| | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | It has been another tough week for our industry with a further tightening of restrictions throughout Victoria and New South Wales. Please make sure you are continuing to take care of yourself and those around you during these challenging times. We have seen some positive news with the extension of the JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments. You can read a summary below and more detail is available here. The Australian Government has also announced a new JobTrainer package and an extension of the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme. Our next webinar will be held on Friday 31 July at 11am and will focus on the Australian tourism opportunity. We will also be joined by Australia’s Tourism Minister, Simon Birmingham, who will give an update on Australia’s response to coronavirus. Register here. Phillipa Harrison | | | |
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| | |  | | JobKeeper and JobSeeker Extension | On 21 July, the Australian Government announced changes to the JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments. Key changes include: - An extension of the JobKeeper payment through to 28 March 2021. These changes do not impact JobKeeper payments until after 28 September 2020.
- The JobKeeper payment rate of $1,500 per fortnight for eligible employees and business participants will be reduced to $1,200 per fortnight from 28 September 2020 and to $1,000 per fortnight from 4 January 2021.
- From 28 September 2020, lower JobKeeper payment rates will apply for employees and business participants that worked fewer than 20 hours per week.
- temporarily expanded eligibility for income support payments – including the JobSeeker Payment.
- The Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight is available until 24 September 2020. Beyond this date, the Coronavirus Supplement will be available at $250 per fortnight until 31 December 2020.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | Tourism AUSTRALIA activity |
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| | | |  | | Road Trip Planner and itineraries | | Tourism Australia continues to publish road trip content to support its new Road Trip Planner tool, including a selection in collaboration with the states and territories. There are more than 50 newly developed itineraries on Australia.com, and Tourism Australia will be continuing to develop out road trip content over the coming months. Check out the itineraries for inspiration for your next road trip and share relevant itineraries on your own channels. |
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| |  | | Tourism Australia participates in leading marketing round table | | Tourism Australia’s Chief Marketing Officer, Susan Coghill, recently participated in two virtual roundtables hosted by Facebook and the Association for Data-driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA). Susan and other leading marketers shared insights and lessons from COVID-19. Read the full report ‘What Marketers Can Learn From Today To Reinvent Brand Marketing Tomorrow’ here. |
|  | | Australia featured in travel agent webinar in France | | France based Aussie Specialist Trainer, Adil Hmami, recently participated as a guest speaker in an interactive webinar hosted by inbound tour operator, Across Australia. The webinar focused on Australia’s unique outback experiences such as Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, Western Australia; Davidson’s Arnhemland, Northern Territory; Mount Mulligan Lodge, Queensland and more. The audience also watched a magical sunset live from Darwin. More than 50 travel agents and product managers from France attended the session. |
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| | | | | Virtual Market Briefing series | Registrations are open for Tourism Australia’s upcoming virtual Market Briefings. The briefings will include a regional market update, current market sentiment, consumer behaviour and key distribution insights. The North American briefing was held this morning and the recording can be viewed here. Dates for future briefings are below:
- Continental Europe, 23 July 4pm AEST
- Greater China, 24 July 11am AEST
- South & South East Asia, 27 July 1pm AEST
- United Kingdom, 28 July 4pm AEST
- Japan & Korea, 29 July 11am AEST
For more information and to register, visit the Market Briefings website. |
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| | | | | |  | | Student visa changes | | The Australian Government is making a number of changes to student visa arrangements to ensure Australia remains a priority destination for international students. International students contribute $40 billion to Australia’s economy annually. The visa changes will ensure Australia remains competitive with other countries. The changes include recommencing granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia; allowing student visa holders studying online outside Australia being be able to count that study towards the requirement for a post-study work visa and additional time for applicants to provide English language results. See full details here. |
|  | | First interstate campaign launched in South Australia | | The South Australian Tourism Commission has launched two new marketing campaigns. The ‘You Have To See It To Believe It’ campaign is the first interstate campaign to actively drive visitors to the state since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The campaign showcases the incredible and curious things to see and do in South Australia and aims to entice visitors from the states and territories which have unrestricted travel. In addition, following the highly successful ‘Welcome Back’ campaign, the South Australian Tourism Commission has also launched the new ‘A Great State to Be In’ campaign, which encourages intrastate travel. |
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| | |  | | Sydney Visitor Centre consultations | | Sydney Visitor Centre is now offering free digital consultations to prospective visitors. While coronavirus and social distancing measures are in place Sydney Visitor Centre is continuing to offer their informative and valuable service to prospective visitors, in a personable and accessible manner. To arrange a digital consultation, visitors can contact the Sydney Visitor Centre either by phone (+61 2 8273 0000), e-mail (sydney@visitorcentre.com.au), Instagram or Facebook. The consultation can be held via Skype or Zoom. If the person enquiring does not have access to either, then a call back via phone can also be arranged. |
|  | | National Mental Health Commission resources | | The reintroduction of COVID-19 restrictions is tough on many people and can take a toll on mental health. The National Mental Health Commission is encouraging all Australians to continue to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a number of support services available including: |
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| | | | |  | | New Brisbane restaurant, Eterna, opening at the end of July | | From the team who delivered Salt Meats Cheese to Italian food-lovers across New South Wales and Queensland comes Eterna: a new late-night venue celebrating the food of Rome. Opening on 30 July, Eterna will be situated in the heart of Brisbane's Fortitude Valley. A sophisticated yet laid-back venue for dinner and drinks, Eterna will be dishing up authentic Roman recipes, in a setting and style that is inspired by New York's late-night dining and bar scene. Diners can expect classic gin martinis, Cardinale cocktails and plenty of traditional pasta and desserts. Following its opening, Eterna will open from 5pm to midnight Tuesdays to Thursdays, and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. |
|  | | The Tailor launches new exclusive multi-day South Australian air expedition | | Luxury travel company, The Tailor has launched a new six-night immersive, fully hosted South Australian itinerary to showcase the state’s finest ocean, outback, and wine experiences across the Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Barossa Valley. The new ‘Air Expedition South Australia’ voyage offers two nights in each region, connected via private aircraft charter. With exclusive access to local and passionate guides, travellers will explore the Eyre Peninsula’s pristine coastline and natural wildlife, the Flinders Ranges’ ancient landscapes, and the Barossa Valley’s iconic wine industry with a range of luxury with private experiences. The tour is newest offering of the company’s recently launched ‘Expedition in Style’ series. More information, including a full itinerary and pricing, is available online. |
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| | |  | | Travel with Australian Geographic and Insight Travel | | Insight Australia has partnered with Australian Geographic to launch a new series of curated travel experiences for small group tours. Made for those interested in exploring the wildlife, history and culture of regional and remote Australia, each trip has been curated with an emphasis on discovering off-the-beaten-track hidden gems. Offering carefully selected sustainable travel experiences, accommodation and local guides, there are three tours currently available to Kakadu and Arnhem Land in Northern Territory, Maria Island Walk in Tasmania and Raymond Island, Victoria. Find more information about upcoming trips and register your interest online now. |
|  | | Busselton Jetty’s Underwater Observatory gets an upgrade | | The much-loved iconic Western Australian attraction, the 154-year-old heritage listed Busselton Jetty, has had an internal facelift – with upgrades to the Jetty’s Underwater Observatory. As part of the upgrades, new technology, educational signage, mechanical interpretation for small children, local artwork, and improved acoustic panels and sound systems have been installed. Adding new value to the experience, the upgrades will ensure future generations can enjoy the experience of seeing more than 300 marine species in their natural habitat from the underwater windows. Tours to experience the Underwater Observatory, which sits 8-metres below the ocean’s surface, depart every hour with tickets available online of from the booking office. |
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