Traveling Blog: Essentials…Top Tourism Town 2022 | Spotlight on Japan | Sustainability Storytellers

Having trouble reading? View online version

14 September 2022

TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE

Last week the world learned of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. As we mourn the loss of this extraordinary woman, who was part of the fabric of our lives, it is very apparent that we all had our own unique connection to her. She was a role model as a leader, who provided unwavering service to the public, and her deep love of Australia was ever present. Throughout her reign the Queen toured Australia sixteen times including opening the Sydney Opera House in 1973. Over the weekend the icon’s sails were lit to honour the Queen and this will continue through the period of mourning as a fitting tribute to Her late Majesty.

Yesterday I attended the announcement of the winners of the Top Tourism Town 2022 awards in Canberra. The Top Tourism Town awards recognise Australian towns that offer amazing visitor experiences and are committed to working collectively to increase visitation to its region. Our tourism towns are a critical part of enabling travellers to connect with our authentic natural environment, wildlife, and people and at Tourism Australia, we feature these towns and regions across our consumer and trade marketing. You can read more about the winners below.

Phillipa Harrison

Tourism Australia Activity

Spotlight on Japan

This week, ‘Spotlight on the Regions’ features a video update from Derek Baines, Tourism Australia’s Country Manager Japan, who shares his insights and observations from the Japan market, as well as updates on key stakeholders and activities to keep Australia front of mind in market. Watch the update here.

Tourism Australia’s Sustainability Storytellers Chapter 3

The third chapter of Tourism Australia’s Sustainability Storytellers is focused on the ‘Path to Carbon Zero’. It features 20 different tourism operators who have just started the journey to carbon zero or have already successfully reached this milestone. Read more here.

Applications open for ITB Berlin 2023

Applications are now open to join the Australia stand at ITB Berlin 2023. The World’s Leading Travel Trade Show will be held in Berlin, Germany from 7 to 9 March 2023, and is expected to bring together 10,000 exhibitors and 16,000 visitors from 180 countries to network, negotiate and do business. Tourism Australia invites industry to register as a stand partner. Find out more and register here by Friday, 23 September.

Signature Experiences of Australia in the UK

Earlier this month, the Signature Experiences of Australia team including Luxury Lodges of Australia, Discover Aboriginal Experiences and Australian Wildlife Journeys, visited the United Kingdom (UK) to share updates on the latest experiential and luxury offerings and news form Australia. The team met with over 70 luxury travel advisors, key trade partners and UK media to deliver a showcase and share recent insights about luxury travel, sustainability and Indigenous experiences.

Tourism Industry News

Latinos DownUnder Roadshow to Latin America 2023

Latinos DownUnder has announced a three-city Latin America Roadshow in Brazil, Argentina and Chile during June 2023. Director, Ruben de la Fuente invites Australian sellers interested in reconnecting and growing their business to join. The event will include a series of destination and product training workshops targeted distribution partners. For more details, contact Latinos Downunder or visit their website.

Australia’s Top Tourism Towns Award recipients announced

The town of Mudgee in NSW has won the major national award of Top Tourism Town for the second year in a row at the Australia’s Top Tourism Awards 2022. Small Tourism Town was awarded to Exmouth in Western Australia and the Gold for Tiny Tourism Town went to Strahan in Tasmania. The ceremony was held yesterday at Parliament House in Canberra. The awards are presented by the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) and sponsored by Tourism Australia. Winners are determined by a state and national level voting process combining people’s choice votes and an industry judging panel. Read more about the awards and winners here.

Tasmanian agritourism survey: have your say

Tasmanian agritourism businesses are invited to complete a survey to help inform research on the value of Tasmania’s agritourism sector. This work will benchmark the economic contribution and employment associated with the Tasmanian agritourism sector and identify the barriers and opportunities for the sector. Find out more and complete the survey here.

Queensland Tourism Workforce Crisis Resilience and Recovery Plan workshop

On Wednesday 14 September 2022 industry are invited to attend a Queensland Tourism Workforce Crisis Resilience and Recovery Plan information and consultation workshop in Cairns. The session will share the latest findings from the project regarding employee, volunteer and organisational resilience, in-depth insights from last year’s regional workshops, and a study of workers that have left the industry. It will also consult attendees on the current and unique circumstances regarding tourism employment. Find out more here.

Australian Stories

National Gallery reimagines 100-year-old opera for 40th anniversary

As part of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary celebrations, the leading art complex will host an irreverent anti-opera featuring the work of a revered local costume designer. Running across 14 and 15 October, Victory over the Sun is a futuristic imagining of a classic opera that pairs 38 costumes designed by Justene Williams with a soundtrack performed by the Sydney Chamber Opera and the Australian National University Chamber Singers. A twist on the 100-year-old opera of the same name, by composer Mikhail Matyushin, the inspired reimagining is part of the NGA’s Project Series and is a Know My Name project.

Dine on lobster and champagne at Shangri-la's sky-high breakfast

Shangri-la Sydney is taking luxury breakfasts to new heights with the launch of a new lobster-filled experience at the hotel’s Altitude venue. Thirty-six floors above ground, the experience invites diners to feast on a breakfast of lobster, caviar and French champagne overlooking the Sydney Opera House as the sun rises. Running from Thursday to Sunday, the unparalleled experience offers a menu opulent omelette layered with the finest WA lobster, as well as a creamy lobster bisque, candied walnut salad and Sonoma sourdough.

Murray River Trails launches immersive all-encompassing tour

South Australia’s Murray River Trails has launched a bespoke five-day tour that traces the length of the Murray River from the Riverland to the Coorong. Safari to River’s End provides guests the opportunity to witness the juxtaposing landscapes of the river ecosystem. From spending nights in luxury accommodation on land and sea to canoeing, spotting wildlife and indulging in local produce, the tour trawls through two wetlands of international importance – The Riverland Ramsar wetland and the Coorong and Lower Lakes Ramsar. Guests will also be able to hear stories from Aboriginal Elders who call the river home.

Baillie Lodges’ Barossa property swings open its doors after refurb

Fresh from an A$3 million makeover, Baillie Lodges’ The Louise has reopened in South Australia’s Barossa Valley culinary country. Featuring 15 generous suites, The Louise’s accommodation offerings provide sweeping vistas of neighbouring wineries, spacious courtyards, and luxury amenities. The revamp is buoyed by two publicly accessible restaurant openings - Appellation and the charming new Contour. Honouring The Louise’s commitment to working with local producers, the venue has been designed by South Australia-based architect Max Pritchard and notably features artworks crafted by local talent.