Australia’s luxury experiences on show at Luxperience

Premium products and experiences from 46 Australian tourism operators were showcased at Luxperience in Sydney last week to key international travel sellers and media. Tourism Australia gave an update on new trends and the agency’s premium strategy to 40 media, participated in a panel discussion on sustainability for a group of 70 international buyers and media and conducted one-to-one appointments with both trade and media. Three collections from the Signature Experiences of Australia were represented at the event: Discover Aboriginal Experiences, Australian Wildlife Journeys and Luxury Lodges of Australia. Tourism Australia also sponsored the Buyer and Media Lounge at the show and supported famils hosted by State Tourism Organisations in NSW, SA, Queensland, the NT, WA and Tasmania.

Australia wins award in China

Australia won Most Popular Tourist Destination in Asia at the 2018 Red Coral Awards Ceremony in Shanghai last week. The Award are one of the most highly regarded by the tourism industry in China and are endorsed by 21st Century Business Herald.

Largest ever Australian delegation at World Youth and Student Travel Conference

Tourism Australia led the largest ever Australian delegation last week at the World Youth and Student Travel Conference. Held in Edinburgh this year, 50 delegates from 35 Australian businesses attended the conference which is the leading trade event for the global youth, student and educational travel industry. At the Global Youth Travel Awards held on Friday night, Aussie News Today was awarded the Best Youth Marketing Campaign. As part of the Youth Roadshow, Tourism Australia also led training workshops with delegates from 21 Australian companies for trade partners in Germany and the UK.

Australia’s unique premium offering on show at PURE Life Experiences

Thirteen Australia operators presented Australia’s unique premium offering to luxury agents, buyers and journalists from around the world at the tenth annual PURE Life Experiences trade show in Marrakech this month. The week began with the two-day Matter conference sponsored by Tourism Australia which introduces the industry to big ideas and concepts that are expected to have a significant impact on the future of tourism. Over the three days that followed more than 200 meetings were held on the Tourism Australia stand. PURE Life Experiences brings together the world’s best suppliers, buyers and press in high-end experiential travel for a five-day festival of business, networking and ideas.

Banisters Hotel brings barefoot luxury to Port Stephens, NSW

Renowned luxury boutique hotel chain, Bannisters Hotels has expanded across NSW from Mollymook to Port Stephens. The 4.5-star beachfront accommodation features 80 rooms including four luxury suites and a penthouse with bay views over the Karuah River. A double-height lobby opens into an infinity pool and Terrace bar offering both casual and Modern Australian dining. For a more formal dining experience, guest can enjoy Celebrity Chef, Rick Stein’s popular cuisine at the Bannisters signature restaurant. Bannisters Port Stephens is now taking reservations.

Intercontinental Sydney launches Rooftop Bar in Double Bay, NSW

In-house guests and visitors of the Intercontinental Sydney in Double Bay can now enjoy a prime view of Sydney’s eastern-beach sunsets with the launch of the refurbished rooftop bar. Designed with summer in-mind, the new menu highlights local fresh produce including Sydney Rock Oysters as well as pool-side bits such as salmon sashimi and grilled prawns to compliment the vibrant atmosphere. The Rooftop is open to the public and in-house guests on Friday – Sunday in September with extended open-days taking place from November. 

Open-Air Cinema Festival kicks off Australian Spring tour in Brisbane, QLD

Brisbane will be the first of six Australian locations for the American Express Open-air Cinema Spring tour. Food, drinks and flicks will bring the festival vibe with over 30 events taking place at Brisbane’s Rainforest Green. Alternative entertainment, live music and DJ performances will accompany the feature film on the big screen. A mix of popular box office hits and highly anticipated new releases will be featured during the six-week program from October 4 – November 11. Pre-sale tickets are available for purchase now.

New International Visitor Centre at the 2018 Melbourne Cup, VIC

The Victoria Racing Club have announced a new International Visitors Centre (IVC) at the 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival in November. Available in English, Mandarin and Japanese, the IVC offers visitor information, complimentary guided tours and racing tutorials that aim to ensure that international visitors enjoy their race day experience to the fullest. Pre-bookings can be arranged at tourism@vcr.net.au. The four-day 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival occurs from 3 – 10 November.

Tourism Research Australia has published a new report: India, a key inbound market for Australia.

Tourism Tasmania has launched a new Tassie Trade website offering agents in-depth information on the destination and multi-lingual itineraries.

The first ever Greater Melbourne Destination Management Visitor Plan has been produced by Destination Melbourne in collaboration with local councils from Greater Melbourne, Visit Victoria, Transport for Victoria and Investor Engagement from the Department of Economic Development, Transport, Resources and Jobs.

Tourism WA has launched a campaign with Travelzoo in the UK, an online deals specialist with more than 28 million members worldwide.

Tourism Noosa has confirmed the appointment of Steve McPharlin as its new CEO.

Tourism and Events Queensland have published a Queensland Events Guide with advice on everything leading up to an event, event delivery and sustainability, through to post-event activities, whilst highlighting the important link between events and tourism.

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) is holding Growing Wine Tourism workshops and webinars in October and November to assist wine businesses across the country engage with the growing international tourist market.

Registration is open for AmCham's investing in Queensland's tourism industry breakfast briefing to be held from 7 to 9:30am on Friday 12 October at the Pullman King George Square in Brisbane.

Registration is open for the inaugural Australian Wine Industry Impact Conference to be held in Adelaide on Thursday 18 October at the Grand Chancellor Hotel.

Registration is open for the Australian Regional Tourism Convention (ARTC) 2018 to be held in the Tweed from 23-25 October.

Registration is open for the Global Eco Asia Pacific Tourism Conference in Townsville on 26-28 November.

Entries are open until Sunday 30 September for the first Destination Gold Coast Content Awards to celebrate the best of digital and social storytelling from the region. #DGCCA #WeAreGoldCoast

The next funding round of the Queensland Destination Events Program is open until Wednesday 10 October.

Registration is open for travel business and investment conference Travel IQ on Wednesday 24 October in Sydney.

Registration is open for the Bicycle Tourism and the Australian Walking and Cycling conferences from 26-30 October in Bendigo, Victoria.

Registration is open for the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference to be held in Lorne, Victoria from 30 October to 1 November.

Registration is open for the Australian Event Symposium to be held on the Sunshine Coast from 19-21 November.

Registration is open for ATEC Meeting Place 2018 which will take place from 19-21 November in Darwin.

Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) has published profiles of the winners of the 2017 MEA Awards and has opened submissions for the 2018 MEA Awards.

Industry are invited to register their interest for the Destination Australia Conference 2019 to be held on Thursday.