Executive team changes at Tourism Australia

Tourism Australia has advised that its Managing Director, John O’Sullivan, is leaving the organisation to take up a new role as CEO and Executive Director of the ASX-listed company, Experience Co. He will leave the organisation in June, handing over to Tourism Australia’s Executive General Manager International, Phillipa Harrison, who will act as interim Managing Director until a permanent replacement is found. Tourism Australia has also confirmed that it has promoted Susan Coghill to the role of Chief Marketing Officer, replacing Lisa Ronson who left the organisation in March. Ms Coghill, previously General Manager Creative, Content and Campaigns, has been at Tourism Australia for more than two years and was instrumental in developing the agency's Dundee, UnDiscover Australia and Australia Inc. campaigns.

Australian Tourism Satellite Account

In 2017–18, total tourist consumption reached $143 billion contributing $57.3 billion in GDP to the economy and employment of 646,000 persons according to the Australian Tourism Satellite Account which is published annually to compare the value of tourism with other industries in the economy.

Luxury travel network holds global symposium in Melbourne

One of the world’s leading networks specialising in luxury and experiential travel, Virtuoso, has brought 500 influential international decision makers to Melbourne this week for its 2019 Symposium. It’s the second time Virtuoso has chosen Australia for the annual event recognising the importance of the country as one of the world’s most popular luxury destinations and one of Virtuoso’s top 10 destinations since 2011. Tourism Australia Managing Director, John O’Sullivan said the return of Virtuoso’s Symposium, this time to Melbourne, was highly significant and recognised the evolution of Australia’s luxury offering. Tourism Australia and Visit Victoria helped attract the event to Australia and provided support leading up to and during the Symposium.

Chinese Celebrity Duan Yihong visits Tasmania

Tasmania will feature as the backdrop for a cover-story and six-page feature in the New York Times Travel Magazine in June with Chinese actor Duan Yihong. During his stay, Duan Yihong visited Cradle Mountain, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Mt Wellington, Tasman Peninsula, Mona and had Seafood Seduction tour to experience Tasmania’s unique nature and wildlife which he will share with his 4.8 million followers on weibo when the feature comes out. Duan Yihong is famous for acting as Lieutenant in a popular TV series ‘Soldiers Sortie’ and won Best Actor at the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Best Actor at the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival. His visit was supported by Tourism Australia's international media hosting program.

'Inspirations Australiennes' launched in France

A new range of articles covering experiences that appeal to high value French travellers have been published on the French edition of Australia.com to inspire them to plan their next holiday Down Under. Inspirations Australiennes also features offers from tour operators and airlines linked to the articles which can be filtered by experience, type of travel, duration and destination. The inspirational new content will be promoted through social media. In 2018 Australia welcomed 142,000 visitors from France who spent $800 million.

Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in LA showcases Australia’s wildlife and culture

Australia’s wildlife and culture wowed guests at a glittering Steve Irwin Gala Dinner last week in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Steve Irwin and raise funds for Wildlife Warriors USA. The event, which was covered by international media, was a Queensland showcase including a performance from Bundjalung Kunjiel Dance Troupe and guests enjoying Sirromet wines, a member of Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia. Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors USA continue the legacy of Steve Irwin by conducting wildlife conservation projects within Australia and around the world. Tourism Australia, Tourism Events Queensland and Visit Sunshine Coast supported the event as sponsors and hosted media and trade partners.

Australia’s most-awarded distillery launches Vegemite inspired spirit

Archie Rose Distilling Co. has launched ArchieMite Buttered Toast Spirit, an experimental, savoury, buttery, unaged spirit inspired by Australia’s love for rich breakfast spreads. Launched on May 8 (mate), the limited-edition product of only 3000 bottles was created using a combination of individually distilled ingredients including freshly churned Pepe Saya Butter, 15kg of toasted sourdough and yeast-spreads similar to Vegemite. The unusual product is the first of its kind on the market and offers an insight into the playful side of Australia’s most-awarded distillery, Archie Rose.

Accor announces new Art Series Hotel for Perth, WA

Accor has announced it will open its ninth Art Series hotel in Perth’s CBD in October 2019, signalling the arrival of the Art Series brand in Western Australia. The $90 million hotel at Hay Street, Perth already stands at its maximum height of 27 storeys and will be redeveloped to offer 250 suites fit with signature Art Series prints, artworks and furnishings. The hotel will also be home to a chic new international food and beverage destination, serving Mediterranean cuisine and cocktails centred around the spectacular outdoor pool.

A 30-day celebration of the great Aussie Pie in the Southern Highlands, NSW  

Pie Time will return to NSW’s Southern Highlands from 1 – 30 June to promote 30 days and 100 ways of enjoying pies in the region. In celebration of the adored Australian pie, a program of delicious pie themed events, festivals, tours and activities will be on offer throughout the entire month of June. From Pie themed zipline adventures, pie tasting with matching wines and a ‘Pie, Pinot and Pie Sauce’ painting class, there’s a pie event for everyone to enjoy. Pie Time is held in various locations around the Southern Highlands and is less than two hours’ drive from both Sydney and Canberra.

Shadow Play by Peppers opens in Melbourne’s Southbank district, VIC

Victoria’s newest luxury apartment-style hotel Shadow Play by Peppers is now welcoming guests in Melbourne’s vibrant Southbank arts and entertainment district. The stylish urban retreat features one and two-bedroom apartments with floor to ceiling windows, a heated pool, gym and sauna, lavish guest lounge and rooftop entertainment area with sublime bayside views. The hotel’s Edwin Wine Bar & Cellar is positioned to be one of Melbourne’s finest food and wine experiences, boasting an extensive wine list selected by the restaurant’s resident sommelier.

Australia Marketplace UK & Europe 2019

Applications are open until Friday 31 May for Australian tourism businesses to participate in the inaugural Australia Marketplace UK & Europe 2019 from 30 to 31 October in London. The event is an opportunity to establish relationships with key qualified travel agencies and tour operators and includes two days of pre-scheduled appointments as well as a dinner and awards night. This 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.

Corroboree West 2019

Seller applications are open until Friday 24 May for Corroboree West 2019 to be held in Perth from 7 to 11 October. Corroboree West is an Australia-based trade event that combines a training workshop and familiarisation visits exclusively for qualified Aussie Specialist agents from the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and New Zealand. These qualified Aussie Specialists actively sell Australia as a preferred long-haul destination to Western travellers with many of them being frontline retail agents as well as a mix of wholesale and online travel agents.

Tourism awards nominations open

Nominations are open for 2019 tourism awards in Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales and the Canberra Region. Tourism Australia is a sponsor of the State and Territory Tourism Awards as well as the national Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. The Australian Tourism Awards programs along with the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) and Star Ratings now all come under the Quality Tourism Framework.

Jetstar will operate three services per week between the Gold Coast and Seoul from December 2019.

Tourism Tasmania has released a Winter 2019 Marketing Campaign to continue to position the State as a unique and desirable winter destination and to stimulate demand for winter holiday bookings.

Tourism NT has published content from the inaugural Tourism Towards 2030 Conference in Darwin and Alice Springs in March. Tourism Australia gave an update on challenges and opportunities from inbound tourism.

Consultation is now underway to shape the future of disability policy for 2020 and beyond, providing an opportunity to discuss accessible tourism in the context of the wider National Disability Strategy.

Registration is open for the CAPA Melbourne Aviation Summit on 24 May 2019 which will explore key issues and opportunities facing the aviation industry in Melbourne and beyond. Register at the link above for 30% off the delegate pass.

Registration is open for the 2019 Tasmanian Tourism Conference on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 May in Launceston.

Registration is open for the 2019 SA Tourism Conference on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 May at the Adelaide Oval.

Registration is open for the 2019 Destination Melbourne LIVE tourism conference on Thursday 30 May at the Arts Centre Melbourne.

Parks Australia is seeking requests for tender until Friday 31 May for a consultant to develop a tourism master plan for Kakadu National Park.

Registration is open for the Australian Tourism Export Council's National Wine Tourism Conference, Beyond the Barrel, from Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 June in South Australia.

Registration is open for the VIC Tourism Conference on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 July in Geelong.

Australian tourism operators can use the promo code BKTOAUS19 to receive a 20% discount to attend the Arrival Conference, an event for the creators and sellers of tours, activities and attractions throughout the APAC Region to be held from 24–26 June in Bangkok.