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Oh, Canada
For six years, New York's FutureBrand has compiled a country brand index by ranking 110 countries in categories such as tourism appeal, quality of life and values.
According to the brand consultancy, which surveys thousands of travellers and conducts focus groups, Canada is the top country this year, after finishing runner-up to the US last year, a result partly attributed to the lingering glow of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
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Australia and New Zealand finished second and third this year, leading FutureBrand to note how robust economies are common features among the top three.
FutureBrand says the US's triumph last year was largely due to the ''Obama effect'', which cuts both ways, it seems, as it was also blamed for the country's slump to number four this year as the president's star wanes.
Greece had one of the biggest falls, sliding from 14th to 22nd as its financial and industrial relations problems hit the headlines. Zimbabwe, Iran and Pakistan were named the three worst-performing country brands.
Canada's triumph is no doubt bitter-sweet news for staff at the Sydney office of the Canadian Tourism Commission, which is closing its doors on December 10 due to budget cuts.
See futurebrand.com, canada.travel.
Tip of the scales
With plenty of Australian travellers shopping up a storm in the US, it's timely to remember how much an overweight bag can cost.
Qantas excess baggage rates at the counter range from $10 for every extra kilogram on domestic and trans-Tasman flights, to $150 a piece going to and from the Americas. (If you know in advance you're going to bust the weight allowance, pre-paying online for additional kilos is cheaper.)
The cost involved in going overboard in the packing department makes a new gadget - an 85-gram hand-held digital luggage scale that can weigh bags up to 50 kilograms - seem a useful investment at $49.95.
See adhgifts.com.au.
Island commitment
Love-struck couples thinking of following in the footsteps of Will and Kate should note that tying the knot in French Polynesia is now a little easier. The government decided recently couples can use a qualified hotel employee as an interpreter at civil wedding ceremonies instead of an official French government-recognised translator.
Sofitel, with resorts in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, has been quick to point out that its staff can serve as wedding translators. Civil ceremonies must still take place at a town hall and be officiated by the mayor, who can now nominate witnesses if the bride and groom can't provide their own. Most couples choose to follow the town-hall legalities with a symbolic ceremony at their hotel that taps into the romance of French Polynesian culture.
Sofitel's 2011 wedding options cost from F18,000 ($208). Couples on Bora Bora can take a decorated boat across the lagoon while being serenaded by a ukulele player for 12,600 francs extra.
See sofitel.com.
Excellent vintage
Riding Hong Kong's famous Star Ferry normally costs 83￠ but the Peninsula Hotel has devised a much more classy - and wallet-emptying - way to do it. Until March 15, those who adore all things vintage can jump in a 1960s open-top bus for the short hop to the Shining Star, Star Ferry's sightseeing boat that is kitted out like the ferries of yesteryear that once plied Victoria Harbour.
After a 45-minute champagne cruise (Hong Kong's Christmas and Chinese New Year light displays are worth catching), there's a three-course set dinner for two in the Peninsula lobby as well as cocktails at the hotel's Salon de Ning.
As part of the $HK1288 ($170) deal for two, each diner receives a $HK300 spa voucher. Or cruise around in high style by taking a luxe one-way trip between the Peninsula and the airport ($HK1350) in one of the hotel's 14 Rolls-Royce Phantoms.
See peninsula.com.
Mixing with the best
United Airlines this month started serving a new cocktail, the Sunrise Sunset, created by one of its flight attendants. Tita Martin, who's worked for United for 19 years, won an in-house competition to create a new signature drink from ingredients already in the beverage cart.
Her mix of cran-apple and orange juices, a squeeze of lime and vodka was declared the best of the 64 submitted recipes. First and business-class passengers may sip as many Sunrise Sunsets as they like for no extra charge..
See www.united.com. |
发表于 27-11-2010 22:32:36
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