Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 8 April 2025

TRUMPED AT BORDER

A world-leading medical and security risk management company suggests travellers might want to rethink travelling to the US at the moment. A spokesperson for International SOS says there could be more scrutiny at US borders, and complications around gender declarations on travel documents could lead to delays, detentions or denial of entry. International SOS’ global head of security James Robertson says: “Since the implementation of the 'maximum vetting’ policy by the Trump administration, US border agents have enforced stricter controls, which has included the potential search of phones and personal electronic devices upon entry.”

LOOK UP, GREENLAND

Former NASA astronaut Dr Sandra H. Magnus will be on Aurora Expeditions’ solar eclipse voyage in Greenland in August 2026. Dr Magnus has spent over 150 days in space, including missions to the International Space Station and on the final space shuttle flight. In lectures and guided discussions, she will draw connections between space and the polar regions. aurora-expeditions.com

READY TO GO

The latest research results from Roy Morgan show 23 per cent of the Australians surveyed are planning to travel overseas in the next 12 months, and 57 per cent are planning a domestic trip in the next year. A Roy Morgan spokesperson says: “Since October 2022, travel intentions have bounced back despite low levels of consumer confidence.”

QSUITE COMING

Qatar Airways’ Qsuite will be introduced on the Perth route from June 25. Qsuite is a private business-class pod with a sliding door for complete privacy. It reminds me of a small and beautiful yacht cabin. Qatar has being flying A380s between Perth and Doha which don’t have Qsuites, but the airline is putting Boeing 777s on the route. Two Qsuites together, in the centre of the plane, will also transform into a double bed or family suite.

DINOS SOAR

Dinosaurs will invade the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, on May 29 when Jurassic World: The Experience opens. The animatronic and sculpted dinosaurs will include an 8.5m tall brachiosaurus, a tyrannosaurus rex, and baby dinosaurs in the petting zoo area.

SRI LANKA’S COAST

A resort called Uga Prava opens in May on the shores of Tangalle, Sri Lanka. There are just seven ocean-facing suites, an infinity pool, and access to a private beach. Each suite has minimalist design, a private balcony and jacuzzi. Uga Prava is set in lush gardens, 215km from Bandaranaike International Airport. Rates start from $542 a night. ugaescapes.com/ugaprava/

TASTE OF THE WORLD

We “visited” Sri Lanka as one of the courses of our Round the World Dinner last week, along with Peru, Greece and Morocco. All are places that can be visited (along with many others) with our partners at the event, Intrepid Travel. For the Sri Lanka course in the banquet hall of the University Club of Western Australia, chef Costa Simatos served brinjal and green bean curry with rice and fried prawn vadai. Composer and musician Steve Richter played his original music to accompany stories. Thanks to all who made it a magical night.

TO EUROPE & AFRICA

Today we announce a Travel Club tour with Intrepid Travel to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. It starts in Madrid, visits Salamanca and Seville, then crosses into Portugal, to Coimbra, Lisbon and Olhao. And then comes the shift from Europe to Africa by ferry for the Morocco section, which I will be joining. We will travel to the blue city of Chefchaouen, then Fes and Marrakech. The trip is from October 20, and full details start on page 5.

SHARING THE WIN

Intrepid Travel recently announced 2024 was a record year for the company, with revenue of $626 million, up 17 per cent compared with the previous year. Retaining its style of community-focused travel, it was the best all-round performance in Intrepid’s 35-year history. The company shared this success with its global team, paying $12.8m in bonuses. An insider says: “This is the bedrock of Intrepid’s co-founders’ principles and their belief that the company should be owned by the people who run it.” In 2024, Intrepid had about 555 staff shareholders.

The company’s not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, also raised more than $2.4m for local partners in 39 countries around the world. intrepidtravel.com

ART & HISTORY

Art, architecture and heritage are being celebrated as the Australian Heritage Festival and World Heritage Day come together. As part of this, bookings are now open for private tours of the heritage-listed Fairview of Subiaco. The historic house and gallery has a collection of women’s art which is of national significance, the Fairview Art Collection. The Australian Heritage Festival runs from Friday April 18 until Sunday May 18.

Tickets are limited, with bookings at fairview2025.eventbrite.com.au.

ARMY & NAVY

On April 6, a fleet of 40 Royal Australian Navy model ships arrived at the Australian Army Museum of WA. It is the first time these two Australian military services have had this sort of combined showing. The models will be associated with army displays covering World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, and United Nations operations. The display is at the Australian Army Museum, Burt Street, Fremantle, from April 6-May 22 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 10am-3pm, costing $15 for adults and $10 for children and concession holders). armymuseumwa.com.au

CARNIVAL TIME

Carnival is clearly excited to have the two ships Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter added to their Australian fleet. They sent us a cake to celebrate (and when we cut it, it exploded with lollies). Adventure joins Carnival Splendor in sailing out of Sydney. Encounter joins Carnival Luminosa to be home-ported in Brisbane. The card with the cake reads “four times the fun”.

HAPPY-SAD AU REVOIR

And that brings us to our own happy-sad celebration. Colleague Penny Thomas went on parental leave yesterday (we’re delighted for her) and won’t be with us for a while (and we’re sad about that). Penny’s a big part of our little team, and has been presenting and producing The Pod Well Travelled. She’ll be missed, even if it’s only temporary.