Queensland's Bedarra Island under new ownership
Former Voyages property Bedarra Island was purchased by private equity fund Pamoja Capital recently. Originally opened in 1981, the 16-villa resort has had several owners over the past three decades and is now being managed by Hideaway Resorts. Pamoja Capital also purchased well-known resort Dunk Island at the same time.

New eco-friendly tents at Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef
Sal Salis on Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef will re-open on March 14, just in time for the whale shark season, adding four new tents to its collection of eco-friendly accommodation. Situated in Cape Range National Park, the camp provides luxurious and comfortable lodgings without leaving a large environmental footprint. The construction of the tents was funded by the Australian Government's TQUAL Grants program, which supports high quality tourism products that contribute to the long-term economic growth of Australia.

Best Western Sawaddi Patong, Phuket, Thailand
Best Western opened its latest hotel in Phuket Thailand this month. Close to shopping, dining and nightlife, the 146-room Best Western Sawaddi Patong is the hotel chain's 13th property in Thailand and fourth on Phuket. Facilities at the new resort include several restaurants serving western and oriental cuisine, a poolside bar, swimming pool, kid's club, business centre and Vara Spa.

Courtyard Stockholm Kungsholmen Hotel, Sweden
The new Courtyard Stockholm Kungsholmen Hotel opened in Sweden this month. The hotel is Courtyard by Marriott's first foray into Scandinavia and the largest Courtyard by Marriott in Europe. Located in the stylish Kungsholmen neighbourhood of Stockholm, it has a contemporary and functional design and its 278 rooms are some of the largest in the city. The hotel also has a Bjork Bar & Grill that was designed by Henry Chebaane to resemble a forest and serves regional Swedish produce, including a sparkling wine made of birch sap from trees in the local forest.

New yoga centre in Fiji
A purpose built yoga platform has just opened overlooking Savusavu Bay in Fiji. Built using local wood, it is the only one of its kind in Fiji. The platform is ten metres squared and can hold up to 24 people. It will host regular classes throughout 2010 in order to help establish Fiji as a Pacific centre for Yoga.

Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi , UAE
Mandarin Oriental has announced plans to open a luxury resort on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, in 2013. The resort will feature 160 guest rooms and suites as well as 35 serviced apartments and 50 branded Residences at Mandarin Oriental. Other facilities will include a spa, a selection of six bars and restaurants, function rooms, a fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool and a private beach club. Guests will also have access to the 18-hole Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, which will wrap around the resort.

Chambers Art Hotel in Minneapolis becomes Le Meridien Chambers
The Chambers Art Hotel in Minneapolis has been rebranded by Starwood Hotels & Resorts as Le Meridian Chambers Minneapolis. Located in the centre of the city's cultural, business and social district, the hotel has 60 guestrooms, six suites and nine junior suites, all fitted with the mod cons and featuring original artwork. Opened in 2006 by art collector Ralph Burnet, Chambers houses more than 250 pieces of original art work by artists such as Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.

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Michelin-starred chef Albert Roux at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Renowned chef Albert Roux and his team of world-class chefs will fly to Sydney to host an exclusive lunch and dinner series at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on April 29 & 30. Most famous for opening Britain's first Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Gavroche, Roux will host two, four-course dinners and a single, three-course lunch, creating a range of local and international delicacies individually matched with wine provided by Moet Hennessey.

Langham Hotels launch voice-activated iPhone app
Langham Hotels International has become the first hotel to launch a voice-activated iPhone application. Langham Touch offers voice-activated travel advice to help guest find their way around any city that has a Langham property. The app includes directions from the hotel to anywhere in the city, simple phrases in the local language and a hotline to the local Langham property. It also has a mini city guide with recommendations on attractions and restaurants and helps save on global roaming charges because it allows users to find all this information without going online.

Rent a private submarine in Aruba
A private submarine is the latest bespoke experience offered on the Caribbean island of Aruba. Built by U-Boat Worx, a Dutch manufacturer of private submersibles, the electric submarine will be based at a newly built submarine centre and take a maximum of three tourists to a depth of 100 metres. Catering to the experience to the individual’s wants and needs, the submarine will make underwater exploration possible for those who don’t scuba dive or suffer from decompression sickness. It can stay under water for up to 96 hours in case of emergency.

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BA New First Class Cabin
British Airways launched its new-look first class cabin on the London Heathrow to Chicago O'Hare Boeing 777 this week. The cabin includes a lie-flat bed, electronic blinds, personal wardrobe and leather-bound writing desk/dining table. The renovations cost the airline over AU$100million and will be tested for 90 days before being rolled out on another 73 aircraft.

Mount Hotham ski season flights
This week Qantaslink announced the introduction of flights between Sydney and Mount Hotham during the 2010 ski season. An average of three flights a week will connect the two destinations between June 25 and September 12, with services increasing during the peak weeks. Flights will operate on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, giving passengers the opportunity to spend a week or weekend skiing.

Thai resumes flights to Johannesburg
Thai Airways will resume its services between Bangkok and Johannesburg from May this year. The airline sees the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as a good opportunity to reinstate this route, introducing four flights a week using their Boeing 777-200s. It is also looking at possibly extending the flight on to Cape Town. Thai will also be dropping three routes from its summer schedule, starting in late March when flights from Bangkok to Kuwait, Hong Kong to Taipei and Bangkok to Manila then Osaka will all be axed.

Etihad secures additional flights to Australia
Etihad airlines secured seven additional flights to Australia from Abu Dhabi this week. The new flights are a result of negotiations between the UAE and the Australian government and can be operated from any gateway in Australia. A further seven flights have been awarded - provided the airline flies via or to a regional airport. Etihad currently flies between Australia and Abu Dhabi 21 times a week. The new flights will be available from March 2011.

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Allure set for early debut
The maiden voyage of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship Allure of the Seas has been brought forward by a week. Instead of departing December 12 this year, it is now scheduled to depart for its seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on December 5. Passengers have until the end of February to change their booking in order to secure the same stateroom.

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AUSTRALIAN EVENTS

NSW / VIC / SA / WA / QLD / TAS / ACT / NT

NSW

Art Gallery of NSW Rupert Bunny exhibition
November 20 - February 21: A collection of over 100 of Rupert Bunny's works have been collated from Australia, London and Paris, some of which have never been exhibited in Australia before.

2010 Sydney Shakespeare Festival
7 January - February 14: The third annual Shakespeare festival offers Sydneysiders the chance to see evening productions of the Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice take place beside the harbour.

Bondi Open Air
January 20 - March 3: Taking place at Bondi Pavilion, the summer-only event will have a fully-licensed bar, DJs, live bands and after dusk, feature-length films under the stars.

Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta
March 7-9: The largest event of the Sydney Harbour Regatta, the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta will commence at 11am each day and shore-side activities include fireworks displays, fashion parades and marina dining.

VIC

Pako Festa
February 27: A multicultural festival in Geelong to promote community harmony.

The Bellarine Beach Party
February 28: Held at Federation Square, this event brings the beach to the city, providing a 'touch tank' that lets visitors see and interact with sea creatures in their natural habitat. Live music and food and wine displays provide visitors with further entertainment throughout the day.

Chillout Festival at Peppers Springs Retreat and Spa
March 8: Peppers Springs Retreat and Spa in Hepburn Springs, Victoria, will play host to cabaret singer Dolly Diamond and entertainer Luke Gallagher for one night during the Chill Out Gay and Lesbian Festival held annually in the Daylesford area. Other events hosted by Peppers Spring Retreat and Spa include an afternoon BBQ in the gardens and listening to The Glitterballs on March 6 and the annual Recovery Brunch also on March 8.

Rupert Bunny at the National Gallery of Victoria
March 26 - July 4: A retrospective exhibition of Melbourne artist Rupert Bunny will display over 100 of his works.

SA

Shakespeare in the Vines
February 19-20: Taking place at Sevenhill in the Clare Valley, this annual event offers audiences the chance to see outdoor productions of Shakespeare's play A Comedy of Errors.

Adelaide Fringe festival
February 19 - March 14: The three-week long festival, held at over 300 venues across Adelaide and South Australia, celebrates artists from across the globe. Its status as an open-access event also means that amateur artists, as well as professionals, can register in the dance, music and theatre events.

WA

Grass... Margaret River Outdoor Film Festival
January 9 - February 27: Enjoy international films in a picturesque location and enjoy some of the region's finest gourmet foods with a good glass of award-winning wine.

Bohemia outdoor cinema
February 4-21: A showcase of films from around Western Australia and Australia. Taking place in the suburb of Freemantle, this outdoor event premieres some of Australia's unseen film productions.

Sculpture by the sea
March 4-21: Over 60 local and international artists will erect sculptures along Perth's Cottesloe Beach.

Perth International Arts Festival
February 5 - March 1: The oldest international multi-arts festival in the southern hemisphere, the Perth International Arts Festival offers exhibitions of music, film, literature and street art.

QLD

Lara's Day
February 14: This inaugural events raises money for SIDS in Queensland. Held at Brisbane city football club, activities include a sporting memorabilia auction and a soccer game for adults and face painting, rides and a sausage sizzle for the kids.

The Lost Weekend Festival
March 6-7: Held at Brisbane's Riverstage and Botanical Gardens, this inaugural music event will showcase a selection of local, interstate and international artists across three stages.

Brisbane Blues Festival
March 13: Making use of two stages, this festival will celebrate both classic and contemporary blues music from 4pm till late.

St. Patrick's Irish Festival
March 13: This celebration of everything Irish will take place along Bowhill Road, at Willawong. Throughout the day Irish dance displays, Gaelic football exhibition matches, live bands, food stalls and a fully-licensed bar will provide entertainment for young and old.

Brisbane's Melting Pot
March 13-14: Held at Brisbane's Cascade Court and Melbourne Street Green, this event celebrates the contribution of diverse communities to the world of music. Free demonstrations of music and dance will take place over the weekend and stalls will offer some traditional fare for visitors to try.

Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival
March 26-28: This three-day, multi-sport, festival hosts the largest triathlon race in Australia. The festival also has a lifestyle expo for spectators to visit in between the day's races.

TAS

Blooming Tasmania
Until April 2010: A festival of floral shows and garden open days taking place all over the state.

Music in the gardens at Cascade Brewery, Hobart
Every Thursday until February 18: A series of events featuring local Tasmanian musicians held at the Cascade Brewery in the South Hobart hills.

ACT

"Masterpieces from Paris, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne and beyond"
December 4, 2009 - April 5, 2010: Over the next few months Canberra will be hosting some very famous Frenchmen. Australians hoping to glimpse the likes of Monet, Gauguin, Cezanne or perhaps Van Gogh have the opportunity to view masterpieces by these and other famous French artists. Eager spectators will need to be quick; 'Masterpieces from Paris, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne and beyond' will be showing until April 5 and will be the only Australian stop for the exhibition.

NT

Saint Patrick's Day Races
March 13: Held at Tennant Hills racecourse, the day offers a five-card race program. Adults can enjoy the TAB facilities and race entertainment while a leprechaun entertains the children with fun activities throughout the day.

Top End Fishing Festival
March 27-28: Held at Darwin's Foskey Pavilion, the festival is a weekend dedicated to all things fishing. Enthusiasts can talk to famous fishing personalities, watch demonstrations of the latest in high-tech fishing gear and enter a number of fishing competitions.

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