Within the last few decades, the People’s Republic of China has transformed itself into the manufacturing capital of the world. From whitegoods to watches, the Chinese make just about everything. The ‘Made in China’ label is a ubiquitous feature of modern domestic life.

It’s a particularly common thing to see on clothing labels, too. While other countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh are catching up to China, the world’s most populous country is still the #1 textile maker and exporter in the world. While luxury clothing labels tend to produce their clothes in places like Italy, France or Japan, the vast majority of mainstream clothing brands manufacture in China.

But as China becomes more and more prosperous – and our desire for fashion continues to grow – now even upmarket brands are manufacturing in China. Kenzo, Acne Studios, A.P.C. and even Burberry are just some names that have started to source products from China. Which, in many consumers’ minds, is a bit galling: ‘why should I be paying luxury prices for something that’s made in China?’

The reality is that much of what separates ‘luxury’ from ‘mainstream’ brands is simply sticker price and marketing. While even clothes made in high-wage countries cost a fraction of the price the customer pays, part of the conceit of luxury is the positive associations that a ‘Made in Europe’ label have, for example. Conversely, ‘Made in China’ carries a negative connotation; of something being made on the cheap. An Italian-made t-shirt might be virtually identical to one made in China, but people will feel more comfortable paying more for the former.

It’s why despite China’s huge domestic market, luxury Chinese clothing brands have yet to take off in any meaningful way outside of China, even among the Chinese diaspora. Even within China there’s a strong preference towards foreign luxury brands, which are seen as more prestigious.

RELATED: Research Busts Common Myth Australians Believe About China’s Luxury Goods Market

So what’s the deal here? Why are upmarket brands manufacturing in China even though they know it might deter customers? Are they just trying to rip us off, do they think we don’t care, or is there another reason?

 

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While China might still be a pretty cheap place to do business, it’s hardly the bottom of the barrel. China’s status as a manufacturing powerhouse has not only seen the country grow more prosperous and an increase in wages, but China has built itself up an unparalleled manufacturing expertise and skill base.

“China’s gradual move away from labour-intensive garment manufacturing is typical of industrialized countries as wages and standards of living rise and population growth slows. China’s government not only acknowledges its inevitable shift in manufacturing but is actively promoting it,” Techpacker writes.

In this sense, luxury brands are choosing China not because (or not only because) it’s cost-effective to manufacture there, but because they want to take advantage of the Chinese garment industry’s expertise and technical capacity.

A similar phenomenon occurred with Japanese goods in the 20th century. Japan too was once a cheap manufacturing base, and Japanese products initially didn’t have a good reputation – largely fuelled by post-World War II animosity towards the country. But in the years since, Japan has become a world leader in manufacturing with an impeachable reputation for quality, and now the idea of Japanese luxury goods seems perfectly natural.

RELATED: Why Japan Has Always Been Miles Ahead In The Men’s Fashion Game

Another reason to manufacture in China, as this Entrepreneur article relates, is that Chinese firms have a reputation for being easy to work with and highly efficient. In a fast-paced industry like the rag trade, which relies heavily on innovation and getting things to market quickly, finding a manufacturing base that can reliably serve your needs is invaluable.

A more cynical reason is that most people probably care less about where their clothes were made than you’d think. As this 2013 article from The New Yorker explains, “with the price of clothing plummeting in recent decades… shoppers have come to expect low prices and constant novelty from fashion chains.” Maybe luxury buyers care more about having cutting-edge style and a desirable logo than where their goods come from.

Indeed, a controversial debate was sparked in China when it was revealed that the Spanish luxury house Balenciaga had outsourced production of their popular Triple S sneakers to Fujian – news which both infuriated and filled Chinese consumers with a sense of pride in equal measure, the South China Morning Post reported in 2018.

Read Next

• ‘Creepy Machine’ At Westfield Heralds Convergence Of Online & Offline Fashion Retail
• Luxury Brands Shift Attention Closer To Home With International Travel ‘Death’

The post 'Chinese Conundrum' Divides Luxury Fashion Community appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s been a year less of hidden catches and more of blatant blows for ~travel~. Despite experts calling for sustainable planning and airlines going to creative lengths to generate income, the industry has lost billions.

Forbes reports, “The expected loss in export revenues from international tourism is $910 billion to $1.2 trillion; $320 billion has already been lost in the first months of 2020, which is more than three times the loss experienced during the entire 2009 economic crisis.”

In tandem with that, according to the UN, international tourist numbers are projected to fall by between 58% and 78% from 2019 to 2020, which would result in an annual decline of 850 million to 1.1 billion tourists.”

There have been a few dollops of good news, however, proving even in tough times innovation can spring to the surface.

Case in point? A new aviation record was recently set, as Air Transat completed the world’s longest flight in a single-aisle aircraft.

The Canadian airline’s flight TS690 flew across the atlantic from Montreal, Canada, to Athens, Greece a week and a half ago – on Monday the 26th of October.

The flight was a journey of 7,600 kilometers (4,754 miles) and took eight-hours; 32-minutes, done in a narrowbody Airbus A321neoLR.

According to CNN, “It was the longest commercial flight that a single-aisle aircraft has been used for.”

But who wants to spend that long on a single isle aircraft

— Andy Kenyon (@itsandykenyon) October 26, 2020

“Although most people would flinch at the idea of a transatlantic flight in a single-aisle aircraft,” CNN reports that this plane’s economy class seats “are 1.5 inches wider than in Air Transat’s Airbus 310” (though with a standard pitch).

Though this is the furthest a single-aisle commercial plane has flown, a test flight has previously gone further, according to Simple Flying.

“In April 2018, a test aircraft flew from Mahé in the Seychelles to Toulouse in France, covering 8,797 km in 11 hours. 162 heat-emitting dummies occupied the test flight’s cabin, and it also had 16 crew on board to emulate actual passenger flight conditions,” Simple Flying reports.

Smaller (single-aisle) planes may see a renaissance thanks to the pandemic, with international travel demand falling to unprecedented levels, and a slow recovery slated.

The fiasco which arose earlier this year, when Australian expatriates and travellers were forced to buy business class tickets if they wanted to get home, when Australia’s passenger cap was tightly in place (it has since loosened a little), showed how unsustainable it is to run flights with multi-aisle jets without filling them up.

CNN reports “TAP Air Portugal launched flights with the [single aisle] aircraft from Lisbon to Maceió, Brazil, this year, as well as to Boston (via Ponta Delgada in the Azores), and Montreal.”

The record breaking aircraft, which has been called a game changer by the CEO of Air Portugal, can carry up to 199 passengers.

“Norwegian also has 30 of the aircraft on order for its long-haul routes,” CNN reports.

It’s also more environmentally friendly. RunwayGirlNetwork reports, “Aligned with Air Transat’s commitment to sustainable tourism, the A321neoLR consumes over 15 percent less fuel, generates 50 percent less noise in the cabin and communities, produces about 5,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 a year and lowers NOX emissions by 50% when compared to previous generation Airbus aircraft.”

The catch, as tends to be the case with smaller planes, is that headwinds cause headaches.

This proved consequential after the ‘record breaking’ flight, with CNN reporting, “for the return…[from Greece] the plane needed to refuel at Paris Charles de Gaulle” rather than going straight back to Canada.

Read Next

• Hidden Catch Behind Japan’s ‘Incredible’ Offer To Tourists
• Industry Experts Reveal WTF Is Going On With Qantas’ Grounded Fleet

The post 'Invisible Hitch' Behind The World's Latest Aircraft Craze appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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This feature has been produced in partnership with TAG Heuer.

Performance cars and chronographs go together like potatoes and fondue, but few Swiss watch brands have an identity so entwined with the history of motorsport than La Chaux-de-Fonds’ TAG Heuer, which is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year.

Much of that connection is the work of Jack Heuer, the brand’s honorary chairman and great-grandson of its founder. Thanks to his close collaboration with names like Ayrton Senna, Nicky Lauda, Steve McQueen and Enzo Ferrari – and his own groundbreaking watch design work – Jack Heuer has catapulted TAG Heuer to the highest echelons of both racing and watchmaking.

His most famous and arguably most sporty creation was the TAG Heuer Carrera. First released in 1963 during his tenure as CEO and named for the famous Mexican Carrera Panamericana, the Carrera has a deceptively simple design. Like a high-performance car, form follows function: ultra-legible, with the chronograph pushers and sub-dials pride of place.

But just as no-one would accuse the sweeping aerodynamic shape of a Porsche 911 of being boring, the Carrera’s utilitarian design is beautiful in its restrained simplicity. An essential tool on a race track and a stylish accessory off one too, the TAG Heuer Carrera is one of the icons of the watch world.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”275218″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_separator][vc_column_text]The dual character of the Carrera is best exemplified in TAG Heuer’s latest renditions of the classic chrono: a dressy, tasteful range that takes the pared-down beauty of their previous ‘Carrera Elegant’ models and combines them with the masterful new Calibre Heuer 02, and the exuberant Chronograph Sport range that combines the functionality of a racing tachymeter with colourful, masterful dial and case treatments.

For those who are looking for the ultimate driver’s companion, the latter range has you covered, available in either a deep blue with a matching ceramic bezel, a muted olive green with a silver steel bezel or two black versions with sleek black ceramic bezels: one with steel highlights, and one with sumptuous rose gold highlights.

But perhaps you want a slightly more formal watch. In that case, the uncluttered design of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph range might be more your flavour. Subtle changes make all the difference – TAG Heuer going back to their roots by omitting the tachymeter scale and letting the beautiful polished steel speak for itself – yet you don’t lose that ever-important chronograph function.

It’s a hard decision for sure, because both are so fantastic. Both ranges exude class and sporting style; both positively brimming with racing DNA; both chronographs par excellence.

But you ought to cross that line soon. Any good race car driver will tell you that Planning Prevents Poor Performance, and with Christmas not too far on the horizon, you’ll need to get in quick if you want to be in horological pole position in 2021.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”275217″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”275219″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Discover the 2020 TAG Heuer Carrera range at your nearest TAG Heuer boutique or online at tagheuer.com.

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The post The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Offers Style In Spades appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Barcelona. New York. London. Tokyo. Think about it for more than a second, and you’ll realise; what makes the world’s best cities great is not organic ochre shirts, but the people underneath.

Byron Bay is just a town but the principle is the same – everyone wants to be amid the action (otherwise Yamba and Lennox would be equally full of pilgrims).

That’s why everyone from vowel-pronouncing Brits (read: trustafarians) to Sydney surfers flock to Byron – not because of the spiritual aura, or because it’s Australia’s easternmost point – it’s down to bums on sand (and the like-minded cerebrums attached).

It’s where things (and Chris Hemsworth) are at.

Speaking of community spirit, this concept explains why some Byron Bay locals are aggrieved by Melbournians joining the party, as well as – in this correspondent’s opinion – why they should be more grateful for the influx.

For those whose chakras have been blocked from downloading the news: a quick refresher – in recent months a war has broken out between disgruntled Byron Bay locals and Melbourne climate refugees who have fled Victoria due to “lifestyle” and lockdown reasons.

Though calling it a “war” is very tabloid (it’s really more mild contempt), that is how it has, by some, been reported.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, one Byron Bay resident allegedly said: “You can spot the Melburnians in a second.”

“They just reek of Melbourne. Puffer jackets and ironed jeans. I mean what’s with that?”

“It was bad enough before the school holidays, but now they all ponce around thinking they’re the Hemsworths. Go f***ing home,” said another.

The irony is, these kinds of comments, in many cases, will be coming from people who moved to Byron over the last 5 or 10 years, and about whom similar remarks were probably made back then by longer-term locals.

 

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Of course: no one likes being colonised (especially by Melburnians with poor dress sense). But it’s ironic that in this case, the close-mindedness is not coming from the Melbourne ‘squares’ – it is coming from Byron Bay ‘circles’ apparently unwilling to accept anyone who doesn’t dress a certain way (or who are forgetting that it took them time to integrate too).

Those complaining also forget that more people doesn’t necessarily mean a worse experience or a worse town. In fact, those whinging they don’t want to go to Byron Bay this year because it will be too crowded are somewhat missing the point.

For many, going now, when it’s buzzing, only makes for a better experience; more people to meet, more energetic vibes, the whole kip and (socially distanced) canoodle.

The latest statistics suggest this ‘buzz’ may be around for some time: The Australian reports “25,000 fled Melbourne ahead of second virus wave” with many of them flocking to NSW and Queensland.

DMARGE spoke with a Victorian ‘virus refugee‘ now living in Noosa, who said, the people he knows who are part of this “mass migration” have all moved in a legal manner, and that proof of a solid long term lease is required at the airport, as is a two week quarantine upon arrival.

That said, our source – and many others who fled Victoria via legal channels – are still “scared of backlash on social media.”

Some people have moved to Queensland to wait and see what happens next with Victoria, while others plan to stay for years.

“I know of people for whom this is absolutely permanent – businesses as well.”

This trend has had various side effects – both good and bad. Though our source acknowledges that – from the perspective of Queensland or NSW – there are definite downsides, there are also positive aspects.

“Some people say it’s negative; Victorians are taking over.”

“In terms of rental properties being available it is a negative, but on the flipside, all this money is getting pumped in.”

“Yes it has put pressure on prices for rentals and buying houses, but at the same time the restaurants, bars and cafes up here rely on tourism, and they haven’t got that right now so the fact that there are more people up here is injecting money.”

“It’s good in that sense.”

“Even house prices are seeing a mini-boom right now,” our source told us.

“Talking to real estate agents in Noosa I’ve heard they’ve been listing things and selling to people in Victoria via Facetime within 7 days.”

This fits with news.com.au research, which shows Victorians have been snapping up million-dollar properties, without seeing them in person first.

“According to online removalist platform Muval, 20,000 Victorians have looked at relocating since stage 4 lockdown was announced a week ago,” news.com.au reported in early August.

“Brisbane was their top choice, with 21 per cent wanting to relocate there, Muval said. About 17 per cent wanted to go to Perth and 15 per cent to Sydney.”

 

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As for Byron Bay, The Australian Financial Review reported in June, “The once-affordable hippie town of Mullumbimby in northern NSW has recorded a flurry of $2 million-plus sales for the first time ever, as demand for ‘lifestyle properties’ in the hills behind Byron Bay skyrockets.”

In other words: though prices have been on the up for some time in Byron and its surrounds (thanks to celebrities; Sydneysiders), prices appear to have been punted even further this year.

The best argument that can be made against all this, in this correspondent’s opinion, is not so much that the new residents may like to iron their jeans, but that the influx may alter the community spirit of Byron.

We’d argue this undersells how strong the ~Byron vibes~ are though (need evidence? check out the way any Sydneysider dresses after a couple month stint up there).

In any case, one local reportedly expressed this concern in a Byron Bay Facebook group, writing: “Byron Bay used to be inclusive. If you don’t have a tonne of money forget it.”

“And by the way, I’ve lived in Byron Bay for nearly forty years, so it’s got nothing to do with tall poppy [syndrome]. It’s to do with losing the community atmosphere.”

“Now it’s all AirBnBs, this is what I don’t like.”

 

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The ABC, in a piece called paradise interrupted, recently shed some light on this, reporting, “The region has become a hub for artisans, musicians and small labels, but it’s the tourist dollar that’s built the economy.”

“It’s like a farmer who’s got one crop; if you’ve got a monoculture and that crop fails, or the market drops, you’re not left with much else. Byron’s very similar.”

Much to ponder.

Read Next

• ‘The Great Migration’: Victorians Seek Better Life In Queensland 
• Sub $100 Return Flights To Byron Bay Have Sydneysiders In A Spin

The post The Awkward Truth About Byron Bay's 'Locals Only' Attitude appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Some national stereotypes tinkle truer than others, but one that’s often spread is that Scandinavians are consistently good-looking. Though we’re loathe to parrot tropes… we can’t help but agree: there seems to be an incredible amount of Swedish stunners. And we don’t even mean people…

Koenigsegg make some of the hottest supercars on the market, and Saabs have always been design-forward. Even Volvo’s iconic boxy wagons are attractive, in a utilitarian, ‘anti-cool’ sort of way.

But there’s no subjectivity when it comes to this 1967 Volvo 122S on sale in the south Perth suburb of Riverton. Bright yellow, straight as an arrow, and jaw-droppingly good-looking, this zippy retro runabout is unbelievably gorgeous.

The seller relates that this “iconic car… featured in Shannons adverts,” and has had over $50,000 spent on it, including new tyres, new carpet, new headlining and a roll bar. It features unique fibreglass flares, but will also be sold with new stainless steel front and rear bumpers if you prefer a more stock look.

As it stands, the Volvo is extensively modified, with a rather international set of parts: Japanese Mikuni carburettors, French Cibié rally lights, Italian Nardi steering wheel and Australian Stratos seats.

Manufactured from 1957 to 1970, the 120 series – also known as the Amazon – was one of Volvo’s most successful cars. Volvo made history with the 120 in 1959 by becoming the world’s first manufacturer to provide front seat belts as standard equipment. The Amazon would also later receive three-point seat belts as standard, another world first.

The 122S was the performance version of the Amazon, this late model in particular also benefiting from the more powerful B20 engine. While it’s hardly going to set the world on fire, only making around 63kW when new, the smile it’ll put on your face will be so huge you’ll hardly notice.

Some other reasons to consider taking this Volvo out on a date: it’s in perfect running order with no oil leaks to be spoken of, comes with its original manuals, is registered on a full road license, and is listed for only $12,750. That’s cheaper than the cheapest new car in Australia, the Kia Picanto – and while the Picanto’s a fine enough car, it doesn’t have half the charm of this sexy little Swede.

Read Next

• Astonishingly Road-Legal ‘Japanese G-Wagen’ On Sale In Adelaide
• ‘Blue Blur’ S2 In Sydney Might Be Audi’s Coolest Coupé Ever… But It’s Not For Everyone

The post 'Swedish Stunner' 60s Volvo Looking For Long-Term Perth Commitment appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Aside from the odd cardio strongman proving the exception to the rule, it’s generally accepted cardio and bulk do not go hand in hand.

The general sentiment being: too much cardio strips your body of the calories it needs for significant gains, while too much weight lifting (and bulk) will slow you down, making you an ineffective endurance athlete.

However, looking beyond the extremes of the Arnold Schwarzenegger types and ultra-endurance whippets, we have those who possess the much-coveted ‘in-between’ body – the archetypal influencer’s figure.

RELATED: How The Perfect Male Body Shape Has Changed Over 10 Years Of Instagram

Australian Body Transformation Coach Brock Ashby is one of those lucky men, laying claim to one of those body transformations you read about in magazines but usually dismiss as unrealistic.

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Ashby recently took to Instagram with an insight we can all learn from, after being “smoked” by other athletes in a bunch of fitness challenges on Bondi beach (the photo he posts alongside the story is from elsewhere, however).

“DID YOU SAY CARDIO??” Ashby captioned the post.

“Just got my ass handed to me doing a 4km run, 50 burpees, 50 sand cleans, 300m sprint and a 200m sprint/swim up against 4 complete athletes.”

“I’m no endurance athlete (that’s for sure), the last run I did was in 2018.”

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“But the only reason I got smoked was because I haven’t put in the work for my endurance.”

“I don’t run… I don’t swim… I train completely different to the other athletes.”

“If you want to get to a certain level, you have to train to that level!”

“If you want to be a gun runner, you need to train like a gun runner… If you want to be shredded, you need to train and diet like a shredded person would… If you want to be wealthy, you have to work your ass off to accumulate that wealth.”

“It’s pretty simple but it needs to be said because too many people complain about their results but their work ethic doesn’t match what it takes to get there.”

“Set a goal… Work as hard, and as smart, as you need to get that goal… Repeat, repeat, repeat.”

This fits in with the training philosophy of David Goggins who, speaking to Joe Rogan last year, dropped various ‘brutal’ insights many can learn from too.

“The greater the suffering the greater the peace,” Goggins told Rogan.

Goggins also wrote on Instagram, “If you want to measure yourself against someone, make sure it is a person who is waking up early and going to bed late… We fill our heads full of bullshit on what hard work looks like… [but] the truth of the matter is that hard work does not look pretty, the effort behind it is sometimes mind-numbing.”

RELATED: Joe Rogan Reveals Extreme Level Of Dedication You Need For Serious Gains

The Rock’s latest example of extreme commitment to working out (and of course his physique) provides yet further evidence that sheer commitment may be an overlooked element to achieving success in the gym.

Read Next

• Cardio Is The Unlikely Key To Building Muscle; This Insane British Strongman Proves Why
• Fitness Expert Reveals How Far You Can Push Your Cardio In Two Weeks

The post Coach's Cardio 'WTF Moment' Proves There's More To Fitness Than Just Muscles appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Rolex has over 14 different watch model ranges, and virtually all of them attract intense interest and fierce speculation. Not all Rolexes are created equal, however: while the Air-King and Cellini lines certainly have their admirers, their fanbases pale in comparison to the adoration the GMT-Master and Daytona enjoy, for example.

But their most popular watch, hands-down, would have to be the Submariner. Billed by Rolex as “the reference among divers’ watches,” the Submariner is arguably the archetypal watch, full stop. Its clean, functional design has spawned countless imitators, the tool watch just as eye-catching and in-demand as it was when it was first introduced in 1954.

2020 saw Rolex’s much-anticipated update of the classic ‘Sub’, which increased its case size to 41mm; subtly redesigned its case and bracelet; saw new movements in the Calibre 3235 and 3230; plus a suite of new colourways.

RELATED: A Guide To Rolex Watch Prices In 2020

However, the even bigger news was what Rolex chose to discontinue this year – namely, the Submariner ref. 116610LV, better known as the ‘Hulk’. Named for its green dial and bezel combination, the ‘Hulk’ was already one of Rolex’s most popular releases in recent memory. Now, news of its discontinuation has caused its already exorbitant price to climb even further, and interest in the model has never been higher.

If you’re one of the lucky few who managed to get their hands on a ‘Hulk’ – especially before 2020 – you’d think you’d be happy as Larry right now. But you’d be surprised, as one Rolex owner shared with DMARGE.

 

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“I’m looking forward to getting another watch, because people constantly stop me and ask about it,” our ‘Hulk’ owner shared with us.

“They always ask me the same three questions: when did I get it, where did I get it, and did I pay retail for it.”

While getting constant compliments on your watch doesn’t sound like the world’s biggest problem to have, it is incredibly rude to ask someone how much they paid for a watch. It’s like asking someone’s salary or height: it’s just not polite.

RELATED: Most Frequently Asked Rolex Questions

Perhaps this speaks to the culture surrounding some of these incredibly ‘hyped’ Rolexes. They attract clout chasers just as much as they attract genuine watch fans… Not to mention thieves. If you want to go under the radar, maybe wearing the one Rolex everyone wants isn’t what you want.

Read Next

• ‘Counterintuitive’ Rolex Aftermarket Trend Renews Age-Old American Rivalry
• ‘Forgotten Detail’ In Australia Post Luxury Watch Scandal

The post 'Same Three Questions': Perils Of Owning The Rolex Everyone Wants appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Indonesia is planning to create ’10 new Balis’ in an effort to boost tourism.

The idea is to take 10 idyllic (but lesser-known) destinations, modernise their airports, construct new facilities and improve access to them.

With 18,307 islands in Indonesia, there are plenty of places to choose from.

The challenge will be doing it in a way that provides both the sense of adventure and comfort of Bali (and without wrecking each “new Bali’s” inherent beauty in opening it up.

However, as Indonesia fights its way out of 2020, perhaps an economy diversifying project like this (which was first announced four years ago) is just what Indonesia needs.

According to The Lonely Planet the ’10 New Balis’ plan includes “Lombok Mandalika and Labuan Bajo in Nusa Tenggara, Borobudur Temple, Bromo Tengger Semeru and Tanjung Lesung Beach in Java, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Thousand Islands in Jakarta, Tanjung Kelayang Beach in Banten, and Wakatobi and Morotai Island in North Maluku.”

 

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For some of the ‘chosen’ destinations, surfing could be key to Indonesia’s planned tourism breakthrough.

As Wavelength recently reported, one of the most interesting destinations for surfers is Morotai Island – “the most remote, pristine and wave-rich of the earmarked locations.”

Dangling at the top of the Maluku archipelago in northern Indonesia, Wavelength reports, “just over 50 thousand people live on [Morotai], which is roughly the size of Dorset [think: three times the size of Byron Bay].”

“The densely forested interior remains largely unexplored, even by locals. So much so, in fact, that a Japanese soldier stationed on Morotai during the war managed to live in the jungle completely undetected for almost 30 years, before finally emerging from the wilderness to surrender in 1974,” (Wavelength).

Also key, is Morotai is at its best during Bali’s (and much of Australia’s) surfing low season. This fact could potentially – if it broke into the Australian public consciousness – help Indonesia be considered a year-round destination to visit for wave sliding.

Morotai Island is also the perfect (potential) example of how this ’10 new Balis’ plan could change Australians’ (and for that matter the world’s) perception of Indonesia.

 

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Though the hook for each ‘new Bali’ will be different (only a few of them offer surf), the principle of attracting a certain kind of ‘lifestyle’ or adventure tourist, then from there building a tourism community, remains the same.

Perhaps, just as happened over decades in Bali, from the first few intrepid surfers (which already exist) the associated extras on Morotai Island will flow once more facilities are introduced (think: the sunbaking, the shopping, the partying, the kale smoothies, the artists, the day clubs).

Though a Wavelength reporter on the ground in Morotai said the general reaction to its inclusion in the ’10 new Bali’ plan was “of optimism” there remains fears not just that the unique local surfing culture could be degraded (as the Sydney Morning Herald warns) but also – as has happened in Bali – these 10 new paradises could fall prey to the common traps of tourism – pollution, corruption, exploitation.

 

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As the ABC reported in January, another of the earmarked ’10 new Balis’ – Likupang’s Pulisan Beach – faces a rubbish problem despite the flawless “Instagram veneer.”

“There are no flushing toilets at Pulisan Beach and generally the region’s infrastructure has seen better days,” the ABC reported.

“In Likupang’s town centre, a few chairs and plastic tables in a shed constitute a restaurant.”

“The service is friendly but a world away from Bali’s five-star resorts and English-speaking staff.”

RELATED: The Refreshing Truth About Bali’s Most Instagram Famous Oasis

According to the ABC, tour guide Malcolm Barnes is happy about the extra investment but wants waste management plans.

“What I really worry about is overcrowding. [In Bali] there’s so much trash that can’t be managed,” he told the ABC.

RELATED: Indonesia Slaps Tourists With $1,000 Fee To Visit This Famous Island

Though tourism in all of Indonesia is currently down (as it is in most places, thanks to the pandemic), as we see the travel industry return from The Bat Kiss, these are all important factors to keep in mind as Indonesia pursues this lofty goal.

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The post ‘10 New Balis’ Plan Could Revolutionise How Australians See Indonesia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’re used to seeing photo booths in shopping centres, but this huge glowing pod we stumbled across at Westfield’s Bondi Junction took us by surprise.

The first thing we noticed was the clothing hooks inside, so we thought it might be a ‘send nudes’ machine (what with all the promises of 3D body imagery on the side). But actually, it’s something far cooler: it’s arguably the future of shopping.

mPort is an Australian company that has developed these pods as a way for people to quickly and accurately track their health goals. The pods are actually sophisticated 3D body mappers that “use safe, non-invasive infrared technology – similar to what’s inside your TV remote… [which] captures thousands of data points to map the contours of your body and is accurate to within 1cm,” according to their website.

Then, with the aid of a free app, you get a detailed visualisation of your body that can help you “set goals, visualize changes in your body and track your progress on your journey to a better you,” mPort claims.

One part of the service is the health aspect, but the more interesting side to the technology is how it aims to revolutionise e-commerce. They’re developing a functionality whereby you can send your body map to tailors when ordering bespoke clothing, as well as integration with digital fashion retailers for more accurate ready-to-wear sizing when shopping online.

Interact with a 360 degree view of you…welcome to the future! #mport #mportworld #trackyourprogress #nobodylikeyou #bodytransformation pic.twitter.com/AQxyXYWPc7

— mPort (@mportworld) May 30, 2017

We’re truly living in wild times – but we’ve got a few questions.

Firstly, there’s the privacy angle. While sending your measurements digitally to a tailor might be more convenient or less invasive than being sized in person, there’s a privacy risk. Who else is getting access to your measurements?

The bargain of using most online services is that you give up some privacy in order to use their product – like you use social media sites for free, and they harvest your data to sell to advertisers. For example: what if your health data was provided to your health insurer, who then jacks up your premiums because they don’t like your body shape?

Secondly, we have to question Westfield’s motives behind installing mPorts in their shopping centres. If the goal of the mPort is to make e-commerce simpler, and therefore take even more customers away from brick-and-mortar retail, why allow them to operate in your premises? They’re a potential Trojan horse; a competitor stealing customers right out from under you. Ultimately, that’s a concern for Westfield, not a problem with mPort per se.

But it’s worth not being too cynical. It’s pretty science-fiction that mPorts even exist, and they certainly provide a unique service. We should celebrate innovation – especially home-grown innovation – without immediately jumping to a ‘tall poppy syndrome’ judgement.

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The post 'Creepy Machine' At Westfield Heralds Convergence Of Online & Offline Fashion Retail appeared first on DMARGE Australia.