Melanie Schinkel, Tourism Australia give us an update about the vibrant and diverse Australian experiences. From Sydney and Melbourne to the wild Kimberley and Kakadu National Park, adventure awaits. Embrace sustainable tourism and learn from indigenous Australians for a deeper cultural connection. Enjoy encounters with wildlife like koalas and kangaroos on Kangaroo Island, Tasmania, and the mainland. Australia's year-round festivals, outdoor arts, music events, and world-class sports keep the excitement alive. Savor culinary delights from fresh seafood to wine, craft beer, and coffee. Travel advisors can become Aussie Specialists for exclusive guides, rewards, and the Mega fam G Australia event (applications end on May 26th https://www.aussiespecialist.com/en-u...)  

Thailand and Australia will discuss implementing a visa-free reciprocal agreement to boost the two-way flow of tourism. They have agreed to consider a mutual visa exemption scheme for leisure and business visits in both directions. The issue was raised this week at a meeting between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the Governor-General of Australia David Hurley in Bangkok. No further details have been disclosed or a likely timeline for talks between the appropriate ministries of both nations. Thailand has made progress in recent months with visa-free access granted to nationals of several countries in Europe and China which has begun to pay dividends.  

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The Advantage Travel Partnership has inked a partnership with Tourism Australia to help boost inbound tourism demand. The campaign is already live and is designed to boost Advantage members’ destination knowledge, as well as provide them with training, content and marketing tools. Advantage travel agents will also have the chance to join the ‘G’day Australia’ mega fam trip in October. Aiming to generate more high value bookings, the campaign rolls out across six months through four key activations. It has also been planned to coincide with Tourism Australia’s own ‘Come & Say G’day’ campaign activity. The four activations encompass training, general travel agent awareness of the destination a, direct to consumer activity to generate new leads, and marketing content. David Forder, ATP Head of Marketing said: “Their product fits perfectly with independent travel agents who are skilled at building tailor-made itineraries.” "The whole structure of the campaign has been built around providing our members with end-to-end support”. Advantage has already supported agents to complete the Aussie Specialist Training Programme. Advantage just released a dedicated Australia consumer magazine for members. “This is the first time we have produced one for a sole destination. Australia is a visually stunning destination, so it works well,” Forder added. Advantage has launched a dedicated campaign hub on the Advantage members intranet.

A wave of new art installations is sweeping across the Australian outback with the region shining bright throughout 2023. Visitors can enjoy a vibrant calendar of art and cultural festivals. "The Red Centre is home to some of our most significant Aboriginal art movements,” said Scott Lovett, CEO Tourism Northern Territory. “This year further cements the Territory's position as a world-class cultural destination." New Northern Territory attractions include:   Interactive Arts The Wintjiri Wiṟu Experience, Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park - From May 2023 The newest experience, launched by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, sees iconic Uluru in a new light. The Wintjiri Wiṟu Experience is a twice nightly state-of-the-art, drone and laser light show that will illuminate the desert sky. It features over 1,000 drones weaving a kaleidoscope of colour. Created in consultation with traditional land owners, the show tells the Mala story, of great importance to the Aṉangu people. Book the signature Sunset Dinner to enjoy welcome cocktails and canapes on the sunset amphitheatre platform overlooking Uluru.   Bruce Munro's 'Light Towers' Renowned British light artist Bruce Munro returns with his new illuminating extravaganza, 'Light Towers'. This follows the success of Munro's Uluru-based 'Field of Light', which has received international acclaim. Munro's 'Light Towers' is a display of 69 towers, each made up of approximately 220 bottles filled with fibre optic cables. It forms a new multi-million-dollar partnership with the Kings Canyon resort. Enjoy both Munro's illuminating art installations as part of a Red Centre adventure, accessible by road along the Red Centre Way.   Other unique arts events include: Darwin Festival, Australia's hottest winter arts festival from 10 – 27 August Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, one of Australia's most significant internationally recognised arts events, 11 – 13 August   New galleries and museums Hermannsburg Historic Precinct Following a multi-million dollar refurbishment, the newly appointed Hermansburg site is a completely new visitor experience. The Aboriginal settlement of Hermannsburg is famous as the home of Aboriginal landscape watercolour artist, Albert Namatjira. It's also one of five National Trust-listed historic precincts in Australia.   Ayeye Atyenhe Art Join an aboriginal art workshop in Alice Springs and immerse in Arrernte culture with renowned Aboriginal artists, Marie Ryder and Kevin Bird. Ayeye Atyenhe Art celebrates and supports the work of talented Indigenous artists from around the Northern Territory, Central Australia and North-East Arnhem Land   GOCA (Gallery of Central Australia) GOCA is a commercial gallery where everything's for sale. The gallery at Ayers Rock Resort boasts a remarkable collection of works from art centres across the Central and Western Deserts. Remarkable because the art represents almost 20 communities in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.   Luxury Accommodation & Camping There are several new accommodation openings in the Red Centre including Drover's Dream at Kings Creek Station, with 10 new eco premium tents with views of George Gill Range from private decks. BBQ dinner hampers, fire pits and a Bushman's breakfast are included. For self-drive travellers there is a choice of new campsites including Kings Canyon Resort and Glen Helen Lodge and Ntaria Campground and Outback Store at the newly renovated Hermannsburg precinct.   Outdoor Dining The 'Under a Desert Moon' dining experience, which comprises a 5-course wine-paired dinner has a refreshed menu with a focus on bush ingredients and native flavours. This year also celebrates 10 years of the Tali Wiru dining experience at Ayers Rock Resort. Tali Wiru, meaning 'beautiful dune', encapsulating fine dining under the Southern Desert sky. This open-air restaurant boasts magnificent views of Uluru and the distant domes of Kata Tjuta.   Stargazing Sleepover Earth Sanctuary's Sunset to Sunrise tour  is a new premium program and astronomical camping experience! Enjoy an award winning astronomy tour with canape dinner, drinks and campfire nibbles. The tour includes access to Earth Sanctuary's Space Observatory with an experienced astronomer. You may witness zodiac constellations, meteor showers and other cool astro events. Wake up at sunrise to breakfast before a guided morning walk. This is a unique outback camping experience, perfect for couples. More information and travel inspiration at www.northernterritory.com

Melbourne will take over next year as host of the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) 2024. The city hosts the event from May 19 - 23, 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in association with Visit Victoria. The host city was announced by Tourism Australia MD, Phillipa Harrison at ATE23 on Australia’s Gold Coast. It will be the ninth time Melbourne has hosted it but the first in almost a decade. It is Australia’s premier travel trade event expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates from dozens of countries. It welcomes foreign tourism wholesalers and retailers to connect with local tourism suppliers for four days of appointments and networking.

Tourism Australia’s international mega agent Fam trip will be held in Cairns in October 2023. In October 2023, it brings together 300 travel agents to experience Australia and network with industry peers. G’day Australia invites qualified Aussie Specialists . These agents who have completed Tourism Australia’s online agent training program, will have the opportunity to meet with Australian sellers in Cairns. Tourism Australia MD, Phillipa Harrison, said G’day Australia is an important event for Aussie Specialist agents. “The event will provide a great opportunity to highlight what’s on offer in Tropical North Queensland.” The G'day Australia agent Fam trip provides a platform for around 100 Australian sellers. Agents hail from North America, UK/Europe, Asia and New Zealand. Agents will also have the chance to participate in a pre or post-event Fam program. G’day Australia will take place in the same format to the previous Corroboree events held annually before the global pandemic.

Tourism Australia and Qantas have teamed up to lure Brits down under. It is part of the recently launched Come and Say G’day campaign. The multi-market partnership has started in the UK. It includes a series of new ads, social assets and online videos. The ad sees Tourism Australia brand ambassador Ruby the kangaroo brought to life with CGI animation. It encourages international visitors to discover regions as well as major cities. “Qantas is proud to be airline partner for the campaign,” said Qantas CMO Petra Perry. “The campaign is building awareness that international tourists can easily travel directly to Australia.” Tourism Australia will work with Qantas in 10 international markets, including the US, Japan, Korea, NZ and Indonesia. G’day is now available to view on Qantas aircraft via inflight entertainment globally.

Tourism and Transport Forum Australia wants a major change to the working holiday visa. The peak tourism body said the age eligibility should rise to 50. The federal government is exploring various ways to address chronic worker shortages across Australia. The visa is currently eligible for people up to 35 years old. The working holiday visa provides affordable labour especially in rural areas where there are major worker shortages. It is popular with backpackers. Since reopening, 120,000 visas were approved this year.

 

'Come and Say G'day' Register here for your chance to visit Australia!

  Australia's borders are now OPEN to ALL travelers! From the stunning world-class natural beauty of the landscapes and wildlife to vibrant modern cities and the deliciously diverse culinary delights that only Australia has to offer. Let’s not forget our warm and friendly people, who are excited to welcome back the world for their next vacation.   ‘Come and Say G’day’ is an invitation to spend time with us, get to know us, eat with us, drink with us, tell stories, share adventures with us, and above all – embrace the experience that is Australia with us! Become an Aussie Specialist today so you can inspire your clients to ‘Come and Say G’day’ Down Under. Plus, you’ll be in the running to win:  

• 1 spot on a Spring 2023 fam trip to Australia

  All you need to do is complete the following by November 30, 2022:  

• Register at www.aussiespecialist.com
• Complete the ‘Introduction to Australia’ curriculum (max. 90mins)
• Complete the ‘Come and Say G’day’ training course (max. 60mins)
• Watch the short film ‘G’day’ (max. 9mins)
• Complete the ‘Come and Say G’day’ quiz (max. 10mins)

  Plus, you will love the ongoing benefits of becoming an Aussie Specialist which include exclusive invites to webinars, competitions, quizzes, special events and fam trips to Australia!   Get started today, just click on the image of Ruby the souvenir kangaroo and Louie the toy unicorn to watch the 9-minute short film 'G'day'  

Tourism Australia’s new global campaign, Come and Say G'day, is set to go live Reminding travellers why ‘There's Nothing Like Australia’ it launches in key international tourism markets around the world from 20 October 2022. The multichannel Come and Say G'day campaign includes new broadcast ads (in 60, 30 and 15 second versions), print and high impact Out of Home advertising placements, as well as social, digital, and content marketing. The campaign activity will be enhanced with partnerships with airlines, state tourism organisations, and distribution partners globally. Brand Ambassador, Ruby the CGI animated souvenir kangaroo, has been appearing on billboards around the world in the past week. "Come and Say G'day is unashamedly Australian through the use of a globally recognisable icon in Ruby the kangaroo who goes on an adventure across the country," Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison said. Ruby is voiced by Australian actress Rose Byrne. A short film, G'day, will premiere at launch events across the world. Alongside a launch event in London, media and viewing events will occur in Tokyo, Singapore, Mumbai, Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris and New York. Come and Say G'day is Tourism Australia's first global campaign since 2016.

Australia is lifting the mask mandate for domestic flights as of September 9. Face masks have been mandatory on domestic flights since August 2021, although they had been optional in Australian airports since June this year. Qantas had already lifted mask requirements for international outbound flights to destinations where required they were not required. Currently, all international inbound passengers must still wear a mask. Additionally, Australia is cutting the isolation period from seven to five days  

Bespoke holiday specialist to Australia and New Zealand, TravelEssences has entered to the UK market. Founded by Kiwi Andrew Morten in 2006, the company has a head office located in Zeist, the Netherlands and branches across Germany. TravelEssence says it takes a personal approach with their clients and suppliers and works directly with over 2,000 small-scale accommodations, allowing clients to stay with Australian or New Zealand hosts. Each holiday is unique and custom-made. “As a New Zealander, I want travellers to be able to experience Down Under the same way as the locals do.” Morten said. TravelEssence focuses on trips away from the main tourist areas. “Locals know exactly what places make their country special and unique, and that is the experience they want to share with their guests,” Morten added.