IN THE WAKE OF its hugely successful Road to Recovery tutorial webinar program, the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) is gearing up to launch a new series, Restart Ready commencing with a focus on the wellbeing of tourism business owners across the country.

The Restart Ready program will introduce tourism businesses to a recently launched program, NewAccess for Small Business Owners, a free and confidential mental health coaching program developed by Beyond Blue that provides support to small business owners who are experiencing challenges.  

“While many millions of people across the country have been in cycles of lockdowns over the past 18 months, the tourism industry has been doing it extra tough, with lockdowns forcing businesses to start and stop several times – a process which is enormously exhausting both mentally and financially,” ATEC managing director Peter Shelley said. 

“While much of ATEC’s work has been focused on supporting the ‘business’ aspect of member businesses, we know that what sits below these businesses names is passionate, dedicated people suffering the stress of keeping their business afloat during these very difficult times.

"In light of our current environment and the pressures being faced by so many in the industry, ATEC is opening registrations to all the tourism industry to provide much needed support for businesses doing it tough as a result of the pandemic.”

The series of three tutorials will be held over consecutive weeks beginning on August 12, with the first session focused on small business owners and mental health, current pressures and introducing the NewAccess for Small Business Owners Program. 

Subsequent sessions will feature Beyond Blue’s Mel Novak and Blue Voices speaker Tim Hoopmann discussing health and wellbeing for small business owners in the tourism industry followed by a Q&A session in week three.

Beyond Blue chief community officer Patrice O’Brien encouraged business owners to participate in the Restart Ready tutorials.

“Business owners who are doing it really tough during the pandemic can participate in the Restart Ready tutorials and gain practical advice and information on the importance of wellbeing,” Ms O’Brien said.

“The tutorials will also introduce the benefits of mental health coaching available through a program called NewAccess for Small Business Owners. The program is delivered via telehealth by trained mental health coaches who have a background in small business and is free for participants.”

Click here to register for this week's Restart Ready tutorial with Beyond Blue’s Mel Novak.

www.atec.net.au

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FORMER UNITED STATES presidential candidate Martin O’Malley and renowned Australian Paralympian Kurt Fearnley AO will headline the Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) in Brisbane later this year.

Announcing Governor O’Malley and Mr Fearnley’s attendance, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the pair’s involvement was a major coup for one of the world’s leading summits for civic leaders.

Cr Schrinner said APCS would provide delegates from Brisbane, Australia and abroad with a chance to hear from a globally-renowned thought leader and one of Australia’s most inspirational athletes. 

Governor O’Malley and Mr Fearnley join a star-studded list of people who have previously featured at the summit including Olympian Lord Sebastian Coe, Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph, Amazon chief scientist Andreas Weigend, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, former New York Mayor Rudi Giuliani and former London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

“While events around the world continue to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve worked really hard to ensure this highly-regarded summit can go ahead,” Cr Schrinner said.

“This year will be a little different with those international delegates who cannot travel to Brisbane able to join and participate in the summit virtually.

“The decision to proceed with this important summit showcases how well Brisbane has been able to deal with the pandemic.”

BRISBANE BOOSTED BY 2032 OLYMPICS

Cr Schrinner said interest in Brisbane had climbed since it was named host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 “For local companies and business leaders, this is a rare opportunity to connect with other major cities and hear first-hand from unique leaders like Governor O’Malley and Mr Fearnley,” he said.

Governor O’Malley is a former mayor of Baltimore, a 2016 US Democratic presidential candidate, the 61st Governor of Maryland and was named ‘one of America’s five best big-city mayors’ by Time magazine.

“I can’t wait to hear from Kurt Fearnley also, he’s one of Australia’s most well-known and respected athletes and his achievements, including 13 Paralympic medals spanning across five games, is an amazing achievement,” Cr Schrinner said.

“The knowledge to be gained from this event is invaluable and I urge anyone interested to get in quick and register to secure an opportunity to connect with local and international businesses as well as government leaders.” 

The APCS Summit routinely draws representatives from cities throughout the world and is regularly held in other countries. This year’s theme is ‘Redefining Cities through Opportunities and Challenges’.

The APCS, founded in 1996 by Brisbane, is the city’s signature, biennial, international event for driving economic growth for Brisbane, South East Queensland, Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region.

The Summit is an integral part of Brisbane City Council's economic development agenda to foster international networks and forge new business relations throughout the region.

The 2021APCS Special Edition will be held live online and in person at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre daily from September 8-12.

www.apcsummit.org

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WITH 15,000 jobs already gone in Australia’s travel sector, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) today warned that ongoing Federal Government support until international travel normalises is critical.

National Cabinet’s 4-stage 'return to normal' plan relies on vaccination thresholds being reached, the specifics of which are yet to be released, according to AFTA. Given the Prime Minister’s statement today that “it will be the end of the year before all Australians who want to be vaccinated will be”, international travel for most Australians is at least six months if not a year away, according to AFTA chair Tom Manwaring.

He said Australia’s travel agents had played a critical role in supporting consumers navigate COVID lockdowns and border shutdowns.

This has included successfully securing $7 billion worth of credits and refunds on COVID-impacted travel from suppliers -- including hotels, airlines, tour operators, cruise lines and others -- on behalf of their consumers. 

"This is despite agents experiencing revenue falls of 90 percent-plus from the imposition of the international travel ban in March 2020," he said.

“We welcome the clarity that today’s National Cabinet 4-stage plan provides as to how Australia will re-open and return to normal.

“But the reality is that we have already lost approximately 15,000 jobs in our sector as a result of the COVID shutdown. These are highly-skilled and experienced individuals whom we simply can’t afford to lose and whom consumers are relying heavily on now to help navigate the multiple travel challenges created by COVID," Mr Manwaring said.

“What is clear is that “normal” travel for most Australians is still some time off even if there is a significant upturn in vaccination rates. Until that happens, we need ongoing support for Australia’s travel agents and businesses who are performing such important work in supporting customers and whose skill and expertise will be so heavily relied on as Australians start travelling again given the complexities of COVID-travel. This is important support for the remaining 30,000 jobs and 3,000 travel agency and businesses.

“We are very grateful for the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program which has seen $258 Million in support for Australian travel and tourism businesses including travel agents. But we need the support from Rounds 1 and 2 of the grants program to flow more quickly to those eligible agents and, given the ongoing pause in outbound travel, we need this support extended and supplemented urgently.”

Travel industry facts

• Prior to COVID, the travel and tourism industry experienced year on year growth of 11 percent and maintained growth of 7.25 percent over the past five years;
• In 2018-19, Australians spent over $46 billion on international travel, representing the largest import sector of the Australian economy;
• 70 percent of this international travel was booked through Australian travel agents;
• Each year travel agents collect taxes worth $1 billion and contribute $28 billion nationally to the economy;
• 71 percent of staff and executives in the sector are women.

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From Ellen Boonstra, Asia correspondent >>

THE Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, a much-anticipated luxury island retreat in the Maldivian archipelago, opened its doors on June 6. It is within paddling distance of the world-renowned ‘Chickens’ surf break.

A remarkable five-star property located in the North Male Atoll, Kuda Villingili is the Maldives redefined: a unique, experience-driven concept, home to an impressive line-up of gourmet dining options, an idyllic beachfront spa, and an azure, spacious 150m pool, encircled by stylish sunbeds, cabanas and bars. 

Kuda Villingili Resort is the first property in the Maldives for Indian hospitality conglomerate MFAR. The group has, since its inception, demonstrated innovation and commitment, with a serious commitment to corporate social corporate responsibility (CSR).

Kuda Villingili Resort is pioneering a microfinancing program that supports a neighbouring island by purchasing all of the local people’s shrimp and lobster produce. The resort will also offer loans, training in sustainable and efficient farming and healthcare.

Providing prime access to one of the world’s top 10 surfing spots – known as Chickens – as well as a host of daily activities and nightly entertainment such as lobster and Champagne nights and sunset DJ sessions, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers guests the opportunity to reconnect after a year of isolation, as well as space for privacy, luxury and rest.

GASTRONOMY ACCENT 

The diversity of cultural expression is celebrated throughout the resort’s gourmet offerings.

With views of the idyllic beachfront, the resort’s signature dining establishment – The Restaurant – serves the freshest, handcrafted food for breakfast and offers three menus at dinner: Fire, Earth and Ocean. 

Inspired by the traditional American Steak House experience, Fire explores the art of grilling meats to perfection. Earth is an Asian-inspired concept that celebrates organic ingredients to enhance classic dishes like noodles and dim sum creations, and Ocean is a fine-dining experience championing seafood specialties, prepared with a European sensibility.

Relaxed, flavoursome and social, The Hawkers is an upscale three-stall street food market that sits poolside and serves up soulful, sharing-style options. The open kitchen dishes up Indian-Arabic inspired flame-grilled kebabs, charcoaled tandoor, and mouth-watering shawarma, along with Thai-Japanese delicacies such as robatayaki grill and sushi, and Italian-Mediterranean favourites like savoury wood-fired pizza.

A South American take on the classic lunch beach menu is available at The Beach Club, together with daily live DJ sets and an extended list of refreshing frozen cocktails and rosé wines. The resort’s two bars, the Main Bar and the Poolside bar, both offer classic cocktails, mocktails and hand-crafted beers.

And overlooking the lagoon, the resort’s cosy Cigar Lounge offers the finest international whiskies and cognacs and a wide selection of premium cigars in a warm, sophisticated and sumptuously leather-decorated ambience.

WELLNESS & SPORTS 

Featuring oversized stone baths, organic and plant-based products by Voya, the spa at Kuda Villingili is rooted in self-love, self-discovery and wellness.

Boasting eight self-contained oceanfront spa villas, each promises a holistic journey to reclaim self-connection, self-care and balance through an array of therapeutic and mindful practices.

Restorative leisure pursuits include an elevated yoga pavilion, Technogym and a recreation centre with table tennis, billiards, karaoke and table games. There are two state-of-the-art tennis courts, beach volleyball and island excursions that range from surfing, scuba and stargazing to wildlife encounters, sandbank dining and big game fishing.   

DESIGN & ACCOMMODATION 

Conceived with nature in mind by the Maldivian architectural firm GX Associates, in collaboration with the Singapore-based interior design company URBNarc, the resort boasts 95 luxury villas – 36 overwater and 59 beachside.

All are inspired by the sprawling nature of the Maldives and offer panoramic views of the pristine ocean, allowing for the natural sounds of the sea to awaken the senses.

The resort’s interiors authentically reflect the natural beauty that surrounds the island.

Traditional Maldivian art pieces and textiles are dotted throughout, and the expert use of natural materials enhance the harmony between water, light and wind. Inspired by the ocean and local fauna, interiors feature custom, eco-friendly furniture and fittings (including carpets manufactured from recycled plastic bottles).

This mixed-use resort development also offers a variety of accommodation types to meet the needs of all – groups, couples, solo travellers and families. 

ACTIVITIES GALORE 

Guests are invited to snorkel amidst the majestic manta rays, reef sharks, hundreds of species of tropical fish and coral reefs and at sundown, they will be surrounded by the areas’ unique fluorescent marine life.

Kayaking, wakeboarding, jet skiing, windsurfing and surfing the majestic waves at nearby Chickens break, one of the world’s top 10 surfing spots, is also on offer. Back on land, sushi masterclasses, mixology courses, morning yoga sessions, fun-filled cardio lessons and tennis tournaments await – and they’re included in the price of the villa. 

Kuda Villingili’s littlest guests will be spoilt for choice. The resort’s experienced team will organise fun filled activities including crab discovery, treasure hunts, creative workshops and sandcastle competitions, all designed to ensure that a child’s experience on the island is as unforgettable as their parents’. 

André Kretschmann, general manager of Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives said, “I look forward to welcoming guests in this magic and unspoiled island.

“Kuda Villingili represents years of ingenious planning and successful collaborations with famous hoteliers and designers, not to offer yet another luxury resort but a place where time and space are redefined. The young resort team and I are here to help guests create ever-lasting memories.”  

www.kudavillingili.com

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