Having trouble reading? View online version Essentials 6 November 2024Tourism Australia UpdateWith the end of year fast approaching it has been an opportune time in recent weeks for industry to come together at various forums to reflect on the progress that has been made this year, and to discuss w
6 November 2024Tourism Australia UpdateWith the end of year fast approaching it has been an opportune time in recent weeks for industry to come together at various forums to reflect on the progress that has been made this year, and to discuss what lies ahead in 2025. Over the last two weeks we have held our TA industry briefings and CEO roundtables in Perth / Boorloo and Melbourne / Narrm, where we shared the latest insights and our upcoming plans, and heard direct from industry on the current challenges they are facing. Last week we were at the ATEC Meeting Place on the Gold Coast, where we presented some highlights from our Future of Distribution report, which provides insight into the changes and increased complexity in the distribution landscape. Developed with Deloitte, we will be releasing this report next week – so keep an eye out for it. On Friday we held our November industry webinar with a special focus on the current aviation landscape, where we were joined by Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka and the new CEO of the Australian Airports Association, Simon Westaway. If you weren’t able to join us on the day you can catch up on demand here. Our next webinar will be held on 29 November at 11am AEDT so please keep an eye out for details in upcoming editions of our Essentials newsletter. Our industry roadshow is continuing to take place around the country, and today we are heading to Sydney / Warrane and then on to Adelaide / Tarntanya and Hobart / nipaluna next week. If you haven’t already registered you can find details here. Phillipa Harrison |
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Tourism Australia Activity |
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Australia draws crowds at Singapore Airlines Time To Fly travel fairLast week Tourism Australia and its partners brought irresistible deals to Australia to scores of Singaporeans at the popular Singapore Airlines Time To Fly travel fair. Visitors to the Australia stand were updated on the latest events, tours and activities in Australia with information from Tourism Australia and the State and Territory Tourism Organisations. Australia also took to the stage for interactive activities, live sessions, and giveaways. Australia promotions were offered across the fair by key distribution partners and travel agents certified under the Aussie Specialist Program, including ASA Holidays, Chan Brothers Travel, CTC Travel, EU Holidays, Hong Thai Travel, L.G.E Travel, Nam Ho Travel, SA Tours, UOB Travel, New Shan Travel and WTS Travel. The three-day fair was attended by 120,000 eager travellers in Singapore. |
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| Tourism Australia hosts Luxury Lodges of Australia luncheon for Singapore trade and mediaFollowing the successful Asia debut of the Signature Experiences of Australia program in March, Tourism Australia organised an exclusive Luxury Lodges of Australia (LLOA) luncheon last week for Singapore’s luxury trade and media. Held at the distinctive Marguerite within Singapore’s iconic Gardens by the Bay, the event served an Australia-inspired menu exclusively crafted for the event by Melbourne / Narrm Chef/Patron Michael Wilson, alongside a session with LLOA Executive Chair, Penny Rafferty, and Loh Xin Xin, Founder of Pudu Puda Travel. The thought-provoking session addressed hot topics and questions by attending luxury agents and magazines, from what defines the Australian luxury experience to how the industry has evolved and innovated over time. The event was attended by 40 luxury trade agents, media, and the State and Territory Tourism Organisations. |
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Driving unique itineraries with Aussie Specialists in Singapore Last month 16 Aussie Specialist Program agents attended a destination training session conducted by Tourism Northern Territory and VisitCanberra, highlighting the twin destinations through a self-drive itinerary. The update was showcased using a recent media trip hosted for Mandarin radio station CAPITAL 95.8, in collaboration with Tourism Australia, Tourism Northern Territory, and VisitCanberra. During this week-long trip, two hosts from the radio station – Vincent Lim and Goh Wei Ying – embarked on a partial self-drive itinerary, broadcasting both destinations via live streaming and radio segments to their listeners and social media followers. |
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| Exhibitor applications are open for ATE25 Media Program Exhibitor applications are open for the ATE25 Media Program to be held in Brisbane / Meanjin from Friday 25 April to Monday 28 April 2025, in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland, with support from Brisbane Economic Development Agency. Run in conjunction with ATE25, the ATE25 Media Program is an opportunity for media delegates to meet one-on-one with Australian tourism businesses, special interest operators, attractions and accommodation providers. Visit the event website to apply before 15 November 2024, noting that separate applications are required to attend both ATE25 and the ATE25 Media Program. |
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Singapore Aussie Specialists savour Tasmania’s attractions at training luncheon On 28 October, Tourism Australia gathered 30 Aussie Specialist Program agents for a unique training luncheon conducted by Tourism Tasmania, held at Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore. The session shared Tasmania’s ease of travel and access to key places of interest, such as Maria Island, Bruny Island and Cradle Mountain. The training was followed by a lunch, featuring Tasmanian ingredients. To cap off the memorable session, each Aussie Specialist ‘adopted’ a Bridestowe-Lavender Heat Pack Bear. |
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| Australian cover and travel spread in Vogue Taiwan Tourism Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland supported Vogue Taiwan with a cover shoot in Queensland for its June 2024 issue. The cover was shot on Currumbin Beach with celebrity Aimee Sun and her daughter Trinity Liao. The multi-page travel spread highlighted high-end wellness and sustainability products in Brisbane, The Gold Coast, as well as Byron Bay. Digital articles and video content was also distributed across Vogue’s social channels, showcasing Australia’s laid-back lifestyle, elevated food and drink offerings and luxury shopping and accommodation. |
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Australian Tourism Export Council’s China Host Workshop QueenslandJoin the Australia Tourism Export Council's (ATEC) final China Host Workshop of the year, on 12 November in Brisbane / Meanjin. Led by industry experts Jessica Xue and Garry Burns from The Gaibo Agency and supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (NFACR), the workshop will dive into culture, product, services, and trade engagement in the China inbound market. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to gain the latest market insights and participate in interactive discussions and scenarios. Register to attend. |
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| Cultural Attractions of Australia new corporate videoCultural Attractions of Australia (CAOA) recently announced a new corporate video, showcasing the unique and immersive experiences offered by the collective. The video brings to life the stories and hidden gems behind Australia’s most iconic cultural landmarks, from world-class galleries and performing arts, museums to historic sites and sporting attractions. The video aims to show how CAOA can inspire and captivate visitors seeking deeper cultural journeys. Cultural Attractions of Australia is one of a number of segments included as part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia program. |
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Accor’s first airport hotel to land in Perth / BoorlooPerth Airport has partnered with Australia’s largest hotel operator, Accor, to operate the first hotel on the airport estate under the Pullman Hotels & Resorts brand. The new state-of-the-art Pullman Perth Airport is slated to open in 2027 and will feature 240 rooms and suites across eight floors, a rooftop restaurant and bar, lobby lounge café, gymnasium, sauna, meeting facilities, and co-working spaces. The world-class facility located at the front door of major terminals will make it more convenient for international and interstate visitors, providing a place to stay and relax during connections. |
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| Ace Hotel’s sweet, new pastry chefRenowned pastry chef Andy Bowdy has joined Ace Hotel Sydney / Warrane, taking on the role of Pastry Chef at the hotel’s hatted-restaurant Kiln and its laneway café Good Chemistry. Bowden returns to the hospitality scene following the closure of his popular café Saga which saw lines form out the door for his playful pastry and savoury items. Now available at Kiln, Andy’s dessert menu includes stand out dishes from Vanilla Custard with Rhubarb to Toasted Rice Cream with burnt orange caramel and bergamot granita, plus many more goodies. He also fills the Good Chemistry with a Salted Choc Chip Cookie, Blood Orange & Hazelnut Cake and lots more to come, including Andy’s sandwich of the week. |
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Oosterschelde to make its grand entrance into Sydney Harbour Don’t miss the chance to sail Sydney Harbour aboard one of the world’s last remaining 100+ year-old tall ship, Oosterschelde, as part of the DARWIN200 global conservation initiative. DARWIN200 is a planetary conservation initiative that aims to change the world for the better by training 200 young conservationists by retracing Charles Darwin’s historic global voyage aboard Oosterschelde. Now as the ship docks in Sydney / Warrane from 22 – 23 November, it’s time for you to step on board for a Sunset Sail or Lunch Sail. Tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime experience are on sale now with all proceeds going to DARWIN200. |
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| Bangarra announces 2025 National Tour In 2025, Australia’s leading Indigenous performing arts company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, will present the world premiere of their first-ever visual arts collaboration, Illume, an exciting new presentation from Mirning woman and Bangarra artistic director, Frances Rings and Goolarrgon Bard visual artist, Darrell Sibosado. Inspired by Sibosado’s Bard Country on the north-western coast of Western Australia, Illume draws together music, visual arts and dance to explore the ways light has captivated and sustained Indigenous cultural existence for millennia. Illume is embarking on a national tour from June 2025, see dates on the Bangarra website. Tickets go on sale to the public from 12 November 2024. |
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