Traveling Blog: Essentials… National Experience Content Initiative | Spotlight on Singapore | Regional General Manager North America | Tourism Australia Industry Webinar

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25 May 2022

Tourism Australia Update

With the 42nd Australian Tourism Exchange 2022 (ATE22) live component complete, we are now into ATE Online from 24 to 26 May. This is another fantastic opportunity for buyers and sellers from around the world, who couldn’t meet in person in Sydney/Warrane, to connect and drive tourism demand back to Australia. For those who missed ATE Live, or who want to relive the excitement, you can view some highlights from the live event here and check out the photos here.

At the conclusion of the event, Tourism Australia announced next year’s ATE 2023 will be held on Queensland’s Gold Coast, in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), and we look forward to providing operators with another chance to network and do business with key players from around the world.

Looking forward, we will be holding our next Industry Webinar on Friday 3 June at 10am AEST (note time and date change). After a big few weeks - including ATE, an incoming Government, and National Reconciliation week - there will be lots to catch up on.  Please register to attend here.

Also, our next Industry Briefing and networking event will take place on the Gold Coast on Thursday 23 June. Find out more and register here.

National Experience Content Initiative update

Tourism Australia’s National Experience Content Initiative continues to roll out, with assets for more than 130 operators featured so far. New images and video content are regularly added to Tourism Australia’s image and video galleries and can be accessed free of charge. The initiative aims to support tourism businesses across Australia in their recovery and drive increased visitation by helping them to better market their experiences and attractions. See some of the recent examples from Western Australia, Tasmania, and Australian Capital Territory here, including Cape to Cape Explorer Tours, Harvest Market Launceston, Jesters Flat and Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary.
Follow #neciaus on Instagram for a behind the scenes look at the NECI shoots as they take place throughout the country.

Tourism Australia Activity

Spotlight on Singapore

This week, ‘Spotlight on the Regions’ features an interview with Ann Lim, Tourism Australia’s Country Manager Singapore, who shares her insights and observations from the Singapore market, as well as updates on key stakeholders and activities to keep Australia front of mind. Read the update here.

Chris Allison appointed Tourism Australia Regional General Manager North America

Chris Allison has been confirmed in the role of Regional General Manager (RGM) North America leading Tourism Australia’s priority markets of the USA and Canada.  
Chris joined Tourism Australia in 2019 leading Distribution and Partnerships for North America and has been Acting in the RGM role since July 2021. Prior to that his roles included Country Manager in the US and Country Manager in Canada for Air New Zealand.

Tourism Australia’s next industry webinar will be held on Friday 3 June at 10am AEST. Tourism Australia’s Managing Director Phillipa Harrison will take you through latest trends and will share details about the upcoming Australian Tourism Exchange. Tourism Australia’s Country Manager India, Nishant Kashikar will also share a market update and we will be joined by tourism operator who will give an industry perspective. Register to attend here.

Australia on Tour Roadshow in Germany

Tourism Australia in conjunction with the State and Territory Tourism Organisations and Singapore Airlines, held a four-city ‘Welcome Back - Australia on Tour’ roadshow in Germany for more than 150 travel agents at the end of April. Destination information and updates were presented in an interview-style on-screen in cinemas.

Seller applications closing for Australia Marketplace North America

Applications will soon close for seller participation at Australia Marketplace North America 2022, to be held in Los Angeles, USA from 7 to 10 August. The event includes two days of pre-scheduled appointments between buyers and sellers and evening networking opportunities. A limited number of sellers who meet the targeted criteria can apply to attend Marketplace LUXE, a third day of pre-scheduled appointments with targeted business events and luxury buyers.
Visit the event website for information and to apply. Seller applications close on Monday 30 May.

Have your say in the Responsible Tourism Project

Tourism Australia is conducting a research project on the impact of tourism on the local environment, community, and culture. The feedback will help tailor communications by Tourism Australia, State, and Regional Tourism bodies for travellers in specific regions to educate and encourage responsible and respectful travel. While there are so many positive impacts of tourism in our regions, now more than ever, it is critical to have a proactive approach for how the tourism sector, its partners, and stakeholders face the future sustainably. Australian tourism operators are invited to complete the responsible tourism survey and share the survey link further afield with suppliers, residents, business partners, associations and other stakeholders across their region. The survey closes on 14 June 2022.

Tourism Industry News

Tourism Grants for Indigenous Businesses

Round Two of the Tourism Grants for Indigenous Business (TGIB) is open for applications.
The Tourism Grants for Indigenous Business aims to increase the number of Indigenous-owned tourism products. This round will support Indigenous-owned tourism businesses and Indigenous-owned community organisations to plan for or grow their tourism businesses within the tourism sector.
The program is part of the Federal Government’s $40 Indigenous Tourism Fund with $12 million allocated for the Tourism Grants for Small Business Program. Applications close on 14 June 2022.

Record-breaking tourism run in South Australia

South Australia’s regions and capital city are celebrating record-breaking accommodation occupancy rates. Latest data shows accommodation occupancy in regional South Australia in March 2022 reached an all-time March high, and the second highest of any month on record.
Adelaide hotels experienced the best week on record – both pre and post pandemic – with more than 8,400 rooms occupied each night of the week from Easter Sunday, boosting Adelaide hotel occupancy to make the month of April 2022 the third highest month on record for rooms occupied.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) launches new Working Holiday Maker campaign

TEQ has launched a global Working Holiday Maker (WHM) campaign to build aspiration for Queensland as a working holiday destination. The campaign will target WHMs in priority global markets and intercept WHMs who are already in Australia to encourage them to travel to Queensland. Find out how to get involved here.

New workforce website for Western Australian businesses

A new website has been created in partnership with the Australian Hotels Association WA and Tourism Western Australia connecting job seekers with available tourism and hospitality roles to help employers fill vacancies.
This purpose-built platform will exclusively host tourism and hospitality jobs, while offering job seekers training, visa support, seasonal opportunities and information on regional destinations. For more information visit
westernaustralia.jobs/employers

Australian Stories

Ace Hotel opens its doors in Sydney’s inner-city suburbs with dining options galore

The first Ace Hotel in the Southern Hemisphere has opened in Sydney’s Surry Hills. The vibrant hotel includes 257 suavely designed rooms custom fitted with 70’s style furniture curated by Flack Studio. Open 12pm – 1am daily to hotel guests and passers-by, the precinct also houses the Lobby at Ace Sydney, a community hub that includes a sunken living room lounge and crafty bar menu. Additionally, LOAM is located on the ground floor of the hotel and features a vegetable focused seasonal menu designed by Executive Chef Heidi Flanagan. Rounding out the venue’s food and drink offerings is laneway cafe and bar, Good Chemistry, and a soon to be opened rooftop restaurant and bar, Kiln.

Whitsundays epic long lunch event returns in September

From the 9 to 12 September the delicious Whitehaven Beach will become even more delectable with the White on Whitehaven long lunch. The four-day event features a cavalcade of unforgettable food and drink offerings taking place on the sands of the iconic Whitsunday Islands. Guests will be transferred from Airlie Beach to the Whitsunday Islands where they will be greeted by French champagne and local produce led canapes crafted by the team at Fish D’vine. Day tickets for $499 are available here.

Broome region welcomes new corroboree Indigenous day tour

Western Australian based Indigenous experience operator Mabu Buru Tours has launched Wakaj a new tour offering the only corroboree style experience in Broome and surrounds. Meaning “the coming together of family”, Wakaj is a 2.5-hour tour that runs each Thursday from 3.30pm and invites up to 35 guests to learn about Yawuru and Karajarri culture, country, and history through Bugarrigarra (The Dreaming) stories and corroboree song and dance performed by Pintirri Dancers. The outdoor sunset experience also includes bush-style campfire afternoon tea serving up freshly cooked damper and local bush honey.

Famed eatery opens second Australian venue in Melbourne

Famed New Zealand restaurant and eatery Botswana Butchery has its second Australian outpost - Botswana Butchery Melbourne. The decadent three-storey Flinders Street venue is helmed by Culinary Director Angel Fernandez and unites the very best Australian and New Zealand produce. With capacity for up to 300 guests, the menu blends woodfired meats with raw and charcuterie style creations. The 1,000-bottle strong wine list has been curated by head sommelier Piers Haszard.