| | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | In the last few weeks, we’ve seen the COVID-19 situation continue to change with a tighter lockdown in Greater Sydney and also parts of Victoria and now South Australia bringing with it devastating impacts for businesses across the country. Please make sure you are taking care of yourself, and those around you, and if you need support for your mental wellbeing during this difficult time, here are some useful links for where you can reach out and get assistance or talk to someone. Following the National Cabinet meeting last week, the Prime Minister provided an update including the agreement to a suppression strategy for COVID-19 with the goal of no community transmission. Also noted was the Commonwealth's extension of the COVID-19 Disaster Payment support for Greater Sydney and Victoria, based on Commonwealth hotspot declarations as well as changes to the payment to standardise and streamline Commonwealth financial support when a public health lockdown occurs in a Commonwealth declared hotspot. National Cabinet also noted the new arrangement for business support payments in the event of a significant lockdown of greater than 14 days. The Commonwealth will fund 50 per cent of the payment if an agreement is reached with the relevant jurisdiction to fund the remaining 50 per cent. The support payment will cease when restrictions are eased or when the location is no longer declared a Commonwealth hotspot. You can read more on this support below. Please take care and do reach out if there is anything we can do to support you. Phillipa Harrison | | |
| |
|
| |  | | Spotlight on the Regions – Continental Europe | | This week, ‘Spotlight on the Regions’ features an interview with Eva Seller, Tourism Australia’s Regional General Manager Continental Europe, who shares insights and observations on the European market, as well as updates on key stakeholders and activities to keep travel to Australia front of mind in-market. Read the update here. |
| |
|
| | | | Tourism Australia Activity |
| |
|
| |  | | Sydney and Gold Coast named in TIME’s World’s Greatest Places | | Leading US news magazine, TIME, named Sydney, NSW and Gold Coast, Queensland as extraordinary travel destinations in its third annual list of the World’s Greatest Places, revealed this week. To compile this list of 100 destinations, TIME solicited nominations of places including countries, regions, cities and towns, from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences. Read more here. |
|  | | Minister for Tourism visits Japan | | Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon. Dan Tehan MP, visited Japan last week and held a roundtable meeting with seven key distribution partners in Japan, including major travel agencies and airlines, at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo. The purpose of the meeting was to understand the current situation of Japan's travel industry in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the marketing and relaunch of travel between Australia and Japan when borders reopen. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to maximise in-market activities to support the Australian tourism market from Japan. The Memorandum of Understanding will further strengthen Tourism Australia’s relationships with industry stakeholders and reinforce the strong ties between the two countries. Japan is one of the most important tourism markets for Australia, with almost 500,000 visitors from Japan in 2019, contributing A$2.1 billion to the Australian economy. |
|
|
|---|
| |
| | | | | | | | Australia 365 On Demand Launches | | Tourism Australia’s new ‘always on’ Australia 365 On Demand virtual event platform launches this week, enabling Australian industry, global distribution partners and Aussie Specialists the opportunity to share, train, update and connect direct throughout the year. In partnership with State and Territory organisations, Australian tourism industry members have been invited to participate with a featured company or destination listing. Global trade partners can search and review industry listings, key contacts, product updates and brand assets. The platform will further support Tourism Australia’s efforts to keep global distribution partners focused on Australia, building vital business connections to support recovery. Learn more here. |
|
|
|---|
| |
| | | | | | |  | | Support for NSW flood affected communities | | The Federal and New South Wales (NSW) Governments are providing a range of support to NSW communities affected by the February and March 2021 storms and floods. There will be a $200 million recovery package to deliver eight key initiatives targeted at supporting the next phase of recovery for flood affected communities and industries in NSW. In addition, a $200 million Infrastructure Betterment Fund will be established to support the reconstruction and improved disaster resilience of public assets damaged during the recent storms and floods as well as the 2019-20 bushfires. Read more here. |
|  | | Support for hospitality industry | | The Federal Government is partnering with the hospitality and tourism industries to connect young job seekers to employment opportunities in tourism and hospitality through the $10 million PaTH Business Placement Partnerships program. Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) and the Accommodation Association of Australia (AAoA) have been chosen to deliver new pathways to jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries – the first two funded under the program. Read more here. |
|
|
|---|
| |
| | |  | | Work in Paradise job site launches | | The Queensland Government's Work in Paradise tourism and hospitality jobs website www.workinparadise.com.au has gone live with hundreds of job listings from across the state. The site is designed to be a one stop shop, allowing Queensland tourism and hospitality businesses to advertise their jobs for free, as well as featuring information on living and working in the regions, training and accommodation. Tourism businesses seeking staff are encouraged to go to the website to register and upload their jobs. |
|  | | Destination Food 2021 | | For businesses and destinations working in culinary tourism, Destination Food 2021 is the place to be. A stellar line-up of speakers, headlined by the incomparable Joost Bakker, Destination Food will give you the creative injection you need to keep moving forward. The event takes place from 12 to 13 October 2021, in Bundaberg Queensland, learn more at http://destination-food.com.au. |
|
|
|---|
| |
| | | | | | Melbourne Airport Vaccination campaign | | Melbourne Airport is running a competition that will reward locals that have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by giving away $10,000 each month to spend on air travel. To ensure everyone has the chance to enter, the airport’s competition is open until the end of the year and six winners will be announced in total. To enter, the airport is asking people to send in written submissions of 50 words or less about why they want to travel. There is also an option to enter by sending a video submission that runs for no longer than 60 seconds. Find out more here. |
|
|
|---|
| |
| | | | |  | | South Australia’s newest luxury retreat, Kingsford The Barossa, now officially open | | An historic homestead in the Barossa has undergone a significant expansion and officially opened its doors this week. Kingsford The Barossa is a private retreat on the edge of the Barossa Valley wine region, catering to just 32 guests and tailor-made for luxury escapes. Guests can choose to stay in a luxurious room or suite inside the homestead, or a brand-new View Suite, offering breathtaking views of the property. The luxury accommodation offering will appeal to both local and out-of-state visitors as a special stay just for two, or a group looking to use Kingsford as a base to explore the region. The retreat is also available for weddings and corporate events. To make a booking, visit the website here. |
|  | | New-look dining venues at Norfolk Island’s Governor’s Lodge | | Set on 12 acres of landscaped sub-tropical gardens on Norfolk Island, Governor’s Lodge is a serene retreat offering 55 individual units. The three dining venues at the retreat have recently undergone refurbishments. Open seven days a week; The Boatshed is set under the sails of a marquee offering a nautical vibe, and The Lounge Bar and Cafe is a relaxed venue with an all-day blackboard menu. Bailey’s Restaurant, opened Tuesday to Saturday, is set in a beautifully restored island home, serving a modern Australian a la carte menu with a full bar service. It is recommended bookings are made at the new-look dining venues via reception or on the website here. |
|
|
|---|
| |
| | |  | | Hunter Valley Zoo joins Australian Wildlife Parks | | Hunter Valley Zoo has been welcomed into the Australian Wildlife Parks group, joining Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park in Western Sydney and Mogo Wildlife Park near Batemans Bay. The purchase cements Australian Wildlife Parks as Australia’s largest private wildlife tourism operator and strengthens NSW’s wildlife tourism offering. Over the past 14 years, the Hunter Valley Zoo has expanded from a native only collection to now housing species including primates, American alligators, white lions, wolves, meerkats and capybaras. To make a booking online visit the website here. |
|  | | New Whisky and Tapas Bar opens on Broadbeach | | The Gold Coast’s newest whisky bar has opened its doors in the heart of bustling Broadbeach. The Vault Bar and Tapas is a laidback yet sophisticated space boasting a seven-metre-long bar serving up a curated collection of over 75 bottles of high-end whisky, cognacs, rums and cocktails. The drinks menu is paired with a delectable selection of international tapas treats. The new bar also serves up a weekend of soul with jazz, blues, DJs and acoustic artists performing live at the classy new Gold Coast venue. For more information and to make a booking visit the website here. |
|
|
|---|
| |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
