Australian Tourism Exchange 2018 results

An impressive 98 per cent of international buyers and Australian sellers expressed their satisfaction with this year’s Australian Tourism Exchange, held April in Adelaide. Of those who responded to the post-event survey, 97 per cent of overseas buyers said they expected to sell more Australian tourism product as a result, while 96 per cent of attendees indicated their strong intention to attend ATE in future. Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister, the Hon Steven Ciobo said ATE continued to provide an effective and efficient platform for the industry to sell itself internationally. “This is the flagship event for the Australian tourism industry, which continues to deliver fantastic outcomes for everyone involved, particularly the 2,200 delegates who participated in more than 45,000 appointments over four days,” he said.

TRA regional tourism reports released

The latest Regional Tourism Satellite Accounts 2016-17 are now available. Published by Tourism Research Australia (TRA), the reports highlight the ongoing importance of tourism to each state and territory’s economy. The reports provide a snapshot of both the direct and indirect contribution of tourism to Australia's regional economies and include key metrics such as gross regional product and employment.

Mantra Albury now open

Mantra Albury Hotel has officially opened its doors, marking the first hotel opening in Albury in more than three years. The $40 million development, set over eight levels, comprises 146 one and two-bedroom studios and suites with views out to the beautiful Bongong High Plains and snow-capped Victorian Alps.

The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant launches chef’s table experience

The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant has launched the Chef’s Table dining experience; an exclusive dining opportunity with views into the kitchen as your meal is prepared. The Chef’s Table includes access to a private lounge for a pre-lunch aperitif and canapes, an
extended degustation menu, and a dedicated sommelier to guide diners through the wine pairing.

Brisbane’s best new restaurants, cafes and bars

Only six months into the year, Brisbane has seen an array of new restaurants, bars and cafes entering the city’s diverse culinary scene. Top openings include the highly anticipated Three Blue Ducks at the new W Hotel, and the Ungermann Brothers ice creamery which is serving up crazy, unusual flavours like pumpkin seed oil, lavender and honey and coffee cardamom.

Ovolo The Valley rebranding and refurbishment

Hospitality group Ovolo is continuing its national expansion with the transformation of the former Emporium Hotel Fortitude Valley. The property was rebranded earlier this year as The Valley Brisbane and will see a refurbishment of rooms and public spaces before evolving into Ovolo The Valley at the end of 2018. Ovolo The Valley is the second Brisbane property for the brand, after the opening of Ovolo Inchcolm hotel in April 2018.

IMEX America 2018

Registration is open until Friday 6 July to join the Australia stand at IMEX America 2018 from 16 to 18 October. IMEX America is one of the world's biggest exhibitions for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector. It attracts international business events planners, media, destinations and suppliers from around the world. Business Events Australia has produced an IMEX America 2018 event prospectus which provides an overview of the program and participation costs. Space on the Australia stand is limited and applications are on a first-come first-served basis.

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre expanded

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has launched its $205 million expansion. The upgrade includes an additional 20,000 square meters of space including new exhibition halls, meeting rooms, an outdoor terrace area, banquet space and café and bar. The centre is expected to attract an additional 74,000 international visitors annually, which will inject an extra $167 million into the Victorian economy. The building, which was designed by HN Architecture and Woods Bagot, is part of a wider South Wharf expansion project, which includes a new Novotel Melbourne South Wharf.

Pacific Labour Scheme

The Australian government launched its Pacific Labour Scheme on 1 July 2018, enabling up to 2,000 citizens from select Pacific island countries to take up low and semi-skilled work opportunities in rural and regional Australia for up to three years. Announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting last year, the scheme will help to fill labour gaps in sectors and industries with projected employment growth in Australia and which match Pacific island skill sets; and boost economic activity and competitiveness in rural Australia.

Virgin Australia has launched its inaugural Hobart to Perth route, connecting the two cities directly for the first time. The service will run three times a week from September.

Reduced Qantas fares between Perth and Broome are helping to boost tourism in the Kimberley region, with around 2,000 discounted tickets sold since May.

The South Australia Tourist Commission has released a video showcasing some of the key tourism highlights for the state in the year’s second quarter.

Entries are now open for the 2018 Australian Event Awards. Entries can be completed online until 27 August.

Submissions are open until Friday 31 August for the Queensland Tourism Industry Council's Prize for Innovation in Tourism.

Applications are open for Destination NSW's Japan Roadshow 2018 from 26-28 September.

Tourism Tasmania is calling for Expressions of Interest from Asia-ready tourism businesses to participate in its Asia Mission 2018 to China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore in September.

Expressions of interest are open until Monday 16 July for the $2 million Victorian Regional Events and Innovation Fund for events to be delivered between September 2018 and June 2019.

Applications are open until Sunday 29 July for the NT Government's new Recreational Fishing Grants Scheme. One million dollars has been set aside for the scheme with $500,000 available in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years.

Registration is open for ATEC Meeting Place 2018 which will take place from 19-21 November in Darwin.

Registration is open for the VIC Tourism Conference to be held on 30-31 July at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort.

Registration is open for the WA Tourism Conference which will take place in Perth from 3-5 September.

Recordings of the presentations from ATEC and Tourism Australia’s China Payments Opportunity Forum have been published on Tourism Australia’s website.

Industry are invited to register their interest for the Destination Australia Conference 2019 to be held on Thursday 14 March in Brisbane.

Registration is open for Destination Southern Tasmania’s annual summit to be held on 7 August 2018.