World Digital Travel & Hospitality Summit China

Last week Tourism Australia participated in the World Digital Travel & Hospitality Summit in Beijing, China. The objective of the Summit was to build connections between Asia and the world’s leading brands in the travel and hospitality industry and provide a platform for them to share their digital and content strategies. Participants included Tencent, Qyer, Agoda, Shangri-La, Banyan Tree along with many other travel and hospitality organisations and tourism boards. Chinese media also attended the event including Travel Daily, Businesswire, Forbes and eHotelier.com. Tourism Australia’s Regional General Manager, North Asia, Andrew Hogg joined a panel discussion on the importance of user generated content in destination marketing and shared details of Tourism Australia’s latest China campaign, influencer strategy and Friends of Australia program with the audience.

Tourism Australia’s social media tips video released

The second episode in Tourism Australia’s social media video series sees Live Ningaloo’s - Sonia Beckwith, Hamilton Island’s - Alice Dore and The Australian Reptile Park’s - Amanda Woodbine sit down with Tourism Australia’s head of social media, Nick Henderson to discuss creating an effective content strategy along with practical tips on capturing content and social media measurement. Watch the full video here: tourism.australia.com/socialmedia

Australia’s boutique hotel offering

Australia is experiencing a boom in boutique hotels. With their cutting-edge design and tailored experiences appeal to win travellers in search of a sense of connection. Increasingly, consumers are seeking small, luxury hotels which offer a range of immersive experiences, fine food and wine and high levels of service. Tourism Australia has compiled a list of new and under construction boutique hotels in Australia, with owners set to capitalise on the trend of visitors seeking an emotional connection and point of differentiation in their hotel selection choices.

Chinese journalists experience ‘Too Australian For Words’ campaign

Journalists from National Geographic, Lohas, Comfort, and Trends Health visited Australia last week as part of Tourism Australia’s international media hosting program. The group were here taking part in experiences highlighted Tourism Australia’s ‘Too Australian For Words' campaign in China. The South Australia (SA) and Northern Territory (NT) itinerary focused on nature and wildlife, soft adventure and food. In SA the group explored the Eyre Peninsula, tasted Coffin Bay oysters, met koalas in Gorge Wildlife Park and enjoyed a special tour called ‘Taste Your Birth Year’ at Seppeltsfield Wine. In the NT, activities included billabong tours, art site exploring, and a sunset cruise. A highlight was the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin a key experience being promoted in the campaign.

Vale Tim Fischer, AC

The Honourable Tim Fischer AC, former Tourism Australia Chairman (2004-2007), sadly lost his battle with cancer on Thursday last week. As the inaugural chair of Tourism Australia, he instilled a genuine comradery and culture within the organisation and is fondly remembered by those who worked with him as a sincere and approachable leader. His passion for Australian tourism especially regional tourism was evident in the implementation of the Australian Government’s Tourism White Paper and initiatives such as the Caravan Safari Trail and the Great Outback Cattle Drive during his time at Tourism Australia. His love of trains too was well-known, with one of the board meetings during his tenure being held on The Ghan and travel to regional events here and abroad often involving train travel. Sincere condolences to his wife Judy, and sons Harrison and Dominic.

Wildlife Retreat at Taronga now taking bookings, NSW

The highly anticipated Wildlife Retreat at Taronga is set to open in just over a month, offering luxury sleepovers paired with exclusive wildlife encounters. This unique Australian sanctuary is an elegantly designed eco-retreat, nestled within Taronga Zoo on the edge of Sydney Harbour. Guests will have the extraordinary opportunity to sleep nearby Australia’s unique wildlife, wake up to the natural beauty of the surrounding bushland and take part in some of the most immersive and exclusive animal experiences on offer at Taronga Zoo. Only 15 minutes from Sydney’s CBD, the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga is now taking reservations for stays from 10 October 2019.

Floriade returns to Canberra for a month-long festival of spring, ACT

Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, is set to return to Canberra for its 32nd year from 14 September to 13 October 2019. With over one million blooms on display, Floriade is the perfect place to experience Australia’s colourful and vibrant spring season. This year, the festival will celebrate the theme of ‘World in Bloom’ through a diverse, ever expanding program of music, cultural celebrations, food and wine, horticultural workshops, market traders, artistic displays, entertainment and recreational activities. Located in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park, the month-long festival will be open daily from 9.30am – 5.40pm; entry is free.

Searoad Ferries offer new day-tours from Melbourne, VIC

Launching in September, Searoad Ferries is expanding with the addition of their new Explore Australia Tours, offering all-inclusive day-tours through Melbourne and surrounds. With 10 unique itineraries to choose from, guests can discover Melbourne’s surrounding regions, including Geelong, the Bellarine, the Mornington Peninsula, French Island, Phillip Island, Mt Buller and Sovereign Hill. Each trip is inspired by local knowledge, taking guests to lesser-known wineries, restaurants, beaches and attractions along the journey. Departing from Melbourne and Geelong, Explore Australia is now taking bookings.

Early bird tickets to WOMADelaide 2020 released, SA

Early bird tickets are now on sale to WOMADelaide, Adelaide’s iconic open-air festival which celebrates the world of music, arts and dance (6 - 9 March 2020). Attracting up to 20,000 people from across the globe per day and featuring around 500 international artists, the action will take place across eight outdoor stages in Adelaide’s Botanic Park. Visitors can expect an exciting three-day program of music performances, cultural workshops and visual art activities at one of Australia’s most colourful festivals. Early bird tickets to WOMADelaide are available until 30 August.

Early Bird Registrations for the 2019 Australian Regional Tourism Convention (ARTC) to be held in Devonport, Tasmania, from 21 - 23 October have been extended until 31 August. 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?’.

Qantas has announced three ultra long-haul research flights to gather new data about inflight passenger and crew health and wellbeing. The flights form part of planning for Project Sunrise – Qantas’ goal to operate regular, non-stop commercial flights from the east coast of Australia (Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne) to London and New York.

Nominations are open for the Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards (Brolga Awards), the official tourism awards program for the Northern Territory. The Brolga Awards recognise and encourage tourism businesses that strive for excellence in every area of their operation. Watch this video to find out more.

Vivid Sydney, the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, is inviting musicians, producers, music promoters and venues to be part of the Vivid Music program for 2020. Submissions close 6 October 2019. To register interest, visit www.vividsydney.com/apply.