Essentials… New 8D audio videos | Regional Tourism Recovery Package | National Japan Host Program and more….

Having trouble reading? View online version 30 September 2020 TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE This week, Tourism Australia released a collection of new 8D audio videos which feature stunning footage from across Australia. The videos aim to keep international audiences dreaming of their next Australian holiday and are themed by colour to evoke a range of emotions. While people aren’t able to visit Australia at the moment, the videos give travellers around the world a taste of what it’s like to experience our beautiful country firsthand, from the comfort of their homes. You can view the videos here and find out more information here. Please take a look if you haven’t already, and make sure you listen with headphones on to get the full experience. This week we have seen some positive news regarding fewer coronavirus cases, easing travel restrictions and a potential travel bubble with New Zealand. I am hopeful we will continue to hear more good news in this regard so that we are able to get our tourism industry well and truly moving again before the end of the year. Phillipa Harrison Regional Tourism Recovery Package The Federal Government has announced $250 million in funding for regional Australia. The funding includes two measures - a $50 million Regional Tourism Recovery initiative to assist businesses in regions heavily reliant on international tourism and $200 million for a fifth round of the Building Better Regions Fund. The Regional Tourism Recovery package will provide tailored support for nine regional tourism communities and you can find out more about the funding here. The funding is being administered by Austrade and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. Tourism AUSTRALIA activity Educating America’s top advisors on Australian experiences Tourism Australia met virtually with top performing travel advisors from all over the United States at the Global Travel Marketplace West on 20 and 21 September. Aussie Specialist Trainer, Brianna McCarthy, connected with advisors in one-on-one meetings and through four boardroom sessions, educating them on the benefits of the Aussie Specialist Program and on why “There’s Nothing Like Australia”. The event provided valuable resources for advisors, giving them the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of Australia and stay engaged as they prepare for the resurgence of the travel industry. Great Barrier Reef remains popular with North American travel advisors Tourism Australia’s North American team recently hosted a webinar sharing the latest information on the Great Barrier Reef with travel advisors. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority discussed efforts to protect and preserve the Reef and a Master Reef Guide provided recommendations on where travellers can swim, snorkel, dive and sail on the Great Barrier Reef. This is part of an ongoing webinar series to educate advisors on new products, updates, special interest topics and more. This session saw the highest attendance of the webinar series this quarter, demonstrating the ongoing popularity of the Great Barrier Reef.    National Japan Host Program launched Tourism Australia and the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) have launched the National Japan Host program. The program is designed to support tourism businesses looking to engage Japanese travellers in the future. Tourism businesses who complete the Japan Host program will be confident they can understand the cultural needs of the Japanese visitor along with COVIDSafe requirements. Find out more here.  New Hot List for September Tourism Australia has released its latest travel 'Hot List' on the corporate site. The 'Hot List' is a guide to the latest news and tourism offerings across the country and is updated monthly. The 'Hot List' contains a wrap up of new places to stay and experiences to enjoy around Australia. Check out the September edition here.    Tourism Industry News Boost with Facebook Tourism Program In partnership with Tourism Australia and state tourism organisations, Facebook is launching travel-specific education and stories to support small business in the sector build their digital skills. The Boost with Facebook Tourism Program features creative campaigns, unique perspectives and learnings from tourism businesses across the country. Join the Boost with Facebook Australia group for details on workshops and case studies. The first workshop begins on 7 October 2020. Great Eastern Wine Weekend The 2020 Great Eastern Wine Weekend was held in September as a series of satellite wine and food events along Tasmania’s east coast. As one of the first major regional tourism events to be held in Tasmania since lockdown, the program took on an adjusted format this year. There were almost double the number of individual events to ensure adherence to COVIDSafe guidelines and to accommodate increased interest from Tasmanians across the state. Planning is underway for the 2021 event.  South Australia welcomes first flight from New South Wales South Australia welcomed its first flight from New South Wales last Thursday, signalling the opening of the state’s second largest domestic market. The Qantas flight, from Sydney to Adelaide, was fully booked. The South Australian Tourism Commission welcomed back visitors with media activations at both Sydney and Adelaide Airports. In 2019, South Australia’s domestic tourism market was worth $779 million annually. In the 24 hours after the border announcement, Qantas and Jetstar recorded 15,000 seat sales. Register to receive the globally recognised ‘Safe Travels' Stamp The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) is working with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to issue Australian tourism businesses with the globally recognised ‘Safe Travel’ stamp. Tourism businesses that have a COVIDSafe plan in place can access the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp by registering for the Tourism Trade Checklist. Registration is free for all ATEC members. Non-ATEC members can join for a fee starting at $110 (including GST). Find out more here.    Australian Stories  Launceston Welcomes Verge Hotel Launceston's newest boutique accommodation, Hotel Verge, is now open and taking bookings. Designed by local architect and builders, Hotel Verge’s contemporary design references the precinct’s early industrial heritage. Hotel Verge aims to provide a personalised, local service to all guests in a relaxed but sophisticated setting. Modern Australian cuisine with a Tasmanian flavour will be served in the in-house restaurant, Diverge. Located centrally in Launceston, guests can explore all the best parts of city with many popular attractions within walking distance.  New Family Escape at Taronga Wildlife Retreat Just in time for the spring school holidays, Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo has launched a new Family Escape Package. Designed as the ultimate family staycation, the package includes an overnight stay in interconnecting rooms, intimate wildlife tours into the zoo (including after dark when the gates are closed), a-la-carte breakfast and two-day zoo access for the family to explore the zoo and meet more than 4,500 animals. Located just 15 minutes from the bustle of urban Sydney, a stay at Wildlife Retreat will also support Taronga’s important conservation and research projects in Australia and around the globe. Awassi Cheesery Opens New 'Grove Glamping’ in Queensland Awassi Cheesery, a farmgate in the Lockyer Valley, has announced the opening of Grove Glamping. Offering three new bell tents nestled among avocado groves on the 160-acre boutique sheep and dairy farm, all tents are equipped with all the creature comforts guests could want. Aside from cheese tasting, visitors can also learn to milk sheep, take a tour of the cheesery and stock up at the farm gate outlet. Offering fully catered packages for a fuss free Glampcation, bookings for the ultimate unplugged getaway can be made online now. New Margaret River Gin Getaway Hidden deTours have launched a new three-day, two-night, Gin Getaway to Western Australia’s South West. Uncovering some of the region’s best hidden gems, explore Collie, Margaret River, Wilyabrup, Eagle Bay and Bunbury through guided gin tastings and behind the scenes experiences. Alongside the award-winning gin, guests can also expect vodka, rum, wine and mead tastings, long lunches, and visits to the region’s famed food producers. This all-inclusive Gin-break can be booked online now, with tours starting 16 October. Private group bookings are also available.  NEWS IN BRIEF Australian Bureau of Statistics releases new tourism jobs figures Australian Government funding for two key aviation programs JobKeeper payment and coronavirus supplement extended Melbourne enters Step Two of coronavirus recovery roadmap New South Wales records fifth consecutive day of no community transmission Queensland announces Seasonal Worker Funding Program Queensland tourism and hospitality businesses to receive rent relief Tasmania releases second round of Travel Vouchers Tasmanian small businesses to receive COVID-19 grants Western Australia to ease coronavirus restrictions for visitors from Victoria and NSW tourism.australia.com Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Contact Us This email was sent to latestnews401.travel@blogger.com To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add usto your address book or safe list. Unsubscribe or manage subscriptions Got this as a forward? 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