LILY ALLEN IN MELBOURNE

In the country to headline Splendour In The Grass, Frontier Touring can confirm that the sharp-witted and ever-talented Lily Allen will be treating Melbourne’s Festival Hall to headline shows this July!

No stranger to Australia, Allen’s It’s Not Me, It’s You World Tour reached Australian shores in 2009 and she performed to packed crowds on the main stage of the Big Day Out Festival the following year. Four years down the road and with a brand new album in tow, Allen will be performing her biggest Australian headline shows to date and lucky ticketholders are in for a treat.

This year Allen returns with conversation-starting new album Sheezus (out now through Warner/Parlophone) which she launched earlier this month at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Teaming up with Greg Kurstin (P!nk, Ellie Goulding), DJ Dahi and Shellback, Sheezus marks a triumphant return to music with Allen beaming with confidence in her craft and the joys of motherhood and family life. The first single from her third studio album ‘Hard Out Here’ (watch it here) reaffirms to fans that the charismatic and outspoken Allen is back and is taking no prisoners:

After spending four years honing ideas and gaining new perspectives, Allen is back with a vengeance and ready to take on the music industry once again in the same provocative and daring manner her fans have become accustomed to. Tickets will sell fast, so get in quick to ensure you witness this show stopper in action!

To get tickets, visit the official ticket outlet: http://melbourne.eventful.com/events/lily-allen-/E0-001-070694217-7

Source: http://www.frontiertouring.com/lilyallen

KATY PERRY IN MELBOURNE

International superstar, Katy Perry, has announced that The Prismatic World Tour presented by Telstra Thanks, will head to Australia in November. The tour is in support of Katy's smash hit album Prism, which debuted at number one in Australia and has since been certified Triple Platinum. The album has given Katy her biggest ever single in Australia with “Roar” currently certified 9 x Platinum.

The state-of-the art stage, specifically designed by Katy for THE PRISMATIC WORLD TOUR presented by Telstra Thanks, allows her to get closer to her fans than ever before. The one-of-a-kind set design will provide concert-goers with a truly magical experience from every angle in the arena.

To get tickets, visit the official ticket outlet: http://melbourne.eventful.com/events/katy-perry-/E0-001-069645458-8@2014111419

Source: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=KATYPERR14&utm_source=ticketek.com.au&utm_medium=friendlylink&utm_campaign=KatyPerry|NewShows

WICKED IN MELBOURNE

So much happened before Dorothy dropped in! Wicked tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz.

One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

When Wicked opened on Broadway, it worked its magic on critics and audiences alike.
Winner of 50 major awards including a Grammy, three Tony Awards and six Helpmann Awards including Best Musical. After its success on Broadway, in North America, London, Germany, Japan and New Zealand, Wicked will return home to Melbourne from May 2014.

To get tickets, visit the official ticket outlet: http://melbourne.eventful.com/events/wicked-/E0-001-061847384-0

What’s on at Merlin Entertainments Group Attractions

June and July School Holidays 2014

Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck and SKYWALK

School Holiday Fun at Sydney Tower Eye

June – July 2014

Calling all Loomatics!  These school holidays Sydney Tower Eye invites kids to get crafty and help build a loom band the same size as Sydney Tower - 309 metres! Instructors will be on hand every day during the holidays to help kids add to the ever-growing chain and help create one of the longest loom bands Australia has ever seen.  Kids will be able to create their own designs to add to the artwork and can even bring in their own piece to incorporate into the work. They'll even be able to teach mum and dad a thing or two about the activity that's taken Australia by storm! The ultimate kid's social activity will take place 11am-3pm every day during school holidays.

Where: Westfield shopping centre, Level 5, 100 Market St

Opening hours: 9am – 10:30pm every day (last entry 9:30pm)

Contact: 1-800-258-693

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Sound the Octo-Alert! Meet the Octonauts at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

28 June – 20 July 2014

Explore the great big ocean with the Octonauts at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium from 28 June to 20 July 2014! With daily appearances by Captain Barnacles and Kwazii from 11am to 2pm kids are guaranteed the ultimate Octonauts experience.

As well as fun crew meet and greets, kids will embark on an underwater adventure discovering plenty of Octonauts themed activities including an Octonauts activity corner.  Little Octonauts fans will also go on an exciting mission to find Octonauts characters in displays throughout the aquarium and test their knowledge on the Explore, Rescue, Protect quiz trail to win an exclusive sticker.

And if the kids can’t get enough of the Octonauts, the all-new SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Annual Pass is perfect for endless undersea adventures with the Octonauts crew and the aquarium’s 13,000 ocean stars.

Where: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour

Opening hours: Open daily from 9am to 7pm (last entry at 6pm).

Contact: 1-800-199-657

Madame Tussauds Sydney

Who do you want to meet at Madame Tussauds Sydney?

There’s something for everyone these holidays at Madame Tussauds Sydney.   Beatle-maniacs can relive Abbey Road and create their own album cover photo with the Fab 4 taking up residence in Sydney for 3 months only.  Soccer fans who can’t get enough World Cup action can jump on the field to take on Beckham and Ronaldo in our interactive soccer set.  And A-List show stopper, Katy Perry, is back at Madame Tussauds Sydney!  Dressed to impress in a head turning heart shaped dress, recreated exclusively by Katy Perry’s costumiers, the iconic pop star invites guests to jump on stage and belt out any one of her many number one hits.

At Madame Tussauds Sydney visitors can step back in time and join Captain Cook’s first voyage to Sydney Harbour, challenge fan favourite Aussie sports heroes, sing along with music icons and star in one of Australia’s most popular television shows before arriving at the biggest celebrity party ever staged. So, who do you want to meet?

Where: Madame Tussauds Sydney, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (right next door to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo)

Opening hours: 9am – 8pm daily (last entry 7pm - Please note; opening times may vary due to private events).

Contact: 1-800-205-851

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

WILD Animal Adventures at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Featuring over 25 keeper talks and animal encounters, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is the place to visit these school holidays for people looking to get up close to Australia’s most loved and feared animals.

From meeting Rex, the huge 5 metre crocodile in Kakadu Gorge to cuddling up to koalas at Koala Encounters and not forgetting to bravely hold a python in Kangaroo Walk-about or to meet our new superstar Ringo the Wombat, there’s so much to see and do at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo!

And with interactive displays, captivating daily feeding sessions and enhanced walk-through habitats, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is a fun day out for the whole family, conveniently located right in the heart of Sydney on Darling Harbour.

Where: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour

Opening hours: Open 9am-5pm (last entry 4pm)

Contact: 1-800-206-158

Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary

The Rise of Reptiles at Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary

28 June – 13 July 2014

Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary is turning cold-blooded and scaly these school holidays as our resident turtles and lizards are joined by four baby freshwater crocodiles!

Having dominated the Earth for over 200 million years, reptiles are one of the most diverse groups of animals and continue to inhabit every continent on Earth except Antarctica, and from 28 June are taking over Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary!

Visitors over the school holidays will have the opportunity to watch the brand new crocodile feed show, get creative with croc art and craft sessions, put their Reptilia knowledge to the test with the new quiz trail and learn how Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary is helping critically endangered animals through their Breed, Rescue and Protect program.

With a whole aquarium to explore featuring one of Australia's biggest oceanariums and over 4,000 animals, free guided tours and a hands-on interactive rockpool, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary offers a fun packed day for all ages!

Where: West Esplanade, Manly, NSW, 2095 (only 200m from the Manly Wharf)

Opening hours: 9am – 4:30pm during school holidays. .

Contact: 1-800-199-742

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventure

Step Back in Time with Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventure

Back by popular demand!  During the July school holidays, Erth -Visual and Physical Inc. will be presenting their extraordinary Dinosaur Zoo show.  This bushwalk and treetop experience brings dinosaurs to life!  Hunt for stegosaurus tracks on the ground, track a life-size T-Rex throughout the attraction and creatures both big and small among the treetops!

The Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventure, located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, is one of Australia’s premier rainforest experiences. The elevated steel walkway features two gently swaying cantilevered arms and a central spiral tower raised nearly fifty meters off the forest floor. The stunning views take in everything from the rainforest canopy to Lake Illawarra and out to the South Pacific Ocean.

Where: 182 Knights Hill Road, Knights Hill NSW 2577

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm

Contact:  1300 362 881

Baby wombat Ringo is the new star at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

A ten month-old bare-nosed baby wombat made his first appearance at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo today and was welcomed to the family by three Junior Conservationists.

The adorable furball named Ringo was found as an orphan and has been looked after by his keeper and surrogate mother, Erin Costelloe for the last three weeks. Erin feeds him the bottle every eight hours and puts him to sleep at night. For a nap during the day – when Ringo joins Erin to work – he climbs in a pillowcase that imitates a pouch.

“The orphan was adopted into the WILD LIFE family three weeks ago. At the moment I’m looking after him 24/7 as a baby wombat usually spends up to 18 months of its life with its mother. Sharing my apartment with Ringo has been a really fun experience. Ringo follows me everywhere we go”, says Erin, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Keeper.

About Ringo:

• Ringo is a bare-nosed wombat. He is 10 months old and weighs 6 kg
• When he was found he was three months old and weighed 900g
• Baby wombats usually stay in the pouch for five months until they are around 3.5 to 6 kg
• Ringo loves human company and exploring his surroundings
• The size of the average adult bare-nosed wombat ranges from about 90 to 115 cm (length), 36 cm (height) and from 22 to 39 kg (weight)
• Their natural habitats are the coastal regions of south-east Australia and Tasmania
• Bare-nosed wombats are herbivorous, living off grass, snow tussocks and other plant materials. They usually forage during the night

For more information or to arrange an interview or request further photos, please contact me.

For a video of Ringo playing with puppy dog Elke please click here: https://db.tt/oqrnBTfL

Marvellous Melbourne Package

Book the Marvellous Melbourne package now at Metro Apartments on Bank Place: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/victoria/metro-apartments-on-bank-place/welcome/

Hosting a World Cup is nice, but the G20 could prove more lucrative

When the powerful gather for the G20 summit in Brisbane this November, the core mandate is to discuss measures to support global economic growth, including trade liberalisation, investment and infrastructure development.

These discussions are very important for tourism – an industry that relies on the free movement of people and goods. Issues such as lifting visa restrictions are central to the mandate of agencies such as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. In fact, at a time where we believe that people can travel freely wherever and whenever they like to, an astonishing 110 million international tourists – or 17% of all international arrivals – still require paper visas to be able to visit G20 countries.

Reducing barriers through visa requirements is essential for international tourism. Research commissioned by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in 2014 showed that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would gain between 6 to 10 million additional international tourist arrivals by 2016 if they facilitated and improved visa processes.

Tourism relies on safe destinations and political security, something that cannot be emphasised enough in the light of current “conflict hotspots” globally (including the Middle East, Ukraine, and the South China Sea). Some even point to tourism as a force for peace as it fosters inter-cultural understanding and friendly exchange between nations.

Directly, the summit leads to travel of those participating in it. What could be coined “political tourism”, political meetings and conferences induce substantial amounts of travel. For the G20 in Brisbane it is expected that there will be about 4,000 delegates (some of whom will arrive with their families), 3,000 media, and 5,300 police from interstate and New Zealand.

Business tourism is often overlooked when we discuss tourism, but the WTTC established a compelling link between business travel and global trade: one third of growth in trade globally over the last ten years can be attributed to business-related travel and resulting increases in corporate productivity. WTTC’s analysis also shows that if business travel was reduced by one quarter for two consecutive years, global GDP would be 5% lower than if travel continued as normal.

The average business tourist in Australia spends A$280 per night, compared with a holiday visitor who spends $162.

Research on the economic benefit of G8 and G20 summits valued the 2009 and 2010 US and Canada summits at US$135 million and US$95.4 million respectively. The benefits measured include the immediate spending of participants and longer-term effects of increased investment, infrastructure and training. Similar numbers have been advanced as an estimate for the Brisbane summit.


How is Australia performing?

Eleven out of Australia’s top 20 international markets are G20 members. Amongst these are key markets such as China, the US, Japan, Korea and the UK. Other G20 countries, such as Russia, Brazil or Saudi Arabia, are not yet in the top 20 markets to Australia, but are seen as promising “emerging markets”.

Considering many of the traditional markets to Australia have been stagnating since the global financial crisis, and emerging markets are experiencing fast growth, increasing destination awareness in these countries represents a significant opportunity.

But focusing on one event, and dedicating tourism infrastructure to it, may also crowd out other forms of tourism, for example leisure tourists. Research on sport mega events has found that peaks in arrivals due to the event can be followed by a “low” in visitation, because participants or spectators time their visit for the event. This may be less relevant for political summits. However there might be other risks associated with political tourism. Hosting a political summit always bears the risk of “counter-summits” and activism that might undermine the destination image.

From a research perspective, major events have been analysed mainly with a focus on mega-sport events, for example Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and FIFA World Cups. Political summits have received very limited attention (with some exceptions).

Research to establish whether political events are different from other events, perhaps because of their political nature and the types of delegates, is yet to be undertaken, and the Brisbane G20 provides an excellent opportunity to research the economic impact of the summit, and compare it to other events hosted previously in Australia.

Source: http://theconversation.com/hosting-a-world-cup-is-nice-but-the-g20-could-prove-more-lucrative-28323