| | | | | | | | | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | Last Friday, the National Cabinet agreed to a Framework for National Reopening, with the majority of states and territories aiming to be open by Christmas. This has of course been overshadowed by the recent outbreak of cases in South Australia and the border closures which have followed as a result. Whilst this is a setback for our industry and results in a big hit to consumer sentiment, I am hopeful this outbreak will be handled swiftly, and we can continue to get our tourism industry well and truly moving again before the end of the year. What this does show is that the road to recovery is not going to be an easy one, and that now more than ever we need national consistency around border closures to provide greater certainty to allow the industry to plan for, and minimise the impact of these setbacks. The Australian Government has also released its COVID-19 Vaccination Policy which outlines the approach to providing COVID-19 vaccines in Australia. These are all really important developments and will hold us in good stead as we move towards the busiest time of year. Finally, I would like to invite you to join our final webinar for 2020 on Friday 4 December 2020 at 11am AEDT. The focus will be on sustainability, and we will also talk about what 2021 has in store from a Tourism Australia perspective. Register to attend here. Phillipa Harrison | | |
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| | | | Australia tops Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list 2021 | | The efforts of so many Australians in rebuilding communities and saving native wildlife after last summer’s bushfires are being celebrated globally this week, with Lonely Planet yesterday announcing Australia as the winner of the ‘Community Restoration’ award in their Best of Travel Awards for 2021. The global travel authority’s much-loved annual awards have been reimagined in this extraordinary year, with Australia one of 30 destinations, inspirational individuals and tourism projects selected by Lonely Planet to be recognised as leaders in community-building, sustainability and diversity within the global tourism industry. For more information on the awards visit lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel. |
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| | | | First hybrid Business Events Australia Greater China Showcase | | The first hybrid Greater China Showcase took place last week. The event saw around 80 buyers meet in person in China and connect virtually with 60 sellers in Australia, with over 2,000 appointments taking place. The event incorporated Australian food and wine and other touches of Australia. The event generated 20 leads for Australia and valuable insights from customers, including, unsurprisingly, trends such as smaller event sizes and, positively, new industries doing well in China which Australia may benefit from down the track. |
| | | Australia Marketplace Online - UK & Europe | | Last week saw the second annual Australia Marketplace – UK & Europe take place. This year the event was held virtually and brought together over 300 Australian sellers with over 200 buyers and media delegates from across the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Over three days, more than 8,000 one-to-one appointments took place as well as daily conference sessions and panel discussions. Recordings can be viewed here. The virtual event format has received positive feedback from industry who were able to digitally meet with friends and colleagues, most of whom they may not have seen this year due to the COVID-19. The next event in the Australia Marketplace Online series is China which will take place from 1 to 2 December. |
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| | | | | Optimism for restarting domestic business events | | Results are in from Tourism Australia’s second wave of business events research to understand attitudes of corporate decision-makers towards holding business events as coronavirus restrictions ease around Australia. Findings show an uptick in confidence since the first wave was completed in August, despite restrictions on attendees and travel hampering confidence. A summary and fact sheet of the findings can be found here. For more detailed information on the research results, please contact the Business Events Australia team. |
| | | Australia inspires U.S. travel advisors at CruiseWorld | | Tourism Australia’s North American team connected with over 150 travel advisors through networking, educational workshops and one-on-one meetings at the annual CruiseWorld event by Travel Weekly. This year the event was held virtually from 11 to 13 November and attracted advisors with a wide range of experience levels and specialties from across the United States. The team presented Australian offerings that could be enjoyed as part of pre and post cruise itineraries. The advisors also learnt the many benefits of the Aussie Specialist Program, including how to access sales resources for their cruise clients, such as sample itineraries and state fact sheets on cruising. |
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| | | | | | | | | ATEC’s Virtual Meeting Place 2020 | | The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Meeting Place will take place online over five days next week from 23 to 27 November. The conference will include sessions from industry leaders and expert tourism minds covering key issues for industry. Attendance is free for all ATEC members and $50 per person for non-members. Find more information on the program and register to attend here. |
| | | Austrade Business Events Grants Program | | The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is calling on business event owners to register expressions of interest (EOI) to take part in the Federal Government’s $50 million Business Events Grants program. The program will allow eligible businesses to apply for grants of up $250,000 to cover up to 50 per cent of the cost of participating in approved business to business events in Australia in 2021. Business to business event owners are encouraged to submit an EOI by 11.59pm 30 November. For more information on the program, visit the Austrade website. |
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| | | | | | | Sydney Opera House launches new tours | | The Sydney Opera House has launched a new range of tours designed for both local and international audiences to experience the world-famous venue like never before. A new Guided Digital Tour hosted by an Opera House expert takes would-be international travellers on a live behind-the-scenes tour of the building to learn about its history, watch Opera Australia’s finest sopranos perform on stage and even get up close and personal with The Australian Ballet during rehearsals. Domestic travellers can experience the new Architectural Tour, revealing the story behind the creation of Utzon’s masterpiece, or the new Beyond the Stage tour, giving visitors a rare opportunity to go behind-the scenes into the domain of artists and staff. For young explorers, the Junior Adventure Tour returns in January 2021 to allow the whole family to explore and make new memories together. Booking can be made on the Sydney Opera House website. |
| | | Marramarra Lodge on the Hawkesbury River welcomes new Executive Chef | | The newly opened Marramarra Lodge on the Hawkesbury River, just 40 minutes by road and boat from Sydney, has welcomed a new Executive Chef to the team, Paul Macnish. Originally from Perth, Paul has recently returned to Australia from the UK where he was the Executive Chef for Knowsley Hall and the private residences of the Earl and Countess of Derby. Marramarra Lodge offers an all-inclusive experience, with breakfast, lunch and degustation dinner at the onsite restaurant Budyari included in the room price. Guests enjoy a truly unique dining experience at Budyari, with intricately crafted dishes of local seafood and native fresh produce on the menu. The restaurant is exclusive to Marramarra Lodge guests only, and bookings can be made online. |
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| | | | | Crystalbrook Collection Hotel, Flynn, opens its doors in Cairns | | The much-anticipated Flynn, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel, officially opens its doors in Cairns this month, just in time for summer. Situated on the Cairns Esplanade, this is the third Cairns property in the Crystalbrook portfolio, and features 11 stylish rooms and suites, many with jaw-dropping views of the Coral Sea. Luxury amenities include two glass pools, an Eléme Day Spa and 24 hour gym. The Boardwalk Social restaurant which opened earlier in the year is already proving popular, and the hotel’s signature restaurant Flynn’s Italian will bring locally sourced heartfelt Italian cuisine to Cairns. Also set to open soon is the hotel’s sophisticated Whiskey and Wine Bar, featuring an expansive selection of boutique Australian whiskey producers, local and imported wines, home-style delicacies, and a spread of modern Australian snacks. Make a booking at the hotel website here. |
| | | New Fraser Coast Fishing | | Great Fishing Adventures of Australia member Hervey Bay Fly and Sportfishing has teamed up with Fraser Island Boat Charters to launch a new yachting and fishing experience. Combining world class fishing with the breathtaking beauty of Fraser Island, the unique tour packages offer bareboating yacht hire and full day guided fishing charter all in one. Guests are picked up from wherever they choose to anchor and taken to fishing hotspots by an experienced team of guides before heading back to their private yacht for the night. Guests can choose between two yachts for this experience - one that sleeps up to eight guests and another which sleeps up to ten, and the guided fishing charter caters for three anglers per fishing vessel. To make a booking visit the website here. |
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