Malaysian Aussie Specialists explore Western Australia and Victoria

Tourism Australia partnered with Tourism Western Australia and Visit Victoria to host Premier Aussie Specialists and Aussie Specialist agents on famils highlighting each state this month. Ten Premier Aussie Specialists were hosted in Perth and the Coral Coast for their first visit to the region to expand their product offerings for Western Australia. Twelve agents visited Melbourne, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula ahead of AirAsia X flights from Kuala Lumpur to Avalon Airport later this year. The agents also had a meet and greet session with Edan Syah, Malaysia’s marathon runner who recently won his first overseas ultra-marathon at the Great Ocean Road Running Festival 2018.

Gold Coast Tourism Week

The inaugural Gold Coast Tourism Week from 1-7 July will celebrate the significance of tourism to businesses and residents of the Gold Coast economically, culturally, socially and historically. The week brings together a series of events showcasing the best the sector has to offer and its impact across the city and beyond.

Industry and media update in Canada

Fifty key Canadian industry distributors, trade media and partners were updated on Tourism Australia’s Dundee campaign activity in North America as well as the upcoming trade and PR strategy for the region at an industry event in Vancouver last week. Tourism Australia’s US team also presented the latest strong visitor arrivals from Canada to Australia following the addition of more flights from Qantas, Air New Zealand and Air Canada. In addition, the team outlined the growth of Aussie Specialists in Canada, which has seen a 38% increase of agents completing the program in the last year. Restaurant Australia was brought to life at the event with Aussie-inspired food and an Australian wine tasting session conducted by a sommelier.

Winter experiences campaign in Hong Kong

Australia’s winter experiences are the focus of a new co-operative marketing campaign between Tourism Australia and Qantas in Hong Kong. A variety of experiences including whale watching and truffle hunting as well as festivals around the country are being showcased to tempt high value travellers to cool, fresh, open spaces in Australia. The campaign includes advertising in Mass Transit Railway stations together with promotions online and on social media. In 2017 Hong Kong was Australia’s 10th largest inbound market for visitor arrivals and total spend and 11th largest for visitor nights.

Whale migration begins across Australia

Between May and November, you can spot Humpback, Southern Right, Minke and Blue Whales from many scenic spots along Australia’s east and west coastlines. From Margaret River to the Eyre Peninsula and Port Phillip Bay to Hervey Bay, whale watching tours are heralding the first sightings of these gentle giants during their 2018 migration.

Iconic Tasmanian brands partner for The Wild Weekend

Tasmanian brands Barnbougle, Mona and Mona’s famous Moorilla Winery and Moo Brew Brewery have partnered for the first time to create a two-night all-inclusive package The Wild Weekend between 10-12 August. Guests will be treated to a host of golf, art and lifestyle activities by day and a special feast by the fire at night.

The Blak Markets in Sydney celebrate NAIDOC Week

Sydney’s Blak Markets will kick off celebrations ahead of this year’s NAIDOC Week with a vibrant festival of Australia’s rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote Australian arts centres will bring their artworks, sculptures, textiles and accessories to the Overseas Passenger Terminal on 30 June and 1 July 2018 to exhibit and sell at the market and host workshops demonstrating their amazing arts and cultural practices.

Ovolo Hotels to bring Mediterranean flavours to Darling Harbour

Renowned Sydney-based chef Justin North has teamed up with Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour on Mister Percy, a dedicated Mediterranean-style wine bar and kitchen housed in the heritage-inspired boutique hotel. The menu will include a selection of pinchos and larger share-style dishes showcasing classic Mediterranean flavours anchored by local Australian produce and will be accompanied by a wine list of local Mediterranean style wines.

Tourism Ministers meet in Adelaide

Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, is in Adelaide today chairing a meeting of Australia’s Trade and Investment Ministers and Tourism Ministers. On the agenda is the next-long term national tourism strategy to continue to build on the record growth of international visitors to Australia and the economic contribution they make to the country. The Ministers will also discuss an initiative to create a new nation brand for Australia.

World Youth and Student Travel Conference

Registration is open for the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) to be held in Edinburgh from 18-21 September. Australian operators that register for WYSTC will automatically be added to Tourism Australia’s ‘Australian Village’,  saving them the cost of a booth at the event. Tourism Australia will also be hosting subsequent agent training events to compliment the buyer appointments. WYSTC is the leading trade event for the global youth, student and educational travel industry attracting over 600 delegates from around the world. Tourism Australia will host a roadshow in the UK and Germany for Australian operators attending WYSTC.

IMEX America 2018

Registration is open until Friday 6 July to join the Australia stand at IMEX America 2018 from 16 to 18 October. IMEX America is one of the world's biggest exhibitions for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector. It attracts international business events planners, media, destinations and suppliers from around the world. Business Events Australia has produced an IMEX America 2018 event prospectus which provides an overview of the program and participation costs. Space on the Australia stand is limited and applications are on a first-come first-served basis.

World Travel Market 2018

Seller applications are open until Friday 22 June for World Travel Market (WTM) 2018 in London from 5 to 7 November. WTM is one of the world's leading travel exhibitions attracting over 50,000 travel industry professionals to network and negotiate new business generating more than £2.8 billion of travel industry contracts. Tourism Australia will have a stand at WTM and manage a reception desk for scheduled buyer appointments as well as fielding requests from non-scheduled potential buyers for appointments.

Applications are open for Destination NSW's Japan Roadshow 2018 from 26-28 September.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council will introduce a revamped membership structure next financial year.

Annaliese Battista  has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Destination Gold Coast.

Virgin Australia chief John Borghetti has announced he will step down from his position as chief executive officer and managing director at the end of 2019.

Tourism and Events Queensland has published a series of Domestic High Value Traveller Profiles.

Celebrity Chef and MasterChef Australia judge, Gary Mehigan is the star of South Australia's latest international and domestic promotion.

Applications are open until Friday 6 July for Tourism Australia’s Advance Program which supports marketing activity to increase international visitation to confirmed business events in Australia and increase consideration of Australia by international business events decision makers.

Registration is open until Monday 25 June for the Tourism Council WA’s Marketing in China workshop to be held in Perth on Wednesday 27 June.

The South Australian Tourism Industry Council and the South Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon David Ridgway MLC, will be delivering a series of industry events over the next three months to discuss tourism and the visitor economy.

Recordings of the presentations from ATEC and Tourism Australia’s China Payments Opportunity Forum have been published on Tourism Australia’s website.

Tourism WA has published updated international market profiles for China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and USA.

Tourism and Events Queensland has published a list of local events that received funding in the latest round of its Destination Events Program. The next round of funding opens on 18 July for events taking place from May 2019-May 2020.

Tourism Tasmania is calling for Expressions of Interest from Asia-ready tourism businesses to participate in its Asia Mission 2018 to China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore in September.

Tourism and Events Queensland has announced dates and locations for its Conversations with Industry events around the State.

Expressions of interest are open until Monday 16 July for the $2 million Victorian Regional Events and Innovation Fund for events to be delivered between September 2018 and June 2019.

The Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference is seeking papers for its workshops and keynote program from November 26 – 28, 2018 in Townsville, Queensland.

Applications are open until Sunday 29 July for the NT Government's new Recreational Fishing Grants Scheme. One million dollars has been set aside for the scheme with $500,000 available in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years.

Applications are open until Friday 29 June for the Queensland on Tour Japan 201 8 roadshow visiting Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo from 12-14 September.

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

Registration is open for the VIC Tourism Conference to be held on 30-31 July at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort.