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AUSTRALIA Remains The Best Country In The World To Travel To

Fri, 15 Nov 2008 12:01:00 GMT

posted by AussiePB
For the third year in a row, Australia has been named the top country brand by the 2008 Country Brand Index (CBI).

The CBI is a comprehensive study of global travel patterns and is conducted by leading brand consultancy FutureBrand along with PR firm Weber Shandwick.

CBI was analysed with Australia, Canada and the US the most successful country brands.

Australia was ranked No.1 in the categories of best country to extend a business trip, best country for resort and lodging options, the best country for outdoor activities and sports and the best country you would most like to live In.

The CBI named China, the United Arab Emirates and Croatia as the top three countries most likely to become favoured tourist destinations in the next five years.

It also noted that Africa, the Asia Pacific and the Middle East are experiencing higher growth rates than the average world demand.

CBI, now in its fourth year, is a study of approximately 2700 international business and leisure travellers from nine countries.

By David Coombs
November 11, 2008 12:00am

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FULL PRESS RELEASE

AUSTRALIA RANKS #1 AS WORLD’S TOP COUNTRY BRAND FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR, GLOBAL STUDY REVEALS

Africa, Asia and Middle East Experiencing High Growth for Travel & Tourism Demand, While Specialized Travel Increases with Growth in Women-Only Tours, Multi-generational and Religious Tourism.

LONDON – Nov. 10, 2008 --- Australia earns the coveted spot as the world’s top country brand for the third consecutive year, according to the 2008 Country Brand Index (CBI) which was officially released Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 at London’s World Travel Market, the premier annual exhibition of the global travel trade. Rising from its sixth place ranking last year, Canada is recognized second and the United States rounds out the top three country brands in the 2008 study. Other countries making the top 10 include Italy, Switzerland and France. The CBI examines how countries are branded and ranked according to key criteria, and identifies emerging global trends in the world’s fastest growing economic sector – travel and tourism, which accounts for US$5.9 trillion of economic activity worldwide this year and more than 238 million jobs.

CBI, now in its fourth year, is a comprehensive study of approximately 2,700 international business and leisure travelers from nine countries conducted by FutureBrand, a leading global brand consultancy, in conjunction with public relations firm Weber Shandwick’s Global Travel & Lifestyle Practice. This year’s index includes rankings and trends as well as travel motivations, challenges and opportunities within the worlds of travel, tourism and country branding (visit http://www.countrybrandindex.com/ for complete results).

Rising Stars

The CBI also identified China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Croatia, respectively, as the top three “rising stars” – those likely to become major tourist destinations in the next five years. Also making the list this year are Vietnam, India and Cuba. In addition, this year’s CBI includes an in-depth report of how China fares post- Beijing Olympics.

“In this our fourth year, it is exciting to see many countries embracing the idea of brand. However, we still feel this is a largely underdeveloped category with most countries continuing to promote and market themselves in ways that are not differentiated. Particularly in the coming years, country brands must improve both their strategic orientation as well as their delivery,” said Rina Plapler, senior executive director, FutureBrand.

This year’s CBI touches on a variety of topics relevant to travelers and tourism professionals including: intergenerational travel (represented by countries such as the U.S., Canada and Japan), medical tourism, mainstream luxury (represented by countries like Japan and Spain), ‘stay’cations and a rise in the off-the-beaten-track trips. Other notable trends this year focus on niche travel opportunities and the changing destination landscape.

“With the current state of the world— economic turmoil, political unrest and global warming—it’s always fascinating to see which countries come out on top in branding themselves, generating global recognition and fueling the travel and tourism industry,” said René A. Mack, president, Weber Shandwick’s Travel & Lifestyle Global Practice.

The following are key highlights from this year’s Country Brand Index including six new brand categories denoted with an asterisk. The top five countries are listed in rank order for each category (click to enlarge):

The 2008 Country Brand Index reports a number of emerging trends in travel and tourism that include:

- Changing Landscape – Within the industry, there has been a significant shift in the countries that are experiencing real tourism growth. Traditional tourism “hotspots” are being overshadowed by rising star destinations. In terms of regional performance, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East are experiencing higher growth rates than the average world demand. Chief among the changing landscape, citizens are becoming more outspoken about the brands their countries are aligning with to propel tourism, from branding efforts to logos to key messaging. The desire of many travelers to seek authentic vacation experiences has led to a rise in poverty travel – visiting poverty-stricken and/or polluted places and communities that showcase a reality otherwise unseen on an upscale or exotic expedition.

- Specialized Travel on the Rise– Rapid growth in formerly niche travel and tourism markets continues to be a trend within the industry, including:

o Rise of Women – Women are traveling more frequently without men, and women-only tours and retreats are becoming increasingly popular. Women comprise over half of adventure travelers worldwide.

o Grandchild on Board – Affluent retirees in the U.S., Canada and Japan are traveling more and more. Half of vacationing baby boomers are now traveling with their grandchildren, indicating a new segment of multi-generational travel.

o Finite Travel – There is a rise in people visiting places and/or species that are seen as endangered or in some form of time-related environmental risk. From polar bear and harp seal excursions to rain forest expeditions, many travelers are making it a priority to visit these places before they are irrevocably altered.

o Spontaneous Travel – The biological imperative to escape will never go away, however, high pressured lifestyles and advances in online travel have resulted in consumers taking shorter trips each year, often booked last minute.

o Religious Tourism – The concept of religious sites and pilgrimages is again becoming increasingly popular among travelers. For instance, the Vatican launched the world’s first airline for Catholic pilgrims. Specialized religious tours are catering to orthodox believers.

- Luxury Flying Upgrades – Responding to need, many airlines have developed greater flight options and service classes to cater to the lucrative luxury travel market. These include First and Business Class only airport terminals, as well as new and improved upper class sections in airplanes introduced by leading carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates Airlines. Additionally, there are a variety of new alternatives to conventional air travel that provide greater flexibility to the luxury traveler. Chief among them is the increased availability of regional jets and air taxis. Airports are upgrading at a faster rate, with technological advances such as Radio Frequency Identity (RFID), smart ID cards and self-check-in playing a greater role in the airport experience. The check-in process is also continuing to evolve, as airlines like Air Canada continue to develop bar code technology to allow passengers to board solely with their cell phones (without a printed e-ticket).

Study Methodology

FutureBrand has developed a three-tiered evaluation system for ranking country brands. This Index incorporates global quantitative research, expert opinions, and references relevant statistics that link brand equity to assets, growth and expansion. The result is a unique evaluation system that provides the basis of our rankings. Almost 2,700 respondents from nine countries including the US, UK, China, Australia, Japan, Brazil, UAE, Germany and Russia participated in a travel survey. Participants were screened to include frequent international travelers (who travel internationally more than once a year) between the ages of 21 and 65, with a balanced split between men and women. Business and leisure travelers were both included. Respondents answered questions about behavior around destination selection; country associations with particular attributes; and overall awareness/familiarity, past visits, intent to visit, and willingness to recommend destinations to others. Survey results were aggregated and weighted in proportion to their regions’ respective volume of travel consumption. This was done in order to minimize potential bias around preferred locations from respondents from regions that may have been over-represented in the sample. Performance on attributes by country was then considered against expert opinions and secondary statistics in order to generate the country rankings.Compliments of Aussie Pete :)

Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Thu, 10 Oct 2008 15:52:00 GMT

posted by TheFloridaHoosier

Street Minstrel, Alice Springs

Located in the heart of the MacDonnell Ranges lies Alice Springs, Australia's most famous oasis and the capital of the Outback. This isolated town is where Arrernte Aborigines have lived for over 20,000 years, and where pioneer men and women found a new definition of "tough". Here you can race camels, participate in a dry river regatta , and visit MacDonnell siding and the Gahn Preservation Society Rail Museum and enjoy a 14 mile train ride into the outback.

Along with being hot and dusty there are stunning ranges, refreshing waterholes, palm trees, wildlife, and even a lush golf course. It is the jumping off point to visit Uluru, (Ayres Rock), situated on the stuart Highway, it sits smack dab in the middle of Australia. for being a relatively small town (20,000) there are loads of things to do!

Start the day off with a sunrise balloon ride over the desert,all the while viewing kangaroo, wallabee, cattle, millions of birds , and various other wildlife from high above the landscape in your gondolla.After a champagne breakfast it's time to be off to an aboriginal camp to learn the teaching of the ancient ones, meanwhile sampling a lunch of grub worms and termites. Passing by the Tropic of Capricorn marker on the way, one suddenly realizes how far away from home we are. I wonder why we don't fall off the planet, since we are on the botom of it?!

Observing the way these native peoples still live, I come to realize how privileged a life I live , at the same time realizing we have somehow lost some of the important things and values in life. The aborigines are so tied to the earth , their connection is so close to nature that sometimes their insight is astounding!

On the way back to town be sure to see the Old Telegraph Station on the Stuart Highway Stuart Hwy to view historic telegraph equipment at the site of the original Alice Springs settlement and communications post.

The afternoon is spent visiting the MacDowell Ranges,14 miles west of Alice, along with Simpson's Gap, be sure to allow enough time for a swim in Ellery Creek, Big Hole or Ormiston Gorge! With the shortage of water in these parts, no opportunity for a refreshing swim should be ignored!

Just southeast of here is the Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve, Fine carvings (petroglyphs) of abstract symbols and animal tracks that go back 300 generations are the featured attraction.

To finish off the day , dine in one of Alice Springs varied restaurants, everything from Chinese to the local cowboy bar!

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Snake Swallows Wallaby – Warning: Not For The Faint-Hearted

Thu, 7 Nov 2008 06:39:00 GMT

posted by AussiePB
Disclaimer and Warning: This article and video are certainly not for the squeamish or faint of heart. If this is you, then please close your browser now.

A python has been filmed trying to swallow a wallaby whole at a Cairns university. It seems that the large snake’s eyes were (as the saying goes) “too big for his belly”.

In the footage (believed to have taken place at James Cook University), students can be heard squealing with fear as the python clamps its huge jaws around the marsupial and actually begins to swallow.

It doesn’t take very long before the snake decides that perhaps it has met its match, and could be biting off more than he can chew. He is then forced to give up, and so regurgitates the upper half of the wallaby's body.

Although snakes are predominately nocturnal, this is not the first time that a python has been seen on the campus during the day. Jim O'Brien, a spokesman for James Cook University said “"There are pythons, kangaroos and wallabies that live on the campus here. But it's the security guys who tend to see more snakes during the evening”.

Other fascinating wildlife “battles” have been reported recently from Cairns, which is home to some of the world's deadliest animals.

First a giant spider was photographed eating a bird, then a python was snapped devouring a sulphur-crested cockatoo.

Compliments of Aussie Pete :)

Uluru

Thu, 6 Jun 2008 09:16:00 GMT

posted by TheFloridaHoosier

Uluru

Uluru (Ayres Rock) is one of Australia's most recognizable natural icons. The world-renowned sandstone formation stands 1,142 feet high ,2,831 ft above sea level, with most of its bulk below the ground, and measures almost 6 miles in circumference. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great cultural significance for the Traditional landowners, who lead walking tours to inform visitors about the local flora and fauna, bush foods and the dreamtime stories of the area.

Although the local Aborigines discourage climbing "The Rock", many still do. For those that do, the view at the top is well worth the long climb!

For those that climb, the only assistance available is a waist high chain for one to grab on to as one makes his way up the sometimes almost vertical path.

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Upon reaching the top , the view is spectacular! Making one's way across the rim, the view is breathtaking, not only in the distance, but also on the rock itself.

At the top of this giant monolith, can be seen several pits and circles that were carved from the rock itself that must have been used from some ancient ceremony.

One of Uluru's most unique feature is that it appears to change color as the different light strikes it at different times of the day and year, with sunset a particularly remarkable sight when it briefly glows red. Although rainfall is uncommon in this semiarid area, during wet periods the rock acquires a silvery-gray color, with streaks of black algae forming on the areas that serve as channels for water flow.

Kata Tjuta, also called Mount Olga or The Olgas owing to its peculiar formation, is another rock formation about 16mi from Ayres Rock. Special viewing areas with road access and parking have been constructed to give tourists the best views of both sites at dawn and dusk.

A journey back in time, A Modern Day Walkabout!

Gary is a Travel Writer and Photographer, Click here to see more of his work!