| | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | As recovery continues, this week we highlight two sectors critical to our visitor economy – cruising and business events. I am travelling to Townsville this week for the Australian Cruise Association conference to talk about the future opportunities in this space, hot on the heels of the successful Cruise 360 in Sydney/Warrane. Prior to COVID-19 there were around 300,000 international visitors cruising in Australia, cruise was a multi-billion-dollar industry, and a significant part of the visitor economy for many communities around the country. Since cruising to Australia recommenced, we have started to see this demand beginning to bounce back, and we look forward to this continuing. Last week Tourism Australia released the 2022 Business Events Consumer Demand Project (CDP). The new international research outlines the factors influencing decision makers when choosing a destination for events, including how Australia is perceived and the impact COVID-19 has had on the decision-making process. Much of the research reinforces what we know, and it gives a few pointers on how we can really draw back this important sector to Australia. Finally, we invite you to save the date for the Destination Australia 2023 conference which will take place in Sydney/Warrane on Thursday 16 March. Find out more and register your interest below. Phillipa Harrison | | | | |
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| |  | | | Save the date for Destination Australia 2023 | | Tourism Australia will host Destination Australia 2023 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney on Thursday 16 March. The event, themed ‘Come and Say G’day’, will look to celebrate the opportunities for the future of Australian tourism and will be followed by a networking event. Register your interest and tell us what topics you’d like to hear about here. |
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| | | | Tourism Australia Activity | |
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| |  | | Spotlight on New Zealand | | This week, ‘Spotlight on the Regions’ features a video update from Edea Lu, Tourism Australia’s Country Manager New Zealand, who shares her insights and observations from the New Zealand market, as well as updates on key stakeholders and activities to keep Australia front of mind in market. Watch the update here. |
|  | | Hong Kong’s Open TV broadcast program, Departure Again, goes live | | Hong Kong free-to-air TV channel Open TV launched its latest travel program ‘Depart Again’ in August. Over ten episodes, Travel influencer Benedict Yuen explores Sydney/Warrane, Tasmania and Queensland experiencing adventure, luxury, wildlife encounters, food and wine, indigenous culture, and natural landscapes. The fast-paced travel series gives viewers an eye-opening insight into the culture, traditions, tourism offerings and people of Australia. |
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| | |  | | 2022 Business Events Consumer Demand Project | | Tourism Australia has released the 2022 Business Events Consumer Demand Project. This new international research forms part of Tourism Australia’s broader recovery strategy to bolster Australia’s business events industry and fast track recovery as Australia emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. A summary of the latest findings from the Business Events Consumer Demand Project research is available on the Business Events Australia website. |
|  | | STO Forum gathering | Last week, Tourism Australia and State and Territory partners met in Sydney/Warrane on Gadigal Country to engage in discussion about Indigenous tourism. It was a great opportunity to share priority initiatives, learn from each other’s success and discuss challenges.
With a growing demand from international travellers to immerse in authentic Indigenous experiences, the gathering demonstrated the commitment of each state and territory to work in partnership with Indigenous peoples and communities to develop genuine Indigenous-led product. |
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| | | | |  | | TRC Sustainable Trails Conference | | Registration is open for the TRC Sustainable Trails Conference which will be held from 1 to 3 November at St Helens, Tasmania. The conference is now in its 4th year of bringing together leading experts in all aspects of sustainable trail development, management, and marketing. The program will include keynote speakers, case studies, workshops, and field trips. Find out more and register here. |
|  | | Creating job opportunities for people living with disability in the visitor economy | | Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell together with Social Services Minister the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP yesterday announced $3.3 million to establish a Visitor Economy Disability Pilot to help people living with disability secure sustained jobs in tourism. The Pilot will focus on supporting businesses in recruiting those living with disabilities into available jobs and will address barriers previously identified by small and medium tourism businesses in recruiting, retaining and progressing staff with disability. |
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| | |  | | Tourism Jobs Summit | | Last week, Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell led the Tourism Jobs Summit. The Summit brought together representatives from tourism industry associations, unions, business, academia, Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. The action plan from this Summit will inform the Jobs and Skills Summit, the Employment White Paper process and the development of the visitor economy workforce and skills strategy, an action of THRIVE 2030. |
|  | | SATC Experience Nature Tourism Fund applications open | | Applications are open for the South Australian Tourism Commission’s $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund. Grants from $10,000 to $50,000 are available for new and improved nature-based tourism products and experiences in or near a national park, reserve, wilderness protection area or marine park. Find out more here. |
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| | |  | | Destination IQ 2022 | | The Queensland Tourism Industry Council's (QTIC) Destination IQ is back in 2022 and you are invited to join tourism leaders and delegates from all backgrounds on Wednesday 2 November at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Find out more. |
|  | | Feedback on Destination Perth Destination Management Plan | | Tourism operators in Destination Perth and surrounding regions are encouraged to share their thoughts and help shape the region’s Tourism Destination Management Plan. Feedback can be provided by completing the online survey. |
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| | | | |  | | The Porter House Hotel and dining precinct launches in Sydney CBD | | An 1870s heritage-listed building in Sydney/Warrane’s Castlereagh Street has been given new life as a multi-level dining precinct, The Porter House. Located next to MGallery’s new The Porter House Hotel, the food and beverage destination opens next week and perfectly complements the refined features of the hotel. The dining options include Dixson & Sons, a modern French and Asian influenced brasserie helmed by former Fish Butchery Head Chef Emrys Jones, multiple private dining spaces and Henry’s Bread & Wine, a ground-floor venue devoted to hassle free dining and grab and go options. The Hotel next door houses 122 guest rooms each with distinct stylings and modern amenities, fitness facilities and outdoor heated swimming pool. |
|  | | OzHarvest and IHG unite to support Aussies in need | | Throughout September, IHG Hotels & Resorts anticipates donating over 100,000 meals to help feed people in need via the group’s Stay for Good initiative. Activated across several selected IHG properties, the charitable concept will see a $1 from every stay, restaurant or bar bill donated to innovative organisation OzHarvest. OzHarvest estimates that every $1 donated allows them to deliver two meals to those in need. As part of the donation drive, guests will also be able to order the OzHarvest burger, which has been created by InterContinental Sydney Double Bay Executive Chef Denny Lohanda. |
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| | |  | | Celebrate pride in the ACT with SpringOUT Festival in November | | This November, Canberra will burst to life with the return of the community-run SpringOUT Pride Festival. Since its inception in 1999, the festival has grown from being an experience coordinated by two volunteers to a large-scale initiative featuring over 40 events promoting inclusivity and pride. Kicking off on 29 October, this year’s festival features marquee event, 'fresh out' as well as a raft of theatre, music, sporting, drag shows films and sporting events. Further event announcements are coming soon. |
|  | | McLaren Vale wine and produce on show at new festival | | South Australia’s beloved McLaren Vale will host its inaugural Gourmet experience on 16 September. Launching on International Grenache Day and concluding on 3 October, the two-week festival will profile the wonders of the region across more than 35 Grenache-themed experiences. Paired with a plethora of local produce, the festival will include dining experiences at some of the region’s best eateries, a masterclass with d’Arenberg’s Chester Osborn, winery tours and more. |
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