Grab yourself a coffee and catch up on today’s news in brief – the latest updates from the industry and everything you need to know in bite-size pieces.
Noumea swimming ban lifted
New Caledonia Tourism has announced that the swimming ban on beaches in the capital, Nouméa, is being removed and swimming and water sports activities will once again be permitted on all beaches.
From today, 6 December, the Baie des Citrons (Lemon Bay) will benefit from a 750-metre-long barrier on a 10ha protected stretch of water, under the daily supervision of lifeguards from 8.45am to 5pm (4pm in the cool season). Swimming on the Château Royal and Le Méridien beaches will re-open on 8 December and will also include a small supervised swimming area, which will be removed once a long shark net barrier has been installed by the end of March 2024. All other beaches, including Anse Vata Beach, will be open for swimming, but without surveillance, from today.
Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park bespoke and all-inclusive events and wedding packages
Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park has hosted 610 events and conferences over the past 12 months, noting this year that couples are still looking for elegant wedding celebrations but now also seek eco-friendly venues that can offer the benefits of all-inclusive wedding event packages.
The five-star Sydney CBD hotel offers pre and post wedding functions, accommodation options including 558 rooms and 48 suites, all generously proportioned with luxury amenities, first-class anticipatory service and sweeping views over Hyde Park to Rose Bay and beyond. The hotel was recently awarded the Wedding Hotel of the Year in the prestigious 2023 Wedding Industry Awards, held on November 29. Anna Weston also received the High Commended accolade for Wedding Venue Coordinator.
With two bespoke venues – the magnificent Grand Ballroom seating up to 550 guests and the Hyde Park Room offering a more intimate setting, seating up to 80 guests the Sheraton Grand Hyde Park remains one of Sydney’s most sought after locations for CBD destination weddings.
Explore Worldwide ANZ appointment
Explore Worldwide has appointed Stephanie Meehan as Marketing Manager for Australia and New Zealand. Stephanie joins the Australian based team following its successful launch into the market in earlier this year.
Stephanie brings over 15 years of dynamic experience as a passionate marketing strategist, having worked both in-house and at top-tier agencies. While travel is a new domain for Stephanie, her extensive experience in growing businesses positions her as a valuable new asset to Explore.
Explore has seen significant success in the Australian and New Zealand market since launch, and the appointment of Stephanie solidifies the company’s commitment to this market. The expansion comes on the heels of a recent brand refresh, and the launch of new brochures with over a dozen new tours for 2024.
CATO’s next phase of Accreditation Program
In a strategic move to further enhance credibility and recognition within the industry, the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has announced key elements of the upcoming phase of the CATO Accreditation program, with the introduction of an external and independent assessment of member financials to be implemented from 1 April 2024 as part of the 2024/25 membership renewal cycle.
The program emphasises the value and importance of CATO Accreditation in dealings with the trade, media and government agencies and whilst the majority of eligible members are expected to participate, tour operator and wholesale members can choose not to partake by informing CATO in writing.
“Launched on 1April 2023, the CATO Accreditation program was developed to address the specificities of the land-supply sector within the Australian travel market,” said CATO managing director, Brett Jardine. “Our move towards an annual financial health assessment is a direct response to sustained industry growth, increased government relations, and our commitment to nurturing a vibrant land supply ecosystem.
“CATO has enlisted the services of Moore Australia, a premier national firm renowned for its expertise in accounting, tax, and business advisory services. This collaboration will launch a secure online portal for independent assessment of member operations, providing a ‘financial health check’ that aligns with the highest industry appropriate standards. This process is designed with the strictest confidentiality protocols to ensure that sensitive financial data remains inaccessible to CATO personnel, safeguarding member privacy with the utmost integrity.”
CATO confirms that members who elect not to participate in the financial assessment will retain their CATO Membership status, however, full CATO Accreditation status from 1 April 2024 will require the completion of this financial assessment.
MICHELIN Star Awarded To Amalfi Coast hotel restaurant
Un Piano Nel Cielo, the stunning fine dining restaurant located on the top floor of boutique hotel, Casa Angelina, which sits high on the cliffs of Praiano on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, has been awarded a coveted MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide Italy 2024.
Under the careful guidance of Executive Chef, Leopoldo Elefante, Un Piano Nel Cielo (meaning ‘a floor in the sky’) offers magnificent views over the sparkling Mediterranean Sea from Positano to the island of Capri, paired with the rich flavours and traditional dishes of Campania.
“It is an honour to have brought the Star to the restaurant in a place so full of charm and magic like Casa Angelina and to make our small and authentic Municipality of Praiano shine with its first Star,” said Chef Leopoldo.
“We are a young and very cohesive team, sharing the passion and pride of giving voice to the excellence of the territory with our dishes. This recognition goes to my brigade and the wonderful products that our land and sea lovingly offer every day. And today more than ever, they fill us with pride.”
Suspended between sky and sea, Un Piano Nel Cielo offers an elegant environment to admire breathtaking panoramas and spectacular sunsets, thanks to its large and bright windows and covered outdoor terrace, where guests can enjoy breakfast each morning and dine under the stars into the late evening.
With 48 seats inside and 24 on the outdoor terrace, Un Piano Nel Cielo has been led since 2017 by Chef Leopoldo, whose kitchen creatively communicates the love for fresh local products and local culinary traditions.
Chef Leopoldo’s dishes express the best flavours and ingredients of Campania with a gourmet touch – creations with Mediterranean influences that evoke the sea. Memories of childhood recipes translated into delicious dishes, are accompanied by an extensive and refined collection of wines.
A ‘farm-to-table’ and ‘sea-to-table’ cuisine is oriented towards sustainability, relying on local and selected suppliers and preferring ingredients directly from the Casa Angelina’s fully organic garden. Sustainable cultivation methods are used, including waste and pollution reduction, increased organic compounds to promote soil fertility, the use of natural defences for plants, and much more. About 70% of non-company products are certified organic.
Born and raised in Campania in a family where food played a central role, Chef Leopoldo began cooking at the age of 14 under the guidance of his mother and grandmother. After attending the Hotel School of Castellammare di Stabia, where he graduated in Culinary Arts and Services in 2002, Leopoldo gained experience in prominent Italian restaurants between Rome and Amalfi, including the Reale in Castel Di Sangro, a three MICHELIN-Star restaurant, working under the guidance of Niko Romito, and restaurants, Quattro Passi and Oliver Glowig, both awarded two MICHELIN Stars. Chef Leopoldo then became Sous Chef to Chef Danilo Di Vuolo before moving to Casa Angelina. His mentor was the Great Master, Gualtiero Marchesi: inspired by his cuisine, Chef Leopoldo pays homage to his land by enhancing the fresh products, colours and scents of Campania.
Casa Angelina is open to guests each European Summer from the beginning of April through to the end of October.
The Unique Tourism Collection represents Casa Angelina in Australia and New Zealand.
TOP IMAGE: Un Piano Nel Cielo, Casa Angelina, Italy/Unique Tourism Collection
