Inspirational itineraries for German travellers

Tourism Australia has partnered with professional German travel bloggers and influencers to develop new inspiring content on Australia.com for German travellers. The articles, published this week, provide travel advice and itineraries accompanied by compelling offers. The new content will be promoted via search, social, native and digital advertising. In 2017, Germany was Australia’s 11th largest inbound market for visitor arrivals and total visitor spend, ninth largest market for visitor nights and fifth for regional dispersal.

Tourism Awards nominations open

Nominations are open for tourism awards in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

Dundee campaign crosses the pond

Following the success of the US campaign, which received a lot of attention from British media, and capitalising on extensive coverage of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Tourism Australia this week launched a Dundee-inspired campaign in the United Kingdom. The social media promotion showcases the Why Australia video series and promotes a new Dundee hub on the UK edition of Australia.com tailored for British travellers with holiday offers and two-week itineraries from key distribution partners. In 2017, the UK was Australia’s fourth largest inbound market for visitor arrivals, third largest market for total visitor spend and second largest for visitor nights. UK is the second largest market for regional dispersal.

Australia on the road in France

More than 100 French travel agents attended training sessions in Nantes, Paris and Strasbourg last month with Tourism Australia, representatives from State tourism organisations and Singapore Airlines. The agents received updates on Australian destinations and tourism products and experiences while also enjoying an Australian wine tasting and the opportunity to win two return tickets to Australia with Singapore Airlines. The events built on the success of the 2016-17 Tourism Australia roadshow in France that visited Lille, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse and Bordeaux. In 2017, France was Australia’s 15th largest inbound market for visitor arrivals, 14th largest market for total visitor spend, 12th largest market for visitor nights and eighth for regional dispersal.

Brownlee Brothers promote the Gold Coast to the UK

Popular British triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee shared their personal experiences of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games this week while enjoying some of the city’s many tourism attractions. Tourism Australia, together with Tourism and Events Queensland, has partnered with the Brownlee Brothers to promote the Gold Coast and Queensland in the United Kingdom. Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister and Gold Coast MP Steven Ciobo welcomed the brothers at Burleigh Heads beach. “With the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in full swing and with likes of UK sporting stars the Brownlee brothers competing, we hope to see even more Brits making the trip Down Under soon,” Minister Ciobo said.

Sculpture at Scenic World to brings world-class art to the Blue Mountains

Now in its seventh year, Sculpture at Scenic World will transform the Jurassic rainforest in the heart of the Blue Mountains to an outdoor art gallery from 13 April – 13 May, showcasing 38 artworks from talented local, interstate and international artists. In a first for the exhibition, visitors can enjoy an extensive free public program including workshops, daily guided tours and Sculpture Otherwise – an indoor exhibition of smaller works at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.

Coral Expeditions expands themed cruising offerings

As emerging trends towards authentic experiences and immersive shore excursions take centre stage in 2018, Coral Expeditions has expanded their cruise offering with a series of themed expeditions in its annual sailing calendar. Cruise themes include Coastal Treks of Tasmania, Sydney to Hobart Race Special and two different cruises to Cape York & Arnhem Land highlighting either Indigenous art and culture or seasonal cuisine of tropical Australia.

Ovolo unveils a re-imagined New Inchcolm hotel in Brisbane

Ovolo has unveiled a re-imagined New Inchcolm hotel in Brisbane following a major makeover of the property since it was purchased in late 2017. The launch of Ovolo Inchcolm is another milestone for the boutique hotel group, which has seen a rapid expansion in Australia over the past 12 months.

Novotel Melbourne South Wharf now open

The AUD$150 million Novotel Melbourne South Wharf has opened its doors. The 347-room hotel is suited directly adjacent to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is undergoing a AUD$350 million expansion to transform it into the largest facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia will end their trans-Tasman alliance in October following seven years of partnership.

Over 40 natural attractions on Queensland's Gold Coast can now be seen on Google Street View.

Applications are open until Wednesday 30 May for the Queensland Destination Events Program.

Tourism Whitsundays is hosting workshops with 21 Whitsunday operators in Brisbane on Tuesday 15 May, Melbourne on Wednesday 16 May and Sydney on Thursday 17 May.

Tourism and Events Queensland has created A Guide to Brand Queensland to help industry understand the agency’s brand approach.

Expressions of interests are being sought from potential delegates, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors for the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference to be held from Tuesday 30 October to Friday 2 November in Lorne, Victoria.

Tourism Australia has published recordings of presentations from the Destination Australia Conference held in Melbourne on Thursday 15 March.

Applications are open for ATEC's 2018 Emerging Leaders of Inbound Tourism Excellence (ELITE) program.
As part of a partnership to attract foreign direct investment in tourism product, Tourism Australia and Austrade have produced a case study on the $500 million investment that Crystalbrook Collection is making in Cairns with three new international hotels.

Registration is open for the City of Perth’s 2018 Perth Tourism Industry Exchange on Thursday 24 May at the Perth Arena.

Applications are open until 30 June for one-off support funding of up to $5,000 under the Northern Territory Government's China Ready Program .

Destination Melbourne is holding an accessible tourism masterclass on Tuesday 1 May.

Applications are open until Monday 30 April for the NT Government’s $3 million Visitor Experience Enhancement Program, part of the Turbocharging Tourism stimulus package.

Registration is open for the 2018 WYSE Exchange Australia Youth Tourism Conference to be held on Wednesday 9 May at the Ovolo Woolloomooloo Hotel in Sydney.

Registration is open for the Tourism and Transport Forum’s Outlook Tourism Industry and Policy Conference to be held in Sydney on Thursday 17 May.

Registration is open for the Backpacker and Adventure Tourism Industry Forum on Wednesday 2 May in Byron Bay.

Applications are open until Friday 6 July for Tourism Australia’s Advance Program to increase international visitation to confirmed business events being held in Australia.

Jetstar will operate three flights per week from Brisbane to Uluru (Ayers Rock Airport) from 3 August.