Australia hosts Japanese tourism industry delegates in Perth

The Australia-Japan Tourism Cooperation Dialogue was held in Perth on 6 September. The ninth tourism dialogue aimed to further strengthen the relationship between Australia and Japan, and further enhance the tourism markets in both countries. Over 70 Australian and Japanese government officials and industry representatives attended the dialogue. Japan is one of Australia’s most important tourism markets, with Japanese visitors spending $2 billion in Australia in the last year. The talks followed the arrival of the inaugural All Nippon Airways (ANA) Tokyo-Perth direct flight which touched down in Perth on 1 September.

Social media tips

Want to know how to get your content featured on Tourism Australia’s social media accounts? The answer is simpler than you may think. In the third episode of our social media video series our head of social Nick Henderson sits down with his colleague, Novy Wong, Tourism Tasmania’s Liza-Jane Sowden and SATC’s Georgie Woskett to provide some guidance.

Australia Marketplace India

Tourism Australia hosted the 17th edition of its premier Indian trade event, Australia Marketplace India (formerly India Travel Mission), last month in Kochi and Mumbai. Aimed at connecting Australia’s finest tourism experiences with key representatives of the Indian travel industry, the four-day event saw 77 Australian tourism businesses showcasing their products to a record 95 Indian travel companies, highlighting the growing popularity of Australia as a destination of choice amongst Indian travellers. View the photo album and highlights video.

WA stars in Japanese broadcast project

To promote the newly launched All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight between Tokyo and Perth, Tourism Australia together with Tourism Western Australia and ANA are supporting the production of a Japanese travel show starring popular Japanese television star and musician, Takeshi Tsuruno. The two-hour program, titled ‘Tsuruno Tabi’, will see  Mr Tsuruno and his friends travel 1,600km from Perth to Shark Bay in a campervan, taking in some of the Western Australia’s most iconic destinations including The Pinnacles, wildflowers, Nature’s Window, and Monkey Mia.

Mode Tour Travel Show Korea

Tourism Australia recently participated in the Australia Pavilion at the 2019 Mode Tour International Travel Show under in Seoul, Korea. Australia’s State and Territory Tourism Organisations along with 21 Australian suppliers attended the travel show, showcasing Australian tourism products to consumers and generating leads in collaboration with Korean travel company Mode Tour. The team also promoted new aviation routes from Korea, including Jetstar's new Seoul to Gold Coast flights and Asiana Airlines' charter flight between Seoul and Melbourne.

QT Hotels and MINI partner to launch Vroom Service, AUS

QT Hotels has partnered with MINI to launch Vroom Service, Australia’s first automotive and hotel partnerships of its kind. Guests staying at participating QT hotels in Australia will now have access to their very own MINI vehicle at no extra cost, allowing guests to get maximum comfort out of their next stay. Much like the QT brand, the iconic MINI cars are renowned for their unique and boutique style. QT’s Vroom Service is available now to guests at selected QT hotels across Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Canberra, Perth and Falls Creek.

Archie Rose launches gins inspired by Australia’s most iconic building, NSW

Archie Rose Distilling Co. has collaborated with the Sydney Opera House to create two new bespoke Australian gins, Outside Gin and Inside Gin. Inspired by the beauty and diversity of the natural surrounds of the Sydney Opera House, as well as the creative energy and artistic talent experienced on its stages; each distinct blend has been individually distilled with native botanicals such as lemon-scented gum, white grapefruit and native seaweed. Launched in celebration of the Australian icon’s 46th birthday, the gins will be showcased at the Sydney Opera House’s bar and restaurants, including renowned harbour-front venue, Bennelong, from 1 October.

New festival celebrates 30 years of sharing Nitmiluk, NT

The Nitmiluk Festival has begun in Katherine, celebrating 30 years since the handback of Nitmiluk National Park to the Jawoyn traditional owners. On now and running until 15 September, there are a variety of exciting events taking place throughout the week. Festival highlights include a concert at Nitmiluk Gorge, community markets, a family friendly fun day at Leliyn (Edith Falls) and a program of gourmet food and wine events at the Cicada Lodge. A three-hour drive from Darwin or 30 minutes from Katherine, visitors near and far are invited to Nitmiluk National Park to celebrate the important milestone.

Countdown is on for Western Australia Gourmet Escape, WA

The program has been announced for the Western Australia Gourmet Escape, held over 10 days from 8 to 17 November. Celebrating the best of food and drink in the region, culinary leaders from across the globe will come together to host a series of special events, masterclasses and exclusive culinary experiences. The World Gourmet Symposium will also make its debut this year, among eight new culinary experiences that have been added to the exciting festival line-up. For the first time, the festival will be held across three regions of Western Australia including Perth, Swan Valley and Margaret River. Tickets are on sale now.

ATE20 applications open

Applications to attend the Australia Tourism Exchange 2020 (ATE20) are now open. Organised by Tourism Australia in partnership with Visit Victoria, ATE20 will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 10 to 14 May 2020. The event will bring together Australian tourism businesses, tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world through a combination of scheduled business appointments and networking events. It also provides international travel buyers with the opportunity to experience Australia’s tourism offering first-hand through pre and post-event familiarisations.

ITB seller applications closing

Applications are closing  to join to the Australia stand at the Internationale Tourismus Börse (ITB). ITB20 will take place in Berlin, Germany, from 4 to 8 March 2020. The event brings together prominent representatives from the tourism industry to network, negotiate and do business. Tourism Australia will have an exclusive stand at ITB Berlin and invites industry to participate as stand partners. A wide range of participation options are available, such as sole and share booth options, and day passes for the trade days. In 2019, ITB hosted 10,000 exhibitors and 160,000 visitors of which 113,500 were trade. Overall, more than 185 countries were represented. Applications close Friday, 13 September.

Industry Briefing in WA

Tourism Australia is holding a free of charge industry briefing on Tuesday 8 October at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, alongside the Corroboree West event. The briefing offers industry the opportunity to hear about Tourism Australia's strategic and creative direction as well as resources and support available for tourism businesses.

Tickets are available to attend the 2019 Youth Tourism Conference and Adventure Tourism Awards on the Gold Coast on 14 November 2019. Exclusive to the youth and adventure tourism industry in Australia and New Zealand the one-day conference focuses on addressing the challenges and opportunities that affect youth tourism.

The 2019 WA Regional Tourism Conference will be held in Karratha from 16 to 18 September 2019. The conference provides delegates with opportunities for professional and business development, networking and engagement with industry colleagues, and the chance to hear from industry-leading speakers on critical industry issues and innovative ideas.

Australia welcomed a record 9.36 million international visitor arrivals for the year ending July 2019. The full suite of data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics can be found here.

The 2019 Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference, Ecotourism Australia’s premier event will be held in Cairns from 2 to 4 December 2019. The conference will explore topics including green destinations, ecotourism in protected areas, indigenous business across the Asia-Pacific, responding to overtourism and ecotourism in World Heritage Areas.

Registrations for the 2019 Australian Regional Tourism Convention (ARTC), to be held in Devonport in Tasmania, from 21 to 23 October are currently open. This year’s theme is 'Getting ready for the spotlight - Is regional Australia finally a genuine part of our national tourism agenda and are we ready?’.