| | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | In the past week, we have seen the COVID-19 situation in Australia continue to evolve, and while there has been a lot of negative news, one of the more encouraging signs has been the increasing focus on current measures, such as vaccination, that will help us to reopen in the future. Encouragingly, Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand and gain pace with more than 17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines having been administered in Australia. The Prime Minister reiterated the national plan for Australia earlier in the week, that includes learning to live with COVID-19 in the community once we reach the 70 per cent vaccination rate, and in particular move past crippling lockdowns. Businesses across the country are echoing that call. From a tourism point of view, it is vitally important that the states come together in a nationally consistent way to support exemptions for vaccinated Australians, so that the travel industry can start to plan with certainty, and consumers can regain their confidence to book travel again. Phillipa Harrison | |
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| Spotlight on the Regions – CHina | | This week, ‘Spotlight on the Regions’ features an interview with Andrew Hogg, Executive General Manager, Eastern Markets and Aviation. Andrew shares insights and observations on the China market, as well as updates on key stakeholders and activities to keep travel to Australia front of mind in-market. Read the update here. | | | | | | | | Tourism Australia Activity | |
| | | | |  | | Business Events Consumer Demand Project | | Tourism Australia has undertaken new research to understand the factors influencing decision makers when choosing a destination for events, including how Australia is perceived and the impact COVID-19 has on the decision-making process. The findings from the Consumer Demand Project (CDP) research, which are available on the Business Events Australia website, indicates association and incentive decision makers are optimistic about the industry’s future, despite the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. | | |  | | Tourism Australia’s Industry Webinar | | Tourism Australia’s next industry webinar will be held Friday, 10 September 2021 at 11am AEST. The webinar will include an update from Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, AM. Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison will give an update on Tourism Australia’s recent industry vaccination initiative. We will also hear from Tourism Australia’s Executive General Manager, Business Events Australia, Robin Mack with an update on Tourism Australia’s approach to business events. Register for the webinar here. | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | |  | | Assistance for WA tourism businesses | | Western Australian tourism businesses impacted by COVID-19 will soon be able to apply for funding support under a new joint Commonwealth-State program valued at up to $16.8 million. Eligible tourism businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to assist with some of the financial impacts resulting from COVID-19 restrictions in recent months. It is anticipated about 3,500 businesses will be eligible for funding support under the program, including tourism operators, accommodation providers and travel agents. Applicants must demonstrate at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover by comparing the period 15 May to 25 June with 10 July to 20 August to be eligible for support. Read more here. | | |  | | Hospitality and social media skills boost for NSW tourism businesses | | The New South Wales (NSW) Government has partnered with Restaurant & Catering Australia and Facebook to deliver a suite of free, new skills development and training programs designed for individuals and businesses engaged in the State’s visitor economy. The programs, delivered by Destination NSW, will be offered to individuals and businesses wishing to upgrade their customer service skills and enhance their social media capability. For more information and to register for the program, visit here. | | |
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| | | | |  | | COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace Employer Guide | | The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has released a new guide for employers on how to approach the COVID-19 vaccination with employees. You can download the guide here. | | |  | | June 2021 arrivals data | | The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the June 2021 international visitor arrivals. For the year ending June 2021, total international arrivals were 150,900, down 98.4 per cent or 9.2 million less visitors compared to the same 12 month period in 2019. See the full report here. | | |
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| | | | | | |  | | Brisbane Festival invites us to reconnect with the arts and culture industry | | The 2021 Brisbane Festival is setting out to reconnect the public with arts and culture. From 3 to 25 September, the Brisbane Festival aims to dazzle the community with world-class music, events, arts and cultural exhibits. The River City will be seen in a new light as a floating immersive art experience travels between Northshore, Hamilton and South Bank each night. In addition to a variety of free events, the festival will launch with the premiere theatre season of Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe. Over 23 full days the festival will be amplified by performances from leading Aussie musicians including Boy & Bear, Client Liaison and Kate Miller-Heidke and a revolving catalogue of live comedy shows. For more information visit the website. | | |  | | Kakadu Bird Week prepares to take flight in the Top End | | From 25 September to 2 October, the annual Kakadu Bird Week will honour the Top End’s diverse birdlife ecosystem. Visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage site can participate in expert-guided tours, wetland cruises and rich Indigenous cultural experiences. Held during the dry season’s prime bird watching conditions, the event lets travellers witness Kakadu’s remarkable birdlife including Jacanas, Jabirus, and sea eagles up close. Over three consecutive evenings, the Ultimate Bird Lovers Cruise will run sunset cruises showcasing the memorable beauty of the wetlands. Travellers are encouraged to book accommodation with local providers such as the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel and Cooinda Lodge. Find out more information about Kakadu Bird Week via the website. | | |
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| | | | |  | | Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers prepares to bloom | | Throughout September, the Queensland town of Toowoomba will become a buzzing hive of activity for the Carnival of Flowers. The longest running Australian festival of its kind, Queen’s Park will host a jampacked itinerary of events. Beyond florals, the Festival of Food & Wine is a mouth-watering three-day showcase of local foodie delights. Other highlights include Twilight Tours of Laurel Bank Park and an assortment of free events encouraging visitors to explore the picturesque parklands. Those visiting from out of town can bask in the country charm of the Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday 18 September. A lively showcase of Toowoomba’s culture, the parade features street performers, carnival characters and floral floats. Find out more information via the website. | | |  | | Luxury lodge SEQUOIA opens in Adelaide’s Mount Lofty Ranges | | Adelaide’s Mount Lofty Ranges is feeling a little more luxurious following the official opening of SEQUOIA Lodge last week. Bathing in ambient hillside serenity, SEQUOIA houses 14 sustainably designed suites each with unrivalled panoramic views of the region. The state-of-the-art lodge features spring-fed stone hot pools, an infinity pool, day spa and valley rim campfire amphitheatre. Owners David Horbelt and Malcolm Bean want guests to enjoy the spoils of the region’s produce and history. To do so, SEQUOIA has an on-site team of local Experience Hosts who guide guests through activities themed around the lodge’s key experience pillars of food and wine, wellness, nature and history. Find out more information and book via the website. | | |
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