PRDnationwide has unveiled plans to develop a $40 million four-star resort style apartment complex in Karratha called The Ranges Karratha. It will feature 108 fully self-contained apartments on a 2.5hectare site to be completed in late 2011.

Further information: http://therangeskarratha.com.au/

The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers has created the world’s first guest-powered hotel allowing guests the chance to generate electricity whilst getting fit at the same time. The 366-room green hotel has installed electricity producing bicycles in its gym for guests to use. Anyone producing 10 watt hours of electricity or more for the hotel will be given a locally produced complimentary meal encouraging guests to reduce their carbon footprint whilst saving electricity and money. If successful, the new electric bicycle initiative will be offered to all Crowne Plaza hotels in the UK.
Further information: http://www.cpcopenhagen.dk/#/en/greensolutions

The Bolton Hotel in Wellington, New Zealand has devised a "Brainfood" menu specifically designed to increase mental attention, engagement and concentration levels of those attending events, seminars or workshops at the hotel.

The chefs will even help organisers customise a menu to suit the event itinerary to stimulate neural pathways of attendees keeping them mentally alert and sustained throughout a session, event or day.

The menu is designed for collaboration with event organisers who can design their very own menu around the concentration levels their itinerary demands.

Further information: http://www.boltonhotel.co.nz/brainfood-en.html

Kids Welcome is a guide to the best kid-friendly activities, tours, attractions, restaurants and places to stay that suit the whole family. Kids Welcome interviewed parents with varying ages of children to determine their needs and desires while travelling.

The results were compiled into a questionnaire asking parents to rate the factors by importance to establish a unique Traffic Light Rating System.

Further information: http://www.kidswelcome.com.au/

Ladies Only Hotel Floor

Best Western Portal Hotel has launched Australia's first "Ladies Only" floor catering for the growing number of independent female travellers who demand luxury and security in equal measure.

Rooms have been designed with a female aesthetic in mind and each features a fresh seasonal bloom, scented candle, waffle robe and slippers, complimentary women's magazines and a refresher unwind pack featuring organic beauty products and MOR bathroom products.

Further information: http://portalhotel.bestwestern.com.au/

Luxe Home Swap allows people with high-end dwellings to swap accommodation with others all over the world.

To use the service, homeowners pay an annual membership fee and begin browsing the homes listed on the site.

Once they find one they'd like to swap with, they contact the owner to discuss the details via secure messaging and sign a digital contract.

Members can make as many swaps as they'd like over the course of a year.

A special initiatives grant of $500,000 from Lotterywest will allow completion of stages three and four of the Albany Biodiversity Park project which is being developed alongside Whale World. The grant will go towards creating a Floracopia, a living regional wildflower mural, floral amphitheatre and unique Vancouver Wetlands exhibit.

The aim was to create a suite of nature-based attractions that promoted environmental and conservation awareness and the importance of preservation of endangered flora and fauna.

Further information: http://www.whaleworld.org/

Ecotourism Australia has released a strategic discussion paper Tourism for the Future 2010-20 to challenge the Australian Government to build a sustainable tourism industry through the development of a “Green Visitor Economy”.

The discussion paper encourages a long-term view of building a sustainable tourism industry as part of a sustainable Australia.

The ‘Your Community’ survey was conducted earlier this year with the intention of guiding the decision-making processes of state and local authorities on tourism development. Almost 4000 Queenslanders participated in the inaugural survey has established a benchmark to gauge the future impact of tourism on individuals and their local community.

Further information: http://www.tq.com.au/fms/tq_corporate/research/destinationsresearch/queensland
/FACTSHEET-%20QUEENSLAND%20Social%20Indicator%202010.PDF

Major online travel company Travelocity has flagged more than 1,900 hotels with an eco-friendly tag, which does not include self-certified hotels.

To have its hotels included in the Green Hotel Directory a certification program must have a checklist that closely aligns with criteria developed by the Tourism Sustainability Council, a global coalition of U.N. bodies, research and academic institutions, social and environmental NGOs.

Further information: http://www.travelocity.com/TravelForGood/index.html

The Green Passport Campaign is an initiative of the International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development that aims to raise tourists' awareness of their potential to contribute to sustainable development by making responsible holiday choices.

The campaign is now available for national adaptation and dissemination by partners to raise awareness in the tourism community.

Further information: http://www.unep.org/greenpassport/

The WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are once again open for entries. WTTC invites those showcasing best practice in sustainable tourism across the world to submit their applications for this coveted international award.

The finalists and winners of the 2011 Awards will:

• be publicly recognised and will meet government and industry leaders at the Awards ceremony which will take place at WTTC’s 11th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, to be held from 17-19 May 2011 in Las Vegas, USA
• receive outstanding, international media exposure thanks to WTTC’s extensive media partnerships
• be endorsed by a panel of judges comprising internationally acclaimed experts in sustainable tourism
• be invited to submit case studies to be featured on WTTC’s comprehensive Best Practice Gateway, an online library of case studies for sustainable tourism.

The Awards are handed out in four different categories: Global Tourism Business, Destination Stewardship, Conservation and Community Benefit.

Entries for the 2011 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards will be accepted between now and 10 December 2010. Submit your application online at www.tourismfortomorrow.com or contact Susann Kruegel, Manager, Policy Initiatives at WTTC at susann.kruegel@wttc.org or call +44 (0) 20 7481 8007 for more information.

The State Government plan outlines the introduction of legislation to ensure no mining lease will be renewed when it reaches its current expiry date as well as the application of world-class rehabilitation standards seeing the island evolve to become an ecotourism showcase.

The vision aims to provide significant development opportunities for eco-business, additional camping grounds and walking tracks, and planned township area expansion for Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout.

Additionally, the native title rights of the Quandamooka people are expected to be recognized over much of the island in 2011.

Further information: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/stradbroke/

The World Heritage Exhibition Centre will be launched at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden located in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The Exhibition Centre celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Area's inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 for its outstanding universal values. It will be used to deliver curriculum-based lessons to schoolchildren relating to conservation of wilderness and National Park landscapes that make up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Further information: http://www.mounttomahbotanicgarden.com.au/

Queensland’s first great walk to cross three islands involves paddles as well as hiking boots.

The $1.27 million State Government-built Ngaro Sea Trail Great Walk at Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays was named after traditional owners the Ngaro People.

Led by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the local community have taken ownership of the concept at an early stage including design and route.

Further information: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/whitsunday-ngaro-sea-trail/index.html

The Victorian Branch of the Australian Accreditation Program (ATAP) has launched a new look website.

Changes include improved functionality to search for an accredited business and an online registration for businesses wanting to know more about accreditation.

The site will also introduce news feeds with the latest tourism industry updates, developments and opportunities.

Further information: http://www.atapvic.net.au/

A leading Australian travel doctor and author of popular book Travelling Well has launched an iPhone application for travellers to use in the event of medical problems while overseas and far from reliable medical care.

The Travel Health application allows travellers to access detailed information about medications, indications, side effects and dosage to help with diagnosis and treatment.

The application covers treatment for gastro, chest, fever, altitude sickness, cold climate problems and more.

Further information: http://www.travellingwell.com.au/iphoneapp.html

Tourism Queensland has launched a new grants guide to help operators apply for grants.

This publication helps operators understand which government grants are available to them, with tips on how to apply for grants and information on what happens if an application is successful.

Tony Charters and Associates now has advance copies of the global publication Authentic Ecolodges, authored by Hitesh Mehta.

Hitesh, one of the world’s leaders in sustainable landscapes and an Associate of Tony Charters and Associates, has travelled 46 countries in six continents compiling the publication over a 7 year period.

The book introduces the first ever International Ecolodge Rating System and is a reference guide for anyone interested in the future of tourism facilities, sustainable architecture, adventure, health and wellbeing.

Trailer available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRVs7q5hK3c

To address the difficulty and expense associated with internet connection while travelling a Finnish company has launched a mobile wifi rental service.

The battery-powered device allows up to 5 simultaneous connections to the mobile broadband data network including unlimited data and all costs.

The service is currently only available in Helsinki, with pick-up and drop-off locations at the airport and downtown hotels.

Zonga aims to expand to other international airports over the course of next year.

Further information: http://www.zonga.fi/

The portal provides a central point for volunteers to find out about upcoming opportunities for people who want to combine a holiday experience with volunteering. Organisations seeking volunteers can also register and promote their volunteering opportunities and events on the site.

Further information: http://www.tourismvolunteering.com.au/

This is a unique opportunity for the whole tourism industry to receive leading advice from global experts on sustainability, ecotourism marketing and product development, and much more.

World-leading operators will also be present to share their success stories. Bruce Poon Tip, Founder of Gap Adventures; Mark Witney, Director of Singita Game Reserves; Kauahi Ngapora, Chief Operating Officer at Kaikoura Whale Watch; Jena Gardner President and CEO - JG Black Book of Travel; and David Gunson, Head of Programming, Presentation and Advertising Sales, National Geographic are amongst many speakers who will provide case studies on their world award-winning ecotourism achievements.

This is certainly a professional development opportunity not to be missed!

To view all the highlights for Global Eco 2010 please visit www.globaleco.com.au

Serendipity has landed regional and rural Australia ringside seats in the next government, raising hopes of a radical redirection of governance for the regions.

Championing a ‘new take’ on regional management is Brisbane-based think-tank, SEGRA (Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia).

“Currently policy for industry sectors, such as agriculture or mining, contributes a lot more to our national outlook than policy for regions. SEGRA believes this could be turned on its head,” said SEGRA founding Director, Ms Kate Charters currently convening SEGRA 2010 conference for Townsville 19 – 21 October.

Established in 1997, the group has galavanised the voice of regional development professionals, academics, businesses and those passionate about the fortunes of country, coastal and remote regions of Australia.

The SEGRA conference will explore a raft of issues impacting regional Australia including population policy, innovative local council alliances, food and water security, among many others at the upcoming conference.

For a full conference program visit www.segra.com.au

The aim of the program is to provide delegates with practical learning they can apply in their own businesses as well as networking opportunities. It is the biggest event in Australia for adventure and backpacker operators to share examples of industry best practice with colleagues.

Further information: http://abic.tntdownunder.com/

National Interpretation Symposium

Interpretation Australia is holding the 18th National Symposium in Launceston Tasmania from 10-12 November 2010.

The theme of “Peeling Back the Layers” will involve presentations, workshops, field trips and events at top natural and cultural interpretive sites.

Further information: http://www.interpretationaustralia.asn.au/conferences