New campaign in China is ‘Too Australian for Words’

Tourism Australia has launched a new campaign in China, ‘Too Australian for Words’, to generate excitement for unique Australian experiences. The campaign is based on the same idea as Tourism Australia’s successful UnDiscover Australia campaign which aims to challenge perceptions and stereotypes of what Australia offers the region’s travellers as a tourism destination. Each Australian State and Territory will feature in the marketing content. “Australia already has a strong affinity amongst Chinese travellers, however we must continue to find new ways to appeal to the Chinese market," said Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham “This campaign does exactly this whilst at the same time looking to promote regional Australia.”

Dundee ad nominated for Logie Award

Tourism Australia's Dundee ad is a finalist in the ‘most popular TV commercial’ category at The TV Week Logie Awards. The new award celebrates the most creative, entertaining and the best TV commercials produced for Australian audiences and consumers. Voting ends Sunday 31 March.

Stunning new images to help travellers Discover Aboriginal Experiences

A new gallery of over 450 stunning images highlighting Discover Aboriginal Experiences member products is now available showcasing a wide-ranging group of activities in both urban and regional locations. The royalty free images from around the country are available on Tourism Australia’s image gallery in a featured album titled ‘2019 Discover Aboriginal Experiences shoot’. Discover Aboriginal Experiences is a collective of quality, authentic Aboriginal guided tourism offerings and is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia program that promotes outstanding tourism experiences within a variety of special categories.

UnDiscover Australia in a new Malaysian travel series

Malaysia’s Astro Ria satellite TV channel has filmed a new 13-episode travel series featuring uniquely Australian experiences. Twelve Malaysian celebrities who hosted the series have already shared some of their experiences on social media reaching a combined fanbase of over 11 million. The series, which will air from April to June, features wildlife encounters, gourmet seafood experiences, unique accommodation and a variety of night time activities - aimed at busting some of the myths Malaysian travellers may have about Australia. The broadcast project was supported by Tourism Australia’s international media hosting program and will be promoted as part of the UnDiscover Australia campaign.

Team Australia comes together at Routes Asia 2019

Tourism Australia led a ‘Team Australia’ delegation at Routes Asia 2019 this week with 26 Australian delegates from 17 partner organisations coming together under the one banner. The three-day event, which is the largest route development event for the Asia-Pacific region, brought together more than 850 delegates from international airports, tourism authorities and over 100 airlines. Brisbane Airport was the overall winner at the 2019 Routes Asia Marketing Awards ceremony with Adelaide Airport, Brisbane Marketing and Perth Airport also taking trophies and Melbourne Airport and Gold Coast Tourism amongst the nominees. In September Adelaide will host the global World Routes forum.

Salvador Dali now showing at South Australia’s d’Arenberg winery

23 Salvador Dali bronze sculptures and graphic artwork are now on display in the d’Arenberg winery as part of a new multi-million-dollar art exhibition which celebrates Dali’s life and legacy. The iconic winery, known for its surrealist museum and unique architectural design will also showcase Australia’s own surrealist Charles Billich, whose artworks hang in the Vatican, The White House and the United Nations. d’Arenberg winery is a 45-minute drive from Adelaide city in the popular wine region of McLaren Vale. Tickets are available online now with the exhibition open until 31st May 2019.

Tour the Top End in style with new eco-tour from Wayoutback

Wayoutback have announced a new premium eco-tour, Hawk Dreaming, launching in June 2019. The four-day small-group 4WD experience will tour through the Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land and Katherine Gorge and offer guests a local’s insight into the culture, landscape and mythology of the land, before retreating to comfortable lodge accommodation. Perfect for travellers wanting to experience the Top End while staying in quality accommodation, Wayoutback is now taking bookings for tours departing June 2019 onwards.

South Australia’s newest local tap-house is alive and wool

A former wool-store in Port Adelaide’s heritage maritime precinct is now home to South Australia’s newest tap-house. Opened by local craft brewer Pirate Life in celebration of their fourth birthday, the new 300-seat brewery has been decked out with murals, a bar the length of a cricket pitch, a tasting room and 24-taps providing raw and rustic ambience with an edge. With an in-house barber Robbie’s Chop Shop, a schedule of on-going events and eight new limited release beers, Pirate Life invites beer lovers near and far to check out their new home.

Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to host Australia’s newest foodie festival

The Curated Plate, a new four-day food festival in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast from 8-11 August, has announced the exciting feature events from its debut program. Alongside some of Australia’s best chefs, The Curated Plate will host a range of exclusive culinary events that bring to life the unique local artisan producers and culture of the region. From long lunches, wild foraging feasts and Feijoa Fiestas, The Curated Plate encourages holiday-makers to plan their next trip around a food adventure and come and experience regional dining in the Sunshine Coast.

Australia Marketplace – UK & Europe

Applications will open in May for Australian tourism operators to attend the inaugural Australia Marketplace - UK & Europe which will be held in London in the week commencing 28 October. The event is an opportunity to establish relationships with travel agencies and tour operators from the UK and Europe and includes two days of pre-scheduled appointments as well as a dinner and awards night. The event replaces the European Product Workshop as well as Tourism Australia’s presence at World Youth and Student Travel Conference and World Travel Market. For sellers interested in the youth market, this event will also coincide with a youth roadshow.

Victorian industry briefing presentations

Tourism Australia has published presentations from the recent Victorian industry briefing. The briefing provided an overview of Tourism Australia’s strategic direction, global market strategy, recent and upcoming campaign activity as well as information on how to partner with Tourism Australia.

Applications are open until Wednesday 17 April for grant funding to develop an innovative solution that captures, aggregates and effectively measures all aspects of the tourism industry as part of the Australian Government’s Business Research and Innovation Initiative.

The draft South Australian Visitor Economy Sector Plan 2030 is now open for industry feedback.

Registration is open until Friday 15 March for the Queensland on Tour Europe and UK 2019 roadshow from 27 November to 4 December.

Applications are open until Monday 1 April the first round of funding to support 2019 as the Year of Outback Tourism in Queensland.

The Federal and Victorian State Government have partnered on a $355 million, ten-year Geelong City Deal to revitalise the city and the broader regional economy. The agreement follows a further $45 million joint investment in the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan and Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan.

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and Wine Australia have released their schedule of Growing Wine Tourism workshops for new and experienced wine businesses starting in March.

Registration is open for the Northern Territory's Tourism: Towards 2030 Conference on Wednesday 27 March in Darwin and on Friday 29 March in Alice Springs.