News from the world of travel

Reality check over government help when trouble strikes overseas

Australians are planning to travel more in coming years, but there is an atmosphere of caution among many of those intending to travel, according to a survey released this month by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website.

The survey shows that a high number of people hold mistaken beliefs about the support they would receive from the Australian Government if something was to happen to them while overseas.

The survey also shows that a significant number of under-30s would leave Australia without appropriate travel insurance.

It highlights a pent-up demand for travel following COVID lockdowns, with 70 per cent of all respondents and 78 per cent of under-30s saying they are planning to travel more often in the future.

However, 68 per cent say the pandemic has made them feel less confident to travel overseas and 86 per cent say they will be more cautious about travelling to places where it could prove harder to get back to Australia in a crisis.

COVID cover is a key factor when purchasing travel insurance, with 95 per cent saying that cancellation cover for claims relating to COVID is an important consideration.

The survey shows that 68 per cent believe that if they have a medical emergency overseas, a consular representative will ensure they get medical treatment. And 50 per cent believe that if they have a medical emergency overseas the Australian Government will arrange and fund repatriation.

The survey also shows that a significant number of under-30s are planning to leave Australia without appropriate travel insurance.

ICA CEO Andrew Hall said: “Two years of lockdowns with no international travel means many Australians are planning to head overseas in coming months.

“Accidents and emergencies can happen anywhere, meaning travel insurance remains a vital protection. You couldn’t travel overseas without your passport, and you shouldn’t travel overseas without travel insurance, no matter the destination.”

Aussie vibe at new Singapore hotel

The new Vibe Hotel Singapore Orchard, the first Vibe Hotel outside of Australia, has just opened in the residential enclave of Orchard Road within easy distance to major shopping areas.

The lifestyle hotel offers 256 rooms and suites and features a lobby bar, pool bar and Ross, an all-day dining restaurant.

TFE Hotels’ Group chief operating officer, Chris Sedgwick, said guests could expect some distinctly Australian touches at the hotel.

“From the friendly Australian-style hospitality on arrival to the premium Penfolds wine range and Australian-inspired dishes at Roos restaurant and the Vibe pantry in-room, there are Aussie touches at every point,” he said.

The hotel’s outdoor swimming pool serves as a space for guests to enjoy an outdoor barbecue in typical Australian fashion, while watching sport on the big screen at the pool bar.

Vibe Singapore is managed by Far East Hospitality, a leading operator of hotels and serviced residences in Southeast Asia and joint venture partner in TFE Hotels.

Far East Hospitality’s senior vice president commercial, Gill Ishwinder, said the relationship between Singapore and Australia was a very close-knit one.

“As the first Vibe property to open outside of Australia, Vibe Singapore Orchard offers the best of both worlds – enabling local guests to experience a taste of Australia served up by the hotel’s friendly staff, while allowing overseas visitors a trusted and familiar friend who can tell them what’s good to see, do or eat whilst in Singapore.”

The hotel is offering Vibe Discovery, a series of curated activities centred on authentic local experiences including a food tour around Singapore led by a Vibe guide.

For more information: vibesingapore.com

Sunshine Coast’s new campaign, thanks to solar power

Visit Sunshine Coast has harnessed the Queensland sun to film its latest campaign advertisement titled Sunshine Moments, which offers a range of special deals for holidaymakers.

The campaign advertisement was filmed using solar power in nine locations across the Sunshine Coast, with a portable 5-kw solar generator attached to the film crew’s production vehicle powering everything from their cameras to laptops, battery chargers and even hair dryers.

The film crew and local talent involved in the shoot also took steps to travel sustainably, with Visit Sunshine Coast working through the companies EarthCheck and Reforest to remove any emissions generated from aspects of the production that were not able to be solar powered.

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said: “On the Sunshine Coast we’re not just sunny by name but sunny by nature too, and the campaign invites travellers to come and find their sunshine moment here on the coast.

“Whether you’re looking to have a beachside escape or explore the pristine rainforests and ancient mountains of our Hinterland, there’s something for everyone on the Sunshine Coast.”

He added: “We have some incredible examples of eco-tourism operators on the Sunshine Coast, which will feature through our Sunshine Moments campaign that we know will really appeal to like-minded travellers.”

For more information: visitsc.au/sunshinemoments