Parker Travel Collection

The Australian Culinary Federation announced it's annual awards last week. 
Ochre was the proud recipient of Restaurant of the Year for North Queensland.

The award is judged by the members attending lunches at some of the region's top establishments throughout the past 12 months.

This award is recognition of the unwavering commitment to quality Australian local produce and constantly delivering high quality and interesting food. Teamed with efficient and friendly service.

Last year Ochre also received a national gong for their wine list, which provides some interesting Australian labels that you would otherwise never see in Cairns.

Ochre consistently provide a competitive priced quality dining experience whether at the restaurant or catering to your venue.

Port Douglas is just one hour drive north of Cairns via a spectacular scenic coastal road overlooking the Coral Sea. This is the only place on earth where you can experience the wonder of two world heritage listed areas; The Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest of Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

Port Douglas boasts world class resorts and restaurants with a friendly village atmosphere, making this the ultimate tropical destination. 

Revitalize in the aquamarine reef waters of the Coral Sea, the crystal creeks of Mossman Gorge and the palm fringed golden sands of Four Mile Beach.

Discover the pristine Daintree Rainforest with walks and safaris, dive and snorkel the reef and explore reef islands. 

Experience the abundance of nature and wildlife on offer in this most diverse ecological habitat.

Visit Tourism Port Douglas Daintree

Following a successful opening in August, Brett Stallbaum, Manager of Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway is proud to announce that in its first two months of operation over 8000 people experienced the new icon.

To further spread the word, a major film shoot was recently undertaken to capture the beauty of the attraction and its surrounding environment. The result is a fully established photo and film library ready for distribution, including several versions of a short training film on Mamu. The film was released late last week to the Tropical North Queensland Visitors Information Centre to its band of volunteers and can be viewed above.

Mr Stallbaum’s team are now working with Mamu’s sales and marketing appointed partner, Parker Travel Collection, to spread the word across the world using its newly released ‘media’ comprising moving footage and imagery. The objective is to reach millions across the world using distribution via tourism authorities, online, wholesale and retail travel agents.

Mr Stallbaum said “This project has allowed Government and private sectors to work together in harmony, and now we have the visual imagery to show the rest of the world and attract even more people to the region.”

This imagery is an important tool in the sales and marketing process, Todd Parker, Managing Director of Parker Travel Collection congratulated the attraction for investing in the image and film footage library.

According to Mr Parker, “Its readiness for distribution is perfect timing. With ‘Australia’ the movie in the headlines and its stunning rainforest imagery, the media produced will effectively highlight our domestic and international visitors to the depth of experiences available in Tropical North QLD.”

Adding to the plethora of National and International Awards including World’s Leading Eco Lodge (World Travel Awards) and Best Spa on the Continent (World Spa Awards) the HM Awards for Excellence 2008 bestowed the coveted Ecotourism Award in recognition of this outstanding Australian Lodge.

The awards were announced at the Crystal Palace, Luna Park Sydney last night, Thursday 14th August 2008. A record number of over 260 nominations from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific were received in 39 categories with 6 north Queensland properties in the finals. Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa was nominated in 2 categories, Unique Accommodation and Ecotourism. The only other winner form north Queensland was Angsana Resort and Spa, Palm Cove, winning Hotel Day Spa category.

Tim Webster, Host of the Gala night, said, “Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa in winning this award again is living proof that it is the best of the best in ecotourism in Australia”.

This year Parker Travel Collection launched its global tourism marketing network with new divisions established for the Asian and Continental European markets. This week the expansion continued with the opening of a sales office in Korea.

This latest development was celebrated on Thursday 31 July 2008, with an official opening attended by 70 tourism industry professionals and performed by Queensland’s Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, Hon. Desley Boyle MP.

The event took place at Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club’s newly opened venue, Fifty Nine Restaurant and Bar from 6pm. Along with Parker Travel Collection’s team from Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne offices, this event will serve as an opportunity for key members of the region’s tourism industry to meet with new staff, Ronnie Kim, Irene Park and Henry Han.

According to Todd Parker, managing director of Parker Travel Collection, this event signifies the opening of a dedicated sales office in Seoul and sub-branch in Daegu.

“Parker Travel Collection’s Korean Sales Office will be located in well-known tourism company, Korean Tourism Relations (KTR) that is headed up by Ronnie Kim and supported by Irene Park.

“KTR has been extremely successful in the tourism marketing arena promoting Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort and will now add Parker Travel Collection’s portfolio of quality tourism products,” said Todd.

In Korea, Henry Han has been appointed by Mr Parker to look after his company’s interests and in so doing, will be responsible for retail and wholesale selling, training and staying in touch with frontline sellers on a daily basis.

Mr Parker says Korea is a burgeoning tourism marketplace with the second biggest honeymoon market in the world and as such, will be one of his company’s key areas of focus. Others include business incentive style travel, groups, golf and a new program for families. The new Korean language brochure is available online –
www.parkertravelcollection.com/attachments/PTCMEMBERBROKOREAN.pdf
brochures are also printed in Spanish, Chinese and English as part of our global services.

Following the success of Thursday night’s event marking the launch of Parker Travel Collection’s sales office in Korea, Mr Parker would like to acknowledge Minister Boyle’s commitment to tourism and willingness to face all challenges head on.

“We greatly appreciate Desley’s support for our latest development that occurs at a time when tough economic conditions require a much greater focus. This is a time to try new ideas and as has been our mantra from the outset, we want to lead the market. In practice, this requires scientific selling and frequency of contact with travel companies to ensure we remain ‘front of mind,” said Todd.

The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa has blitzed this year’s HMAA Awards achieving five out of five category wins at last night’s gala in Brisbane.

An elated Craig Biber, General Manager of The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa and Vision Hotels and Resorts said he was delighted with the award-haul that exceeded expectation to win everything they entered and more.

While the overall highlight was being named Property of the Year, there was a great deal of personal satisfaction for key team members with Mr Biber winning the new A.C.E.S. Award for his individual contribution to the industry and Executive Housekeeper, Jean Lapthorne awarded Department Manager of the Year.

In addition to these awards, The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa won Best Resort Award while Human Resources Manager, Tess Pinches, who was instrumental in the resort’s training success, was in attendance to accept the Training Award.

Mr Biber said last night’s success is down to a fantastic team of people who work hard to position The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa as a leading accommodation provider with outstanding surroundings, facilities and service.

“This success is also testament to the skill and dedication of our Director of Sales and Marketing, Rosie Douglas,” said Craig.

He continued, “What we have achieved is extra special considering we are an emerging marketing brand competing against established global hotel organisations.”

The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa’s recognition at this year’s HMAA awards caps off an award-winning week with the property’s housekeeping department winning both categories (Jean Lapthorne won Housekeepers Trophy of Excellence and Sue Affleck named Rising Star of the Year) at the inaugural Housekeepers Awards in Cairns and signature restaurant, Lago named Hotel/Motel Restaurant of the Year at the local Restaurant and Caterer’s Awards for the third year running.

The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa is a member of Vision Hotels and Resorts. For more information, visit www.thelakescairns.com.au or www.visionhotelsandresorts.com.au

Logie winner Lincoln Lewis has been enjoying a relaxing getaway with his family at Tangalooma Island Resort this week.

The 20-year old, who won the Logie for Best New Male Talent for his role on Network Seven soap Home and Away earlier this year is currently on a break from filming and is enjoying some time with his mum Jacqui and dad, Rugby League legend, Wally Lewis.

Lincoln, who has great interest in marine and environmental conservation, was overwhelmed by the opportunity to hand feed the wild dolphins.

"Dolphins are one of my favourite animals, and the young ones I fed were very playful and cheeky," Mr Lewis said.

"Filming Home & Away is very hectic, and it's nice to enjoy a break now and again.

"I've been out fishing with dad in Moreton Bay before but never went to Tangalooma, so have been meaning to get out there since I was young.

"I think I have found my new favourite holiday destination. I am just amazed at how relaxed I feel here, everything is right on the beach." 

Tangalooma Island Resort Director, Mr Trevor Hassard has welcomed the Lewis family to the Resort.

"It's great to see them enjoying the facilities that Tangalooma has to offer," Mr Hassard said.

"We have many guests that return each year with their families and friends for a holiday.

"Tangalooma offers many educational, adventure, nature based or relaxing experiences and guests really enjoy them."

After years in the making, the Bushfire Flame Grill will offer a truly unique dining experience. From the outset this restaurant is different – it’s all atmosphere! Where the theatre of the kitchen is brought to your table and the chef’s culinary skills are in full view of the patrons; flames flare and dance creating a dramatic look of an Australian wild fire and capture the “Thrill of the Grill”. It is energetic and stylish.

Continuing in the bushfire theme are the exceptional meals created using a Brazilian-style barbecue, churrascaria grill, unlike anything seen in Cairns before. “Fire starter” entrees are prepared using the freshest regional ingredients from the Cairns Highlands and boutique Australian gourmet providers. “Fire dishes” are created on local ironbark coals infused with distinctive flavours of wood scented aromatic spices. Skewers of succulent marinated Australian beef, pork, lamb, ribs and chicken are sliced by wait staff directly onto the guest’s plate.

“Bushfire is such a unique and fantastic concept” states Owen Ealden, Executive Chef. “It’s about passion. Passion to entertain our patrons, explore new taste sensations and provide an exceptional experience. We want to do things differently.”

Whether is a romantic evening for two or a group setting to kick start a memorable evening, Bushfire Flame Grill and Sugarcane Rhumbar will impress. Thoughtfully designed, the restaurant and bar will set a benchmark for dining experiences in Cairns. It’s open daily from 5.30pm until late.

For more information see  www.bushfirecairns.com  

Current winner of the prestigious World’s Leading Eco Lodge, Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa for the second consecutive year been nominated in the prestigious World Travel Awards. This year, the Lodge is a finalist in two categories, the Australasian category of Australasia’s Leading Green Hotel and again in the “best of the best”, World Green category for “The World’s Leading Eco Lodge”.

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal, BBC World media and international media as the “Oscars of the travel industry” where over 1,000 categories are honoured by votes received by 167,000 travel agents world wide.

The awards run over several months around the world, starting in Australia, with the Australasian and Australian awards this month. The World’s Leading Eco Lodge Award is in Slovakia in September 2008.

“We are absolutely thrilled for the small independent business of Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa to be included with some of the world’s most incredible resort destinations and it is a privilege to be recognised amongst the large multi-national companies in global tourism”, said owner Terry Maloney.

MAMU RAINFOREST CANOPY WALKWAY 
Immerse yourself, Challenge yourself                                                                

An elevated walkway through the canopy of World Heritage rainforest in the heart of the Wet Tropics, 90 minutes south of Cairns. The observation tower and springboard cantilever offer sweeping views over a pristine landscape, homeland of the Mamu Aboriginal people. Destined to become an icon attraction of Tropical North Queensland, Mamu opened in August 2008.


                                                                                      Visit Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway