When much of the world is talking about environmental initiatives, the Whitsundays, it seems, is living it.
The Great Barrier Reef recently won one of the world’s most coveted tourism awards when it was voted “the best destination” by the World Travel and Tourism Council in its Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.
This award is considered the foremost accolade for sustainable tourism. And it was certainly a hotly contested one, with more than 130 entries from 40 countries vying for the prize.
 Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) chief executive officer Daniel Gschwind said the award was the culmination of efforts by industry, government and environmental stakeholds to ensure the reef is protected for the future.
As the largest heritage site, The Great Barrier Reef region generates something like $5 billion in tourism earnings annually, and supports more than 50,000 jobs.
Mr Gschwind says a visit to the Great Barrier Reef is an experience that touches all its visitors. And not surprisingly, that includes more visitors in the business tourism sector as well. Sustainable development is not only seeing the region grow in terms of venues, but is further helping to lift the bar in the environmental arena, and at the same time, operating as a catalyst for future visitation numbers.
In recent times the Whitsundays has, or is set to welcome, three new “venues with a difference” to the region. These include Fantasea’s 60 metre Ammari vessel which can cater for up to 68 passengers. Offering a tailor-made quality experience where exclusive day trips and overnight charters are part of an adventure of a lifetime, this is no ordinary cruise.
MV Fantasea Ammarì offers one cruise a week, departing Hamilton Island and Daydream Island Resort & Spa on Sundays, returning Wednesdays. The vessel can also be charted exclusively for day trips and overnight cruises - either as a stylish venue for clients wishing to arrange corporate events or as a venue for personal celebrations such as weddings and anniversaries.
MV Fantasea Ammarì features comfortable air-conditioned cabins, restaurant, cafe, bars, saltwater pool, day spa, salon and souvenir shop as well as offering an exciting range of on and off-board activities. The on-board menu has been created to suit the most sophisticated of palates and the wine list includes a selection of fine Australian and international wines.
The Whitsunday Coast will soon boast a new resort, Santai Airlie Beach, and conference facility catering for up to 500 people which will place Airlie Beach on the map as a new event destination. Construction is due to start shortly with completion by the end of 2008. The resort will include 210 rooms, many with panoramic views to the Coral Sea and easy access to Airlie Beach’s café/restaurant precinct.
Possibly the most exciting of the new venues is Qualia on Hamilton Island (see our cover story on page 13 of this edition). Qualia is being described as an important addition to the premium end of the Australian accommodation market and will provide a new reason for domestic and international travellers, particularly the convention and incentive market, to re-look at the Whitsundays as a destination for their next luxury getaway.
Qualia features 60 elegant private one-bedroom pavilions accessible only to the resort’s guests with interiors including purpose-built handcrafted furniture by renowned designers, Freedman Rembel.
Each pavilion has been carefully designed by Australian architect Chris Beckingham to blend into the natural environment giving the resort an unusual sense of space and harmony. The “Windward” Pavilions include their own plunge-pools and are over four times the size of an average hotel room. The “Leeward” Pavilions also will delight guests with their sense of space and meticulous design features.
The ultimate experience in luxury accommodation can be found in the Beach House at Qualia with its uninterrupted sweeping views over the Coral Sea. It offers a spacious bedroom, extensive entertaining area, and private full-size swimming pool in the main pavilion. It also has a separate guest pavilion.
Guests will also be able to enjoy the facilities outside their pavilions. Spa Qualia, a beautiful six-room spa, with four single treatment rooms and two couples rooms complete with Roman baths, is located on the pinnacle of the point giving it sweeping views. There is also a state-of-the-art gym and yoga centre right on the water’s edge and two infinity pools.
Two restaurants open only to Qualia guests – the elegant Long Pavilion restaurant and Pebble Beach – a more casual space, will provide exceptional food and wine experiences.
Qualia’s Pavilions range from $AUD1400 per night for those without a pool to $AUD1600 per night for those with a private plunge pool. The larger Beach House at Qualia will cost $AUD3000 per night.
Amanda Silk, who has extensive experience in managing luxury resorts such as Lizard Island and prior to that El Questro, has been named as Qualia’s general manager.
The best way to really get a taste for a destination is to visit it, and Tourism Whitsundays, Virigin Blue and mice.net magazine would like you to do just that.
Tourism Whitsundays, Virgin Blue and mice.net have created a three-night Whitsundays experience staying at Club Med Lindeman Island, Hamilton Island and Hayman.
This educational is being held from Thursday, September 13 to Sunday, September 16, 2007.
Further details about this exciting trip can be found on page 128. Fill out the application form to see if you qualify.
Award-winning Hayman, renowned as a top dining destination, has appointed dynamic chef, Glenn Bacon, to head this famous Great Barrier Reef resort’s vast kitchen operations.
As executive chef, Glenn Bacon will oversee a brigade of some 50 Australian and international chefs. With an influence on a light, contemporary style of cuisine, chef Bacon is moving towards more varied dining experiences throughout the resort’s restaurants and extensive island locations, with a concentration on freshness of local produce and the beautiful seafood available from Australia’s waters.
Australian-born, chef Bacon moves to Hayman with excellent credentials having worked at premier restaurants and hotels in Australia, London, Malaysia and Indonesia in a career spanning 22 years.
Chef Bacon has held senior chef roles with InterContinental Bali, Couran Cove, Sheraton’s Santabong Kuching Resort, Noosa Resort and Alice Springs Hotel, and The Chelsea Hotel and The Berkeley Hotel in London’s Knightsbridge. Hayman presents the genuine private island experience of remoteness and natural beauty and is a winner of numerous Australian and international awards.
In other recent news, The eyes of America focused on Hayman during an ABC News broadcast to celebrate the Australian private island destination in a series of programs, ‘Planet Earth 2007: Seven Ways To Help Save The World.’
‘Planet Earth 2007: Seven Ways To Help Save The World’ took viewers to each continent to witness key environmental challenges facing the world and present solutions from the chosen destinations.
As part of the coverage, Hayman featured in a report on what is being done environmentally in Australia.
ABC News’ Bill Weir spoke from Hayman with Diane Sawyer anchoring the special live event from New York.
Where else can you cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef for a day of snorkelling? See Heart Reef from a helicopter? Tee off on Australia’s number one golf course? Trek the Whitsundays Great Walk or rejuvenate in a day spa with views of the Coral Sea?
With 5 island and 3 Whitsunday coast resorts with conference facilities the Whitsundays can cater for groups of 10 to 1000. Whether it is activity based, all inclusive, island atmosphere, food and wine focused or pure luxury, there is a resort and experience to suit every event or incentive.
For further information please contact Michelle Armour, Marketing Director Tourism Whitsundays
Ph +61 407 737473 E ci@tourismwhitsundays.com.au W www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au
 Club med lindeman island. Totally All Inclusive.
Club Med Lindeman Island is the perfect destination for your next conference or incentive group. The combination of all-inclusive packages, great team building activities and relaxed island atmosphere will have everyone talking about this event for years to come. Your all-inclusive package includes:
• Conference facilities for up to 200 people
• Accommodation & three sumptuous meals a day
• Unlimited wine, beer and soft drink with lunch and dinner
• All day snacking and full bar service (optional)
• Sporting activities with expert tuition
• Fabulous nightly entertainment
• Kids club facilities (2-13 years)
For further information please visit www.clubmed.com.au or contact our Account Executives on 1800 686 289.
 Santai airlie beach. a touch of bali.
In an uncertain world many of Australia’s favourite destinations are now off the radar. That’s why Resort Corp is bringing a touch of Bali to the Whitsundays with the second of its Santai branded resorts.
Santai Airlie Beach will feature contemporary “Australasian” design and authentic Balinese theming making the Santai brand Australia’s most unique new resort experience.
Santai Airlie Beach will feature 210 one, two and three bedroom resort apartments which you can live, lock-up, or place in the letting pool as an investment. Its fabulous facilities include a state-of-the-art 500 delegate convention centre; gourmet restaurants and international day spa.
Secure your apartment now by Expression of Interest. Register your details at santaiairlie.com.au or call 1300 Santai.
 Stageworks. 1 chance to impress.
You only get one chance to impress. Stageworks Australia works in true partnership with you and will transform your next event.. Stageworks Australia is the premier event staging company providing your clients with memorable experiences and unforgettable events. We have the largest and most up to date inventory of lighting, sound, theme and audiovisual equipment north of Brisbane.
Impressions count, be inspired and let Stageworks Australia design your next themed event, incentive or product launch. We deliver a smooth faultless performance for your corporate audiovisual and staging requirements from a team of dedicated industry professionals. Experience the unforgettable.
Telephone 07 40479200 Fax 07 40479222
sales@stageworks.com.au www.stageworks.com.au
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