business travel for australia

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Information about Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC)

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) provides business people faster and easier entry to economies of the Asia-Pacific region. The ABTC:

• identifies your passport details
• lists the economies you can enter and stay in ( for a period of up to 60 or 90 days, depending on the economy ) without separately applying for a visa
• provides access to fast-track entry and exit lanes at  major international airports of participating economies
• is valid for five years from the date of issue.

Australian citizens

Information for Australian citizens who have applied for, or are considering applying for an ABTC.

See details for Australian citizens

Foreign applicants

Information for foreign applicants who wish to travel to Australia using their ABTC.

See details for Foreign applicants

Apply online

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Business Customs

AnchorAnchorAnchorConducting business in Australia is relatively easy for American companies due to the similarities in language, cultural environment, business practices, and customer expectations. Australians pay attention to advance planning, promptness, follow-up, and are generally direct in their business dealings. They typically conduct business on a first-name basis and exchange business cards for information purposes, but without any special ceremony. Token gift exhange is not common; however, luncheon and breakfest meetings are common. Australians do not typically schedule business functions on weekends. Business attire is the norm for the cities, and rural areas are slightly more informal.

Travel Advisory

Please check the Australian Embassy in the U.S. for the latest information on entering Australia.  For further State Department Travel Advisory information on Australia, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s travel website . 

Website for the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia is: U.S. Embassy in Australia

Visa Requirements

AnchorAnchorAmericans traveling to Australia for business and/or leisure must hold a valid U.S. passport and either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Information is available at 

https://usa.embassy.gov.au/travel-australia or immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-australia/can-i-go-to-australia . For the location of the nearest Australian diplomatic facility, please refer to https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-locations/missions/our-embassies-and-consulates-overseas .

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service has extended the use of SmartGate to U.S. citizens on arrival in Australia. SmartGate is a simple way for eligible travelers arriving into Australia’s international airports to self-process through passport control. Further information is available on U.S. Customs Trusted Traveller Program website.

U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign business persons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. For information, visa applicants should go to the following link(s):  State Department Visa Website

Australia’s local currency is the Australian Dollar.  Credit cards are accepted throughout the country and ATM’s are readily available.  Additional currency information is availabe on the australia.com website.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Australia’s telecommunications infrastructure is well developed.  Cell phone network coverage is available across Australia, however coverage may be limited in some remote areas.  Australian telecommunications providers include: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. All the cell phone carriers run 4G networks. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have started to activitate 5G networks in limited areas around the country and will continue widespread expansion.  You will need to make prior arrangements with your communications carrier or service provider to ensure you are able to use your cellular phone in Australia. Power voltage is 240 volts/50Hz.

Australia and New Zealand use power terminals that differ from those used in the United States. Adaptors can be purchased at airports or specific electronic stores.

Internet access is widely available at hotels, internet cafés and libraries. There are many Wi-Fi hotspots in the central business districts (CBDs) of the biggest cities.

Transportation

It is a 14-hour non-stop flight from the West Coast of the United States (San Francisco or Los Angeles) to the East Coast of Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane).

Several international airlines service the trans-pacific route including Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Jetstar, Qantas Airways, and United Airlines with flights departing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York  and Honolulu to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.  Please refer to airlines’ websites for updated flight options, availability and information.

Most flights depart from the United States late in the evening and arrive in Australia early morning, with a day lost at the International Date Line. Travel to or from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and South Africa from Australia is also convenient.

Australians drive on the left side of the road. Major U.S. and Australian car rental agencies operate throughout the country. Reservations are available through airports, hotels, travel agents, or directly, using a credit card and a U.S. or international driver’s license.

Public transportation is well-developed throughout urban areas. Convenient bus, rail, and air services are available between cities and country towns.

Air Travel Times Within Australia

Sydney to Melbourne - 1 hour

Sydney to Brisbane - 1 hour

Sydney to Perth - 4 hours

Sydney to Canberra - 35 minutes

Sydney to Adelaide – 2 hours

Melbourne to Brisbane - 2 hours

Melbourne to Perth - 4 hours

Brisbane to Perth - 6 hours

Australia is an English-speaking country.

AnchorAnchorAnchorAnchorAnchorAustralia has no notable health risks and public tap water is safe to drink. There are active campaigns to encourage the population to protect themselves from exposure to Australia’s strong sun and to use sunscreen.  Medical and dental services, and all types of health facilities, are comparable with those in the United States. Visitors can easily receive medical attention, but may be required to pay for services immediately, either by cash or credit card.

Local Time, Business Hours & Holidays

Australia has three time zones: Eastern, Central, and Western. Not all Australian states observe daylight savings time and the dates for the switch to and from daylight savings time varies.

Office business hours are generally between 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Most shops in major city centers are open on Saturday and Sunday and at least one night a week for evening trading. Banks are open to the public from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, with 24/7 ATM service. Restaurants and convenience stores are typically open for extended hours.

Australians generally take annual vacation in December and January, combining Christmas/New Year with the school summer vacation period. Consequently, business slows down and it may be difficult to schedule business appointments during this time. Business travelers should ascertain whether their contacts are available during this period before scheduling trips to Australia.

A list of Public Holidays in Australia can be found on the Australian Government website.

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Certain goods may be brought into Australia on a temporary basis for a period of up to 12 months without the payment of duty or taxes. These goods are referred to as temporary imports.  Approval for temporary imports is granted under Section 162 or Section 162A of the Customs Act 1901.

Goods that qualify as temporary imports may also be imported under carnet, where a security is lodged with a carnet issuing body overseas, or under security, where a security is lodged with the Australian Customs Service (Customs) at the time of import. The nature of the goods, what they will be used for while they are in Australia, and who is importing the goods will determine whether or not the goods will qualify.

There are conditions placed on temporary imports.  The most important condition is that you export the goods within the time limits approved.  If the goods are not exported within the time limit you will have to pay to customs an amount equal to the duty and taxes that would have been payable if when you first imported the goods, the goods had not been treated as temporary imports.

For further information, please visit https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/temporary-imports

Business travel in Australia: things you should know

Australia is home to some very popular business cities, such as Melbourne , Sydney , Brisbane , Adelaide , and Perth , among others. It is, therefore, no surprise that the country is a highly-rated destination for corporate travel. After a brief hiatus following COVID-19 restrictions, airlines in Australia have experienced a 90% rise in corporate passenger trips in 2022. 

Part of this is because the Australian government itself dedicates a lot to supporting foreign business persons and even encouraging them to start and expand their business there. This includes grants, skilled staff recruitment support, tax incentives, as well as project facilitation for major projects. 

Beyond the business opportunities, Australia is a well-loved country with an accommodating culture. In many ways, it is similar to popular western culture and so many people will likely not experience any shocks contacting Australian traditions and practices. However, it is important to get familiar with what to expect as a non-resident corporate traveller going to Australia for business. You’d find that it doesn’t take much to achieve with these business travel tips. 

In this article, we'll take a look at:

Taxes and payment

According to the Australian Taxation Office , foreign temporary residents in Australia are required to declare taxes on income derived in Australia. However, they are exempted from paying income tax on overseas income except for earnings from overseas employment while temporarily residing in Australia.

Regardless, if you already pay tax in a foreign country, you may be entitled to a foreign income tax offset when filing for your returns in Australia as a temporary resident. Note that temporary residents are exempted from the Medicare levy and as such must arrange their own private health cover if required. 

When you need to conduct financial transactions, all the major credit cards are accepted for payments in Australia, including American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. Discover cards are not accepted in Australia. These cards are issued in Australian dollars by such banks as the Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ, one of the country’s biggest banks), Citi, Bank Australia, Suncorp, and so on. There are also credit unions and other smaller banks providing credit card services. 

Tipping is not a frequent practice in Australia, but there is a 10% tax for spending transactions, but you can get a refund if you spend more than $300 in a single location. You must apply for this refund within 30 days of leaving the country. 

Business Etiquette 

Beyond making early corporate travel bookings, businesspersons need to acknowledge that integral to any people’s culture is how they do business, particularly with foreigners. Australians love to be factual and straightforward. They are also typically reserved and may not betray their true reactions to your position until it is time to decide.

Therefore, when conducting business with them, you must be careful not to overplay your hand. That’s why you must exercise patience too since Australians love to take their time, especially when it comes to major business decisions. 

During your travel experience, there is no reason to be uptight and overly formal around Australians. A handshake and a smile are appropriate in most settings, including business and casual contexts. Greetings are mostly informal, even in formal settings. A simple “Hi/Hey” or “How’re you doing?” is enough when you’re in Australia. More so, when talking business, it is polite and appropriate to lead with small talk about the weather, or sports. 

Australian business culture typically does not include offering gifts, as that can easily pass for a bribe. However, if you come from a culture where it is usual to offer gifts in the business setting, it is okay to bring a small one (so small that it can’t be mistaken for a bribe; an executive pen, for instance). 

Overall, visitors to Australia will quickly find out that business in the country is not unlike what occurs in Europe and North America. So, if you are already familiar with western business etiquette, you are good to go. The business dress is conservative, and organisations respect the traditional 9-5 structure. If you need to visit for business, try to do so between March and November since December to February is usually considered tourist season. 

Sun protection

If you are coming from Europe or anywhere else in the northern hemisphere, you will quickly find that the seasons in Australia do not occur at the same time as you are familiar with. For instance, summer occurs between December and February, while autumn begins from then and ends in May. June to August is the winter season and spring starts from September to November. However, note that the extreme north of Australia is a tropical region and seasons change from wet to dry. Include these considerations in your trip management processes.

However, despite these variations in differences, you must keep in mind that the Australian sun is harsh. The country is known for being the region with the hottest summer climate and the hottest sunshine duration. For those coming from temperate regions, it might be difficult to acclimatise to this weather. To cope though, you must come with loose-fit clothes, especially with fabric made of cotton, linen, or silk, as these are known to absorb sweat.

Also, don’t forget to protect your skin with SPF sunscreen and a moisturiser to keep your skin from dryness. Particularly, hydrate a lot by taking a lot of water when you are in Australia. Corporate travel managers should make provisions for these needs when planning employees’ trips. 

Know some Aussie slang

English is the primary language in Australia, but you will quickly find out that there is a standard Australian dialect, with its slang and unusual terms. However, don’t feel compelled to join in the slang usage, lest you use them inappropriately and fail to amuse your partners and hosts. If possible, stick to the global English standard expressions or that of your home country. 

Regardless, beyond regular travel needs, it is good to familiarise yourself with the following terms and slang, just in case someone uses it with you.

• Arvo – Afternoon
• Barbie – Barbecue
• Bogan – an uncultured or unsophisticated person 
• Bonzer – great, awesome, first-rate
• Bottle-O – Bottle Shop, an alcohol shop
• Brekky – Breakfast
• Brolly – Umbrella
• Cabbie – taxi driver
• Cakehole – mouth
• Chook – Chicken
• Chrissie – Christmas
• Ciggy – a Cigarette
• Cobber – A very good friend
• Crikey – an expression of surprise
• Crook – Being ill or angry
• Dag – a funny and likeable person
• Daks – Trousers
• Deadset – True
• Devo – Devastated
• Exy – expensive
• Facey – Facebook
• Good On Ya – Good job
• G’day – Hello
• Maccas – McDonald’s
• No Drama – No problem
• Servo – gas/fuel station
• Sky gator – aeroplane
• Sunnies – sunglasses
• Ta – thank you
• Yakka – hard work

These are a few of the terms you may encounter. Full lists of Aussie slang can be found online. 

Getting Familiar

Australians are very accommodating people, and business conversations can hold anywhere, even in non-official settings such as pubs, parks, beaches, people’s homes, or even over barbies (barbecue). So don’t get too surprised if a business partner invites you to their home to close an important deal. It is all part of cultivating friendliness and familiarity. However, you may not take that familiarity for granted, and lose yourself in the thrill of being cordial. 

For one, you have to pick topics you discuss carefully, although the off-limits list is not too long. For instance, Australians make jokes about their country a lot, but that does not mean you, a foreigner, are allowed to join them. Rein in whatever sentiments you may hold so that your hosts do not take offence. Instead, try to show genuine curiosity in discovering Australian culture. If you are a sports buff, some of the sports popular with Australians include rugby, Australian football (also called Aussie rules ), cricket, golf, soccer, and tennis. Try to avoid controversial topics such as politics (both local and international), religion, and sex. 

Other Tips:

• Australia has multiple time zones between UTC +8 and UTC +13. Also, some cities such as Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne use daylight savings time while others like Brisbane and Perth don’t. 
• Australian electricity uses 220-240V and 50Hz. Ensure you carry along compatible devices.
• The country dialling code is +61
• The Australian government is democratic, using the federal parliamentary system like the United Kingdom, with King Charles III as the head of state
• Popular holidays observed include New Year’s Day and Christian holidays. The national day is January 26. Some states have specific holidays. Confirm the list for your specific travel destination.
• The most popular tourist attractions include the Sydney Opera House, Kakadu National Park, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo, Royal Botanic Garden, Melbourne Skydeck, Australian War Memorial, etc.

Expanding your business to Australia soon?

Business travelling anywhere, and not just in Australia, can be intensive. Therefore, you need proper business trip management. Using TruTrip, you can book trips, manage transactions, and enforce company travel policies. Book a demo or sign up for free trial to experience how TruTrip can help you

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10 best business travel management companies in Australia

The benefits of using a travel management company.

• Easily book and manage trips: all from one solution. Your TMC will enable you to book and get oversight of every business trip without shifting through virtual piles of excel sheets.
• Keep travel costs low: Your TMC has most likely spent years fostering B2B relationships and securing you the best deals on flights, accommodation, cars, and more.
• Ensure employees stay within budget: It can be tough to ensure everyone books within your travel policies. Smart solutions can help you automate this process.
• Easily submit travel expenses: Submitting or collecting expenses is often a cumbersome task that your travel management solution will help you streamline for every stakeholder.

Features to look for when choosing a travel management company

A significant travel inventory, a centralised system, flexible booking options, helps implement your own business travel policy, personalised service and excellent customer support, reporting with real-time data, 10 best corporate travel agencies for businesses based in australia, 1. travelperk.

• Flexible bookings with FlexiPerk : Cancel your trip up to two hours before departure and receive 80% of your money back—no questions asked, no “please hold” music needed.
• Carbon offsetting with GreenPerk :   Offset 100% of your business travel’s carbon emissions by opting in for TravelPerk’s conscious travel solution.
• Largest travel inventory worldwide: TravelPerk has the largest travel inventory worldwide for your travel program. Whether you’re looking for flights, accommodation, rail, car rentals, or serviced apartments, TravelPerk will bring you the best fit for your travel needs.
• 24/7 Support : Around-the-clock travel experts, with 7-star service and a target 15-second response time, means that your travellers are looked after, no matter where they are or what time they need help.
• Travel Policy integration : say goodbye to bottle-neck approval processes and automate your employees’ bookings with an integrated policy.
• Event management : if you’re in need of cost-effective events, be them little or large, TravelPerk helps manage attendees, group bookings, scheduling, picking locations, and more.
• Integration with 3rd-party software : TravelPerk already integrates with the tools you use: Slack, Expensify, Gympass, Deskpass, FREENOW, and so many more.

See how TravelPerk makes business travel stress free

• Online booking tool to assist with travel arrangements: It has a handy fare forecaster that can help provide travellers with flight travel news on possible price hikes or drops.
• Generate reports to monitor business spending: To keep track of your employee expenses, you can generate reports easily.

Reasons why CTM customers have moved to TravelPerk in the past year:

• Leading support in target 15-second response time
• An industry-leading travel inventory 
• An intuitive, accessible app to access trip itineraries, and more

Click below for a more detailed comparison between both platforms:

3. complete business travel.

• 24/7 Support: Always a great feature to have is the support of a travel agent at any time, day or night.
• Flexible and transparent pricing: Full visibility is provided to clients when it comes to travel spending and getting the best travel information on pricing.
• Local expertise for travel with partnerships: CBT is partnered with a number of Australian organisations to help offer a wide range of travel providers.

Reasons why Complete Business Travel customers have moved to TravelPerk in the past year:

• While CBT has a good travel inventory, it doesn’t match the variety that TravelPerk offers. 
• With TravelPerk you also benefit from a much more user-friendly and intuitive mobile app, which is where CBT seems to be lacking.

4. Orbit World Travel

• Responsive, tech-rich travel platform: Orbit World Travel offers a  platform that’s tech-rich and trustworthy.
• Offers a variety of travel types: From corporate, event travel, educational and holiday travel, it provides all types of travel for businesses.
• Expense and report services: Get all you need when it comes to employee expensing and creating reports for data analysis and travel strategy optimization.

Reasons why Orbit World Travel customers have moved to TravelPerk in the past year:

• TravelPerk certainly has much more third-party integrations creating happier customers able to work with TravelPerk from day one. 
• OWT is also specifically tailored to corporate travel, so may be out of reach for SMBs.

5. Corporate Traveller

• Online booking tool: Great for staff bookers to self-book any and all corporate travel
• Concierge services: Helps business travellers make the most out of their itineraries—wherever they’re going

Reasons why Corporate Traveller customers have moved to TravelPerk in the past year:

• Extensive end-to-end global inventory 
• Corporate rates and partnerships for every travel budget 
• Easy-to-use platform and mobile app 
• 24/7 customer support in target 15-second response time

Click below to compare both platforms’ features and benefits

6. spencer travel.

• 24/7 Support: Around-the-clock support is provided to all staff bookers looking to hand over the care of their employees whilst not in the office.
• Exclusive airfares and accommodations: With their connections in the travel industry, you get access to exclusively negotiated airfares, accommodations, and car rentals.
• A range of online solutions available: From Serko/Zeno’s online booking tool and BI reporting, they’re working with third parties to try and bring a good solution to their customers where they’re not able to with internal resources.

7. FCM Travel

• Checking airfares
• Booking flights, hotels, transfers, and car hire
• Travel approval system customised to suit company travel policies
• Duty of care
• Payments and expense management
• Reporting and analytics

Reasons why FCM Travel customers have moved to TravelPerk in the past year:

• An intuitive platform with dozens of third-party integration options
• Flexible corporate travel cancellations with FlexiPerk
• 24/7 customer service, delivered within a target 15-second response time 
• Guest account option for members booking outside your organisation

• Expense management
• Policy compliance
• Travel itinerary management
• Risk management
• Profile management

Reasons why Egencia customers have moved to TravelPerk in the past year:

• Freemium model, simple pricing, and no minimum contract
• No extra cost for customer care or implementation
• No extra monthly fees or hidden charges
• FlexiPerk : book any type of travel—flight, hotel, car, or train—and cancel at any time while still getting an 80% refund

9. Pulse Travel

• Emergency assistance, 24/7 customer support 
• Real-time reports to keep track of  employees’ travel and spend patterns 
• Individual policies tailored to specific company needs 
• Dedicated account managers to your business

Reasons why Pulse Travel customers have moved to TravelPerk in the past year:

• Larger inventory worldwide 
• More user-friendly online travel booking platform 
• 24/7 high-quality customer support

10. Eden Corporate Travel

• An extensive list of partners including airlines and hotels through membership to the Helloworld Business Travel group 
• Travel insurance services 
• Visa application support 
• Dedicated service with 24/7 customer support

Reasons why Eden Travel customers have moved to TravelPerk in the past year:

• TravelPerk offers a consumer-grade platform where travellers can book their own trips
• Integration with travel policy to budget compliance 
• Centralised invoicing 
• Integration with other popular software, such as expense and HR management tools

It’s time to make booking corporate travel simple

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

• See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
• Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
• Never miss another update. Stay in touch with us on social for the latest product releases, upcoming events, and articles fresh off the press.

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Find Business Class Flights to Australia

Latest business class flight deals to australia.

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to Know - Business Class Flights to Australia

Faqs for australia business class flights, what is the most popular airline offering business class flights to australia.

Among KAYAK users, American Airlines is the most popular airline offering Business Class seats on flights to Australia.

Which airlines offer Business Class tickets on flights to Australia?

Traveling to Australia and want to offer yourself a Business Class experience? Depending on the origin, the following airlines offer seats in Business Class: American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Air Canada.

How does KAYAK find such good deals on Business Class tickets to Australia?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Australia for economy class as well as Business Class travelers.

How much is a business class flight to Australia?

Business class tickets to Australia differ in price depending on the departure airport. On average, business class fares cost $7,574 for a return trip to Australia, while the cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $2,315.

What is the best airline for business class flights to Australia?

The highest-rated airline by KAYAK users offering business class flights to Australia is Air New Zealand, with an overall rating of 8.2.

Top tips for finding business class flights to Australia

• To get a below average price, try to book at least 1 week in advance of your departure date.
• The most expensive day to fly Business Class to Australia is Monday, while the cheapest is Tuesday.

Top 5 airlines flying to Australia

Really good experience. Was reasonably priced, Boarding was easy, on time, and service was great. No complaints at all :)

I always love flying with Air Tahiti Nui: the flower when you board, the colors of the pillows/blankets, the fun safety video, etc. It brings the charm of Tahiti to the plane, which is very relaxing. Food was great. Only weakness is the entertainment system, which did not have a lot of interesting content, so I ended up watching Netflix shows I had downloaded to my phone. The other issue was not related to Air Tahiti but the Seattle airport, which made us wait for 1 hour at security. Ruined the whole flying experience and almost made me loose my next flight.

The service was really nice. The wine was great and the food was good. More water offered during the flight would have been nice.

Booked family of 4. None of us were seated together. Desk agent would not make any seat adjustments. Gate agent would not make any seat adjustments. Had to negotiate once on board with other passengers to trade seats. Don’t understand why you would separate seating of family all booked on same reservation. Was not able to select seats on Kayak nor Air Tahiti prior to airport.

Seats were roomy. Staff was great offering free drinks and refills constantly. Everything was very clean.

The sound system was so bad I could not watch movies.

Reclining seats with leg rest! Amazing flight crew! Loved the food! Everything was perfect!

The crew was very friendly and welcoming. Boarding was calm and organized. Take off and Landing was perfect and in time.

my luggage was damage. even if i put fragile in my bags. i was disappointed.

Very friendly and professional crew from check in to be working to flight crew to disembarkation.

excellent, food was great, the crew were excellent and very accommodating. thank you very much

Older 777 - showing lots of wear - Premium econo seats that are difficult to recline and worn springs to they don't return to takeoff position without standing and pulling them forward

Excellent. All the ticket prices have gone up so much. With only economy as the option, I thought I better pay for a good airline and I am glad I took ANA. The only thing is the long layover at Hanaeda enroute to Singapore. Any chance to bring back the service to land at Narita instead for the transit and a shorter layover will be fantastic. I am a fan of ANA.

Incredible. Amazing legroom. Over head fans for each person. Tv screens were great. Headphones were adequate. Seats were comfortable and spacious. Loved it.

I booked a ANA flight, this was just a regular United flight — as always very bad, dirty, rude service, quite frankly really embarrassing to be flying with this after spending time in Japan.

I flew economy class so of course it’s not as roomy as business and first class. But overall it was ok and the seat had an interesting way to recline — the seat itself extended forward instead of the backrest. This way the person sitting behind me would not lose space by my reclining—excellent concept. I wish all airlines used these seats.

The space for the seats i like it. Its not too close like other air line. The food is ok and also the staff. I'm waiting for my flight rewards point because until now i didn't recieved it.

Flying with ANA is always a breeze. Seats are very comfortable.

For the price of a seat that is obviously crammed together so as to get many more people onboard and combined with the long flight duration, Free WiFi should be an automatic “Thank You for Flying with Us!” To charge an additional fee when so many other businesses offers it is a bit “cheap” on the airline’s part.

Flight was on time and the crew was as expected, friendly and respectful. Food could’ve been better though.

One of the flight was delayed. The flight attendant of returning flight to LA was mean.

Flight attendants rude, they disappear for almost 3 hours not doing rounds to see what people needed. The laboratories were full of empty water cups, because they never come back to collect them.

The flight attendant, where kind of rude, there where hiding for almost 3 hours, without doing rounds to see if people needed water or pickup the water cups, the toilets were full of water cups, because they never come back to pick them up.

Flew on an Airbus 350-900. Excellent aircraft properly cleaned and serviced. Flight crew was excellent plane departed and arrived on time. The A350 has excellent air circulation far better than the 777. I would recommend Asiana to anyone looking to fly in a clean comfortable environment. This is my second round trip flight from New York to Bangkok via Asiana and I will book Asiana again!

Amazing service and fabulous syaff. Loved the jumbo jet too, comfortable.

I could not choose my seat prior to check in

JetBlue's check-in was great, but there was an in-flight attendant who was very rude and unkind. I didn't realize that the bathrooms were already locked 30 mins prior to landing and needed to use the restroom. Instead of politely asking me to return, she rudely told me, 'NO, bathrooms are locked! Go back to your seat!' The JetBlue flight was more than an hour delay, which made me almost miss my connecting flight with Asiana. I understand the reasoning, but the action they took to get a hold of maintenance was time consuming. It took them more than 30 mins to get a hold of maintenance and for maintenance to get started. The Asiana flight and crew were wonderful, in general. They waited for us who were delayed from the previous flight before they took off and were very kind to take my checked baggage's info. Seats were a little uncomfortable for such long flight, but service and flight attendants were great! However, my 3 checked baggages are missing! They're lost somewhere in the transition. I'm writing this review 3 days after my arrival to the Philippines, and my 3 checked baggages, where my wedding dress is, are all still missing! I and the CEB airport crew have sent multiple emails to both JetBlue and Asiana, and neither has responded to any of our emails. Although, I was able to get in contact with JetBlue's Interline Department who confirmed that the bags were turned over to Asiana without confirmation details.

The full flat bed was not that comfortable, hard and lumpy., too much space wasted with those bulky walls and divisions instead of making the bed 3-4 inches wider. The compartment where you put your feet is like a shoebox, poor design. Toilets of A350 are just too small, sink is too small

Airfare was ok . Food not good , seat ok but not comfortable. Lay over too long , crew was ok Overall just ok

Aside from a LOT of turbulence the flight was perfect! The flight crew was superb and the food was delicious!

All of the JAL flights in this itinerary were great. However the last leg of my flight from LAX to SFO was through Japan Air’s partner, AA which wqsn’t up to par. We were informed only minutes before boarding time of a delay despite the airlines knowing about the delay far earlier (the aircraft we would be taking arriving arrived and disembarked close to our boarding time, for all to see but AA still kept the original boarding time posted until last minute). Furthermore, once we boarded the taxi/wait time was also extended, with the pilot blaming “construction at SFO” for the delay, rather than taking accountability for the the plane’s late arrival coming into LAX. We took off approximately an hour later than scheduled. It’s for these reasons I adamantly avoid American Airlines when possible. Again, JAL was stellar.

This airlines is always my favorite. Very consistent customer service and food is good. My last flight with them, I had no idea we landed because it was just that smooth of a land.

The food was not that good. I liked the miso, green tea, and ice cream. I wasn’t able to put my carry on bag under the seat in front of me. The flight was smooth. Please expand your choices of movies especially the new ones. I can’t choose any of those films. They’re old.

I like the braised beef., miso soup,, and green tea. Very little choices of hollywood movies. The PA announcement in English was not very clear and very soft. I could hardly hear.

More updated movies & Chinese movies. The food sometimes overcooked. Prefer to have more neat snacks in between than just choose from the menu. Please change the menu every now and then. This is my second time flying within one year and the menu didn’t change at all!

Food is lagging. Very poor choice. Like vending machine fast food.

Please change the menu more often. The beef is not tender, more choice in ice cream flavor. Dessert is not good too.

Again I paid for an upgrade on my credit card didn’t get it need a refund. . American I not good at gettin in contact for refunds.

I didn’t like the check in process I had to check in at the counter took too much time . Didn’t give the upgrade my seat .

l enjoyed the variety of good and drink choices. The flight attendants were very quick and efficient to our needs.

The Premium economy class is not the same as some other airlines because there are no economy seats on these planes. Basically you’re getting an economy seat that’s a little wider. The seats are not that much more comfortable. The service and food experience is similar to economy class on other Asian airlines. There aren’t enough toilets for the entire plane therefore we are forced to share the business class toilets that are closed off with curtains.

Good flight. The food was served a bit late, hence a hurry to finish before landing. Excellent crew and service

All in all the flight was good. Love the fact that for airline food it was piping hot

I commend the flight attendants on our SFO-SIN flight who went above and beyond to provide us with extra snacks and food. This type of service makes the flight experience personal and awesome.

It was a great flight Food was great Crew was spectacular

In general good, but the machine seems to be long in operation and some functions were restricted as e. g. Adjusting of seats.

The premium economy seats were not that great. It could have been more premium than economy seats.

People were so nice! Economy seats were small and cramped feeling for me. I’m slender and 6 feet tall

The singapore airline now compared before covid, I like the service before covid. SQ was the best of all airlines but now I am going to look for different airline if I am travelling in asia.

Transfer within the same terminal and lots of facilities at the airport.

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Business Visa for Australia for US Citizens

Key aspects.

Cheapest and fastest visa for business purposes.

Visa Duration

12 months total, up to 90 days each business visit .

Approval Time

95% of business visas are granted within 24 hours .

An Australian business visa is needed for anyone going from US to Australia for business . Australian Government offers a variety of business visa types allowing business travelers from the USA to enter Australia, including ETAs, short-term visas, temporary visas and permanent business visas.

If you are looking for an Australian visa for attending a conference, a business trip, visiting potential clients or other typical business visitor activities what you are looking for is an Australian Business ETA .

Your business ETA visa will be valid for 12 months , during which you can travel to Australia freely, staying in Australia for  up to 90 days in each visit.

More information on Australian Business Visas

In most cases, American citizens who are planning a business trip will qualify for a business ETA without any issue: an ETA can easily be obtained in 24-48 hours , and it’s an electronic visa that is electronically attached to your passport and allows you to enter and exit Australia for business purposes for one year.

This kind of e-visa called ETA is essentially an Australian business visa for short stay, and is the same type of visa for both tourist and business visitors. When applying, however, you will need to specify whether you are requesting your ETA as a tourist visa or as business visa.

The concept of Australian business visa includes the following business visitor activities:

• Attend business meetings
• Negotiate contracts
• Attend conferences and seminars

Combining holiday and business

An Australian “business ETA” also allows you to combine holidays and business : one of the main Australian business visa benefits is that you can also vacation in Australia on your business trip – but no paid work is allowed with this visa. Therefore, if the purpose of your trip is actually to work in Australia, you should not apply for an ETA visa : there are other types of business visas that better fit your needs.

Conditions for the application for an Australian Business ETA Visa – 2024

In order to apply online for an Australian Business ETA in 2024:

• You must be outside Australia to apply for a visa.
• You must be free of tuberculosis when you enter Australia.
• You must not have been sentenced to imprisonment (served or not) for a total of more than 12 months.
• You must not study more than three months while in Australia with e Business ETA.
• You may not work (take employment) while in Australia with e Business ETA.

Validity of Australian Electronic Business Visas

The ETA business entry visa for Australia is valid for 12 months. However, although the visa is valid for one year, it is only intended for short temporary business entries and stays in Australia: each time you go to Australia from USA you can stay in Australia only for a maximum of 3 months . Still, you can travel to and from Australia how many times you wish during the period of validity of your business/holiday visa.

How long getting an Australian Business Visa Takes

The vast majority of US citizens applying for a Business ETA for Australia receive answers within a day or two , but sometimes it may be necessary to provide additional information to be able to process your business visa application – and in such cases the application process may take considerably longer. The processing times are in such cases at least two weeks, but sometimes longer – even for this type of short term business visas.

Extending a Business ETA Australian Visa

Technically, it is not possible to extend an Australian Business e-visa. However, it is allowed to apply for a new Australian business e-visa as soon as the old one has expired. Still, you must be outside of Australia while you are applying – so typically US business travelers apply for a new business entry visa from the US.

There may also be the possibility to apply for another type of business-related visa without leaving Australia – such as a work visa, or a business investor visa : in these cases you should contact the migration authorities in Australia well before your visa expires for further information.

If you are not sure whether an Australian Business ETA fits your needs, to ensure you get the right visa you may find it useful to know more details about:

• When is a Visitor or Business Visa for Australia needed, and by who
• Australian Business Visa Duration
• Other Temporary Australian Business Visa Options

Australian Business Visa Application Process and Processing Time

Australian business visa requirements, australian business entry visa cost, other business visa types (non-visitor, non-eta visas), when is a visitor or business visa for australia needed.

If you are planning to enter Australia for business purposes and you are a US citizen – or in general you are not an Australian citizen – then you need a Business Visa in order to legally enter Australia.

If you are planning to participate in typical business visitor activities, such as routine business meetings, conferences or contract negotiations, you will likely be eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority visa (also known as “Subclass 601”) – which is essentially the Australian Business ETA we outlined in the introduction of this page.

This visa is 100% electronic: it is a business e-visa linked electronically to your passport, making it easier for you to enter and exit the country as needed. The online application process is fast and easy, and you can usually have a response on your ETA immediately.

The ETA is available for tourists or business visitors, but it is strictly NOT for work visitors : if you need to engage in paid work, you will need a different type of short term business visa.

Visitor Activities Allowed on an Australian Business ETA

Australian Business ETAs are extremely versatile, allowing you to:

• Attend conferences or seminars
• Engage in business negotiations
• Make business enquiries or explorations

You may also study as long as your studies continue for fewer than three months, and you can engage in as many tourist, sightseeing or visitor activities as desired. The Business ETA does not include professional performances, acting or commercial film-making activities though – as those are considered working activities.

American Citizens Eligible for Australian Business ETAs

Most American citizens are eligible for ETAs. To receive an ETA, you must:

• Be from an ETA-eligible country – such as the U.S.
• Be off-shore (i.e. not physically in Australia) at the time of application
• Be planning to visit Australia for short-term business purposes
• Have no major criminal convictions for which you served more than 12 months in jail
• Be free of tuberculosis at the moment of your travel into and within Australia
• Not engage in paid work while in Australia

Australian ETA Business Visa Benefits: Combining Business with Pleasure

With an Australia electronic business visa (ETA), you are fully able to combine business responsibilities and holiday fun. You can vacation, travel, attend conferences and seminars, sightsee and visit top tourist areas. You do not have to choose between a business visa or tourist visa: this Australia open business visa makes it easy to do everything you need to do for up to 90 days at a time , and it remains valid for up to a year after the date of issue, giving you plenty of options for your business holiday.

It’s easy to apply for your temporary business entry visa online, and most people receive a response within a day. The process can take up to two weeks if more information is needed or if your identity must be validated.

Length of Stay in Australia on an ETA Business Meeting Visa

As of 2024, an ETA business visa is valid for 12 months – hence it is a short stay visa. The visa is a multiple entry visa, which means that you can enter and leave the country as many times as you would like as long as your passport and visa are valid. More specifically, within these 12 months, you can stay in Australia for business purposes up to 90 days at a time.

If your visa activities will continue past the length of your visa’s validity, you cannot extend your ETA. However, you can apply for a new visa off-shore once your old visa has expired . You may also apply for different visa types without leaving the country.

If you need to stay longer, other types of business visas can remain valid for up to 4 years , depending on your visa activities and visa types. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may also apply for a permanent visa, for example in the form of:

• State or Territory Sponsored Investor visa, Subclass 893 – Permanent
• State or Territory Sponsored Business Owner visa, Subclass 892 – Permanent
• Investor visa, Subclass 891 – Permanent
• Business Talent visa, Subclass 132 – Permanent

Other Australia Temporary Business Visa Options

As we said, for most US business visitors, a Business ETA is the most versatile and appropriate visa , allowing them to engage in a variety of business and tourist activities. They can stay up to 90 days at a time and enter and exit as often as desired as long as the visa is valid.

However, if you want to engage in paid work during your time in Australia there are also several alternatives to the business e-visa . As an example, the Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 188) has 7 separate streams (visa types) for which you can apply.

You might be eligible for one of these business work visas if you:

• Are nominated by a state or territory agency
• Have ownership in a business or at least AUD800,000 in personal and business assets
• Are under 55
• Meet the Australian health and character requirements and sign the values statement
• Have not previously had a visa cancelled or an application refused

The application process for an Australian visa is fairly straightforward . If you’re applying online, you can upload the visa information and could have your response within moments. If needed, you can also have someone help complete your Australia visa form or act on your behalf.

Check your passport to ensure that it is current . Australian government and immigration agents do not require it to be valid for 6 months upon entry, but many airlines do so – so we recommend ensuring your passport is valid for more than 6 months upon your arrival in Australia to avoid any issue.

If needed, you can arrange to have your health exams after you apply . Most visa applicants meet the health requirements with no need for further exams. Gather your documents , including your identity documents, your visitor documents, business documents, character documents and financial records. ( IMPORTANT: there is no need to pre-arrange all potentially needed documentation, as our online visa application system allows you to save and edit your application form as many times and for as long as you wish . In case an unexpected document is required you will have the possibility to save the form and complete it at a later moment).

Complete your application form, and attach all required documents . In most cases we recommend applying online, which will speed and simplify the process for you. When applying, be sure to provide current and accurate information. Failing to provide complete, accurate information can lead to processing delays or denials. If you need to apply on paper, you can use Australia Business Visa Form 1415.

Filling in the online business visa application form is easy, as you can apply online simply using the details that are in your passport :

• Enter a valid email address to start the application process
• Fill out the online form with your family name and given names
• Continue with your sex, date of birth and country of birth
• You will be asked if you have any aliases or criminal convictions
• You will then need to provide your passport details
• Upload any requested documents (e.g. identity documents and business documents)
• You’ll then need to electronically sign your consent and declaration forms
• Finally, you will have to pay for your application – via PayPal or by credit card .

Once you have applied, you will receive a notice that the visa office has received your business visa application and supporting documents . Do not make travel plans until you have received confirmation of your business visa’s approval in writing.

In most cases, ETA applicants will receive a response immediately . For some, the process can take a little longer, but the majority of ETAs are approved within a few days .

For non-eta types of business visas, the processing time is longer, and can vary based on a number of factors , including:

• Whether you provided all necessary supporting documents at the time of application
• Your response to requests for additional information
• The amount of time needed to complete necessary information checks or access information pertaining to national security
• Available spots in the migration program

As an example, your Australia business visa timeline will be significantly longer if you are applying for a Business Innovator or Investor Stream (188) , which is a much more intensive process that can take up to a year. For these kind of visas, although you are not necessarily required to have an appointment for a visa interview for your Australia business visa, one may be requested.

In general, if your need is urgent, we recommend considering and Australian Business ETA . You can often have an ETA within minutes of application, and as long as you do not work during your time in the country and abide by the conditions of your short-stay visitor visa you are good to go.

IMPORTANT: If upon submitting your application you have any changes or notice any errors in it after it has been sent, contact us as soon as possible – so that your application can be timely corrected. You will also need to notify us if you want to withdraw your application or make any changes to your relationship status, phone number, address or passport.

Business travelers must meet health requirements , character requirements and have stable finances . Also notice that the questions asked and conditions of the visa application may extend not just to the visa holder but also to family members who are not coming to Australia.

US business travelers must be genuine US visitors intending to stay only temporarily in the country. Depending on the kind of business visa you picked, you must agree to follow the conditions set forth in your visa and adhere to the stay period outlined by the business visa rules , which can vary depending on whether you are a:

• Business ETA Traveler
• Business owner
• State or territory-sponsored business owner
• Senior executive visa holder
• State or territory-sponsored executive visa holder

Generic Visa Requirements for Business ETA (Conference, Business Meetings, Seminars)

In general, the requirements for an Australian business visa ETA are similar to the requirements of any visitor visa:

• You must apply for your visa off-shore
• You must be free of tuberculosis when you enter Australia

Once you enter Australia, the Australia Business Visa Conditions state that US business visitors can :

• Make business enquiries
• Investigate or negotiate contracts
• Conduct activities as part of an official visit
• Participate in seminars, trade fair or conferences

And they cannot :

• Work or take paid employment while in the country
• Study more than three months during their time in Australia.

Documents Required to Apply for an Australian Business Visa (ETA)

In order to safely enlist for your Business ETA, you may need several documents to prove your identity and business status , including:

• A national identity card
• Proof of name change – if applicable – such as a marriage certificate
• An invitation from your host organization – if applicable
• Conference or seminar registration details – if applicable
• A letter from your employer or Australian business contacts – if applicable
• Proof of employment and professional qualifications – if applicable
• Evidence of your company’s status, such as an annual report – if applicable
• Evidence of prior contact with Australian businesses – if applicable

You may also need to provide evidence of your status as a temporary visitor, including:

• Pay slips, tax records, credit limits and bank statements
• Your plans for your stay and return trip
• Proof that you are enrolled in school, college or university in your home country
• Proof that you have family in your home country
• Evidence that you are legally allowed to return to your home country
• Evidence that you own assets or property in your home country

( Australian business visa photo specifications are the same as those for passport photos. If your photo is not current, clear or focused, you may have difficulty at automated borders.)

IMPORTANT: there is no need to pre-arrange all potentially needed documentation, as our online visa application system allows you to save and edit your application form as many times and for as long as you wish . In case an unexpected document is required you will have the possibility to save the form and complete it at a later moment.

Other Australia Business Visa Conditions and Restrictions

There is no age limit for most Australian business visas, including temporary business visas . However, for business visas intended for permanent residency, the age limit can range from 45 to 50.

The Australian business ETA is valid for up to 12 months .

The Business Visa charges can vary depending on what type of visa you need.

The standard Australian ETA Business visa has no fees and a $ 69.00 surcharge.

The Business Visitor Stream, Subclass 600, has an AUD145 cost per applicant.

The Frequent Traveler Stream visa, Subclass 600, has a base AUD1,065 price per applicant.

In the case of ETA, applying and paying for your visa online makes the process fast and easy, and you can often have a response the same day you apply.

US business owners and business travelers in general have several alternative options for business entrepreneur visas in Australia.

If the business e-visa / ETA is not the right choice for you or if you are planning on working during your time in the country, you may be eligible for a Business Skills visa , which is valid for 4 years and offers a pathway to permanent residency.

There are four categories for the business skills program, including:

• The Business Owner visa for those who own or partially own a business
• The Business Visa Investment , for investors or those who wish to invest in Australian businesses
• The Business Talent Visa , for those who are sponsored by an Australian state or territory government and which requires a letter of invitation
• The Business Immigration Visa , which offers permanent residence through business skills and can be used to start a business in Australia

(Note that to be eligible for a business owner visa , you must:

• Be under the age of 55
• Score at least 65 on the points test
• Have had an ownership interest in an established business with at least AUD 500,000 turnover in two of the previous four years
• Own an interest in your nominated business
• Have a successful career
• Be genuinely interested in owning and maintaining a management role in Australia)

Unlike the Business ETA e-visas, obtaining an Australian long-term business visa is not an automated process. If you are interested in a visa as a business analyst, business development expert or other business owner or investor, you will need to discuss your travel and migration options, you will need to complete the application on paper and provide all necessary documents and evidence as well as discuss your needs with a visa officer. You will also typically need to submit a business proposal plan to the State. The long-term business visa migration to Australia terms and conditions sure sound complex, but the good news is they will not necessarily apply to your spouse. If you have a long-term business visa, your spouse can take normal employment as desired.

The cost of a long-term business visa can vary based on whether you are starting a business in Australia, investing or have a provisional or permanent visa. Typically, it ranges from AUD 2,450 to AUD 4,045.

Australian Government official resources:

Entering or leaving Australia

Australia welcomes millions of overseas visitors each year. Anyone who is not an Australian citizen needs a valid visa to enter the country.

International passenger caps have been removed for all international passenger arrivals into Australia.

All travellers should be aware that: People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status Unvaccinated visa holders do not ​ need a travel exemption to travel to Australia Mask wearing on international flights to Australia is no longer mandatory . It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

Australian Citizens

All Australian citizens must enter and exit Australia on an Australian passport. Your Australian passport must be valid (not expired) on the day of your arrival in Australia. It does not need to have six months remaining validity to enter Australia unless you are passing through a third country that requires it. Citizens are not entitled to a visa, even if you are also a citizen of another country. Please see the  Department of Home Affairs website  for more information. 

Immigration and Visas

All foreign travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia.

»    Immigration and visas

If you have a specific question, please contact the Department of Home Affairs .

You will also need to know what you can and cannot bring into Australia, knowing the duty-free concession limits and what to experience when travelling through Australian airports and seaports.

Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

Plan your trip with  australia.com , the official Tourism Australia website, offering a wide range of travel information and planning tools including over 2000 images, a currency converter, daily weather updates, interactive maps, suggested holiday itineraries, holiday deals, specialist travel agents and more. Available in nine languages.

Tourist Refund Scheme

The  Tourist Refund Scheme  enables you to claim a refund, subject to certain conditions, of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you pay on goods you buy in Australia.

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Corporate Travel Management, Business Travel Services & Solutions

Modern corporate travel management for the fast-changing travel landscape

Manage risk. Support traveller well-being. Plan for the future.  How can Egencia™ help you modernise your corporate travel programme?

The only proven global B2B travel tech platform

Egencia is always working to deliver travellers, travel managers, and travel arrangers unrivalled choice, value, and experience, with the powerful backing of Amex GBT.

We’re in a league of our own

Our platform can be optimised for all types of users, in companies big or small.

Tech is in our DNA   We originated in the labs of global tech giants and now we are part of the world's most valuable B2B travel solution.

AI-driven insights   Our AI delivers custom user experiences that add value to your company’s travel programme.

Suite of APIs   Amex GBT Egencia’s open API platform gives you the ability to build robust integrations that help you automate, connect and simplify your travel and expense management.

Unbeatable travel content We lead the industry with over 290 global airlines and 650,000 lodging partners.

Industry-first NDC capabilities Amex GBT Egencia is the first to offer new distribution capabilities to our clients. 

Amex GBT Egencia Preferred Rates  We offer the best value for business travel with access to special discounted air fares.

The unique content from Amex GBT Egencia provides unrivalled choice and value for air, hotel, car and rail.

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Industry leader in service Our platform and services are consistently rated above 95% satisfaction by customers.

Best-in-class traveller support We provide services to more than 2 million travellers in over 60 countries.

Globally proven Amex GBT Egencia proudly supports over 9,000 companies of all sizes around the world.

Constant innovation We consistently deliver enhancements and innovation across our online and offline services.

Smartest shopping experience Our technology provides the smartest, quickest shopping experience to give the best routes and rates based on user preferences.

Proven optimisation Our AI and machine learning deliver the best experience and enhancements for savings, traveller well-being and sustainability.

We lead the industry in innovation, with data insights from 100s of millions of transactions every year.

The world’s business travel platform

• Companies of all sizes in more than 60 countries trust Amex GBT Egencia to modernise their corporate travel programmes.
• We deliver simple, consumer-like business travel that users love and fast, knowledgeable support for unexpected moments.
• With a globally consistent platform and skilled travel programme management, rest assured that your travel programme is optimised to manage risk while maximising ROI.

Ready to update your travel programme?

If now is the time to redesign your corporate travel programme to manage risk, support traveller well-being and monitor your travel spend, this toolkit can help.

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14 million business trips were made with Amex GBT Egencia last year. As your travel management company, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Managing travel risk

Travel risk management has never been more important. Find out how you can manage risk, deliver duty of care and make your business travellers feel secure.

• A comprehensive and quickly adaptable business travel policy is crucial. Use this free guide to help you create a travel policy that adapts to your needs.
• Make traveller well-being a priority. Inform, alert and assist them in real time via the mobile app and online booking tool.
• Reduce risk by improving travel policy compliance.

Putting traveller well being first

You want employees to feel fully supported from the time they book until they return home. Amex GBT Egencia travel experts are ready to assist.

• Learn how you can enhance your duty of care policies for travellers
• Travel booking is only one part of the equation. Traveller safety is the other. Use this pre-travel safety checklist as a guide
• Learn how Amex GBT Egencia simplifies hotel bookings for travellers .  
• Put your travellers in the driver’s seat and take advantage of our fleet of 5 million car rental options worldwide

Savings and ROI

Even as the travel industry changes, businesses still need to make strategic decisions based on cost and ROI. Amex GBT Egencia can help you boost your bottom line.

• Gain insights, identify savings and optimise travel spend in real time with Amex GBT Egencia Analytics Studio
• Find out how Umpqua Bank maximised its business travel ROI with Amex GBT Egencia
• Amex GBT Egencia travel services can help simplify expense management . Easily track travel expenses that reflect spending with personal or corporate credit cards
• 19 ways our travel management solutions can help you save time and money

Amex GBT Egencia empowers over 2 million business travelers to get the most out of their business travel. Shouldn’t you be one of them?

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CWT understands that the relationship between organisations and their travelling employees is changing. Your employees need business travel agents who can help them stay productive, get the best prices, and make travel easier for them. Your organisation needs a corporate travel agency that helps you manage your travel program effectively, including:

• Getting started
• Engaging travellers
• Staying overnight
• Managing risk
• Delivering travel ROI
• Driving action
• Managing meetings

CWT, one of the world’s leading business travel agencies, provides world-class corporate travel management fuelled by decades of experience, our amazing corporate travel agents and backed by award-winning technology. Our organisation focuses on the business of business travel—so you and your employees can focus on your company’s business.

We make business travel easier for your employees

• Easy bookings on one, integrated platform that offers corporate travel agency services via mobile, online or phone.
• Single platform for business-relevant flights, trains, car rentals and hotels no matter which booking channel they choose.
• Consistent service in ~150 countries around the world by corporate travel agents
• Price tracking technology, helps travellers take advantage of price drops even after they’ve booked their airline ticket or hotel room.
• Proven best hotel rates —with a Best Rate Guarantee on our specially negotiated deals
• Highest rated mobile travel app of any travel management company or third-party—on both iOS and Android platforms.  

We help you manage corporate travel better

• Online, 24/7 access to an award-winning travel management command center .
• Shareable reports and graphics to help you win over key stakeholders and showcase your value.
• Automated messaging to help you improve communications to travelling employees, helping you improve policy compliance and give your employees helpful information.
• Traveller tracking available 24/7 through interactive maps and enhanced risk management services.
• An array of tools, services and processes that support travel policy compliance.
• New insights and savings opportunities recommended based on your company’s specific travel data.

Reach out to CWT today to discuss a travel program

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Claiming a tax deduction for business travel expenses

You can claim a tax deduction for expenses you incur travelling for your business.

Last updated 18 August 2019

As a business owner, the general rule is that you can claim deductions for expenses if you or your employee are travelling for business purposes. A travel diary is:

• compulsory for sole traders and partners in a partnership to record overnight business travel expenses
• highly recommended for everyone else.

For a summary of this content in poster format, see Travel expenses (PDF 526KB) This link will download a file .

Expenses you can claim

Your business can claim a deduction for travel expenses related to your business, whether the travel is taken within a day, overnight, or for many nights.

Expenses you can claim include:

• train, tram, bus, taxi, or ride-sourcing fares
• car hire fees and the costs you incur (such as fuel, tolls and car parking) when using a hire car for business purposes
• accommodation
• meals, if you are away overnight.

To claim expenses for overnight travel, you must have a permanent home elsewhere and your business must require you to stay away from home overnight.

If you are entitled to goods and services tax (GST) input tax credits, you must claim your deduction in your income tax return at the GST exclusive amount.

Expenses you can't claim

You can only claim the business portion of business travel expenses. You must exclude any private expenses, such as:

• a holiday or visit to family or friends that is combined with the business travel
• the expenses associated with you or your employee taking a family member on the trip
• souvenirs and gifts
• sightseeing and entertainment
• visas, passports or travel insurance
• travel expenses that arise because you are relocating or living away from home
• travel undertaken before you started running your business.
• Claiming a tax deduction for motor vehicle expenses – information about business motor vehicle expenses and travelling to and from your places of business.

Media: Business deductions - Travel expenses: Tax basics for small business https://tv.ato.gov.au/ato-tv/media?v=bd1bdiubfw7bqp External Link ( Duration: 01:23)

How to claim employee travel expenses

If your employees travel for your business, the business must actually pay for the travel expense to be able to claim it as a deduction. The business can pay for the expense by:

• paying directly for the expense from the business account
• paying a travel allowance to the employee
• reimbursing the employee for their expenses.

Fringe benefits tax (FBT) may apply if your business pays for or reimburses your employees for their travel expenses. Certain exemptions and concessions may apply to reduce your FBT liability. For example, your business may not have an FBT liability if it reimburses an employee for their travel expenses to attend a work conference, which the employee would have been able to claim as an income tax deduction if you hadn't reimbursed them.

You will be liable for FBT if your employee extended their travel for private purposes and you reimburse the employee for these private costs. If your business provides benefits to your employees, you may need to obtain some records from the employee.

If you are the director of a company and the business pays for private portions of your travel expenses, there may also be Division 7A implications.

If you pay your employees a travel allowance or a living-away-from-home allowance, there are different considerations.

• Fringe benefits tax
• Private company benefits – Division 7A dividends
• Travel allowances

Travel diaries

Sole traders and partners in a partnership.

If you are a sole trader or a partner in a partnership and you travel for six or more consecutive nights, you must keep a travel diary or similar document before your travel ends, or as soon as possible afterwards. In your travel diary, record the detail of each business activity including:

• what the activity was
• the date and approximate time the business activity began
• how long the business activity lasted
• the name of the place where the business activity occurred.

Your travel diary can be in any format as long as it contains sufficient detail to justify what you are claiming.

Example 1: Rebecca

Rebecca owns a business as a sole trader landscape gardener. She is invited to exhibit at the Chelsea flower show in England. This involves six days of work representing her business at the show. After the show is finished, Rebecca spends some time sightseeing.

Rebecca’s son James joins her on her trip. James is not involved in the business and spends the days exploring London while Rebecca is at the Chelsea flower show.

As Rebecca is travelling for more than six nights, she keeps the below travel diary.

Travel diary for May:

• Saturday 9 May – 10.00am flight Q13 to London (via Dubai)
• Sunday 10 May – Arrive London 1.00pm local time. Bus to hotel in Chelsea 3.00pm
• Monday 11 May – Rest day
• Tuesday 12 May – Chelsea flower show set-up day from 9.00am
• Wednesday 13 May – Chelsea flower show day 1
• Thursday 14 May – Chelsea flower show day 2
• Friday 15 May – Chelsea flower show day 3
• Saturday 16 May – Chelsea flower show day 4
• Sunday 17 May – Chelsea flower show day 5, ends 5.00pm
• Monday 18 May – Sightseeing in London
• Tuesday 19 May – Sightseeing day trip to Oxford
• Wednesday 20 May – Bus to airport. Flight home Q23 6.00pm from London, arrive 10.00pm local time.

This shows that Rebecca travelled for 12 days. She spent the majority of the time on business related activities and took the opportunity to do some sightseeing while in London for two extra days. Rebecca can only claim deductions for the business-related portion of her travel.

Rebecca can claim:

• the return airfare to London (which does not have to be separated out as the primary purpose of her travel is for business, the sightseeing was incidental)
• her bus fares to and from the airport
• the costs associated with working at the Chelsea flower show including the exhibitors fee and transport to and from the location from her hotel
• Rebecca’s accommodation in Chelsea up to and including 17 May
• meals and incidental costs on the days she attended the Chelsea flower show.

Rebecca cannot claim:

• accommodation, meals or transport expenses on the days noted for sightseeing
• additional private costs from the whole of her time away (such as souvenirs)
• costs of visas, passports or travel insurance
• any of James’ expenses (such as his airfares, the cost of his meals or the cost of an extra hotel room for James).

Example 2: Noah

Noah owns a business as a sole trader interior designer and decorator. He lives and works in Perth. A new customer has asked him to design and decorate her home in Broome. This will take two weeks to complete.

Noah flies to Broome on Sunday evening and returns to Perth two weeks later. On the weekend he does some sightseeing and catches up with friends. He keeps the following diary:

• Sunday: Fly to Broome (depart 4.00pm, arrive 6.30pm)
• Monday 2 September: Purchase decorating supplies 9.00am–10.30am. Working at client’s house 10.45am – 4.00pm
• Tuesday 3 – Friday 6 September: Working at client’s house 7.30am to 4.00pm
• Saturday: Day trip to Horizontal Falls. Dinner with Pam and Geoff
• Sunday: Sightseeing around Broome
• Monday 9 – Friday 13 September: Working 7.30am to 4.00pm at client’s house
• Saturday: return flight to Perth (depart 10.00am, arrive 12.30pm).

Noah can claim:

• his return airfare to Broome and taxi to his hotel and from hotel to airport
• accommodation in Broome for all nights (as the weekend in between was incidental and the primary purpose of travel was for business)
• costs of undertaking his work in Broome (such as hire of tools)
• meals and incidental costs of his work.

Noah cannot claim his private expenses, including:

• the cost of the sightseeing he does on the weekend
• the dinner he has with friends.

Companies and trusts

If your business is a company or a trust, we highly recommend you use a travel diary as it will help you work out the proportion of the travel that was for private purposes.

• PAYG withholding implications of Travel allowances
• Fringe benefits tax (FBT)

Records for business travel expenses

Keep records for five years to substantiate your business travel expenses, including:

• tax invoices
• boarding passes
• travel diaries
• details of how you worked out the private portion of expenses.

If you’re a sole trader with simple tax affairs, you can use the myDeductions tool in the ATO app to record your business-related expenses.

• Record keeping for business
• myDeductions

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Australia is officially the world’s fifth best tourism destination in 2024 – here’s what sets it apart

The World Economic Forum ranked Australia as one of the top five countries for tourism and travel in 2024

If Australia’s postcard-worthy beaches or poster-child kangaroos weren’t enough to tempt potential travellers, this news might just do the trick. The World Economic Forum (WEF) has just released its highly-anticipated biennial ranking of the best countries for tourism and travel in 2024 – and Australia has claimed one of the top five spots. 

It appears that Australia is on an uphill streak, climbing from the seventh-best tourism destination in 2017 to sixth in 2021, and now claiming fifth place in 2024. The United States took the top spot in the WEF’s  Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024 (TTDI) for the third year running, with six European countries and three Asia-Pacific regions rounding out the top ten. That includes Spain in second, Japan in third and France in fourth.

Curious about how WEF’s economists came to these conclusions? They ranked 119 economies around the world based on a set of 17 factors related to the development of tourism and travel in each country. These factors included the availability of tourist services and infrastructure, sustainability, natural resources, labour capacity and price competitiveness. Most of the data was sourced from reputable international organisations, like the World Health Organisation, UNESCO and UN Tourism, with the rest coming from the WEF’s annual Executive Opinion Survey . 

Here are five reasons why Australia ranked so high in the latest TTDI: 

Natural resources 

We’re pretty stoked to see that Australia ranked as the second-best country in the world for its natural resources. From ancient rainforests and majestic deserts to blindingly beautiful coastal areas, our Great Southern Land has it all. A road trip along the East Coast or the West is the best way to experience it, for both locals and tourists alike. 

Cultural resources 

A culture-packed holiday is also on the cards for anyone looking to visit Australia, with our nation ranking 17th out of 119 countries for its cultural resources. Our country is home to the world’s oldest continuous culture, with the stories of Australia’s First Nation’s people beautifully woven into our vibrant arts and culture landscape. Whether you’re staying in the city or venturing into the outback, you’ll find countless opportunities to walk in their footsteps and learn about the rich history of our land.

Digital savviness 

Australia shines in the digital realm, ranking 14th globally for its top-notch digital infrastructure and services. Kudos were given for our seamless adoption of digital payments, widespread 3G mobile network coverage, and easy digital booking systems for hotels , restaurants and leisure activities .

Ease of travelling to and from Australia

We love welcoming travellers from every corner of the globe, earning us a commendable 16th place ranking on the openness to tourism and travel scale. Our relatively relaxed visa requirements make it easy for visitors to come, stay and play, while the strength of the Australian passport, which ranks among the world’s most powerful , lets Aussies travel almost anywhere their heart desires. 

Infrastructure for tourists

There are sparkly, new hotels popping up all around Australia , so it makes sense that our nation ranked at number 17 for our availability of tourist services and infrastructure. Our labour productivity in hotels and restaurants was also taken into consideration here, reflecting our 'work hard, play hard' reputation.

You can read more about why Australia is one of the best tourism destinations in the full report here or check out this snapshot of the top ten countries:

• The United States
• The United Kingdom
• Switzerland

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free  Time Out Australia newsletter  for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 

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Kudos to canberra australia's capital has been named the third smartest city in the world in 2024, just in: here’s how australia ranked on oxford economics’ inaugural global cities index, the gold coast overtakes sydney and melbourne as the top winter holiday spot for families.

• Melissa Woodley Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia

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Your checklist for travelling overseas this year

Are you dreaming of an overseas holiday?

Or dreading the admin involved?

Travelling can be a bit of a headache in 2022, with all the considerations involved like vaccine passports, travel insurance and health concerns.

And when trying to research what's required, the real answer is almost always "it depends".

Rules and restrictions vary from country to country, and they'll even change from day to day.

You'll want to thoroughly research your dream destination before you head off.

But to answer some of your questions, we chatted with Adelaide-based travel agent Holly Velardo and CHOICE travel expert Jodi Bird about what to keep in mind when travelling internationally this year.

Don't forget the basics

It's been a while since any of us travelled, so Holly says the first thing you should check is if your passport is due to expire.

She says the renewal process is taking much longer these days, and in some cases, you could be waiting up to six weeks — so get organised early.

It's best to be fully vaccinated

Holly says Australia's major vaccines  AstraZeneca , Pfizer and Moderna, are recognised in most countries, as long as you're double vaccinated. At this point, countries aren't requiring you to be triple vaxxed.

She says while some destinations are also doing away with vaccine requirements altogether, "generally we recommend that everybody is double vaccinated before they leave".

You'll need an international vaccine certificate

Holly says you "absolutely cannot" just use the usual vax certificate you've been using at home.

Instead, she says it's easy to apply for an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) through the myGov or Medicare app. You can download it on your phone, but she recommends printing a copy too, in case of technology failures.

You may need additional vaccine documentation

While your ICVC will get you into the country, some locations, including many places in Europe, require proof of vaccination to do things like enter a museum, sit in a café or use public transport.

Some places can accept a printout of your Australian-issued ICVC, while at others, you may run into issues. In some countries, you can apply for a local COVID certificate using your ICVC.

Head to SmartTraveller for up-to-date information about what documentation you'll need for the country you're visiting.

You may need to get tested to travel

Testing requirements will also vary between countries.

At some, you'll need to stay at an approved hotel while awaiting a PCR test result.

Others have done away with testing requirements for international arrivals altogether, or are just requiring a rapid test rather than a PCR.

However, even if your destination doesn't require a negative result, many airlines will still require a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding.

You'll need to research the requirements of any stopover countries too

If you're travelling to London via Singapore, you'll also need to make sure you're abiding by Singapore's restrictions.

"Anytime we're booking anyone, we look at the stopover destinations first. And if they're too restrictive, then we will look at going via somewhere else," Holly says.

"But there's different rules for transiting and different rules stopping over. So if you're only transiting in that country, the rules are generally much more relaxed."

You may also like to check if you're covered by insurance during your stopover.

You won't need to isolate on return, if you're fully vaxxed

Restrictions around returning to Australia will depend on which state you're returning to, and they often change.

For most states at the time of writing, if you're fully vaccinated, you can do a rapid test on your return and won't have to isolate.

If you're unvaccinated, many states will still require you to isolate for seven or 14 days when you return to Australia, either at home or in hotel quarantine.

Travel insurance is highly recommended

SmartTraveller highly recommends securing travel insurance, and notes it has "never been more important than in this current environment."

Many countries will also require you to have a minimum level of medical cover just to enter the country. For example, Singapore requires you to have a minimum of $30,000 Singapore dollars of COVID medical cover.

CHOICE's Mr Bird says while not all insurers will cover COVID, an increasing number are, given most consumers aren't interested in a policy without COVID cover. CHOICE have a list of the insurers with COVID cover on their website.

You should check if your insurance covers:

The country you're visiting.

Your insurer may not cover travel to destinations SmartTraveller has listed as "do not travel" or "reconsider your need to travel," so you'll need to check it covers the country you're visiting.

Hospitalisation

When an insurer says they have COVID cover, Mr Bird says "at a minimum" that should include medical, hospitalisation and repatriation costs if you get COVID.

He says most policies will provide unlimited cover for medical expenses, however some might limit your cover to a certain amount.

Quarantine and cancellation

While Mr Bird says quite a few insurers also cover isolation and cancellation costs, this is where the exclusions and sub limits come in.

"You can't just buy a travel insurance policy and presume you're going to be covered to cancel for any reason related to COVID," he says.

"You need to have a look at the policy and understand what cover you're going to get."

If you contract COVID and need to isolate, he says some insurers will cover the cost of your hotel quarantine, as well as refund you for any tours or bookings you may have missed.

However, some insurers will only cover you for a small amount.

"We've seen some insurers that might only cover up to $2500 per person. If you had to cancel a trip or pay for seven days or 14 days of quarantine, that's probably [not going to cover it]," Mr Bird says.

He adds that some policies will cover you if you contract COVID-19, including if you get sick before you leave Australia, but won't cover you if you're a close contact and need to isolate.

Some of them also have a cooling off period.

"If you bought the policy the day before you leave, and you caught COVID the next day, they might not cover that," he explains.

"So you really want to buy the travel insurance cover as soon as you've booked your airplane ticket."

Lockdowns and border closures

If Australia or your destination country closes its borders or goes into lockdown due to COVID, most insurers won't cover you. However Mr Bird says some might allow you to cancel your insurance cover, or move it to a later date.

You should check refund policies when booking too

In addition to travel insurance, it's a good idea to check the refund policies of everything you're booking — whether that's flights, accommodation, or tours.

Many will offer you a full or partial refund if you cancel before a certain date, which could be a lot simpler than going through insurance.

If you've read through the terms and conditions, or emailed a travel provider to confirm a cancellation policy, Mr Bird recommends saving a copy as evidence, in case you need to refer to it later.

This is general advice only. Travel restrictions and requirements will differ between countries, and the time you're travelling. For up to date information, head to  SmartTraveller .

• X (formerly Twitter)

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2024 Australian Tourism Exchange opens in Melbourne

The 44th edition of Tourism Australia’s largest annual trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange 2024 (ATE24), has officially opened in Melbourne with thousands of delegates taking part in the event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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ATE24 kicked off on Monday, 20 May 2024 and will run until Thursday, 23 May. During the event 1,500 members of the Australian tourism industry will meet 714 global tourism wholesalers and retailers across around 50,000 one-on-one business appointments.

Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison, said with the number of international travellers arriving on our shores edging closer to the levels experienced in 2019 the business created at ATE24 will be crucial to the future of the Australian tourism industry.

“We are confident this is the year we will return to those 2019 levels so we can stop referring to that benchmark and once again focus on the sustainable growth of our industry which we experienced in the decade leading up to the pandemic,” Ms Harrison said.

“Events like ATE are crucial to helping us achieve that as it brings global tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world to Melbourne to hear from Australian tourism operators about the experiences they have to offer.”

“We know it is also best to show not tell and that’s why the international buyers will also have the opportunity to experience Australia’s tourism offerings first-hand while they are here through pre and post event familiarisations.”

Visit Victoria CEO, Brendan McClements, said hosting Australian Tourism Exchange will enable continued growth of Victoria's visitor economy through showcasing the State's distinctive tourism experiences to the world.

“We're thrilled to be hosting ATE in Melbourne. The event provides a global platform for Visit Victoria's new tourism campaign, Every bit different , which highlights the inclusivity, diversity and creativity of our State’s experiences and regions.” 

“Victoria's visitor economy hit a new record high of $37.8 billion in December 2023, with Tourism Research Australia forecasting a further $16 billion in capacity for growth by 2028, so we're going all in at ATE to drive that growth in international markets. “

“The benefit for local tourism operators through ATE is immense - they're networking with global decision makers and media to foster long-term relationships and profile their business on the world stage.”

ATE24 is delivered by Tourism Australia in partnership with Visit Victoria.

For media enquiries contact: Beau Mitchem M: +61 413 254 708 E:  [email protected]

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We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

*Disclaimer:  The information on this website is presented in good faith and on the basis that Tourism Australia, nor their agents or employees, are liable (whether by reason of error, omission, negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this website. Tourism Australia wishes to advise people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent that this website may contain images of persons now deceased.

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Bonza staff in limbo amid buyer hunt

The bust airline was back in court on Monday as administrators desperately try to find a buyer.

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Bonza employees have been thrown into further limbo after a two-month extension was granted in the airline’s desperate bid to find a buyer.

The matter was heard in the Federal Court on Monday where Justice Ian Jackman granted the company’s administrator Hall Chadwick an extension until July 29, saying it was “appropriate” given the circumstances.

“The administrators will need time to consider the offers received and elect which if any, they intend to proceed with,” Justice Jackman said.

The judge told the court while the added months of uncertainty faced by the company’s employees was “regrettable” the time extension would potentially benefit staff in the long run.

“The administrator’s view is that a sale of the business and execution of a deed of company arrangement is likely to result in a better outcome for creditors than immediate liquidation.”

Bonza’s lawyer James Hutton told the court that staff were being stood down without pay until at least Wednesday and that their future would be determined on whether an appropriate buyer could be found.

More than 300 staff were stood down when the airline was placed into administration in April.

“They have the possibility of gaining a greater recovery; the possibility of continuing in employment with Bonza,” he said.

More Coverage

“Which is not a possibility if the company goes into liquidation.”

The court also heard creditors have made a total $116m in claims to Bonza, which excludes what the airline owes to customers. Without planes, the court heard how the airline’s license is its most valuable asset.

Bonza fell into administration less than 18 months after its first flight in January 2023, operating as a budget domestic airline.

A man who tried to let a snake eat him has revealed the gruesome toll it took on his body. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

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A major change in the way millions of Chinese people are behaving is creating a $12 billion problem for Australia.

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The 7 Best New and Affordable Places To Travel in 2024

Posted: March 16, 2024 | Last updated: March 16, 2024

Planning your 2024 vacation? If your wanderlust has you eager to go where you've never been, consider one of these new and affordable destinations for 2024.

Find Out: 8 Tips to Fly Business Class for the Price of Economy Read More: 5 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Most safari vacations offer rustic accommodations, and a stay at Angama Amboseli does mean you'll be sleeping in a tent. But you'll also be able to gaze on the majesty of African elephants in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro. The resort celebrates the local indigenous community in its architecture and its culinary offerings.

For You: Dave Ramsey: 7 Vacation Splurges That are a Waste of Money Try This: 11 Expensive Vacation Destinations That Will Be Cheaper in 2024

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

Busan, South Korea

While the K-pop stars BTS may have put Busan on the map, an influx of new resorts keeps it there. A new Windham property joins many beachfront resorts on the Sea of Japan. Foodies will want to consider Busan as it will welcome a new Michelin guide this year.

Check Out: I'm a Luxury Travel Agent: 10 Destinations My Wealthy Clients Are Booking for 2024

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ocean views and a thriving maritime economy have long been associated with Nova Scotia, but this seaport now boasts an emerging technology industry. The newly redeveloped waterfront area features the Queen's Marque, with restaurants, art galleries and a five-star hotel.

Kangaroo Island, Australia

This Australian destination has rebuilt much of its lost in bushfires in 2020, and several new resorts will open this year. Cabn X is an affordable option, with small homes with a modern feel, and Southern Ocean Lodge, destroyed in the fires, has been rebuilt and is now open.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The DR has long been known as an affordable Caribbean destination, but it is now being recognized for luxury as well. Several new resorts in Punta Cana will open this year, including the St. Regis Cap Cana, the Sanctuary Cap Cana, and a new W hotel. Many resorts are all-inclusive, and some only welcome adults.

Find Out: 7 Cheap, Beautiful Places for a Winter Vacation

Quito, Ecuador

Most travelers visit Quito on their way to the Galapagos Islands, but the Ecuadorian capital has undergone a recent renaissance that makes it a destination in and of itself. An expanded subway has reduced traffic congestion and made it easier for non-locals to get around. New shops, galleries and restaurants have much to offer visitors, and its weather is mild year-round.

Transylvania, Romania

Beautiful castles and a rich history will prove that Transylvania is known for more than just vampires. Try Bethlen Estates near many historical sites, including Dracula's Bran Castle, for luxury. For a retreat experience, Matca offers walking safaris and praying with monks, all with views of the Carpathian Mountains.

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‘Dropping Very Dramatically’: What Deadly Turbulence Did to a Flight

Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 was a rare instance of turbulence resulting in a death.

By Sui-Lee Wee and Muktita Suhartono

Reporting from Bangkok

The seatbelt sign came on moments after the plane started shaking, but, for some, it was too late.

“Whoever wasn’t buckled down, they were just launched into the air within the cabin,” said Dzafran Azmir, who was among the 211 passengers on board the London-to-Singapore flight that encountered deadly turbulence on Tuesday. “Within an instant, they hit the ceiling of the cabin and dropped right back onto the floor.”

The plane, a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300 ER, had taken off from London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday night, about 10 hours earlier. It was about three-quarters full. Many of the travelers were Singaporeans returning home. Some were students studying in England. Others were families and some who had planned a “holiday of a lifetime” to far-flung destinations like Australia.

The bulk of the 13-hour journey of flight SQ321 was over, and many passengers had finished their last meal onboard, a breakfast that these days has been a choice between an omelet with cream cheese or stir-fried Asian noodles, both served with a side of fresh fruit.

By this time, the plane had reached the Bay of Bengal, which sits between the Indian subcontinent and the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Some pilots consider the region “notorious” this time of the year because its monsoon rains can cause turbulence.

But commercial pilots know how to prepare for such scenarios. They rely on weather radar and carry extra fuel so they can fly around and wait for the weather to ease, if needed. Or they follow the course charted by other planes that recently have passed through the area and have warned air traffic controllers about weather upheavals.

One scenario that is impossible to prepare for is when the skies are clear and the plane’s radar does not detect anything amiss. This phenomenon is known as clear air turbulence.

“It could be the plane just starts shaking, we turn on the seatbelt sign, but, unknowingly, we fall into the clear air turbulence zone,” said Captain Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the Thai Pilots Association. “It’s totally unpredictable.”

It’s unclear what happened next with SQ321, but there had been thunderstorms near its flight path. As it was flying over Myanmar, cruising at 37,000 feet above the southern section of the country’s biggest river, the Irrawaddy, it hit what the airline later described as “sudden extreme turbulence.”

For the next three to five minutes, the plane shook violently, said Mr. Dzafran, 28, a university student heading home to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who was buckled into a window seat in row 52.

“Then it built up, like a feeling of going up a roller coaster, up the crest, and suddenly dropping very dramatically,” he recalled.

His bag, stored under the seat in front of him, flew across the plane, and his phone was flung across the aisle. The woman sitting in the row in front of Mr. Dzafran hit her head so hard on the plastic seatbelt indicator sign above her that it broke. Oxygen masks dropped down from the overhead panel. The person behind him hit a seat. Mr. Dzafran was unharmed, but the other two passengers had bloody gashes on their heads.

At least one passenger, it appeared, was able to react quickly enough and buckle her seatbelt. It was a woman sitting behind Mr. Dzafran.

“That was miraculous luck on her side to respond so quickly,” he said.

Another passenger, Teandra Tukhunen, who was sleeping, was not able to react as fast. She was awakened by the turbulence and saw the seatbelt sign come on, but she had no time to fasten it and was thrown to the ceiling, then to the floor, Ms. Tukhunen, 30, a native of Australia, told Sky News from a hospital in Bangkok, her arm in a sling.

Elsewhere on the plane, people started crying and screaming out in pain. The whiplash was so furious that one passenger said that it appeared as if those who had been walking around on the plane were doing somersaults. Dozens of people, including some crew members, were injured.

As things settled down, it was clear that one of the worst affected passengers was a male traveler, Geoff Kitchen. A grandfather of two who ran a local theater group in the town of Thornbury in southwest England, Mr. Kitchen, 73, had planned a six-week “holiday of a lifetime” to Australia and Southeast Asia with his wife of 50 years, Linda.

Andrew Davies, who was sitting in front of Mr. Kitchen, helped carry him out of his seat and laid him on the floor, where he was given C.P.R. for at least 20 minutes.

With the plane now in Thailand’s airspace, the pilot placed a distress call to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, asking to make an emergency landing. Then he made an in-flight announcement about the new destination, and asked for anyone who was medically trained to help passengers with injuries.

Forty-five minutes after the ordeal began, Mr. Dzafran said, the plane landed. It was 3.45 p.m. local time.

Several ambulances with flashing lights were standing by. The passengers waited patiently while nurses, emergency medical workers and doctors rushed in to treat the critically injured first. A total of 83 people were injured. Twenty of them were sent to the intensive care unit of a local hospital.

Drew Kessler, the New York-based treasurer of Rotary International who was en route to Singapore for the annual Rotary International Convention, said he had broken his neck while his wife, Vicki, had broken her back.

As Mr. Dzafran prepared to disembark, the crew told passengers to avoid one of the aisles. Mr. Dzafran said he thinks he saw someone lying on the floor. Flight attendants near the business and first class zones were bleeding. Food was strewn across the galleys.

The passengers, dazed and confused, boarded a bus from the tarmac and arrived to a holding area inside the Bangkok airport. Conversations were struck up. A fellow passenger told Mr. Dzafran that someone had died on the plane and showed Mr. Dzafran an online news article. It was Mr. Kitchen. He was the only fatality — one of the few ever blamed on turbulence — and the cause of death hasn’t been released yet.

Singapore Airlines has apologized for the episode, and its investigators have arrived in Bangkok to try to understand what happened.

Mr. Dzafran was among the 143 passengers who emerged unscathed. So was his seatmate, who he said also had her seatbelt on.

Sui-Lee Wee is the Southeast Asia bureau chief for The Times, overseeing coverage of 11 countries in the region. More about Sui-Lee Wee

Muktita Suhartono reports on Thailand and Indonesia. She is based in Bangkok. More about Muktita Suhartono