrail is closed for programmed maintenance, Kuranda Scenic Rail will also reduce scheduled services for the corresponding dates in 2010
• On 01, 19. 26 June and 30 August the train will not be operating.
• Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class services has resumed service as of Friday 28 May 2010. Gold Class includes Exclusive Gold Class carriage with vintage interior, lounge style seating with dedicated hostess, a selection of fresh appetisers, Alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages and a Gold Class souvenir gift pack

Ocean Spirit Cruises

• Due to ongoing maintenance issues and and failure to source a suitable replacement vessel, Ocean Spirit Cruises has had to suspend its Rum Runner operation ex Cape Tribulation immediately.

Hayman

• A new major project being undertaken on Hayman in 2010.
• Hayman is developing an exclusive collection of Beachfront Suites which will present new standards in international resort excellence.
• Eight absolute beachfront suites on the shores of Australia’s most celebrated private
  island destination will offer breathtaking uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea and beyond
  and unsurpassed interior and exterior appointments. Designed by internationally renowned architect, Kerry Hill, each suite will provide 120 square metres of sheer luxury, featuring superb appointments including a stunning private plunge pool.
• During this period of enhancement we will be required to implement the following schedule of works, all of which are planned to minimise any inconvenience to our valued guests:

- Scheduled Dates 19 May - 30 November 2010
Closure and Removal of Full Beachfront Room accommodation categoory, Closure of full Retreat Room accommodation category, Closure of Beach Villa accommodation category

- By 1 December 2010 The new Beachfront Suites accommodation category will open, Retreat rooms and beach Villas will also be reopened.

• Work is being staged to ensure minimum inconvenience to Hayman guests.

Western Australia

Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

• Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort is operating as normal. Routine ocean water monitoring detected a fluctuating bacteria level from a fault in the waste water treatment system.
•  In collaboration with DEC the source has been identified and the situation is being rectified.  The Western Australian Government’s Health Department has confirmed there is no public health risk.

Intercontinental Perth Burswood

The Atrium Restaurant at InterContinental Perth Burswood will be undergoing extensive refurbishment commencing May 2010 through to December 2010.