THIS time last year Roamfree founder Tony Smith was flying high: he was rich – the fortune he made after selling Breakfree to MFS still intact; ambitious – lots of big statements about Roamfree; optimistic – building a Gold Coast beachfront mega mansion on land he’d bought for $27m. One year ago, give or take a day, he also dropped more than $11m on a couple of properties in Tamarama, a beautiful but dangerous beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Now it appears just about everything’s gone. MFS has collapsed, taking much of Smith’s wealth with it. Roamfree has just sacked a bunch of staff and Smith, the founder, is making no comment. Now, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, Smith has liquidated his property portfolio., selling the partly developed Gold Coast mansion for land vale ($28m) while offloading the Tamarama properties for about $800,000 less than he paid. The paper said Smith and his family have since relocated to a nice Mermaid Beach apartment worth more than $1m. What a difference a year makes. Travel Trends: May 19, 2008
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Events
'REAL TIME - Sydney, March 30'
- When: March 30, 2012
- Where: Amora Hotel Jamison
- Program: Real Time
- Bookings: $499 + gst Early Bird
BOOK now to get the Early Bird rate for the No Vacancy accommodation industry conference in Sydney.
Real Time is the theme of No Vacancy 2012, reflecting the fact that we live in a world where everything happens now, or not at all.
In no business is this more obvious than tourism. Booking lead times are now measured in hours not days or weeks.
To succeed requires a new way of doing business, a fresh mentality and a fair amount of nerve.
The program is packed with the information you'll need to thrive in today's just-in-time world with a focus on distribution, marketing, innovation, consumers and technology.
Speakers confirmed so far include the following, and there are a few more on the way...
- Rachel Argaman, CEO, Toga Hospitality
- Dave Audley, Heading of Consulting, Experian Hitwise
- Quentin Briard, GM Australia & NZ, Club Med
- Daniel Bridges, Head of Travel, Trade Me (NZ)
- Julio Bruno, Global Vice President Sales, TripAdvisor
- James Cassidy, HomeAway.com.au
- Robbie Cooke, CEO, Wotif.com
- Will Deague, CEO, Art Series Hotels
- Dean Dransfield, Director, Dransfield Hotels and Resorts
- Bob East, CEO, Mantra Resorts
- Leah Lipman, Area Director Reveneue Management Australasia, IHG
- Simon McGrath, CEO, Accor Australia
- Bryon Merzeo, Analyst, STR Global
- Bernard O’Keefe, Group Online Marketing Manager, Hamilton Island
- Todd Parker, Founder, Parker Travel Collection
- Nikolai Pitchforth, Head of Online Travel, Google
- Brett Pointon, Founder, Oaks Hotels and Resorts
- Anton Stanish, GM, The Stayz Group
- Janet Wilson, Managing Director, Nationwide Hospitality
It'll be a great day. As usual, the focus will be on distribution, marketing, sales, innovation and technology for both hoteliers and Online Travel Agents.
Sponsors:
Returning September 17, 2012
The date has been set for TRAVELtech 2012 - Monday, September 17.
Meanwhile, thanks to everyone who attended TRAVELtech: Best of Enemies in Sydney recently.
It was a fantastic event, lots of fun with a touch of controversy.
Please check out the photographs or use this link to see great 360 degree panorama shots of the conference from Panedia.
TRAVELtech is Australia's original web travel, marketing and distribution event, featuring a compelling program, great speakers and fantastic networking.
No Vacancy Southeast Asia
Bangkok, July 2012
No Vacancy continues to evolve. After the success of No Vacancy Thailand, the 2012 event will expand to encompass Southeast Asia.
It'll still be held in Bangkok and Thailand remains central to No Vacancy's future in the region.
More news by early February. Meanwhile, some images have been posted of No Vacancy Thailand below.
The first Destination Online TNQ half-day conference has just been held in Cairns.
It was great - thanks to everyone who came and helped out.
And a message to anyone thinking about heading to TNQ, do it.
Fantastic place and you'd have to say a little under-rated right now.
SPEAKERS INCLUDED
- Richard Eastes, Director, VroomVroomVroom.com.au
- Brad Gurrie, GM Australia and SE Asia, Travelzoo
- Martin Kelly, Director, TravelTrends.biz
- Bryon Merzeo, Australian Manager, STR Global
- Christopher Northam, Area Operations Manager, Mantra Group
- Bernard O’Keefe, Group Online Marketing Manager, Hamilton Island
- Todd Parker, Managing Director, Parker Travel Collection
- Rush Pathak, Digital Manager, Tourism Tropical North Queensland
- Richard Tribe, Director, Ski.com.au
Sponsored by:
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