Cairns secures landmark year-round China flights

China Southern Airlines will operate three flights a week direct from Guangzhou to Cairns following a landmark agreement set to pump $90 million into the Tropical North. The Queensland government worked with Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Tourism and Events Queensland, Cairns Airport, Cairns Regional Council and Tourism Australia to secure the new service, which commences this December. Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan said the service will bring around 33,000 Chinese visitors to the region just in its first year. “The challenge with the Chinese market now, as well as the opportunity, is to encourage them to enjoy more of the country, through improved aviation access to regional tourism heartlands such as Cairns and Far North Queensland, which this exciting new service will undoubtedly do,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

Latest State Tourism Satellite Accounts released

Tourism Research Australia has released the State Tourism Satellite Accounts for 2015-2016. This report measures the importance of tourism to the economies and labour markets of each state and territory. It highlights key findings, offering information on gross state product, job numbers and the direct and indirect effects of tourism across different states and territories over the last decade.

Celebrate Indigenous cultures and tourism for NAIDOC Week

As Australia celebrates NAIDOC Week (3-10 July), Tourism Australia is committed to helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples share their stories with the world through its marketing of Australia. As part of this commitment, Tourism Australia promotes the Indigenous Tourism Champions, a collective of inspiring Aboriginal experiences offered by some of Australia’s best export ready tourism businesses. Learn more about the Champions and their tours during NAIDOC Week and see a full schedule of NAIDOC Week events across the country.

Chef and Australian ambassador in Singapore

Friend of Australia and chef Dan Hunter treated Singaporeans to gastronomic delights at an exclusive lunch and dinner at Restaurant ANDRE last month. The event was part of Dan Hunter’s global tour to promote his debut book, Brae, about his journey from kitchen porter to owner of one of the world’s best restaurants. Tourism Australia and Visit Victoria supported the global tour, which was attended by top culinary and lifestyle media representatives. Dan Hunter promoted Australia’s world-class food and wine along with his book, which mentions native delicacies such hāpuku, wallaby and finger lime.

Indigenous artists light up Sydney Opera House

Throughout NAIDOC Week, Indigenous artworks will be projected on to Sydney Opera House in a seven-minute light animation depicting the ancient stories of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The daily Badu Gili (meaning ‘Water Light’ in the Gadigal language) experience will continue to appear at sunset every day of the year. Read more about Badu Gili and learn about other great ways to experience NAIDOC Week in Sydney.

Quandamooka Festival kicks off around Brisbane

The annual Quandamooka Festival – or ‘Q Festival’ – launched last weekend with a traditional Indigenous smoking ceremony and welcome on North Stradbroke Island. The festival continues until September with a huge range of events showcasing the traditional culture, art, music and tucker of Brisbane’s Redlands and Southern Moreton Bay islands region. Festival highlights include whale watching cultural tours, Indigenous sports, eco boat tours, art, spoken word, dance, weaving, bush tucker dining experiences and collaborations with First Nations peoples from around the world.

2017 canoe season opens at Nitmiluk National Park

Nitmiluk Tours in the Northern Territory is offering a new range of canoe adventure tour products this season, which combine scenic boat rides with self-guided adventures.

Winton film festival draws record crowd

An extraordinary 2,850 people flocked to Winston, Queensland for the fourth annual Vision Splendid Outback Festival. That’s double the audience the festival attracted in its first year – and almost three times the size of the shire’s entire population. Winton Mayor, Cr Butch Lenton said it was wonderful to see Australian and international film students filming throughout the region and locals getting involved as actors and extras.

Tourism WA change

Tourism WA will be amalgamated into the new portfolio of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. The move will see Tourism WA join the Department of State Development, and parts of both the Department of Commerce and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Director General Stephen Wood will be the acting Director General of the new merged department. Wood has also stepped into the role as acting CEO of the Western Australian Tourism Commission, which was vacated by Gwyn Dolphin last week.

New research on local government tourism spend released

A new report released by the Australian Regional Tourism Network, in partnership with Austrade, examines the contribution local governments make to the tourism industry. The report also highlights the economic and social benefits of tourism in our regional and remote communities.

Entries for the Australian Event Awards close on Monday 17 July. The awards recognise Australia’s best events and achievements in the events industry.

Destination Southern Tasmania is holding its annual tourism summit on Tuesday 8 August, at Blundstone Arena. Early Bird prices are open to members until 9 July.

The Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) is set for a make-over, with its new exhibition and event management supplier, Talk2 Media and Events, commencing in 2019.

Juliana Payne has been announced as the new CEO of Restaurant & Catering Australia. She steps into the role on 10 July 2017, bringing a wealth of experience in both industry associations and the not-for-profit sector.

The luxurious Tranquility @ Mirage day spa opened this week on the Whitsunday mainland, overlooking the Coral Sea.

The Australian Government has settled new air services arrangements with Cyprus, Italy and Greece, providing opportunities for strengthening Australia's tourism ties with Europe.

Travellers Aid has launched the Disability Awareness Training microsite – an interactive online training portal to help people better communicate with anyone who has a disability.

Destination NSW has appointed Ms Christine Tang as the first Business Development Manager for the newly opened Guangzhou office in Southern China.

Intercontinental Hotels Group has welcomed Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley (formerly The Sebel Resort & Spa Hawkesbury Valley) and Kirkton Park Hunter Valley (was The Sebel Kirkton Park Hunter Valley) to its NSW portfolio.

SeaLink Travel Group has announced that Captain Cook Cruises will launch a new ferry service connecting Sydney’s International Convention Centre with Barangaroo and Circular Quay later this month.