Aust 1-4 8/12/09 12:29 Page 56
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From left: Clients can incorprate a free Bangkok stopover with Qantas Holidays; enjoy the desert in Abu Dhabu; and Dubai is an ideal en-route shoping break
offers free one-night stopovers, including a Tokyo is good to get a taste of a different, centre including a new Guggenheim modern
deal available in Singapore, Hong Kong or colourful culture and experience a taste of art museum.
Bangkok for bookings and travel up to Japan – but is a lot more expensive, from Much lesser known is Qatar, venue for an
March 30, 2010 (outbound only, without £389 for three nights. England versus Brazil soccer international
transfers). She adds: “Thanks to the new Cathay last month. Doha, the capital of this small
Japan Airlines includes a free one-night Pacific and Air Pacific partnership, you can desert state, has several seafront hotels but
stopover in Tokyo on the return leg, from fly to Fiji direct from Hong Kong. The bright is otherwise known for shopping and as a
Sydney or Brisbane. lights of the city and crystal clear waters and gateway to the desert.
Qantas Holidays market development white sandy beaches of the South Pacific Qatar Airways is the latest airline to start
manager Esther Ward says: “The Far East make a perfect twin-centre holiday.” flying Down Under. It launched a Melbourne
offers the chance to do some shopping in Kuoni’s Jayne White says: “Culture is very route last week, connecting with flights from
Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong, while often the reason behind choosing a stopover. Heathrow and Manchester. A Sydney route
enjoying the cultural contrasts. The islands Japan and Vietnam are real contrasts for is set to follow.
of Thailand offer fantastic value for money culture twinned with the South Pacific, Etihad connects from Heathrow and
for those wanting a beach escape post while Bali in Indonesia is probably the best Manchester to Sydney, Melbourne and
touring. contrast for a beach stopover.” Brisbane, but the real star is Emirates with
“Standard Qantas Walkabout fares allow more routes, higher frequency and a better
your clients to stopover in places such as MIDDLE EAST. UK regional spread than its rivals.
China, as well as the usual places. Additional The rise of the Gulf-based airlines on Flying from Heathrow (five a day), Gatwick
stopovers are available from Singapore at UK-Australia routes (with Emirates also (three a day), Birmingham and Manchester
a supplement, including Manila, Jakarta serving New Zealand) has been sustained (twice daily), and Newcastle and Glasgow
and Bali.” and determined, and is set to continue. (daily), Emirates serves six gateways in this
Qantas Holidays’ three-night Beijing Dubai – home of Emirates – is a great region. Sydney and Melbourne have the
Escape costs from £151, while best value is stop-over destination. It offers beaches, highest capacity, followed by Brisbane and
Singapore from £136 for three nights. desert, great shopping, theme parks and a Perth. Some flights continue to Auckland
Gold Medal’s Nicola Squire says Bangkok host of superlatives ranging from indoor (three a day) and Christchurch (daily), with
offers the best value, with three-night pack- skiing to the world’s tallest building. the “super jumbo” Airbus A380 used to
ages from £149. Singapore is also a top seller Abu Dhabi, the hub of Etihad, is a lesser Sydney and Auckland.
including a beach option at Shangri-La’s known quantity but with big ambitions. Despite Gulf carriers’ increasing presence
Rasa Sentosa Resort on Sentosa Island. Larger, more varied and less ostentatious on these routes, the majority of passengers
“Bangkok stopovers are great for clients than its neighbour, it offers a more genuine fly on without a stopover.
on a budget because accommodation insight into Arabian culture. Gold Medal’s Nicola Squire says: “Emirates
and tour prices are so low,” says Squire. Here you can also enjoy a beach holiday is a really popular airline, but people often
“Singapore offers great shopping, vibrant and a range of desert experiences, and in the don’t think it’s worth stopping in Dubai as it
nightlife and is perfect for any age group. future it will become an arts and cultural is much closer to the UK than your typical
56 11.12.2009
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