Australia Picked as top Destination - Queensland Tourism News

Over 1000 people were polled in a survey conducted by Britain’s top cheap flights comparison site Skyscanner, that examined various components of a holiday including the quality of accommodation, food, length of flight, weather, duration, motivation for the trip, travelling companions as well as details of planning and paying.

Further and longer = happier!

Skyscanner's study showed that people are happiest when they go abroad and the further away the better, with six of the top ten happiest holiday destinations being long haul. The survey also revealed that those who were most happy had been away for the longest period.

The countries ranked in order of happiness were:

1) Australia
2) Canada
3) South Africa
4) India
5) France
6) Thailand
7) USA
8) Italy
9) Portugal
10) Greece
11) Spain
12) Turkey
13) Germany
14) UK

Psychologist Cliff Arnall, speaking on behalf of Skyscanner, explained the reasons behind the findings: "As great as holidaying in the UK can be, most people enjoy experiencing somewhere different with a better climate. Short haul trips to Europe can offer this but they are also now relatively common. Long haul holidays tend to be for longer periods of time and have greater impact because they are seen as more special than staying in the UK or catching flights to Spain, for example."

Overall, 69% of those surveyed were ‘ecstatic' or ‘very happy' about their last holiday. This is due to the fact that people enjoy the relaxation achieved by a holiday says Mr Arnall: "Two thirds of working people dislike their jobs and many resent the routine associated with the predictable, mundane nature of things at home. Being on holiday is an ideal escape from this and is both stimulating and relaxing."

The study also revealed that, contrary to popular belief, money can in fact buy happiness; those who had spent more than £3000 per person on their holiday were the most happy. This ties in with the longer haul destinations, and may also in part be due to the type of trip; for example a honeymoon or a ‘once in a lifetime' voyage has extra special meaning and is likely to cost more.

A sense of sharing was also important, with the happiest people making a joint contribution in planning and paying for the trip. "Holiday planning, especially when done jointly, is a very satisfying activity. As long as all concerned feel they are making a contribution and having their views taken into account then planning is both enjoyable and makes people feel emotionally closer to each other." says Mr Arnall.

The survey showed that it takes more than just money to make a happy holiday; the choice of travel companion and socialising once there is also significant. Those who had holidayed with friends and also made new friends whilst away, were happiest. How visitors are treated by their local hosts also affected happiness; the more welcoming and friendly they are, the better the experience.

Good weather was also important to achieve maximum satisfaction while on holiday. This is especially relevant for those living in the UK where the climate is unpredictable and a common cause of complaint. Therefore the guarantee of sun (or snow) is a vital factor in holiday happiness.

Expectations and the planning of a trip also affected satisfaction. Rather than having heightened expectations that were then dashed, the survey found that those who had planned a long time in advance were happiest.

Mr Arnall explains: "Booking ahead provides two very important positives; something to look forward to and something to tell other people about. People who have booked ahead well in advance have the satisfaction (and some might say smugness!) of knowing exactly where they are going and when.

Telling other people about nice things you are going to do is a crucial part of boosting self-esteem and achieving social status."

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(Source: Accomnews, 14th September 2010)

Black Jack, Wild Oats and Lahana to Battle for Brisbane Keppel Line Honours QLD Hotels 30/06/2010

Mooloolaba Yacht Club's Rod Jones, the only skipper to win two Audi Australian ocean racing championship trophies, will be forced to protect his reputation in the 348 nm Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Island race next month.

The feature event hosted by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron has, as expected, attracted a high standard fleet including the Peter Harburg owned Black Jack racing under the Queensland ‘battle flag’ against her New South Wales rival, the Bob Oatley owned Wild Oats X.

Both skipper Rod Jones and his core crew including the talented Shaun O’Rourke and Greg Macallansmith have been busy preparing the exciting new GP42 Alegria IV for her maiden coastal passage classic and match race against the 2010 Brisbane to Gladstone race winner the Bill Wild skippered Wedgetail.

Alegria IV and Wedgetail are radically different in design but are identical in waterline length which suggests they will almost certainly become involved in a private mate against mate match race.

A simular intense minute by minute tactical dogfight is also expected to be played out on the decks of the Mark Bradford skippered Black Jack and the Mark Richards helmed Wild Oats X.

Black Jack has a proud reputation to protect. She remains undefeated in Queensland’s major blue water racing classics having taken line honours in the past two Brisbane to Gladstone races and is the defending Brisbane to Keppel Race line honours overall IRC handicap champion and race record holder.

This clash between Australia’s best crewed and fastest 20.3 m ocean racing yachts will no doubt turn into a 348 nm drag race with the result determined by the human elements of physical endurance and a superior tactical strategy.

Local coastal racing experience suggests Black Jack deserves to be the pre-race favourite but Mark Bradford and his principal crew mates including owner Peter Harburg should be physically and mentally prepared for an exhausting match race when the super fast sloops go head to head for the prestigious line honours trophy.

They have the proven speed potential to weather the challenge from the larger Sydney sloop the 30m Lahana.But they will need to be tactically prepared to protect their race honours if a moderate to fresh spinnaker sailing breeze allows Lahana to exercise the advantage of her extra waterline length.

This trio will set the pace at the head of the fleet while an equally interesting match race will unfold between Wedgetail and Alegria IV, Lambourdini, Eleven, Bribie Star, Cracklin Rosie, Night Nurse, Acadia and Bobby’s Girl to set the required handicap rated speed to outpace Black Jack and Wild Oats X for fastest corrected course time.

Black Jack, which averaged 11.8 knots to claim a rare triple honour (line honours, record and handicap) in 2009, has improved in 2010 and is sure to set the pace for her rivals to chase.

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By Ian "Stripey" Grant

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Tickets on Sale Tuesday for Brisbane Test against Springboks

Tri-Nations – now for the real thing

The Wallabies acknowledge they are still a work in progress, New Zealand has focused its preparations on ways to nullify the aerial superiority by South Africa, and the Springboks have to explain some baffling backline selections to convince certain critics that they will successfully defend their Tri-Nations crown.

The Tri-Nations campaign will kick off at Auckland on 10 July with a Test between New Zealand and South Africa.

Australia

After scraping through against Ireland with a rather flattering score line of 22-15 last Saturday, Australian captain Rocky Elsom acknowledged that his team still had much work to do to be competitive in the Tri-Nations competition.

“We just weren’t sharp enough and not on the same page [as New Zealand and South Africa],” he said.

Australia has been viewed by some notable rugby critics as the likely winner of the World Cup in 2011.

Os du Randt, current Springbok scrum doctor, said he was extremely impressed by the performance in the scrums by some of the Australian Super 14 teams.

Players such as Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson buried the myth that the Australians were vulnerable against giant scrumming machines.

They could field a potent backline with game breakers who have the ability to run impressive opponents ragged, he said.

But Australia could not field its first-choice props lately, and lost the second Test against England as a result.

John Eales, the former Australian captain, said the goal of the Wallabies must be to raise the standard of their poor performances.

“The differential between our best and poorer performances is substantial. and great teams show minimal variation,” he said.

Symptomatic of the uncertainty with this team is the goal-kicking standoff. Curiously, right-footed Quade Cooper takes aim from his preferred left side of the field and goofy-footed Matt Giteau lines up from the right side. They seemed to swap around the midfield duty.

“A show of faith in both, you might say. But it could also be viewed as a lack of faith in both,” Eales warned.

New Zealand

The Springboks' dominant lineout and New Zealand's inability to handle the high ball were features of last season's "blackwash" in the Tri-Nations, but there is confidence that those areas have been addressed well, reported the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA).

Forwards coach Steve Hansen, who must again try to outwit world-class lock Victor Matfield, reckoned the lineout had improved several notches on this stage last year.

"We now step up into the big boys' league and I think we can go in there with some confidence, as long as we keep it smart and keep it simple and people do their job," he said.

Winger Cory Jane, a standout figure in New Zealand's hammering of Ireland and twin defeats of Wales, expected another aerial bombardment even though this season's rule interpretations had prompted less kicking in general play.

"I presume they'll keep kicking, we just have to keep working on our counter-attack," Jane told NZPA.

Graham Henry, the All Black coach, made an unexpected manoeuvre at the end of last week by dropping four noted players when unveiling his Tri-Nations squad.

And that is arguably New Zealand’s greatest single mystery, and also its biggest problem. In eight years at the helm, Henry has never once selected the same 22 players for successive Tests. That contributed to New Zealand's defeat in the 2007 World Cup quarterfinal when a lack of backline leaders in the team gifted the France the match.

While Henry likes to keep his players honest, he also feeds inconsistency and insecurity.

South Africa

South Africa played with vigour and intensity in dismantling Italy in East London.

“I am much happier. We got the send-off for the Tri-Nations we needed. We wanted a good workout and we wanted to play much better – and we did both,” coach Peter de Villiers said of his team's 55-11 win over Italy.

What was baffling, though, were the choices of the substitute bench for the internationals at Auckland, Wellington (17 July) and Brisbane (24 July).

South Africa will start with Enrico Januarie at scrumhalf, a man who looked out of sorts in the second Test against Italy. The team flirted with Ruan Pienaar as substitute wing, used Jean de Villiers as wing as well, and announced the inclusion of Francois Hougaard in the Tri-Nations squad.

According to certain critics, De Villiers' reasoning behind the move is to use Hougaard as scrumhalf substitute. Hougaard has not featured for the Bulls at scrumhalf in the past two seasons.

Pienaar represented the Sharks in this position in the final half of the Super 14 season and at times edged Fourie du Preez in terms of excellent form.

Yet, the Bok management persists with Januarie, and is contemplating the move to use Hougaard in a position in which he has not been tried and tested at this level.

Hougaard has been sensational at wing for the Bulls, but scrumhalf? It does not make sense.

Another possible blunder was not to use Francois Steyn’s massive boot as a possible weapon. If Steyn looked rusty against Wales, his form might have been improved by using him in the lesser internationals off the substitute bench against Italy.

Zane Kirchner has struggled to make the step up to the Springboks from Super 14 level.

Despite these reservations, most pundits give the Boks a chance to repeat their Tri-Nations triumph of 2009. The Kiwis may not have the benefit of a psychological advantage playing at home against South Africa.

The Bulls and the Stormers were overwhelmingly successful in New Zealand, and even the Sharks scored two notable victories there.

South Africa’s formidable performances in the lineouts, scrums and at the rucks will send a few shivers down the spine of the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

And there are sufficient superb game-breakers at the back to keep the New Zealand and Australian teams honest come Tri-Nations time.

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''Metro A La Mode'' Catwalk Fashion Parade

''Metro A La Mode'' Catwalk Fashion Parade is set to launch at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International on the 4th of August 2010. As Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale addresses and thanks all companies who made this event possible, Metro A La Mode Catwalk Fashion Parade will be looking to connect with the Ipswich Festival in the year of 2011 creating its own Fashion Festival segment! Be there when the show commences at 7pm with your Event Host, ‘Goldie’ from River 94.9. He’s sure to bring a smile to your face!
Presenting local Designers and Retailers:
City Beach, Corsets Hot, Dissh, Jay Jay's, Just Jeans, Equip, Williams Shoes, Tarocash
Designer Val Haala, Designer Katie Lauren, Little Dancer Boutique Elly – Rae Fashions, and many more DESIGNERS!!!!!!

Get set to be blown away with performances by:
 Ralph Magazine Model/DJ Sarah Robertson
 Forest Lake 2009 Battle of the Bands winner "Conversations Kill"
 African Percussionist "Austin King"
 Dancing Tiger Belly Dancing
 Eye gazing fashion, heart thumping music and much MORE!
ALL FOR A LOW TICKET PRICE OF $35.00!

Event preview will be held at Riverlink Shopping Centre on the 24th July at 12noon. Come and show your support to all the girls and guys.
PAYMENT!
Tickets selling fast - limited numbers! Purchase from the Metro Hotel Ipswich International 43 South Street, Ipswich 4305, or alternatively
Direct Deposit
Bank: Commonwealth
BSB: 064 012
Account Number: 102 090 61
PLEASE USE FULL NAME AS REFERENCE NUMBER WITH "FP"' IN FRONT OF YOUR NAME.
Contact James Caden, Event Manager on 0403 594 964 for more information

Chinese visitors to fly direct to Queensland - Queensland Hotels

For the first time in more than a decade, Chinese visitors will be able to fly direct to Queensland thanks to a deal brokered by Tourism Queensland, Brisbane Airport Corporation and China Southern Airlines.

The first Chinese passengers to fly direct to Queensland since 1997 will arrive in Brisbane later this year, opening the door to a potential extra 3600 Chinese travellers a month.

To promote the new flights, Tourism Queensland will partner with Tourism Australia and China Southern Airlines in a $520,000 campaign which will see images of Queensland on outdoor screens in Shanghai and on the sides of buses and trains.

Previously Chinese visitors had to transit through Sydney or Melbourne to get to Queensland so providing the option for Chinese travellers to fly direct into Brisbane and easily connect to a range of Queensland destinations allows them to bypass the southern states and spend more time and money in Queensland.

Metro Hotel Tower Mill and Metro Hotel Ipswich Located in the heart of the medical precinct. Special hospital, medical and optical rates available.

Metro Hotel Tower Mill is next door to Brisbane Private Hospital and a
short walk to St. Andrews Private Hospital making it the perfect location
for patients, families and medical staff. Our comfortable and affordable hotel also
boasts panoramic Brisbane city views. To receive our special hospital, medical,
optical and visiting staff rates, call or email our reservations team.

HOTEL FEATURES:
• Short walk from Brisbane and
St. Andrews Private Hospitals
• 10 minute walk to Brisbane
CBD and shopping district
• Budget, family and executive rooms
and suites available
• Restaurant and bar
• Wireless Internet access
• Undercover parking

Metro Hotel Ipswich International is ideal for patients of the Ipswich
and St. Andrews Hospitals and their families. Rest in our comfortable
accommodation assured you are just a short walk from both hospitals.
To receive our special hospital, medical, optical and visiting staff rates,
call or email our reservations team.

HOTEL FEATURES:
• 10 minute walk from both Ipswich
and St. Andrews Hospitals
• Located in the heart of Ipswich CBD
and 35km from Brisbane
• Comfortable accommodation at
affordable prices
• Award winning Platform 9
Restaurant and Bar
• In-room Internet access
• Ample undercover parking

Accommodation at Metro Hotel Tower Mill Brisbane and Croc Express tour

Stay 2 nights in an executive room at Metro Hotel Tower Mill with buffet breakfast plus Croc Express tour to Australia Zoo includes coach and entry From $338 per person twin share.

Booking can be made direct with traveltrain holidays on 1800 627 655 It is not necessary to book rail to or from Brisbane

See Metro Hotel Tower Mill Website