INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC SOARS AGAIN

International air travel to and from Australia made a strong recovery in April with a 10.6% increase in passenger numbers, compensating for a disappointing March which saw figures dip for the first time in two years.

Figures released this morning showed almost 2.3 million passengers flew in and out of Australia in April compared with 2.063 million in the same month last year.

Qantas again topped the board with a market share of 19%, although its figure was down — predictably - from 19.7% in April 2010.

Singapore Airlines was its closest rival with 9.2%, a marginal increase on last year’s figure of 9.1%. Air New Zealand just beat Emirates into third place with 8.2%, although its figure still marked a decline on last year’s figure of 8.5%. Jetstar’s share was also down at 7.4% compared with last year’s 8.2%.

Australian carriers saw their share decrease slightly from 34.3% to 33% with Pacific Blue the only Australian airline to increase its share, rising from 6.4% to 6.6%.

Cruise ships may save the tourism industry

CRUISE ships, business travel and major events will help save Australia's tourism industry, which is struggling as a result of the strong Australian dollar, a conference heard yesterday.
Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive John Lee said the booming cruising market was the "shining light" of tourism in Australia, but the Government needed to do more to improve infrastructure.

Industry experts were concerned that many of the large, new cruise ships cannot fit under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Carnival Australia CEO said Cairns had bid for money to build a cruise ship terminal, but the port was not dredged and is too shallow for ships to get in.

While the strong Australian dollar was a disadvantage for local tourism, shadow treasurer Joe Hockey told the Outlook2011 hotel and tourism industry conference it also provided opportunities.


Read more: http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/cruise-ships-may-save-the-tourism-industry-if-only-theyd-fit-under-that-bridge/story-e6frfq80-1226049342321#ixzz1LPjqGIUD

Australia, the Beach paradise

Australia, the Beach paradise: Australia’s coastline stretches almost 50,000 kilometres and is linked by over 10,000 beaches, more than any other country in the world. More than 85 per cent of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast, making it an integral part of our laid-back lifestyle.

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Crocodile Dundees in Australia

Mick had been on the road for four days and had two more days to go before he reached home in Perth. When he wasn't driving he was unloading stuff, or sleeping while his co-driver Marty took over.

I was travelling across the Kimberley in Western Australia by road train – a 160ft-plus, three-trailer, 64-wheel truck, which might as well have been a locomotive as far as the kangaroo was concerned.

I met the tattooed "truckies" in Alice Springs, and with personalities bigger than their beer bellies, wearing shorts, "thongs" and singlets, Marty and Mick were every bit the Crocodile Dundees of the road. They spoke of "sheilas" and warned me: "There's no dunny stop, so if you're coming with us, you'll have to pee in a bottle." As a farmer's daughter I can take most things in my stride, but aiming into a bottle seemed a tricky proposition.