| | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | As we say goodbye to a less than perfect year, we at Tourism Australia feel positive about the Australian tourism recovery to come next year. Whilst we are now facing the uncertainty of Omicron, as a country with one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, and leading into summer, we remain on a forward trajectory, albeit one with a few bumps still to come. At Tourism Australia, we remain deeply committed to supporting and partnering with our industry as we rebuild tourism together. For us, 2022 will be a year for campaign activations to drive much needed international demand and travellers back to Australia. To this end, we will keep encouraging travellers to explore those unknown gems across the country, which have surprised all Australians this year as we have discovered our own backyards and, we will be leaning into those of you who have done it the hardest of late, experiences, cities and destinations reliant on international tourists. To kick off 2022, Tourism Australia will host its annual Destination Australia conference on Thursday 3 March 2022 at CENTREPIECE, Melbourne Park. Read more about the event below and secure your place here. Finally, as we end the year and move into the summer holiday period this will be the last Essentials for 2021. Thank you for the part you have all played in keeping Australian tourism afloat this year and a big thank you for being so supportive of Tourism Australia. Have a safe and restful holiday season. Phillipa Harrison | | |
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| |  | | Working Holiday webinar in Japan | | In partnership with the Japan Working Holiday Association, Tourism Australia hosted a webinar on 19 December, designed to boost awareness of tourism and hospitality jobs and opportunities to develop English language skills for Japanese Working Holiday Makers. Working Holiday Makers from Japan represent 30,800 visitors to Australia each year, contributing $307 million to Australia’s visitor economy. More information on Working Holiday makers can be found here. |
|  | | Aussie Happy Hour with New York travel trade partners | | Tourism Australia hosted New York-based travel trade partners at a holiday happy hour gathering at the Australian Consulate-General last week. Australian Consul-General to New York, Nick Greiner, welcomed the group and thanked them for their support of Australia’s tourism industry throughout the pandemic. Acting General Manager North America, Chris Allison, spoke of the latest developments in Australia’s border reopening pathway, before toasting to a brighter 2022. |
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| | |  | | Tourism Australia wins tourism development award in Indonesia | | Tourism Australia has won the award of Most Improved National Tourism Organisation from the ITTA Foundation, an organisation established to enhance the growth and development of tourism in Indonesia. Winners were selected from a pool of more than 170 nominees via an open survey. |
|  | | Tourism Australia at ILTM Cannes | | In partnership with Southern World, Tourism Australia attended the ILTM, the luxury trade show in Cannes this month. The trade show included four days of appointments with buyers from United Kingdom, Europe and North America. Attendees showed a strong demand and interest in Australia’s premium tourism offering. |
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| | |  | | Advisors in the United States trained at ASTA Destination Showcase | | Tourism Australia shared updates and training sessions on why There’s Nothing Like Australia at the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Destination Showcase in Savannah, Georgia, recently. Hundreds of advisors from across the United States visited the Tourism Australia booth to learn about Australia and the benefits of the recently revamped Aussie Specialist Program. During the showcase breakfast, advisors and travel industry partners received an update on Australia and Signature Experiences of Australia. |
|  | | New tier for Domestic and New Zealand Aussie Specialists | | Tourism Australia has introduced Premier Aussie Specialist as the second tier of the Aussie Specialist Program for domestic and New Zealand agents. The Premier Aussie Specialist membership category is an acknowledgement of destination expertise, inside knowledge and strong ties with the Australian travel industry of Aussie Specialist agents who have been selling Australia for many years and will continue selling Australia holidays. |
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| | |  | | Last chance to register for the Australian Tourism Exchange 2022 | | Applications for the 2022 Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) will close on Friday 7 January. In partnership with Destination NSW, Tourism Australia will host ATE Live in Sydney from 15 to 18 May 2022. ATE Online will follow from 24 to 26 May 2022 to connect those unable to travel to Australia. Find out more and apply here. |
|  | | Australia on Show to United States Tour Operators | | Tourism Australia attended the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) annual conference and marketplace in San Diego this month. Joined by Tourism Western Australia, Tourism Northern Territory, Tourism & Events Queensland and Visit Victoria, the conference brought together hundreds of United States-based tour operators and destination marketing organisations. Sessions included insights on the current economic climate, as well as examples of how destinations are recovering from the pandemic. The marketplace involved 50 one-on-one appointments with many operators looking to a strong Australian season once the borders reopen. |
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| | | | | |  | | Northern Territory welcomes visitors back | | This week the Northern Territory opened its domestic borders, permitting quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated travellers. With plenty of summer travel deals and packages on offer, there has never been a better time to explore the Northern Territory. Find out about the entry requirements and deals here. |
|  | | APEC Tourism Working Group Survey | | The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Working Group is seeking feedback to understand the vulnerability of the tourism sector to support future policy development. Tourism industry members are invited to complete this survey, exploring preparedness and the use of information and communication technology in response and recovery efforts. The results, expected to be published in mid-2022, will be used to help shape this important sector of our economy. The survey will remain open until 7 January 2022. |
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| | | |  | | All-inclusive Finniss River Lodge to open in the Top End | | From May 2022, the Top End will be home to one of the country’s most unique all-inclusive travel experiences with the opening of the landmark Finniss River Lodge. Situated on a 200 square kilometre property south-west of Darwin, the Venturin family will reimagine their functioning cattle station by crafting six luxury suites nestled in the vastness of an outback floodplain. The all-inclusive packages will treat guests with a wet-edge pool, farm to table produce dining facilities and a range of activities allowing travellers to immerse themselves in station life and learn more about the local Indigenous culture. |
|  | | New zip-line experience launches on Perth’s iconic Matagarup Bridge | | Thrillseekers can now scale and zip across Perth’s most iconic bridge with the launch of the Matagarup Bridge zip-line. The new inner-city adventure allows participants to scale 150 steps to the bridge’s Sky-View platform above the Swan River and take a 400-metre zip-line ride to the Burswood Park foreshore below. A unique experience, day or night, the Zip+Climb experience allows riders taking the plunge and soak in surroundings of Perth’s riverside precinct. |
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| | |  | | Tasting Australia set to salivate tastebuds in South Australia | | Pioneering South Australian food festival, Tasting Australia, has announced its first release program ahead of the 10-day festival to be held from 29 April to 8 May 2022. Showcasing the produce of 10 regions from the across the state at over more than 200 events, the program will highlight the continued importance of the local food and drink operators. Key events will include: an overnight 16-person charter, Tasting Australia Airlines, which invites guests to explore Coffin Bay, Flinders Ranges and Coober Pedy; the arrival of Melbourne's Chin Chin at Yalumba Winery in the Barossa Valley; and a series of Legends Dinners hosted by the likes of Maggie Beer and Cheong Liew in the Adelaide Town Square Kitchen. |
|  | | The Tasman unveils its heritage restoration in the heart of Hobart | | The Luxury Collection by Marriott International has launched its first precinct in Australia with the official unveiling of The Tasman Hotel in Hobart on 17 December. Overlooking the Hobart waterfront near Salamanca Place, the Hotel vibrantly recreates the heritage aspects of the former state government offices with a mix of Art Deco and Georgian style. Blending the historic sandstone architecture with nods to the Tasmanian surrounds, The Tasman features 152 guest suites each brimming with unique elegance. The venue also houses a bespoke restaurant, cocktail bar and spirits library, Peppina, which is headed by local chef Massimo Mele. |
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