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13 July 2022

Tourism Australia Update

This week we’d like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of those in customer service and support roles in our airports, airlines, and wider tourism industry as we navigate the busy school holiday period. It can be especially challenging in these periods of peak demand for businesses already grappling with staff shortages and making travel a seamless experience once again.

Looking back to the last school holiday period, figures released on Friday show that the visitor economy received a boost in April to achieve $10.1b in domestic overnight spend for the month. This is the highest monthly overnight spend for domestic travel since pre-pandemic.

In news this week, a fourth COVID-19 vaccination is now available to those aged over 30 in Australia. The winter booster dose is important to help us all stay well as we continue to live with new variants of COVID-19 emerging in our community.

Our Minister for Trade and Tourism, and Special Minister of State, Senator the Hon Don Farrell will join the next Tourism Australia Industry Webinar at 11am AEST on Friday 22 July. I will also share some insights on the Future of Demand Project, which is based on research across 20 markets, uncovering the changing travel landscape, and identifying future travel sectors and opportunities. Please register to attend here.

Phillipa Harrison

Tourism Australia Activity

Spotlight on Malaysia

This week, ‘Spotlight on the Regions’ features an interview with Karen Saw, Tourism Australia’s Acting Country Manager Malaysia, who shares her insights and observations from the Malaysian market, as well as updates on key stakeholders and activities to keep Australia front of mind. Read the update here.

Workshop in Malaysia to Reconnect with Aussie Specialists

Sixty Aussie Specialist agents from various Malaysian regions attended the first in-person Aussie Specialist Program Workshop in Malaysia since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Aimed to inspire them with fresh product development ideas and the latest Australian tourism updates, the workshop featured engaging and interactive activities championing sustainable and Indigenous tourism, such as a botanical soap-making workshop using organic Australian ingredients. Special guest, Dale Tilbrook, shared her knowledge on Australia’s Indigenous offerings and bush tucker. Participants were also able to taste some bush tucker food, including pepperberry, lemon myrtle, saltbush and sea parsley.

Tourism Industry News

National Experience Content Initiative in action

As the National Experience Content Initiative (NECI) rolls on, one State and Territory Tourism Organisation is making use of the high-quality video and imagery for its latest industry facing campaign. The South Australian Tourism Commission’s Tourism Trailblazers campaign aims to highlight inspiring operators across South Australia who have innovated and adapted their businesses to create opportunities. The latest videos released in the campaign, Murray River Trails and the Watervale Hotel feature NECI content, further leveraging the value of this project for industry.

Northern Territory tourism grants

The Northern Territory Government has announced several new and returning grant programs which are available for Territory tourism operators from July 2022. 
New programs include a Tourism Accessibility Improvement grant, a Tourism Sustainability grant and a Domestic and International Tourism Distribution grant program to support Territory tourism businesses.
A second round of the Tourism Evening Experiences grant, and the Tourism Town Asset program is also open for applications, in addition to another round of the Book Now grant program. Find out more here.

Australian Capital Territory 2030 Tourism Strategy Discussion Paper

VisitCanberra is leading the development of a long-term tourism strategy for the Canberra region that looks ahead to 2030. Tourism operators in the ACT are invited to share feedback, comments and suggestions for the 2030 Tourism Strategy Discussion Paper. Feedback will assist with the development of a final 2030 Tourism Strategy for the ACT by the end of the 2022 calendar year. Click here to email your input by Friday 2 September.

Healing Tourism, Healing Country introductory course

Registrations are open for Regeneration Projects mini-series designed to share ideas and tools they developed while working with some of the most proactive Australian tourism organisations.
Topics include how to switch your thinking from sustaining to regenerating, how to grow your business by healing places, and how to form purposeful partnerships. Find out more and register here.

Australian Stories

Illuminate Adelaide wowing winter crowds in South Australia

Over 500,000 people are set to experience more than 150 light installations, performances and events as part of this year’s Illuminate Adelaide showcase. The month-long event will conclude on 31 July and has already seen many locals and travellers bring the city to life during winter. The technologically innovative showcase boasts a program of many Australian premier experiences and installations, including works from over 20 local artists. Major sights include Ouchhh Studio’s major exhibition, Wisdom of AI Light, the return of the beloved Light Cycles at the Botanic Gardens and the free city-wide showcase City Lights.

100 days to go until the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup starts Down Under

In under 100 days the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will pull up stumps in Australia for the first time ever. Last week, event organisers celebrated the milestone by dropping some of the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s hallowed turf into the Melbourne CBD. The activation marked the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour. Commencing in Melbourne and concluding in Geelong on 16 October, the global tour will visit 13 countries across 35 locations, including 21 Australian destinations from each state and territory. Over 800,000 fans are expected to attend the T20 World Cup 45 matches in Australia, with additional tickets now on sale.

Melbourne hotel launches Picasso inspired lunch menu with NGV

Central Melbourne accommodation Sofitel Melbourne on Collins has launched a bespoke lunch menu at its dining venue in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria. Celebrating the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: The Picasso Century exhibition, the degustation experience at No.35 Restaurant nods to Picasso’s Spanish heritage with unique flare. Available on Thursdays and Fridays, there are two menu offerings starting at $55 per person. No.35 Chef Rony Parienty’s menu includes ‘brandade de bacalao’ with barramundi, chorizo and basil for main and a basque cheesecake with dulce de leche and strawberry for dessert.

SA’s Murray River welcomes innovative eco-luxury houseboat experience

Recognised eco-tourism operator, Murray River Trails has launched a custom-designed luxury houseboat, HIGH RIVER in the Murray River region. The sustainable accommodation offering has been developed over the past two years by owners Tony and Susie Sharley. Named after the houseboats ability to irrigate the wetlands while in motion, HIGH RIVER was built locally with the assistance of 15 local companies and aims to increase visitation to the region, while supporting its unique biodiversity.