IMEX America 2024

Business Events Australia attended IMEX America last week in Las Vegas, which is the largest trade show for the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry, attracting more than 5,000 buyers in 2023. More than 20 Australian industry partner organisations joined the Australia stand at IMEX America, with additional industry attending the show on their hotel groups or Destination Marketing Company (DMC) stands. Representing a range of destinations, venues, accommodation and DMCs, Australian industry had the opportunity to highlight why there’s nothing like Australia for business events during one-on-one appointments and networking opportunities. Business Events Australia delivered 11 group appointments providing an Australia update to international planners, and also hosted a breakfast networking event with global agency Maritz. Sentiment was very positive for Australia across both incentive and association sectors, with buyers coming to talk business and leads were generated for future events for 2024 and beyond.

G’day Australia 2024

Hundreds of travel agents from around the world have arrived in Western Australia to take part in G’day Australia which provides specialist agents the chance to meet and be trained by Australian tourism operators and experience our world class tourism offerings first-hand. The 300 travel agents participating in Tourism Australia’s workshop and familiarisation event, delivered this year in partnership with Tourism Western Australia, are qualified Aussie Specialist Agents from retail outlets and key wholesalers across 21 international tourism markets. The Aussie Specialists will meet with over 130 Australian tourism operators during the workshop and networking events. G’day Australia 2024 runs until Friday, 18 October 2024 with the nationwide pre and post-event familiarisation program delivered with support from State and Territory Organisations. Find out more about G’day Australia 2024 here. 

Routes World 2024

Last week Tourism Australia led a delegation of 30 Australians from 13 aviation partner organisations (airports and state and territory governments) to Routes World 2024 in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Marking its 29th edition, the event was attended by 2,300 delegates, including senior leaders of 230 of the world’s airlines, engaging in over 9,000 meetings with 530 airports and 110 destinations to identify new international route opportunities and optimise existing air services. During the conference Tourism Australia participated in airline and city pair meetings, presented on a panel session about ‘Enhancing Air Connectivity to Support Year-Round Tourism’, and hosted more than 20 airlines to a Team Australia aviation networking evening attended by 70 delegates. 

eDreams campaign activity in Continental Europe

Earlier this month Tourism Australia partnered with eDreams for a joint campaign activity that will run until March 2025. Building on the success of similar activities since the re-opening of Australia this will have a strong focus on converting travellers from Germany, France and Italy to book their next trip to Australia. Focusing on Tourism Australia’s key drivers, such as aquatic and coastal, Aboriginal experiences and nature and wildlife, this campaign plays in integral part in achieving Tourism Australia’s strategic goals to become the most desirable destination globally. 

Connect to Country digital magazine - latest issue launched 

Issue eight of Connect to Country magazine, dedicated to telling the stories of Tourism Australia’s, Signature Experiences collective, Discover Aboriginal Experiences members, is out now. This edition features a unique take on one of the world’s most Instagrammable vistas, head out on a spectacular expedition through two World Heritage National Parks, grind ochre with Traditional Owners on Country, and try smoked eel prepared the traditional way by Gundijitmara chefs. The Red Centre attracts a quarter of a million visitors each year, and we explore some of the contemporary and traditional ways you can enjoy a rich experience of the culture and landscape of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon / Watarrka. 

Register for Tourism Australia’s Industry Briefing 

Industry are invited to register for Tourism Australia’s upcoming Industry Briefings. The free of charge briefings include an update from Tourism Australia, followed by a networking event.
The briefings will be held in the following locations:
23 October – Perth / Boorloo
1 November – Melbourne / Narrm
6 November – Sydney / Warrane
13 November – Adelaide / Tarntanya
14 November – Hobart / nipaluna
Register to attend here.

Vale Sir Frank Moore AO

Last week we received news of the sad passing of one of the great pioneering leaders of our industry, Sir Frank Moore. A renowned tourism visionary, Sir Frank was instrumental in establishing the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation, now Tourism and Events Queensland. He led the organisation as Chair for over a decade. Sir Frank spearheaded the creation of international airports in Townsville and Cairns and was at the forefront of Queensland’s hosting of World Expo 88. He oversaw national industry bodies and the development of the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism. For his incredible achievements and services to tourism, Sir Frank was knighted in 1983, appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, and was awarded the Centenary Medal. 

Southern Crossings Pre-WTTC Adventure

Southern Crossings partnered with Virtuoso Travel and Tourism Western Australia to host a group of esteemed global travel leaders on a Pre-World Travel and Tourism Conference (WTTC) Global Summit Adventure that showcased some of Western Australia’s bucket-list travel highlights, aligned with the event theme ‘Ancient Land: New Perspectives.’ Travelling through Western Australia’s Margaret River region and Ningaloo Coast, the itinerary included introductions to local experts who generously shared their stories and their passions to provide these distinguished visitors with personalised connections to local community and Australia’s captivating First Nations’ culture; delicious Western Australian produce and its provenance, incredible wildlife and breathtaking ancient landscapes.

Spice Temple’s New Era

Sydney / Warrane’s beloved two hatted Spice Temple has reopened its doors with new menu that includes a nod to Chinese cuisine in the 80’s and transformed interiors. Shaping the Sydney dining scene for 15 years, this is the first time that Executive Chef Andy Evans has made a significant change to the restaurant’s menu and look. The overall dining experience has also been heightened, expect the smells of Chinese spice to float through the restaurant and the theatre of cooking to be brought into the main dining room with the addition of live cooking stations that finish off the new array of hot pots on the menu, all in view of the restaurant’s diners. Bookings can be made online here. 

Brisbane Launch of Award-Winning Touring Company, Local Sauce Tours

Brisbane / Meanjin boy, Justin Steele has returned to his hometown to launch his award-winning cultural experiences by Local Sauce Tours. Showcasing the city's nightlife, laneways, public art and lesser-known stories of Brisbane’s history, tours are designed to appeal to both locals and visitors. Local Sauce Tours launched in Sydney / Warrane in 2018 and quickly became one of Sydney’s leading experiences, achieving Gold Award for Cultural Tourism in the NSW Tourism Awards in 2022 and 2023; #1 ranking for ‘Tours in Sydney’ and ‘Sydney Nightlife’ on Tripadvisor; and more than 2,000 five-star online reviews. The two new Brisbane tours include Brisbane Small Bars & Street Art and the Ultimate Brisbane Walking Tour available to book now. 

Peninsula Hot Springs’ Eco Lodges Official Open Day

Peninsula Hot Springs’ new luxury accommodation Eco Lodges will open on Saturday 9th November with bookings available now. Consciously designed as a sanctuary for sleep and restoration, the lodges are inspired by a return to rest focus. Nestled in the bathing area and overlooking a private lake, the eco-conscious lodges seamlessly blend into the bushland with nature-inspired architecture, bespoke amenities, custom-made furniture, and original scenic artwork. With sleep at its core, each of the rooms and suites include self-guided sleep wellness content, as well as sleep masks, block-out blinds, mineral salts and underfloor heating powered by geothermal water. Guests can also enjoy curated food menus served in the Spa Dreaming Centre Dining Room or in their room. Guests also have access to the Peninsula Hot Springs for bathing, nutrition and movement activities, alongside a complimentary 45minute guided wellness activity and buffet breakfast each morning.

A new player in Australia’s boutique hotel scene

Introducing Ode Hotels, a newly branded collection of unique hotels by EVT Hotels & Resorts bringing a boutique experience to travellers. In the collection are three iconic properties: The Old Clare Hotel in Chippendale, Sydney / Warrane, Harbour Rocks Hotel in The Rocks, Sydney and The Inchcolm in Spring Hill, Brisbane / Meanjin. Each Ode Hotel is thoughtfully curated to reflect its own distinct character while staying true to the brand’s ethos of authenticity, style, and elevated guest experiences. From the rich history of The Old Clare Hotel’s brewery roots to the timeless elegance of The Inchcolm’s Neo-Georgian design, Ode Hotels is redefining boutique stays for modern travellers.