End of 2018 message from John O’Sullivan

It’s been another strong year for our Industry with continued focus on the Tourism 2020 goals to grow overnight visitor expenditure to over $115 billion. As we finish up 2018, I wanted to say thank you to the team here at Tourism Australia and, on behalf of them pass on our sincere thanks to Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham, his predecessor, Steven Ciobo and the Tourism Australia Board chaired by Bob East for their continued support of the organisation. But most importantly a big thank you to our Industry. As I have said many times before, Tourism Australia is a platform for your stories and your products. Day-in, day-out you work to sell Australia both domestically and internationally and we feel privileged to partner with you. Thank you again for all that you do in driving the industry forward. I wish all of you compliments of the season and a safe and prosperous New Year. See you all in 2019. Read full end of year message.

International visitor arrivals

Australia welcomed 9.2 million international visitors for the year ending October 2018, up 5.2 per cent representing an extra 457,000 visitors. During the month of October there were 754,000 visitor arrivals, up 1.7 per cent relative to the same period of the previous year. Photo: Margaret River Gourmet Escape.

Dundee wins Expedia North America Destination Campaign of the Year

Tourism Australia’s co-operative marketing promotion with Expedia, An Australian Adventure, which ran from March to June this year won the North America Destination Campaign of the Year at Expedia’s 2018 Global Partner Awards last week. Using assets from the Dundee campaign in North America the promotion provided destination highlights along with flight and hotel offers and an interactive quiz to help people plan and book their trip. For the launch of the next phase of the Dundee campaign, Visit the Set, Tourism Australia launched a new promotion with Expedia with offers and updated content and dedicated landing pages for Queensland, the NT, Western Australia and South Australia.

UnDiscover Australia workshop for Malaysian Aussie Specialists

Premier Aussie Specialists and Aussie Specialists in Malaysia attended an UnDiscover Australia workshop this month to find out how they can support the campaign roll out by incorporating unusual, unfamiliar and unexpected attractions and experiences into their product offerings. The agents were also updated on Tourism Australia’s research into Malaysian high value travellers. The workshop was followed by a networking reception with key distribution and airline partners. The South Australian Tourism Commission and Tourism Tasmania supported the event and were given the opportunity to showcase UnDiscover Australia experiences for their states.

Beachfront brunch & celebrity chef dining at 2019 Noosa Food & Wine Festival

Noosa Food & Wine Festival will return to the popular foodie destination from 17 – 18 May for four delicious days of great food, wine, live music and entertainment. The exciting 2019 program has something for everyone including beachfront brunches, dinners with celebrity chefs, live cooking demonstrations, hinterland trail experiences and a party under the stars. Tickets and program details for 2019 are available now.

Impressive line-up announced for Tasting Australia 2019

Tasting Australia will return to Adelaide in 2019 with a more inspired, ambitious and far-reaching program than ever before. The 10-day festival will showcase Adelaide and its surrounding regions as a paradise of exciting talent, bold innovation and above all, delicious food, wine, beer and spirits. Over 90 events will take place across South Australia which will host some of the world’s best chefs, winemakers, brewers and distillers from 5 – 14 April 2019.

2019 Australian Superyacht Rendezvous celebrates new tourism frontier

The 2019 Australian Superyacht Rendezvous will take over the Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard in May next year to celebrate a new tourism frontier. As recognition grows for Australia’s all-year cruising, adventure driven charter destinations and signature onshore experiences by majestic domestic and international superyachts, the event will shine a global light on the capabilities and potential of the Australian Superyacht industry. The 2019 Australian Superyacht Rendezvous will be held on 17-18 May 2019.

MONA unveils plans for new Motown Hotel in Hobart

Tasmania’s iconic Museum of Modern Art (MONA) has unveiled plans for its much-anticipated hotel, Motown. In typical quirky MONA style, the new five-star property will include 176 rooms with views of Mt Wellington or the Derwent River, alongside an arts centre, restaurant and outdoor concert stage. Additional plans feature a Venice-style access route where guests will reach the hotel from the water on a specially designed “motoscafi” ferry. MoTown is set to open in 2024.

Changes to the Working Holiday Maker visa program

The eligible age for Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa applicants from Canada and Ireland has been lifted to 35 as part of changes to the WHM visa program. Other changes include expanded regional areas where 462-visa holders can work in agriculture to qualify for a second year of stay in Australia and an increased length of time in which subclass 417 and 462 visa holders can stay with the same agricultural employer. Also added, the option of a third-year for WHM visa holders who, after 1 July 2019, undertake six months of specified work in a specified regional area during their second year. The Australian Government has announced the changes to support regional and rural communities.

SilkAir will increase its Singapore to Cairns service to daily from June 2019.

Registration is open for the Local Government NSW Tourism Conference from 17 to 19 March 2019 in Terrigal.

The Tasmanian Government has opened the $4 million Events Attraction Fund to support major events which will help to grow Tasmania’s brand and visitor economy.

Tourism Australia has published recorded presentations from senior managers responsible for activities in the USA, the UK, Japan and India on the current state of each of the markets.

Tourism Australia has published presentations from its recent industry briefings held in Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales.