Bans imposed on Airbnb properties

The Malaysian resort island of Penang has become the first major tourist destination in south-east Asia to impose a ban on Airbnb and other short-term rental services.

Situated off Malaysia's west coast, Penang is one of the region's premier tourism destinations.

But following reports of increased noise and bad behaviour by tourists it has imposed the ban after considering such a move over the past 12 months.

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Mayor Rajendran Anthony said the ban covered all private residential properties listed on Airbnb and other vacation rental sites.

It exempts existing serviced apartment buildings, although there are some additional restrictions placed on these, including maximum stays of three days per booking and approval from 75% of the other residents in their building.

Properties allowed to continue must be registered and pay annual fees, Travel Mole reported. They are also allowed to be rented for a maximum of 180 days a year.

In response, Airbnb said a recent study showed that three-quarters of Penang residents think renting out homes through Airbnb has a positive impact on their community.

The Penang move follows similar restrictions imposed in Florence, Italy, and in New York City.

In Norfolk, in the UK, planning authorities are calling for new powers to make it harder for properties on the Norfolk Broads and coast to be turned into Airbnbs and second homes.

The Broads Authority (BA) and North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) are both urging changes that would mean homeowners would have to secure planning permission to convert the use of their properties.

It comes amid growing concerns about the number of holiday lets and second homes in popular villages, the Eastern Daily Press reported.

It will be interesting to see how many other jurisdictions move in the same direction. In some cities, including Hobart is Tasmania, a public housing shortage has been the result of thousands of homes being used for short-stay accommodation.

Cask wine moves seriously upmarket

UPDATED 

A two-litre wine cask? Certainly sir. That will be $85. 

That's not a joke. Wine industry newcomer UnBottled Wines is aiming to completely reimagine the cheap-and-cheerful bag-in-a-box wine concept. 

Melbourne-based co-founders Ann Marie Grace and Mike Banks are trying to convince lovers of premium wines that the cask format is worthy of reconsideration. 

The couple has started to collaborate with leading winemakers for regular seasonal releases of premium wines in the convenient packaging - targeted at anyone who wants to enjoy a glass or two over a few weeks. 

First up is McLaren Vale winemaker Brad Hickey, known as Brash Higgins, who has created four wines  for the the first UnBottled release. 

"We want to deliver seasonally curated, ultra-premium wines from acclaimed Australian winemakers," says qualified sommelier Ann Marie. 

"We partner with five-star wineries to offer limited box releases. Each quarter we will select four wines curated for the new season. 

"We source interesting and impressive wines [single varietals, unique blends and wines people might not know very well]; minimal intervention wines that speak to their sense of place."

The boxes are $85 each ($75 for those who take out subscriptions) and available online at UnBottledWines.com. 

The winter Unbottled wines are Brash Higgin’s 2022 Chenin Blanc, Brash Higgins 2022 Cinsault, Brash Higgins 2022 Cabernet Franc and Brash Higgin’s 2022 Grenache Mataro - and Higgins will conduct an online launch tasting on Tuesday evening.

I've tried the chenin blanc and the cinsault. The white was definitely on the spectrum - one for lovers of "natural wines" with its dark colour and funky flavours. The cinsault, made from a rustic grape from the south of France, was impressively rich and chocolately - a serious winter warmer. 

I presented the cinsault as a mystery wine to my tasting group - none of them identified it as a cask wine. My wife proclaimed at as "delicious". So that's a double win. 

    

"Although the cask was invented here in Australia; the Australian wine industry has been slow to embrace the box," says Ann Marie. 

"Until now only cheaper plonk has found it’s way into the 'Chateau Cardboard' with wine snobs and the industry turning up their nose."

But a May 2023 survey of over 1067 'wine snobs’ run through LinkedIn’s Wine Connoisseur and Fine Wine member groups, found many wine drinkers happy with the idea. 

“I was forever tipping out a half bottle of really nice wine because I didn’t drink it fast enough,” says Mike. 

“And I was forever not opening a bottle from my cellar; I just couldn’t justify a whole bottle on a Tuesday night, when all I really wanted was one glass,” adds Ann Marie. 

While bag-in-box wine technology suggests wines will keep fresh for 40 days or more the pair could not find any producers putting high-end wines into the box.

“Research showed that other markets around the world are embracing the box so we’re putting our necks on the line in the belief that Australian’s are ready, too," says Ann Marie. 

"We figure we’re not the only ones wanting to maintain a healthy lifestyle and moderate our consumption while also enjoying up-market wine.” 

# New Zealand's only Master Sommelier, Cameron Douglas, points out that in in Kiwiland, the Dice X Dicey 2021 Central Otago Pinot Noir in a 2-litre box is impressing - and retails for $NZ110. 

 

Meet a new luxury rural retreat

The beautiful northern New South Wales hinterland has a new luxury rural retreat.

The Brooklet officially opens for bookings on June 24 and is described as "a luxury accommodation, wellness and hospitality collective".

The Brooklet is the creation of Greta Smith and her family who, after travelling to Byron Bay more than 30 years ago, dreamed of creating their own getaway.

The retreat is situated in the small hamlet of Brooklet, a 20-minute drive from Byron Bay, five minutes from Newrybar and eight minutes from Bangalow.

The Brooklet offers three one-bedroom and three two-bedroom villas, while The Bails, a restored 100-year-old milking shed, sleeps up to six people in three king bedrooms and has its own private mineral water pool.

The property sits on 125-acres and highlights include the 25-metre tiled mineral pool, hot tub, rainwater shower, gymnasium, infra-red sauna and outdoor ice bath plus a tennis court.

For the adventurous, there are walking trails to a waterhole.



The Bar is billed as being perfect for a long lunch overlooking the pool and rolling hills, or dinner under the stars.

The Deck, connecting The Barn and The Bar, overlooks the pool while The Kitchen, built outdoors, "offers an immersive food and beverage experience where guests can gather to watch dishes being created by executive chef Simon Favorito and his team".

Much of the produce will be locally sourced produce or from the property's organic vegetable garden and orchard.

Rates at The Brooklet will start from $750 per couple per night.

For enquiries and bookings see https://www.thebrooklet.com.au/

Farewell Fraser Island; hello K'gari

The world's largest sand island has reclaimed its traditional name, with Fraser Island now known as K'gari.

As of this week, the Queensland World-Heritage listed island is known by its original name, as used by the local Butchulla People for more than 10,000 years.

“In our creation stories, our stories handed down by generations, it has always been K'gari and always will be,” said Aunty Gayle Minniecon, chairperson of the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation.

The change of name for the 122km-long island was announced by the Queensland Government.

K'gari was Gaining UNESCO World Heritage Area status in 1992.



“K’gari is one of those places that is incredibly well known, not just nationally but internationally," says Dr Rose Barrowcliffe, a post doctoral research fellow and Butchulla woman.

"We have a huge amount of international visitors that come to see K’gari every year. So, what we are doing when we are respecting Indigenous place names, is we are respecting Indigenous culture.

“Australia has the oldest continuously living cultures in the world. It’s the most unique thing about us as a continent and a destination. So, by honouring Indigenous cultures and using place names, we are raising up the culture and saying we are proud of it. And we are showcasing a unique part of our offering to the world.”

Located 300km north of the Queensland capital, Brisbane, K’gari is a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors.

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said K’gari was one of Queensland and Australia’s most spectacular places to visit.

“K’gari is the world’s largest sand island and she has ancient stories to tell and breathtaking moments for visitors to enjoy,” she said.

Every year between June and November, a convoy of humpback whales migrating south for the summer pass K'gari.

Are the lights of Cincinnati calling you?

I know next to nothing about Cincinnati.

OK. I remember the TV show WKRP in Cincinnati, and I've heard of the Cincinnati Bengals football team. And, of course, there was that Scott Walker song.

The name is hard to spell and the city is in Ohio.

Wikipedia tells me it is on the border of Kentucky and with 2.26 million people it is the 30th largest city in the US.

Oh, and it is the latest US destination for British Airways.

Flights from London Heathrow to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will run five times weekly during the summer and four times a week during winter.

The reason is, I suspect, not because Cincinnati is a tourism magnet, but because the Cincinnati metropolitan area extends across south-western Ohio, northern Kentucky and into south-eastern Indiana.

That means a catchment area of more than 11 million people within 200km of the airport. Which is a whole lot of Americans who might want to visit Europe.

“When we look at the Cincinnati region, we see a vibrant part of the US with a great mix of business and leisure travellers,” Neil Chernoff, director of networks and alliances for BA told Travel Mole.

For Cincinnati region customers, BA offers connections via Heathrow to nearly 200 destinations in 65 countries.

Candace McGraw, CEO, CVG Airport, said: “This Cincinnati flight route offers tremendous growth opportunities for business travel, economic development, and tourism between the UK and our region.”

Cincinnati flights will be flown on Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft. 

I'm sure it is very nice place - but I'm afraid it is not on my bucket list. 

And not even the local bacon and maple donuts are going to convince me.  

Brexit "blessings" continue with Eurostar blow

Planning to catch a Eurostar train between London and Amsterdam next summer?

Sorry, the bad news is that you might have to fly instead.

It was announced this week that Eurostar’s Amsterdam service could be facing a suspension of up to 11 months due to renovations to be undertaken at Amsterdam’s main railway station (above).

The work at the station will limit space, meaning a lack of facilities to complete post-Brexit passport checks for Eurostar Amsterdam travellers. Yet another Brexit bonus.

The work will last from June 2024 to May 2025, Travel Mole reports.

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure says it could complete the renovation work within seven months. But the best estimate is 11 months.

The work will eventually shift the Eurostar terminal to a lower level beneath the main rail station.

Eurostar Amsterdam trains run four times daily.

“We calculate it means 21 extra flights between Schiphol and London and that is crying shame,” Eurostar said in a statement.

Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave is in the Netherlands this week for talks with government officials.

Unless a solution can be found, the suspension would see the Eurostar network reduced from a pre-Brexit total of 13 year-round stations to just four: London, Lille, Paris and Brussels.