| | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | Increasing restrictions around Australia and in New Zealand are a further blow to our industry this week and as we navigate through this again, there is still a bright light on the horizon – demand for Australia remains strong both domestically and internationally. I was speaking to one of our American partners this morning who said pent up demand for Australian holidays is high. Our challenge is to keep Australia top of mind in the medium term as the pandemic plays out. To that end, we continue to enjoy high engagement from our distribution partners globally and sign-ups for our virtual events are strong. Tourism Australia’s next webinar will be held this Friday, 14 August at 11am AEST. We will be joined by former Tourism Australia Managing Director and current Chief Executive Officer of Experience Co., John O’Sullivan, who will be talking about how Experience Co. has responded to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We will also be getting an update on the business events industry from the Chief Executive Officer of the International Convention Centre Sydney and Deputy Chair of the Business Events Council of Australia, Geoff Donaghy, and an update on visitor expenditure statistics from Austrade’s Chief Economist, Heather Cotching. Register here. Phillipa Harrison | | | |
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| |  | | Tourism Australia sponsors Global Travel Marketplace virtual event | | Tourism Australia recently sponsored the newly created Global Travel Marketplace (GTM) Alumni Town Hall virtual event for nearly 200 North American travel advisors. Aussie Specialist Trainer, Brianna McCarthy, gave a presentation on the Aussie Specialist Program, including its tools, resources and educational materials. Advisors also met virtually and attended a general session on the state of the travel industry as part of the event. GTM is hosted by US travel trade media publisher, Northstar Travel Group and Tourism Australia is a long-standing attendee and partner of GTM events. |
|  | | Sand Dune Adventures opens new Conference & Events Centre | | Discover Aboriginal Experiences member Sand Dune Adventures have opened a new purpose built conference and events centre, the Murrook Cultural Centre. The Centre sprawls across 20 acres of land, featuring stunning native gardens and an outdoor timber deck overlooking a picturesque lake. Just two and a half hours from Sydney or five minutes from Newcastle Airport, the modern and well-equipped event space boasts state of the art facilities as well as a range of catering options. Guests can also participate in quad-biking explorations led by expert Indigenous guides, who will inform guests about Aboriginal culture whilst riding along the magnificent Worimi Sand Dunes. |
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| | | | | |  | | New Ballina to Dubbo flight route | | Fly Pelican, Dubbo Regional Council and Ballina Shire Council are collaborating to trial a new flight between Dubbo and Ballina in an effort to boost domestic tourism in both regions. The flights will start from 28 August 2020 and tickets will start at $149 each way. The trial is being supported with a passenger fee subsidy. |
|  | | The new normal for tourism insurance | | The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) ‘Road to Recovery’ webinar series will be focusing on the new normal for tourism insurance this week. Hosted by insurance specialist, JMD Ross, the webinar will look at the effects of global reinsurance, negligence and liability, future proofing and what COVID-19 clauses to watch out for. The webinar will be held on Thursday 13 August from 2pm to 2:45pm AEST, register here. |
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| | | | |  | | Dive into National Science week with SEA LIFE Aquariums | | National Science Week is taking place from 15 to 23 August and SEA LIFE Aquariums across Australia are diving into the action. Sharing free educational activities and live video content throughout the week, students and marine life lovers alike will be able to discover more about the native habitats of sea creatures. Meet some of the aquarium’s largest marine creatures and encounter unique species such as a baby wobbegong shark or a goatfish. Free educational activities including worksheets posters, and videos, are now available on Merlin’s Education Toolbox. The live streams will be shared on SEA LIFE Melbourne, Sydney and Sunshine Coast aquarium’s respective Facebook pages. |
|  | | Fremantle’s Hidden Treasures Music Series ready to return | | Fremantle's Hidden Treasures Music Festival is returning for its 10th year, bringing some of Western Australia’s favourite musicians to venues across the port city’s West End. There will be 50 musicians across four epic nights of live music performances, with a diverse line-up of up-and-coming bands alongside old fan favourites. Hosted across five venues, ticketholders will also get a rare peak into some of the West End’s most evocative clubs and small venues which are steeped in the tall stories and local musical folklore. Transforming tucked away Fremantle venues every Thursday night throughout September, presale tickets are available online now for purchase. |
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| | |  | | Mona to reopen Faro Restaurant with experimental dining experiences | | Mona’s award-winning bar and restaurant, Faro, will reopen its doors in mid-August, serving up a series of experimental dining experience, along with live music, performance, and art. The Faro Experiments’ invites diners to become willing participants in experiencing the unexpected. The mystery menu, from drinks to dessert, will change each week, with the theme revealed to guests once they are seated. Diners will be also able to explore areas of the museum’s light-filled Pharos wing and get up close to the museum’s outdoor light installations. The Faro Experiments will run for six weeks from Saturday 15 August. Bookings are limited and can be made online now. |
|  | | New Brisbane Twilight Cruise | | Mirimar Cruises are set to sail city-goers down the iconic Brisbane River to the Brisbane Powerhouse on a 22-metre catamaran as of 1 August. During a two-hour trip, guests will relax and unwind with a complimentary cocktail in hand while admiring the beautiful cityscapes as they pass through South Bank, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Riverside, Howard Smith Wharves and Dockside. The cruise finishes with watching the sunset turn into the evening sky and on arrival at the Brisbane Powerhouse, guests enjoy drinks and canapes in an exclusive spot before cruising back. Operating Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, tours depart from the South Brisbane. Bookings can be made online now. |
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