Edition 128 · October 2018

The Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference kicks off 26 November with perhaps the most impressive speaker line-up in the conferences 26 year history. With some 40 keynote speakers and 50 workshop speakers, delegates are being presented with a feast of content.

Conference Convenor Tony Charters AM said the depth of the program reflects the evolution of Global Eco into a conference vital think tank that brings ecotourism operators,  protected area managers, destination managers and applied researchers together to really delve into issues that will drive the development of the industry.

“Delegates can design their own conference program based on their key interests. Parallel keynote sessions occurring in adjoining rooms will allow delegates to move seamlessly from speaker to speakers across different streams.”

“The conference perfectly reflects the nature of ecotourism – sustainable development, involving local communities, presenting heritage values and putting something back into conservation,” Tony Charters said.

The program is truly global with more than 20 nations already committed to attend and speak at the conference.

The full program is now available at https://globaleco.com.au/

Sofie Formica will chair the plenary sessions of Global Eco Asia-Pacific in Townsville Queensland this year.

With 30 years of high profile broadcast media experience in Australia and the U.S.A., Sofie Formica has earned a reputation as a passionate high-profile advocate for tourism in Australia. Hosting popular television shows along with public and industry events, she is one of the most experienced and trusted presenters in the tourism sector. Along with her loyal audience and social media following, she has extensive networks within the sector and provides a fresh and unique perspective to key industry stakeholders. Sofie is particularly passionate about the future of ecotourism and evolution of this critical sector of the tourism industry.

“We are very excited to have Sofie involved with the conference this year. I worked with Sofie on the DestinationQ conference a few years ago and I know from that experience that she brings an extraordinary understanding of the tourism industry and enormous skills as a master of ceremonies,” Conference Convenor Tony Charters AM said.

The Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference is from 26-28 November 2018 in Townsville, Queensland.

Further information: https://globaleco.com.au/

Sir Richard Branson has announced a new partnership between Virgin Atlantic and Aviation American Gin which is owned by actor and producer Ryan Reynolds. Virgin Atlantic will serve the award-winning gin in Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses, as well as on board at 35,000 feet.

Further information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=651HH1OBHxI

Leading organic coconut yoghurt producer COYO will establish their national headquarters at The Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast as part of a new master plan. Originally developed in 1971 by Bill and Lyn Taylor, the Sunshine Plantation was a new concept in agritourism using the region’s rich agricultural heritage to attract tourists. With new ownership and the approval of the Big Pineapple Master Plan, a major push is on to regenerate the 162-hectare site as a food manufacturing hub and tourism precinct complemented by glamping-style accommodation, family recreational activities, food outlets and events spaces.

Further information: https://www.bigpineapple.com.au/

AccorHotels has signed an agreement to acquire the 21c Museum Hotels hospitality management company which was founded in 2006 in Louisville by philanthropists and contemporary art collectors Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson. With 11 properties open and under development across the United States, the 21c Museum Hotel company combines a multi-venue contemporary art museum, boutique hotel and chef-driven restaurants to create a new kind of travel experience. It will join AccorHotels’ MGallery collection of boutique hotels benefiting from access to one of the largest distribution networks in the industry.

Further information: https://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/

Marriott International has signed an agreement with Melbourne-based property development company Capital Alliance to introduce the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to Australia. The 200-room AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank will open in 2020 as part of a 40-storey mixed-use development that will feature high-end apartments, dining venues and shopping. AC Hotels was born from the vision of renowned hotelier Antonio Catalan who founded the brand in 1988 and grew it into one of the most successful and highly-regarded hotel companies in Spain.

Further information: http://achotels.marriott.com/

A new house and pet sitting site has created its top 100 list after animal lovers in 130 countries shared their favourite pet-friendly destinations. The new Trusted Housesitters app allows people to connect with caring, verified house and pet sitters who are willing to take care of pets for free allowing owners to travel more often with greater peace of mind. The app enables owners and sitters to connect and stay in touch, making the most of local points of interest and places to walk pets – no matter where they are in the world.

Further information: https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/au/

Lonely Planet has released the Ultimate Eatlist a collection of 500 delicious dishes from around the world that detail an experience, the culture behind it and what makes it so special. It also includes the favourite food experiences as nominated by 20 of the world’s top chefs and food writers, as well as food-obsessed staffers. Lonely Planet Food was established in 2016 to enable travellers to discover the most local, authentic and delicious foodie hotspots around the world.

Further information: www.lonelyplanet.com/ultimate-eats

A new online travel portal Traveliko has announced a zero-commission policy to support hotels that are ready to change the way the travel industry is managed, marketed and transacted around the world. Together with other travel tech companies, traveliko is creating an intelligent payment platform using Blockchain technology to facilitate fast, easy, low cost money transfers.

Further information: https://www.traveliko.com/home

Panoramic views of more than 150 trails across Western Australia have been captured by Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions staff using Google’s Street View Trekker. The wearable backpack with a 360-degree camera system on top was deployed capturing some of the State’s unique and remote attractions including Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Range National Park, Granite Skywalk at Porongurup National Park, and The Gap and Natural Bridge at Torndirrup National Park.

Further information: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2018/09/Google-Trekker-showcasing-WAs-natural-attractions.aspx

Visitors to Ningaloo Marine Park can swim with humpback whales for a third year running as the Western Australian Government has approved the continuation of the in-water interaction trials for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. With a view to transitioning to a licensed industry over the next two years, the trial in Coral Bay and in Exmouth allows visitors to experience migrating humpback whales, as well as whale sharks, manta rays and turtles. During 2017, more than 200 in-water interaction tours with humpback whales were conducted with about 1700 in-water participants.

Further information: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2018/08/Swimming-with-humpbacks-success-continues.aspx

Uber, the world’s leading ride-sharing app, and the world’s largest international airline, Emirates, have announced a unique multi-country partnership that will provide passengers visiting Dubai from select international countries with discounted airport rides. The collaborative offer will see visitors to Dubai from Australia, Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa avail special offers from Uber on bookings. Emirates continues to look at evolving customer trends and we will continue to look at innovative ways to provide exceptional services with partners that offer an outstanding customer journey from end-to-end.

Further information: https://www.uber.com/en-AU/newsroom/emiratespartnership/

The South Australian Tourism Commission has launched an innovative new tourism campaign featuring an array of high-profile South Australians from Olympic athletes and AFL stars to award-winning chefs, musicians and winemakers. The Rewards Wonder campaign showcases the many unique wonders of South Australia and includes 65 tourism operators, 10 regions, 31 local talent, 18 cameras, 11 modes of transport and more than 50 local musicians were involved in the campaign to life.

Further information: https://www.southaustralia.com/rewards-wonder

Adventure tour operator G Adventures has unveiled an industry-first ‘Ripple Score’ or evaluation for its trips which indicate what percentage of a tour’s local expenditure remains in the local economy. Non-profit partners Sustainable Travel International and the Planeterra Foundation assisted in the development of the supply chain analysis survey from which the Ripple Score is the first outcome. Because of the survey 640 of G Adventures’ approximately 700 trips have been given a Ripple Score which will be published alongside each trip on the G Adventures website and in the 2019 brochures.

Further information: https://www.gadventures.com.au/about-us/ripple-score/

The Queensland Government has launched a $12.2 million fund to support the development of outback tourism infrastructure. The government’s recent investment helped to rebuild the original Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton after it was destroyed by fire in 2015 and another $2.2 million was aimed at expanding and refurbishing the Australian Workers Heritage Centre in Barcaldine.

Further information: http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/8/12/palaszczuk-government-puts-outback-tourism-in-the-drivers-seat

The Brisbane Tourism Investment Guide was jointly prepared by Brisbane Marketing and the Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games to highlight the opportunities that exist to grow Brisbane’s visitor economy by undertaking research into the future economic value of tourism in South East Queensland.

Further information: http://www.choosebrisbane.com.au/invest/tourism-report

Events in Western Australia are encouraged to apply for funding through the 2019-20 Regional Events Scheme which supports smaller developing regional events held between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020. The $1 million funding pool will also include the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme. To be eligible to apply for this funding, event holders must be delivering Aboriginal activities and experiences through the leadership and participation of Aboriginal people. Both schemes are supported by the State Government through Tourism Western Australia and Royalties for Regions. The scheme is administered by Tourism Western Australia through a competitive application process with applications closing 11 December 2018.

Further information: https://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/events/Event-sponsorship/Pages/Regional-Events-Scheme.aspx#/

The Western Australian State Government has announced a new plan for Pickering Brook and Perth Hills as part of a new sustainability and tourism strategy. A dedicated taskforce will examine all possibilities including a rejuvenated town centre, accommodation facilities, diversification options for existing horticultural businesses and branding. Local government representatives, as well as existing landowners and orchardists will be consulted to ensure the cultural value of the precinct is retained and strengthened.

Further information: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2018/06/New-strategy-set-to-maximise-Perth-Hills-tourism-potential.aspx

The 2019 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are now open to recognise best practice in sustainable tourism within the industry globally. Over the past 15 years, the awards have seen approximately 2,450 applicants from over 50 countries, with 62 winners who have demonstrated economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits from best practices in sustainable tourism. Finalists will be announced in January 2019, with winners announced at the WTTC Global Summit in Seville, Spain from 3-4 April 2019. Entries close 14 November 2018.

Further information: https://www.wttc.org/T4TAwards

The Mastercard-Halal Trip Digital Muslim Travel Report (DMTR) 2018 reveals insights into the overall behaviour of Muslim travellers during their trip, planning, research and engagement in the online space. Mastercard-Halal Trip Digital Muslim Travel Report (DMTR) 2018, revealing the latest insights and in-depth analysis into the Muslim travel market and behaviours when it comes to trip planning research and engagement in the digital space. Keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions and detailed presentations will discuss hot topics including how to invest in Halal travel and developing the Halal travel market in the service and destination sectors.

Further information: https://www.halalmedia.jp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GMITI-Report-2018.pdf

Jetstar has released the results of its inaugural ‘Global Travel Survey,’ providing insights on customers’ travel behaviours and preferences. Almost 30,000 Jetstar customers from destinations across the airline’s network including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Greater China and Vietnam took part in the research, responding to a series of holiday-related questions ranging from pet peeves to travel etiquette. Key findings revealed that a quarter of Australians miss their pets most when travelling, more than 80 per cent prioritise packing a phone over a book, and more than one third say that a person using both armrests is the most annoying behaviour experienced when sitting next to a fellow traveller.

Further information: https://newsroom.jetstar.com/new-research-reveals-aussies-miss-their-pets-more-than-their-family-while-on-holiday/

The Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2018 will take place in Kasane, Botswana from 7-10 December 2018. The event is organised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and Botswana Tourism Organisation. It will bring together international and domestic tourism stakeholders involved in the development and promotion of sustainable tourism including public sector, hotels, tour operators, academia, development agencies, non-government agencies and consultants.

Further information: https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc2018/

The Southern Hemisphere’s largest ecotourism conference will be held in Townsville from 26-28 November 2018. The conference is organised by Ecotourism Australia with support from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville Enterprise Limited and Sustainable Townsville Limited.

Further information: https://globaleco.com.au/