What agents were searching for: the March archive

Every day, we see your clients travel habits shift, some destinations suddenly surge in popularity while others fall out of our search list, maybe due to seasonality or an unfavourable exchange rates. But one thing remains a constant: whenever your client gets to where they are going, they will need some suggestions on things to do when they get there.

So that's why we share our list of options that you can pass on to your clients if they ever happen to ask 'where they could get free ice cream in Auckland' for example.

#Dubai

You might think of Dubai as more of a place to change planes en route to a final Euro capital city. But in reality, Dubai has a rich history, a fascinating culture and you've also got some pretty fun activities to recommend to your clients to get the most out of their stay.

Dubai Polo Cup 2019
Enjoy a day living it up like the Royals at the fifth championship in the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series (Dubai Open). Attracting some of the world’s top polo players and teams, competing at the fields of the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, you can enjoy a day out with the whole family, in polo picnic style. Watch from the sidelines while the children can keep themselves busy at the dedicated kid's area.

Burj Al Arab Swim
Swim with a scenery few pools can beat at this year’s Burj Al Arab Swim. With the iconic seven-star hotel towering over you, be part of an energising and competitive race session. Lap the blue waters of Jumeirah Beach as you conquer an 800m path or a 1600m circuit depending on the challenge that fits you best. At the end of the race, participants will enjoy an entertaining awards ceremony for each distance.

Meydan Horse Racing
Next month marks the end of Dubai’s highly competitive domestic horse racing season, with only one competition remaining: the Dubai World Cup. If your clients are heading out soon, they can catch the last race of the 24th season while enjoying high-end hospitality at the Winner’s Circle or a picnic at The Premium. Meydan Racecourse also has options for free seating, paid seating and fine dining packages.

Dubai Desert Road Run
If your client's dream of long-distance running, in the desert (why?), tell them to pack their sneakers and head to the Sevens Stadium to give the Desert Road Run a go. This run brings together all sorts of people at different levels of ability in 3, 5 and 10k races. All finishers will be the proud winner of a bespoke event medal, and there's sure to be a festive post-race atmosphere, with chances to win sport prizes from the runner's raffle. Spectating is free of course, but any would-be runners must pre-register to take part.

#Venice

Venice is a small and delicate city with a lot of historical and cultural heritage that you can easily walk from one side to the other. There is no noise from cars, no traffic lights, but you'll need to let your clients know that every journey will always take more time than anticipated, either because they get lost, because they see something to explore or because they get stuck in the crowds.

Festa della Sensa (Feast of the Ascension)
Taking place in Venice on Sunday, June 2nd, tourists can relive the age-old history of the Serenissima Republic and its close relationship with the sea. Today Venice celebrates with a water parade headed by the “Serenissima”, a boat carrying the Mayor and other city dignitaries portraying an evocative ceremony, including a ring being launched into the water before a religious service at the church of San Nicolò on the Lido. The programme ends with the spectacular Venetian rowing competition.

The Vogalonga Rowing Race
The Vogalonga 2019 will most likely be held on Sunday, June 9th and is a 30km paddling/rowing race through the city of Venice up to Burano.

There are usually well over one thousand boats in the race, of many shapes and sizes, which starts in St. Mark's Basin opposite the Doge's Palace. The course winds its way among the lagoon islands before returning to Venice along the Rio di Cannaregio to finish at the Punta della Dogana.

Regata Storica
If your clients are going to be in Venice on the first Sunday of September, they can witness the "Regata Storica". Before the big regatta, there is a pageant of historical 16th-century style gondolas, with all of their rowers dressed in historical garb, ferrying the high officials of Venice to the finish line so they can watch the race. After the pageant, there are four separate gondola races in which the rowers use all of their strength to get their boats down the Grand Canal.

Redentore Fireworks
The Redentore is one of Venices best tourist attraction thanks to the spectacular firework display on the night of Saturday 20th July (the third Saturday in July each year). With the unbeatable backdrop of Saint Mark’s Basin, a play of lights and reflections produce a kaleidoscope of colours with the silhouetted spires, domes and bell towers of the city behind during the pyrotechnics display.

#Vancouver

Vancouver is dazzling in its beauty. Set amongst the natural splendour of snow-capped mountains, temperate rainforests and the crystal clear ocean, it's a vibrant city with a glassy downtown and dozens of unique neighbourhoods to explore and countless things to do.

All in all, Vancouver is a beautiful place to explore any time of the year, but here is our list of events to consider coming up in the next few months.

Sun Run
Starting downtown and finishing at BC Place Stadium on Sunday, April 14, the Vancouver Sun Run is a great 10 km running race for all skill levels. The race attracts over 40,000 runners, from kids to senior citizens, walkers to world-class athletes and is not only Canada’s largest 10 km race, but it’s also one of the world’s most beautiful.

From the starting line downtown at the corner of Georgia and Burrard, the race goes through Stanley Park, along English Bay, across the Burrard Street Bridge, over the Cambie Street Bridge and down to BC Place Stadium. The views over the course of the run include mountains, ocean, beaches, skyscrapers and bridges. If it’s a sunny Sun Run, it’s incredible!

If your clients aren’t runners themselves, tell them to go anyway and cheer the thousands of people you don’t know. Along the route are bands playing music, so the whole course has a festive atmosphere.

Vancouver Pillow Fight Day
Organised by Flash Mob Vancouver, the Vancouver Pillow Fight event attracts several hundred people each year and results in tons of fun and feathers. This year it's on April 6th, so tell your clients to take their hotel pillows (only joking) along and take part in International Pillow Fight Day outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. Or maybe stand back, and video this normally bedroom-based bonkers battle from a safe distance.

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival takes place throughout April and features a Japan Fair and other blossom-themed events. In celebration of the Northern hemisphere spring and the blossoming of cherry trees, there are events throughout Metro Vancouver including a Cherry Jam Concert downtown, Spring Lights Illumination Night at Stanley Park, Sakura Days Japan Fair at VanDusen Garden and more.

Bike the Blossoms
So if they're going to be there for the cherry blossom festival, why not tell them about the 'Bike the Blossoms' ride! They can sign up with MOBI for the day (24hr pass) online, grab a bike from a local MOBI station and ride to the lake and pay the fees $5 per 30 mins, which will be much cheaper than a bike shop if they want a bike for 2-3hrs.

Closest stations are close by Commercial drive skytrain, and there are two within a block!

#Auckland

Auckland is the most bustling and cosmopolitan city in New Zealand, and what makes it a truly unique destination is its fabulous proximity to the Waitemata Harbor, leading to the Gulf of Hauraki and the Bay of Islands. It also has some great events throughout the year that your clients will want to know about - especially the free ice-cream tip.

Elemental AKL
Auckland's newest winter festival Elemental AKL is awakening the elements for a July-long celebration showcasing sensational cuisine, dazzling lighting installations, exciting entertainment and culture around the region.

Elemental AKL draws on the elements of air, fire, earth, and water to unlock a unique and inspiring calendar of more than 40 free and ticketed events. Elemental AKL is set to transform eateries and bars, theatres, parks and islands, public spaces and more throughout Tāmaki Makaurau.

Auckland Art Fair
New Zealand’s premier contemporary art event which welcomed more than 10,000 visitors over the five days last year, takes place at The Cloud on Auckland’s Queen’s Wharf from Wednesday 1 – Sunday 5 May.

The Auckland Art Fair is a showcase for contemporary art from the region and celebrates emerging talent. The Fair will once again offer a curated Project Programme, an initiative that enables outstanding young artists, some of who do not yet have gallery representation, to be part of the Fair. Have your credit cards at the ready.

125 Years of Rugby in Waiuku
Considering the Kiwis love of rugby we wanted to note that 2019 marks the 125th anniversary of rugby in Waiuku, and to celebrate this remarkable milestone, they are hosting an event on Saturday 27th April. The day will kick off with a luncheon in a marquee on the sideline of our Number 1 field, and you can watch the rugby games on display while having something to eat and drink. The games will go on until the evening when there'll be a band performing from 7 pm, and a free supper will also be provided. As this is such a historic occasion, there'll be some merchandise with a 125 years logo, available to purchase.

Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day
Chunk-filled ice cream makers Ben & Jerry's have been dishing out pop culture-riffing flavours like Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yoghurt, Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream and, of course, Schweddy Balls for years. Then the masters of frozen confection go and create something called 'Free Cone Day', an annual event which defies haters. You can score an ice cream on the house, as part of the company's yearly tradition thanking its fanbase for all the gluttonous support.

On Tuesday, April 9, Ben & Jerry's Auckland Scoop Shops are hosting the third annual Free Cone Day; scooping out free ice-cream from 12pm until 8pm. Find your local Scoop Shop and get your fill of a delicious Ben & Jerry's free cone (check-out their Facebook page for details).

#Hong Kong

Almost nowhere else in the world do so many different events – festivals, conventions, exhibitions, performances and competitions – take place at once. Hong Kong is a hive of non-stop activity, night and day. You will never be at a loss for something interesting to see or do! Our suggestions below give you shortlist to offer your clients.

2019 Dragon Boat Festival
Taking place on the 5th day of the 5th Lunar month, starting Friday 7th June, this event goes as far back as the 3rd century and is most well-known for its energetic and colourful dragon boat races, where teams of paddlers race the long narrow boats accompanied by the beat of the drum down to the finish line. A festival of energy and sounds that they'll remember forever.

The Hong Kong Sevens
Firmly established as the world’s premier event of its kind, the Hong Kong Sevens attracts some of the world’s greatest rugby players and thousands of fans from every corner of the globe. Creating a great carnival atmosphere at the Hong Kong Stadium for the 40 international teams playing in front of 120,000 spectators, this truly is an unforgettable three days for everyone who gets there.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival
Admit it; you've already started to salivate, haven't you? The Cheung Chau Bun Festival falls on the fifth to the ninth days of the fourth lunar month, or as we would say 9th - 13th May.

Every year, the people of Cheung Chau get busy making paper-mâché effigies of deities, preparing costumes, baking buns and building a bamboo tower. They’re preparing for the thousands of people that will soon descend upon their tiny island for one of the world's 'Top 10 Quirky Local Festivals'. The weeklong event includes Taoist ceremonies and music, a parade, lion dances, drum beating and an exciting Bun Scrambling Competition. (40 or 60-minute ferry journey from Central Pier #5)

The ‘Bruce Lee: Kung Fu‧Art‧Life’ exhibition
How about recommending a visit to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum for a collaboration project with the Bruce Lee Foundation (USA) to see an exhibition that looks at Bruce Lee not only as a film star and martial artist but also as a cultural phenomenon. More than 600 invaluable items of Bruce Lee memorabilia provided by local and overseas collectors and organisations will be on show. Visitors will be able to gain greater insight into his achievements and contributions as well as his significance in popular culture.

Last month, Matt from Victoria walked away with the 2000 Room-Res Rewards points ($20) for his recommendation, so let's hear yours and next month it could be you...

So, what hotels, restaurants, activities or events are you recommending for your passengers in 2019? Let us know below, and we’ll give the best one 2000 Room-Res Rewards!

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