Register for our November industry webinar

This Friday, 1 November at 11am AEDT, we continue our Industry Webinar series and this time we are going to have a focus on the all important aviation landscape. As we have seen with tourism’s post-pandemic recovery, aviation capacity is vital and whilst the sector has largely recovered to around 100 per cent of 2019 levels, we know that recovery is mixed across markets. We will hear from Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka with the latest updates on what is happening at the airline, and the new CEO of the Australian Airports Association (AAA), Simon Westaway, will give us an update on developments from our airports across the country. Register here. 

Team Australia amplifies media connections in Asia Pacific at IMM Asia

At the annual International Media Marketplace (IMM) Asia this year, Tourism Australia and a lineup of representatives from Australia united in Singapore for two days of thought-provoking conference sessions and media networking. Team Australia was represented by Tourism Australia, Luxury Lodges of Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Northern Territory, Tourism Tasmania, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Tourism Western Australia and VisitCanberra. From 21-22 October, the event saw 140 international editors, travel writers, broadcasters and content creators from Southeast Asia, Greater China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, the US and the UK. Through targeted meetings and open networking, Team Australia had meaningful conversations with new and familiar media contacts, while learning about current editorial trends and priorities in Asia Pacific.

Air India offers tactical fares for its direct flights into Australia

Tourism Australia and India’s national carrier, Air India, have joined forces to launch an exciting tactical campaign in India to promote its direct, non-stop flights. The campaign features special all-inclusive return fares that are valid for travel until 31 August 2025, making it an opportune time for discerning high yielding travellers to explore the wonders of Australia. With 17 weekly flights from India to Australia, Air India is offering competitive fares that allow travellers to embark on unforgettable journeys while enjoying outstanding service on board. By tapping into Air India's extensive network across India, the collaboration aims to make Australia more accessible than ever before and will help us bridge the gap between consideration and actual visitation and win in conversions.

New Zealand market update event in Auckland

Last week, Tourism Australia held a market update in Auckland, with 45 trade partners in attendance including key distribution partners, wholesalers, airlines, trade media and State and Territory Tourism Organisation (STO) representatives. During the update, the team shared recent market insights, research, plans and key resources available to assist partners in selling Australia. There was also a wine-tasting activation during the networking portion of the event, in partnership with Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia. With the New Zealand market recently joining with The Americas region, this was the first chance for RGM – The Americas and New Zealand, Chris Allison to visit the market since the change.

National Geographic Traveller UK beckons Brits to explore Australia

This year, Tourism Australia’s International Media Hosting Program facilitated the travels for award-winning, Australian-based travel writer Justin Meneguzzi. Following his cross-country exploration, Justin has produced a cover story for National Geographic Traveller UK, one of the globe’s leading travel publications, showcasing unforgettable, soul-stirring tourism experiences across Australia. Spanning more than 20-pages in print, the extensive feature invites readers to learn more about Australia’s remarkable hiking trails, the rainforests surrounding Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain, experiences in Sydney / Warrane and more. The print feature in National Geographic Traveller UK, is expected to reach over 48,000 readers, and has an equivalent advertising value of £210,000. Find further details about the magazine here.

Western Australia featured on the popular travel TV show Kilimangiaro

Through Tourism Australia’s International Media Hosting Program and in cooperation with Tourism Western Australia, WA was featured on the popular weekly Italian travel documentary show Kilimangiaro earlier this month, on Rai-3, reaching an audience of over 1 million viewers. Titled ‘Australia, the Wild Ovest’, the 10-minute segment highlighted the vibrant city life of Perth / Boorloo, including Kings Park, Northbridge, and Fremantle, before exploring the state's natural beauty with Cape Range National Park, Ningaloo Marine Park, Lancelin's white sand dunes, and the striking Pinnacles. To see more click the link to the video.

Seller Applications for ATE25 closing soon

The 45th edition of the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE25), will be held in Brisbane / Meanjin from Sunday 27 April until Thursday 1 May 2025 in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland, with support from Brisbane Economic Development Agency. The event is expected to bring together 1,500 Australian seller delegates with 700 global distribution partners from over 30 countries, to conduct scheduled business appointments and participate in key networking events. Visit the event website to apply before 1 November 2024.

Finalist for ICCA Best Marketing Award

Out of 34 entries, Tourism Australia was one of three finalists for the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Best Marketing Award. The awards celebrate the pinnacle of marketing ingenuity worldwide, spotlighting organisations that push boundaries with their passion, creativity, and boldness. As a finalist, Tourism Australia’s Executive General Manager of Commercial and Business Events Australia, Robin Mack, presented at the 63rd ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi showcasing the strategy, creativity and success of the campaign, There’s Nothing Like Australia for Business Events, to an audience of international professional conference organisers (PCOs), Associations, destinations and peers.

New partnership a boost for First Nations tourism

Tourism Minister, Senator the Hon Don Farrell together with Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians, today announced the establishment of a new First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership, comprising First Nations tourism industry representatives from every state and territory, which will provide leadership and guidance on respectfully embedding Australia’s rich cultural heritage in our tourism offerings. This historic new Partnership to support greater participation and economic opportunities for First Nations people and businesses in Australia’s tourism industry will be funded for an initial two years through the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

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: 
1 November – Melbourne / Narrm 
6 November – Sydney / Warrane 
13 November – Adelaide / Tarntanya 
14 November – Hobart / nipaluna 

Register to attend.

Fire Kitchen opens at Osborn House

Fire Kitchen, the new Latin American restaurant experience has arrived at Osborn House. Fuelled from the popularity of its monthly outdoor Fire Fest, Fire Kitchen is open from Thursdays to Sundays and brings a broad exploration of Latin American flavours and live fire cooking to the Southern Highlands in New South Wales. Diners can expect an incredible array of vegetables, meats and seafood cooked in a way that celebrates their simplicity, but also brings out rich, smoky and charred depths of flavours that can only be achieved with fire. More than just the food though, Fire Kitchen will be an immersive Latin American experience, with the visual element of cooking being further elevated with Latin American music, wine and cocktails. Bookings are available online now.

Experience the Great Barrier Reef Drive in Luxury

The world’s most coveted supercars will arrive at The Reef House Adults Retreat in 2025 to give guests an exclusive driving experience on the iconic Great Barrier Reef Drive in Tropical North Queensland. In a partnership with Prancing Horse, Reef House guests can get behind the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GTB, Lamborghini Huracan EVO, McLaren GT or Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition in the Luxury Driving Experience package. The driving experience is on offer from May 15 to June 7 and includes private instruction and discreet support via a two-way radio with the dedicated lead vehicle, morning tea and lunch before returning to The Reef House for dinner on the restaurant deck overlooking the Coral Sea. Read more online at The Reef House.

World-renowned restaurant, Brae, comes to Sydney Opera House for a four-night only residency

Brae, the internationally acclaimed three-hatted restaurant from rural Victoria will come to the Sydney Opera House from January 17 – 20, 2025. This is the first time Owner and executive chef Dan Hunter will bring Brae’s philosophy of sustainability and purpose-driven cuisine to Sydney when he collaborates with chef and culinary director of the Opera House event venues, Danielle Alvarez. The ticketed events will unite two of Australia’s top chefs for a dining experience that showcases their shared philosophy of creating ‘food with purpose’. The exclusive menu will honour the land by using ethically sourced local produce from some of the region's top producers, set against a backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic venues. A curated selection of organic and sustainably produced wines from Handpicked Wines will accompany the six-course journey. Tickets to the four-night event are available to purchase online now.

Three new off-grid retreats to open in McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale’s newest luxury off-grid accommodation, Rare Earth Retreats, are set to welcome guests from Friday. Nestled amidst a working vineyard, each retreat boasts a private deck with panoramic views and an outdoor bath to fully soak up the picturesque surrounds. The three fully off-grid retreats are individually designed to reflect a unique element of the local terroir; namely stone, clay and slate. With its personalised trip-planning services, guests can be ensured their visit makes the most of the region's world class food and wine, pristine coastlines and magnificent national parks. Bookings can be made online now.