Tourism Australia to broaden scope of Business Events Bid Fund

Tourism Australia is making changes to the eligibility criteria for its Business Events Bid Fund broadening the scope of the program to give regional destinations around Australia greater access to crucial funding to help attract more international business events to Australia. The changes, announced by Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, were made following consultation with Australian industry stakeholders across all states and territories. Managed by Tourism Australia’s specialist unit, Business Events Australia, the three-year $12 million fund opened in May last year to increase the conversion of bids for new international business events for Australia through the offer of financial support at the critical bidding stage. To date, 23 applications have been converted as new business for Australia worth more than $270milion to the economy. So far one event supported by the fund has already taken place, the SportAccord Summit 2019 (pictured) on the Gold Coast in May with more than 1,700 delegates.

Australia’s Wellness Tourism Summit

Noosa will host the Wellness Tourism Summit in March 2020. The two-day program will reveal the latest research, consumer trends and best practice in wellness travel and tourism, with more than 20 leading wellness travel experts invited to share their insights into the growing wellness tourism sector. The Summit is being convened by Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a non-profit organisation, whose mission is to empower wellness worldwide and is aimed at showcasing the rapid growth in the wellness sector and the opportunities for tourism businesses in Australia.

Luxury travel network honors Tourism Australia at annual event

Virtuoso has recognised Tourism Australia as the Most Engaged Tourist Board in the US and Canada. Voted on by the luxury travel network's 20,000 plus advisors, the honor was awarded at Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas with an attendance of more than 6,000 people. During the week, Tourism Australia conducted 224 meetings and 96 training sessions, resulting in over 1,000 advisors educated in Australian tourism experiences, including culinary, adventure, and Signature Experiences of Australia. Together with Qantas Airways and states and territory Partners, Tourism Australia hosted 100 partners and advisors at the Travel Week Partner Alliances Lunch, further strengthening Australia's relations with US and Canadian travel advisors.

US business events planners updated on Australia’s infrastructure boom

Australia’s unpresented wave of infrastructure development generated excitement amongst meeting and incentive planners at an event in Atlanta this month hosted by Prestige Global Meeting Source, a site selection and event and meetings management service. Tourism Australia attended the event as part of an ongoing trade engagement program to build consideration of Australia as a business events destination and generate leads for this lucrative sector. The US is Australia's highest value international market for business events visitors attracting 138,000 arrivals and $800 million in the year to March 2019. In the same year, total expenditure by international business events visitors reached $5 billion, an increase of 6 per cent on the previous year.

Chinese incentive meets on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast will host over 700 representatives from Chinese company Zhiban Keji this week to experience the city’s attractions and venues as an incentive destination for its highest sales achievers. The four-night program is expected to deliver an estimated economic impact of $1.7 million for the Gold Coast. The bid was secured by Destination Gold Coast in partnership with Tourism Australia supported by the Business Events Bid Fund Program (BFP), and Tourism and Events Queensland’s Business Events Acquisition and Leveraging Fund.

Stillwater restaurant opens new boutique hotel upstairs, TAS

Tasmania’s popular Stillwater restaurant is now offering guests the opportunity to stay the night with the launch of its new boutique hotel, Stillwater Seven. Fitted with seven rooms, the new hotel has the same Tasmanian charm of its downstairs restaurant with artworks, fittings and furnishings sourced from local talent and artists. Boasting stunning river views, rustic interiors and mosaic-tiled bathrooms, the hotels real masterpiece lies within the private in-room pantries which are filled with locally sourced Tasmanian produce for guests to enjoy. Located in Launceston, Tasmania, Stillwater is now welcoming guests.

New snorkel and sightseeing tour in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, NSW

Manly based Ecotreasures tours have launched a new snorkelling and sightseeing tour in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The Manly Snorkel Tour + Beyond half day adventure invites adventure seekers to discover the marine habitats and local coastal culture of Sydney. Highlights include a scenic drive across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a visit to the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame and a two-hour guided snorkel experience at Manly’s Shelly Beach. After the tour, guests can choose to spend the remainder of the day exploring the nearby markets, shops and national parks and are encouraged to take the stunning Manly ferry ride to Sydney’s Circular Quay. Tours depart from Sydney’s Central Station and hotel pickups are available at an extra cost.

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas launches new nocturnal experience, QLD

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas is set to go ‘dark’ with its latest attraction, an ultra-modern purpose-built Nocturnal Habitat. The new walk-in attraction features twelve spacious exhibits with some very special animal arrivals getting ready to move in. From the Woodlands to the Rainforest and the Outback, guests can witness wildlife play in their natural environment under a ‘starry’ night sky. Located an hour’s drive from Cairns, the Nocturnal Habitat has been launched to coincide with the Wildlife Habitat’s 30th Anniversary celebrations.

Sydney Harbour Boat Tours launches six new luxury cruises, NSW

Sydney Harbour Boat Tours have expanded their portfolio with six new luxury cruises across the iconic Harbour. Offering authentic small-group tours, hosted by knowledgeable local guides, guests will cruise past famous city sights, waterfront suburbs and secluded national parks. From the adventurous Sydney Discovery Cruise to a romantic Twilight and Champagne experience, the diverse range of new and existing tours on offer promises something for everyone. With the option to design an all-inclusive private charter or join a ticketed tour, all guests are guaranteed a local experience with a touch of luxury.  

Seller applications open – ITB 2020

Applications are open  to join to the Australia stand at the Internationale Tourismus Börse (ITB). ITB20 will take place in Berlin, Germany, from 4 to 8 March 2020. The event brings together prominent people from the tourism industry to network, negotiate and do business. Tourism Australia will have an exclusive stand at ITB Berlin and invites industry to participate as stand partners. A wide range of participation options are available, such as sole and share booth options, and day passes for the trade days. In 2019, ITB hosted 10,000 exhibitors and 160,000 visitors of which 113,500 were trade. Overall, more than 185 countries were represented.

Destination Business Events

Registration is open for the AACB (Association of Australian Convention Bureaux) Annual Conference from 18 - 20 September at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Destination Business Events will explore demand side issues of the industry with the goal of growing Australia’s business events competitiveness. This year’s conference theme Customer Experience: Laneways to Success will explore the full range of customer needs from association clients, meeting planners and government to delegates and members. Discussion will centre on how to evolve Australia's products and services to drive longer lasting relationships, greater loyalty, improved customer experiences and ultimately greater business success.

Early Bird Registrations for the 2019 Australian Regional Tourism Convention (ARTC) to be held in Devonport, Tasmania, from 21 - 23 October have been extended until 31 August. The Convention theme is 'Getting ready for the spotlight - Is regional Australia finally a genuine part of our national tourism agenda, and are we ready?’.

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley wins Virtuoso ‘Sustainable Tourism Leadership Award’ for 2019 at the Virtuoso Best of the Best Awards. The resort was one of 10 properties honoured in front of 1,800 premier travel advisors and luxury hospitality executives at the 13th annual Hotels & Resorts Dinner at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Tourism professional Mark Olsen has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ). Currently the Head of Tourism and Property Investment at Brisbane Marketing, Mr Olsen will arrive in Cairns by the end of September to take up the new role.

The opportunity to host Australian Regional Tourism’s annual convention in 2020 is up for grabs as regional destinations are invited to express their interest in hosting the event. Applications close 1 November 2019. For further information, including host selection criteria, contact Lauren Douglass, ART Executive Officer.

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) is calling for nominations to recognise the industry’s unsung heroes and emerging leaders in the 2019 Awards for Excellence. For a full list of award categories and for more information on the awards and to download the Entry Kit visit www.eeaa.com.au/eeaa-2019-awards.