Edition 121 · February 2018

The Southern Hemisphere’s largest ecotourism conference will be held in Townsville and focused on the Great Barrier Reef following a strong bid from the Queensland Government to host the event in 2018.

Ecotourism Australia’s Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference will be held at Rydges from November 26-28 and is tipped to bring up to 300 of the world’s best authorities on ecotourism to Townsville.

“We couldn’t be happier to have this important conference back in our great state and to focus on the jewel in the crown of Queensland tourism – the Great Barrier Reef,” said Tourism Industry Development Minister, Kate Jones.

Ecotourism Australia is the peak body for ecotourism in the nation and the Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism conference has been the go-to event for ecotourism and sustainability in the tourism industry since its inception in 1991.

Ms Jones said the Queensland Government was a strong supporter of the conference which was last held in Queensland in 2013.

“We need to work with all of our partners to make the most of the natural beauty of our national parks and the Great Barrier Reef,” she said.

Further Information: https://2017.globaleco.com.au/

2018 Conference website currently under construction

Who could be surprised to hear that gastronomic tourism is booming in Thailand. Home to a diversity of regional cuisines and renowned across the globe for its spicy, aromatic dishes, Thailand is now combining its gastronomy tourism with agriculture.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said “since tourism and agriculture are critical components of our Thailand 4.0 National Development Policy over the next 20 years, linking tourism and agriculture makes perfect sense.”

The place of Thai cuisine has always been a strong part of the country’s tourism reputation, but it is now being more heavily promoted and linked into the international food scene. Bangkok scored the most entries in the Asia’s Best 50 Restaurant Awards for 2017. The recent Thailand Tourism Festival at Lumpini Park in Bangkok was hugely successful and showcased of Thai cuisine together with arts and crafts from all regions of Thailand.

The World Food Travel Association is the world’s leading authority on food and beverage tourism, with a community of 50,000+ professionals in 139 countries. The not-for-profit association also undertakes the world’s largest food and beverage tourism research project – the Food Travel Monitor. The World Food Travel Association run a professional certification program and masterclasses for those seeking to expand their knowledge in culinary tourism, as well as a free podcast titled Eat Well Travel Better: The Business of Food Travel.

Further information: https://www.worldfoodtravel.org/cpages/home

Tourism Australia recently launched a new campaign to a TV audience of more than 100 million Americans during the Super Bowl, the most watched television broadcast in the United States. The $36 million marketing campaign which is supported by Qantas, American Airlines and Wine Australia features appearances from some of Australia’s biggest celebrities. It also includes published tailored travel itineraries and destination information including airfares and holiday offers from 20 campaign partners.

Further information: https://www.australia.com/en-us/campaigns/superbowl-dundee-movie-why-visit-australia.html

Visit Sunshine Coast has released a new 84-page Sunshine Coast Holiday Planner for 2018 which highlights the Sunshine Coast tourism region’s appeal from hinterland and coastal activities to local flavours. It will be available nationally through the Visitor Information Centre network, including at airports and key gateways, as well as travel agencies and at Australian and international trade and consumer shows.

Further information: https://www.visitsunshinecoast.com/holidayplanner

The Western Australian State Government has launched a series of road safety booklets in foreign languages to improve safety for international visitors. The booklets are available in seven different languages and topics include driving on the left, safe overtaking practices, changing road conditions, long distances and the danger posed by wildlife on the roads. The booklets will be distributed to a variety of drivers and can also be downloaded from websites including visitor centres, foreign consulates and the Road Safety Commission.

Further information: http://www.rsc.wa.gov.au

Westin Hotels & Resorts has launched the Westin Let’s Rise Workout Series, an in-room workout program curated by certified health coach, television presenter and model Rachael Finch. The workout videos are designed to provide a full-body workouts which can be achieved comfortably in any guestroom and do not require special equipment. The Let’s Rise Workout Series is part of the global roll-out of Westin’s Let’s Rise campaign which launched in January 2017.

Further information: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/about/move-well.html

The Federal Government will continue providing the Australian Accommodation Monitor through a new arrangement with global data analytics provider STR. The national accommodation survey will collect detailed information on occupancy rates and business takings from hotels, motels and serviced apartments across metropolitan and regional Australia. Results for the 2016–17 financial year will be published in July 2018, with subsequent results published each October.

Further information: https://www.tra.gov.au/

Walk into Luxury has launched a new six day luxury walk which showcases a section of the Bibbulmun Track from Albany to Walpole. The walk includes five nights spent at the luxury villas of Parry Beach Breaks, a boutique property overlooking native bushland and breathtaking beaches.

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

The Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council, in partnership with Indigenous Business Australia, is launching a Business Support Program that will foster the growth and expansion of a range of authentic Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences throughout Western Australia. The new venture will increase business capacity, skills and sustainability through targeted support, creating more choice and diversity for visitors seeking an opportunity to interact with the world’s oldest living culture.

Further information: https://www.waitoc.com/fast-find/latest-news/aboriginal-tourism-boost

The Wellness Tourism Association is a not-for-profit organisation established to support the growth and development of the wellness tourism industry through networking, education, communication and marketing. Membership is open to qualifying destination marketing organisations, hotels and resorts, destination spas, tour operators, travel advisors, wellness educators and others with an interest in supporting the industry and helping shape its future and sustainability.

Further information: http://www.wellnesstourismassociation.org

The world’s leading travel search engine KAYAK, has created the first Australia Travel Hacker Guide to make travelling even easier for Aussies. The Travel Hacker Guide reveals the most popular, trending and bargain holiday spots and provides data-driven hacks on the best times to travel. Adding to KAYAK’s suite of tools for smarter travel, the Travel Hacker Guide is full of insights and tips; providing rankings of the most popular and top trending destinations, the most affordable cities to fly to, as well as popular and trending hotels in each destination.

Further information: https://www.kayak.com.au/travelhacker

A new report has revealed Queensland is a global leader in fitness and wellness tourism, with findings providing insight into what drives the world’s most active travellers to ‘bucket list’ endurance events across the state. The research was conducted by Tourism and Events Queensland into what motivates endurance-sport athletes and what they think of endurance events held in Queensland.

Further information: https://cdn2-teq.queensland.com/~/media/4be7e27c2e544bd6a2a79883d4b7dd67.ashx?vs=1&d=20180117T151637

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse in the south west of Western Australia has received over $1 million in extensive renovations including a new observation platform, landscaped lawns, restored lighthouse keeper’s cottage, café and nautical themed playground. Only 13 kilometres from the town of Dunsborough, Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is located in the Geographe Bay and Margaret River Regions.

Further information: https://www.margaretriverattractions.com/lighthouses/cape-naturaliste-lighthouse/

The Pacific Asia Travel Association, Scholars of Sustenance and Futouris is launching the BUFFET Campaign to raise awareness of food waste in the travel and tourism industry. The BUFFET (Building an Understanding For Food Excess in Tourism) initiative will bring together a coalition of industry partners to create and implement a campaign that challenges the hospitality sector to implement waste solutions to help build a better understanding of food excess in tourism.

Further information: https://www.pata.org/food-waste/

The Queensland Social Indicators 2017 Study examines the social impacts of tourism on the local community, as perceived by its residents. The study surveyed 3346 Queensland residents with a focus on understanding their sentiment towards tourism and the impacts of tourism on their local area. Results are weighted to the general Queensland population. This is the third Social Indicators Study, with previous studies run in 2010 and 2013.

Further information: https://cdn2-teq.queensland.com/~/media/23741b8b2f264bcca1661b7b68208104.ashx?vs=1&d=20171214T120955

The Global Wellness Institute’s Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2017 measures and analyses the 10 markets that comprise the global wellness industry. The report contains a wealth of data on the top 20 national markets for wellness travel, spa and workplace wellness and real estate. The research is supported by Spafinder Wellness, Biologique Recherche, Universal Companies, Elemis, HydraFacial, Miraval, Performance Health, The BodyHoliday, Treatwell and Two Bunch Palms.

Further information: https://www.globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-releases-global-wellness-economy-monitor-packed-with-regional-national-data-on-wellness-markets/

The Sustainable Tourism Index assesses countries on their commitment to develop and promote sustainable practices in tourism. Results show that the world’s developed countries have done more at the national level than their emerging-world rivals to formulate policy, foster adherence to recognised standards, encourage travel and tourism businesses to reduce their environmental footprint, co-ordinate efforts with NGOs and the private sector, and ensure protection of their cultural and historical assets.

Further information: https://www.eiuperspectives.economist.com/sustainability/2018-sustainable-tourism-index/white-paper/sustainable-tourism-index-enhancing-global-travel-environment

The latest State of the New Zealand Tourism Industry report has been released by Tourism Industry Aotearoa. Produced by the Wellington Institute of Technology, it includes results from a survey of 354 tourism operators, as well as reviewing the industry’s performance over the last 12 months. It also provides a scorecard on how the industry is tracking to reach its Tourism 2025 goal of achieving $41 billion total annual tourism revenue.

Further information: https://tia.org.nz/resources-and-tools/insight/state-of-the-tourism-industry-2017/

http://www.tourism2025.org.nz/making-it-happen/state-of-the-tourism-industry/

According to a recent global survey of more than 57,000 youth travellers worldwide, about 67 percent choose to book their accommodation via online travel agents and other intermediaries rather than direct with the accommodation provider. The New Horizons report on the travel booking behaviours of the Millennial and Z generations was produced by the WYSE Travel Confederation.

Further information: https://www.wysetc.org/2018/01/otas-capture-most-youth-traveller-accommodation-bookings/

The sixth edition of the InterContinental Hotels Group Trends Report reveals that provenance can play a key role in reinforcing trust and credibility in the minds of customers, as well as provide a demonstrable link to sustainable growth. The report defines provenance as a brand’s consistent, relevant and distinctive heritage. The report was produced in association with Arcature which uses its own research and observations, as well as a variety of third party sources.

Further information: https://www.ihgplc.com/news-and-media/ihg-trends-report

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the 15 finalists of the 2018 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The finalists come from five continents across the categories of community, destination, environment, innovation and people. The awards showcase business practices of the highest standards that balance the needs of ‘people, planet and profits’ within the tourism sector. Winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony at the 18th WTTC Global Summit, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18-19 April 2018.

Further information: https://www.wttc.org/tourism-for-tomorrow-awards/winners-and-finalists-2018/

The annual LGNSW Tourism Conference will be held in Parkes from 12-14 March 2018. The program includes presentations, interactive workshops on running effective marketing campaigns and a panel discussion on agri-tourism.

Further information: https://www.lgnsw.org.au/events-training/lgnsw-tourism-conference/program-3

The WYSE Exchange Australia Youth Tourism Conference will be held at the Ovolo Woolloomooloo Hotel in Sydney on Wednesday 9 May 2018. This conference aims to share insights, best practice and identify opportunities to grow Australia’s inbound youth travel industry.

Further information: https://exchange.wysetc.org/educational-conference/

The Queensland International Education and Training Summit will be held in Cairns on 15 May 2018. The theme of the summit will be ‘Delivering on Diversity’ which is Queensland’s biggest annual gathering of the international education and training industry.

Further information: https://www.tiq.qld.gov.au/iet-strategy/iet-summit/

The 11th Tourism & Transport Forum’s Outlook Tourism Industry and Policy Conference will be held in Sydney on 17 May 2018. The conference provides a platform for tourism professionals to engage with Australian political leaders, industry executives and thought leaders to generate new business opportunities and partnerships.

Further information: https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2018/