Who works harder? Aussies or Americans? What does this mean for tourism?

by Jamie Rhein on

In this article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Australians are touted as working the hardest out of people in the developed world.

Here are the statistics given to prove the point. In Australia:

  • Almost 60% of the people with full-time jobs don’t take all of their four-week vacation time.
  • Years of this practice have many people with 8 weeks of unused time.
  • Corporate men ages 35-49 with kids under 12 are the biggest culprits of this practice.

I find the statistics interesting since I don’t know many jobs in the U.S. where people have a starting vacation time of more than two weeks. Many begin a job with less than that. Many folks don’t even get a paid vacation. In order for people to have acquired eight weeks of unused time in the U.S., they would have had to have not taken ANY vacation for at least four years if they are the ones with the two-week time frame. In a Gadling post in 2007, Willy pointed out the U.S. statistics which don’t bode well for those looking for R&R on a beach somewhere.

However, given that if the Australian statistics are indeed correct, and who really cares anyway, the larger point that the article makes is important indeed. Unused vacation time means unspent tourist dollars. In today’s economy, tourism could be a big economic boost to many parts of both countries–Australia and the U.S.

In Australia, the not taken time equates to $31 billion in holiday pay. Yowza! Hoping to tap into the dough, Tourism Australia has a program called “No Leave, No Life,” in order to get the business community to buy into the idea of the importance of taking that vacation time.

I think the U.S. needs to tap into the idea of more vacation time, period. If people are given four weeks, they may take two at least.

As part of the campaign in Australia, and I’d bet the U.S., part of the TV and print ads need to address the issue of how important it is for dads to spend time with their children. AND show dads having fun doing it.

Anyone with kids who are bickering at home with each other and arguing about cleaning their rooms, or whining from the backseat, “How long before we get there?” may think that work is actually more relaxing than that family vacation.

The best job in the world comes with an island and a $100,000 salary

by Scott Carmichael on

If the current economic climate is starting to make you feel a little down, how about taking a job as a caretaker at the Great Barrier Reef?

You’ll work very hard (for several hours a week), posting to a blog, picking up the mail and feeding the fish.

And for all that hard work, you will be paid about $8400 every 2 weeks (or $100,000 for the 6 month duration of your contract).

When your contract starts, you’ll be flown from anywhere in the world to Hamilton Island and you’ll live in a 3 bedroom house, all for free.

Sounds too good to be true? Well, it’s all part of a job hunt/pr stunt by Queensland Tourism to find their next caretaker and promote the area.

Of course, this isn’t as simple as sending in an application and packing your bags. You’ll be competing with thousands of others who think they are better suited for this job than you. That said, it is a real job, and the offer is most certainly legitimate.

If you feel up to the challenge, and think you have what it takes to send in an interesting application, head on over to their “apply now” page and keep your fingers crossed.

The final selection process for candidates takes place on Hamilton Island, and if you make the final cut, you’ll be flown there, all expenses paid!

The PR part of the job means you’ll sit on your island telling the world what a fantastic place the Great Barrier Reef islands are. To help you with your job, the tourist agency even provides you with Internet access, a computer and some video equipment.

You have until February 22nd to submit your application!

UPDATE: Please don’t contact Gadling with applications or questions about this job. Gadling is NOT sponsoring this job. If you have questions, please visit IslandReefJob.com to learn more.

UPDATE 2: If IslandReefJob.com does not load, it’s because their server is getting crushed from visits. Please be patient and try again soon.

Click the pictures to read about the 10 stupidest laws you could encounter abroad … are any in Australia?


Gadling Take FIVE: Week of Jan. 3-Jan. 9

by Jamie Rhein on

With the 2009 turnover has come new beginnings and changes that have influenced the travel world. Some changes began to happen a few years to thousands of years ago.

  • Jeremy who struggles with change on laundry day, discusses the lack of coins problem in Argentina, an issue that has been exaserbated by the economy.
  • As a postive change, Brenda highlighted a recent move by President Bush. He announced this week that three marine monuments have been created in the Pacific Ocean in order to protect the environment. Yes, it’s true, Shon. It was Bush, the guy in the White House. (Shon left a comment on Brenda’s post. We love comments.)
  • In his post on Australia’s Monash University’s new Web site, Aaron points describes how you can find out how the Earth’s physical appearance has changed over thousands of years as ice has melted by using the interactive map.
  • As tourism to Cambodia continues to rise, changes are happening in its travel landscape. Tom delves into the country’s ecotourism efforts.
  • Scott’s post on the first passenger airplane from Europe to land in Baghdad over the last 18 years, hopefully, indicates positive changes to come. The charter plane from Sweden had mostly Iraqis on board. They now live in Europe.

This week also marked the beginning of Gadling’s month long Budget Travel series where we point you towards places that might help you keep more change in your pocket. Check every Monday through Friday for new destinations. So far we’ve covered: Baltimore, Amsterdam, The Lake Effect Wine Trail, San Francisco, and Butte, Montana.

Also, don’t miss the posts of Jon Bowermaster, Gadling’s latest guest blogger who is writing posts from Antarctica. Each week there will be something to learn and enjoy from Jon’s intimate connection. He first went to Antarctica twenty years ago as part of an international dog sled team.

Top Destinations for Independent Travelers in 2009

by Kraig Becker on

BootsnAll, a great online resource for independent travelers, has put together their list of top 10 destinations for 2009. The locations on the list are lauded for the options they offer the experienced traveler who is looking to explore on his or her own.

Last year’s list was compiled by the writers and staff from BootsnAll, but for the 2009 edition they opened it up for suggestions from their very well traveled community as well. The results are ten great suggesions for experinced, adventurous travelers hoping to go abroad this year.

Some of the places on the list are a bit more obvious than others. For instances, Tasmania comes in at number ten, as Australia has long been considered a great destination for independent travelers, and the remote island maintains helps to maintain that reputation. On the other hand, the number one spot is held down by Columbia, which has not always been a great destination for visitors, independent or otherwise. But in recent years, the country has undergone a bit of a resurgence, and has now become a favorite destination for savvy travelers everywhere.

The other eight locations on the list are quite ecclectic as well, and span the globe, offering a wide variety of experiences and settings. There is something for everyone, from the outdoor adventurer to the more relaxed traveler looking for a more quiet escape. If you’re an independent traveler looking for a destination this year, you could do worse than starting with this list.

Photo of the Day (12.06.08)

by Grant Martin on

I booked a ticket to Australia a little while ago, and now that we’re in the new year, the reality of my journey is starting to hit. In the throes of planning our itinerary we considered a variety of destinations, including wine country, in the South of the island. Scenes like this, taken by colmdc in Barossa Valley make me even more certain that it’s a place that I want to visit. We’ll see where the winds take us.

Have any cool photos you’d like to share with the world? Add them to the Gadling Pool on Flickr, and it might be chosen as our Photo of the Day. Make sure you save them under Creative Commons though, otherwise we can’t use them!