City of Sydney’s Christmas Celebrations for 2010 - Sydney CBD Tourism and Visitor Information

You're invited to the City of Sydney’s Christmas celebrations for 2010!

Martin Place Children’s Christmas Concert and Tree Lighting:

City of Sydney’s Christmas celebrations begin with the ever popular Children’s Christmas Concert and lighting of the City’s impressive 21-metre tall Christmas tree in Martin Place. Join us for an evening of entertainment including MC Justine Clarke, Yo Gabba Gabba, Curious George, Beccy Cole, carols from the Australian Girls Choir, fireworks and don’t miss Santa arriving on his sleigh! You can also catch the concert broadcast at Westfield Sydney, under Myer.
When: 6pm – 8:30pm Thursday 18 November
Where: Martin Place

Christmas on the Green:

Avoid the crowds and enjoy Christmas amid the luscious green surrounds of Hyde Park North, where all the excitement of the Martin Place Christmas Concert & Tree Lighting will be live on a big screen. Join MC’s Johnny & Liesel, Mr Happy’s Happy Christmas Show, carols from the Choristers of St Mary’s Cathedral and Santa arriving on his sleigh!
When: 6pm – 8:30pm Thursday 18 November
Where: Hyde Park North

Village Family Christmas Concerts:

City of Sydney is holding four free Village Christmas Concerts for families. Pack a rug and a picnic and join MC Justine Clarke for carols and great children’s entertainment. And to top things off Santa will be dropping by, spreading the Christmas cheer.

When and Where:

Saturday 27 November – Beare Park, Elizabeth Bay – with MC Justine Clarke, kids entertainment, Christmas carols, Johnny G and the E-Types soul, funk & r&b band, Santa and lots more!
Sunday 28 November – Turruwul Park, Rosebery – with MC Justine Clarke, kids entertainment, Christmas carols, Son Veneno – a fusion of salsa, funk, jazz, rap & reggae, Santa and lots more!
Saturday 4 December – Alexandria Park, Alexandria – With MC Justine Clarke, kids entertainment, Christmas Carols, The Bakery featuring funk, swing and reggae, Santa and lots more!
Sunday 5 December – Ward Park, Surry Hills – With MC Justine Clarke, kids entertainment, Christmas carols, Danny and the Cosmic Tremors rockabilly blues & country band, Santa and lots more!
General enquiries: City of Sydney Phone 02 9265 9333

For Sydney Accommodation see Metro Hotels

See City of Sydney Site

Non-smoking Hotels have been a breath of fresh air - Metro Hotels

Five years on and the decision to adopt a 100% Non-smoking policy in all of its 14 hotels, motels, resorts and serviced apartments around Australia has proven to be an extremely positve move by Metro Hotels.

The initial move to adopt the smoke free policy came about in 2006 following increased demand for non-smoking rooms from corporate and government clients.

"At the time we envisaged the change would be well received by our clients as the decision to become non-smoking basically came from them," explained Metro Hotels Chief Operating Officer, George Bedwani. "And the initial decision has proven to be a very good one", he said.

Metro Hotels has experienced no negative impact on their business. "To the contrary, we have received numerous positive comments from our guests and we have even secured new business from specific organisations in the health industry because we guarantee all rooms are non-smoking." noted Mr Bedwani.

There is still no official regulations requiring a total smoke-free environment in Hotels, Motels and other short term accommodation properties however Metro Hotels has made it an official requirement for all of their properties.

Find out more about Metro Hotels at www.MetroHotels.com.au

Golden Oldies visit Sydney - Sydney Tourism News

Sydney is to welcome up to 4,000 people from next Sunday for the 18th Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival 2010. There are 16 nations competing in 178 teams in matches to be held at Centennial Parklands. Players are 35 years and over, with the oldest player aged 84. The event runs from 26 September to 3 October.

The Golden Oldies festival includes an Opening Ceremony on the steps of Town Hall on Sunday, 26 September, a street parade, welcome cocktail party, Hunter Valley barbecue and grand final gala dinner. Game days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week. Air New Zealand is the global owner of the Golden Oldies Movement which includes five sports.

The former NSW Major Events Board (now Events NSW) successfully bid for the event in partnership with Business Events Sydney and the Australian Rugby Golden Oldies. Tourism NSW’s Manager of International Operations Ian Cameron has been working on the event in his capacity as member of the Sydney Organising Committee. The last Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival was held in Edinburgh in 2008

For accommodation during the Golden Oldies Festival log on to www.metrohotels.com.au

Sydney Named World's Best Event City

Sydney has been named the World's Best Festival and Event City.

The title has been awarded at the 55th International Festivals and Events Association Convention, taking place in the United States.

It is the first time the award has been given.

Sydney has come first of all the cities in the world with more than one million people.

The New South Wales Major Events Minister, Kevin Greene says the international recognition is very significant.

"This is a magnificent achievement," he said.

"Pitted against every city in the world, Sydney has come out as number one. It's a great pleasure to be able to announce this magnificent success."

Adventure at Oceanworld these school holidays - Sydney Tourism

Those who crave adventure will love new, interactive Shark Adventurer Camp at Oceanworld Manly this Spring School Holidays, which will provide children with the opportunity to get daringly close to many species of shark, including the huge Grey Nurse Shark in Oceanworld’s 4 million litre Oceanarium. Children will prepare for their courageous shark encounter with a practice snorkel in Oceanworld’s new Tropical Reef exhibit, before plunging into the cool depths of the main Oceanarium for an unforgettable snorkel adventure! In addition to receiving an exclusive back of house tour of Oceanworld Manly, and a private guided tunnel tour, kids can also get their hands wet and help Oceanworld’s marine experts to feed the fish and rays. Call Oceanworld to secure your place on 02 8251 7872.

See Nearby accommodation at Metro Hotels

WESTFIELD SYDNEY STAGE ONE TO OPEN IN OCTOBER

The Westfield Group will open the first stage of the $1.2 billion Westfield Sydney development in late October, 2010.

More than 100 fashion and food specialty stores will open for trade by Christmas, at what will be a world class retail and commercial precinct. A second stage opening is scheduled for the second quarter of 2011, with the centre due for completion in 2012 with the construction of a 27-storey office tower that will be home to J.P. Morgan’s Australian headquarters.

Westfield Sydney will represent the next generation in Australian retail, delivering an unrivalled shopping experience in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. The development is in Sydney’s best retail site at Pitt St Mall, Castlereagh and Market streets, and connects to the highest grossing department stores in Australia - David Jones and Myer. On completion in 2012 the new development will comprise more than 250 fashion, food and lifestyle stores across 40,000 squ are metres (sqm) and seven levels. This will be complemented by Sydney Central Plaza’s 80 stores over 53,000sqm.

Westfield Group Managing Director Australia & New Zealand Robert Jordan said, “Westfield Sydney will become the benchmark for downtown shopping malls in Australia. We’re developing a global centre that will offer the very best in retail, design, and services and we believe the centre will position Sydney as an international shopping destination.”

Stores to open in Stage One in October include Gucci, Hugo Boss, Stuart Weitzman, new-to-market brands GAP, Mulberry, and DKNY Jeans, together with a host of Australian retailers including Cue, Sportsgirl, Wanted Shoes and designers including Zimmerman and Carla Zampatti. Westfield Sydney will also launch 100 Squared, a fashion incubator concept allowing clusters of young designers to have a pop-up retail space on level one.

Openings in 2011 will see the unveiling of furthe r high street and designer stores including Prada, Miu Miu and the recently announced Zara, opening its first store in Australia. The full food offering includes fine dining restaurants on level six, a high-end restaurant-style food precinct, and due for completion in 2012, an outdoor bar.

Special ‘Rock Me’ Package at Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Sydney is set to rock from spring right through into summer this year as a record number of international acts head down under to catch the southern summer – and Metro Hotel Sydney Central is keen to help music lovers enjoy every minute of it.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central, perfectly located opposite the Capitol Theatre in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment district, is offering a very special ‘Rock Me’ package for $169*. The package comprises:

- One night’s accommodation in a superior room
- Buffet breakfast for 2 people in Indigo on Capitol
- $30 drinks voucher at Paddy Maguires pub (located diagonally opposite the Metro Hotel); ideal location for pre or post concert drinks
- Extended check-out to 12 noon
- Valid from September 1st – December 30th
- Ten international acts are set to tour Sydney from September to December, with big name acts Metallica and Bon Jovi expected to draw the biggest crowds. Rock legends from the 70s and 80s are also sure to be huge hits, with The Eagles, Credence Clearwater Revival, Blondie and The Pretenders, Peter Frampton, America and Chicago, Pat Benatar and The Bangles, Robin Gibb and Bonnie Tyler all having heavily pre-sold shows for the Sydney spring-summer period.

Add to this list Leonard Cohen, Tim McGraw and Engelbert Humperdink, all of whom have enormous followings, then squeeze in local legend Powderfinger’s last big Sydney gig at the Entertainment Centre and James Morrison and his Big Band at the State Theatre, and it becomes clear Sydneysiders will be spoilt for choice on the music scene in late 2010.

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Sydney leading the way in hotel occupancy rates (Sydney Tourism News)

Sydney is leading the recovery in hotel occupancy rates as room supply remains tight. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show a strong rebound in the December quarter.
Industry advisers Dransfield Hotels & Resorts said results were well above expec-tations and confirmed “the economic tide has turned.” The key figure, revenue per available room or revPAR, fell 2.3 per cent nationally but this was much less than Dransfield and other analysts had expected.
In Canberra, revPAR actually increased, by 5.1 per cent, and also in Sydney, (2.6 per cent)and on the Gold Coast (0.8 per cent). Sydney was the industry’s best performer with hotel occupancy for the quarter reaching 86.8 per cent.

Aspire Hotel Sydney DVD package now available (sydney hotel accommodation)

Aspire Hotel Sydney DVD package includes:

- DVD player 24 hour rental,
- A bottle of soft drink
- A packet of chips
- A choclate bar

Book this Aspire Hotel Sydney DVD package (see rates)

View Aspire Hotel Sydney

See Images of Aspire Hotel Sydney at Metro Hotels Myspace page

See Images of Aspire Hotel Sydney at Metro Hotels Myspace page

See Aspire Hotel Sydney