Felicity Goldsmith May 30th, 2008
Following the success of the Canada department at the BACTAs last month, it was with high hopes that Rachel and I set off for the annual Tourism New Zealand Awards in London in early May. The awards this year were comprised of eight categories, of which we were eligible to enter five, and so with the help of the whole team we prepared our submissions and handed them over to TNZ during their recent visit to the Mill.
The awards themselves were presented by Gregg Anderson, the Regional Manager for Tourism New Zealand UK, with the assistance of Simon Calder – travel editor for the Independent, broadcaster and industry expert. Simon was also part of the judging panel.
The first award was for Best Brochure, and we were disappointed to hear that we had lost out to Tailor Made. However, it was onwards and upwards from that point as we took awards for Best Online Content and Best Responsible Tour Operator to New Zealand.
The moment of glory came when they announced the shortlist for the Supreme Award – Travel Specialist of the Year. The list included several of our major competitors, but we came out on top. Gregg Anderson said the following in presenting the award: “Audley Travel have a remarkable and growing range of New Zealand product. They provide a great example of tailoring holidays specifically to the traveller. Rigorous staff training and on-going educational opportunities are reflected in the detailed knowledge of each country specialist. The dedication this company has shown to developing their New Zealand Programme since 2004 is outstanding and evident in their great results.”
The champagne went down well after that! Huge congratulations go to the whole team, whose hard work and commitment are ultimately what have won us these awards.
Tags: award, New Zealand
Kate Dicks May 23rd, 2008
Yesterday our series of fundraising events got underway with a lunchtime of fun activities including a Hog Roast and BBQ as well as a cake sale. I never realised you could get into a bidding war over a cake! Just as well both parties did, as it helped to make lots of money.
I was also really pleased to see so many of the staff donning costumes from their specialist or favourite countries and we had some amazing outfits on show. We still have a little bit more money to come in as we sell the remaining few cakes but in total we raised over £1,900. What a fantastic effort!
Thanks to everyone who took part and to the directors for putting themselves in the stocks, whilst we all took turns to throw wet sponges at them. The money is already en-route to Burma and to our local agent to buy additional supplies for the project in and around Syriam.
The villages still need roofing and building materials, food and medical supplies as well as clothing and blankets. This money equates to well over 5 million Kyat (the local Burmese currency) which will go a very long way. Thanks again to everyone for taking part in yesterday’s fundraiser, it is encouraging to know that we can help make a difference to so many people.
Audley fancy dress fundraising day for Burma Cyclone Appeal
Tags: Burma Cyclone, fundraising, Southeast Asia
Kate Dicks May 16th, 2008
You may have read about the fantastic fundraising efforts that the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company are carrying out in the Delta in cooperation with Merlin, a UK based aid agency (update on our blog). Two of the Pandaw fleet are now navigating the Delta taking supplies to those in need, as well as acting as floating hospitals. We have donated $2,000 to the fund, knowing that this money will bring immediate relief to the Burmese people affected by this terrible catastrophe. More »
Tags: burma, cyclone nargis, fundraising
Loic Robertson May 14th, 2008
Today, we received the following pictures which have been taken by Mr Khin Zaw Nichols, Managing Director of our ground agent in Burma, Tour Mandalay. He and a team from the Yangon office have been in the Syriam area handing over water filters as well as food, medical and building supplies to the local monastery and orphanage.
Monasteries are for many villages in Burma the focal point of a community and from here aid has been distributed to many families and individuals in need. The children of the orphanage have been provided with wholesome meals whilst the villagers have been educated on how to use the water filters donated by an American company. More »
Tags: Burma Cyclone, photos
Thomas Stapleton May 14th, 2008
I greatly enjoyed tuning into the first episode of a new five part series on Russia, presented by Jonathan Dimbleby, in which the journalist and broadcaster will be travelling the length and breath of the country to, he says, get to know Russia through the eyes of ‘ordinary people’, away from all the politics.
I always think it’s a difficult to write about Russia without lapsing into lazy clichés. While there were elements of this, the personal stories that Jonathan Dimbleby uncovered added an extra poignency and depth to the comments about the vastness of Russia, and the suffering of it’s people.
More »
Tags: bbc, russia, tv
Loic Robertson May 13th, 2008
As you will no doubt have heard, an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit China on Monday 12 May. Centred around Chengdu in Sichuan province, the earthquake has had a devastating effect on many millions of people in the area.
Fortunately, no Audley clients, staff or partners in the area have been immediately affected. By all accounts the Chinese authorities have responded well to the disaster, mobilising the army and emergency services to cope with the fall out from the earthquake, though they have been hampered by bad weather.
Visit the BBC News website for full coverage and more information about the rescue effort.
If you want to help with the relief effort, we suggest a donation to the Red Cross, who have been supporting the Chinese Red Cross.
Audley is looking at ways we might be able to assist once the area has recovered from the immediate effects of the quake.
Tags: china, earthquake, red cross
Loic Robertson May 12th, 2008
As you will have seen from news reports, the chief problem is overseas aid getting through to people on the ground rather than the aid being available.
Our local agent in Burma (who sent us the photos below) has been working in the Syriam area near Yangon getting food, medical supplies, water filters and building materials through to an orphanage and monastery there. From here, aid has also been distributed to the wider community. More »
Tags: Burma Cyclone, fund raising
Jim Millward May 9th, 2008
It’s Friday, it’s 5 o’clock and time for some inane ramblings. In High Fidelity style here’s a top ten of travel books. Obviously a completely subjective and personal list borne out of all sorts of prejudices and complete lack of literary nous. Steered clear of mountaineering books and news books (which therefore excludes the likes of John Simpson’s books). Some authors would have several entries but I’ve applied the one book rule. One variable is how recently I read them, if it was years ago then less likely to make an appearance unless it made a stunning impression, enough rambling, here goes:
- Congo Journey - Redmond O’Hanlon (Could have picked any of his books, but will restrict choice to one.)
- A short walk in Hindu Kush - Eric Newby
- In Siberia - Colin Thubron
- Under a sickle moon: travels in Afghanistan - Peregrine Hodson
- A Reed Shaken by the Wind: Travels Among the Marsh Arabs of Iraq - Gavin Maxwell (Arguably better than Wilfred Thesiger’s own writings from this part of the world)
- Zanzibar Chest - Aidan Hartley (pushing the limits to be classified but a great read)
- Dark Star Safari - Paul Theroux (had to be one)
- Mirrors of the Unseen: Journeys in Iran - Jason Elliot
- One foot in Laos - Dervla Murphy (but take you pick from any)
- A book about Papua New Guinea that was published by Lonely Planet. Can’t remeber the name of the book or author but it was good! If anyone ever reads this and thinks of the name. Thanks: It’s ‘Islands in the Clouds’ by Isabella Tree about Highlands of Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya.
- Grains of Sand - Martin Buckley (know that’s 11 but just remembered this one about deserts)
- In Patagonia - Bruce Chatwin
Stopping now as thinking of others.
Worst book: ‘Reality was a bug that bit me in the Galapagos’ - garbage
Loic Robertson May 7th, 2008
We are relieved to hear that all our contacts in Burma are safe following the cyclone that struck over the weekend. As you will no doubt have seen there has been considerable loss of life and devastation.
Many clients have contacted us to ask what they can do to help the Burmese people. In the immediate aftermath we would recommend a donation to one of the following charities:
For more information about the challenge facing aid agencies read this article on the BBC website.
We will also be looking at ways that we can help with more long term recovery projects in the country. Given the current regime we want to be sure that any support is directed to the people who need it most. We will keep you informed of developments.
Tags: burma, cyclone, red cross
Following the success of the Canada department at the BACTAs last month, it was with high hopes that Rachel and I set off for the annual Tourism New Zealand Awards in London in early May. The awards this year were comprised of eight categories, of which we were eligible to enter five, and so with the help of the whole team we prepared our submissions and handed them over to TNZ during their recent visit to the Mill.
