News in Brief: Tuesday February 19
A range of new “Indigenous Encounters” at Ayers Rock Resort have been developed specifically with the business events market in mind.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia will add the new options from April 1, providing conferences and meetings with a suite of affordable options to incorporate cultural involvement.
Activities at the resort include traditional local Inma dance and welcome to country, dot painting workshops, Aboriginal campfire tours, performances from cultural dancers, an Indigenous dance workshop, traditional Aboriginal games, didgeridoo, spear and boomerang throwing lessons and a team building activity based around boomerang painting.
A new two-hour “cultural energiser” will combine 30 minute of four of the activities priced from $75 per person, with a CSR educational component also available for delegates to learn about community and training initiatives from an Anangu representative.
A new conference initiative from Accor Hotels and Virgin Australia is offering organisers who book and pay for 10 conference packages in Queensland, an 11th delegate package for free.
The joint incentive teams a choice of quality accommodation from Accor with Virgin Australia flights, and adventure experiences in the region.
Bookings must be made by February 28, 2015 for business held to March 31, 2015.
A new-look convention and business centre Port Stephens’ The Anchorage will be officially open in October, in a bid by new owners Wests Group to boost business tourism to the property and the region.
The centre will feature 180-degree water views, the latest AV technology, free WiFi and a “business breather” zone overlooking the marina. Meanwhile accommodation will also be upgraded.
The 200-room Shoal Bay Resort & Spa in Port Stephens, NSW has unveiled a new-look spa complex, along with the introduction stand up paddleboarding and Master Cook kitchen challenges to encourage team-building and further engage the meetings market.
Shanghai will be seeking to capture a greater share of the international conventions and exhibitions following the opening of its third multi-million dollar centre.
The Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Centre features 25 meeting rooms, the largest measuring 3,000 square metres, and two exhibition rooms of 6,500 square metres each.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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