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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HILTON Surfers Paradise won top honours twice at the 20th annual Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) Awards for Excellence staged last week at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre – while also ranking as a finalist in another three award categories.

The iconic Gold Coast hotel took out the major award for Best Redeveloped Hotel Accommodation and Hilton Surfers Paradise duty manager, Lucas Evans was awarded the prestigious Hotel Industry Rising Star Award for 2021. 

The Hilton and its team were also finalists for Best Hotel Bar-Accommodation, Front of House Employee of the Year and Employee Excellence in Service. 

The win for Best Hotel Redevelopment was supported by the hotel’s $9million makeover in 2020 which saw the addition of nine new guest rooms and suites, the unveiling of a new full-service executive lounge, expansion of conference facilities, a reinvented lobby complete with a new cocktail bar, all day dining area and exhibition gallery, the implementation of Digital Key for guest rooms and digital ordering poolside, in-room and within the outlets.

Hilton Surfers Paradise general manager, Fiona Pryde said her team was “very fortunate” that despite a challenging 2020 the hotel’s owner continued in the property’s redevelopment.

“Renovating the entire ground floor during the COVID-19 pandemic created a sense of optimism within the team during challenging times,” Ms Pryde said. “It also gave the hotel something new and exciting for our loyal guests to experience once interstate travel resumed.”

Competing against five other outstanding finalists, Hilton Surfers Paradise duty manager Lucas Evans took home the Hotel Industry Rising Star Award, “an incredible testament to his bright future in hospitality” according to Ms Pryde. Having worked his way up from a concierge intern in 2017, Mr Evans has big dreams of one day becoming a general manager of a Hilton hotel.

“The QHA Awards for Excellence is acclaimed for shining a spotlight on the hotel industry and we are grateful to be recognised among the many talented people and great hotels that make up the outstanding and resilient Queensland hotel industry,” Ms Pryde said. 

She said the hotel was also proud to be recognised as a finalist for Best Hotel Bar-Accommodation after introducing the brand new bar and eatery during the major refurbishments, Ms Margot’s Bar and Eats. The new bar and eatery brings the lobby to life with a variety of informal spaces to meet and eat over a coffee or curated cocktails.

Ms Pryde said the bar is proudly named after regular Ms Margot, who has been visiting daily for over a decade for her morning coffee and breakfast.

“We chose to name the bar after our beloved Ms Margot who keeps coming back, for her daily dose of the famous Hilton hospitality we provide,” she said.

“We wanted to create a beautiful space where guests and locals will keep coming back to, just like Ms Margot, to eat, drink and make connections.”

Lindee Brophy, Hilton Surfers Paradise’s guest service agent was recognised as one of three finalists for the Front of House Employee of The Year award for the outstanding service she delivers and HR assistant manager Lisa Galway was also recognised as one of five finalists for the Employee Excellence in Service. Ms Galway will be celebrating her 17th year of service with Hilton in December 2021.

www.hiltonsurfersparadise.com.au

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THE Accommodation Association today welcomed the Federal Government’s temporary COVID disaster payment and added a call to loosen the eligibility criteria so that all workers severely impacted by lockdowns are supported.

The eligibility requirements for the financial support weekly payment currently include requirements that a person must be in a declared Commonwealth hotspot and that the lockdown has lasted for more than a week.

Under this approach, only people in Greater Melbourne currently qualify with workers in the rest of the state who are also impacted by the lockdown ineligible, according to Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long. 

The Accommodation Association alongside other industry bodies continues to engage with State and Federal Government to bring about a proportionate business support package for the sector, he said.

“We welcome the announcement of the emergency funding for our teams that have been stood down due to the outbreak and subsequent lock down,”
Mr Long said.

“These are important payments to hospitality, accommodation and hotel workers who have borne the brunt of the health response but, while this is a support for Greater Melbourne, it does exclude workers in regional Victoria who will continue to be highly impacted by the travel restrictions.

"These workers are just as vulnerable and deserving of support and we ask the Federal Government to consider widening the net to help them as well. We look forward to seeing the outcome from today’s National Cabinet in terms of additional business support.”

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