Having trouble reading? View online version Essentials 18 December 2024 Message from the Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator the Hon Don Farrell Message from Minister FarrellAs the festive season approaches, I want to thank you for your hard work and dedication to our tourism industry this
18 December 2024 Message from the Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator the Hon Don Farrell Message from Minister FarrellAs the festive season approaches, I want to thank you for your hard work and dedication to our tourism industry this year. Your efforts play a vital role in creating great experiences for visitors and supporting our local economy. On behalf of the Federal Government, I would like to wish you a busy and safe Christmas period, and hope the season brings success and opportunities for your business. Thank you for your continued contribution to making Australia a top destination for both international and domestic visitors. Together, we are building a thriving tourism sector that benefits us all. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas. Don Farrell
Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism |
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Tourism Australia UpdateOur ‘Summer of Cricket’ activity in the India market continues, with fifteen celebrities and personalities from the Indian sport, entertainment, TV and film industries attending the first day of the Brisbane Test between Australia and India at the weekend. The group is being hosted in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland, and while here they will have the opportunity to experience all the destinations and experiences Australia has off the pitch, ranging from the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to the Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef and Cairns in the Tropical North. These experiences will be shared with their social media followers back in India – reaching a combined audience of around 55 million! This will be the final Essentials newsletter for 2024, and on behalf of everyone at Tourism Australia I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your ongoing support, and of course your continued contribution to our industry. As we move into peak season, I wish you all a safe and prosperous holiday period. |
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Tourism Australia Activity |
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Tourism Australia wins in the United KingdomTourism Australia recently took out the Destination Partner of the Year Award at the Advantage Big Celebration Lunch 2024. The annual awards mark the success of The Advantage Travel Partnership’s top suppliers. Advantage Travel Partnership is a United Kingdom consortium with over 800 independent members across the United Kingdom with annual travel sales in excess of £8 billion. The award was won by Tourism Australia for the second consecutive year with Julia Lo Bue, Chief Executive Officer commenting “the campaigns have boosted destination knowledge and driven high-value bookings, all while delivering exceptional training and marketing support for our members”. |
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| JATA launches coral conservation program in JapanTourism Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland are supporting a unique coral conservation program at the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef. The support is part of the Japan Association of Travel Agents' (JATA) Outbound Promotion Council (JOTC) activities. Set to take place in March 2025, the event is included in travel packages from Japan and includes a day trip aboard the Reef Magic Pontoon, where participants can engage in coral restoration activities, marine biology lectures, snorkelling, and Aboriginal cultural experiences. This initiative highlights sustainable tourism and environmental protection activities. The program is currently offered by major Japanese travel agencies, including H.I.S., JTB, Tobu Top Tours, Nippon Travel Agency, and Hankyu Travel International. With a target of 200 participants, additional agency participation is encouraged to expand the program’s reach and impact. |
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StudiesUp Fair in Paris Tourism Australia participated in StudiesUp’s ‘Working and Studying in Australia’ fair in Paris held at the Australian Embassy. The event took place last month and welcomed more than 500 French interested in a working holiday or study abroad. At the exhibitor stands, participants could ask questions, conferences were held all day to cover all Australia Working Holiday subjects. Topics ranged from how to prepare before leaving, to tips on what to do once arriving in Australia, and as a bonus the chance for one attendee to win a flight to Australia. Tourism Australia participated in the event with a stand to discuss the Australian destination and answer related questions and showcase all the wonderful places to visit in Australia while on a working holiday. |
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| Aussie trivia tested in the United States Earlier this month, Tourism Australia sponsored a holiday trivia night at Century Park Towers in Los Angeles. At the event which welcomed around 100 agents from the office park community had the chance to win Aussie giveaways at the evening of fun and friendly competition. Highlights included showing Tourism Australia’s brand video, an Australia-themed trivia round, G’day swag for all guests, and a special Ruby appearance. Ten lucky winners also received boxes of Australian goodies. The event was a great opportunity to connect with community, celebrate the season, and showcase Australia’s offerings in a memorable and engaging way. |
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Australia wins for Best Adventure and Emerging Destination at Travel + Leisure India AwardsAustralia has been awarded as the Best Adventure Destination for Great Barrier Reef and Best Emerging Destination for Rottnest Island at the Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards 2024. India’s Best Awards (IBA) 2024 is the 13th edition of the Travel+Leisure India & South Asia’s marquee property, and it celebrates excellence in the realm of travel, leisure, and lifestyle. The theme for this year was ‘Art of Discovery’, where Australia won two awards for its adventure and emerging offerings that caught the eye of the discerning traveller. The award ceremony was held in Delhi on earlier this month. |
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| YHA Celebrates Sustainability Milestone with New CertificationsYHA has achieved a significant sustainability milestone with three of its properties - YHA Sydney Harbour, YHA Port Elliot Beach House, and YHA Adelaide Central earning Sustainable Tourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia. The certification recognises YHA’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices, including environmental, socio-economic, and cultural management. Notable initiatives include solar power, rainwater tanks, and community engagement programs like Feel Good Fridays in Adelaide. YHA aims to certify all 19 of its properties within the next year, reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable accommodation. Find more information on Ecotourism Australia’s Green Travel Guide. |
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Quincy Melbourne Achieves Carbon Neutral Milestone Quincy Melbourne has become the first hotel in Victoria, and currently the only in Australia, to achieve Climate Active Carbon Neutral Building certification through NABERS. Offsetting 1,671 tonnes of carbon annually - equivalent to 167 Australian households - Quincy is leading the way in sustainable hospitality. The 241-room hotel, managed by TFE Hotels, has implemented a Board-endorsed sustainability strategy, set climate targets, and established in-house greenhouse gas monitoring. This certification marks a significant step in Quincy's journey to net zero, with offsets paving the way for operational reductions. |
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| Register to attend Destination Australia 2025 Tourism Australia will host the annual Destination Australia conference on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney). This year, with a theme of ‘We are the Australian tourism industry’ the future evolution and growth of our sector, will be the focus of the day. At the event, industry leaders will share insights and updates, we will explore how we can continue to evolve the depth and breadth of our tourism offerings, and we will look again to how we collaborate to ensure the sustainable growth of our sector. As always, a range of topics will be covered from aviation to marketing trends, future distribution landscape to agritourism, and so much more! Find out more and register here. |
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BridgeClimb Sydney’s new lookBridgeClimb Sydney has unveiled its newly redesigned Climb Suit – the first major redesign in over 12 years. The vibrant new design, created in collaboration with renowned First Nations artist Taleena Simon is a powerful symbol of unity and respect. As a proud Worimi and Bundjaluong woman, Taleena has brought her unique vision and storytelling to the artwork featured on the new Climb Suit, honoring the ancestral connections and stories of Indigenous peoples. The colour palette has also been carefully chosen to blend with the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, while the First Nations design – featured on the shoulders and arms – introduces a vibrant connection to Indigenous culture. |
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| Barnbougle Celebrates 20th Anniversary with 20-year-old Tasmanian Single Malt ReleaseThe iconic Barnbougle Golf Links on the northeast coast of Tasmania has celebrated its 20-year anniversary, partnering with Hellyers Road Distillery to mark the occasion. The two brands have brought together two of life’s greatest pleasures, golf and whisky, launching a limited edition Barnbougle Anniversary 20-year-old Single Malt. Carefully matured over two decades, Barnbougle Golf celebrates classic links architecture, Tasmanian provenance and exceptional craftsmanship. In the whisky making world, similar characteristics resonate with Hellyers Road Distillery, who are revered for their traditional style of whisky making and local heritage. The special release 20-year-old Tasmanian Single Malt is individually numbered and sealed with cork and wax seal. For more details on the product’s notes and purchase information, visit the Barnbougle website. |
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Introducing Sense of Self Sydney Melbourne / Narrm born bathhouse Sense Of Self, the first of Australia's modern bathhouses, will open its long-await second outpost in Sydney / Warrane in 2025. Located on the border of Surry Hills and Paddington and housed within a two-storey industrial warehouse spanning more than 1,000 square metres, Sense Of Self will be Sydney’s most spacious indoor bathhouse. It will boast multiple large mineral pools (39°C), spacious saunas (80°C), a Hammam steam room (46°C), and Cold Plunge pools (10-12°C), as well as dedicated treatment rooms, and plenty of relaxation space where guests are encouraged to take their time, or even have a snooze. Sign up online to be the first to hear about opening updates and introductory offers. |
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| The Ducks at Hotel Brunswick is open just in time for summer Three Blue Ducks and Hotel Brunswick are thrilled to announce the opening of ‘The Ducks at Hotel Brunswick’, a new eatery that combines the relaxed atmosphere of a classic Aussie pub with the food style and sustainable ethos that Three Blue Ducks is known for. Located in New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region, The Hotel sits on the banks of the Brunswick River, welcoming The Ducks within the venue in time for the busy summer season. The new venture brings together Three Blue Ducks co-owners Darren Robertson and Andy Allen and Regional Head Chef, Sam Morton along with Hotel Brunswick’s Head Chef, Loki Lynch and Group General Manager of Food, Ben Turner. They have created a menu that celebrates the best local produce from the Northern Rivers region while putting a Ducks twist on beloved pub favourites. Bookings are available online. |
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