| | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | On Friday, during our monthly industry webinar, we launched the latest iteration of the industry vaccination initiative - ‘It’s our best shot for travel’ - with a new video. The video, featuring tourism operators from across the country, builds on the efforts of the other social media tools launched last month to encourage the community to support the tourism industry by getting the COVID-19 vaccination so we can all get closer to travelling again. A copy of the video is available on our corporate website along with the updated toolkit. There is also a business events specific video available here. Also on the webinar, we heard from Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AM, and Qantas’ Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully. If you didn’t get a chance to watch the webinar, you can watch the on-demand replay here. Today, we also announced a partnership with The Wiggles to inspire families to plan and book their next Aussie holiday. Further information can be found on this below. Phillipa Harrison |
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| | | | |  | | Spotlight on the Regions – MALAYSIA | | This week, ‘Spotlight on the Regions’ features an interview with Karen Saw, Tourism Australia’s Business Development Manager, Malaysia, who shares insights and observations from the Malaysian market, as well as updates on key stakeholders and activities to keep Australia front of mind in-market. Read the update here. |
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| |  | | Tourism Australia partners with The Wiggles | | The Wiggles and Tourism Australia have partnered to inspire families from across Australia to Holiday Here This Year. A new book is being released today as part of the partnership. The Great Australian Wiggly Road Trip! follows The Wiggles as they travel across each state and territory, spotting Aussie animals in some of Australia’s most iconic destinations. A dedicated hub Australia.com/the-wiggles will inspire parents to plan and book their next Aussie holiday and includes content to engage even the youngest of travellers, with a range of kid-friendly travel activities. The Wiggles have also been welcomed into Tourism Australia’s Friends Of Australia program. |
|  | | Australia connects with the next generation of travel professionals | | Tourism Australia recently connected with the next generation of American travel advisors at the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, hosted by TravelAge West in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Attendees were aged between 22 and 37, share a passion for the travel industry and career development and differ from other generations through their tech knowledge and personal brand awareness. Tourism Australia held one-to-one appointments with advisors to discuss the refresh of the award-winning Aussie Specialist Program and how it can provide them with the knowledge and skills to better promote and sell Australia. |
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| | |  | | ASTA Global Convention goes hybrid | | This year’s American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) Global Convention featured an in-person conference in Chicago from 23 to 25 August followed by a virtual event from 30 to 31 August. Tourism Australia promoted the Aussie Specialist Program and Signature Experiences of Australia at a virtual trade show booth and provided in-depth 30-minute training sessions over two days. Newer advisors were keen to learn more about Australia and the Aussie Specialist Program and experienced advisors were interested to hear about the relaunch of the Program. |
|  | | Face to face industry meeting in France | | After almost two years, Tourism Australia had the chance to meet face to face with industry partners and friends in Paris. The team jointly hosted 35 key industry representatives including four State and Territory Tourism Organisation partners along with Australian Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Gillian Bird. The ‘Meet & Greet’ session held at the Australian Embassy provided the opportunity to update attendees on Tourism Australia’s latest developments and outlook for the French market. |
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| | | | | | | | |  | | Australian Government sustainability resources and support for tourism businesses | | The Australian Government has a number of diverse support, assistance and grants programs that may be of interest to tourism operators working to make their businesses more sustainable from an environmental, community and profitability perspective. These include: This is not a definitive list, but should provide some guidance on what can be time-consuming research. Find out more about Tourism Australia’s approach to sustainability here. |
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| | | | |  | | Rottnest Fast Ferries launches whale watching experiences departing from Fremantle | | Western Australia’s Rottnest Fast Ferries are launching a selection of new whale watching experiences departing from Fremantle from 17 September. Branded Whale Watching Perth, the new two-hour cruises will set off from Sardine Jetty at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. Similar to the operator’s existing tours departing from Hilarys, the new tours will feature live commentary and education by knowledgeable marine scientists from The Aquarium of Western Australia. Guests will cruise on a state-of-the-art Voyager vessel fitted with air-conditioning, expansive viewing platforms, hydrophones and licensed bar facilities. The Whale Watching Perth experience offers visitors prime viewing of the annual southern migration of humpback Southern Right and rare Pygmy Blue whales. For more information about the tour visit the website. |
|  | | The Grapes of Mirth Festival to tickle the Barossa Valley’s funny bone | | The Grapes of Mirth festival is heading to South Australia in October to unite the worlds of comedy and wine. Held at Seppeltsfield Estate in the Barossa Valley from 29 to 30 October 2021, the adults-only festival will house activations across the property’s landscapes and historic buildings. The festival will host a performance roster of local stand-up and culture talent including Tommy Little, Melissa Leong, Judith Lucy and more. Whilst tasting drops from six regional winemakers, festivalgoers will enjoy an assortment of wine and food masterclasses, art activations and a Vintage Cellar hosting live podcast recordings. Foodies will delight in pop-up stalls run by local producers, including the refurbishment of Seppeltsfield's 1880s smokehouse as a bacon roll stall. Secure one and two day passes via the website. |
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| | |  | | Pack-free walking tour operator launches hike in the heart of Tasmania | | Australia-wide walking tour operator, Life’s an Adventure, has launched a week-long guided walking tour in Tasmania’s unique and breathtaking Wilderness World Heritage Area. Running through Lake St Clair, Cradle Mountain and the Walls of Jerusalem, the first expedition will depart 13 December 2021 for groups of eight. An eco-friendly adventure over seven nights, walkers will enjoy the comforts of quality accommodation in the likes of the Lake St Clair Lodge and Hotel Grand Chancellor in Launceston. A return journey from Launceston, the package includes all meals, domestic transfers and a scenic helicopter flight over Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain. Find out more information via the website. |
|  | | The Gold Coast’s hotly anticipated Cali Beach Club opens this month | | The Gold Coast is getting a jump start on summer with the opening of the Cali Beach Club, Australia’s first luxury beachside day and night rooftop precinct. Opening its doors on 24 September 2021, the new entertainment destination in Surfers Paradise offers 5,000 square metres of rooftop ambience with unrivalled views of the popular city-beach. Fitted with vibrant cabana furnishings, the Cali Beach Club features four public-access pools, four bars, two restaurants offering poolside bites, an outdoor cinema and a volleyball sandpit. Throughout the summer, the beachside hub will host a rotating selection of live-music performers including the likes of Hot Dub Time Machine, Sneaky Sound System and Bag Raiders. Find out more information via the website. |
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