Corroboree West kicks off in Perth

Tourism Australia’s Corroboree West trade event opened in Perth last night at Sandalford Winery, Swan Valley. The event, which runs from 8 to 11 October 2019, will see over one hundred Australian tourism operators meet with 300 specially selected frontline travel sellers from the United Kingdom (UK), Europe, the United States (US), Canada and New Zealand. Tourism Australia’s Corroboree events take place annually, alternating between Eastern and Western markets, and include a combination of training workshops and familiarisations exclusively for Aussie Specialists. Corroboree West is delivered in partnership with Tourism Western Australia, who also hosted a one-day destination familiarisation for all attending Aussie Specialists.

Latest International Visitor Survey Results

A surge in spending by American visitors has helped to boost international visitor spend to a record $44.6 billion, according to the latest International Visitor Survey released today. Australia's Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the increase in visitor numbers and spending from the US comes off the back of the Dundee campaign.

North American advisors learn about Australian experiences for high net worth clients

Tourism Australia met with 360 buyers at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) North America 2019 in Riviera Maya, Mexico in September. Three days of appointments were held with select advisors who curate travel itineraries for high net worth travellers. Tourism Australia sponsored the opening session and showcased Discover Aboriginal Experiences to tie in with the conference theme of 'Journey Deeper'. ILTM provided valuable connections for Australia, with 71 percent of buyers being first time attendees at the conference.

Tourism Australia introduces Aussie Specialist Program to new Flight Centre agents in Canada

A total of 315 front line agents learned about Australian experiences and the Aussie Specialist Program at Flight Centre's Product Runway events in Vancouver and Toronto last month. The training was a great opportunity for Tourism Australia to meet with agents looking to increase their knowledge of Australia. Many were excited to join the Aussie Specialist Program after learning about the resources and tools available to agents to help grow their confidence to sell Australia. Canadian agents said that Australia is at the top of consumers travel lists.

Australia inspires travel advisors at Delta Vacations University

Australia's tourism experiences were shared with 2,000 US and Canadian travel advisors at Delta Vacations University held in Detroit in September. Australia was well represented at the premier travel industry education conference with Tourism Australia, Destination NSW and Virgin Australia in attendance. Using Aussie Specialist Ambassador content, 300 advisors were trained on Australia's destinations and why There’s nothing like Australia.

Top Italian travel agents attend Australia training event

Last week in Italy, Tourism Australia held a training event with Il Viaggio Journeys and Voyages for Traveller Made members. The event brought together 20 top travel agents from the network of luxury travel designers at an exclusive location for a special Australia event. The event focused on members of the Signature Experiences of Australia collectives including Luxury Lodges, Great Walks of Australia, Wildlife Journeys and Discover Aboriginal Experiences Australia. This event was the first of a series of initiatives Tourism Australia will run in Italy with the aim of elevating Australia's profile as part of the Traveller Made global partnership targeting the premium travel segment.

Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia welcomes Tyrell’s Wines to the family, NSW

Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia have announced Tyrell’s Wines in the Hunter Valley as the latest member to the collective. Owned and operated by the Tyrell family since 1858, Tyrell’s winery is one of the oldest and most popular cellar doors in the Hunter Valley region. Visit for a casual afternoon of wine tastings or uncover the history of the property on one of Tyrells new exclusive tours - the VIP Premium Tour and Tasting Experience, and The Exclusive Sacred Sites Experience. Only two hours’ drive north of Sydney, Tyrell’s Wines is the 23rd member to join the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia collective.

Coogee gets its first wine bar, NSW

Coogee Wine Room has opened just one block from the beach in the popular Sydney seaside suburb, bringing a variety of wines and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine to beachgoers. Curated by co-owners Brook Adey (Bea, Chiswick, Yellow) and Coogee local Tim Hardwick, the Coogee Wine Room offers some of the world's best wines in an intimate and charming setting. With a frequently changing menu influenced by seasonal produce and a wine list of more than 400 wines, the venue marries the charm of European wine bars with Sydney’s coastal culture. Only a 20-minute car or bus ride from Sydney’s CBD, the Coogee Wine Room is now taking bookings.

Exciting refurbishment announced for Silky Oaks Lodge, QLD

Baillie Lodges has announced a significant refurbishment for their Mossman Gorge property, Silky Oaks Lodge. Known as a gateway to the Daintree Rainforest, the new multi-million-dollar project will aim to align the features of the existing lodge with the well-known Baillie Lodges brand, bringing a more contemporary feel whilst playing to the property’s original rainforest influences, indigenous artworks and local interior designs. Silky Oaks Lodge will close from 22 April 2020 with the new-look lodge set to launch in October 2020.

Fill up with Good Food this month in Sydney, NSW

Good Food Month has arrived in Sydney, serving a mouth-watering line up of dining experiences from now until 31 October. With a program of culinary events, restaurant collaborations and exclusive chef workshops, Good Food Month celebrates Sydney’s innovative, experimental and ever-changing dining scene. Returning to program this year is Sydney’s ever popular Night Noodle Markets which will transform Hyde Park into a bustling Asian street food festival from 11 to 18 October. The full program of events and participating restaurants is available online now.

Australian Tourism Exchange 2020 (ATE20) applications closing soon

Applications to attend the Australian Tourism Exchange 2020 (ATE20) close on Friday, 11 October. Organised by Tourism Australia in partnership with Visit Victoria, ATE20 will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 10 to 14 May. The event will bring together Australian tourism businesses, and tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world through a combination of scheduled business appointments and networking events. It also provides international travel buyers with the opportunity to experience Australia’s tourism offering first-hand through pre and post-event familiarisations.

Greater China Tourism Destination Solutions and Training Showcase

Austrade invites tourism and travel tech companies, tourism consultants, hotel operators and developers, travel sector operators and training providers looking to enter the Greater China market to participate in the Greater China Tourism Destination and Training Showcase 2019. The showcase will take place in Chengdu and Kunming with an optional program in Taipei and will run from 11 to 18 November 2019. Expressions of interest close Friday, 18 October 2019.

Register now for Industry Briefings in Adelaide and Hobart

Tourism Australia is holding a free of charge industry briefing in both Adelaide and Hobart on Friday, 8 November 2019 alongside the State Tourism Awards. The briefings offer industry the opportunity to hear about Tourism Australia's strategic and creative direction as well as resources and support available for tourism businesses.

Businesses in the New South Wales visitor economy are being encouraged to have their say by participating in a new industry sentiment survey. The survey is part of the NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Index (VEX) - an initiative of the Visitor Economy Industry Action Plan 2030 (VEIAP) which provides insights into the overall performance of the State’s visitor economy.

Jetstar have announced the carrier will commence direct services between Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Busselton Margaret River starting 25 March 2020. This will be the first scheduled airline service linking the two destinations, and the only service flying into Busselton Margaret River Airport.

The Australian Tourism Exchange Council (ATEC) is working with Tourism Western Australia to deliver a comprehensive industry training program for the Japan market to help Western Australian tourism operators make the most of the new All Nippon Airlines flights to Perth. To ensure industry is equipped to make the most of this opportunity, ATEC is developing an industry training program – Japan Host with Tourism WA.

Registration is open for Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) Conversations with Industry and Conversations with China in Cairns on Wednesday 16 October 2019. Tourism Australia is taking part in the series providing updates on its international marketing activities and consumer insights. As a dedicated addition to the program for this event, TEQ will also be hosting a Conversations with China session, to provide the opportunity to discuss market trends with influential trade partners from China, who are travelling to the region.