New Dundee ad aims to lure more US travellers Down Under

A series of new Dundee-inspired videos showcasing the breadth and depth of Australia's spectacular tourism offerings and aimed at luring more American travellers to our shores have gone to air in the US. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham last week launched the second phase of the Dundee tourism campaign which aims to build on the momentum of Tourism Australia's award-winning Super Bowl ad. “Feedback from industry and partners on the impact of the Dundee campaign so far has been very positive, and these new videos will ensure that Australia remains front of mind for American travellers,” Minister Birmingham said.

Superyacht Whitsundays famil

Tourism Australia supported Ocean Alliance's  four-day familiarisation tour in the Whitsunday's last week for delegates from France, USA and Australia. The delegates included charter brokers, inbound tourism operators and media, all specialising in the premium/luxury travel sector.

Melbourne’s highlights showcased to Japanese sports fans

An expected audience of 10 million people in Japan will be tuning in next week to a 10-minute morning TV segment featuring famous Japanese soccer player Keisuke Honda who recently moved Down Under to join the Melbourne Victory team. Tourism Australia in partnership with Visit Victoria hosted popular Japanese morning TV show ZIP! to cover Keisuke’s first game for the club on 20 October as well as profile the destinations and experiences in Melbourne that appeal to Japanese travellers. In 2017, Japan was Australia’s fifth largest inbound market for visitor arrivals, and for total visitor spend and sixth for visitor nights.

Premium adventures Down Under promoted to trade and media

Some of Australia’s best adventures were showcased to key buyers and media from the Americas, the UK and Europe at the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Adventure Travel World Summit in Tuscany last week. Tourism Australia was joined at the summit by representatives from South Australia, the NT and Tasmania as well as three of Australia’s Signature Experiences collectives: Australian Wildlife Journeys, Great Walks of Australia and Discover Aboriginal Experiences. Tourism Australia was a keynote sponsor of the event and shared the latest iteration of the Dundee campaign which launched in the US last week. For more information on Tourism Australia’s ATTA partnership contact Sarah Postler.

International trade and media encouraged to Discover Aboriginal Experiences

Discover Aboriginal Experiences  has published a range of new marketing materials for trade and media partners showcasing members tourism offerings from around the country. The new materials includes a brochure designed to inspire travellers, a media kit, a book of trade fact sheets and a trade flyer. In addition, Discover Aboriginal Experiences has almost finished a country wide photo shoot, capturing a suite member images which are available from Tourism Australia’s Image Gallery. Discover Aboriginal Experiences is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia program which packages and promotes Australia’s outstanding tourism experiences within a variety of niche areas and special interest categories. Photo: RT Tours Australia, NT

Sydney welcomes the 2018 Invictus Games, October 20 – 27th

His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, officially opened the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney this week, with more than 500 competitors from 18 nations taking part in events across the city to help recognise the role sport plays in rehabilitation. Held over eight days, the Games will see current and former military personnel compete in 11 sports including wheelchair basketball, archery, sitting volleyball and indoor rowing. 72 Australian athletes will be competing this year and the official closing ceremony will take place at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 27 October.

Lonely Planet names Red Centre #4 best region to visit in 2019

Australia’s iconic Red Centre in the Northern Territory has been listed in Lonely Planet’s Top 5 Regions on the planet to travel to in 2019. Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel shines the global spotlight on the entire Red Centre including the MacDonnell Ranges, Kata Tjuta, Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon. Australia’s Traditional Owners and sacred spiritual culture is also recognised as well as the unique art, characters and operators that characterise the magic of Australia’s iconic outback.

New luxury superyacht to cruise Sydney Harbour

A new deluxe premium-end charter and private cruising vessel has joined SeaLink’s Captain Cook Cruises fleet. Launching mid-November, the AUSPRO will deliver an extraordinary new level of luxury and sophistication ideal for high end corporate functions, intimate celebrations and extravagant overnight getaways. With expansive entertainment areas, extravagant menus and stylish sleeping quarters, the superyacht sleeps eight guests overnight or can accommodate up to 45 guests for day trips and events. 

Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley to welcome new Ovolo The Valley hotel

Brisbane’s newest hotel, Ovolo The Valley, will open in November as the flagship Queensland hotel for the Ovolo Hotel Group. Inspired by the eccentric culture and iconic history of Fortitude Valley, the 103-room hotel boasts colourful design and quirky charm, including two penthouse suites. Located amongst vibrant streets and laneways, the Ovolo Hotel was designed to offer a private oasis that compliments Fortitude Valley’s social and cultural diversity.

New Fleurieu Peninsular tour offers a balance of indulgence and adventure in SA

PureSA has announced a new tour where guests can discover the picturesque Victor Harbour and world-renowned McLaren Vale wine region on a fully guided, all-inclusive tour. The Vines and Victor Harbour Eco Adventure tour invites guests to discover nature, wildlife and local produce of the Fleurieu Peninsula including a private boat cruise across Seal Island, progressive wine tasting, local produce platters and a wetlands eco trail walk.

ATE19 Media Program

Exhibitor applications are open until Friday 16 November for the Australian Tourism Exchange 2019 (ATE19) Media Program in Perth from 6 – 9 April. The program includes one-on-one appointments at the International Media Marketplace between Australian tourism businesses and select media and influencers who generate editorial, or create content on Australian tourism products, destinations and experiences for consumers. The ATE19 Media Program also includes networking sessions and events for media delegates and exhibitors.

Accessible tourism webinar

Tourism Australia is hosting a free accessible tourism webinar on Tuesday 30 October at 1pm. Australian tourism operators interested to learn more can register to watch the webinar live and have the ability to ask questions or watch it later on-demand. This webinar will outline the current size of the market for travellers with accessibility needs as well as Australian research into drivers/barriers to accessible tourism, the needs of travellers with a disability and those who travel with them, the most effective communication channels to reach this audience, and more.

Industry briefings in SA, TAS and NSW

Registration is open for Tourism Australia’s industry briefings in Adelaide from 2.00 to 4.00pm on Friday 9 November at the Playford and Hobart from 2.00 to 4.00pm on Friday 9 November at the Grand Chancellor ahead of the Tourism Awards Gala Dinners in each location. Tourism Australia is also holding an industry briefing in Sydney from 2.00 to 4.30pm on Friday 23 November at The Hilton. The briefings will involve senior executives from Tourism Australia and State Tourism executives providing an update on current and future activity and sharing research and insights from key international markets.

Tourism WA has launched a new campaign domestically and in nine international markets - Singapore, Malaysia, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Indonesia - showcasing WA as the 'Road Trip State'.

The Western Australian Government has launched a plan developed in partnership with StudyPerth to grow the number of international students coming to study in Western Australia.

The Queensland Government is inviting expressions of interest until Friday 16 November for interested parties to deliver accommodation, guided tours and complementary offerings on the Thorsborne Trail (Townsville), Cooloola Great Walk (Sunshine Coast) and the Whitsunday Island Trail.

The program for the Global Eco Asia Pacific Tourism Conference in Townsville on 26-28 November has now been released.

Registration is open for the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference to be held in Lorne, Victoria from 30 October to 1 November.

Applications are open until 2 November for grants of up to $250,000 for projects contributing to economic growth in regional Western Australia communities through the WA Regional Economic Development Grants Program.

Applications are open until Sunday 4 November for the NSW Government's 2019 Incubator Event Fund to assist events in rural and regional NSW in areas such as marketing, public relations, venue hire and attendee research.

Registration is open for Tourism and Events Queensland's International Market Briefings in Cairns on Monday 12 November, Brisbane on Tuesday 13 November and the Gold Coast on Thursday 15 November.

Registration is open for the inaugural Adventure Tourism Awards and Youth Tourism Conference on the Gold Coast on Wednesday 14 November.

Registration is open for the Australian Event Symposium to be held on the Sunshine Coast from 19-21 November.

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

Industry are invited to register their interest for the Destination Australia Conference 2019 to be held on Thursday 14 March in Brisbane.