United Kingdom travel agents experience Australia

As part of Tourism Australia’s Aussie Specialist Program, a group of nine UK based travel agents took part in a familiarisation trip to Australia. In partnership with Qantas, Southern World and with support from Destination NSW, Tourism and Events Queensland and Tourism NT. The week-long trip headed to Sydney, the Red Centre and Brisbane. The famil started in Sydney / Warrane and headed straight to the Blue Mountains. Whilst in Sydney, the group took part in the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb, a sunset dinner cruise, a backstage Sydney Opera House tour, a Sydney Seaplane flight, and a surf lesson on Bondi Beach. In the Northern Territory, they experienced the Field of Light, walked around the entire base of Uluru, discovered Kata Tjuta, witnessed the magical Wintjiri Wiṟu show, and to finish, took a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Alice Springs. In Brisbane / Meanjin, the group visited Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Tangalooma Island Resort for a scenic helicopter flight and a quad biking tour. 

New Regional General Manager for South and South East Asia

Tourism Australia has appointed its new Regional General Manager for South and South East Asia, Jennifer Doig. With 20 years of Asia-based marketing experience, Jennifer has worked internationally across global and international brands, most recently working for Dubai Tourism as Director of Global Campaigns. Jennifer stepped into the Singapore-based role this week with the role responsible for driving trade and consumer marketing activity with the teams in Tourism Australia’s key markets in the region including India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. In 2019, Australia welcomed almost 2 million visitors annually from South and South East Asia. By 2028 there are forecast to be more than 2.7 million visitors from markets across South and South East Asia to Australia.

Australia’s food and wine makes headlines in the United States 

Australia’s food and wine experiences have been making headlines in the United States with stories appearing this month in Food&Wine and Travel + Leisure. Articles in Food&Wine were secured through Tourism Australia’s International Media Hosting Program, which saw writer Betsy Andrews visit South Australia and Tasmania. Included in the coverage is an online story and multi-page feature story in the print version of the publication on Tasmania’s superb culinary and wine tourism experiences. Meanwhile, Tourism Australia’s press office activity resulted in Travel + Leisure including Australia in their feature on hotels dialing up their food and wine experiences to attract guests. The article included Sydney / Warrane chefs Josh and Julie Niland who have relocated their fish restaurant Saint Peter to Paddington’s historic Grand National Hotel building in Sydney.

Benelux familiarisation trip to Northern Territory and Tropical North Queensland

The Northern Europe Aussie Specialist Program team recently hosted a familiarisation trip to Australia with a group of eight Benelux agents and one host from Singapore Airlines. Partnering with Singapore Airlines and supported by Tourism NT and Tourism Tropical North Queensland, the group explored the spectacular Top End of the Northern Territory and the vibrant city of Cairns / Gimuy in Tropical North Queensland. The itinerary highlighted Australia’s diverse attractions, from the breathtaking landscapes of Darwin / Gulumerrdgen and Kakadu National Park to the stunning Great Barrier Reef. This experience provided the agents with an immersive glimpse into Australia’s unique offerings, enhancing their ability to recommend these spectacular destinations to their clients.

Register for Tourism Australia’s Industry Briefing in Queensland next week

Next week the Tourism Australia team will be in Queensland for the Gold Coast and Brisbane industry briefings. The free of charge briefings will include an update from Tourism Australia, followed by a networking event.  

Industry are invited to register for the event nearest to them.  

25 September – Gold Coast 

26 September – Brisbane / Meanjin  

23 October – Perth / Boorloo 

1 November – Melbourne / Narrm 

6 November – Sydney / Warrane  

13 November – Adelaide / Tarntanya  

14 November – Hobart / nipaluna 

Register to attend here.  

ATEC Tourism Tutorial: Ethical Encounters: The rise of ethical wildlife tourism and animal welfare across tourism experiences 

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) invites industry to join the upcoming Tourism Tutorial, Ethical Encounters: The rise of ethical wildlife tourism and animal welfare across tourism experiences. The evolving global landscape of wildlife tourism has driven a significant shift in how operators deliver wildlife experiences, with a stronger focus on understanding and improving animal welfare. Conducting ethical wildlife encounters responsibly, while adopting national and state guidelines. The tutorial will explore how this not only benefits local economies but also supports the preservation of diverse ecosystems and conservation efforts. Taking place on Thursday 19 September at 11am AEST, ATEC members can find out more and register here. Non members here. 

Go Fish Australia – a platform dedicated to promoting fishing tourism

The newly launched species driven website Go Fish Australia is dedicated to promoting Australia as the world's premier fishing destination. The site features a collection of Australia’s best guides, operators and fishing leaders, hand selected by Go Fish Australia. The only organisation of its kind in Australia, Go Fish Australia, collaboratively raises Australia's profile as a world-class fishing destination, focusing on delivering high-value fishing experiences for both the domestic and international markets. 

Celebrating Sustainability: 36th Banksia National Awards Entries Open

The 36th Banksia National Sustainability Awards are open for entries. Last year’s winner of the Tourism and Destinations Award was Intrepid Travel, recognised for its commitment to sustainable tourism. As a certified B Corporation, Intrepid Travel demonstrates that positive impact and commercial success can go hand in hand. Their initiatives, which focus on reducing environmental impact and promoting responsible travel, set a high standard for the industry. Inspired by their success? Nominate or apply today and let efforts in sustainability be recognised.

La Clique hits Sydney Opera House for its 20th anniversary 

In an Australian exclusive for its 20th anniversary, trailblazing cabaret variety show La Clique will be shimmying its way into the Sydney Opera House from 10 October to 17 November. This homegrown production has achieved cult status with its beguiling fusion of burlesque, circus and new vaudeville, marking 54 sell-out seasons across Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania. Casts of first-class entertainers and constant reinvention, combined with the intimate nature of The Famous Spiegeltent, has embedded La Clique as a true pioneer within the cabaret canon – in Australia and across the globe. This celebratory iteration of La Clique embraces two decades of contribution to the world of live entertainment, bringing fan favourites and the next generation of performers together for a season of exceptional revelry. Purchase tickets here. 

Two Australian hotels make the global top 50 best list

The Tasman and The Calile Hotel have been named as two of The World’s 50 Best Hotels at a ceremony in London last night. Brisbane / Meanjin’s The Calile Hotel secured number 25, earning the Best in Oceania title, while The Tasman in Hobart / nipaluna took out spot number 49. The World’s 50 Best Hotels list was created by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, an influential group of more than 600 independent leaders, each selected for their expert opinion of the international hotel scene. The list, according to organisers, promises to create the most egalitarian, useful and transparent hotel ranking system ever devised.

Gelato Messina launches late-night snack bar

Gelato Messina is launching a late-night snack bar at Messina Creative located in its HQ in Marrickville, Sydney / Warrane. The new bar takes inspiration of the gelato-centric fine dining Messina Creative degustation without having to commit to the full evening. Expect a menu like no other from a pickle skewer, lightly pickled veg with salted yogurt gelato dip to a beef tartare with jalapeno sorbet and so much more. Natural wines, bespoke gelato and lo-fi vibes will also be served. The Messina Creative Snack Bar will launch this Sunday 22 September and open every Sunday from 4pm – late. 

Embark on a wild Journey with Zen at the Zoo

Perth Zoo has partnered with Western Australia tour operator, The Hike Collective to launch an immersive wellness experience that combines yoga, nature, and wildlife. Zen at the Zoo invites guests to enjoy the wonders of Perth Zoo in the peaceful early morning before it opens to the public. Journey through the Rainforest Retreat, enjoy a guided yoga and breathwork experience before taking a stroll through the African Savannah, and end with a refreshing juice. This tour is the first of its kind to combine yoga and a wildlife experience at Perth Zoo and is sure to delight both yoga fans and nature lovers. The tour will take place at 7am before the Zoo opens to the public, allowing guests to experience the inner-city oasis in a unique way. Book tickets online here.