Boosting Business Events Bid Fund delivers first win

Tourism Australia's new multi-million dollar Boosting Business Events Bid Fund Program has helped secure the world’s largest public transport event, the Union International des Transports Publics Global Public Transport Summit 2021. The Bid Fund Program, a $12 million fund managed by Tourism Australia’s Business Events Australia unit gives event bidders a competitive edge against other international destinations and was launched by Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, in March this year. The Summit will be held in Melbourne and is estimated to deliver a $9.4 million boost to the economy with 2,000 delegates from all over the world meeting at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in June 2021.

Tourism Australia networking event in Byron Bay

Tourism Australia is inviting Northern NSW tourism operators to meet its Board and Executive team at a free networking function from 5.30 to 7pm on Thursday 7 June at Elements of Byron. Registration is required.

Australia on show at IMEX Frankfurt

Over 3,000 Business Events buyers from over 80 countries attended IMEX Frankfurt last week where Tourism Australia’s specialist unit Business Events Australia hosted the Australia stand with 17 Australian suppliers and destinations. IMEX Frankfurt is one of the world’s key exhibitions for influential buyers responsible for organising corporate meetings, incentive travel programs and association events. Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan attended the event and conducted international media interviews and meetings with industry representatives. "IMEX Frankfurt is consistently successful in generating leads for the Australian business events industry and that’s why Tourism Australia has been a long-term exhibitor at the event,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

AFL match brings Australia’s sporting culture to China

While leading a delegation of Australian businesses in China last week Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, also promoted the second annual AFL match at Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium between Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast Suns. At a press conference ahead of the match, Minister Ciobo addressed 33 media about Australia’s highlights for visitors and the strong links between Australia and China. It was the second year in a row Tourism Australia has supported the match to showcase a quintessential part of Australia’s sporting culture to the country’s largest and most valuable inbound tourism market.

Scott Pickett to unveil latest venture in South Yarra

In June 2018, chef and restaurateur Scott Pickett will unveil his latest venue, Matilda 159 Domain, a contemporary Australian neighbourhood restaurant located below the designer hotel, United Places Botanic Gardens which is also set to open later that month. The venue will be fuelled by open fire and hot coals with a focus on seasonal produce and Australian ingredients.

Wake Up! opens on the beach in Byron Bay

Hostel brand Wake Up! has opened the doors to its new location on the shores of Belongil Beach in Byron Bay. Formerly known as Byron Beach Resort, the newly refurbished Wake Up! Byron Bay includes all new fully air-conditioned rooms, bathrooms and communal areas, as well as free high-speed Wi-Fi and personal bedside lights, power points and USB ports for every bed.

Cabin Fever Festival returns to Margaret River

After a successful inaugural year in 2017, the 10-day Cabin Fever winter festival will return from 13-22 July with a range of unique events in inspiring locations throughout the Margaret River region. The events will showcase the best of the Margaret River region, with a focus on homegrown talent from the region’s best wineries and seasonal local produce.

MRBTA set to acquire Forest Adventures South West

Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association (MRBTA) is set to acquire Forest Adventures South West this month. The high rope park spans eight hectares in the Tuart Forest National Park near Busselton. Six courses offer visitors 77 activities, ranging from three metres to 18 metres off the ground, and caters to all skill, fitness and daring levels. Visitors can choose from a range of challenges, including more than 500 metres of flying foxes, a 13-metre base jump and BMX on a wire.

World Youth and Student Travel Conference

Registration is open for the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) to be held in Edinburgh from 18-21 September. Australian operators that register for WYSTC will automatically be added to Tourism Australia’s ‘Australian Village’ saving them the cost of a booth at the event. WYSTC is the leading trade event for the global youth, student and educational travel industry attracting over 600 delegates from around the world. Tourism Australia will also host a roadshow for Australian operators attending WYSTC with details to be announced through Essentials once confirmed.

India Travel Mission 2018

Seller applications are open until Thursday 31 May for the India Travel Mission 2018 in Jaipur from 20 - 23 August. ITM is an opportunity for the Australian tourism industry to establish business relationships with key qualified travel agencies and tour operators in India. The travel mission includes pre-scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers as well as opportunities to network at official functions. In 2017 India was Australia’s eighth largest inbound market for visitor arrivals, seventh largest market for total visitor spend and third for visitor nights.

Queensland's Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, launched a five-year Queensland Superyacht Strategy at the Australian Superyacht, Marine Export and Commercial Marine Conference this week.

Gourmet Traveller Wine has launched www.winecraft.com, a website dedicated to wine travel.

In preparation for Donghai Airlines commencing direct flights from Shenzhen in China to Darwin, Tourism NT has launched its first dedicated tourism campaign within Shenzhen and Southern China.
The South Australian Tourism Commission in partnership with Telstra will be rolling out free Wi-Fi connectivity at some of South Australia’s most iconic and remote locations.

Regional Express (Rex) and the City of Orange have teamed up to introduce a special Rex Community Fare as well as five return air services each week between Orange and Sydney for the next five years.

The South Australian Tourism Commission is hosting a series of Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) information sessions for operators.

Nominations are open for tourism awards around the country: New South Wales; South Australia; Queensland; Victoria; Tasmania; Western Australia; Australian Capital Territory; Northern Territory.

Tourism and Events Queensland has announced dates and locations for its Conversations with Industry events around the State.

Applications are open until Sunday 29 July for the NT Government's new Recreational Fishing Grants Scheme. One million dollars has been set aside for the scheme with $500,000 available in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years.

Applications are open until Friday 29 June for the Queensland on Tour Japan 2018 roadshow visiting Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo from 12-14 September.
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.

Registration is open for ATEC Meeting Place 2018 which will take place from 19-21 November in Darwin.

Nominations are open until Monday 28 May for the Queensland Young Tourism Leaders program.

Registration is open for the VIC Tourism Conference to be held on 30-31 July at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort.

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

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.

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

Tourism Australia has published recordings of presentations from the Destination Australia Conference held in Melbourne on Thursday 15 March. Industry are also invited to register interest for next year’s conference to be held on Thursday 14 March 2019 in Brisbane.

The first SilkAir flight from Singapore touched down in Broome, WA yesterday.