What to do when a stomach bug could ruin your holiday

It can be called Bali Belly, Montezuma's Revenge, Delhi Belly, or the Rangoon Runs by old timers.

Whatever it is called you want to avoid it if possible - and recover as soon as possible.

Eating spicy dishes, street food or even unfamiliar ingredients can cause horrible issues - as can simply drinking ice, or impure water. 

The result can be hours, or days, with the runs followed by time to rehydrate. It can ruin any holiday. 

Welcome, then, to The Belly Solution: a new Australian travel wellness brand focused specifically on prevention, treatment and gut recovery for travellers’ diarrhoea.

The brand has been founded by a husband-and-wife team from Victoria who love to travel and are keen to continue doing so well into later years - with a practical focus on staying well while away.

The website is now live and takes an education-led approach - helping travellers to more exotic corner of the globe understand the condition itself, and importantly, what they’re taking and why certain ingredients are effective.

The Belly Solution is billed as "a travel-friendly electrolyte oral rehydration powder combining: Saccharomyces boulardii, Sunfiber PHGG prebiotic, electrolyte rehydration support, ginger (for nausea support) and pomegranate (for antioxidant support and palatability). 

I'm not totally sure what that all means, but it has been designed very deliberately for travel - compact, lightweight, shelf-stable (ideal for hot climates), and in a resealable pouch for use on the go.

One of the key differentiators is the formulation. There are very few products in Australia offering 10 billion CFU of Saccharomyces boulardii, and the creators are not aware of any that combine probiotic, prebiotic and electrolyte support in a single format designed to span the full journey - from pre-travel planning and prevention, through support during symptoms, to gut recovery afterwards and once home.

It’s also suitable for both adults and children, making it a practical option for families travelling together.

At full retail, it works out at approximately $4 per daily dose, offering a combined, convenient and relatively affordable alternative to sourcing each of these elements separately. And it can be taken when you need it, not when you are staying in the safety of a five-star resort. 

 
The first product will, in time, become a dedicated range, with each product designed to stand alone, but also work together - all focused specifically on travellers’ diarrhoea, which the creators say remains a surprisingly under-served area.

It's a new product so I haven't tried it yet, but you can check out https://thebellysolution.com.au/

The sun is back shining on the Sunshine Coast

Things are back to normal.

That is the message from the Sunshine Coast tourism industry in Queensland, which says it is ready to welcome holidaymakers with accommodation, attractions, and tours open and back to business as usual. 

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said his thoughts go to those who have been impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and offered thanks to the emergency services personnel who worked around the clock to keep the region and its visitors safe.

He said Sunshine Coast Airport was fully operational along with the public transport network, hotels, attractions, tours and restaurants. Some facilities, however, may remain disrupted due to a handful of roads remaining closed. Beaches suffered less damage than those on the Gold Coast. 

“We have a lot of ground to make up though - I haven't seen hotels this empty since the pandemic," Stoeckel said.

“But the good news is that our events are in full swing with everyone is looking forward to the Noosa Festival of Surfing this weekend that will show that our world-class beaches like Mooloolaba and Noosa are in great shape and ready to be enjoyed.” 

Stoeckel said the Sunshine Coast was getting back to business as usual. 

“To help the tourism industry, VSC has launched a new Real Time Social Media Campaign to show holidaymakers what the Sunshine Coast really looks like, right now, through photos and videos.

“The Real Time content will be shared using the hashtag #SunshineCoastForReal across VSC's official Instagram and Facebook pages and focus on showcase that our tourism industry is back open for business.  

“The best way to get people travelling again is by showing people exactly what the Sunshine Coast looks like right now.

“Some tourism businesses have not had any customers for a week, and it's so important that we get the tourism industry flowing again.”

It's official: Tourism figures back to pre-pandemic levels

 

Global tourism figures are back to where they were pre-Covid, the UN Tourism organisation has declared.

With 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded globally, 2024 marked the recovery of international tourism from the worst crisis in the sector’s history.

A majority of destinations welcomed more international tourists in 2024 than they did before the pandemic, while visitor spending also continued to grow strongly.

The latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism says an estimated 1.4 billion tourists travelled internationally in 2024, indicating a virtual recovery (99%) of pre-pandemic levels.

This represents an increase of 11% over 2023, or 140 million more international tourist arrivals, with results driven by strong post-pandemic demand, robust performance from large source markets and the ongoing recovery of destinations in Asia and the Pacific.

Growth is expected to continue throughout 2025.

The Middle East (95 million arrivals) remained the strongest-performing region when compared to 2019, with international arrivals 32% above pre-pandemic levels in 2024, although only 1% higher compared to 2023.

Asia and the Pacific (316 million) continued to experience a rapid recovery in 2024, though arrival numbers were still at 87% of pre-pandemic levels, an improvement from 66% at the end of 2023.

"In 2024, global tourism completed its recovery from the pandemic and, in many places, tourist arrivals and specially earnings are already higher than in 2019," said UN Tourism secretary general Zurab Pololikashvili.

"Growth is expected to continue throughout 2025, driven by strong demand contributing to the socio-economic development of both mature and emerging destinations. 

"This recalls our immense responsibility as a sector to accelerate transformation, placing people and planet at the centre of the development of tourism."

Among the world's top five tourism earners, the United Kingdom (+40%), Spain (+36%), France (+27%) and Italy (+23%) saw robust growth in the first nine to eleven months of 2024, compared to 2019.

Tiny town to show its resilience

The tiny Gippsland hilltop community of Mirboo North is bouncing back after the disastrous storm that hit the town in February.

The town's resilience will be on show when the Mirboo North Winterfest is held across the weekend of August 3-4.

The storm saw thousands of trees lost, the local pool destroyed and the Strzelecki Ranges community was without power for over a week and more than 30 families are still unable to live in their homes.

The Winterfest has grown into a major event on the Gippsland calendar as a celebration of food, arts and culture to brighten darkest winter days.

Launched in 2022 as a reimagining of the town’s long-running Arty Gras event, the 2024 festivities kick off on August 3 with food and drink stalls in Baromi Park from 4pm, serving throughout the afternoon and evening.

Stars of the Gippsland drinks scene in Sailors Grave Brewing, Gurneys Cider and South Gippsland Gin Co, will be slinging drinks alongside a bevy of food trucks.

Events will include drumming and dance workshops, a lantern parade and live music from Ally Row.

From 8:45pm on Saturday night the Mirboo North Shire Hall will be hopping to a music from Skazz - who blend ska and jazz.

The Sunday will showcase an Artisans Market from 9am-2pm and there will once again be live music and food stalls.

# Mirboo North Winterfest is a Mirboo Country Development Inc (MCDI) event, supported by Regional Development Victoria, Events Gippsland, South Gippsland Shire Council, Mirboo North and District Community Foundation and the Community Bank Mirboo North & District.

Mirboo North is 150km east of Melbourne and has a population of around 1700.

 

See https://www.mirboonorthwinterfest.com.au/

Image: NIcky Cawood

Tourism bounces back around the globe

International tourism has roared back post-Covid with the industry on track to recover to almost 90% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year.

The latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) issued this week shows an estimated 975 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September, 2023, an increase of 38% on the same months in 2022.

The newest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer also shows that destinations welcomed 22% more international tourists in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year, reflecting a strong northern hemisphere summer season.

It was also revealed that international tourist arrivals hit 91% of pre-pandemic levels in the third quarter, reaching 92% in July, the best month so far since the start of pandemic.

Overall, tourism recovered to 87% of pre-pandemic levels in January-September 2023. That puts the sector on course to recover to almost 90% by the end of the year.

UNWTO secretary general Zurab Pololikashvili said: "The latest UNWTO data shows that international tourism has almost completely recovered from the unprecedented crisis of Covid-19 with many destinations reaching or even exceeding pre-pandemic arrivals and receipts.

"This is critical for destinations, businesses, and communities where the sector is a major lifeline."

Europe, the world's largest destination region, welcomed 550 million international tourists over the period, 56% of the global total. That represents 94% of pre-pandemic levels. The rebound was supported by robust intra-regional demand as well as strong demand from the United States.

Asia and the Pacific reached just 62% of pre-pandemic levels this period due to slower reopening to international travel, the UNWTO said.

Image: Carmen Ramon Cami, Scop.io 

Global tourism is bouncing back, says UNWTO

International tourism is well on its way to returning to pre-pandemic levels, with twice as many people travelling during the first quarter of 2023 than in the same period of 2022.

That's the very positive news from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The second UNWTO World Tourism barometer of the year shows that the sector’s swift recovery has continued into 2023. 

It reveals that overall international arrivals reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2023; and that an estimated 235 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of the year, more than double the same period of 2022.

The UNWTO says tourism has continued to show its resilience with revised data for 2022 showing over 960 million tourists travelling internationally last year, meaning two-thirds (66%) of pre-pandemic numbers were recovered.

Driven by strong intra-regional demand. Africa reached 88% and the Americas about 85% of 2019 levels while Asia and the Pacific lagged behind with 54% of pre-pandemic levels.

This upward trend is set to accelerate now that most destinations, particularly China, have re-opened.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “The start of the year has shown again tourism’s unique ability to bounce back. In many places, we are close to or even above pre-pandemic levels of arrivals.

"We must, however, remain alert to challenges ranging from geopolitical insecurity, staffing shortages, and the potential impact of the cost-of-living crisis on tourism, and we must ensure tourism’s return delivers on its responsibilities as a solution to the climate emergency and as a driver of inclusive development.”

Image: Zeina Kassem, Scop.io 

Hawke's Bay wine region bounces back after cyclone

Six weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the region, winemakers in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, are enjoying vintage with pickers enjoying some welcome sunshine.

“While we have all seen images of the devastated vineyards following Cyclone Gabrielle, we want to assure wine lovers that Hawke’s Bay is open for business," says Sally Duncan, chair of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers.

"We invite you to come and visit our beautiful region and enjoy the distinctive varieties and wines you know and love.

"Most cellar doors and our fantastic restaurants are open and looking forward to welcoming visitors over the Easter break.

"And if you can’t get to Hawke’s Bay, then look to support the region by buying Hawke's Bay wines and the other produce that the region is famous for.”

The Hawke's Bay community has rallied around the vineyards and wineries impacted by the cyclone with on-the-ground help with clean up, organising fundraising events or contributing to the Hawkes Bay Winegrowers Charitable Trust Relief Fund. 

“It has been heartening to see huge teams of volunteers helping out all over the region with the clean up of affected wineries and vineyards” says Brent Linn, executive officer for Hawke's Bay Wine.

The Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Charitable Trust Relief Fund has so far raised over $NZ160,000. Those wanting to donate directly to the Hawke’s Bay Wine community can find more information here.