Air Tahiti orders more ATR Aircraft

Despite the economy and low hotel occupancy rates in French Polynesia, Air Tahiti has placed orders for up to 7 ATR - 600 Series Aircraft with firm orders for 2 - 50 Seaters, 3 - 70 Seaters and an option for two more additional 70 seat aircrafts.

The airline currently operates an ATR fleet of aircraft that services over 47 Pacific Islands. As one of ATR's most loyal customers, Air Tahiti chooses the aircrafts for their unique design best suited for the tropical salty environment and the short and narrow airstrips often found throughout these beautiful South Pacific Islands.

Flying with Air Tahiti is a whole lot more than just getting to your destination with some of the most incredible views in the world as you land at island airports like Bora Bora. Each flight is like scenic tour so keep your camera handy and batteries well charged.

Come WalkAbout

Thinking about a trip Down Under? Tourism Australia has created a new website to help you explore before you go!

Click on the link below to help get ideas and have an interactive exploration of 16 epic Australian adventures. View photos, maps and download pdf files with information on tours and then give me a call to let me know what catches your interest and we can custom build an itinerary for your trip of a lifetime!

Explore Australia

The BEST Job in the World

Are you adventurous - love to swim, snorkel, try new things? Would you like to earn over $120,000 (AUD $150,000) in 6 months? If so - you MUST check out this new job posting by Tourism Queensland where you will be paid to spend 6 months exploring over 600 islands along the Queensland Coast in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Your job - to blog, do videos and share you experiences with the world on what the amazing islands are like and have to offer. Unbelieveable isn't it! I think it really is the best job in the world.

For more details and to apply visit http://www.islandreefjob.com/ The website is getting so many hits though it is hard to get through so be persistent - it could pay off in a big way!

Click on this link to view the CBC Story with my brief interview on The National:

Watch News Story

Air New Zealand tests Jatropha Biofuel

Air New Zealand is working hard to go Green! In this day and age of travel, more and more consumer and travel suppliers are working to become Green and promote environmentally friendly and sustainable travel alternatives.

I am in the process myself of working on becoming a Green Certified Travel Consultant through CITC - the Canadian Institute of Travel Counselors.

It is great to get news like this hearing that a major long haul airline is working to find an environmentally friendly fuel alternative!

Click Here to read more in the Los Angeles Times

Life in the Outback of Australia

Life in the Outback of Australia can be lonely and harsh in this region often referred to by Aussies as the 'back of beyond'.

With so much of the country being desert, more than 90% of the country's population live in the urban centres along the coasts. Much of the dry, barren land is used for massive cattle and sheep farms. It takes a special type of person to be able to spend their life in the isolation of the Outback but the country has adapted somewhat with special services like The Flying Doctors Service and the School of the Air.

What is it like to live in the Outback? If you like the big screen, head off to the theatre to see Baz Luhrmann's Australia The Movie. It is only getting mediocre reviews, but the scenery and filming is inspiring people to travel to the Outback to see more of this incredible and unique landscape.

The other great option is to pick up a copy of Thorn Birds - the 1977 best selling novel written by Colleen McCullough set on a fictional sheep station in the Australian Outback. The novel was a best seller, then turned into a TV Mini-Series and became the United State's second highest rated mini-series after Roots.

It has just been announced that Thorn Birds is now going to be turned into a theatrical musical production - but we will see if they can actually capture the essence of the Outback on stage as it was done in the novel and on TV.

To read more about Thorn Birds the Musical - Click Here

If you are really interested in seeing what life is like on a cattle or sheep station you can incorporate a visit on a trip to Australia. Choose from something as short as an afternoon tour with lunch or plan a bit of a working holiday to get your dirty and properly involved in the operation.

Below is a short video depicting a little bit about what life is like on a Cattle Farm and then the second video is all about the incredible Royal Flying Doctors Service

Changes in Tahiti Hotel Management

Rumour has it that Starwood Hotels is going to be pulling out of managing 3 popular resorts in Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea. Apparently the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti, the Sheraton Moorea and the Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa (part of The Luxury Collection) are all no longer going to be managed by Starwood in 2009.

Starwood will still have The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort and Spa, the Meridien Tahiti and the Meridien Moorea all of which are very popular resorts in French Polynesia.

Perhaps coincidence, but I don't think so - Hilton Hotels are announcing new openings in February of 2009 in the region - Click Here for the Hilton Link

We anxiously await the official word and details from both hotel chains and see what resort changes may be made with the change of management.

Travel & Leisures Best Hotels in the South Pacific

Once again, Travel & Leisure Magazine has put out their annual list of the top 500 hotels in the world.

Most of these properties come with a hefty price tag attached to them, but if you are looking for a luxurious vacation and the best of the best this is a great list to browse!

Below is a link to the 16 hotels in the South Pacific Region that made the list:

Click Here