New luxury Maldives resort, easier Tibetan travel

China has eased its restrictions on tourism in Tibet, which should make it easier for travellers to visit picture-perfect destinations like Cholo and Kangchung Peak. Source: Supplied

An overwater villa at Maalifushi resort in The Maldives. Source: Supplied

COMO Hotels will open the doors to its newest resort in the Maldives in October, while Tibetan travel will be easier now that the government has eased restrictions.

1. Maldives luxury

A LUXURIOUS resort will open on a private island in the Maldives in October.

COMO Hotels and Resorts will open Maalifushi by COMO on an 8ha island in the southerly Thaa Atoll as a sister property to Cocoa Island by COMO, further north in the South MalI atoll.

The 66-room property will be the first luxury resort in Thaa Atoll, neighboured by a string of uninhabited islands that can be booked for castaway picnics and romantic private dining.

See comohotels.com/maalifushi

2. Tibet's doors open

TRAVELLERS will find it easier to visit Tibet following the easing of travel restrictions by the Chinese government. Under the changes there is no longer a minimum number of travellers required per nationality within a tour group.

There are no longer any restrictions on the size of the group of travellers, but passengers entering Tibet must be travelling with a tour operator recognised by the Tibetan Tourism Administration and be travelling on that operator's official tour.

Helen Wong, founder and managing director of China specialist Helen Wong's Tours, said the timing couldn't have been better as her company has now entered the New Zealand market.

"We will now see Australians able to travel with the Kiwis to Tibet," she said.

3. Dark side

TASMANIA'S controversial Museum of Old and New Art (MoNA) is introducing a new winter festival this year.

Dark Mofo - dubbed the darker sister to MONA's summer MOFO event - will include a large-scale public art program and exhibition in Hobart, a Winter Feast at Princes Wharf No.1, art installations throughout the city, a music program, film program as well as food and wine. Martha Wainwright will perform at the event from June 13 to 23.

See darkmofo.net.au

4. Go with the Flow

SNOW lovers can get their annual pre-season fix of adrenalin when the latest Warren Miller film tours Australia from May 22. Resorts in Colorado, California, Switzerland, Japan, Norway, Alaska and Austria feature in this year's movie, Flow State. The film stars celebrated athletes including Colby West, Chris Davenport, Jess McMillan and David Wise, while Warren Miller regular Chris Anthony tries his luck on some 70-year-old ski equipment.

For dates see warrenmiller.com.au

5. Pulled into shape

PULLMAN Sydney Hyde Park has unveiled a multimillion-dollar refurbishment with a modern lobby and a new-look executive lounge with views over the park and city skyline. The 5-star hotel also has a new Connectivity Lounge offering free Wi-Fi and a range of business services and a sleek new bar.

All 22 floors have been refurbished with new carpet, artistic bed heads, glass work desks, chairs and artistic lighting. Rates start from $279 a room, a night.

See pullmanhotels.com

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Aussie 'executed' in front of resort diners

IN COLD BLOOD: Brisbane man Paul Davy (above) has been shot dead in front of diners at the Blue Rock Beach Resort. (inset) A poster from a beauty pageant held at the resort three weeks ago. Source: The Courier-Mail

SACKED resort employees are being questioned after the execution-style killing of Brisbane man Paul Dean Davy, who was gunned down in front of 20 diners in a Philippines restaurant.

Police have interviewed disgruntled workers of the Blue Rock Beach Resort after Mr Davy, 53, was shot in the back of the head with a .45-calibre pistol at the resort restaurant about 7pm on Friday.

It is believed Mr Davy may have known his attacker, however police would not confirm this and have not ruled out the involvement of a hitman.

The killing took place as Mr Davy, the general manager of the resort, looked out towards the Baloy Long Beach shoreline and spoke with fellow Australian Mick Hay in the town of Olongapo, northwest of Manila, police said.

"There were 15-20 customers, mostly foreigners," Olongapo senior police officer Tyrone Tecson told The Courier-Mail.

An Australian man has been shot dead at a beach resort in the Philippines.

"The attacker approached from behind and shot him and immediately left the scene.

"They were looking at the sea, the shoreline."

The man is understood to have fled on a white scooter which was abandoned about 3km from the crime scene. Police were yesterday tracing the owner.

Mr Hay, who is listed as the president of Blue Rock Beach Resort, could not be reached for comment yesterday but The Courier-Mail has been told he is a co-owner of the resort.

IN COLD BLOOD: Brisbane man Paul Davy has been shot dead in front of diners at the Blue Rock Beach Resort.

Mr Tecson said police had interviewed witnesses and staff to establish a motive.

"There is no angle involving drugs or a love triangle with a woman," Mr Tecson said. "We are looking at the employees who have been fired or forced to resign."

Mr Davy was taken to hospital but could not be saved.

The gunman has been described as a man of Filipino appearance, aged 30-35, wearing clear prescription glasses and a blue cap.

A beauty pageant was held at the 41-room beach resort three weeks ago.

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