The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy is flat out

With just over a month until the Bugger Human Rights World Cup kicks off in Qatar, the quaintly named Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy is in full cry.

It reported ticket sales for the 2022 tournament are approaching 3 million as the countdown continues to the World Cup tournament, which will kick off at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20.

During a press conference in Doha this week, organisers announced a further 30,000 rooms had been made available to World Cup visitors - something they might have thought about when they planned for the event.

Qatar will stage 64 matches at eight "state-of-the-art" stadiums during the event.

Accommodation is apparently available from the Qatar Accommodation Agency and rooms can be booked from $80 per person, per night based on two-person occupancy.

Accommodation options include hotels, apartments, cruise ships and fan villages.

"We have always said that Qatar will deliver the best ever edition of the FIFA World Cup," said the impossibly positive FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

"And as you look around the country today, at the state-of-the-art stadiums, the training pitches, the metro, the wider infrastructure, everything is ready and everyone is welcome."

Except maybe members of the LBGTQI+ community and the many slaves (sorry, guest workers), who died during stadium construction.

"The world [meaning FIFA and its many sponsors] is excited. Qatar is ready. The stage is set. Together, we will deliver the best World Cup ever on and off the field."

So the man is a fortune teller.

Eng. Yasir Al Jamal, director general for that Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: "After more than a decade of hard work and close collaboration with stakeholders across the country, Qatar stands ready to host a memorable edition of the FIFA World Cup. 

"The compact nature of our tournament means visitors will never be far from the action - always close to a stadium or entertainment activation. We look forward to hosting a tournament that will live long in the memory for fans from across the globe."

Further information about Qatar's additional cultural and entertainment fan destinations can be found at www.qatar2022.qa/en/live-it-all-in-qatar.

Travel Gods smile on Norse

When you think of flying between London and the US, you probably think of British Airways, American Airlines, or perhaps United.

Now there is a new player in the game with Norse Atlantic Airways announcing that the US Department of Transport has granted it a foreign air carrier permit, paving the way for the company to begin direct transatlantic US-UK flights.

Norse was recently granted a UK Air Operator Certificate by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

For those wondering, Norse Atlantic Airways is a Norwegian-based low-cost, long-haul airline headquartered in Arendal, Norway.

Founded in February 2021, the airline operates a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft .

The US green light highlights that Norse Atlantic UK has a financially and operationally sound business, Norse says.

“We are very thankful for the support that we have received on both sides of the Atlantic throughout our application - this milestone represents a huge step in creating competition in the transatlantic market,” said Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways.

Norse will operate using both premium and economy class seating, Travel Mole reported.

The good news: The website shows some very cheap fares between Gatwick and New York in November.  

And the odd bit. "Here at Norse, we consider our aircraft longships, following the tradition of Norsemen and Norsewomen, who explored the world generations before."

OK chaps. Thanks for that.

See https://flynorse.com/

Upping the ante on low-alcohol wines

New Zealand winery Giesen - one of the pioneers in the low-alcohol wine market - is upping the ante with a new range.

Giesen says there is increased consumer interest in lighter and no-alcohol wines, prompting the launch of the its new formula Pure Light range, which has been reduced from from 9% to 6% alcohol by volume.

"Wine lovers can now enjoy their New Zealand sauvignon blanc or pinot gris with 50% less alcohol, without compromising on flavour." Giesen says in a statement.

It is claimed the new wines also have 45% less calories than full-strength wine.

Recent research shows 46% of Australian wine drinkers claim to be reducing their alcohol intake, says Wine Intelligence.

That figure increases to 56% for the 18-34 age group.

Giesen Group has invested in a $1 million in-house spinning cone (the technology used to remove alcohol).

With three three years' experience making the Giesen 0% range, the company says it now has the capacity to reduce the alcohol in Pure Light and not lose any of the flavours or aromas.

I will report back after sampling the wines.

“This is an exciting evolution for our Pure Light range, which we have been making for several years at 9% alcohol/volume," says chief winemaker, Duncan Shouler.

"We’re doing things differently, though. The wines are first crafted as classic New Zealand sauvignon blanc and pinot gris, going through the same process as we use for our full-strength wines.

"We then use our advanced spinning cone technology to delicately remove alcohol down to 6% alc/vol, leaving us with lower alcohol but maximum flavour.

"Many would fail to even know that the wine is lighter-in-alcohol given the aroma and palate are so similar."




Both wines are gluten free and vegan friendly and will be rolling out across Australia in Dan Murphy’s stores with an RRP of $16.99.

Be quick to save money on Asian flights

Demand for flights from Australia to Asia is sky high but budget carrier AirAsia is offering 20% off on all seats to selected domestic and international destinations for the next week.

The deal includes travel commencing from November, ahead of the end of year and new year peak travel seasons.

The limited-time-only sale runs until October 23 with a range of destinations in Asia including Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand at 20% off for travel between November 1 and June 30, 2023.

To book click on the Flights icon on the Airasia Super App or website.

AirAsia also announced this week that it is bringing back services to Taipei (from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu) and Kaohsiung (from Kuala Lumpur) which are on sale now starting from as low as $130 one way.

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to/from Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Auckland, Seoul and Tokyo start from under $220 with and premium flatbed seats starting from under $700 for travel between November 1 to November 30.

“AirAsia has been ramping up our capacity to serve more customers to connect with family and friends again in this upcoming festive period," says Karen Chan, AirAsia’s Group Chief Commercial Officer.

“This 20% off deal is providing incredible discounts for close in travel starting next month into the end of year holiday and new year/Chinese New year peak holiday season.

"AirAsia understands that many customers have not had the chance to reconnect with loved ones since the pandemic so we are here to provide great value to to visit family and friends again."

See www.airasia.com for details

New-look Hubert Estate is a Yarra Valley showpiece

If you haven't visited the Yarra Valley for a while, prepare for a surprise at the new-look Hubert Estate - home of the St Hubert's cellar door. 

Hubert Estate and the St Hubert’s tasting facility are a collaboration between the Ryan Hospitality Group, led by Gerry and Andrew Ryan (The Prince, Mitchelton Winery & Nagambie Brewery & Distillery) and Treasury Premium Brands (TPB), the owners of St Hubert's. 

The new facility aims to take visitors on a food, wine and cultural journey in a lovely rural setting. There is also plenty of room for functions. 

Utilising the existing St Hubert’s winery footprint, the site underwent a complete redevelopment with a dual-level design by architectural and interior design studio Cera Stribley. 

The estate now houses a modern Australian and Euro-inspired restaurant (Quarters), an art gallery immersed in Indigenous culture (Hubert Gallery of Art), an event space with a backdrop of the Yarra Valley (Harriett), a revamped cellar door for St Hubert’s as well as a boutique wine store (Notes). 

Plans are also underway to add a hotel and wellness centre - scheduled to be built by 2024.

"Together with St Hubert’s, we are proud to introduce Hubert Estate, which brings to life a stunning, multi-purpose destination that has an incredible history set for new beginnings for locals and visitors alike,” said Ryan Hospitality Group’s Andrew Ryan.

“Winemaking will always be close to our hearts, but with the estate we’ve broadened our table. Pull up a chair for lunch at Quarters, celebrate special moments with Harriett, or immerse yourself in Indigenous culture at the Hubert Gallery of Art. 

"We designed the estate to complement the landscape, and we’re inviting guests to find their place in the picture with us.”

Treasury Premium Brands’ chief marketing officer and general manager sales ANZ (phew!) Angus Lilley said the estate pays homage to St Hubert's history. 

“Established in 1862 as one of the first wineries in the region, St Hubert’s helped position the area 
as a premium wine producing location and was a champion of the Yarra Valley’s wine renaissance in the 1960s,” he said. 

“This is a progressive step in the journey of St Hubert’s. As one of the pioneers of premium winemaking in the Yarra Valley, we are thrilled to create an innovative cellar door experience that will set a benchmark for tasting room experiences and help drive visitation to the region as a
whole.”

See https://hubertestate.com.au

Images: Kristoffer Paulsen 

Getting to the Coral Coast will be a lot easier

It is about to get a whole lot easier to visit Ningaloo Reef and the Coral Coast of Western Australia.

Tourism Western Australia, the Shire of Exmouth and Qantas Australia have partnered to launch direct flights between Melbourne and Ningaloo (Learmonth Airport).

Starting in April 2023 for an initial six-month trial, two flights per week will directly connect the east coast of Australia to Exmouth in the UNESCO Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.

Exmouth is the northern gateway to the Coral Coast region and was recently named Australia's Top Small Tourism Town for 2022.

It is a base from which to explore Cape Range National Park, Ningaloo Coastal Reserves, the Ningaloo Reef and Monkey Mia.

The area is renowned for its marine interactions such as swimming with whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays, its snorkelling and dive sites, turtle nesting areas, and the canyons and gorges of Cape Range.

David O'Malley, Australia's Coral Coast's CEO, welcomed the announcement.

“The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area is a world-class destination and the Coral Coast Highway between Perth and Exmouth is referred to as one of the greatest road trips on earth," he said.

"Qantas' new route will help to further increase accessibility to the region and support our regional towns and operators.”