More Aussies are heading to Hawaii

Australia's love affair with Hawaii is continuing, with a 32 per cent rise in the number of Australian travellers heading to the US state last year thanks to the strong dollar and more airlines choosing to offer routes there.

Image: Kids enjoying the beach in Vanuatu. Picture: Vanuatu Tourism Office.

While tourist numbers to Hawaii fell during the global financial crisis, the Hawaii Tourism Authority says it welcomed 7.3 million visitors in 2011.

Qantas, Hawaiian Airlines, Jetstar, Air Australia and Air Pacific all fly from Australia to Hawaii.

Cable Beach Club revamp special

Western Australia's Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa has closed for the month while it undergoes a major makeover.

When it reopens next month, the Broome resort will have a new-look reception area and new Club Lounge Bar, and a new decked terrace overlooking the adults-only ocean pool.

It is offering a March re-opening special that includes accommodation in a pool-view studio for $189 a room a night, including buffet breakfast daily, welcome drinks and return airport transfers.

Safari, so good

ONE of the men behind the hit YouTube video Christian the Lion is leading a safari in Africa this September.

John Rendall will host the Classic Safari Company's Go Wild With Gorillas itinerary to Tanzania and Rwanda.

Highlights of the 12-night trip, which starts at $US11,490 a person, twin share, include the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra in the Serengeti and trekking to see wild mountain gorillas.

Australian Rendall and Anthony "Ace" Bourke found a three-month-old lion cub in the exotic pet section of Harrods in London in 1969 and returned it to Africa.

Footage of their touching 1972 reunion with the lion became an internet sensation.

Ph 1300 130 218 or see classicsafaricompany.com.au

Vanuatu just got a little closer

AIR Vanuatu will begin flying daily from Sydney to Port Vila in time for the school holidays in June.

The move reflects increased interest from Australians looking for everything from a poolside holiday to soft adventure and cultural experiences.

The airline's Australian manager, Malcolm Pryor, said Vanuatu's largest island, Espiritu Santo, was a fascinating unspoilt spot, close to Australia.

Ph 1800 199 099 or see cablebeachclub.com

Paperless airport

CATHAY Pacific has launched mobile boarding passes for passengers departing from Hong Kong Airport.

Travellers who check in using the airline's online check-in facility can choose to receive a boarding pass directly on their mobile via email or SMS text message.

The image will include a lounge invitation, if it is applicable to the traveller, and details of how to proceed at the airport. Passengers simply scan their mobile boarding passes at the boarding gate and show it to the flight attendants.

By Angela Saurine escape

Is Hawaii on your travel list for 2012? If yes, what parts and if no, do you have plans for jet setting elsewhere?

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