Edition 172 · September 2022

The Australian Tourism Industry recently lost a visionary leader, a great mentor, and a good friend to many. For more than 40 years Stephen Gregg oversaw some of the largest and most important innovations in the Australian tourism industry. He is a former CEO of Tourism Queensland, Dreamworld and Cairns and Mackay Airports. He is also the former Chair of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Queensland Rail, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, as well as Tourism and Events Queensland.

Further Information: http://ow.ly/kCoK50KJSMK

Just how important are trails to your community? To your economy? How can they help grow your economy while also nurturing the health and wellbeing of your residents? And how do you balance the demands of sustainability, maintenance and the cost impact of ensuring your trails remain a valuable community asset into the future?

If anyone from your organisation, RTO, business or council –  from CEO to planning, trails or recreation officers or operators – is intrigued as to the importance of trails to the fabric of our communities and what the future of trail development and management looks like, then consider attending the upcoming TRC Sustainable Trails Conference in Tasmania, Australia, this 1-3 November 2022.

An invitation extends to those in our communities with a passion and interest in the sustainability and development of world class trail networks and facilities, from mountain biking, walking, and running groups, to environmental or social organisations with a dedicated interest in outdoor active, nature-based recreation.

Registrations open until October 14th, 2022. Places are limited, get in early! 

https://trctourism.com/sustainable-trails-conference-2022/

The $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund aims to increase investment in nature-based tourism experiences and make South Australia more competitive in luring domestic and international tourists. Grants are available for new and improved nature-based tourism products and experiences in or near a national park, reserve, wilderness protection area or marine park. Applications close 21 October 2022.

Further information: https://tourism.sa.gov.au/support/experience-nature-tourism-fund

The 2023-24 Regional Events Scheme provides funding between $5,000 and $40,000 for individuals or organisations to develop and run small events as tourist attractions in regional Western Australia. Applicants must constitute an individual or organisation hosting a small public event in regional Western Australia between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Applications close on 18 October 2022.

Further information: https://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/industry-support-and-events/resources-for-event-holders/Funding-for-regional-events/Pages/Regional-Events-Scheme-funding.aspx#/

The Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund is part of the $7 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience package funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments to provide targeted support to assist the tourism industry in recovering from the impacts of extraordinary disaster events in 2021-22. The funding is for tourism businesses to build resilience and aid their response to flooding and natural disasters through innovative solutions and bespoke engineering solutions. Applications close 28 October 2022.

Further information: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/funds/resilient-tourism-infrastructure

Gold Coast Airport’s $260 million terminal is now complete with a new three-level domestic and international terminal which doubles the capacity of the airport with room for up to 19 large aircraft. The expansion includes four glass aerobridges, additional retail spaces, a departure lounge, baggage handling and border control facilities as well as a parent’s room, multi-faith room and a VIP room.

Further information: https://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/latest-news/gold-coast-airports-260m-world-class-expansion-is-ready-to-take-off

Turkish Airlines has introduced a new carbon emissions offset program enabling passengers to contribute to initiatives across the themes of renewables, community care and greener world. Dubbed ‘Co2mission,’ the project spans solar, hydroelectric and wind power, reforestation, and community development. Passengers can offset the emission of their flight by contributing to a project and purchasing an emission reduction certification accredited by United Nations.

Further information: https://turkishairlines.co2mission.com/en

Space Perspective the world’s first luxury spaceflight experience company is taking explorers on a spaceflight 100,000 feet above the Earth aboard the world’s most accessible and sustainable spacecraft. Spaceship Neptune is a pressurised capsule propelled by a state-of-the-art 700-foot-tall SpaceBalloon instead of rocket fuel and high G-forces. Starting in late 2024, the flight on Spaceship Neptune costs USD$125,000 per person. It seats eight passengers and a pilot, as well as a fully stocked bar and bathroom.

Further information: https://spaceperspective.com/

Italian studio Network of Architecture created Hub of Huts as a well-being area that appears to defy gravity at the Alpine Hotel Hubertus in South Tyrol. It forms a natural continuation of the resort’s existing well-being zone characterised by a group of inverted and upturned micro-structures with gabled roofs that collectively form a zen-like refuge for the hotel. Supported by large tree-like columns, the structure sits close to a projecting glass-bottomed pool originally created by Network of Architecture for the Italian resort in 2016.

Further information: https://www.hotel-hubertus.com/en

IHG Hotels & Resorts is donating around 100,000 meals to help feed people in need across Australia as part of its Stay for Good initiative. Participating IHG properties in Australia will donate $1 from every stay, restaurant, and bar bill. Guests will also be able to order a specially created menu item a plant-based OzHarvest burger which will see a further $1 donated from every order.

Further information: https://www.ihg.com/content/gb/en/deals/hotel-offers/aua-stay-for-good-2022

The Ennismore hospitality company is expanding across New Zealand and Australia with the signing of four new hotels in partnership with the CP Group. The new hotels include a JO&JOE in Auckland, two TRIBE hotels in Auckland, and a Hyde in Queenstown. These hotels will join Ennismore’s current pacific region collective including TRIBE Perth and SO/ Auckland, as well as SO/ Melbourne, Mondrian Gold Coast and 25hours Sydney all set to open by 2025.

Further information: https://ennismore.com/stories/ennismore-expands-in-new-zealand-with-four-new-lifestyle-hotel-signings/

The Restorative Bed has been developed by Californian start-up Bryte for hotels that want to differentiate their in-room wellness programs. The bed is designed to facilitate restorative sleep which allows body systems to engage in recovery, repair, and growth. The bed also learns and adapts to individual sleepers allowing travellers to create a profile that saves their preferences for the next time they stay at a hotel with a Restorative Bed.

Further information: https://www.bryte.com/

The Queensland Government has appointed a new Riversleigh World Heritage Advisory Committee for one of the world’s most famous fossil sites. The Riversleigh World Heritage Area was listed as World Heritage in 1994 and is part of the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites and comprises over 10,000 hectares of Boodjamulla National Park. The committee includes representation from the Traditional Owners, as well as community, local council, and scientific experts.

Further information: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/96004

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada is inviting travellers to visit Indigenous communities, nations, and experiences across Canada’s iconic national parks. Parks Canada and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada have a four-year memorandum of understanding which recognises the role that Indigenous Peoples have in protecting the historic sites, national parks, and marine conservation areas, as well as encouraging the sharing of stories.

Further information: https://destinationindigenous.ca/

The Queensland Government has launched a new $3 million program to improve access and activate island-based tourism on islands of the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef Island Marine Infrastructure Package aims to support the development of marine infrastructure projects based on National Park islands with existing or planned tourism development.

Further information: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/96036

Sleeper Charger is a new travel solution in Europe that targets drivers of electric cars by offering verified Electric Vehicle Charging at a range of accommodation options including 5-star hotel hotels, seaside cottages, castles or eco wellness retreats. The booking tool lists over 60,000+ properties with verified Electric Vehicle Charging within or close to the property.

Further information: https://sleepercharger.com/

The Western Australian Government has launched a new global tourism brand to underpin Tourism Western Australia’s marketing activities for the next five years. The ‘Walking On A Dream’ campaign aims to lift the profile of the state as a unique holiday destination and turbocharge interstate and international visitation in a fiercely competitive global travel marketplace post COVID-19. The $15 million intrastate, interstate, and international campaign will run across TV, press, radio, digital and social platforms. Further informati

//www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/09/New-Western-Australian-brand-showcases-dream-holidays-as-reality.aspx

Tourism and Events Queensland has launched a new campaign to encourage southerners to book a holiday before the end of the year in a bid to stay ahead of an increasingly competitive tourism market. The $4.5 million ‘Seize The Days’ campaign is aimed at people who are starting to look overseas for their next holiday after more than two years of international travel bans. The pitch is a reboot of the ‘Days like this’ campaign for the markets of NSW and Victoria as well as Queenslanders.

Further information: https://teq.queensland.com/au/en/industry/what-we-do/marketing/current-opportunities/seize-the-days

Tourism Western Australia has published guidelines on how tourism and hospitality businesses across accommodation, attractions and tours can improve accessibility for people with a range of needs. The Opportunity for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism guidelines were developed in consultation with partner organisations and provide information for tourism operators to use to improve accessibility and inclusivity for visitors with disability, older travellers, and young families.

Further information: https://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/News-and-media/News/Article/New_guide_for_tourism_businesses_to_improve_accessibility/1133#/

The Australian Federal Government has announced $3.3 million to establish a Visitor Economy Disability Pilot to support businesses in recruiting and help people living with disability secure sustained jobs in tourism. The pilot will address barriers previously identified by small and medium tourism businesses in recruiting, retaining, and progressing staff with disability.

Further information: https://www.trademinister.gov.au/minister/don-farrell/media-release/creating-job-opportunities-people-living-disability-visitor-economy

The Future of Travel Youth Design Challenge is a free online design thinking initiative that empowers youth to consider how they can impact travel, tourism, and cultural experiences. It is being delivered in partnership with Flight Centre Australia and empowers youth to identify problems, reframe them as opportunities, develop a solution and create a prototype. Entries close on 4 November 2022.

Further information: https://youngchangeagents.com/challenges/future-travel-youth-design-challenge

The Future of Tourism Coalition is launching a monthly storytelling initiative to share new ideas, inspiring case studies, and support radical collaboration. This knowledge-sharing initiative aims to share new ideas and inspiring case studies on the challenges and successes which can assist in building a more robust and sustainable tourism movement.

Further information: https://www.futureoftourism.org/post/our-new-future-of-tourism-is-now-initiative

The City of Salem, in conjunction with Destination Salem, local historians, the National Park Service, city government and business owners, have begun a strategic revisioning of the Salem Heritage Trail to guide visitors from around the world through more than 400 years of history. The project will include developing interpretation of heritage sites along the historic trail, a new website and mobile app to provide interpretation of icons, and signage.

Further information: https://salemheritagetrail.org/

The Slovenia Unique Experiences label ensures products and services are local, innovative and of a unique 5-star quality. The strict rules for awarding the label ensure that each experience has a personal story and is in line with the principles of sustainable tourism.

Further information: https://www.slovenia.info/en/business/press-centre/essentials/slovenia-unique-experiences

The Victorian Government has provided $17 million for planning and construction of stage one of a multi-day 57-kilometre walking experience through the Alpine region. The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is one of Victoria’s key long-distance walks which also includes the Great Ocean Walk, the Grampians Peaks Trail and the Coastal Wilderness Walk. Architects K2LD have been appointed to create designs for track upgrades and campgrounds that will include basic roofed accommodation.

Further information: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/eastern-victoria/falls-to-hotham-alpine-crossing-project-planning

Flight Centre Travel Group’s luxury and experiential agency Travel Associates has launched a new brand campaign. One of a Kind is designed to showcase the brand and target the client who understands the value of working with a trusted advisor for a one-of-a-kind tailored and memorable holiday experience. It features a purple gemstone which represents a ‘navigation drop-pin’ that highlights the hidden travel gems the brand can provide to clients, along with exceptional service and advice.

Further information: https://oneofakind.travelassociates.com/

The Tasmanian Government has released an independent report by KPMG into the value the cruise ship market. The Value Proposition of the Cruise Market for Tasmania provides a better understanding of the economic, social, and environmental impacts of expedition, luxury, mid-size, and mega-ships vessels currently visiting Tasmania. It involved consultation with tourism and hospitality businesses, industry associations, local councils, the Environment Protection Authority, Parks, and Wildlife, TasPorts, and Marine and Safety Tasmania.

Further information: https://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/industry/cruise_tourism

Berlin Tourism is allowing locals to actively help shape tourism development in the city through the Citizens’ Advisory Board. Under the new initiative, representatives from each of Berlin’s 12 districts will form an independent council that will have the opportunity to preserve their city’s authenticity and character sustainably. The application process ends in October.

Further information: https://about.visitberlin.de/en/node/2810

The United States Travel Association has launched a new Sustainable Travel Coalition which aims to align the travel, transportation, and technology sectors in developing strategies to enable a more sustainable future for the travel industry. With support from more than 100 travel industry organisations, the coalition will serve as an advisory body on sustainability issues, opportunities, and concerns.

Further information: https://www.ustravel.org/programs/sustainable-travel-coalition

A new report from the World Travel and Tourism Council in collaboration with Oxford Economics has analysed the issue of staff shortages in France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the U.K., the U.S.A., and the European Union through two measures of labour scarcity – net and gross labour shortfall. While staff shortages in 2021 were concentrated in the accommodation and hospitality, in 2022 the lack of labour is anticipated to spread to the transportation segment of the tourism sector.

Further information: https://wttc.org/Portals/0/Documents/Reports/2022/WTTC-Staff%20Shortages-August22.pdf

The Young Tourism Network ‘Launchpad’ is a professional development experience designed and led by young people for young people. The 7-week online program will run from 20 September to 1 November 2022 covering themes including climate change, celebrating diversity, and empowering young people. The not-for-profit organisation aims to provide students and new entrants the opportunity to learn and grow through professional development workshops and networking opportunities.

Further information: https://youngtourismnetwork.com.au/young-people-in-tourism-launchpad-program/

The Western Australian Government has announced $3.9 million in funding to develop workforce skills and training in the tourism and hospitality industries. The Tourism Workforce Development Program 2022-24 will fund initiatives aimed at addressing the current shortage of workers and building a pipeline of talent by connecting local people with local jobs. Tourism Western Australia is also developing a toolkit of information and resources aimed at supporting employers with attracting and retaining workers.

Further information: https://westernaustralia.jobs/2022/08/22/major-government-boost-for-hospitality-and-tourism-industry/

According to the latest World Tourism Barometer, international tourism saw a strong rebound in the first five months of 2022, with almost 250 million international arrivals recorded. The barometer monitors short-term tourism trends on a regular basis to provide global tourism stakeholders with up-to-date analysis on international tourism. The report is published four times a year and includes an analysis of the latest data on tourism destinations and source markets.

Further information: https://www.unwto.org/unwto-world-tourism-barometer-data

https://www.unwto.org/news/international-tourism-consolidates-strong-recovery-admidst-growing-challenges

Initial findings from the fourth annual 2022 SAP Concur global business travel and travel manager surveys underscore that unless employers address employee demands at a global scale around flexibility, health and safety while traveling for business, their ability to attract and retain key talent is at risk. The survey of 3,850 business travellers from 25 global markets and 700 global travel managers across seven markets was conducted by Wakefield Research between April and May 2022.

Further information: https://news.sap.com/2022/06/sap-concur-global-business-traveler-report-talent-implications/

The 15th edition of the SITA Passenger Information Technology Insights report examines the intersection of technology and the passenger experience as the air transport industry recovers from the pandemic. The research highlights how passengers are further embracing mobile and touchless technologies to make the journey as convenient and seamless as possible. It was conducted with respondents from 27 countries across the Americas, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Further information: https://www.sita.aero/resources/surveys-reports/passenger-it-insights-2022/

According to the 2022 American Express Travel Global Survey, travellers are placing increasing importance on making a positive impact on the destinations they visit and where they spend their money. The report looks at the motivations and considerations of travellers in Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, the U.K., and the U.S.A. as well as trends shaping the future of travel. The online poll was conducted by Morning Consult in February 2022 of 3,000 travellers who travel by air at least once a year.

Further information: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/discover/get-inspired/global-travel-trends

The Points Guy has released the annual Best Airlines Report which reveals the best and worst airlines in America based on customer satisfaction, cabin comfort, on-time records, lost luggage data, lounge quality, reliability, overall experience, cost, and loyalty offerings. Delta Airlines has been named the number one airline in America, with Southwest Airlines coming second and United, American, and Alaska rounding out the top five rankings.

Further information: https://thepointsguy.com/news/tpg-best-us-airlines-2022/

EasyJet holidays has launched a new ‘eco-certified’ collection of holidays to make it easier for consumers to make sustainable holiday choices. The hotels will be identified by a green leaf motif on the tour operator’s website to indicate they have met the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s social and environmental standards, the highest assurance level that exists on the market for accommodation.

Further information: https://www.easyjet.com/en/holidays/media-centre/press-releases/gstc

The Trails Forum will be held in Perth on 21 October 2022. It will focus on the planning and construction of mountain bike and hiking trails close to Perth and other strategic priorities.

Further information: https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/department/events/event/2022/10/21/sport-and-recreation/2022-trails-forum

A World for Travel will be held in Nimes, France from 27-28 October 2022. The event will see travel leaders discuss how their businesses are recalibrating to ensure that industry is rebuilt in a sustainable and equitable way.

Further information: https://resiliencecouncil.com/event/a-world-for-travel-nimes-forum

The Wildlife Tourism Conference is being hosted by Griffith University in Brisbane from 30 October to 2 November 2022. Keynote speakers will discuss the maintenance and development of responsible wildlife tourism for a sustainable industry.

Further information: https://www.wildlifetourism.org.au/wildlife-tourism-conference-2022/

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s annual Destination IQ will be held on 2 November at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event brings together business, government, tourism, native title holders and community organisations to discuss issues, opportunities, and strategies for supporting Indigenous tourism growth and employment.

Further information: https://localtickets.com.au/event/destination-iq-15868

The annual DestinationQ Forum will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on 3 November 2022. The event brings together government and industry leaders to discuss key tourism issues and priorities to ensure Queensland remains competitive as a destination.

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