Indian tourists targeted in new cricket campaign

Tourism Australia has launched a campaign to lure more Indian tourists to Australia next year for the Women’s and Men’s ICC T20 World Cup. Australia’s Tourism Minister, Simon Birmingham, said “Australia’s hosting of these two T20 World Cup tournaments has the potential to deliver huge benefits for our tourism industry and overall economy. This campaign is all about encouraging Indian cricket lovers to book a ticket, pack their bags and head Down Under to experience the highs of world-class T20 cricket. Given India is our fastest growing tourism market and currently worth $1.8 billion to Australian tourism, the T20 World Cup provides an exciting opportunity for Australia to well and truly cash-in.”

Latest arrivals statistics released

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released tourism arrival figures for the year ending August 2019. Highlights for the 12 months to August include an 11 per cent year-on-year increase in arrivals from both Canada and India; a 10 per cent increase in arrivals from Japan and a 9 per cent increase in arrivals from Singapore.

Gold Coast secures mega Japanese business event

Destination Gold Coast, in partnership with Tourism Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland, has secured the largest Japanese business events group to convene on the Gold Coast in over a decade. Japanese electrical retailer, Nojima, will bring 3,500 delegates to the city in January 2020. The visit is expected to inject $8.4 million into the local economy. The event was supported by the Business Events Bid Fund Program. Japan is the Gold Coast’s third-largest inbound tourism market, with spend increasing 67 per cent to $145 million for the year ending June 2019.

Tourism Australia partners with Outback in Hong Kong to showcase Australia

From September to November 2019, Tourism Australia has partnered with Hong Kong restaurant chain, Outback, and eight key travel agency partners to promote Australia. Outback is offering customers Australian travel package discount vouchers and an Australian themed menu. The launch event was attended by actress, May Kwong, and actor, Vince Ng, who both shared their Australian travel experiences with media.

Tourism Australia attends Luxperience 2019

Tourism Australia participated in Luxperience 2019 last week in Sydney at the ICC Sydney. Luxperience is a global business exchange, connecting media and premium travel experts who seek and deliver unique luxury experiences, with luxury and high-end experiential travel industry suppliers across Australia and the globe. The program included three days of one-on-one meetings and networking events, with immersive, multi-day familiarisation opportunities offered before and after the exhibition. The majority of buyers in attendance were from the US, China, UK and Europe markets, supporting Tourism Australia’s premium distribution strategy in these key regions.

Business Events Australia Inspires US Meeting Planners

Business Events Australia met with 30 meeting planners during the Prevue Experiential Meetings Design Summit at Warner Brothers studio in Hollywood. The event provided Business Events Australia with the opportunity to educate and inspire meeting planners to send their groups to Australia. The Summit was hosted by Prevue Meetings and Incentives magazine and consisted of one-on-one appointments, education sessions and networking events, with planners particularly interested in increased airline capacity to Australia and new business events offerings and infrastructure.

Sydney’s Wildlife Retreat at Taronga now open, NSW

The highly anticipated Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo is now open, offering luxury sleepovers and exclusive wildlife encounters in the heart of Sydney. This unique Australian sanctuary is an elegantly designed eco-retreat, nestled within Taronga Zoo on the edge of Sydney Harbour. Guests have the extraordinary opportunity to sleep nearby Australia’s unique wildlife, wake up to the natural beauty of the surrounding bushland and take part in some of the most immersive and exclusive animal experiences, all only 15 minutes from Sydney’s city centre.

Vibe Darling Harbour brings new rooftop pool and bar to Sydney, NSW

TFE Hotels have opened a fourth Vibe Hotel in the Sydney city centre with the arrival of the Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour. Located on Sussex Street, the stylish hotel features 145-rooms with playful design touches inspired by the feel of a New York Loft. Also home to Sydney’s newest rooftop pool, restaurant and bar, Above 319, guests can truly switch off in the heart of the city, while admiring the stunning Darling Harbour views.

Launceston to host World Fly Fishing Championships, TAS

Fly Fish Australia, in partnership with Tourism Australia and Tourism Tasmania, will host the 39th FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships from 30 November to 8 December 2019. Hosted in Launceston, professional fly fishers from over 30 countries across the globe will gather to test their skills in the beautiful natural surrounds of Tasmania. In preparation for the event, FlyLife has released the Tasmanian Trout Trail, an informative resource on Tasmania’s world-class wild brown trout waters. Direct flights to Launceston are available from major Australian capital cities or take a scenic drive approximately two hours from Hobart.

Open-air Cinemas returns to Sydney, NSW

American Express Open-air Cinemas Sydney will kick off early this year announcing its return to Metcalfe Park, Pyrmont from 31 October to 8 December. Food, drinks and flicks will bring the festival vibe to the heart of the city, offering the perfect night out for singles, couples, families and beloved canines. Featuring a Mr Papa Food Truck, licensed bar, live music and Wine Wednesdays, enjoy your favourite box office hits and new releases in open-air style. The full program and pre-sale tickets are available online now.

Register now for industry briefings in Adelaide and Hobart

Tourism Australia is holding free of charge industry briefings 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.

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.

Tourism Australia is farewelling the Country Manager for Japan, Joe Nakazawa on 30 November 2019. Joe has been a fantastic team member over the past three years and he will be missed. Tourism Australia is currently advertising for his position.

Ace Hotel is working with developer Golden Age Group to open its first property in Surry Hills. Ace Hotel Sydney will launch at Golden Age's newly built hotel at 49-53 Wentworth Avenue in 2021.

Adventure Tourism Victoria is hosting its first annual general meeting and “Welcome to Summer” event at the Melbourne Star on 27 November 2019.

Phillip Island Nature Parks have bought penguins to the heart of Melbourne. Talented Melbourne artist, Jimmy Dvate, has painted a huge mural of a penguin in Hosier Lane in Melbourne’s CBD.

Air New Zealand will extend their existing seasonal service to the Sunshine Coast by two months, with direct flights between Auckland and Sunshine Coast now set to operate for six months a year from April to October.