Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 22 December 2025

FESTIVE GREETINGS

First, our best wishes to you and yours for the festive season — a time to be together, enjoy family and friends, and (if you are staying in WA) feel gratitude for living where we do.

And, in this edition, we especially spare a thought for all those working through the holidays. Thank you.

MELTING MOMENT

Ice-creams that melt and run down your fingers. Fish and chips that leave salt and fat on your hands. Summer is fraught with (“first world”) difficulties — especially when we are in the car, driving around WA on our holidays.

Reaching for the wet wipes? Many contain synthetic plastics (polyester and polypropylene, for example) that are not biodegradable. It is material like this that can add to those fatbergs we occasionally read about.

But Kine Australia’s plant-based cloths are made from natural cellulose fibres, with no plastic or petroleum-based materials. Kine Body Cloths break down naturally within 180 days, and are made in Australia. Each cloth is pH balanced, hypoallergenic and free from alcohol, parabens and sulfates.

The recommended prices are $27 for a regular-size multipack of 100 wipes and $40 for a smaller “travel size” multipack of 100. kine.com.au

DON'T GO SPARE

If you’re driving off on summer holidays in WA and have unusual, low-profile tyres and a space-saver spare wheel, here’s a tip: perhaps take a spare tyre, as some may be difficult to find in more out-of-the-way places. If you take a tyre, at least you can get it fitted.

UNDER COVER

Incognito Michelin Guide inspectors are dining their way around New Zealand.

The anonymous and experienced food critics, who simply book a table and pay for their meals like everyone else, are preparing their restaurant selections for Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown — ready for this inaugural selection to be revealed in 2026.

This is the first expansion of Michelin into Oceania.

FULL STEAM AHEAD

Flight Centre Travel Group has acquired the UK’s leading online cruise agency, Iglu. It estimates that the group’s cruise-related total transactions will almost double, to more than $2 billion, during the 2026 financial year — two years ahead of plan for the result.

BEING ANTISOCIAL?

Australian tourists could have to provide a five-year social media history as a condition of entry to the United States. A new proposal by American officials would affect people from many countries who are eligible to visit the US for 90 days without a visa, as long as they have completed an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) form.

It comes as the US prepares for visitors for soccer’s FIFA World Cup, which it is hosting alongside Canada and Mexico, and for the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

The proposal is from the Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection, which published it in the Federal Register, the “official journal” of the US Government.

EUROPE, FLY FREE

Personally, I’m just as happy in a good overcoat walking around a European city in cooler months than I am in peak season, in summer. So I was happy to spot Emerald Cruises offering free return economy flights to Europe on selected 2027 sailings. The offer includes its 15-day Splendours of Europe river cruise. This is Emerald’s much-loved cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest, and prices for 2027 start at $7545 per person — including those flights on some departures in February, March, October and November 2027. The “flights included” offer is also available on other 18, 21 and 25-day sailings in Europe. Travel agents, 1300 286 110 or emeraldcruises.com.au

AFTERNOON DRINKS

Thailand has eased its afternoon alcohol ban. Selling drinks between 2pm and 5pm has long been banned in the Buddhist country, but public health minister Pattana Promphat has announced a six-month trial allowing it. There will now be alcohol sales for 12 hours a day and authorities will monitor consumption, road accidents and hospital admissions before the trial ends at the end of May 2026, so that authorities can decide whether the hours should be permanent.

WHEELCHAIR WONDERS

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific is supporting Perth-based charity Wheelchairs for Kids Australia. Cathay members can now donate Asia Miles, or miles plus cash to help deliver wheelchairs to children around the world. There is a global shortage of wheelchairs for children in developing countries. More than 10 million are needed right now. Wheelchairs for Kids Australia builds and ships them free of charge to those who need them. Since it began in 1998, over 66,000 all-terrain wheelchairs have been delivered to 80 countries.

Cathay members can select elements of these wheelchairs or choose to donate the whole set-up through Asia Miles or miles plus cash. Donations start from 3140 Miles ($30) for a front tray, basket and toy kit, all the way up to an entire wheelchair with toys and a rug for 31,420 Miles ($300). Frosti Lau, Cathay regional general manager, Southeast Asia & Oceania, says: “We are committed to being a force of positivity within the communities we serve. Our commitment to Perth for the last 55 years along with our desire to support children across our network makes this a great union.”

Wheelchairs for Kids Australia has more than 250 regular volunteers with an average age of 74 years old. They make the wheelchairs in a Perth factory. wheelchairsforkids.org

ONE MAN'S WORK

One of Wheelchairs for Kids Australia’s volunteers, Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett AM, was named as Senior Australian of the Year this year. He has worked with the organisation for over 25 years, and played an important role in developing its innovative, low-cost wheelchair, which meets World Health Organisation standards. The wheelchairs are durable, fully adjustable and can grow with the child.