Traveling Blog: Essentials… Spotlight on Australia | Save the date ATE22| Register for Tourism Australia’s Webinar

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29 September 2021

TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE
Whilst it’s still hard going for most Australians with lockdowns impacting much of the country and ongoing uncertainty in relation to some state borders opening, it’s been welcome news this week to have more details on how NSW, VIC and the ACT will open up. The NSW Government’s plan for reopening has marked 1 December 2021 as the date for returning to ‘COVID normal’ with an easing of restrictions from 11 October, the ACT Government has announced its plans for easing restrictions from 15 October, and the VIC Government has announced plans of a ‘vaccinated economy’ trial. All of these are really positive steps as we move towards planning for the end of year school holidays. Importantly, the Federal Government is also continuing to work towards opening international borders in time for Christmas. You can read Minister Tehan’s recent comments on this here. Whilst at this stage, it looks like it will mostly be outbound travel to begin with, our focus is firmly set on maximising the opportunities when inbound travel can resume. Our next industry webinar will be held on Friday 8 October at 11am AEDT and will include an update on Tourism Australia’s activities in business events as well as details about our upcoming domestic gifting campaign that will run in the lead up to the summer holidays. You can register here. Phillipa Harrison

Spotlight on the Regions – Australia

This week, ‘Spotlight on the Regions’ features an interview with Andrew Hutchinson, Tourism Australia’s General Manager Domestic and New Zealand, who shares insights and observations from the domestic market, as well as updates on key stakeholders and activities in the domestic market. Read the update here.

Tourism Australia Activity

Save the date for the Australian Tourism Exchange 2022

Following the success of this years’ hybrid Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), Tourism Australia will host the event in the same format for 2022. ATE Live will take place from 8 to 11 May for all delegates, including international buyers, able to attend in person. ATE Online will follow to connect sellers with any buyers unable to travel to Australia. ATE Online dates are:

United Kingdom & Europe from 16 to 18 May,
North America from 18 to 20 May,
Eastern markets from 24 to 26 May.

The ATE Live location will be announced, and applications will open in the coming month.

*Dates shown based on Australian time zone

Australian Business Events promoted in the United States

With face-to-face trade events resuming across the United States, Tourism Australia recently attended four events to meet and do business with more than 90 business events planners from the incentive, corporate meetings and association sectors. Tourism Australia’s attendance at the events generated 15 business leads for Australia with planners indicating interest in Australia for late 2022 and beyond. Events included Successful Meetings University (SMU) in New York City, Connect 2021 in Florida, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Classic in San Diego and the SITE Texas Roadshow in Austin, Dallas and Houston.

Industry VIPs hosted at ANZUS 70th Anniversary Dinner in New York

Tourism Australia attended the 70th Anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty Commemorative Dinner hosted by the American Australian Association last week in New York. Attended by past and present American and Australian Heads of State, Ambassadors and distinguished veterans, the event included speeches by political leaders from both countries as well as performances by Dionne Warwick and Australian-born artist, Morgan Evans. Tourism Australia’s Americas team hosted industry partners including Qantas, Virtuoso and other key distribution partners. Tourism Australia branded wine openers were included in the gift bags provided to the 550 guests.

American travel advisors trained to sell Australia

Tourism Australia met with over 100 top-producing travel advisors from across the western United States at the annual Global Travel Marketplace West recently. Through one-on-one appointments and four boardroom sessions, advisors were educated on the new Aussie Specialist Program, Signature Experiences and key pillars of tourism in Australia, including food and drink, cultural experiences, and nature and wildlife. Advisors also had the opportunity to participate in an interactive quiz on selling Australia, which proved to be a fun and engaging way of demonstrating their new knowledge. With more confidence in promoting Australia and the national four-phase plan underway, advisors are looking forward to sending clients Downunder when borders reopen.

Tourism Industry News

Support for Queensland tourism

The Federal and Queensland Governments have committed $70 million to support Queensland’s major tourism and hospitality businesses. $30 million will be targeted at supporting Queensland’s iconic tourism attractions and $40 million will be used to provide grants to small, medium and large employing tourism and hospitality businesses across the State. Read more here.

NSW Government announces pilot for returning international students

A pilot plan that will see the phased return of fully vaccinated international students to NSW has been given the green light by the Commonwealth Government, with the first flight touching down by the end of this year. Read more here.

Services Australia COVID resources

Service Australia’s new COVID-19 online resource centre has posters, social media materials, videos, audio, factsheets and more about how people can get proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations. The resource centre also has translated materials in a number of languages. You can access these at servicesaustralia.gov.au/
vaccineproofresources.

National Visitor Survey released

As at the year ending June 2021, total domestic overnight visitor expenditure decreased by 21 per cent to $61.3 billion compared to $77.5 billion for the same period in 2019. The National Visitor Survey (NVS) results provide statistics on how Australian residents travel within Australia. The report also contains information on the factors influencing travel within Australia and charts the changes compared over various timeframes impacted by bushfires and COVID-19.

Australian Stories

Skypark Cairns launches Walk the Plank, its first new product in 20 years

Tourism operator AJ Hackett has launched its first new adventure offering in 20 years at Skypark Cairns, Queensland. From 2 October 2021, Walk the Plank will give travellers the ultimate rush while soaking in panoramic views of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding World Heritage Rainforests. Open to thrill seekers aged six and above, Walk the Plank lets travellers capture the perfect happy snap as they balance 140 metres above ground. The experience joins a roster of AJ Hackett adrenaline offerings at Skypark Cairns, including Australia’s only Bungy Jump and the only multi-person giant swing. To make a booking visit the website.

World Heritage Area site renamed K’gari after campaign by Butchulla people

The World Heritage Area formerly known as Fraser Island has reclaimed its original name of K’gari. Last week, the state government announced the island off the far north coast of Queensland would be renamed K’gari, following a campaign by the traditional owners, the Butchulla people. Meaning paradise, the name K’gari accurately reflects the natural beauty of the iconic island. The change was formally adopted at the recent 44th session of the World Heritage Committee and has been celebrated at ceremonies held by Butchulla representatives and Elders. It’s estimated that the Butchalla people have occupied the island for around 20,000 years, making K’gari land home to one of the world’s oldest living cultures.

The Surf Yamba opens its doors on NSW North Coast

The sleepy town of Yamba, a hidden gem on New South Wales’ North Coast, now offers a boutique accommodation offering following the launch of The Surf Yamba. Overlooking the town’s Main Beach, the twelve-room escape offers guests an experience unlike anything else in the region. Designed by Sydney-based Design King Company, the hotel houses a rooftop terrace and elegant plunge pool providing uninterrupted views of the rugged coastline. Fitted with elegant minimalistic furnishings, owners David, Andrew and Phillip Mayne hope that the updated retro and laidback façade injects new life to the original motel building that has stood on the beachfront location for almost 100 years. Make a room booking via the website.

Rottnest Cruises launches bespoke dining experience, The Luxe Island Seafood Cruise

Western Australia’s Rottnest Cruises will launch a new dining experience this October, combining thrills for seafood lovers and pleasure seekers alike. Setting sale aboard a 69 foot charter boat, the Luxe Island Seafood Cruise allows guests to indulge in a four-hour floating degustation while trawling the turquoise waters of Rottnest Island. The experience can host up to 25 passengers at once. Ticket prices include a seven-course seafood lunch prepared by a private chef, a fully-inclusive beverage package, opportunities to catch live Western Rock Lobster and return Rottnest ferry transfers. The Luxe Island Seafood Cruise will depart Rottnest Island’s central Thomson Bay (Fuel Jetty) at 11.30am daily during the summer holiday season, four days per week. Find out more via the website.