Explore All Your Options

Sun Herald

Sunday November 9, 2008

Debbie Hunter

Access a world of travel opportunities and ideas under one roof, writes Debbie Hunter.

Now in its 14th year, the Adventure Travel & Backpacker Expo, on next weekend, is the best place to ask questions and source the latest travel information, grab exclusive deals and score giveaways. Here's a small sample of what you can expect:

The jobs

Australians are not deterred by the changes to immigration law or the current British economic climate and continue to make the most of their overseas experiences.

And although vacancies have declined, there are still jobs aplenty for the experienced professional, says British recruitment firm Badenoch & Clark .

"Our quarterly tracking study, the Happiness at Work Index, shows that despite the global economic situation, in July 75 per cent of office workers in the UK were just as confident or more confident about their career prospects than at the start of 2008," spokeswoman Rachel Gunston says.

While the influx of Australian professionals to Britain is slowing, those already there don't seem fazed either, she says.

"The most common regret our customers express is not knowing about the visa changes early enough, as those looking to switch to a Tier 1 visa now have to return to Australia while their application is processed," Gunston says.

"This won't be the case for new migrants. So long as they meet visa criteria, understand its terms and get savvy about the job market, newcomers to the UK will enjoy a fulfilling overseas experience."

For more details on British visa changes, see www.ukvisas.gov.uk. For UK jobs see badenochandclark.com.

The deal

If you thought Antarctica was just a distant, expensive dream, think again. Web-based Chimu Adventures, which specialises in customised tours to South America and Antarctica, offers 11-day expeditions leaving from Ushuaia on the Southern tip of Argentina from $4300 a person.

Costs are kept down because you can book direct. Find out more at the expo or see chimuadventures.com.au.

The experts

YHA staff will be on hand to chat about the benefits of the YHA card - including the new joint YHA ISIC card that saves students and travellers under 26 years of age loads of cash while globetrotting. Staff at the expo will provide tips on everything from staying in hostels, booking the trip, how to get around, how much cash to take, medical recommendations, what visas are needed, travel insurance and tour operators - even the best way to pack your bags.

Among a host of giveaways at the two-day expo will be three prize packs of 10 nights' accommodation at any YHA hotel in Australia, a YHA membership and travel accessories - valued at $350 each. Travellers will also have the opportunity to buy a two-year YHA membership for the price of one year.

YHA's travel gurus will also talk about backpacking from 2pm and women travelling from 12.30pm each day. See yha.com.au.

The training

Registered training organisation Hostec provides short courses and required certificates to enable international travellers to work legally in hospitality, tourism and construction jobs within NSW and beyond.

Courses run daily at four locations - Sydney CBD, Seven Hills, Campbelltown and Manly. Special offers are available at the expo. For more information see hostec.com.

The technology

Travel journals are a great way to keep memories alive and ekit.com's newest service makes recording your movements easier than ever before. Instead of having to manually update your details, the online travel journal service automatically creates a trip journal based on the location of your mobile phone.

With the aid of signals from the nearest mobile phone tower and Google maps, a journal is created featuring images, local weather information and a record of recent communications. Users can update and personalise their journal at any time with text or photos.

Family and friends can also use the service to keep track of your location. In future, travellers will also be able to publish all or part of their travel journal on their favourite social networking site. Accessible in more than 100 countries, the service is free when you purchase an ekit SIM card or international mobile package online from telestial.com (the online retail brand of ekit) or ekit.com.

The website

Launching at the expo, ViaSingapore.com searches more than 100 websites, in real time, to find the best fares (on both full-service and low-cost carriers) into and out of the Asian hub. Listed from the cheapest to most expensive, it's a great way to compare prices at a glance.

Users can also find exclusive deals and search for accommodation and activities in Singapore via the website.ViaSingapore.com is offering special deals on airfares in conjunction with the expo and, if you book while you're there, you'll receive additional rewards.

THE EXPO

* Where Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour (Hall 1)

* When Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16, 2008

* Time 10am to 4pm

* Entry $7 (bring this article for free entry for four people)

* Website See www.MyAdventureExpo.com

* What's it about? This is your chance to meet over 200 exhibitors from around the world who represent a huge range of destinations, as well as adventure travel operators, companies specialising in overseas work and volunteering opportunities. You'll receive the latest information about lesser-known and must-see destinations, travel options, current prices and specific information about jobs overseas that are available to Australians - all under the one roof.

* What's on Free travel talks will provide more detailed information on more than 20 topics. There will also be time for questions. Topics include: Living and working in London; Volunteering Around the World; Travel Europe on a budget; Woman Travel the World; Information on British and the new USA Working Holiday Visas; plus talks on South America, Africa, New Zealand, India.

* Giveaways There will be great discounts and special offers available only at the Adventure Travel and Backpackers Expo, plus plenty of competitions and freebies.

* Entertainment Ever wanted to experience the thrill of bungy? Taupo Bungy from New Zealand will set up a bungy at the expo.Visitors can have a go for free.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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