Australia shines in London for #GC2018

London’s world famous black cabs have been wrapped in iconic Australian images as part of Tourism Australia’s campaign to attract more British visitors down under for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. The campaign kicked off in London on Monday to coincide with the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay as it begins its journey through 70 countries and territories before it arrives on the Gold Coast for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. More than 50 London cabs will be wrapped in Australian images that encourage Brits to swap the cold for Gold in 2018. The Evening Standard newspaper, which is distributed to almost one million Londoners, will also be wrapped in Australian images. Find out more.

International visitor spend and arrivals data

International visitors to Australia spent $39.1 billion in 2016, up 7% or $2.5 billion over the previous year, according to Tourism Research Australia’s latest quarterly International Visitor Survey to December 2016 which tracks visitor spending. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) also released its latest monthly update of visitor arrivals data for the year ending January 2017, which shows Australia welcomed 8.4 million international visitors, up 11.4%.

Australia showcased at world's largest travel show, ITB Berlin

Australia had a major presence at ITB Berlin last week, the world’s largest travel trade show attended by more than 200,000 visitors including media, tour operators, travel agents and consumers. The Australia stand involved 56 Australian tourism operators and destination representatives across all States and Territories. Tourism Australia and Tourism New Zealand hosted a one day travel training workshop prior to the official start of the trade show where 65 agents were trained on the latest destination information. Consumers who visited the stand received travel advice by Aussie Specialist retail agents and learned how to play a didgeridoo.

American travellers enticed Down Under #ThisTimeTomorrow

Americans are being tempted with beautiful glimpses into what they could be doing #ThisTimeTomorrow in a new promotion with Virgin Australia aimed at tackling perceived barriers of time and distance. Targeted Facebook and Instagram posts compare afternoon activities in New York City versus morning activities in Australia and target fans based on their interest, such as hiking and surfing. Advertising is also appearing online, during popular shows and news programs on CBS and ABC as well as on outdoor digital billboards in LA, New York and San Francisco. Industry partners Down Under Answers, Aspire Down Under and About Australia are included in six packages featured in the campaign.

Hong Kong shoppers Savour Australia

Australian chefs Kris Bunder from South Australia and Ben Milbourne from Tasmania fired-up shoppers at the Fashion Walk Shopping Mall in Hong Kong last week. As well as getting to taste delicious Aussie dishes, consumers were also offered a discount on Australian travel packages offered by six of Tourism Australia’s travel agency partners in Hong Kong. The activation was part of the ‘Savour Australia’ a food and wine promotion led by Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong.

New competition promotes Melbourne experiences in Japan

Japanese travellers are being encouraged to like and share Melbourne’s natural, cultural and culinary sights and experiences to go in the draw to win a trip Down Under. Tourism Australia, Visit Victoria and Qantas are sponsoring the competition with H.I.S., one of Japan’s leading travel agencies, where consumers visit the competition website to select a favourite experience to share with friends for a chance to win. H.I.S. has also integrated the products into its new Melbourne package tour.

Young Brits encouraged to consider 'Workin' it Down Under'

Tourism Australia and STA Travel have rolled out a ‘Workin’ it Down Under’ youth promotion in the UK to highlight the benefits of working while travelling in Australia. STA are leading with a fare of £499 as well as discounts on work and travel starter packs, hop on hop-off bus passes and adventure tours. The campaign will be featured at all 55 of STA’s UK stores and will be promoted online, through The Tab, the world’s largest online student news network, and events run by the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

Bollywood actress shares her ‘Awe-stralia’ experiences

Tourism Australia partnered with India’s online travel giant, MakeMyTrip.com, to produce three videos featuring Bollywood actress Diana Penty visiting iconic attractions, participating in uniquely Australian activities, and indulging in food and wine experiences. Created along three major themes - Adventure, Romance and the Best of Australia – two of the three videos have been launched on YouTube and promoted to MakeMyTrip's over 2 million Facebook fans and 60,000 Twitter followers. The project was in partnership with Visit Victoria, Destination New South Wales & Tourism and Events Queensland.

Restaurant Australia case study video: Brett’s Outback Tasting Tour

Tourism Australia is producing a series of videos showcasing tourism businesses from around the country who are great examples of Restaurant Australia. The aim of the videos is to inspire more businesses to get involved in promoting Aussie cuisine as food and wine continues to become an ever more important aspect of the experience international visitors are looking for. Brett’s Outback Tasting Tour offers a delicious and fantastic food and wine tasting adventure showcasing the spectacular Atherton Tablelands.

Aerial photo contest: Australia from Above

Tourism Australia is sponsoring a new competition to inspire aerial photographers from around the world to share, enjoy and experience new creative perspectives of Australia. The Australia From Above contest is being run by SkyPixel, the world’s most popular aerial photography community, and is co-sponsored by Tourism Australia and drone manufacturer DJI. The contest is open until Tuesday 2 May and welcomes professionals and enthusiasts alike to share their visions of the country. More than 1,500 entries have already been submitted.

Vivid Sydney announces 2017 program

Vivid Sydney will illuminate the city over 23 nights from 26 May to 17 June 2017. Sydney’s newest harbour side precinct Barangaroo will make its Vivid Sydney debut, and will be joined by displays at Chatswood, Martin Place, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo, plus an expanded trail through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Tjungu Festival returns to Ayers Rock Resort

The culturally acclaimed Tjungu Festival is returning to Ayers Rock Resort on 22-25 April 2017. In its fourth year, the vibrant event celebrates the best of Australian Indigenous culture, featuring music, dance, film, fashion, food, sport and more. Tjungu means meeting together in local Anangu language.

New wine tasting destination for Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley winemakers Innocent Bystander have opened their new headquarters in Healesville with an extensive tasting selection at the cellar door, all-day grazing menus and a pizza kitchen. The venue also features other local produce including Hargreaves Hill Brewery beer, Four Pillars gin and Allpress Coffee.

New 'Taste of Hinterland' tour for Noosa

Noosa Hinterland Tours has recently launched 'Taste of the Hinterland', a paddock-to-plate food experience that connects visitors with local farmers in Montville, Maleny and Mapleton. Small groups of 12 will discover the finest tomatoes at Noosa Reds before enjoying morning tea at The Falls Farm and a local lunch washed down with a boutique brew and a side of sweets.

Industry briefing in Perth, WA

Tourism Australia and Tourism WA are holding a joint industry briefing in central Perth (venue to be confirmed) on Wednesday 5 April from 4 to 5.30pm. The briefing will provide an overview of Tourism Australia’s activity, latest market insights, business events activity and partnership opportunities. CEO Gwyn Dolphin will also present on Tourism WA’s international strategy. The briefing will be followed by drinks providing an opportunity to network with Tourism Australia executives and Tourism WA's international managers. Register online.

Accessible tourism webinar

Tourism Australia is hosting a free webinar on accessible tourism on Friday 31 March at 3pm AEDST. The webinar will outline the opportunities for destinations and businesses to improve the quality of the visitor experience for disabled people. Speakers will be: Simon Darcy, Professor of Events, Sport and Tourism, UTS Business School; Chris Veitch, Accessible Tourism Consultant; Jane Kelly, Marketing and Business Development Manager, Sandcastle Waterpark; and Bill Forrester, Co-Founder of Travability.travel. Find out more and register. (Photo: Parks Victoria)

New investment in hotel development

The Australian hotel industry is responding to continued record international visitor growth with over $8 billion of hotel investment. Figures released today by Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) identify 228 hotel projects (34,702 rooms) under construction, approved for development or in advanced planning stages in the six State capitals and Darwin. TAA’s hotel ‘pipeline’ report follows today’s release of the latest International Visitor Survey which revealed 11% growth in visitor arrivals for the 2016 year. Find out more. (Photo: IHG’s Holiday Inn Sydney Central)

Factors influencing the 'bleisure' traveller

Expedia's Profile of the American Bleisure Traveller provides an inside look at the business-leisure (bleisure) traveller including where they are going and why they are adding leisure to their business trip. For more research and trends related to international and domestic tourism and travel, visit Tourism Australia’s Insight Files.

Perth has been chosen as the host city for this year’s Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Meeting Place event.

Australians will be encourage to choose the NT for their next holiday through an upcoming tourism campaign promoting the Northern Territory’s festivals and events.

Tourism NT have published a new video providing information for NT tourism businesses on how to engage with the agency's social media channels.

The Australia-India Council Grants program is open until Thursday 27 April for high-quality projects which bolster links between Australia and India.

$100 million is now available through the first funding round of the NSW Government’s new $300 million Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund.

The South Australian Tourism Commission is running a competition to #SeeSouthAustralia to grow their consumer subscriber database for ongoing promotions.

Air New Zealand, Qantas, Regional Express and Virgin Australia have established a new industry group, Airlines for Australia and New Zealand, to advocate and pursue reform on public policy issues.

The Riverland Tourism Industry and the SATC invites representatives of visitor information centres, local government and tourism operators to attend the 2017 SA Regional Tourism Summit.

Brisbane Airport has been voted The Best Airport in Australia/Pacific Region together with The Best Airport Staff Service in Australia/Pacific Region by air travellers in 2017 Skytrax World Airport Awards.