| | | | | | | | | | Message from Tourism Australia’s Managing Director | | As the coronavirus situation evolves daily, we are working hard on providing you with up to date information as it relates to our industry. As we publish, the virus continues to spread, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting 4,593 confirmed cases as at 28 January 2020. All group travel from China has been suspended until further notice. The WHO continues to monitor the situation, but they have not declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, nor are they recommending the introduction of international travel restrictions. You can access the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus from the Australian Government’s Department of Health and the Smartraveller website provides advice to Australians who are planning to travel or who have recently returned from travel. Tourism Australia has updated Australia.com to include information on the outbreak and links to relevant websites where travellers can access the latest health and travel advice. We know that it has been an incredibly tough start to 2020, with the bushfires and now coronavirus impacting travel from our largest market at the busiest time of year. We’re a resilient bunch and we will get through this but these are challenging times. If there is anything, I or my colleagues here at Tourism Australia can do for you, please contact us. We are in this together. Phillipa Harrison | | | | |
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| | | Domestic Business Events Campaign | On 28 January 2020, Australia’s Minister for Tourism, Simon Birmingham, and the Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism, Jonathon Duniam, announced that Tourism Australia's specialist business events unit, Business Events Australia, is coordinating a domestic campaign for the events industry. Part of the National Bushfire Recovery Fund, the Event Here This Year campaign urges organisations to hold their conferences, events, exhibitions and incentives in Australia this year to provide a boost to the events industry in the wake of the bushfires.
Event Here This Year aligns with Tourism Australia’s broader tourism campaign encouraging Australians to Holiday Here This Year. While Business Events Australia is spearheading the campaign, it is hoped the success of the campaign will also be driven by the events industry sharing the Event Here This Year message. Industry can find out how to get involved in the campaign here. |
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| | | | | | BUSHFIRE THANK YOU VIDEO FROM INDUSTRY | | Watch this special message on Facebook from the Australian tourism industry thanking our mates from around the world for their support during the bushfires. Tourism Australia has developed a number of resources to support the bushfire recovery. These include an industry toolkit for the Holiday Here This Year campaign and a bushfire information map. There are also a number of different support options available from the Australian Government for those affected by bushfires. |
| | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA INDUSTRY BRIEFING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM | | In London, Tourism Australia held its first industry update for 2020. More than 100 key trade contacts attended the event and shared their overwhelming support for Australia and our tourism industry, with many also keen to share the bushfire industry message video on their own social platforms, to highlight to their customers and partners that Australia is open for business. Watch the messages of support here from Jen Snow, Freedom Destinations; Thea Wilson, Travelbag; Charlie Morris, Audley Travel; Alexandra Robertson, Abercrombie & Kent; and Liz Cairns, Flight Centre. |
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| | | | | INDIA HOST PROGRAM | | The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) together with Tourism Australia and Austrade are delivering the the India Host Program, which will assist Australian tourism operators providing tailored premium experiences for Indian travellers. In the lead up to the T20 Cricket World Cup, the India Host Program is an online program with four modules on culture, product, service and trade. The program culminates with a face-to-face event which includes a graduation ceremony and a trade engagement session with buyers. The program also provides industry with a handbook as well as tools and resources to assist in welcoming Indian visitors. Graduates of the program are badged as an ‘India Host’ and will receive a certificate and digital badge. Click here for enquiries. |
| | | ADVENTURE TRAVEL WORLD SUMMIT 2020 | | Registration is open for the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Adventure Travel World Summit 2020, to be held in Adelaide from 6 to 9 October 2020. The summit will be delivered by ATTA in partnership with Tourism Australia and the South Australian Tourism Commission. Eight hundred global delegates including niche adventure tour operators, front line travel sellers, international media and adventure travel industry experts will participate in a comprehensive three-day program of educational sessions, business meetings and networking. A familiarisation program will be supported by additional State and Territory partners, offering pre and post adventures. Summit space is limited and is expected to sell out – register here today. |
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| | | | | PROFESSIONAL CONVENTION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION | | Tourism Australia’s specialist business events unit, Business Events Australia, recently attended the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders conference in San Francisco. Over 4,000 meetings industry professionals from around the world gathered to meet, learn from each other and network. PCMA is a global leader in business events with 17 chapters and activities in 30 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Sessions were focused on education and the event featured networking events, challenging topics, small group sessions and keynote speakers. |
| | | WELLNESS TOURISM SUMMIT | | Australia’s first Wellness Tourism Summit is taking place on 19 and 20 March 2020 in Noosa, Queensland. Tourism Australia is partnering with the Global Wellness Institute to deliver the Summit. Over 30 leading global and local wellness travel experts will be presenting at the Summit on the latest research, consumer trends and best practice for operators and destinations. The Summit will feature speakers from Paris, China, Singapore and New Zealand. Australia receives over 1 million wellness trips a year from international and local visitors. These visits deliver over $15 billion in visitor expenditure annually. View the full Summit program and click here to book your Summit tickets. |
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| | | | | | | | | BUCHAN CUP GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO GO AHEAD, VIC | | The 133rd Buchan Cup has been given approval to go head on 15 February after the region was heavily impacted by the recent bushfires. Sending a positive sign that the Buchan region is on the road to recovery, guests are encouraged to dress up, fill a picnic basket of local food and wine and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the country cup at Buchan and Gelantipy Race Club. Visitors to Buchan are also encouraged to extend their support to neighbouring regions, allowing enough time to explore the nearby towns of Lakes Entrance, Paynesville and Metung. Located in Victoria’s East Gippsland region, Buchan is about four hours from Melbourne and accessible via train or car. |
| | | KINGFISHER BAY RESORT LAUNCH SEA EXPLORER ON FRASER ISLAND, QLD | | Kingfisher Bay Resort have unveiled a new eco-marine cruise with the launch of Sea Explorer, providing exclusive access to unexplored parts of Fraser Island. Operating cruises daily, guests will discover the remote north western coastline of Fraser Island, with immersive, eco adventures led by expert local skipper and Resort Ranger guide. Once a previously inaccessible and unexplored part of Fraser Island, this slice of untouched paradise can now be experienced directly from Kingfisher Bay Resort. Fraser Island is about 300kms north of Brisbane and 15kms from Hervey Bay, with private ferry transfers from River Heads available upon request. |
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| | | | | DISCOUNT FARES TO KANGAROO ISLAND ENCOURAGE TRAVELLERS TO VISIT NOW, SA | | Qantas and SeaLink are currently offering sale flights and ferry fares to Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, encouraging visitors to support the bushfire recovery by booking a trip. Despite the recent bushfires, much of Kangaroo Island is open, accessible and still providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences. With great sales on offer, now is the perfect time to enjoy unique native wildlife encounters, local produce offerings and the unforgettable coastal landscapes that Kangaroo Island is known for. Kangaroo Island is a 30-minute direct flight from Adelaide, with one way Qantas fares currently available from $150. Or, drive from Adelaide to Cape Jervis and board a $15 SeaLink ferry Kangaroo Island. |
| | | ENJOY THE SEA BREEZE AND SUNSHINE AT SHOALHAVEN, NSW | | With just over one month of summer remaining, now is the perfect time to take a trip to the Shoalhaven region to enjoy the sea-breeze and sunshine of the South Coast. Shoalhaven is home to more than 100 beaches, friendly locals and incredible experiences. Parts of the region have been impacted directly and indirectly by the bushfires, but many areas like Huskisson, Mollymook and Shoalhaven Heads among others are once again offering spectacular coastal getaways. Though some scenery might be a little different than before, beautiful signs of rejuvenation will make a holiday to the South Coast even more worthwhile. Accessible from Sydney or Canberra in around two hours, a short trip away can make a big contribution to these communities. |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | ATE20 INTERNATIONAL MEDIA MARKETPLACE | | Exhibitor applications are now open for the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) 2020 International Media Marketplace to be held in Melbourne on 10 May 2020. The ATE20 Media Program International Media Marketplace will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and provides an opportunity for media delegates to meet one-on-one with Australian tourism businesses, special interest operators, attractions and accommodation providers. Applications close 3 February 2020 – apply now. |
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| | | NEWS IN BRIEF | | Congratulations to Grant Hunt AM, CEO of Voyages – Indigenous Tourism Australia, who was awarded an Australia Day honour for significant service to the tourism and hospitality sectors. | | | Take 3 for The Sea in Byron Bay is hosting a beach clean-up event for visitors and the community at 2:30pm at Main Beach, Byron Bay, on 13 February 2020 followed by drinks at Stone and Wood Brewery. | | | The Holiday for a Hero initiative is seeking donations for their program which provides holidays and accommodation for firefighters and emergency services workers in Australia. Get in touch if you would like to participate. | | |
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