Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 4 March 2025

PRICE PINCH

Prices in Croatia have been rising faster than in Greece, Spain and Italy, prompting local officials and business leaders to say they’re concerned it is becoming too expensive for tourists. Data shows that, in the past three years, tourism prices in Croatia have risen about 50 per cent, while other Mediterranean countries have seen increases of about 15 to 20 per cent. Internal reports show that fewer tourists are coming from Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Italy.

It has prompted Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic to warn that keeping prices competitive is key to protecting the country’s tourism industry. And those local officials and business leaders point out that the price increase is not due to higher energy costs or tax rates, but rising costs in the hospitality sector.

$48,900 DRIVE

Captain’s Choice has launched 10 new journeys for the 2026 season. Among the 10 trips is a self-drive holiday in Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis in Italy for up to 20 guests. It includes driving the hairpin Stelvio Pass in the Eastern Alps of Italy, which has 48 hairpin bends on its northern side. It leaves Naples on May 10, 2026, and is from $48,900 per person. captainschoice.com.au

HEATHROW BILLIONS

London’s Heathrow Airport is about to undergo a multibillion-dollar upgrade, through the biggest investment program in its history. A third runway will be built and terminals two and five extended. The upgrade is 100 per cent privately funded.

ETA & ETIAS

The subject of ETA for the UK has been brought up by readers several times this week. This is the new visa that we need in our Australian passports for entry to the UK. It’s easy to apply for, costs £10 and lasts for two years. The UK Government says that collecting biographic, biometric and contact details before travellers arrive increases knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and prevents the arrival of those who present a threat.

There is clearly some confusion about ETA and ETIAS. ETA is the system for the UK, and the ETIAS is the comparable system for countries in continental Europe. We are still waiting for news of the start date for this and will report it as soon as we know. The ETIAS will be free for people 70 and over. etias.com

SOFITEL ON NILE

French luxury hospitality group Sofitel has announced the opening of Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile. This sophisticated five-star hotel in the heart of Cairo blends traditional elegance with contemporary design, and overlooks the River Nile. There are 615 rooms and suites across 24 floors.

INSURE EARLY

We’ve often written stories advising travellers to buy travel insurance when they book a trip. Insure early. Don’t leave it until later. And that’s backed by new information from nib Travel, which shows that between 15 and 20 per cent of claims each year are made for unexpected travel disruptions — last-minute cancellations and delays.

“By purchasing insurance with cancellation cover when you book your travel, you could be covered for situations that may arise before your trip starts — from job loss to health emergencies,” says Dylan Wilkinson, nib Travel’s general manager of international and partnerships. Depending on the level of cover, that could include pre-trip medical emergencies, natural disasters, jury duty or court involvement, an employer cancelling your leave, or sudden job loss. nibtravelinsurance.com.au

CPAP APOLOGY

A reader has rightly taken me to task over a reference recently to CPAP machines.

She writes: “He stated that stating someone has sleep apnoea is a polite term for them being a snorer. This is not true. I have sleep apnoea and do not snore. The general image of someone with sleep apnoea includes the following: male, overweight, drinker, smoker, snorer. I am none of the above but have sleep apnoea and the CPAP machine has changed my life. I am generally a big fan of Stephen’s articles but that actually annoyed me.”

My apologies. Using the word “snorers” was a clumsy “shorthand” for sleep apnoea.

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop and start while you sleep. This can lead to poor sleep quality and not getting enough oxygen. (We often get asked about the use of CPAP machines when travelling, particularly on cruise ships, and happily advise.)

BALL BURSTER

My Bali has a seven-night retreat, with return international flights, some meals and guaranteed late checkout from $1549 per person. Guests stay in the heart of Nusa Dua, in a classic deluxe room with a balcony at the five-star Ayodya Resort Bali. Book by March 31, 2025, for select travel dates between now and December 22. 1300 332 254 and mybali.com.au

BUSSELTON UPGRADE

The $6.1 million refurbishment of The Sebel Busselton is complete. The redesign of the resort’s 59 club apartments, reception, and onsite lounge and pizza cafe have been inspired by the Sebel’s coastal location and Busselton Jetty. So says a spokesperson for Travel and Leisure Co., which manages and develops Club Wyndham South Pacific as well as Accor Vacation Club (Accor’s timeshare club). The Sebel Busselton is an Accor Vacation Club property, which is for vacation club members and guests.

General manager Sandy Crothers says: “We selected a colour scheme centred around sandy browns and ocean blues, inspired by nearby Geographe Bay.”

There are updated appliances and new coffee pod machines. The resort partnered with the local Lions Club to donate a range of items from the refurbishment, including electrical appliances, lighting, bedding, furniture and decor items, which were repurposed for community use.

FISH THE MACKERELS

The Mackerel Islands are a 45-minute ferry from Onslow or 35-minute flight from Exmouth, and there is a new Signature Charter Package for 2025. For up to six fishers, there are three days of guided fishing, with up to eight hours of guided fishing each day on a 7.6m centre-console vessel, and four nights in a beachfront cabin. It is from $20,000 for the group. mackerelislands.com.au