In keeping with the Wild Bush Luxury ethos of working in harmony with the property's natural surroundings, environmental practices will be followed in the operation of the business and a proportion of the bed-night revenue will be donated to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Further information: http://www.wildbushluxury.com/

During Ecotourism Australia’s recent Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference in Alice Springs, Tony Charters and Associates was awarded with Climate Action Certification at the Leader Level – the scheme’s highest level.

The Climate Action Certification Program is one of Ecotourism Australia’s certification schemes and is dedicated to ranking efforts to reduce carbon emissions. It is designed for all sectors of the tourism industry and Tony Charters and Associates is the first consultancy to be awarded Climate Action Certification.

As a Climate Action Leader, Tony Charters and Associates have incorporated strategic Climate Change responses across all levels of relevant business planning and organisation. Our staff is well aware of climate change impacts and what actions to take to reduce the consultancy’s carbon footprint. Think recycling, transport, energy efficiency, and reduced water usage to name a few areas where easy implementable changes can be made.

The third edition of Go Green - A Smart Guide to Sustainable Travel has been published by the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas, with support from the Rainforest Alliance.

As with previous editions, the guide has all the information that travellers need to find tourism businesses in the Americas with sustainable tourism certifications.

The guide is arranged by country and includes a description with the location and certification level of each business, as well as contact information.

RESEARCH

Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre has released the Tourism Satellite Accounts 2007-08 summary spreadsheets for each of Australia’s states and territories.

The summary spreadsheets provide comprehensive data on how visitor expenditure has impacted each state/territory economy to help inform policy and planning initiatives for government, industry representative bodies and tourism operators.

The research also reveals the tourism-specific and tourism-related industry sectors direct contributions to state and territory economies.

Further information: http://www.crctourism.com.au/

The research found over 600 spas operating in Australia who are expected to generate AU$500 million during 2009, representing a 17% increase compared to 2008. Employment numbers have also increased by 17 percent year-on-year, 2009 seeing the industry employ nearly 7000 people.

Further information: http://www.intelligentspas.com

Tourism Australia’s Global Market Monitor report updates Tourism Australia’s assessment of the impact of the global economic slowdown on Australian tourism.

Further information: http://www.tourism.australia.
com/Marketing.asp?sub=0459

Further information: http://mobile.flysas.com/adimo4/Site/sasint/mob/default.aspx?p=1035&t=h401

Low Carbon Destination

The national tourist office of Fiji and key players in the tourism, hotel and business sectors have aligned resources with Australian-based clean technology specialist Greenlight Technology Group and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership to help advance Fiji as a low carbon tourism destination.

The next step, will be for the alliance to prepare an advisory paper on how best to bundle a range of individual hotel initiatives into a larger Clean Development Mechanism Programme to be piloted over the next 15-months.

Further information: http://www.gltg.com.au/

INFRASTRUCTURE & INVESTMENT

The building area sprawls across 216,000 square meters, or more than 2.3 million square feet. An interconnected interior houses entertainment centres, retail, convention space, offices and parking space, all lit by natural light.

Further information:  http://www.dezeen.com/2009/09/25/taichung-convention-center-by-mad/

As part of Tourism Western Australia’s Landbank program an opportunity exists for a hotel operator to develop the island's first premium 4-5 star hotel in partnership with the Rottnest Island Authority and LandCorp.

The potential site overlooks Longreach Bay, is adjacent to the island's golf course and is flanked by beaches and bays.

Further information:
http://www.landcorp.com.au/project/
rottnestislandrfp/

POLICY & PLANNING

Victoria's Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 2009-2012 has been launched to encourage tourism businesses to adopt more sustainable practices in order to reduce their environmental impact and achieve cost savings.

Developed by Tourism Victoria in consultation with State Government representatives and key tourism bodies, the plan outlines priority actions including the development of a carbon footprint toolkit for businesses and destinations, accreditation of businesses that demonstrate environment credentials and the provision of advice on climate change.

Further information: http://www.tourism.vic.gov.au/images/stories/Documents/StrategiesandPlans
/Environmentally_Sustainable_Tourism_Plan.pdf

The ‘Study and Play in Byron Bay’ campaign capitalised on the international awareness of the destination amongst international youth and student markets by encouraging them to extend their stay while exploring available study programs.

Jointly funded by NRT, Southern Cross University, North Coast TAFE, Air Asia and V Australia the campaign was supported by Tourism New South Wales through the Regional Tourism Partnership Program.

Further information: http://www.riversoflife.com.au/education/p/52

Naturewise Conservation Holidays and Victorian walking tour operator bothfeet have combined to offer a new small group experience on the Great Ocean Walk incorporating participation in hands-on conservation projects while staying overnight in Victoria’s only purpose-built walking lodge.

Further information:
https://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/volunteer/greatoceanroad.htm

The plan aims to tap into the growing eco-tourism market by showcasing some of our best environmental assets, while ensuring they’re properly protected.

The State will lease the facilities to private operators and invest the yearly income back into the same national park for continual improvement and conservation.

Further information: http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=67578

Country Brand Index

The Country Brand Index run by US-based FutureBrand company and Weber Shandwick agency is in its fifth year.

Over 3,000 frequent travellers from nine countries and over 30 experts were interviewed on 26 categories.

It features expert opinions, statistics and global quantitative data to create the largest study of its kind.

This year’s report includes The Impact of Value on Country Branding, The Olympic Effect on Brand China, The World’s Worst Country Brand and the relationship between Country Branding and Social Media.

Further information:  http://www.futurebrand.com/cbi/overview/

Europe's largest low-fare airline Ryanair is saving costs by closing all its airport check-in desks by the end of the year, allowing passengers to check in online before arriving at the airport.

The savings will then be passed on to passengers in the form of lower fares.

Passengers will still be able to use baggage drop desks for their luggage, but may also be charged for extras ranging from cups of tea to using onboard bathrooms.

Further information:http://www.ryanair.com/en

ANTOR has a launched a new travel industry specific website intended to be the most comprehensive industry source for destination information and events. ANTOR comprises some 48 member tourism bodies within Australia including government tourism offices and/or their designated marketing representatives. It provides mechanisms through which the Australian travel industry can access information and contacts on its diverse membership destinations.

Further information: http://www.antor.travel/

The Local Government Tourism Conference will be hosted by Cowra Shire Council in conjunction with Tourism New South Wales, industry partners and sponsors from 10-12 March, 2010. 

Over the past six years, the conference has addressed tourism funding, planning, marketing, infrastructure, investment and communication.

Expressions of interest are open for councils wishing to provide speakers and present case studies, or take up sponsorship opportunities (including trade displays) that relate to the theme, intention and program outline of the conference.

Further information: http://www.lgsa-plus.net.au/www/html/2698-lgsa-tourism-conference-2010.asp

The European Chapter of the Travel and Tourism Research Association is hosting its 2010 annual conference on ‘Health, Wellness and Tourism - healthy tourists, healthy business’ from 21-23 April, 2010 in Budapest, Hungary.

Further information: http://www.ttra-europeconference.com/