Edition 169 · June 2022

The Wiggles, in partnerships with Tourism Australia, have released ‘The Wiggly Way’ to show kids how to travel.

Further information: https://www.australia.com/en/things-to-do/family/the-wiggles.html

The World Tourism Organisation and International Air Transport Association Travel Tracker is the first global dashboard on air travel restrictions and health-related travel requirements at a destination level. The one-stop-shop aims to build confidence among travellers and business and support policy making by providing a global overview of travel restrictions worldwide. It provides information and insights on the current status regarding air travel restrictions and measures in place at destinations worldwide.

Further information: https://www.unwto.org/tourism-data/unwto-iata-destination-tracker

Applications for round two of Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants program have opened. The program is designed to help Australian businesses grow their exports in international markets and the grants encourage small to medium enterprises to market and promote their goods and services globally. Applications must be submitted online by 17 August 2022.

Further information: https://www.austrade.gov.au/australian/export/export-grants

A new $5 million pilot initiative will provide financial support to Queensland tourism operators, not-for-profit organisations, and local governments to construct ecotourism or nature-based tourism infrastructure adjacent to, or near public protected areas, world heritage, timber reserves or state forest. The Activate Ecotourism Infrastructure initiative will provide individual funding of up to $2 million on a dollar-for-dollar matched cash funding contribution basis for eligible recipients. The initiative complements the Queensland Ecotourism Trails program and is being delivered under the $20 million Tourism Activation Fund to generate new tourism opportunities in Queensland. Expressions of interest close 19 July 2022.

Further information: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/act-eco-infrastructure

The International Air Transport Association has launched CO2 Connect, an online tool which provides accurate CO2 emission calculations for any given commercial passenger flight. It is available to travel management companies, travel agencies, airlines and multinational corporations who can access the relevant CO2 emissions data and integrate it into their existing flight booking tools.

Further information: https://www.iata.org/en/services/statistics/intelligence/co2-connect/

Norse Atlantic Airways is a new airline that offers affordable fares on long-haul flights, primarily between Europe and the United States. The company was founded in March 2021 and has a fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. It offers Economy and Premium with passengers able to choose from a simple range of fares and options that reflect the way that they want to travel. The first flights will take off in June.

Further information: https://flynorse.com/

Qantas has launched its new Green Tier which rewards frequent flyers for making eco-friendly choices. The innovative program makes it easier for frequent flyers to make more sustainable choices at home and when they travel. As with the Fly Carbon Neutral program, money paid towards Qantas Green offsets will fund environmentally friendly projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including restoring or protecting forests, developing renewable energy, and purchasing carbon credits.

Further information: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/status-and-clubs/green-tier.html

The Langham Hospitality Group has opened its newest Australian luxury resort hotel on the Gold Coast. The 339-room luxury hotel is situated between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach with direct beachfront access. With 17 different types of rooms and suites, the new beachfront Langham Gold Coast is the latest addition to the Australian portfolio with hotels in Sydney and Melbourne.

Further information: https://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/gold-coast

The Accor hospitality group has established the branded residences sector. The group currently operates 70+ branded residences around the world under 16 brands – from the upper echelon of the luxury market to premium and midscale brands, with an increasing number of highly compelling lifestyle offerings. Accor’s diverse portfolio of branded residences features privately owned apartments, villas, and chalets. Branded residences combine exclusivity and the comfort of luxury living, with a comprehensive array of on-demand hotel services.

Further information: https://accor-residences.com/

Inspired by Steve Irwin’s legacy and love for all things wild, the Crocodile Hunter Lodge at Australia Zoo has officially opened. It offers luxury accommodation in family-friendly cabins surrounded by wilderness and native fauna. The lodge behind Australia Zoo has a multi-species habitat home to red kangaroos, emus, and koalas. The lodge supports sustainable initiatives already in practice at the zoo including planting more than three thousand native trees and shrubs creating natural wildlife corridors for animals, along with purposefully placed nesting boxes.

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

The Malahat SkyWalk has opened on Vancouver Island, BC, allowing guests 360-degree views of islands, inlets, fjords, forests and mountains in British Columbia and Washington State. The accessible 600 metre tree walk immerses visitors in nature as they embark along a wooden walkway through the forest, then ascend a circular ramp gently rising to the top of a 10-storey, spiral tower lookout. The Malahat SkyWalk is on the traditional territory of the Malahat Nation and their indigenous stories are embedded in the visitor experience.

Further information: https://malahatskywalk.com/

The world’s first floating reef has opened on the Gold Coast about 2.5 kilometres offshore from Main Beach. The $5 million Wonder Reef is a world-class dive site is a joint initiative between City of Gold Coast and the Queensland Government. It consists of nine buoyant sculptures or reef flutes that weigh more than 738 tonnes and are tethered to the seafloor by reinforced concrete and steel pyramids. components.

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

A new intergalactic experience is making its debut at EPCOT in the Walt Disney World Resort. The roller coaster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has opened offering clients the chance to race through the galaxy with cosmic outlaws Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Star-Lord. It is the first Disney Omnicoaster where vehicles make controlled rotations and is also the longest fully enclosed coaster in any Disney theme park.

Further information: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/guardians-of-the-galaxy-cosmic-rewind/

A series of enormous wooden sculptures will be installed in the Mandurah region south of Perth. The outdoor exhibition is the first of its kind in Australia from internationally acclaimed and renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo who has exhibited extensively throughout the world including Denmark, U.S.A., France, Germany, China, South Korea, and Chile. Standing at up to five metres tall, the sculptures are intended to be protectors of the environment and the local community will be directly involved in creating the works, which will each have their own personality and tell part of the story of the Mandurah area.

Further information: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/05/Australian-first-sculpture-trail-to-boost-Peel-region.aspx

The Queensland Government will invest $20 million over three years to deliver a unique ‘road trip meets music festival’ initiative and put Queensland on the map as a music tourism destination. The Queensland Music Trails will deliver events in 16 communities across four regions starting in the Outback in May 2023. The aim is to drive domestic and international visitors to regional destinations with itineraries linking music events, and local tourism, art, and cultural experiences.

Further information: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/95400

West Virginia has launched the first-ever Waterfall Trail targeting travellers looking to get off the beaten path and reconnect with nature. West Virginia is one of the most scenic states in the United States with over 200 waterfalls across the state. The trail includes 29 of these well-known cascades. The Waterfall Trail is a collaboration with Bandwango, a travel technology platform that makes checking in at each location quick and easy via a passport.

Further information: https://wvtourism.com/west-virginia-waterfall-trail/

GLP Films has partnered with Sustainable Travel International on their inaugural Sustainability Storytelling Competition. The competition invites organisations to submit their untold story of sustainability for a chance to win a custom video produced and distributed by GLP and global partners. Submissions close 31 July 2022.

Further information: https://sustainabletravel.org/glp-flims-sustainability-storytelling-competition-launch-2022/

The Sunshine Coast Local Government Area has been declared a Biosphere by UNESCO, recognising the region as an international site of excellence and an area of natural beauty. The new Biosphere Reserve sits just south of the Noosa and Great Sandy Biosphere Reserves, meaning three of the five UNESCO Biospheres in Australia are located on the Sunshine Coast.

Further information: https://corporate.visitsunshinecoast.com/sunshine-coast-the-only-place-in-the-world-where-three-unesco-biospheres-align/

The Australian and South Australian Governments are providing $15.5 million to Kangaroo Island through the Regional Recovery Partnerships Program. One of the priority projects is the construction of a new $4 million visitor hub at Cape Willoughby including a viewing platform, cafe and visitor information facilities, and upgrades to nearby accommodation.

Further information: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/regional-australia/regional-recovery-partnerships

First Nations-owned and operated Wilpena Pound Resort in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges will undergo an extensive redevelopment over the next two years after securing funding via a $3 million grant. NRMA Parks and Resorts will oversee the reimagination of the resort working in consultation with South Australia’s Department of Environment and Water and Indigenous Business Australia. In addition to upgrading the hotel rooms, the redevelopment will also include a new Welcome Entry precinct and four new Stargazing Safari tents fitted with kid-friendly play areas, outdoor bathing areas and state-of-the-art heating and cooling technologies.

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

Intrepid Travel has partnered with Taungurung Land and Waters Council to create the Taungurung Cultural Tour Guide Program. In collaboration with Koorie Heritage Trust and Visit Victoria, Intrepid Travel will share their tour guiding expertise to help build the confidence of the Taungurung Cultural Tour Guides in delivering best practice guiding to a diversity of visitors and them effectively share their culture.

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

The Queensland Government has announced a $4 million to grow the number of First Nations tourism experiences in Queensland ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The First Nations Tourism Package will work with the current sector to help create a bigger pipeline of Indigenous tourism products that deliver more unique experiences for tourists.

Further information: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/95284

The Industry Activation and Reef Protection Initiative will be reactivated following the Australian Government’s funding boost enabling tourism operators to continue important reef monitoring and conservation work. The continuation of the initiative will help secure critical, frontline jobs in the tourism industry while simultaneously helping conserve high-value tourism sites along the Great Barrier Reef.

Further information: https://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/our-work/our-programs-and-projects/tourism-industry-activation-and-reef-protection-initiative

Travel with Purpose is Hilton’s Environmental, Social and Governance strategy to drive responsible travel and tourism globally by 2030. It aims to catalyse local economic growth, respect human rights, as well as create positive environmental and social impact across its operations, supply chain and communities. Hilton also tracks and reports environmental and social impacts at more than 6,800 hotels.

Further information: https://esg.hilton.com/

The Queensland Tourism Industry Reference Panel has released a Towards 2032 – Action Plan for Tourism Recovery. The 10-year plan outlines key recommendations for the next decade which algins with Queensland hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It includes 75 recommendations to position Queensland as Australia’s destination of choice for domestic and global visitors seeking the world’s best tourism experiences by 2032.

Further information: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/tourism-industry-reference-panel

Tourism Research Australia have released their annual State of the Industry report which presents a snapshot of Australia’s tourism industry in 2021. The report uses data from multiple sources to highlight various industry and government pandemic responses during the year. The report shows the visitor economy outlook is more positive now than during the past two years, but still faces serious labour shortages and increased international competition.

Further information: https://www.tra.gov.au/economic-analysis/state-of-the-industry/state-of-the-industry

A new report by Economist Impact, sponsored by Airbnb, explores the recovery of tourism in the Asia-Pacific region. Rebuilding tourism in Asia-Pacific: A more conscious traveller looks at ways in which travel could change with the rise of the conscious traveller. The report is based on extensive desk research and a survey of more than 4,500 travellers from across the region.

Further information: https://www.gstcouncil.org/rebuilding-tourism-in-asia-pacific-economist-impact

A research study has been conducted by the Global Business Travel Association as the business travel industry accelerates its journey toward a more sustainable future. The study provides in-depth data and commentary from both industry players as well as external policy makers, think tanks and Non-Government-Organisations to reveal top priorities and opportunities.

Further information: https://www.gbta.org/the-state-of-sustainability

The European Travel Commission has published a market study titled Exploring Consumer Travel Attitudes and Expectations to Drive Tourism Recovery. This report is the first part of a two-phased study which saw in-depth interviews with consumers from European markets (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the U.K.) and long-haul markets (Australia and the U.S.) covering the impact of COVID-19 on travel experiences, behaviour, attitudes, and expectations for the European Summer 2022.

Further information: https://etc-corporate.org/reports/exploring-consumer-travel-attitudes-and-expectations-to-drive-tourism-recovery/

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree has launched an innovative campaign aimed at addressing the issue of rental shortages for workers in the tourism and hospitality industry. The Adopt A Worker campaign is asking the Douglas Shire community to open their homes to baristas, kitchen hands and chefs, hotel workers, cleaning staff, and tour guides struggling to find accommodation while working in the region.

Further information: https://www.visitportdouglasdaintree.com/media

The Tasmanian Tourism Conference will be held in Launceston from 15-16 August 2022. The conference will feature curated workshops and real time industry intelligence on current market trends and expectations from leading tourism forecasters.

Further information: https://tict.com.au/conference/program/

The Australian Festival Industry Conference will take place at Sea World Resort from 30 August to 1 September 2022. The event will provide valuable insights and practical knowledge from Australia’s leading industry experts in the festival business.

Further information: http://australianfestivalconference.com.au/2022-program/

The World Youth and Student Travel Conference will be held in Lisbon from 27-30 September 2022. It is the leading trade event for the global youth, student, and educational travel industry.

Further information: https://www.wystc.org/