| | | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | This past week has seen the effects of Cyclone Jasper impact our communities and industry colleagues in Far North Queensland. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted and whilst the immediate focus is on keeping the community and visitors safe it has been promising to see Cairns Airport reopen and visitors returning to Cairns city, Trinity Beach, Palm Cove and Mission Beach. Travellers are being encouraged to continue with their existing bookings for Christmas and New Year in areas that are open for business. We know it will take some time to assess the impact to tourism, however we will continue to monitor the situation, and will be ready, alongside Tourism and Events Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland, to support recovery through our activities and channels. Last week we held our final Industry Webinar for 2023 last week, with updates on Tourism Australia’s activities, along with an update from Google. Watch a recording here. Our first webinar for 2024 will be held on Friday 9 February. Register to attend here. This will be our final Essentials newsletter for 2023, and on behalf of the Tourism Australia team, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your ongoing support of our organisation, and of course your continued contribution to our industry. As we move into peak season around most of the country I wish you all a safe and prosperous holiday period, and in line with our 2024 Destination Australia Conference theme, I look forward to next year being our industry’s ‘next chapter for sustainable growth’, and an opportunity to focus on the future of Australian tourism in the year where we will exceed 2019 levels of visitation and spend! Phillipa Harrison | | |
| | | | | | Tourism Australia ACTIVITY | | | | | |  | | ‘Come and Say G’day’ Aussie Specialist Program event in Japan | | Tourism Australia along with local State and Territory Tourism Organisations recently hosted 90 Aussie Specialist Program travel agents at a year-end gathering in Tokyo. The event was held to further strengthen the engagement of the Aussie Specialist community in Japan, and to thank them for such a strong focus during the year. Approximately 600 travel agents newly qualified as Aussie Specialists in Japan in 2023, with a total of 2,489 specialists now available to support the promotion and selling of Australia as a great holiday destination. | | |  | | Register for Destination Australia 2024 | | Registration to attend the 2024 Destination Australia Conference are currently open. The conference themed ‘The next chapter for sustainable growth’, will be an opportunity for industry to come together and focus on the future of Australian tourism - in the year we hope we will exceed 2019 levels of visitation and spend. The full day conference, followed by a networking event will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney on Wednesday 13 March, if you haven’t already, please register to attend here. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | Melbourne Food & Wine Festival announces 2024 program | | The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival presented by La Trobe Financial and supported by destination partner Visit Victoria, has announced a 10-day program from 15 to 25 March 2024 packed with adventures in eating and drinking all over Melbourne/Narrm. The Festival will kick off with the return of festival favourites, including the World’s Longest Lunch, led this year by Andrew McConnell (Gimlet, Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Supernormal), one of the nation’s most lauded culinary talents; and the World’s Longest Brunch presented by Cocobella, with new-wave Indian food champions Harry Mangat (Biji Dining), Helly Raichura (Enter Via Laundry) and Mischa Tropp (Toddy Shop). Following the success of its 2023 activations in the heart of the CBD, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival will again make its home at the city’s cultural hub, Fed Square. All day and into the night, Fed Square will become a magnet for food-loving Melburnians and visitors. | | |  | | Paddle through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park at sunrise | | Immerse yourself in the serenity of dawn at New South Wales’ Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park with EcoTreasures’ new Sunrise Paddle experience. Departing from Basin Campground and venturing into Pittwater, the tailored 90-minute small-group paddle will depart either north or south venturing to sites like Portuguese Beach, Perry Beach, Currawong and Mackeral Beach. Starting 30 minutes before sunrise, the breathtaking experience is led by an eco-guide offering insights into the surrounding natural wonders and is designed for small groups to best ensure an intimate and personalised adventure. Running until January 2024, to book your experience visit the Pittwater Sunrise Paddle: Exclusive Basin Campground Experience. | | | | | | | |  | | Thrill seekers invited to jet off with Arro Jet | | The Gold Coast’s newest and most exhilarating jet boating experience will make a splash on the Gold Coast during what is expected to be a bumper summer period. Departing from the Sea World Marine Precinct in Main Beach, Arro Jet will be the Gold Coast’s only jet boating experience to launch directly into the high-speed action zone, giving guests more time for thrills and families and friends the opportunity to watch all the action from the sunset deck. Launching the first of its two custom-built, 28-seater jet boats, the Arro Jet features state-of-the-art technology, 850 horse powered engines, premium seating, an internal sound system and an innovative aerodynamic design which will deliver an exhilarating adventure for all on board. | | |  | | House Made Hospitality to open three venues in Surry Hills | | House Made Hospitality will be opening three venues within the Wunderlich Lane precinct at Surry Hills Village located on the corner of Baptist and Cleveland streets in Sydney/Warrane, spring 2024. The finer details of the three drinking and dining concepts – a restaurant, all-day café/wine bar and cocktail bar - are still in development but will be housed within the heritage Bank of NSW building spread over two floors, and all will be Asian inspired. House Made Hospitality Director Scott Brown said, “We prefer sites that offer numerous opportunities to engage with guests on a daily or weekly basis and we feel this collection of venues within Wunderlich Lane will appeal to locals as well as destination diners and drinkers, for various experiences.” | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
