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15 June 2022

Tourism Australia Update

It was great to see so many from the tourism industry celebrated on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List this week. Special mention to Tourism Australia’s Deputy Chair, Jeffrey Ellison receiving an AM and Tourism Australia’s Friends of Australia, Matt Moran and Donna Hay who received AM and OAM honours respectively.

The aviation industry was celebrated with Qantas Chairman Leigh Clifford named an AC and Queensland Airports’ Paul Donovan, who is also Chairman of Destination Gold Coast and a Director of Tourism and Events Queensland, named an AM. Coral Expeditions founder Tony Briggs was awarded an OAM for service to the cruising tourism industry.

Kerry Watson, former Chair of Gold Coast-based Events Management Queensland and ATEC, received an AM and Tasmania’s Desmond Brown was named OAM for his contribution to promoting Tasmania as a tourism destination.

Over the weekend Australia was celebrated in Los Angeles at the G’Day USA American Australian Association (AAA) Arts Gala 2022. With partners the American Australian Association (AAA) and Qantas, the event promoted the passion for strengthening the already strong ties between Australia and America.

A reminder if you are based on or near the Gold Coast we encourage you to attend Tourism Australia’s next Industry Briefing and networking event on Thursday 23 June.

Phillipa Harrison

Tourism Australia Activity

Spotlight on Hong Kong

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

Tourism Australia is holding an Industry Briefing and Networking Event at the Sofitel Gold Coast next week. The free-of-charge briefing will be held from 3.00pm to 4.30pm on Thursday 23 June, with registration commencing at 2.30pm. The briefing will be followed by a networking function from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Find out more information and register here.

Reopening event in Japan

In Tokyo, Tourism Australia held an event to celebrate reopening and the partnerships held with airlines, key distribution partners and media as well as State and Territory Tourism Organisations. Around 40 guests enjoyed Australian cuisine prepared by the Australian executive chef at Andaz Tokyo. Attendees were entertained with a live cross from Sydney to showcase Vivid Sydney, and a moving performance by Alisa, an Australian-Japanese singer song-writer. The theme of the event was the ‘Yours to Explore’ campaign which is in market through to the end of June, to drive demand for Australia.

With Love from Aus sent around the world

To celebrate Tourism Australia’s limited-run book - With Love, From Aus - written by notable personalities across Australia, Tourism Australia partnered with Australia Post to encourage Aussies to send a complimentary book to friends and family abroad as an invitation to plan a trip to Australia. The complimentary books were snapped up quickly, however Aussies can still send their loved one a personalised Australian postcard, visit australia.com/withlovefromaus for details. With Love, From Aus was also featured at a G’day USA AAA Arts Gala Sydney Celebration event on Tuesday evening, which Tourism Australia hosted at the new Ace Hotel Sydney in partnership with the American Australian Association and Qantas.

Indonesian media meet and greet Tourism Australia at luncheon

Twelve Indonesian media publications including top-tier news, lifestyle, women’s interest and travel media gathered at a media luncheon. The event was held in Jakarta at a specialty coffeehouse that showcases Australian café culture and aims to provide a taste of Melbourne. Attendees were introduced to new Australian developments and tourism experiences suitable for the Indonesian market, such as fresh Halal food and drink offerings. Topics presented ranged from familiarising Indonesians with Australia’s various state and territory offerings, Tourism Australia’s strategy and plans for leisure and business events, sustainable tourism and tips for Indonesian travellers preparing to visit Australia. The media enjoyed the lively interactions and around 20 in-depth coverage pieces have been generated following the session, with renewed destination interest and knowledge amongst the journalists.

Workshop in Singapore to Reconnect with Aussie Specialists

In Singapore over fifty Aussie Specialists agents and airline partners attended a workshop aimed to update trade partners on the latest tourism developments in Australia and further enhance their product development. Participants were introduced to the new Aussie Specialist Program platform and its modules. The workshop kicked off with a fun candle making activity where participants were introduced to the scents of Australia’s states and territories, before interpreting their own memories of Australia to blend their own fragrance. Special guest, Dale Tilbrook, shared her knowledge on Australia’s Indigenous offerings and bush tucker. Participants were also able to taste some bush tucker food, including pepperberry, lemon myrtle, saltbush and sea parsley.

Tourism Industry News

South Australia Tourism Commission Sustainable Tourism Strategy

The South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) is developing a Sustainable Tourism Strategy. While still in its preliminary stages, SATC are looking to develop an understanding of what sustainable tourism is, its importance and what areas are of priority to the South Australian industry. Industry are invited to participate in a survey which closes 30 June. More information can be found here.

Grants for Adelaide businesses to revitalise streets and laneways

Grants are available for small businesses, organisations and property owners in eligible precinct zones in the CBD and North Adelaide to improve 'shopfronts' and street-front outdoor dining areas. The grants aim to support operators to attract more visitors and improve the experience of their patrons. Applications close 11 July 2022. Apply here.

Free training to increase winter skills in New South Wales

More than 1,500 fee-free training places are available as part of the New South Wales Government’s Winter Skills program, which aims to get people skilled for a bumper winter tourism and hospitality season. Following the success of the Winter Skills campaign last year, the program has been expanded to include the Snowy Mountains, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Hunter Valley and the Central West. Find out more here.

National Visitors Survey Results for March

Tourism Research Australia has released the results of the March National Visitors Survey.
Domestic travel in March 2022 was still affected following a COVID-impacted 2020 and 2021.
This was particularly the case for visitor numbers and nights spent away. A positive sign was that overnight spend was up on pre-pandemic levels. Find out more here.

Australian Stories

Flinders Ranges’ Wilpena Pound Resort heralds in new era with $3M upgrade

Wilpena Pound Resort in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, will undergo an extensive redevelopment over the next two years after securing funding via a $3million grant agreement. Working in consultation with South Australia’s Department of Environment and Water and Indigenous Business Australia, new management NRMA Parks and Resorts will oversee the reimagination of the First Nations-owned and operated resort. The redevelopment will include four new Stargazing Safari tents fitted with kid-friendly play areas, outdoor bathing areas and state-of-the-art heating and cooling technologies. In addition to upgrading several safari tents and hotel style rooms, the redevelopment will also include a new Welcome Entry precinct.

Sunshine Coast announces produce led 10-day food festival

The produce and eateries of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast will be celebrated as part of The Curated (side) Plate event next month. Running from 29 July to 7 August, the showcase will feature 85 events profiling local restaurants, farms, tourism and event operators. The 10-day festival will feature events facilitated by iconic local chefs such as Matt Golinski, Alejandro Cancino and Stuart Bell, as well as two special 'Good Fortune for your Mouth' lunches helmed by Melbourne’s Victor Liong and local Daniel Jarrett at Spicers Tamarind Retreat. The Curated (side) Plate returns to the region following the successful debut in 2019.

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair amplifies First Nations designers this August

The Top End’s capital will welcome the in-person return of the nation’s largest digital experience, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) this August. After pivoting to a digital format in 2020 and 2021, the DAAF’s 16th iteration will profile Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island art and culture in an immersive and creative led format. This year’s showcase includes: the Country To Couture, a colourful amplification opportunity for contemporary and wearable textiles and fashion, and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) which will celebrate the cutting-edge First Nations fashion and textiles designers, many of whom will exhibit at the three day DAAF, from 5 to 7 August 2022.

Newcastle welcomes the latest QT Hotel in the East End

Beloved designer hotel franchise QT has opened its newest offering in coastal New South Wales, QT Newcastle. Launching in the rapidly expanding East End in a 113-year-old heritage listed building, the 104-bed hotel opened on 9 June stylishly blending modern glamour with coastal touches inspired by the seaside town surrounds. As is customary with QT accommodation, the hotel features a dapper selection of in-house dining including the elegant Australian produce led Jane Eatery and Bar, the QT Rooftop and a number of meeting spaces.