Australia signs landmark open skies agreement with India

Australia and India have agreed on a new liberalised air services arrangement that will see open capacity between the major airports in both countries. The landmark agreement was announced by the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Michael McCormack MP; and will help strengthen ties with one of Australia’s key tourism markets. The agreement will allow airlines to operate unlimited services between six major metropolitan airports in India and six airports in Australia. India is Australia’s seventh most valuable international tourism market with 302,200 visitors contributing $1.43 billion to the economy in 2017.

Tourism Australia’s Dundee scores top Cannes award

The quality of Australia’s tourism marketing was recognised by the global advertising industry at the 2018 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Tourism Australia’s 'Dundee: The Son of a Legend Returns Home' campaign picked up a total of eight Lions awards, including a coveted Titanium, whilst its youth-focused Aussie News Today campaign also took home a Gold and a Bronze Lions award.

Tourism Australia farewells UK Regional General Manager

Tourism Australia will bid farewell to Denise von Wald next week who has led the organisation’s UK and Northern Europe team for the past five years. Under Denise’s leadership Tourism Australia has delivered a number of memorable projects and campaigns in the UK and developed invaluable relationships with airline and trade partners across Britain and Northern Europe. Denise will officially depart on 1 July to return to her home in Adelaide and her replacement, Sally Cope, will start on 3 September.

Industry update in France

Over 50 of Tourism Australia’s key partners in France attended an industry update this month to thank them for their continued support and partnership. Hosted annually, the meeting is an opportunity to share the latest developments and Tourism Australia’s strategic approach for the coming months and years. In 2017, France was Australia’s 15th largest inbound market for visitor arrivals, 14th largest market for total visitor spend, 12th largest market for visitor nights and eighth for regional dispersal.

Australia shines at North America tourism conference

Around 1500 US and Canadian travel advisors were treated to a taste of Australia’s top tourism experiences at the Travel Leaders Network national conference, ‘EDGE’, held in Las Vegas from June 12-16. The conference saw agents learn more about Australia and its premium experiences, as well as Tourism Australia’s Aussie Specialist Program. A special Dundee-themed ‘Why Australia?’ workshop was held for 85 agents, while top-selling agents also attended an exciting networking event on top of the High Roller observation wheel. The Travel Leaders Network - North America’s largest travel consortia - has seen strong growth in sales to Australia and a 32 per cent increase in Aussie Specialists over the last year.

Marriott confirms W Sydney project

Marriott International has revealed that W Hotels is set to make its return to Sydney as part of a new development in Darling Harbour. Slated for a 2020 launch, the new-build hotel will be part of ‘The Ribbon’ development designed by award-winning architect HASSEL, which is set to transform Sydney’s skyline.

Golden Age to convert Surry Hill’s Tyne House into luxury hotel

Property developer Golden Age Group has announced plans to convert Tyne House in Surry Hills into a luxury 18-level, 285-room hotel set to open in 2020. The original façade of the 1916 building will be maintained as a feature of the new development. The hotel will celebrate nature and sustainability while showcasing Australian products and produce.

Ninth Australian Outback Marathon at Ayers Rock Resort

Voyages Ayers Rock Resort will host the ninth Australian Outback Marathon on 28 July 2018. With just under five weeks to go, more than 500 entrants from over 21 countries are set to pound the red dust with spectacular views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta in a full marathon, half marathon and 11km and 6km fun runs.

New 50 tap gastro-pub and brewery opens on Cairns waterfront

A state-of-the-art craft brewery, gastro-pub and versatile events space for 600 seated guests are features of Cairns’ newest waterfront destination which opened this month. Located within the heritage-listed Shed 2 of Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, the multi-million-dollar Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf is Queensland’s largest craft brewery north of Brisbane and one of Australia’s largest gastro pubs.

IBTM World 2018

Registration is open until Friday 29 June to join the Australia stand at IBTM World 2018 from 27 to 29 November. IBTM World (formerly EIBTM) is one of the world’s leading international events for the meetings, incentives, events and business travel industry. It attracts international business events planners, media, destinations and suppliers from around the world. Business Events Australia has produced an IBTM World 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.

WYSTC Industry Roadshow

Registrations are open until Friday 29 June for Tourism Australia’s roadshow in the UK and Germany for youth operators attending the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC). WYSTC will 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.

Industry updates in Gold Coast and Brisbane

Tourism Australia will participate in Tourism and Events Queensland’s Conversations with Industry events on the Gold Coast on Wednesday 4 July and in Brisbane on Thursday 5 July. The annual events provide an opportunity to connect with industry colleagues and find out the latest insights, research and trends for each region. Tourism Australia will also participate in the inaugural Gold Coast Tourism Week from 1-7 July which will celebrate the significance of tourism to businesses and residents of the Gold Coast economically, culturally, socially and historically.

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.

Perth Aboriginal tourism business wins NAIDOC award

Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences has won the NAIDOC Perth Business of the Year Award 2018. The wholly‐Aboriginal owned, tourism accredited small business offers cultural tours, experiences and advisory services to locals and international visitors. The walking tours at Elizabeth Quay provide an authentic, interactive experience of Perth’s rich Aboriginal history and culture. Go Cultural is a member of Tourism Australia’s Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective.

Entries are now open for the 2018 Australian Event Awards. Entries can be completed online until 27 August.

Applications are open until the end of June for Destination Melbourne’s award-winning Melbourne Tourism Leadership Program.

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.

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.

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

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

Submissions are open until Friday 31 August for the Queensland Tourism Industry Council's Prize for Innovation in Tourism.

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

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.

Applications are open until Friday 29 June for the Queensland on Tour Japan 2018 roadshow visiting Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo from 12-14 September.

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

Industry are invited to register their interest for the Destination Australia Conference 2019 to be held on Thursday 14 March in Brisbane.