Tutankhamun Breaks Box Office Records for Melbourne

Victoria's major events success has taken on a golden glow with final figures showing Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs has smashed box office records for touring exhibitions in Australia.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said the exhibition, which recently closed its doors, had been a triumph for Victoria attracting a total attendance of 796,277 (bringing worldwide attendances for Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs to more than eight million).

"In Australia, only a handful of exhibitions have exceeded attendances of 300,000. Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs stands head and shoulders above this, a testament to Melbourne's continuing reputation as Australia's cultural hub," Ms. Asher said.

Other recent exhibitions with attendances over the 300,000 mark include:

• Titanic: the Artefact Exhibition at Melbourne Museum with 481,000
• Masterpieces from Paris at the National Gallery of Australia with 476,000
• The Impressionists at the National Gallery of Victoria with 380,000
• A Day in Pompeii at Melbourne Museum with almost 333,000
• Salvador Dalí: Liquid Desire at the National Gallery of Victoria with almost 333,000
• The First Emperor: China's entombed warriors at the Art Gallery of New South Wales with more than 305,000.

Pattinson, Sehwag in Head-to-Head Combat at Melbourne's MCG

AUSTRALIA'S young swing bowler came up against a batsman who likes to swing from the hip yesterday. Had they been in a bar, and not in the middle of a pulsating MCG, James Pattinson and Virender Sehwag might even have taken a swing at each other, so steamy was the atmosphere when they crossed paths.

Sehwag, running into the line of Pattinson's follow-through, waggled his bat in the fast bowler's personal space. Pattinson, furious, shot back some choice words at India's renegade opening batsman, while his wingman from Dandenong and Victoria, Peter Siddle, flew in to lend support. Sehwag pointed Siddle back to his fielding position, and an international incident of Lillee-Miandad proportions was avoided.

Fortunately, the only blows were of bat on ball, occasionally of ball on Sehwag's body and, in the end, of ball on stumps that splayed in all directions to signal Pattinson's triumph and coming of age as a Test bowler.

Pattinson's conquest was significant not so much because he got his man, but because he had to do it on his own, against one of the world's most destructive batsmen.

Whistling through New Zealand's suspect top order in his first two Tests was one thing, but taking on Sehwag in a belligerent mood, as the new local hero in his first Boxing Day Test, was a challenge on a different scale.

More than that, Pattinson rebounded from two monumental disappointments, after Sehwag was twice put down off his bowling.

Mike Hussey used to catch like a Venus fly trap in the gully but since last year's Ashes Test in Adelaide his hands have been less sticky. Sehwag was batting as if his feet had roots, and had just crashed Pattinson through the covers. The next ball was steered in the air to gully. Hussey dived but couldn't hang on.

The most testing moment of all for Pattinson, one that not long ago might have caused the 21-year-old to drop his bundle, came in the first over of his second spell. Sehwag, on 58, drove hard at a ball seaming away from him and edged towards first slip. Brad Haddin flung himself horizontally to his right, too far in the end, and the ball clanged into his thumb and hit the grass.

You don't have to have witnessed Sehwag's world-record 219 in a one-day game against the West Indies earlier this month to know how costly Haddin's drop could have been.

The world's most watchable batsman, who breezed past 8000 Test runs yesterday, scores at a rate of 82 per 100 balls, taking the pressure off his more risk-averse batting partners, in this instance the world's second most prolific Test batsman, Rahul Dravid.

On this occasion, Sehwag's second reprieve meant the young colt, Pattinson, had to find within himself another 4.1 overs of gut-busting effort. There was a roaring appeal for a catch at short-leg, after which Sehwag called for treatment on his hip where the ball thudded into him, and a nasty short ball that was barely controlled into the ground.

Finally, Sehwag chucked the kitchen sink at a wider ball and dragged it onto his stumps for a typically entertaining 67, in 83 balls.

There would be no repeat of his astonishing 195 on Boxing Day eight years ago, but limiting the damage could not mask the troubles with Australia's wicketkeeper.

It's one thing to have turfed a catch he should have gloved, but Haddin's batting the previous evening suggested he is also wrestling hard with his natural strokeplaying instincts, after being condemned for ill-chosen shots in recent collapses. In Haddin's important 72-run stand with Siddle, the fast bowler looked the more comfortable of the batsmen. And when Haddin did attempt a more expansive shot, to a tempting half-volley from Zaheer Khan, he got out to it.

On this issue, the selectors are stuck in a twilight zone. Haddin's natural successor, Tim Paine, has just had a third round of surgery on his badly mangled hand and the best-case scenario is that he will be available again next summer. Seemingly, they are reluctant to to muddy the wicketkeeping waters by promoting Matthew Wade to the Test team, and so have stuck with Haddin and even promoted him to vice-captain while Shane Watson is hurt.

That Pattinson rose above the disappointment said much about the head on his broad shoulders, and his spell of 1-7 from five overs should be cherished alongside his two five-wicket spells against New Zealand. When he said he would not be intimidated by India's batting royalty, he wasn't kidding, and he was the most dangerous of Australia's bowlers on a testing day.

The trouble for Australia was that the noise of 52,000 celebrating Sehwag's dismissal was indistinguishable from the roar that welcomed the new batsman to the crease. A bloke called Sachin Tendulkar was in the house.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/pattinson-sehwag-in-headtohead-combat-20111227-1pbnf.html#ixzz1hmSYqB6D

International Rise for Melbourne

Melbourne Airport has reported a 10% increase in international passengers in November but domestic traffic fell 3%.

Arrivals from overseas hit 546,000 with Taiwan (up 24%), China (20%), US (20%), Canada (18%) and New Zealand (10%) leading the growth.

International travel by Australian passport holders climbed 13%.

“The industry has certainly faced some challenges during 2011 so the strong growth in international passengers demonstrates the success of our strategy and is delivering great results for Melbourne and Victoria,” chief executive Chris Woodruff said.

Domestic numbers in November dropped to 1.8 million which led to an overall fall in passenger movements of just under 1% compared to the same month last year.

(Source: Travel Today)

Government Money Puts Teeth into Aquarium Tourist Draw

Melbourne Aquarium’s newest underwater attraction, Sharks of Shipwreck Cove, has just scored a AUD100,000 grant from the Australian Government.

Featuring a full-scale replica of a shipwreck looming from the darkness of the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium, the exhibit “creates the feeling of being submerged at the bottom of the ocean surrounded by shark-infested waters,” according to the aquarium’s website.

The Australian Government has helped fund Shipwreck Cove with a AUD100,000 grant from the T-QUAL Grants – Tourism Quality Projects program.

The Shipwreck Cove exhibit presents a new underwater attraction with animals never seen before in Australian aquariums. The project uses the latest technology and conservation ideas to display iconic species, with state-of-the-art acrylic materials and a unique water filtration system. Interactive features include shark-feeding and scuba-dive training.

Showcasing “over 20 iconic Australian sharks never before seen in Melbourne”, Shipwreck Cove exhibits White Tip and Black Tip, Dusky Whaler, Whiskery and Tawney Nurse juvenile sharks.

According to the website: “With daily shark feeding frenzies and heaps of exciting pirate-themed activities, there’s fun for the whole family.”

Speaking at the opening, Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said Shipwreck Cove was an example of innovative thinking in tourism development with potential flow-on benefits in terms of attracting visitors to Melbourne.

“This is an ideal vantage point for people of all ages to study the biology of these magnificent creatures and all the conservation issues that matter to their future,” Ferguson said.

“All visitor attractions need to stay ahead of the game. So we need to think creatively, to innovate and to invest. Only by offering visitors compelling reasons to experience what we offer, can we be confident of growth.

“That’s why the Australian Government is investing almost $40 million in the T-QUAL Grants program. This year, we announced AUD8 million in funding for 112 projects across Australia.

“When you add in the dollar-for-dollar component, in effect that means at least AUD16 million is being invested in tourism facilities across the country. All these projects have one goal in common – to lift the quality and variety of Australia’s tourism experiences.

“People will keep coming back if they know there are better, fresher things to see and do, and by helping to fund upgrades and new exhibits such as Shipwreck Cove at Melbourne Aquarium we encourage them to do just that.”

For more than a decade, the Melbourne Aquarium has been offering an informative journey through the world’s oceans as one of Melbourne’s key tourism drawcards.

Edited by : Peter Needham

(Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au)

Australia Cricket News and Information: India Ready to Bury Flustered Aussies

INDIA has adopted a ruthless mind set for its tour of Australia and is determined to heap the pressure on Michael Clarke's struggling side from the outset on Boxing Day.

Its 'Big Three' of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid spent quality time in the middle in India's practice match against a Chairman's XI side in Canberra today.

The tourists feel that will only increase the heat on the Australians.

No Indian team has ever won a Test series here and, for senior players like Tendulkar and Dravid, time is running out to achieve the elusive milestone.

But rather than distancing themselves from the pressure, they are embracing the challenge.

"Of course, it's something which we're looking at," Sharma said, who made 56 not out in the drawn practice game.

"I think we should be very much happy with the way things have gone ... in our preparation."

The fall-out from Australia's humiliating loss to New Zealand in Hobart also hasn't been lost on the tourists.

"It's a good sign they are having a batting camp so we know their weaknesses and what they've gone through the last couple of weeks," Sharma said.

"We have all kept that (Australia's under pressure) in mind and going into the first Test match we will walk out there and we need to put pressure on them."

The emergency batting boot camp called by Australia to address its worrying collapses can't be anything but music to the ears of the Indian seam attack, led by Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma.

Australia has made capitulations of 150 runs or less a worrying habit over the past year and has long struggled against a moving ball.

Rohit Sharma said Australia's deficiencies against swing bowling is the No.1 weakness India has pinpointed ahead of the four-Test series, as it looks to recover from its own humiliating 4-0 whitewash to England in July-August.

India Ready to Bury Flustered Aussies

System of a Down to Bounce Sydney and Melbourne in 2012

There is no other band around who can match the audacity, intensity and progressive nature of SYSTEM OF A DOWN.

With SYSTEM OF A DOWN operating at such astonishing creative and emotional heights they quite simply leave the rest of the herd scrabbling in the dust.

It was 2001’s ‘Toxicity’ that cemented their reputation. With every track tightly coiled,
urgent and “cast in layers upon layers of aural intricacy, Toxicity charters new frontiers,
yet it’s still grinding rock at its most deafening.” – L.A Weekly

In 2005, against all odds, the completed Mezmerize/Hypnotize project was unleashed and it quickly became impossible to think of it as anything else than one epic piece of work. SYSTEM OF A DOWN delivered, and in doing so have given us one of the great rock double albums of all time…."rarely are albums this thrillingly original”. Q Mag

As the headliners for the 2012 Soundwave Festival, SYSTEM OF A DOWN will be bringing their frantic, frenetic and brutal live assault to Sydney and Melbourne for two headline sideshows only.

System of a Down - Sydney

WHEN: Feb 28th Tuesday
WHERE: Sydney Entertainment Centre, Darling Harbour, NSW
TIME: 7:30 PM

System of a Down - Melbourne

WHEN: Feb 29th Wednesday
WHERE: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne,
TIME: 7:30 PM

Find nearby Sydney and Melbourne Accommodation at Metro Hotels

System of a Down to Bounce Sydney and Melbourne in 2012

Samantha Stosur is Confident She Can Win Next Month's Australian Open

Samantha Stosur is confident she can handle the pressure of expectation at next month's Australian Open, following her maiden major triumph in the US Open.

Currently ranked sixth in the world, Stosur has never advanced beyond the fourth round of her home grand slam.

The 27-year-old Queenslander said she had no problems with the court and conditions in Melbourne and there was no reason why she could not do well next month.

"I think if most players could choose to have a grand slam in their home country, they would want to have one, so I'm lucky that I do and we've got these great lead-up tournaments (in Brisbane and Sydney)," Stosur said.

"Obviously it's a little bit different, maybe a little more pressure and a bit more spotlight but I think I am equipped to handle it well and hopefully I can and really make the most of the opportunity."

Stosur said she would love the accolade of becoming the world's number-one ranked player but was not specifically focusing on that.

Stosur said she wanted to be more consistent in 2012 and was working on improving several aspects of her game.

She wants to try to get to the net more and finish points faster.

She has put her hand up for Fed Cup duty in February against Switzerland and is also prepared to play in all three disciplines - singles, doubles and mixed doubles - at next year's London Olympics.

Among her goals for 2012 are recording her first win over three other leading players, Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova and Kim Clijsters.

Australia Must Boost Tourism: Govt

Australia must do more to boost inbound tourism as the sector suffers from a strong local currency, increased competition from Asian destinations and less European visitors, the federal government says.

Speaking at an Australian Tourism Export Council conference Senator Nick Sherry said tourism operators needed to be more productive and innovative to halt the sector's decline.

"Australia's international market share has declined in recent years and domestic tourism expenditure has fallen since 2000," Mr Sherry told the conference on Wednesday.

"Not least of these challenges (is) increasing competition and the rise of the Australian dollar.

"We need to do something about this through investment in new products, boosting productivity, increasing uptake of digital technology and addressing labour and skills shortages."

He said there were no short term solutions to problems facing the industry, but said a surge in the number of tourists from Indonesia had been positive.

"Indonesian visitor growth alone was about 32 per cent in the last two years and by 2020 we expect the market value to more than double to $1.1 billion," he said.

Australia Must Boost Tourism: Govt

Incubus Tickets and Concert Dates - Australian Tour 2012

Incubus rose to become one of the most popular alt-metal bands of the new millennium, setting themselves apart from a crowded field with a somewhat less-negative outlook and tireless touring.

Formed in 1991 in the San Fernando Valley suburb of Calabasas, CA, group members Brandon Boyd (vocals, percussion), Mike Einziger (guitar), Alex Katunich (aka Dirk Lance; bass), and José Pasillas (drums) were all tenth grade classmates when they got together.

Their early funk-metal sound was heavily influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but broadened over the next few years to incorporate thrash, rap-metal, post-grunge rock, and grinding alt-metal à la Korn or the Deftones.

By the time the group graduated from high school, they had already been playing all-ages shows around southern California on a regular basis. In 1995, Incubus added hip-hop turntablist DJ Lyfe (aka Gavin Koppel) to their lineup and recorded the independently released album Fungus Amongus. That, coupled with their strong local following, helped the band get a deal with Epic subsidiary Immortal.

Incubus' first major-label release was the six-song EP Enjoy Incubus, which was released in early 1997 and consisted of previous demos that were revamped in the studio. Later in the year, their first full-length album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E., was released. Incubus hit the road with a vengeance, opening for bands like Korn, Primus, 311, Sublime, and Unwritten Law.

By the summer of 1998, the band had amassed enough of a following to land a slot on that year's Ozzfest tour. They also wound up the year as part of Korn's inaugural Family Values tour, by which time DJ Lyfe had departed and been replaced by DJ Kilmore (first name Chris). With their momentum and exposure slowly building, Incubus returned to the studio and delivered their follow-up album, Make Yourself, in late 1999.

The group went right back out on the road, and their stint on the 2000 Ozzfest helped crystallize the new audience that the single "Pardon Me" was pulling in. Although Make Yourself barely broke the Top 50 on the album charts, it was a steady seller that eventually pushed past the double-platinum mark. The second single, "Stellar," was a smaller-sized hit on rock radio, but the album's biggest song didn't hit the airwaves until 2001; "Drive" was a left-field success that became their first Top Ten hit on the pop charts.

Incubus expanded their audience by playing Moby's Area: One package tour that summer, and with "Drive" still fresh in the public's mind, released their next album, Morning View, in the fall of 2001. It entered the charts at number two, confirming that Incubus had diligently worked themselves into stardom. "Wish You Were Here," "Nice to Know You," and "Warning" were all popular on rock radio, and the band naturally toured heavily in support -- this time as a headliner.

In early 2003, Incubus became embroiled in a contract dispute with Sony and filed a lawsuit to have their deal terminated under California labor laws. In April, the band announced the departure of bassist Dirk Lance. Within days, fellow Incubus guitarist Mike Eiziger called upon his Time Lapse Consortium mate Ben Kenney to be Lance's permanent replacement. The group remained a part of the Sony empire, however, and released A Crow Left of the Murder on Epic/Immortal in early 2004, which hit number two on the Billboard Top 200.

Some touring followed before Incubus headed home in November to take a well-deserved break. The guys spent the next two years individually exploring things outside of the band -- music, art, film, and literature endeavors all included -- though they also remembered to work on and finish their sixth album, recorded over a year's time in both L.A. and Atlanta. The resulting record, Light Grenades, appeared in late November 2006

Australia - Melbourne

Feb 7 Tue	Festival Hall Melbourne West Melbourne, VIC 07:45 PM	Incubus	Find Tickets »
Feb 8 Wed	Festival Hall Melbourne West Melbourne, VIC 07:45 PM	Incubus	Find Tickets »

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012 - Event Information

Australian Open single session hospitality offers you and your guests the flexibility of selecting the tournament sessions of your choice! Whether you are entertaining clients or soaking up the atmosphere with friends, Grand Slam Select is the perfect environment for an unforgettable, fully catered tournament experience. On sale now!

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012: MONDAY 16 - SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 2012

SPECTATORS

• A-Z Guide
• How to get there
• Maps
• Tournament Facts
• Membership

ENTERTAINMENT

• Grand Slam Oval
• Garden Square
• Schedule
• Performers

Prize Money

PRIZE Money for Australian Open 2012 Men's and Women's Singles
1st Round	$20,000
2nd Round	$33,300
3rd Round	$54,625
4th Round	$109,250
Quarter finalist	$218,500
Semi finalist	$437,000
Runners-up	$1,150,000
Winners	$2,300,000

PRIZE Money for Australian Open Men's and Women's Doubles (per pair)
1st Round	$9,600
2nd Round	$17,200
3rd Round	$31,500
Quarter finalist	$56,000
Semi finalist	$113,000
Runners-up	$227,250
Winners	$454,500

PRIZE Money for Australian Open Mixed Doubles (per pair)
1st Round	$3,800
2nd Round	$7,800
Quarter finalist	$15,500
Semi finalist	$33,900
Runners-up	$67,500
Winners	$135,500

All Prize Money in Australian Dollars

View the Offical Australian Tennis Open Site

DURAN DURAN TO TOUR AUSTRALIA IN MARCH 2012!

Dainty Group is thrilled to announce that after a long absence, one of the world’s most iconic bands, DURAN DURAN, will return to Australian shores in March 2012 for a series of concerts, in support of their latest album ‘All You Need Is Now’. This highly anticipated tour will see the band perform across the country, with shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and the Hunter Valley. Last in Australia in 2008, DURAN DURAN will showcase songs from their critically acclaimed new album on the March dates, alongside all of the unforgettable hits from across their thirty-year career.

TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER

Go to www.duranduranmusic.com for exclusive pre-sale of tickets and VIP packages for Duran Duran VIP members DURAN DURAN’s stunning new album: ‘All You Need Is Now’, has already been proclaimed a triumph by fans and critics alike, and hit the #1 spot on download charts in the top 15 markets around the world when it was released earlier this year (on Shock Records in Australia). Produced by Grammy Award-winner Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Adele, Kaiser Chiefs, Lily Allen) and mixed by Spike Stent (Madonna, Björk, No Doubt), it features guest vocals/rap from long-time Duran Duran pal/collaborator Ana Matronic of
the Scissor Sisters, and R&B/neo-soul superstar Kelis; while Owen Pallett of Arcade Fire contributes the album’s string arrangements. ‘All You Need Is Now’ is a return-to-roots homage to DURAN DURAN’s most celebrated musical panache, and has already been dubbed the “imaginary follow up to Rio that never was.”

The announcement of the band’s 2012 Australian dates comes hot on the heels of their brilliantly reviewed North American tour, a sold out 11 show arena run in the UK, and a whirlwind year that has seen them, amongst other things, make a spectacular live film with director David Lynch, and most recently release a uniquely DURAN DURAN video for the song ‘Girl Panic !’. Directed by Grammy-award winner Jonas Åkerlund (who has shot videos for Madonna, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, including the notorious “Telephone”), this dazzling short film reunites top supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen, Eva Herzigova and Yasmin Le Bon, and was shot over the course of two days this past June at the Savoy Hotel in London. As the models take on rock star roles playing Simon, John, Nick, and Roger, the nine minute video unfolds into a stunning, fast-paced, high fashion affair, that has fast become the most talked about collaboration of its kind this year. Australian fans can view the video here.

The original Duran line-up of Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Nick Rhodes continues to reign supreme as one of the biggest British bands of all time - reimagining pop music, creating ground-breaking music videos and winning over millions of new fans worldwide with their unique fusion of music, art, technology and fashion. From the very beginning, when DURAN DURAN first took the visual imperatives of the New Romantic movement of the 1980s to a whole other level, defining the MTV generation, they have built a loyal army of fans who have stayed with them to this day.

As this new chapter begins, they have nothing left to prove, but everything to play for. So for them and their loyal army of fans… All You Need Is Now!

TOUR DATES

SAT 17 MARCH BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

MON 19 MARCH MELBOURNE ROD LAVER ARENA

TUE 20 MARCH ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

SAT 24 MARCH PERTH SANDALFORD ESTATE, SWAN VALLEY

TUE 27 MARCH SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

SAT 31 MARCH HUNTER VALLEY TEMPUS TWO WINERY

View Source and Book Tickets

DURAN DURAN TO TOUR AUSTRALIA IN MARCH 2012!

Australia's Airline War Hots Up With Virgin Plans to Steal Market Share

TRAVELLERS will reap the rewards of an airline war with cheaper fares and more regional routes, Virgin Australia boss John Borghetti said.

The airline chief executive who used to work for rival Qantas has revealed ambitious plans to steal market share from his old employer and expan services to regional areas.

"A lot of these routes have not had competition. All you have to do is look at the airfares that are being charged,'' he said.

He also questioned why Qantas had dramatically dropped prices on certain flights after his airline launched business-class services on the same routes.

Mr Borghetti said Qantas reduced business-class fares between Sydney and Perth by nearly 25 per cent after Virgin introduced the same service.

After Virgin announced launch business class fares on the Sydney to Perth route for $1399, Qantas reduced their fares from $2,013 to $1,519.

"Why haven't they done that in the last ten years?''

As well as returning Australian aviation to the kind of competition not seen since the Ansett days, Mr Borghetti also wants to increase his frequent-flyer membership to three million.

Membership of Virgin's Velocity has increased 10 per cent to 2.75 million members in 3 1/2 months.

Pop star Dannii Minogue helped launch a frequent-flyer partnership with Westfield online last week.

Virgin was also given regulatory approval to form an alliance with Singapore Airlines, allowing passengers who book flights with the airline the chance to fly on Singapore Airlines flights, get lounge access and accumulate frequent flyer points.

In addition to previous alliances with Etihad, Delta and Air New Zealand, it will take the number of destinations it flies to to more than 400 worldwide.

Mr Borghetti said the move would open up emerging markets such as China and India and continue the airline's
expansion into regional Australia.

The airline also recently began flying between Brisbane and Port Macquarie and Brisbane and Gladstone and plans to announce new regional routes soon.

"We will now be able to promote regional Australia through those 400 odd destinations around the world, from Dallas to Port Macquarie,'' he said.

As well as reconfiguring the interiors of its domestic planes this year and will launch business class services across the network on January 18.

At the moment, Qantas boasts 41 per cent capacity share in the domestic market or 65 per cent including its low-cost subidiary Jetstar, while Virgin's is about 30 per cent.

But Mr Borghetti said he had no desire for Virgin to be the biggest airline in the country.

"Whatever market share gives the best return is the market share that I want,'' he said.

"What we do have the desire to do is be the airline of choice.''

Australia's Airline War Hots Up With Virgin Plans to Steal Market Share

David Beckham Arrives in Melbourne with LA Galaxy Teammates

SOCCER superstar David Beckham rocketed in like a comet yesterday, causing chaos at Melbourne Airport with his LA Galaxy teammates left waiting on a bus.

Security guards and police struggled to keep fans and media away from the pin-up boy as they tried to navigate him through the mayhem.

The husband of Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham, oozed rock-star appeal ditching the traditional uniform worn by most of his teammates and donned a beanie, black T-shirt and khaki pants.

Happy fans fell over in the crush and one unlucky fan missed out on an autograph after he gave Beckham a pen that did not work.

"Sorry man," Beckham told him with a raised smile.

But in the midst of a media scrum and excited onlookers armed with cameras and mobile phones, Jess Byrne, who waited for two hours at the airport, managed to get the popular sportsman to sign her football jumper and also get him to pose for a photo.

"He is so nice and so hot," she said.

"He's really good with his fans. He stopped and did a smile for us - he made my day.

"My boyfriend is the biggest fan so I just came along to support him.

"It was awesome and definitely worth it."

Beckham and his teammates are in town to take on the Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium on tomorrow night.

Aussie fans could be the last in the world to see Beckham play with the LA Galaxy with him yet to sign a contract for next season.

Beckham will visit the Royal Children's Hospital today as part of his three-day whirlwind trip Down Under.

The soccer great last night dined at George Calombaris's restaurant The Press Club.

See original Source

Aussies Snub Airfare War and Stronger Dollar to Spend Christmas at Home

- Up to 100% occupancies for many east coast summer holiday destinations

- 20% increase in revenues for holiday home owners over the last six months

Despite the strength of the Australian dollar and the proliferation of cheap overseas airfares, many of Australia's favourite summer holiday hot spots are reporting up to 100% occupancy rates for the Christmas 2011 holidays, according to leading real estate group Raine & Horne.

"It's pleasing to see that more Australians are ignoring cheaper airfares and a strong Aussie dollar for the tradition and relative safety of a summer holiday in Australia," said Angus Raine, CEO, Raine & Horne.

"It's also good for the Australian economy to see more of our travel dollars staying at home to support the Australian economy."

In Yamba, on the NSW north coast, the height of the summer holiday rush is expected in the first week of 2012, says Denise Jillett, Principal of Raine & Horne Yamba.

"We have 100% occupancy on our holiday homes between New Year's Eve and the end of the first week in January," said Ms Jillett, who added that there were still some vacancies between Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

"These vacancies came about as a result of cancellations, so holiday makers considering Yamba need to be quick.

"Modern two bedroom apartments close to the beach are available from $1,600 for the week plus booking fee," added Ms Jillett

The holiday market on NSW's Central Coast is also booming with increasingly more Sydney-siders choosing the region for weekend getaways and longer vacations, according to Brett Hunter, Principal of Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach.

"We have secured a 20% increase in revenue for our owners over the last six months, and this proves the strength of the Central Coast holiday market," said Mr Hunter.

Indeed, Mr Hunter says Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach has achieved this result by altering its approach to holiday lettings with a busy Christmas period looming.

"The Central Coast usually has a bumper crop of holidaymakers at Christmas time, with 100% occupancy of holiday properties during the two-week Christmas / New Year period.

"Knowing we can't improve on a 100% result, instead we have focused on helping people extend their vacations before and after the Christmas period, as well as assisting them with shorter stays of perhaps three or four days on multiple occasions," said Mr Hunter.

Mr Hunter says two bedroom holiday units in Terrigal, in walking distance to the beach, rent for $1,000 a week over the holiday period, while at the other end of the market, four and five bedroom homes with pools and landscaped gardens can rent for up to $15,000 a week.

In Sydney's Palm Beach, this summer is shaping up as the busiest holiday period in five years, according to Rebecca Lee, General Manager of Raine & Horne Palm Beach.

"At present, we have 80% occupancy for our holiday homes in Palm Beach, with 90% of these properties renting to ex-pat clients based in Hong Kong, Singapore, the U.S. and Europe," said Ms Lee.

Comfortable beach houses in Palm Beach start at $7,000 a week, while high-flyers seeking a luxury escape can pay up to $40,000 a week for premier properties across from the beach, some of which include personal staff.

In Queensland, the Gold Coast holiday market is picking up again after a tough year, says Clark Brackenridge, Principal of Raine & Horne Surfers Paradise.

"Our property markets are showing signs of turning the corner, and as it stands, our holiday bookings for the Christmas period are reasonably strong, and are certainly well up on this time last year," said Mr Brackenridge.

"In addition, buyers are beginning to recognise that property prices on the Gold Coast represent good buying, with good yields available to investors."

Mr Brackenridge says two bedroom, two bathroom apartments overlooking the beach can be purchased for $400,000, and rent for $250 a night as a holiday rental, or for between $500 and $550 a week to long-term tenants.

In Far North Queensland, Port Douglas is also maintaining a steady stream of holiday bookings, says David Cotton, Principal of Raine & Horne Port Douglas / Mossman.

"To date, our holiday bookings have been on a par with 2010, if not higher, and we currently have between 60% and 70% occupancy for Christmas," said Mr Cotton.

Aussies Snub Airfare War and Stronger Dollar to Spend Christmas at Home

REVIEW: Eminem Concert In Melbourne -- The Real Slim Shady Really Impressed!

It's been over 10 years since Eminem last performed in Melbourne. To celebrate his amazing return - he sold out a stadium in thirty minutes, and brought hip hop heavy weights Hilltop Hoods and Lil Wayne to support him.

I wasn't really sure where Etihad stadium was before the gig, but managed to navigate there by following the steady stream of wife beaters, tribal tattoos and do-rags. Yes. These punters meant business. We saw two fights even before Eminem took the stage, and not surprisingly the police were out in full force amongst the crowd to keep an eye on things.

The support acts were really top-class --Lil' Wayne appeared with a skateboard half pipe on stage, and took time in between songs to turn some tricks -- but there was no doubt that the crowd was there to witness the magic of Marshall Mathers.

Eminem launched straight into some tracks from his latest album 'Recovery' (which is also the name of this tour) and the crowd made their enthusiasm felt by screaming the house down. One fan in particular was so excited they poured their Bourbon and coke down on me from the upper balcony, which just added to the palpable atmosphere!

We all know that superstars like Eminem will find it hard to fit every hit they've ever created into one concert, but from my perspective that's pretty much what he did with the help of our very good friend -- the medley.

He kicked off with 'Lighters' which originally featured Bruno Mars. After the smokers of the stadium lit up the venue with a 'sky full of lighters' Eminem launched into every song we wanted to hear, including 'Stan' 'My Name Is' and 'The Real Slim Shady.'

To the delight of the ladies he even dedicated a song to the females in the venue yelling 'scream if you've ever had a dysfunctional relationship!' before kicking into 'Love The Way You Lie,' a song about domestic violence. Not really sure if the girls should have felt chuffed about that one...

Eminem ended the night with an encore of 'Lose Yourself' which riled the 20,000 person crowd into an absolute frenzy.

Marshall Mathers was amazing to watch -- the ultimate professional and someone who really interacted with the crowd. After being in the business for so many years he isn't slowing down at all, and despite having given up his partying ways hasn't lost his edge or become bland- which unfortunately sometimes happens to newly sober superstars!

If this was anything to go by, the rest of Eminem's Recovery tour is going to rehabilitate hip-hop and rap fans around the country.

Partial Setlist
Kill You
Cleaning Out My Closet
The Way I Am
Lighters
Airplanes
Stan
Sing For The Moment
Like Toy Soldiers
Space Bound
Love The Way You Lie
I Need A Doctor
My Name Is
The Real Slim Shady
Guess Who's Back
Not Afraid

Encore
Lose Yourself

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Smart Travel is Safe Travel

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has launched the newest phase of the Australian Government's Smartraveller campaign.

The new initiatives, which put Australia at the leading edge of consular services around the world, are targeted at making smarter travel easier for Australians.

Mr Rudd relaunched the Smartraveller website - a cleaner, clearer, more intuitive and easier to navigate site that will link to social media platforms and embedded videos.

Mr Rudd also unveiled the Smartraveller web app, "It's vital that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's consular services are as effective and accessible to as many Australians as possible," Mr Rudd said.

"This app makes it easier for travellers to access key Smartraveller services anywhere in the world, including updated travel advisories.

"We are working hard to adapt to the changing needs of travelling Australians - at any one time, we have about one million Australians abroad.

"This Government will always make the safety and security of Australians its highest priority, but unfortunately, things can - and do - go wrong."

Mr Rudd encouraged travellers to be prepared before they headed off for their summer holidays by registering their travel plans, reading and subscribing to travel advice and alerts, and taking out appropriate insurance before leaving the country.

www.smartraveller.gov.au

Smart Travel is Safe Travel

Australian Open Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 2012 Melbourne January 16-29, 2012

Get the closest seats, the best accommodations, and exceptional tennis instruction from an ATP World Tour pro. Unparalleled, enjoyable experiences - at unbeatable prices. Fully personalized, begin the trip in style, flying comfortably from your destination to Melbourne, where your accommodations will not only feature the best in luxury and sweeping views of the city, but will be mere minutes away from your front seat at the Rod Laver Arena. And don't forget your access to an exclusive Tennis Club, tennis instruction and advice from court side expert, former ATP World Tour Player and coach Lan Bale.

We will plan your trip to bring you the best of Australia and New Zealand. Take some time out to travel to the countryside outside Melbourne, where you can taste the most fantastic local produce and wines. Explore Melbourne and Sydney on foot, and discover secrets of its history and architecture with our expert guide Kenneth Park. Experience a city unlike no other - creative, vibrant, in love with art - and addicted to sports. Enjoy to the fullest the best dining, entertainment and excitement Melbourne has to offer, while staying in its finest hotels in the city's center.

Join us on an unforgettably amazing trip to the Australian Open 2012. Just pack your bags - we'll plan the rest. Find amazing deals and savings when you book your travel package with us for Grand Slam Tour - Australian Open 2012. We customize your trip especially for you and you can expect to stay only at top of the line venues.

Australian Open Tennis 2012 Melbourne January 16-29, 2012

Government Plans to Lift Ban on Liquid Restrictions

Next year international travellers will be able to travel with their favourite bottle of perfume or alcoholic beverage, under a new security plan being implemented at Australian International airports.

The federal government has announced the “easing of restrictions” as Australia's international airports begin introducing new explosive detection equipment, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Currently, around 8000 items including water bottles are confiscated at Sydney Airport security checkpoints per month and 1250 duty free items such as alcohol and perfumes.

The new detection equipment has been tested at Sydney airport allows authorities to detect the smallest sign of explosives in liquids.

Federal Transport Minister said Anthony Albanese said the relaxing of restrictions will undoubtedly be welcomed by travellers.

"It will make air travel easier and less stressful for passengers as well as free airport security staff to better focus on their core screening responsibilities without the distraction of having to confiscate items from people's bags," Mr Albanese said.

"While preventing acts of terrorism remains our number one priority, we're also determined to minimise the disruption and inconvenience experienced by passengers as they transit throughout major airports, including by deploying the latest technologies, He added.

The ban on carrying liquids on international flights was introduced globally after UK police blocked a terror plot which involved detonating liquid explosives on trans-Atlantic flights in 2006.

Government Plans to Lift Ban on Liquid Restrictions

Visits to Australia Defy Strong Dollar and Keep Building

The strong Australian dollar has failed to scare off visitors and they keep heading to Australia.

That’s the message from Australian Bureau of Statistics data for September, released yesterday, which shows that short-term arrivals are matching the same month last year. They are close to the all-time record set last October.

Comparing Septembers over the past decade, you can track the trend arrivals building:

Sept 01 403,600
Sept 02 405,100
Sept 03 425,000
Sept 04 439,500
Sept 05 458,900
Sept 06 462,500
Sept 07 471,700
Sept 08 454,700
Sept 09 466,300
Sept 10 500,200
Sept 11 500,600

For the year to September, the ABS trend series shows 5,898,400 visitor arrivals, up 87,600 on the previous year and quite healthy. That’s despite a dollar riding high against most major currencies in the world, making Australia a more expensive place to visit, comparatively, than it was last year.

ABS trend estimates for arrivals show that short-term visitor arrivals during September 2011 (500,600 movements) increased 1.1% compared with August 2011 (495,400 movements). This followed monthly increases of 1.0% in July 2011 and 1.1% in August 2011. The current trend estimate for arrivals is 0.1% higher than in September 2010.

When trend estimates for short-term visitor arrivals for September 2010 and September 2011 were compared, the highest percentage increase was recorded for China (22.9%). The highest percentage decrease was recorded for Japan (16.3%) followed by the US (10.6%).

When seasonally adjusted, short-term visitor arrivals (481,500 movements) recorded a decrease of 4.1% compared with August 2011 (501,900 movements). This followed monthly increases of 2.5% in July 2011 and 2.7% in August 2011. ABS original estimates: There were 432,200 short-term visitor arrivals to Australia in September 2011.

ABS trend estimates for departures show that short-term resident departures during September 2011 (665,100 movements) increased 0.3% compared with August 2011 (663,100 movements). This followed monthly increases of 0.8% in July 2011 and 0.5% in August 2011. The current trend estimate for departures is 10.2% higher than in September 2010.

When seasonally adjusted, estimates for September 2011 show short-term resident departures (663,500 movements) increasing by 0.3% compared with August 2011 (661,500 movements). This followed monthly increases of 3.2% in July 2011 and 0.3% in August 2011. ABS original estimates: There were 790,600 short-term resident departures from Australia during September 2011.

The figures indicate that travel is healthy in both directions.

New Zealand remains Australia’s biggest source of tourists and biggest tourist destination. New Zealand held that position on the arrivals front (trend estimates) in September, followed by (in order) Britain, China, USA and Japan.

Following New Zealand on the departures front in September on the same basis were (in order): USA, Britain, Indonesia and Thailand.

Visits to Australia Defy Strong Dollar and Keep Building

Aussies Warned to be Wary of Xmas Scammers

Flights too cheap to be true? Then they are probably fake.

Aussies have been warned to be cautious of online bookings over the Christmas period as scammers set up fake websites offering cheap flight deals.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s SCAMwatch website has issued a statement advising that online scammers have the potential to not only distribute invalid travel documents but are also capable of stealing a travellers well-earned cash as well as their identity.

Utilizing the look and ABN of a legitimate travel website, travellers have lost in excess of up to $1,000 on fake international flights.

"It's all bad for these poor scam victims,” MyCRA national credit repairer Graham Doessel said.

“At best they can be left with no holiday - but at worst fraudsters can take their personal details and use them to construct a fake identity which would allow them to borrow in their name - the ramifications of that can last for years.”

With the Attorney General’s office revealing that one in six Aussies having their identity stolen or misused in some way, MyCRA recommends travellers looking for a cheap vacations do research on the company and confirm the URL is correct for the company before sending any credit card details through.

Online bookers have also been advised to avoid any unsolicited emails, take an extra five minutes to research the company and always go with your instinct if a flight seems to cheap then it probably is fake.

"If someone suspects fraud, their credit file could show changes, which if detected early, would prevent their good name from being ruined,” Mr Doessel added.

“If there are any unusual credit enquiries, or some attempt to alter personal contact details this should be a red flag.

“People should alert creditors to prevent their credit rating from being ruined and protect their ability to obtain credit in the future.”

Aussies Warned to be Wary of Xmas Scammers

Victoria Set to Ride the Wave of the Bumper Cruise Ship Season

The start of the 2011–12 cruise ship season has opened and it is expected to be one of the biggest on record

The 2011–12 cruise ship season will see almost 60 visits to Victorian ports and seven inaugural visits, including the Queen Mary 2 in 2012 – the largest cruise liner ever to visit Melbourne. At 345 metres long the Queen Mary 2 will carry 2620 passengers and 1253 crew.

The 2012–13 season is set to be even bigger than the coming season, with more than 70 ships already confirmed.

"The Melbourne Cup Carnival traditionally marks the beginning of the cruise season in Victoria and, like the race that stops the nation, our cruise industry continues to grow," Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher said.

"Cruise ship visits contribute significantly to Victoria's $15.2 billion tourism industry and with every ship that arrives, approximately $1million is injected into Victoria's economy."

Ms Asher said the Victorian Coalition Government, through Tourism Victoria, would capitalise on the cruise boom by undertaking quantitative research to profile travel behaviour and visitor satisfaction.

Ms Asher said in the coming season, two ships would also visit Geelong's Cunningham Pier and for the first time a cruise ship will stop at Portland, which has a naturally deep harbour.

"Developing Geelong and Portland as cruise ship destinations will broaden Victoria's appeal to the growing international cruise ship industry, and encourage more visitation to regional Victoria," Ms Asher said.

Minister for Ports and Regional Cities Denis Napthine said he was delighted to partner with Minister Asher and Tourism Victoria on the passenger survey project.

"In addition to working with the Port of Melbourne to attract more cruise ships, and in particular home-porting of ships, the Coalition Government will continue to investigate opportunities for regional Victoria and how the cruise industry can be expanded further," Dr Napthine said.

Earlier this year Dr Napthine announced funding for the Geelong Cruise Ship Facility Business Case, due in March 2012.

An initial study indicated that by 2025, Geelong could potentially accommodate 25 cruise ship visits annually, adding $25 million per year to the economy and creating more than 100 full-time jobs.

(Source: Tourism Victoria newsletter – Edition 89)

Australian Open Golf: Great women's golf on the world stage in Melbourne

The 2012 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open has now been sanctioned by the Ladies Professional Golfing Association (LPGA), and will become part of the global women's tour.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher, said the Victorian Coalition Government, through the Victorian Major Events Company, had worked hard to secure the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in Melbourne for 2012, 2014 and 2015.

"With the 2012 Open now joining the LPGA Tour, this event will attract more competitors and greater media and branding exposure," Ms Asher said.

"Being a part of the LPGA Tour means Melbourne will see an exceptional international field with Golf Australia expecting in excess of 120 international players to compete in Melbourne on the LPGA Tour.

"There will be greater international media exposure for Australia's premier sporting events city. According to the LPGA, the Open will be broadcast into more than 240 million households in 171 countries, exposing our fantastic events and sporting city to thousands of potential tourists and golf fans."

Golf Australia Chief Executive Stephen Pitt said it was a landmark day for Australian golf and particularly women's golf in Australia.

"We are delighted the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open will be played at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on the LPGA Tour's global stage, and look forward to welcoming the world's best to Melbourne," Mr Pitt said.

The Open's new status will see Australia's national championship become part of a global series of tournaments currently staged in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said sharing the limelight with some of the world's best golfing destinations further promotes Victoria's growing reputation as a world-class stage for stand-out golf tournaments.

The prize money for the 2012 championship will increase from AUD$600,000 in 2011 to US$1.1 million (approximately AUD$1,056,000).

The LPGA is one of the longest-running women's professional sports associations in the world. Australia has nine professional players in the LPGA including Karrie Webb, Lindsey Wright, Katherine Hull and Sarah Kemp.

(Source: Tourism Victoria newsletter – Edition 89)

Great women's golf on the world stage in Melbourne

Melbourne Conferences: AIME Still Going Strong in its 20th Year - AIME 2012

The Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) may be celebrating its 20th year in 2012, but this premier industry event is proving as dynamic as ever, with new initiatives and a range of new sponsors coming on board; AIME is still the event for the business events industry.

A sponsor in previous years, Saxton Speakers Bureau, which is returning to AIME for a third consecutive year to run the impressive Saxton Ultimate Event Experience, has now become a major sponsor of the show.

AIME also welcomes new sponsors: Corporate Traveller; Air New Zealand; The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE); the Professional Conference Organisers Association Inc (PCO); and International Special Events Society (ISES).

Sally de Swart, Reed Travel Exhibition's (RTE) Director for AIME, says that the new sponsors are a sure sign that the 20th anniversary show will be as successful as ever.

"We are delighted to have so many new sponsors and association partners on board and we know these partners will help keep AIME fresh and exciting," she said.

The addition of new association sponsors will also add a boost to AIME's Education Program.

"We are asking our existing and new association partners to contribute to our refreshed Education Program which will assist us in delivering relevant and interesting content that addresses the current challenges and issues facing the meetings and incentives industry," said Ms de Swart.

AIME 2012 is also shaking things up on the show floor with a new Association Lounge for association members to use for meetings, as well as an additional Globe restaurant, sponsored by Singapore Tourism, SingaporeXpress, which will offer quick and delicious Singaporean-style meals. In addition, the Globe Restaurant and Bar, sponsored by South African Tourism, will offer a variety of options to entertain clients.

Other new initiatives include two new Pre Touring options that give Hosted Buyers the chance to experience Melbourne and regional Victoria first hand.

The new Hume City Council full-day tour gives Hosted Buyers the opportunity to sample wines and experience the beauty of the region, while the new, half-day Melbourne Coffee Tour introduces buyers to cosmopolitan Melbourne.

AIME's exceptional networking opportunities are always a huge draw card for many attendees and Ms de Swart reveals that the social side of AIME will be bigger than ever in 2012.

"It's AIME's 20th birthday, so of course this year's networking functions will be second to none. From our Welcome Reception to a new, Tuesday night event - we want everyone who attends to meet fantastic people and have a memorable time," Ms de Swart said.

The 20th anniversary of AIME, owned by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) and organised by RTE, will be held on 21-22 February 2012 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in Melbourne, Australia.

If you’re attending AIME and need to book accommodation then try Metro Apartments on Bank Place, Melbourne.

Located in the heart of Melbourne CBD and only a short taxi ride to the AIME venue, Metro Apartments on Bank Place provides exhibition exhibitors and delegates with a comfortable, affordable apartment accommodation with friendly service.

For further information or to make a booking log on to www.metroapartmentsmelbourne.com

Melbourne Conferences: AIME Still Going Strong in its 20th Year - AIME 2012