Five-fingered discounts

The Luxique travel blog has recently noted that that the Australian Hotel Association (AHA) is loosing millions of dollars every year due to theft in what is apparently known in the business as “five-fingered discounts.” And its not just little items likes pens or wash cloths. In fact, items that have disappeared from Aussie hotel rooms include everything from toilet flushing mechanisms to a TV set with base and a giant metal statue of a kangaroo. Moreover, men and women are equally guilty as women are more likely to take designer toiletries and towels while men are tempted by bottle openers, shoe shine kits, glasses and mini bar items.

Meanwhile, the same blog has also noted that the former US Ambassador in London, Raymond Seitz, likes to pilfer “Do Not Disturb” signs and has now amassed a collection of 500 according to Condé Nast Traveller magazine. Apparently though, he is now alone as there is even a website dedicated to “Do Not Disturb” sign collectors that was set up by someone who has collected 6,000 of them!

 

Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 161) for Australia

If you are a senior executive employee of a major overseas businesses with significant net assets and a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business in Australia, then you may want to consider the Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 161). This visa is also the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa (after two years).

In short, the visa is intended for senior executives from overseas who have gained the skills to successfully manage a business in Australia. With this visa, applicants can:

• Establish a new or an existing business in Australia.
• Travel in and out of Australia any number of times for as long as the visa remains valid.
• Bring their family, including their partner and any dependants, with them to Australia. They will have work and study rights.

In that business, applicants must also do at least one of the following:

• Develop business links with international markets.
• Create or maintain employment in Australia.
• Export Australian goods.
• Produce goods or services that would otherwise be imported.
• Introduce new or improved technology.
• Add to commercial activity and competitiveness within sectors of the Australian economy.

Applicants may also need to complete a monitoring survey to keep the Department of Immigration and Citizenship informed about their business activities in Australia. In addition, applicants will need to be under 45 years of age and must pay a non-refundable visa charge when a visa application is lodged. The first installment due is A$3,360 and a second installment of A$3,510 is due for dependents 18 or over with less than functional English.

Tipping in Australia and New Zealand

If you are traveling to Australia or New Zealand soon, you may be wondering how much of a tip to leave and how tipping in either country compares with other countries you have visited. Hence, the Conde Nash Traveller Tipping Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for tipping in more than 35 countries around the world.

According to the guide, travelers visiting both countries should leave 10-15% to waiters or waitresses in restaurants while at hotels, $1 in local currency per bag for the bellhop, $10 to $20 to the concierge for a favor and $1 to $2 to the housekeeper would be considered appropriate. For cab drivers, a 10% tip is appropriate while a tip of $50 per person per day for a private guide, $5–$10 for a bus-tour guide and $20 per day for a private driver are considered appropriate. In addition, a 10-15% tip would be appropriate for any beauty or spa treatments.

The guide also notes that tipping in both countries was unheard of twenty years ago and would have gotten someone fired had they accepted a tip but it is now more commonplace to give tips due to the American influence. However, you should also be discreet about giving tips and be prepared to have your tip refused as some locals, especially New Zealanders, are particularly reserved.

Obtaining a Short Validity Business ETA (visa) for Australia

Business travelers planning to visit Australia for a short business trip will need a visa and may want to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). An ETA will allow business travelers to stay up to three months in Australia provided that the applicant has an ETA Visa-eligible passport. Applicants will need to be overseas at the time they apply and passport-holders from certain countries (Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the USA) can apply online through the Australian Electronic Travel Authority System.

Normally, business travelers should obtain a Short Validity Business ETA which will allow multiple visits as many times as necessary for up to 3 months per visit and is valid for a 12 month period. However, employment is strictly prohibited. Applications by eligible applicants may be made online via the Australian Electronic Travel Authority System and these applications will cost A$20.

For further information about ETA visas or Australian visas in general, the Department of Immigration & Citizenship contains comprehensive information and all necessary forms and applications. In addition, eVisas to Australia Pty Ltd. has posted a helpful video with additional tips on Youtube.com while their service accepts ETA applications from applicants who hold passports from a longer list of countries than the service offered by the Australian Electronic Travel Authority System.

Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct: Live & play

Located on the western edge of Sydney’s CBD and once part of city’s bustling commercial port and rail yards, Darling Harbour and its immediate vicinity were redeveloped into a recreational and residential district and even served as a venue for the 2000 Summer Olympics. In fact, the area in around Darling Harbour includes a number of notable attractions including the Sydney Entertainment Centre (a major concert venue), the Star City Hotel and Casino (the second largest casino in Australia) and the LG IMAX theater (the home of the world’s largest screen). Moreover, Darling Harbour contains numerous shopping, restaurant and pub venues that will keep visitors and nearby office workers and residents alike both well fed and entertained. Furthermore, the area is easily accessible from the CBD by the Sydney Monorail and a ferry wharf provides access via the Inner Harbour ferry services to the Circular Quay and the city suburbs.

For short or long-term business travelers and expatriates, there are currently 50 sqm and 65 sqm one bedroom apartments available for rent. Furthermore, there are a number of serviced and virtual office options available just a short walk or monorail ride away in the CBD.

So for business travelers and expatriates looking for an area to live and/or play that is also convenient to where they work, look no further than what Darling Harbour.

Melbourne’s Southbank neighborhood: Sparkling and convenient

Located just one kilometer south of Melbourne’s CBD and the Yarra River, Southbank was once a gritty industrial area that has been transformed into a sparkling and thoroughly modern high-rise residential and office district. In fact, the area is fast becoming an increasingly popular alternative office district with well known corporate names such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fujitsu, and Foster's Group having relocated to the area. In addition, the area now boosts an arts precinct, the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre which is located in the newer South Wharf area on the western edge of the district. Furthermore, the area is easily accessible via Melbourne’s famous tram network.

For short or long-term business travelers and expatriates looking for accommodations, the Southbank vicinity offers a number of options that include studio apartments, 1-bedroom apartments and 2-bedroom apartments. In addition, for business travelers and expatriates coming to Melbourne to set up an office, Regus located on the 28th floor at the 303 Collins St. complex offers fully furnished and equipped offices with spectacular views of the city and convenient access to all of the banks, restaurants, and shopping centres that are located in the area.

So if you are looking for a centrally located and thoroughly modern Melbourne neighborhood to work, play or call home, then look no further than Southbank.

Irish Stew and Guinness at the Melbourne Airport

For business travelers and expatriates passing through Australia’s major airports, dining options tend to be fairly limited to fast food and relatively light fare. However, if you are passing through the Melbourne Airport and need a suitable venue for an informal business meal or drinks, look no further than the P.J. O'Brien's. As an Irish pub with other locations in Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns and Adelaide, P.J. O’Brien’s menu offers a traditional hearty Irish meal such as Irish Stew served with a pint of Guinness. In addition, an oyster bar, char grill and a selection of less filling meals are available plus a wide selection of beers on tap, liquors, spirits and wine.

P.J. O’Brien’s is located in the Virgin terminal next to the Hightide Café and near the Virgin Blue check-in desks on Level 1 of Terminal 3. It is open everyday from 8am for breakfast, lunch and dinner and bookings are recommended.

So should you find yourself in the Melbourne Airport craving more than just fast food or light fare, look no further than P.J. O’Brien’s.