December Hot List released

The December edition of Tourism Australia’s Hot List has been released. This month’s collection of the latest and greatest Down Under includes:

• A new way to explore the magic of the Great Barrier Reef from above with Sunlover Reef Cruises and Zoom Helicopters;
  
  
• Sydney / Warrane's newest rooftop bar Joji, serving delicious Japanese-inspired dishes, cocktails and views;
  
• The opening of three new Heyscape off-grid cabins in Denmark, Western Australia;
  
  
• The announcement of Australia's first Mondrian Hotel on the Gold Coast, slated to open in 2025.

Check it out here.

New members to join the Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective

The Discover Aboriginal Experiences (DAE) portfolio continues to grow, with seven extraordinary new members welcomed into the collective in 2025, taking the total to 55 members. The seven new DAE members include Yura Tours, which welcomes guests to Quandamooka Country on Minjerribah / North Stradbroke Island; Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours, operating out of Bundaberg in Queensland; Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, showcasing the Gold Coast in Queensland; In Culture Tours, offering Indigenous insights into Perth / Boorloo in Western Australia; Southern Cross Cultural Tours at Lullumb, revealing the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia; El Questro – Injiid Marlabu Calls Us, spotlighting the Kimberley region of Western Australia; and Tiwi Tours, taking guests from Darwin to the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory. Find out more here.

Australia on Tour New Zealand trade roadshow

Last week Tourism Australia’s New Zealand team hosted the Australia on Tour trade roadshow. The team visited Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, connecting with over 220 travel sellers across four nights. Together with state and territory partners, the team showcased new products and emerging regions from around Australia to continue educating the Kiwi trade community on new and unique experiences just across the ditch. Air New Zealand and Qantas joined as airline partners, hosting engaging activations and providing prizes on each leg of the roadshow. View images from the Auckland event here.

New Business Events international research

Tourism Australia has released new international research, the 2024 Business Event Consumer Demand Project (CDP), that outlines the factors influencing decision makers when choosing a destination for events, including how Australia is perceived. The findings from the research help inform Tourism Australia’s business events strategy to drive demand in our key markets and support industry in the process. The research indicates that the outlook for international business events is strong. Whilst the number of events is likely to remain similar over the coming years, the number of attendees and event budgets are expected to increase. Sustainability credentials and practices were also identified as becoming increasingly important when it comes to destination choice. The findings also revealed that Australia is well positioned as an events destination, maintaining high levels of awareness, consideration and active planning. A summary of the latest findings are available here.

Australia wins Gold at the Outlook Traveller Awards 2024 in India

Australia has been acclaimed as the Best Road Trip Destination at the Outlook Traveller Awards 2024. The Outlook Traveller Awards have been well known in the travel and tourism industry since 2001, recognising excellence and innovation across the sector. Their theme this year was, ‘Exploring The Unknown: A Spotlight On Emerging Destinations’, where Australia was awarded Gold for our picturesque road trip experiences. The award ceremony was held in Delhi on 30 November 2024.

Register to attend Destination Australia 2025

Tourism Australia will host the annual Destination Australia conference on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney). This year, with a theme of ‘We are the Australian tourism industry’ the future evolution and growth of our sector, will be the focus of the day. At the event, industry leaders will share insights and updates, we will explore how we can continue to evolve the depth and breadth of our tourism offerings, and we will look again to how we collaborate to ensure the sustainable growth of our sector. As always, a range of topics will be covered from aviation to marketing trends, future distribution landscape to agritourism, and so much more. Find out more and register here.

ATEC's Vietnam Host is now live

Unlock the potential of the Vietnamese inbound market with ATEC’s Vietnam Host. The new self-directed program offers essential insights into Vietnamese culture, traveller expectations, and trade engagement pathways. Through three modules: Market & Culture Ready, Product & Service Ready, and Trade Ready participants gain the skills to deliver tailored experiences and connect with Vietnam’s travel trade. Graduates earn a Vietnam Host digital badge to showcase their expertise. ATEC members receive 50 per cent off all Host training programs. Learn more here.

Economic strains persist but Australian tourism businesses anticipate international boost

The September 2024 quarterly business sentiment survey from the Australian Tourism Industry Council, in partnership with the state and territory Tourism Industry Councils, details another tough quarter for Australian tourism businesses amid ongoing challenging economic conditions. The Quality Tourism programs are an ideal way that businesses can continue developing and improving their online presence as well as enhancing their tourism business overall. For more information, click here. To read more on the September 2024 Business Sentiment Survey, click here.

A three-day wellness retreat to start the New Year feeling refreshed

Experience the perfect blend of luxury and wellness at the Harmony & Essence Retreat from 17 to 19 January 2025 in South Australia’s beautiful Barossa Valley. From a collaboration between Kingsford The Barossa and Beyond Wellness, everything is taken care of from arrival to departure. Guests can expect a weekend of carefree luxury, ultimate relaxation, and personal growth, nestled in the heart of one of Australia’s premier wine regions. The exclusive retreat includes guided meditation, wellness workshops and indulgent spa treatments, all designed to nourish the mind, body, and soul. For food, the culinary team at Orleana Restaurant will highlight the finest Barossa treasures in nutritious dishes. Visit the website for more information on the program and packages.

Byblós Brisbane reopens with a fresh new look and menu

Byblós Brisbane has reopened its doors after closing for a transformative four-month period of reinvention, bringing a new edge of the iconic restaurant to Portside Wharf, 18 years after it first paved the way for Lebanese dining in the city. The redesign is a result of a family research trip to Lebanon, where they immersed themselves in family heritage. The new interior features artwork, furnishings, and commissioned tiles hand-painted with depictions of the city from the trip. For the food, the new menus continue to spotlight traditional recipes Byblós are known for with the introduction of newcomers such as Salmon Kibbeh Nayeh (raw salmon, burghal, cucumber, fresh mint, red onion and fresh saj) and Eggplant Fatteh (fried eggplant, cow's milk yogurt, fresh mint and toasted flatbread), plus many more. Check out the new space and menus by making a booking online.

An epic 56km journey across the Alpine roof of Australia

The Snowies Alpine Walk, an incredible 56km, 4-day walk on Monero Ngarigo Country in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales, is now open, just in time for the summer walking season. The walk, delivered by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), links the alpine locations of Guthega, Charlotte Pass, Perisher and Bullocks Flat with newly constructed track, combined with existing tracks. Visitors will experience breathtaking views of high-country plains and snow-capped mountain ranges as they journey alongside the Snowy River, across glacier-carved landscapes to Mount Kosciuszko, before descending through subalpine meadows and tall montane forests to the Thredbo River. Walkers can choose to do any section of the track as a single day walk or combine sections for a multi-day walking experience. Accommodation is available throughout the National Park and in alpine villages. For more information visit the official website or view the walk via an animated 3D fly-over map.

McLaren Vale’s SummerVines Festival returns in January 2025

From 17 to 27 January 2025, South Australia’s coastal wine region McLaren Vale is celebrating all things Summer with the return of SummerVines. Set against the breathtaking views of rolling vineyards and the blue waters of the Gulf of St Vincent, the festival brings together the region’s world-class wines, fresh local cuisine, unique cellar doors and laid-back coastal lifestyle into one unforgettable summer celebration. Bright and fresh wines, local Fleurieu Peninsula produce, a thriving farm-to-table food culture, live entertainment and relaxed beachside vibes will be on show across the 11 days. Event information and tickets are available online.