| | | | | | | |  | | TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE | | Yesterday the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the overseas arrivals figures arrivals for July 2023. In good news the figures show China has now become Australia’s second largest inbound market in terms of visitation with arrivals number for July showing we welcomed almost 80,000 Chinese travellers in the month. It is encouraging to see Chinese travellers returning in growing numbers month on month. We have always been optimistic about China, which is why Tourism Australia remained active in the market right through the pandemic, leading up to the launch of our 'Come and Say G’day' campaign in June. Consumer sentiment in China is strong, and our partners on the ground are telling us that Australia remains one of the top destinations Chinese travellers want to visit. The TRA IVS snapshot for the month of June 2023 was also released last week, and the survey shows that while the number of trips to Australia in June was at 83% of pre-COVID levels, travellers are staying longer with the number of nights spent in Australia for the same month back to 94%. At the same time spend in Australia is almost back to pre pandemic levels, reaching 99% in June 2023 compared to June 2019. Phillipa Harrison | |
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| | | Tourism Australia ACTIVITY |
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| | | | |  | | Celebrity TV Dads of Malaysia go on an Australian adventure | | Tourism Australia recently hosted a broadcast program from Malaysia, Projek Bapak Bapak (or ‘Project Dads’ in English), where the star- studded cast and crew experienced the best of Sydney/Warrane and Melbourne/Narrm. Projek Bapak Bapak is a comedy reality travel show by Astro Warna, that follows four Malaysian veteran celebrities – Dato’ Ramli MS, Dato’ Jalaluddin Hassan, Roy Azman, and Jatt Ali – and their hilarious antics as they fulfil various challenges during their travels. In Sydney, some of the experiences included kayaking at sunrise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, working at the Sydney fish market, and surfing at Bondi Beach; while in Melbourne the hosts learnt how to wield a boomerang at the Boomerang Academy of Victoria, get up close and personal with animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park, and ride the toboggan down Mount Buller. Scheduled to air later this year, this season of Projek Bapak Bapak is expected to tap into the wide reach of Astro’s channels and the popularity of the celebrity cast, appealing to High Yield Travellers across Malaysia and other Muslim and Malay-speaking audiences in the Southeast Asian region. |
|  | | Australia Invites Hong Kong Travellers to Come and Say G’day | | Tourism Australia has launched its newest campaign, 'Come and Say G’day', to remind Hong Kong why There’s Nothing Like Australia and invite Hong Kong travellers to plan and book an Australian holiday. In line with the campaign, Tourism Australia has for the first time invited its global brand ambassador, Ruby the kangaroo, to Hong Kong. An ‘Australia Experience Shop’ and two ‘Australia Photo Spots’ have been established at Harbour North in North Point, inviting visitors to ‘Come and Say G'day’! The launch event was held on 7 September and was attended by over 50 media and key opinion leaders. The activation will be in place from 7 September to 6 October. The short film G’day will be showcased in the ‘Australia Experience Shop’ located on the first floor of Harbour North and two ‘Australia Photo Spots’ will be located on the first and ground floors. The adorable Ruby will also intermittently hop on Harbour North's outdoor billboard screen to invite everyone to come and check in. On the weekends during the promotional period, local Aussie Specialists Program agents will be on-site to introduce Australian travel products and drive conversion. |
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| | |  | | One Voice trade dinner in Hong Kong | | Tourism Australia and seven state and territory organisations hosted a One Voice trade dinner for over 70 valued Key Distribution Partners, Airlines and The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Hong Kong, excited to share the new updates and showcased the ‘Come and Say G’day’ installations at the Harbour North with our trade partners. Watch the event highlights here. From January to June 2023, more than 76,000 visitors from Hong Kong visited Australia. Currently, there are more than 50 direct flights between Hong Kong and Australia every week. The aviation capacity has recovered to 50% of the pre-pandemic level. Airlines will continue resuming their capacity and expected to recover back to 70% of the pre-pandemic level by the end of 2023. |
|  | | August Hot List released | | Tourism Australia has released its latest travel 'Hot List' for August 2023, available to download now on its corporate website. The guide, which includes the latest news and tourism offerings across the country and 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. |
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| | | | |  | | Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 | | The Australian Government has last week launched Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 to deepen Australia's economic engagement with our region and ensure our shared future prosperity. The strategy, developed by Mr Nicholas Moore AO, Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, was announced by the Prime Minister at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta. It sets out a practical pathway to increase Australia's two-way trade and investment with the region. Southeast Asia is a centre of global activity and business, and one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. The strategy outlines how Australia can seize the vast opportunities our diverse and vibrant region presents. It also describes what Australia can offer our region, as a trusted and reliable partner. |
|  | | Accommodation Australia and Ecotourism Australia join forces for sustainable tourism | | Accommodation Australia (AA) and Ecotourism Australia have united for a sustainable tourism initiative. The partnership aims to guide the entire accommodation sector toward sustainability. AA will encourage its network of member hotels, motels, and caravan parks to embark on their sustainability journey using the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, in which Tourism Australia was a founding partner, as a benchmark. Subsequently, they can attain Ecotourism Australia's global best practice certifications, such as ECO Certification or Sustainable Tourism Certification. The partnership seeks to promote sustainability authentically and support accommodation providers on their journey. Together, they aim to meet international sustainability standards and lead the way in responsible tourism. |
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| | |  | | ATEC Tourism Tutorial: What you need to know about the China Market | | The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) are holding a tourism tutorial focusing on the China market. Timed to coincide with China relaxing travel restrictions and Australia rejoining the list of China’s ADS countries. The tutorial will take place on Wednesday 20 September at 11am AEST. Industry experts will provide an update about the changes to the Chinese distribution system, where the market is sitting now and insights into the modern Chinese traveller. Members can register for free here and non-members can register for $75 here. |
|  | | Online Information Session - 35th National Banksia Sustainability Awards | | The Banksia Foundation is providing a free online information session designed for potential entrants. The session which will take place on 19 September is for both previous participants or those considering entering for the first time and will provide insights and guidance from judges and past winners on how to craft the perfect entry. They will share their experiences, offer practical tips, and shed light on what the judges are seeking in a winning submission. Register here to confirm attendance. |
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| | | | |  | | Ultimate Winery Experiences celebrates member milestone | | Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia has welcomed three new wineries into the collective, bringing the total number of UWEA members to 30. The new members are: the Artisans of Barossa, a group of eight independent family-owned winemakers committed to profiling small-batch winemaking in the Barossa, Victoria’s Stanton and Killeen, the first Rutherglen winery to join the prestigious group and Swinging Bridge, the Orange, New South Wales, winery specializing in premium cool climate wines. The hand-selected group of UWEA members each offer memorable experiences allowing for guests to interact with the product, winemakers and stories behind the bottles. |
|  | | Voyages adds new Wintjiri Wiṟu experience following widespread acclaim | | Three months after the launch of Wintjiri Wiru, the world-first cultural storytelling experience brought to life by ground-breaking drone and laser technology, Discover Aboriginal Experiences member Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is adding a third nightly show - Wintjiri Wiṟu Twilight. The new show will take place atop the same environmentally sustainable, purpose-built theatre with spectacular views out to Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Wintjiri Wiṟu Twilight will join the three-hour Sunset Dinner and the 1.5 hour After Dark shows. Voyages has also introduced pricing for children aged five to 15 and age-appropriate hampers so they can join in the cultural experience of Wintjiri Wiṟu. |
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| | |  | | Sydney/Warrane dining pop-up, BABS, finds semi-permanent space | | The team behind vibrant Sydney/Warrane pop up dining experience, BABS POPS UP, have taken up a residency in a cultural heart of the inner west. Located in the former site of Saga restaurant on Enmore Road, the three-month pop up is headed by hospitality locals Chef, Ellie Hayes O’Brien and Restaurant Manager, Bec Shave. Opening Thursday 14 September and operating Thursday to Sunday as a walk-in only affair, BABS will showcase a Euro-inspired food and wine offering that pays tribute to the Inner West food and booze culture. The BABS team strives to champion the prominence of female-led kitchens and dining rooms, with a distinct focus toward fostering community, collaboration and cordiality. |
|  | | TFE Hotels announces premium Hannah St. Hotel | | Due to open its doors in late 2025, Hannah St. Hotel will join the roster of new luxury stays in Melbourne/Narrm. The 188-room boutique hotel will be located at the meeting point that connects Melbourne CBD, the Yarra River, South Melbourne, and the Arts Precinct, providing guests with immediate access to everything Melbourne has to offer. Embodying premium and authentic Melbourne aesthetics, Hannah St. Hotel will span 10 levels that boast restaurants, rooftop bars/events space, private rooftop terraces, a lap pool, wellness studio, gym, sauna, steam rooms, co-working spaces, a providore in the foyer, and a private dining room. |
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