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Australia’s diverse experiences make for An unforgettable getaway. A rustic red outback covered with endless blue skies. vibrant cities, sparkling beaches, irresistible wildlife, And An Ancient Aboriginal culture.

Excellent food and wine.

Whiterock "Peace Arch News" - Nov 04


DOWN UNDER – See more for less!

By Jason Stratford, South Pacific Division of The Travel Group

Australia is such a great travel destination because each area within this “largest island in the world” has its own charm and provides a completely different experience from the others. In the past, the difficulty has been the cost of travelling between all these areas. Now, however, it just became easier and more affordable!

Qantas has released a fantastic Air Pass that allows you to fly from Vancouver to the East Coast of Australia and then fly on to your choice of three other cities. The pass uses zones and for $1,399 (known as Zone 1) you can choose from the following locations: beautiful Sydney; tropical Brisbane and the Gold Coast; the capital, Canberra; exciting and multi-cultural Melbourne; tranquil and stunning Tasmania; and Mediterranean Adelaide – gateway to the Barossa Valley wineries and the Ghan Railway to the desert of the Northern Territory.

The pass also gives you the option to buy-up to other zones and areas in Australia, such as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – Cairns; Uluru (Ayers Rock); the gateway to the top end – Darwin; and scenic Perth, in Western Australia.

Now it is just a matter of deciding where you want to travel and for how long. That’s where the South Pacific Division of The Travel Group comes in. Jason and Corene have both travelled and lived throughout Australia and specialize exclusively in that part of the world and will customize your itinerary to suit your interests.

For more information on trips to the South Pacific call our experts at 604-681-6345 or check out our website: The Travel Group - South Pacific Division

Whiterock "Peace Arch News" - July 2004


AUSTRALIA'S "SUNNY" SUNSHINE COAST - EVEN IN THE WINTER!
              
 By Jason Stratford, South Pacific Division of The Travel Group

I recently returned from another fabulous trip Down Under. However as July is in the middle of the winter in Australia, I decided to visit the coastal areas north of Brisbane known as the Sunshine Coast, before heading to the beautiful city of Adelaide, my birthplace. Adelaide is in South Australia and at this time of the year it can be cold, wet and windy. The Sunshine Coast however during the middle of winter can deliver (as it did for me) beautiful sunny days with temperatures in the 20's. Starting in Brisbane, the pleasant cosmopolitan city of 2.5 million friendly "Queenslanders", it's then only a 1 hour drive north to the start of the Sunshine Coast. A further 1 hour drive along the coast takes you through wonderful quaint seaside towns such as Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydoore, Coolum and Noosa which have fabulous beaches, great cafes and restaurants and offer a wide range of accommodation and sightseeing options. Whether you wish to relax on the beach or hike through the rainforests, there are no shortages of things to do. The friendly and hospitable state of Queensland is an all year round destination due to it's tropical climate, and as it houses the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, the Whitsunday Islands, Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef regions, the toughest choice is not when to go but where to go first! Queensland - beautiful one day, perfect the next.

For more information on trips to the South Pacific call our specialists at 604-681-6345.  or website:  The Travel Group - South Pacific Division

DOING BUSINESS DOWN UNDER

As the Director of the South Pacific Division, Jason Stratford notes that although Australia continues to be a popular tourist destination, there appear to be far fewer Canadians heading Down Under for business purposes. He discusses this conundrum with fellow Australian Nerella Campigotto, President of Boomerang Consulting Inc., a Vancouver-based firm that specializes in international business development.

JS: Would you agree that Australia is overlooked as a business destination?

NC: Yes, I would say that there certainly are businesses in Canada that may be missing out on good opportunities there. Canadian companies understandably focus on the US, and I think they perceive Australia as perhaps being too small or too distant a market, and don’t fully understand the potential.

JS: Why should businesses consider Australia?

NC: There are several reasons why Australia should be on the radar screen – the economy is strong and has shown amazing resilience in the past decade, unemployment is low and average income is significantly higher than in Canada, the currency tends to move in parity with the C$ eliminating some of the exchange risks, the business environment is vibrant and has very high standards, and it is an ideal gateway for companies looking to do business in Asia.

JS: What are the advantages for those looking at the Asian market?

NC: There are actually close to 500 multinationals that have their Asian headquarters in Australia. There are obvious cost advantages and proximity to those markets, but more importantly, in Australia you have access to business people who are very familiar with doing business in Asia and have strong networks there, and the workforce is multilingual as there are about one million people who speak Asian languages.

JS: Can you give me an example of a Canadian multinational whose Asian headquarters are in Australia?

NC: A well-known example is McCains Foods; their Asian HQ is in Melbourne where they employ about 1000 people. Interestingly, they also have about 30% of the processed food market share in Australia.

JS: In what kinds of industries are there opportunities Down Under?

NC: Opportunities can be found in sectors such as agrifood, aerospace, building and wood products, engineering, R&D, various technology sectors (biotech, environmental, ICT, broadband, etc.) and cultural industries.

JS: Many of these would be competitors for Canadian businesses wouldn’t they?

NC: Absolutely, but we mustn’t forget that these can offer opportunities for collaboration, partnering and alliances that are often very successful.

JS: Where can businesses find information if they are considering entering the Australian market?

NC: The first step is to contact government sources such as the Trade Commissioners (www.infoexport.gc.ca) or for those looking to invest in Australia, they can visit www.investaustralia.gov.au, these organizations provide an overview of the market. They should also check out industry or business groups such as the Canada, Australia & New Zealand Business Association in Vancouver (www.canzba.org) where they can make some important links. However, once they need more in-depth assistance it’s advisable to engage a consultant who has a good knowledge of the market and can access the right contacts.

JS: Can our readers contact you if they have any questions?

NC: Of course, they can email nc@boomerangconsulting.com or call me at 604-609-6178 and I’d be happy to answer any questions they have.


Nerella Campigotto is President of Boomerang Consulting Inc. a company based in Vancouver, Canada, which specializes in International Business Development. For more information please visit www.boomerangconsulting.com or call: 604-609-6178, email: info@boomerangconsulting.com

Whiterock "Peace Arch News" - March 2004

FROM WHITEROCK TO THE “RED ROCK”!

By Jason Stratford, South Pacific Division of The Travel Group

A vacation to Australia doesn’t have to feature over-populated cities and conventional sightseeing. I would suggest a visit to the “real” Australia, beginning in the semi-arid southern city of Adelaide and heading through to the centre of the largest island on earth!

With a population of just over 1 million people, Adelaide has everything the bigger cities have aside from less people, less traffic, and less pollution. Adelaide has natural beauty, white sand beaches, wonderful museums, art galleries and churches galore! It’s multi-cultural society and sub-mediterranean climate creates somewhat of a pleasant European atmosphere.

The Barossa Valley, Australia’s premiere wine growing area is only a few hours drive and is a must visit. The architecture of the winery buildings, the Lutheran churches, and fantastic wine are major highlights. The natural beauty of Kangaroo Island is also nearby, famous for its abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery. Heading North, I highly recommend travelling in luxury to the heart of Australia on one of the most fascinating train journeys of the world, “The Ghan”. Wake up to the excitement of Kangaroos bouncing by your window amongst the breathtaking backdrop of the Australian outback. The historic town of Alice Springs and a journey to Ayers Rock (Uluru) awaits your arrival. The “Red Rock” is a true symbol of the “real Australia”, and one of the world’s great natural wonders. As well as exploring the rock, I would suggest the “Sounds Of Silence” dinner in the desert as a perfect ending to an Australian Adventure! Sample Australian delicacies in the open air with the sunset over Ayers Rock as a backdrop, and reflect on your incredible journey from Whiterock to the Red Rock!

For more information on trips to the South Pacific call our specialists on 604-681-6345. or website: The Travel Group - South Pacific Division.

(Original article from Vancouver Sun on Saturday, February 21, 2004)

A guided tour of 'Middle Earth' Package takes Lord of the Rings fans to New Zealand sites where the movie was filmed

A local travel agent who bills himself as Canada's Lord of the Rings Middle Earth specialist creates tours throughout New Zealand for Rings fans to visit the sites where the popular movies were filmed.

Jason Stratford, director of sales for the South Pacific division of The Travel Group, puts together fully escorted and self-guided "Middle Earth" tours. The Australian-born Stratford recently did a self-drive tour and provides travellers with first-hand knowledge of the sites.

"People are looking for new things to do on their vacations," says Stratford. "This is the kind of holiday that appeals to Tolkien fans and people who are looking for an element of adventure. A "Middle Earth" tour is a memorable way to see New Zealand."

Stratford helps Rings fans design their self-drive adventure with the help of The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook. The book gives detailed descriptions of the scenes and directions to each of the settings.

"It is like a treasure hunt," Stratford says. "I took the guide book, jumped in a car, and saw almost every major site. The trip was an emotional experience as the locations seemed strangely familiar, even though everything was new to me."

The Location Guidebook has been revised to include the new locations from scenes in the latest movie The Return of the King. Stratford gives his clients a free copy of the guidebook, signed by the author, with every self-drive or escorted tour booked with him to New Zealand.

According to Stratford, the "Middle Earth" theme adds a unique twist to an already great destination. New Zealand is a safe, beautiful and friendly country that provides excellent value.

For information on a "Middle Earth" tour or the South Pacific phone Jason Stratford at 604-681-6345 or visit the website: The Travel Group - Lord Of The Rings.

© The Vancouver Sun 2004