| | | | | | | | | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | Last week the 43rd edition of Tourism Australia's flagship annual tourism trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) was held on Queensland's Gold Coast. After two years as a hybrid event, all of our buyers and sellers met face-to-face during four days of appointments and networking events for the first time since 2019. Our host state partner Tourism and Events Queensland, with support from Destination Gold Coast, did a fantastic job of extending a warm welcome to our 2,000 plus delegates from around the world, and we look forward to the return of ATE to Melbourne/Narrm next year. Last night, you would have seen the news that the 2023-24 Federal Budget was handed down by the Treasurer in Canberra. The Budget confirms Tourism Australia's appropriation of $169.1 million for the next financial year. Our base appropriation remains above pre-pandemic levels and provides the certainty we need to deliver our program of work for the year ahead. We will target our spend to drive international demand back to Australia from our key markets, and we will continue to support the industry in its ongoing recovery. At Tourism Australia we remain optimistic about the opportunities in the year ahead. Now that Chinese travellers are returning we are able to plan for the future with greater certainty, with Working Holiday Makers back we are seeing an easing of pressure on our skills shortage, and with the continued strong demand in the premium sector in particular, we're on track to get back to 2019 visitation and spend levels in the next few years. Our major initiatives to this end will include: The global 'Come and Say G'day' brand and partnership campaign continuing in key international markets, and with a launch in China; Premier tourism and trade events including the Australian Tourism Exchange, Marketplace, Dreamtime, G'day Australia, Destination Australia and more; Our ongoing support for the Business Events Bid Fund program, with an additional boost of $4.0 million to support bids for events out to 2029; and The global award-winning Aussie Specialist travel agent training program. Further information on the budget and useful resources for industry can be found here. Phillipa Harrison | |
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| | | | A reminder to apply for Australia Marketplace South East Asia, India and North America | | Seller applications for Australia Marketplace South East Asia, India and North America 2023 are closing soon. The events will provide an opportunity for the Australian tourism industry to build relationships with product planners and travel decision makers in each market. For further information and to apply visit the event websites linked below. Industry wishing to attend more than one event, will need to process a separate application for each event. Australia Marketplace South East Asia 2023 will take place at the Swisstel The Stamford, Singapore from Wednesday 19 July to Friday 21 July 2023. Applications close Friday, 12 May 2023. Australia Marketplace India 2023 will take place at The Leela Bhartiya City, Bengaluru, India from Sunday 23 July to Wednesday 26 July 2023. Applications close Friday, 12 May 2023. Australia Marketplace North America 2023 will take place at the Westdrift Hotel in Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles from Sunday 6 to Tuesday 8 August 2023. Applications close Friday, 19 May 2023. |
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| | | | | April Hot List released | | Tourism Australia has released its latest travel 'Hot List' for April 2023, available to download now on its corporate website. The guide includes the latest news and tourism offerings across the country is updated monthly. The 'Hot List' contains a wrap-up of new places to stay and experiences to enjoy around Australia. Check it out here. |
| | | Register for Tourism Australia’s May Industry Webinar | | Tourism Australia will hold its next Industry Webinar at 11am AEST Friday, 26 May. The update will include insights from industry along with an update from Tourism Australia’s Managing Director Phillipa Harrison. Register to attend here. |
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| | | | | | | | My Queensland TNQ Tourism Conference | | The My Queensland TNQ Tourism Conference is taking place on Wednesday 31 May in Cairns. Join for a day of future-focused ideas, discussions and stories delivered by speakers with extensive backgrounds in tourism, government, airlines, inbound, wholesale and beyond. The Year of Accessible Tourism and international recovery will underpin the conference theme. Find out more and register here. |
| | | 2023 SA Tourism Conference | | The 2023 South Australian Tourism Conference will take place on Tuesday 30 May. The conference is the state's leading annual professional development and networking event for the tourism industry, and aims to inspire, engage and connect delegates. This year's theme is Tourism for good, delving into tourisms sustainable future and the visitor economy's role as a driver for positive change. Find out more and register, here. |
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| | | | | Register now for NSW First Webinars in May | | Destination NSW will deliver three webinars during May to showcase opportunities for visitor economy businesses to target and promote to specific visitor groups. A two-part webinar series, taking place on 16 and 18 May, in collaboration with Husbands that Travel, will share insights into the needs and considerations of LGBTQIA+ visitors and provide tips to tailor experience delivery and promotion to provide an inclusive and welcoming experience. On 24 May, a webinar showcasing the opportunity to create EV-friendly road trip experiences in regional NSW by offering and promoting EV chargers, and includes information on the NSW Destination Charging Grants Program from the Office of Environment and Climate Change. The webinars are part of the NSW First Program, delivered by Destination NSW to assist NSW visitor economy businesses to develop, promote and sell great visitor experiences. |
| | | Destination NSW Sustainability Skills Micro-credentials | | Destination NSW has partnered with EarthCheck to offer Sustainability Skills Micro-credentials for NSW visitor economy businesses. Learn the foundations of sustainability to integrate into your business operations in order to meet changing consumer needs and drive cost savings in your business. This free program provides a range of micro-credentials that are practical, accessible, and designed specifically for the visitor economy industry across three courses: Sustainability 101, Sustainability and your Experience Delivery and Sustainability Management to ultimately help grow your business. Limited places available. Expressions of Interest close 19 May 2023. |
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| | | | | | Artisans Markets return to Streets of Barangaroo with sustainable focus | | Over the Mother’s Day weekend, on Saturday 13 May, The Streets of Barangaroo in Sydney/Warrane will host their Artisans Market. Running from 10am - 4pm this weekend, the markets will bring together over 40 makers and creators in a showcase of local ceramics, prints, homewares, jewellery and more. To the soundtrack of live music, the sustainably focused markets will feature showcases from reusable candle maker - CandleXchange, recycled material swimwear label - Dula Australia and sustainable tableware business 4evaeco, alongside an array of delicious eats. |
| | | Installation of Busselton Jetty Artificial Reef and Sculpture Trail continues | | Divers and snorkelers are invited to take the plunge at Western Australia'sBusselton Jetty where thirteen underwater sculptures will form an Artificial Reef and Sculpture Trail. Featuring works created by Western Australian artist, in addition to appealing to maritime lovers, the precinct will also provide a source of new habitat to local populations of marine vertebrates and invertebrates. Built over three years, the coral colonisation of the sculptures is expected to commence as little as three months after installation and will open to the public in May 2023. |
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| | | | | Dining and accommodation destination opens in Melbourne/Narrm | | The historic Pentridge Prison site in Coburg, Melbourne/Narrm has officially welcomed a rejuvenating new luxury accommodation operation, The Interlude, alongside a destination dining venue North and Common. What is slated as the world's first urban wellness retreat in a converted prison, The Interlude is helmed by General Manager Jesse Kornoff (ex-Sequoia) and houses 19 heritage suites, an underground swimming pool and immaculate wine cellar. Meanwhile, seating 180 guests inside and out, North and Common features a produce-driven menu created by chef Mark Glenn set in a large and bustling space featuring original bluestone walls and 10-metre-high ceiling and restored cross timbers. |
| | | Megalong Restaurant serves up an elegant paddock to plate affair | | Offering a paddock to plate dining experience based on sustainable farming practices, a new destination eatery, Megalong Restaurant, has opened in New South Wales’ Blue Mountains. Sitting on the 600-hectare Lot 101 property, Megalong Restaurant is led by Executive Chef Colin Barker who has created a menu that almost completely utilizes produce from the paddocks surrounding the venue. Incorporating five to six courses all up (starting at $185pp), the revelatory experience shines a spotlight on local produce inside an elegant 50-seat restaurant. |
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