Gay Australians should pay attention to the fact that other countries are not as accepting of homosexuality, according to a new warnings issued by the Australian governement.
Singapore is a popular tourist destination for Australians, but officials of the Asian state consider gay sex "an act of gross indecency", and blame gay events for rising rates of HIV infection.From Australia Issues Gay Travel Warning
Aussies overseas aren't such a great thing, according to a government official. The opposition leader believes that the government should do more to lure back 'gold collar' workers. I think the government should be more lenient about letting in other 'gold collar' workers to replace them. Aussie diaspora 'neglected resource'
And just when you thought that a strong economy was a good thing, the tourism people have to get all up in your face:
The strength of the New Zealand dollar is starting to worry tourism operators, with one of the big players in the industry warning people are starting to choose other, less expensive countries for their holidays.From Dollar's strength threatens tourism?
An Australian backpacker has gone missing in a part of India known for drug-related deaths. The 23-year-old dissapeared two weeks ago after going out for a walk. Hunt for missing Aussie backpacker
"Two children's books and a wheelchair are alleged to have been used to smuggle more than $3 million worth of drugs into Australia in two separate incidents." The culprits in the first case are two adults in their 60s(!!!). I guess grandma and grandpa need a little coke pick-me-up every now and then as well. The children's book carriers claim that they were carrying the books for a friend. Doh! Police make airport drug arrests
Watch out Sydney! The city's southern sister is making a move on Sydney's dollars. According to Tourism Research Australia, Melbourne has 12% of the combined domestic and international spending while Sydney has 15%. The commonwealth games in Melbourne next year should help the city boost numbers even higher. Perhaps now Sydney won't be so content to rest on her laurels. Melbourne edges closer to Sydney as Australia�s top tourist destination
The Australian government plans to devote more resources to the barely-tapped Aboriginal tourist market in the near future. I'm sure purists will argue that this harms the communities - the same purists who, no doubt, think of Aboriginal culture as 'quaint' and 'exotic' and ignore the influence of 'hip hop and basketball' (as the article points out). Let the finger pointing begin.
Aboriginal culture next big tourist drawcard
The next new destination in Australia isn't another beach, marine wildlife or party hot spot - it's the mining town of Coober Pedy in the Outback. Many of the dwellings are underground - a novel draw for backpackers. This opal bearing town of 3500 is still a quick get-rich destination with a multi-ethnic culture. 60 percent of the population are first of second generation immigrants, mostly from Mediterranean Europe.
Women, it's time to hit the road. According to a recently released study, Australia and New Zealand are suffering a "man drought" due to foreign travel. NZ is hit the hardest due to migration to Australia - "a 32-year-old woman in New Zealand today has as much chance of finding a partner her age as does an 82-year-old woman." Thirtysomethings are hit the hardest. The biggest country to blame? England, and other high paying western countries. I have some issues with the whole 'left on the shelf' comment - what, do we have expiration dates??? See Women left on shelf by the men with a passion for travel
From the you-don't-have-a-shot-in-hell files emerges backpacker psycho killer Ivan Milat and his appeal. Now 60, Milat seems to think he didn't do it, despite testimony from escaped victims, and discovery of multiple bodies. *Shudder*
As a result of increased tensions surrounding the Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill in Fiji, which would grant immunity to those involved in the 2000 coup, Australia and New Zealand have issued travel warnings. Not surprisingly, the country that relies heavily on tourist dollars from these countries has rejected these claims. I think governments are quick to issue travel warnings now a days. That way, they can say, "See, I told you so!" and resolve themselves of consequences.
Famous backpacker murders come together with both continued press for the ultra violent Wolf Creek movie (see Blood on the sand) and the ongoing drama surrounding Ivan Milat and his backpacker murders (see Milat case stalked by uncertainty) and possible partner. There are certainly enough "hmmm" things to make you think twice about the contention that Milat acted alone. I'm just waiting for someone to say that Milat's conspirator - possibly a sibling - is the one who kidnapped Peter Falconio.
PSA announcement of the week Adelaide guide has what's hip:
A new guide to the "happening" places in Adelaide has been released.
The Hip Guide to Adelaide is a free pocket-sized publication aimed at backpackers and young travellers.
The guide highlights the pubs and clubs, eateries and shopping highlights of the South Australian capital, as well as its range of galleries, museums, parks and beaches.
In Adelaide, the guide will be available from the Rundle Mall Visitor Information Centre and the South Australian Visitor & Travel Centre, as well as backpacker hostels and selected shops and caf�s.
Oh, poor girl. Despair drives Bali accused to drastic action of trying to slice her wrists with a razor blade. One of the 9 heroin chicas can be commended for only being slightly smarter than her comrades, in the fact that she cooperated with the police. However, I think they all fall on the stupid side of the apple tree in that they allowed themselves to be heroin mules for a drug operation in a country that does not flinch when it comes to giving the death penalty. Being Australian isn't going to save your butt in this case, sorry.
If you're looking for a place far off the radar screen, go a Long way beyond the black stump. The town of Daly Waters is a stopping point for intrepid explorers driving through the Outback on their way to or from Darwin. The town has a colorful history dating back through the 1800s when it served as an outpost town for travelers of a different sort, and then a fueling station for Qantas.
One of nine limestone stacks that made up the famous landmark off Australia's surf-pounded southern coast collapsed into the Indian Ocean on July 3, apparently a victim of normal coastal erosion, leaving only eight stacks for tourists to gaze at.Even though there were only nine of the towering limestone outcrops off the coast of Victoria State, the formation was called the 12 Apostles.
I've never made it to this landmark site...I better hurry up if I want to see any of 'em!
Cycling's sisters come to grief after a tragic accident killed one of their teammates and seriously injured five others after a car careened off the road. The members of the Australian National Cycling Team were on a training ride in Europe when an 18-year-old novice driver swerved and struck the team. The driver was not speeding or under the influence, and is expected to receive a suspended sentence in what is being called a tragic accident. The injuries the women received were very severe and the scene was described as gruesome. I can't imagine how terrible it must be for them and all their loved ones.