September 2010 Archives

There must have been a big sigh of relief in Virgin Blue's Brisbane headquarters at today's decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to give its nod for an alliance with Etihad Airways.

Last month, the ACCC rejected Virgin Blue's application for a trans-Tasman alliance with Air New Zealand. Earlier in September, the US Department of Transport denied an application by Virgin Blue and Delta Air Lines to form a trans-Pacific alliance - which the ACCC had approved. Virgin Blue is appealing both decisions.

Regardless, today's announcement is significant for V Australia, Virgin Blue's long-haul subsidiary. It needs the connections that Etihad offers in order to offer its customers greater options, and this ties in with Virgin Blue's new strategy for the airline.

Qantas Airways, Australia's flag carrier, is likely to continue objecting to the Virgin Blue-Etihad tie-up. However, it remains highly unlikely that the ACCC will rescind its decision, and the increased competition will only offer greater options for the Australian consumer.

The fantastic marketing people at Air New Zealand are continuing with the airline's lead-up to next year's rugby World Cup in the country, and its sponsorship of the All Blacks, with this all black themed aircraft.

This will be the livery (still photos below) on the first aircraft in its domestic A320 fleet that will enter into service in January, and it will be operated on several major routes within New Zealand.

This follows on from their highly popular "Crazy About Rugby" safety video (below) that features players from the All Blacks. And for those who don't know anything about the team, just scroll down even more for one of my favourite moments when the All Blacks take to the field.

I can't wait for the World Cup. Heck, maybe I'll go to New Zealand! Come on All Blacks!

The Cambodian authorities are planning a new airport for Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor ruins. This should help them get more tourists to visit these fabulous temples, given that the sector is the main contributor to the country's economic growth.

Is it really a good thing for these ruins, though? While more tourists will help local businesses and the economy, they will also affect the temple structures that were not built to cope with the sheer numbers that already visit them every day.

So here is an idea - tax every tourist who arrives and departs from Cambodian airports, and use that money (which could be placed in a fund administered by UNESCO, the government and the airport operators) to help reinforce and reconstruct the temples.

According to some reports, foreign tourist arrivals to Cambodia increased by 12.4% to 1.22 million in the first half of 2010. Arrivals to Siem Reap rose 27% to 641,000. If everyone arriving into Cambodia paid just a $10 "Angkor tax", that would have raised $12.2 million in the first half of the year. Taking just those who came into Siem Reap would have yielded $6.4 million. That would go a long way in a country like Cambodia.
 
Such taxes are, admittedly, are not the best way to raise funds. However, in a country like Cambodia, where corruption is a serious issue and there is a greater emphasis on bringing in tourists than safeguarding the very sites that attract them, they may be one of the best ways to help preserve one of the greatest man-made sights on earth.