welcome to our E-newsletter.

Congratulations to Billy Tea Bush Safaris on their win at the Tropical North QLD Tourism Awards for the Tour and Transport Operator with fewer than 15 annual full time employees category.

The award is in recognition of their significant contribution to tourism through the provision of tour guiding services! Our congratulations go out to Marilyn, Berrick and family who have been operating Billy Tea for over 25 years.

For more information on Billy Tea´s Cape Tribulation Day Tours or their 5 and 7 day itineraries to Cape York visit www.billytea.com.au!

The Team at Reef Magic Cruises welcomed the arrival of their new vessel – Reef Magic II on the 9th of October. She will commence service later this week.

The new vessel is 30 metres long, 8 metres longer than Reef Magic with seating for up to 310 people. The team will cap numbers daily at 190 maximum allowing guests´ maximum space and comfort onboard.

Reef Magic II will set a new standard for luxury reef cruising with facilities such as state of the art audio/visual equipment, 40” plasma screens throughout plus extensive speaker systems so announcements can be heard clearly inside and out. Special access facilities such as a wheelchair accessible toilet with shower and baby change area have also been fitted.

Of course, the friendly, personable and professional staff complete the quality product you´ll discover on a Reef Magic Cruise. Traveling daily to Marine World, the cruise will now take under 90 minutes and you can participate in all the activities you would expect on a pontoon such as diving, snorkeling, heli-scenics, semi-submersibles etc, but with one huge bonus – you will still do it without the crowds! With 5 hours at the reef you will have plenty of time to explore this natural wonder.

Reef Magic departs daily from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns with pick ups from Cairns to the Northern Beaches, their friendly multi-lingual staff will ensure your guests experience the best service and Great Barrier Reef experience available in Cairns! Be sure to visit their website for further details at www.reefmagic.com.au.

In particular, any Inbounders who have time for pre and post famils as part of Inbound Up North please let us know! Our products are ready and waiting!!!!

Shantara Resort and Spa opened its doors to worshippers of peace and tranquility on the 1st of September, 2007.

The 5 star, couples only Resort, conveniently located just a few metres from Macrossan St, has set a new benchmark in quality design and finishes in Port Douglas. The Asian/Japanese fusion in design offers a unique and distinct slant on the Balinese style popular with many developments in the Tropical North.

The Shantara Team has been overwhelmed by the positive response from Guests with many commenting on the exceptional workmanship both internally and externally noting ‘it´s the finer touches to the building that certainly makes a difference’. Of course, the staff do too and the Shantara Team boasts a complement of 5 experienced Team members to ensure a warm and personable stay for Guests.

Marianna and her husband Luigi Bonomi head up the Team with their vast experience in service and hospitality. Although a little frazzled after their frantic opening, Marianna noted they were looking forward to ‘ensuring Shantara’s success as an oasis for Guests choosing Port Douglas for their holiday experience ’.

Although Marianna and Luigi´s hard work did come at a price…;they´re now in desperate need to restock their Grappa and red wine supplies!!!

Visit www.shantara.com.au to discover Shantara!

We had a lovely stay at 201 Lake St. The rooms are very comfortable and I can imagine they would be great for a family holiday – I particularly like the contemporary décor and that great outside / inside dining verandah.   Great rooms, good location, friendly staff and nice pool … what more could you want!
— Amanda Fisher, Wilderness Australia

I had an absolutely amazing time at Blazing Saddles and I am really looking forward to sharing my experience with clients and sending them up north.
— Samara Frizzell, Travelcentre Bendigo

Just wanted to say a huge "thank you" to you & Blazing Saddles for the great time we had up there on Sunday. I´d never been quad biking before, I think I´m still finding dirt in strange places…Was a lot of fun, will definitely recommend for my clients who are looking for an adventure in the tablelands/Cairns area.
— Sarah Dummer, Flight Centre Strathpine

With the departure of long time Bloomfield Managers Ryan and Aly this month, comes some fresh new Team Members to welcome to the Lodge.

Keith Primrose and Michelle Fitzgerald will be joining the Team as Resident Assistant Managers. Both from Voyages, having worked at El Questro in varying positions, Keith´s strength lies in a mixture of roles including Chefing, Guiding and Maintenance whilst Michelle has vast experience in Administration and Operations roles.

Together, they´ll make a formidable combination in their new position as onsite Assistant Managers! Visit www.bloomfieldlodge.com.au for a peek at this stunning Resort!

Well it has been a little while coming but we are pleased to announce that Dundee´s finally opened in their new location on the 5th of October.

With stunning waterfront views, Dundees now opens for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and is located just under the Sebel Harbour Lights. Suited to both group and FIT dining, Dundee´s seating allows for up to 300 people.

Visit their website for further information on www.dundees.com.au.

Well it´s October. Santa is warming up the reindeer and elves for another festive season.

I´m pleased to say that LTM´s clients are all having a positive year with all clients reporting growth. It proves to me that if products are well represented both in market and at key trade shows that in difficult times good products that deliver on the expectations of the market and the individual customer, can still grow in difficult times. I hate singling clients out but the performances of Ocean Spirit, Reef Magic and Flames of the Forest have been outstanding with Flames exceeding the 2006/07 total of FIT customers for that year in 07/08 by September 2007. That´s a fantastic performance in my view!

The year like most, has rushed by and what have we learned from 2007? Well I can only tell you what I´ve picked up this year. 2007 has reaffirmed the truism of tourism being an unpredictable and risky game. Our dollar is stronger than ever, making exports such as tourism more expensive to potential and realized visitors. On the one hand, some have put off their visit to Australia until a more comfortable exchange rate is in vogue, and those visiting are probably choosing the activities that they take on the ground here in Australia more carefully with an eye on their total spend. The obvious outcome is less tours are probably being sold than when conditions were more favorable in terms of value for the national currency of their homeland.

Unsurprisingly, the strong dollar has severely dented the domestic market as well. Outbound from OZ is booming as Aussies take advantage of the additional value that they are able to obtain with the former South Pacific Peso!

I won´t go on about all the other factors such as nationally inspired destination marketing and other government agencies , once leaders of our industry , collapsing and talking the talk but not walking the walk , labour shortages, increasing costs etc etc etc.

The bottom line is that good marketing is still providing good results for those who, in the face of adversity, keep finding ways to maintain growth in a difficult market without using the far too frequently visited “Price” card.

I think it´s cyclical and of course the only thing constant in all our lives is change.
Remember the more you put in the more you get back!!!!
Happy Days!!
Ron