Traveling Blog: Essentials…Register for Australia Marketplace Japan and Korea | National Experience Content Initiative | Connect to Country Edition 2

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22 June 2022

Tourism Australia Update

There is more good news this week as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease around the world, such as New Zealand and the United States lifting entry testing requirements. This should result in traveller confidence continuing to grow in two key markets, and we can look forward to welcoming them back at greater scale.

Additionally, in Australia following the recommendation from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, the need to wear masks within airport terminals has also been abolished. This new rule come into effect across all states and territories by the end of this week, once again something which will make the traveller experience a little friendlier.

Tourism Australia has opened seller applications for Australia Marketplace Japan & Korea 2022. The event will be held in Seoul, South Korea from 26 to 27 September and Tokyo, Japan from 29 to 30 September.  Find out more and how to apply below.

A final reminder if you are based on or near the Gold Coast, we encourage you to join Tourism Australia at the next industry briefing and networking event this Thursday 23 June at the Sofitel Gold Coast. Find out more information and register here.

Phillipa Harrison

Australia Marketplace Japan & Korea

Seller applications are open for Australia Marketplace Japan & Korea 2022, which will be held in Seoul, South Korea from 26 to 27 September and Tokyo, Japan from 29 to 30 September. The event is an opportunity for representatives from the Australian tourism industry to establish business relationships with key travel agencies, wholesalers and tour operators from Japan and South Korea. Sellers can attend both the Japan and South Korea components or one market only. Each event will include two days of pre-scheduled appointments and networking opportunities. Visit the event website for information and to start an application. Seller applications close Friday 8 July.

Tourism Australia Activity

Connect to Country Edition 2 released

The second edition of Connect to Country, a digital publication presented by Tourism Australia and Discover Aboriginal Experiences, was recently released. The publication takes readers on a journey through the stories behind the experiences. This edition explores the stories behind the art, festivals, islands, and romantic stays, and includes a first-hand perspective from the storytellers who guide us when we walk on Country. Read it online here.

Yours to Explore on CREA web

One of the most sophisticated lifestyle media in Japan, CREA, launched an Australian feature on 17 June themed with Tourism Australia’s Yours to Explore campaign. Promoting that Australia is ready to welcome Japanese visitors, the feature includes eight editorials across themes such as resort life, gourmet, nature, sustainability, culture, art, shopping and accommodation, curated by CREA web. Read more here.

National Experience Content Initiative update

Tourism Australia’s National Experience Content Initiative continues to roll out, with assets for more than 300 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 South Australia, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland here, including Experience Coffin Bay, Vasse Virgin, Traditional Aboriginal Owners Corporation and Lady Enid.
Follow #neciaus on Instagram for a behind the scenes look at the NECI shoots as they take place throughout the country.

Business events planners explore Australia

Tourism Australia’s specialist business unit, Business Events Australia, is ramping up its marketing and distribution activity to ensure business events planners know Australia is open for business. This includes bringing qualified agents, corporate customers and media out to Australia on famils to experience the ease of travelling to Australia, the wealth of new product available and to assist in building confidence Australia can deliver for their next business event. Last week, Business Events Australia hosted an agent, five of their corporates, and a journalist from India on a famil to Melbourne/Narrm and Sydney/Warrane; whilst this week, nine agents from New Zealand travelled to Hobart/nipaluna and Melbourne. New business events product attendees experienced included W Melbourne, Daughter in Law, BridgeClimb’s Burrawa Climb, The Tasman and Movenpick Hotel Hobart.

Tourism Industry News

Tasmanian Tourism Conference 2022

This year's Tasmanian Tourism Conference will be held in Launceston from 15 to 16 August 2022.The theme of the conference is 'positive impact' and will feature curated workshops to refresh attendees’ tourism, business, marketing, finance and professional skills. Delegates will receive real time industry intel on current market trends and expectations from leading tourism forecasters. Find out more and register here.

ATEC Meeting Place 2022

Registrations are now open for ATEC Meeting Place 2022. ATEC, with Tourism and Events Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland have announced Meeting Place 2022 will take place in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef from 21 to 24 November. Celebrating 50 years of ATEC, the event will include old favourites such as B2B and conferencing, networking functions, a gala dinner and more. Find out more and register here.

ATEC and Tourism Australia's 'India Host' training program returns

The 'India Host' program, presented by ATEC and Tourism Australia, will take place via a live webinar series on Tuesday 28 and Thursday 30 June. In 2019, India was Australia’s fastest growing market for visitor spend and is predicted to be the one of the strongest inbound markets to bounce back post pandemic. In addition to preparing for international visitors to return, the program provides advice on how to market your product to the domestic Indian community. Find out more and register here.

Santos Tour Down Under women’s race secures UCI WorldTour status

The Santos Tour Down Under women’s race will return next summer as a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Women’s WorldTour event – the top level of road cycling competition. Fans will be able to see elite international teams and riders compete across South Australia in a three-stage race from 15 to 17 January. The announcement makes South Australia now home to Australia’s only UCI Women’s WorldTour stage race and comes as race directors have been announced for the women’s race. Read more here.

Australian Stories

Balmy cultural Darwin Festival returns to heat up the Top End winter

The senses and sounds of the Top End will be on display when the Darwin Festival returns this August. Australia’s hottest winter arts festival, the program will run from 4 to 21 August and feature a cavalcade of existing local and touring performances. Underneath the balmy tropical winter sky, the festival includes a mix of concerts, theatre, dance and comedy shows. Festival headliners include: stagings of cult quiz show Hard Quiz, a one-night showcase from performer and playwright Tim Minchin and showcases from a raft of Indigenous talent. Performances take place across Darwin/Gulumerrdgen, with the main Festival Park setting up in the centre of the city.

Broome tour encourages travellers to indulge in a mud crabbing experiences

Western Australia’s Broome Tours has launched a flavour filled adventure tour - Mud Crab Adventure. Seamlessly blending relaxation with gorgeous Broome vistas and the iconic town’s fine produce, the five-hour expedition offers guests the opportunity to catch and then dine on the sought-after Kimberley Mud Crabs. Cruising through the Bay’s mangroves and pristine turquoise waters on a 42ft catamaran, the small group tour includes complimentary coffee, morning tea and transfers to and from the beach landing. The sunrise adventure tour runs throughout the week and commences at 7am.

Passions of Paradise launches new, entry-level citizen science experience

Avid snorkellers can join conservationists in Cairns exploring the Great Barrier Reef with Passions of Paradises newest tour – Biologist for a Day. The expansion of the operator’s Marine Biologist for a Day program represents another program in the region aimed at increasing travellers’ understanding and participation in supporting the health of the reef. The citizen science offering allows snorkellers to participate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Eye on the Reef Rapid Monitoring which invites them to see the reef through a conservationist’s lens.

New Tasmania walk includes unforgettable heli experience over unforgettable country

Tasmania’s walking industry welcomed Life’s An Adventure’s new Walk Three Capes offering this week. A three-day itinerary, the adventurous pack-free walk offers participants the opportunity to heli hike on Tasman Island. An exploration of dramatic landscapes, the hike commences in Hobart/nipaluna and includes two nights at Stewarts Bay Lodge’s Deluxe Spa Chalets, all meals, professional guides, and the option to choose from one wow-factor experience. On the hike, guests can also choose to participate in a boat cruise or scenic flight over Cape Pillar and Tasman Island, which can include time on the secluded Island.