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8 November 2023
TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE

On the weekend Australia’s Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP was in China along with our Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell. The visit coincided with the sixth China International Import Expo, one of the world's largest trade shows, held in Shanghai and 50 years since the first visit of an Australian Prime Minister to China.

As part of the program Tourism Australia hosted a lunch reception, where the Prime Minister spoke about the our Australia-China relationship, and he acknowledged the importance of tourism. “Australians and Chinese, talking to each other, few things help that better than travel to each other’s countries. To get a glimpse into each other’s lives and cultures, to see the places we have built, and the landscapes that have helped to shape us. That is just one of the reasons tourism is so important.” On Saturday, we also hosted a panel discussion with Minister Farrell, where he was joined by a number of tourism leaders and media in the market, including Shenzhen CEPT Int’l Travel Service Ltd, CTRIP, UnionPay International, Shanghai Media Group and the Little Red Book. A second burst of ‘Come and Say G’day’ campaign activity also commenced to remind and inspire Chinese travellers to visit Australia soon.

Last week, on Friday we kicked off a busy month of industry engagement with our November Industry Webinar. We heard from Tourism Western Australia’s Managing Director, Carolyn Turnbull and our Regional General Manager, The America’s, Chris Allison provided a great update on the North American Market. If you missed the live event you can watch a recording and download the slide deck here.

Today, Dreamtime, our signature incentive showcase, designed to increase awareness of Australia as an incentive destination commenced in Adelaide. Following on from Dreamtime our Industry Briefings also begin. They are free to attend and will feature an update on our upcoming activities and latest research, followed by networking events in Adelaide/Tarntanya, Melbourne/Narrm, Brisbane/Meeanjin, Perth/Boorloo and Sydney/Warrane. If you haven’t already, register to attend here.

Phillipa Harrison

Tourism Australia ACTIVITY
Dreamtime 2024 commences in Adelaide/Tarntanya

Tourism Australia’s signature incentive showcase, Dreamtime, has kicked off in Adelaide/Tarntanya with international business events planners and media to take part in a two-day program across the city. Delivered in partnership with Business Events Adelaide, the showcase is designed to increase awareness and interest in Australia as an outstanding business events destination. This is the first Dreamtime to be held since 2019 due to the global pandemic and it will be an important opportunity for the qualified buyers from Greater China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, North America and United Kingdom to reconnect with Australian industry sellers. Find out more here.

Tourism Australia hosts Australia Tourism Golf Event
Tourism Australia team hosted the Australia Tourism Golf Invitational in Korea recently in collaboration with Tourism and Events Queensland, Destination Gold Coast and Queensland Airport. Guests included CEOs of key distribution partners and airlines who attended the event at South Springs Golf Course near Seoul. Following a round of golf, the event continued with a networking dinner to strengthen relationships and to discuss promoting Australia, particularly Queensland prior to Seoul to Brisbane’s new flight service scheduled in February. The event was an opportunity for Tourism Australia to show its strong commitment to the partnership and collaboration with distribution and airline partners to continue to drive positive travel momentum and demand to Australia.
Projek Bapak Bapak Season 2 airs in Malaysia
Earlier this year, Tourism Australia hosted a Malaysian broadcast crew as they filmed the comedy reality TV series Projek Bapak Bapak in Sydney/Warrane and Melbourne/Narrm. The first episode aired on Astro Warna on 2 November, following a successful press conference on 19 October. ‘Bapak Bapak’ refers to a grandfatherly figure, and the show stars Malaysian veteran celebrities, Dato’ Ramli MS, Dato’ Jalaluddin Hassan, Roy Azman, and Jatt Ali, who challenge themselves to travel the world and try new things. In this series, they kayak around Sydney harbour at sunrise and work at the Sydney Fish Market. In Melbourne they learnt the art of boomerang wielding at the Boomerang Academy of Victoria, learn to ski at Mount Buller and visit Ballarat Wildlife Park. The warm, light-hearted series appeals to Malaysian high yielding travellers, many of whom our research shows travel to Australia in multi-generational groups and seek out soft adventure activities. Follow along with Projek Bapak Bapak's travel adventures here.
India awards
Tabi Salad Expo in Japan
Following the recent JATA Tourism Expo in Japan, Tourism Australia exhibited at another expo organised by Tabi Salad, one of the most popular TV travel shows in Japan with over 9 million viewers every week, in Osaka earlier this month. Tourism Australia was one of the key exhibitors at the Tabi Salad EXPO, promoting Australia as a leading holiday destination including its attractive food and drink experiences. Ren Kiriyama, a famous Japanese actor who travelled to Australia this year for JTB YouTube videos, talked about his travel experience in Australia on stage. The event attracted 44,000 consumers over the three days and was also featured in the Tabi Salad TV show live.
Discover Australia trains Italian travel agents
Tourism Australia, in collaboration with leading Italian key distribution partner, Discover Australia, organised a two-day Australia training event which included the states of Queensland and Western Australia, in conjunction with airline partner Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Tourism Board. Over the course of two days, more than 70 top selling travel agents from all over Italy travelled to Turin to participate in nine training sessions on Australia interspersed with Australian wine tastings and a workshop on Indigenous music.
ATE24
Seller Applications Closing
Applications to attend the Australian Tourism Exchange 2024 (ATE24), close on Friday 10 November. ATE24 will be held in Melbourne/Narrm from 19 to 23 May 2024 in partnership with Visit Victoria. The event is expected to bring together 1,500 Australian seller delegates with 700 global distribution partners from 30 countries, to conduct scheduled business appointments and participate in key networking events. Visit the event website for more information and to apply.
Exhibitor Applications Closing
Applications to participate in the ATE24 Media Program are closing on Friday 10 November. The program will be held in Melbourne/Narrm from 17 to 20 May 2024, in partnership with Visit Victoria. Run in conjunction with ATE24, the ATE24 Media Program is an opportunity for media delegates to meet one-on-one with Australian tourism businesses, special interest operators, attractions and accommodation providers. Visit the event website for more information and to apply. Note: separate applications are required to attend both ATE24 and the ATE24 Media Program.
TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS
First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program
The First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program (FNTMP) is a new, free mentoring program for First Nations tourism businesses across Australia, matching businesses with skilled and experienced mentors. Since its opening in July 2023, the FNTMP has received more than 80 applications from First Nations tourism businesses to access free mentoring from our experienced team of mentors. This program is designed to support mentees to grow their tourism businesses and achieve their business goals. Mentees will have access to expert advice, tailored learning, and culturally respectful industry specialists. To find out how to take part in the program click here.
Great Barrier Reef Welcomes New Generation of Corals
Last week, the annual coral spawn commenced at Moore Reef, located 47km east of Cairns in the Great Barrier Reef. During the night, billions of tiny pink bundles, including soft and hard corals, were released, kickstarting the process of coral regeneration. Marine biologist Stuart Ireland, who has been filming this event since 1996, was this year joined by Dr. Abbi Scott, the Cairns-Port Douglas Reef Hub Coordinator and researcher at James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), who is working with tourism operators to understand coral recruitment after the spawning event. The Cairns-Port Douglas Reef Hub network is a grassroots initiative supported by Traditional Owners, scientists, and the community, and funded by the Australian Government's Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
AUSTRALIAN STORIES
QuickCoast announce 2024 expedition dates and packages
Queensland based Myroo Group has launched it’s 2024/25 weekly island-hopping multi-day QuickCoast Xpeditions in North Queensland. The multi-day itineraries include at least two island shore visits each day between Cairns and Townsville, along with Informed self-guided activities include national park trails, swimming, or snorkeling. As part of the packages, guests are invited to enjoy flexible stopovers of their choice at either Mission Beach or the soon to open Dunk Island. Whilst on board, guests will enjoy scrumptious meals throughout each day, licensed bar and accommodation transfers are all inclusive on QuickCoast Xpeditions. Taking place on a vessel capable of holding over 90 passengers, the new experience offers a premium service for up to just 29 passengers at once. Sea hankering travels can now book April and May 2024 departures.
PUBLIC hospitality launch dapper new wine bar in Sydney/Warrane
Busby's, an everyday natural wine and record bar by hospitality group, PUBLIC, has opened at the street level of central Sydney/Warrane’s Oxford House. A wine and cocktail bar first and foremost, the large, ever-evolving list of wine by the glass has been curated by Mike Bennie of P&V Merchants, and features fun and approachable drinks from Australian, French and Italian producers. The cocktail list, created by Maybe Sammy expert Paolo Maffietti, is short and punchy with a special nod to grape-based liquor. The share-style food bar menu is spearheaded by one of Australia’s most lauded chefs - Creative Culinary Director, Clayton Wells (ex-Automata). Busby’s is located within PUBLIC’s first lifestyle hotel, Oxford House. It joins the portfolio of new concepts from the group with 20+ properties across New South Wales and Victoria.
Embark on a journey of discovery with Kiff & Culture’s heli tours
Discover Australia's unparalleled beauty with Kiff and Culture's latest offering: immersive heli-tours across iconic destinations, including K'gari (Fraser Island), Granite Belt, Byron Bay, Stradbroke Island, and Noosa Hinterland. Kiff and Culture, invites guests to explore breathtaking landscapes from above and indulge in curated adventures on the ground. These heli-tours take you beyond the skies, offering a rich blend of exclusive experiences. Soar above picturesque wineries and partake in tastings from renowned vineyards. Relish in chef-hosted paddock-to-plate alfresco dining amidst stunning vistas, showcasing the finest local produce. Experience the serenity of national park walks and feel the thrill of K'gari (Fraser Island) 4WD safaris, guided by expert locals ensuring an enriching journey.
AGNSW welcomes exclusive exploration of European abstraction
Exclusive to Sydney/Warrane, the Art Gallery of New South Wales presents the blockbuster Sydney International Art Series 2023–24 exhibition, Kandinsky. Open until 10 March 2024, the exhibition traces the remarkable career of one of the great innovators of European abstraction, Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944) and is the largest dedicated exhibition of the artist’s work to ever be seen in Australia. Featuring more than 50 works, Kandinsky presents some of the artist’s most recognisable paintings, including the early career masterpiece Blue Mountain (1908–09); as well as Dominant Curve (1936) and the monumental Composition 8 (1923). Kandinsky visitors can join guided daily tours at 12pm and 2pm and on Wednesdays at 6.30pm, free with exhibition ticket. Tours will also be available in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese and Korean.
NEWS IN BRIEF
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