Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 1 April 2025

MASSIVE MEDICAL CLAIM

The biggest single medical claim paid out by insurance company nib Travel last year was for more than $3 million. Always remember that someone, somewhere, always has to pay the bill. An overseas hospital accounts department won’t just “let you off” because you forgot to (or didn’t bother to) insure, and now have to sell the house.

The team at nib Travel has also revealed that the company covered several six-figure claims for travellers visiting popular destinations such as the US and Japan. The team found that more than 40 per cent of all insurance claims processed in 2024 were medical-related, saying that underlines the need for travel insurance. (And I agree.) nibtravelinsurance.com.au

TRUE STORY...

And all that reminds me of the true story of the traveller who got a cold which developed into pneumonia on a cruise up the Inside Passage from Vancouver and Alaska, and had to be taken off the ship for treatment and then flown home. The bill came to more than $100,000. For nearly a year, the couple involved thought they’d have to sell their house, as they were chased for payment of medical bills. It was very stressful. They had what they described as a “skinny” insurance policy, and eventually the company agreed to pay.

MULTI-TRIP POLICIES

Australian travel insurer InsureandGo has reintroduced multi-trip travel insurance policies which cover travellers for unlimited overseas trips within a 12-month period. There’s no limit to the number of trips covered, but the policy has a limit of 30, 45 or 60 days per trip within the 12 months. The policies help travellers who like to be flexible with travel dates, and can be more cost-effective than taking out individual insurance policies and reduce travellers’ “admin”. The policies cover medical evacuation or repatriation costs, dental treatment, trip cancellation, travel delay compensation, cover for lost, stolen or damaged belongings and rental car excess waiver. Oh, and pet care if delayed returning home. insureandgo.com.au

BYE BYE BUS

Doha’s Hamad International Airport has opened its new Concourses D and E — with the promise of fewer bus transfers from planes to the terminal. There are 17 new aircraft contact gates, which brings the total to 62 — nearly 40 per cent more than before. The airport team says this will reduce bus transfers, and there are cutting-edge self-boarding systems.

BONJOUR PARIS

Malaysia Airlines returned to Paris on March 22, with MH22 flying from Kuala Lumpur to Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is the airline’s 68th destination. It flew four weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Paris from March 22 to 27, and has increased to daily flights from March 29.

ZIPPY PAYMENTS

Cathay Pacific has partnered with digital payments company Zip. Travellers can now pay using Zip Pay or Zip Money, enabling them to spread the cost of flights over multiple payments. Zip Money offers six months interest-free, and Zip Pay is always interest-free.

CITILINK UNLINKED

Citilink airline has permanently cancelled all flights between Perth and Bali for the remainder of 2025. Anyone who booked their flights directly through Citilink has been notified or will be notified. Passengers who booked through a third party will be notified soon, once Citilink formally advises travel agents of the cancellation of the route. Citilink was established in July 2001 as a low-cost brand of Garuda Indonesia. They can be contacted on 1300 781 747 and refund details are at citilink.co.id/en/refund.

RAINFOREST RESORT

The Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree opens in Singapore on April 2, 2025. And it’s a pretty unusual place. The resort is in Mandai Wildlife Reserve, home of Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Bird Paradise and River Wonders. Some of the resort’s 338 rooms are set in greenery and some overlook the Upper Seletar Reservoir. The rainforest is reflected in room designs and a spokesperson for the team says: “Biophilic design is at the heart of the resort’s architecture.” banyantree.com

BIOPHILIC EXPLAINED

Aha, so “biophilic design” needs some explanation for some readers, does it? The approach comes from the term biophilia, referencing the human tendency to interact with other forms of life. In relationship to design, it means creating a sense of harmony between the built environment and natural world around it.

MANDO MOMENTS

A lot of our readers build personal interests into their journeys. And, knowing how many are interested in music and acoustic playing prompts me to mention the Madeira Mandolin Route. Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal, is an island in the Atlantic and mandolins are very much part of the island’s musical history and tradition. It has lots of mandolin orchestras and groups. The Madeira Mandolin Route, organised by the Madeira Mandolin Association, pulls together places, customs, cuisine and definitely has its roots in local culture, bringing travellers in direct contact with the community. mandeiramandolinroute.com

WILDERNESS HUB

Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village has been bought by Australia’s leading and fast-growing regional accommodation business, G’day Group.

The wilderness village has 45 chalet-style rooms and Hellyers restaurant. It is adjacent to G’day’s existing Discovery Parks — Cradle Mountain, which recently underwent a $20 million upgrade, with new family and premium cabins. The two together will now be known as Discovery Resorts — Cradle Mountain Village.

G-day’s portfolio includes El Questro, Lake Argyle and Rottnest Island in Western Australia, Wilpena Pound Resort and McCracken Resort in South Australia, Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory and Undara in Queensland.

HERITAGE CELEBRATED

The York Heritage Weekend is now in its fourth year, and has extended its program. It’s on the Anzac Day long weekend, starting on Friday, April 25. There are lots of activities, including traditional Anzac Day activities, starting with a dawn service and with a morning commemorative service.

The Residency Museum will be open, with a special tribute to the soldiers from York who served in World War I. Author Mark Greenwood will present the story of Simpson’s Donkey with an activity for the children with illustrator Frane Lessac. And there will be a visit from York’s own miniature donkeys.

There will be three concerts:

An evening family concert on Anzac Day.

Mucky Duck band on Saturday.

Breakfast, Barbecue and Blues on Sunday morning.

The weekend is run by York Business Association and we will publish more details closer to the date. The WA Historical Cycling Club is again one of the weekend’s big supporters.