| | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | This week we’d like to highlight Tourism Australia’s National Experiences Content Initiative (NECI). The $12 million content creation project is aimed at supporting tourism businesses across Australia in their recovery and driving increased visitation by helping them to better market their experiences and attractions. Each business who takes part in the initiative receives 40 images and a 60 second video to promote their product. The program covers 57 regions across Australia and when completed will have produced content for over 1,400 Australian businesses. Content developed is published on the Tourism Australia image and video gallery which is accessible by the general public, media and trade free-of-charge. Congratulations to Jamie Van Jones of Salt and Bush Eco Tours, one of the operators recently featured in the National Experience Content Initiative, who last week won the Australia’s Top Tour Guide award at Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards 2022. Finally, last week we lost a true gentleman of the tourism industry, Stephen Gregg. The outpouring and tributes have been overwhelming as those who he worked with spoke of his passion for the industry, his compassion for his colleagues and his innovative, pioneering drive. Vale Stephen, the industry is better for having you as part of it. Phillipa Harrison | | | | |
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| |  | | | Experiential Luxury on Show | | Australia’s luxury and premium experiential offerings were front and centre at PURE Life Experiences in Marrakesh, Morocco from 11 to 14 September. Tourism Australia and key luxury sellers attended the invitation only event that welcomed over 500 global buyers and media. Delegates were invited to come and say g’day at the Australian coffee café, and an exclusive media lunch promoting Sustainability and Indigenous tourism was held. PURE facilitated three days of business meetings, networking events and an Open House day of content to welcome and inspire delegates to Change Worlds. |
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| |  | | Spotlight on Europe | | This week, ‘Spotlight on the Regions’ features a video update from Eva Seller, Tourism Australia’s Regional General Manager, Continental Europe. Eva shares her insights and observations from the European market, as well as updates on key stakeholders and activities to keep Australia front of mind in market. Watch the update here. |
|  | | National Experience Content Initiative adds new assets | | See some of Tourism Australia’s recent National Experience Content Initiative additions from South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory including Canoe the Coorong, Aboriginal Art Co, Goondiwindi Cotton and Outback Tour Services. Follow #neciaus on Instagram for a behind the scenes look at the NECI shoots as they take place throughout the country. |
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| | | | |  | | New funding helps tourism build back better | | A jointly funded $7 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience package has been announced, backing Queensland’s tourism industry to build back better, reduce extreme weather disruption and protect the great Queensland lifestyle. Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt said the assistance would help Queensland tourism operators build disaster resilience after the extraordinary flood and cyclone events of 2021-2022. The Tourism Infrastructure (BRTI) fund opens for applications Friday 23 September 2022 until 28 October 2022. |
|  | | Vacayit audio story-telling app launches | | Vacayit, an audio story-telling app providing accessible travel content, launched in Australia last week. The destination marketing tool is designed to facilitate independent decision-making for blind and low vision tourists. The audio app is a one-stop platform that can be used during the planning stages of a holiday or as an audio tour guide at attractions. Each featured destination combines history and stories to enhance users’ sensory experiences. The stories range from distilleries and prison tours, to thrilling race car experiences. |
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| | |  | | Ticket to Paradise in Queensland | | Last week Queensland again starred on the big screen globally, as Ticket to Paradise premiered. Despite the plot being set in Bali, the film was shot entirely in Queensland and for three months, Academy Award® winners George Clooney and Julia Roberts called Queensland their home. There’s laughs and feel-good moments aplenty in the romantic comedy but the star of the show is Queensland’s white sandy beaches, pristine islands and rainforests across the Gold Coast, Brisbane/Meeanjin and the Whitsundays. View the movie trailer here. |
|  | | Positive Impact Tourism: Tasmania's Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 Workshops | | The Tasmanian tourism industry and the Tasmanian Government are finalising a new joint T21 Tourism Strategy to 2030. Throughout October and November, workshops with tourism operators and industry stakeholders across the state will be run to define what a positive impact agenda means for the industry - on both a state and local level and for individual businesses. Find out more here. |
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| | |  | | Major aviation and travel summit in Adelaide | | The two-day CAPA Aviation Summit 2022 was hosted in Adelaide/Tarndanya last week, focused on rebuilding domestic and international aviation post COVID. It attracted more than 300 senior airline executives, airports, state and national tourism organisations, corporate travel executives and suppliers. Read more here. |
|  | | Tropical North Queensland promotes accessible tourism | | An Accessibility Hub has been added to the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef destination website to assist travellers with mobility impairment select activities and itineraries for their Tropical North Queensland holiday. The Tourism Tropical North Queensland team worked closely with Spinal Life Australia and Out There Travel Care to put together content showcasing experiences and accommodation accessible to all travellers. Find out more here. |
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| | | | |  | | Metung Hot Springs to open in late October alongside Country Club relaunch | | Metung in East Gippsland, Victoria will be home to a lush thermal springs experience from late October. Bookings for the Metung Hot Springs are now open, with trading to commence on 29 October. The anticipated springs will serve up picturesque views over Lake King, geothermal water bathing pools, a raft of day spa well-being experiences and on-site café. The 25-acre site will also feature private safari style glamping tents with luxury amenities. The arrival of the Metung Hot Springs will assist relaunch a nine-hole public course located 500 metres from the hot springs site - now known as Metung Country Club. |
|  | | Firedoor and Mona Farm turn up the heat with culinary collaboration | | This November, Mona Farm in Braidwood NSW will collaborate with famed Sydney-based chef, Lennox Hastie (Firedoor) for a sumptuous two-night experience – Firedoor x Mona Farm. Building on the venue’s Wine, Dine & Discover experience, from 7 to 9 November, up to 38 guests staying on-site in Mona Farm’s Guest Houses will journey through the 124-acre award-winning estate, before devouring a five-course menu inspired by Firedoor’s fire wielding flavours. The new collaboration is the commencement of what General Manager, Romy Besnard says will be a suite of high-profile culinary experiences which challenge “what’s expected of a traditional chef collaboration or farm stay”. |
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| | |  | | Melbourne Docklands to be revolutionised with two-tower accommodation precinct | | In 2026, Melbourne Docklands will welcome a $340m accommodation precinct as TFE Hotels and local developer Capital Alliance unite to create a mixed-used facility. The two-tower project will open with Australia’s largest rooftop infinity pool, a 1,000-person conference centre and 360-degree views of the evolving Melbourne/Narrm cityscape. The yet-to-be-named Collection Hotel will feature 200 rooms and join the stylistic ranks of TFE’s Brisbane/Meeanjin product The Calile. The development is set to become an architectural landmark in Melbourne, with a sleek sky-bridge connecting the towers. |
|  | | Kings Canyon Resort set to luminate with new Bruce Munro installation | | Acclaimed British/Australian light artist Bruce Munro will join forces with the G’day Group to craft the Light Towers light installation in Discovery Kings Canyon Resort. Located in Watarrka National Park, the immersive sound and display experience is set to open in April 2023, after Munro’s Field of Light opened to universal acclaim in Uluru in 2016. Featuring 69 two-metre colour-morphing towers, the Light Towers display will take visitors on a journey through time, space and place and will light up the night after the completion of the first stage of the Kings Canyon Resort’s redevelopment under the G’day Group. |
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