Edition 174 · November 2022

The first stage of a new rooftop oasis in Melbourne’s Seafarer’s precinct has opened to the public. The Melbourne Skyfarm is a collaboration between sustainability companies to transform a rooftop car park into an urban farm, nursery, orchard, cafe, environmental education, and event space. When completed, the 2000-square-metre space will grow an estimated five tonnes of food per year for food waste charity OzHarvest.

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

Leading travel risk management company World Travel Protection has relaunched Travel Assist to ensure organisations are equipped with the ability to educate, locate, and communicate with their staff no matter where they are in the world. World Travel Protection is part of the Zurich Insurance Group provides support services for medical, travel and emergencies including case management, evacuation repatriation telehealth and security intelligence.

Further information: https://worldtravelprotection.com/travel-assist/

The $10 million Accessible Tourism Queensland Fund will support small to medium size tourism and events businesses to develop or enhance accessibility for people of all abilities. It will also help change the perception of what it means to be an accessible tourism business and will promote accessible tourism destinations and experiences in Queensland. The Accessible Tourism Queensland Fund will support small to medium sized tourism and events businesses to develop or enhance accessibility for people of all abilities.

Further information: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/accessible-tourism-2022/accessible-tourism

The Brisbane Lord Mayor has launched a Convention Trailblazer Grant to position Brisbane as a world-class host city for conventions and business events. It aims to enlist the city’s early-career professionals and researchers to make their mark by attracting valuable industry conferences. Applications close 26 February 2023.

Further information: https://www.choosebrisbane.com.au/conventions/business-events/how-we-can-help/the-lord-mayors-convention-trailblazer

The Victorian Government has committed $10 million in funding to support and enhance Victoria’s distillery industry. The Distillery Door Program aims to support and enhance the distillery industry through supporting skills development, boosting the visitor economy, infrastructure, and export capability. Two streams of funding for projects are available under the program which closes on 7 April 2023.

Further information: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/funds-grants-programs/distillery-support-infrastructure-boosting-visitor-economy

Air Astana has launched a pilot project aimed at creatively recycling decommissioned aircraft parts for furniture. The Upcycling for the Future project sees spare parts from aircraft including nose cones, luggage compartment lids, seat frames and other cabin furnishings, transformed into a unique collection of furniture and interior decorations. The items are suitable for indoor and outdoor as they can withstand various temperatures and climatic conditions due to the technologies used during the recycling process.

Further information: https://simpleflying.com/air-astana-upcycles-airbus-a320-boeing-767/

Virgin Voyages has taken a major step in advancing a low-carbon future by establishing key partnerships with independent sustainability experts and three leading waste-based sustainable fuel providers in the marine industry. It is collaborating with Argent Energy, GoodFuels and Twelve as part of their commitment to reaching net zero by 2050. The new cruise line also has the most efficient and youngest fleet of ships in the industry including Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady.

Further information: https://www.virgin.com/about-virgin/latest/virgin-voyages-announces-sustainable-marine-fuel-partnerships

Croatian start-up iCat has developed a solar-powered catamaran that enables passengers to enjoy the scenery in a more sustainable way. The 15-metre, 54-passenger vessel called the solarCat comes with an integrated solar power station that allows it to run on its own self-generated energy leading to zero emissions and significantly reducing the amount of noise generated. The solarCat was first used on Zagreb’s Lake Jarun and is already in use in Croatia for tourism purposes.

Further information: https://icat.hr/en/solarcat

Hazelwood Estate in Queensland’s Scenic Rim has been renamed Beechmont Estate as part of the Northern Escape Collections curated portfolio of boutique lodges and experiences. The name change celebrates its location near the town of Beechmont in the Gold Coast hinterland and aligns with Orpheus Island Lodge, Daintree Ecolodge and Mt. Mulligan Lodge. The 75-acre property neighbours the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park and sleeps 48 guests in five-star luxury accommodation with gourmet dining experiences at The Paddock restaurant.

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

Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites have launched a new campaign centred around the benefits of travel for happiness. As part of the Happy Folks Choose Oaks campaign, the hotel group is searching for The Happiest Person with the winner to be rewarded with a holiday for every season at an Oaks property of their choice. The winner will be announced by Dr Happy AKA Dr Tim Sharp, founder of The Happiness Institute and Resident Happiness Expert on the International Day of Happiness. Entries close on 22nd January 2023.

Further information: https://www.oakshotels.com/en/happy-folks-choose-oaks

Visitors to Singapore can stay now inside one of the city’s best known green spaces. The Garden Pod is a new eco-friendly hotel situated inside the Gardens by the Bay attraction. The duplex suites are fashioned from the shipping container hotel’s repurposed 40-foot containers and outfitted with photovoltaic panels that harvest clean solar energy while keeping carbon and waste footprints to a minimum.

Further information: https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/things-to-do/garden-pod.html

Marriott International has signed an agreement with Australian property developers Pelligra Group and Giannarelli Group to bring Australia’s third Ritz-Carlton hotel to the Gold Coast by 2026. The Ritz-Carlton Gold Coast will serve as an integral component of a $480 million new waterfront development at Mariner’s Cove and will feature 150 guest rooms and suites. It will mark the third Marriott International property on the Gold Coast, joining existing hotels JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa and Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast.

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

Internationally acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah have made their debut in five secret locations throughout the wider Peel region, an hour’s drive south of Perth in Western Australia. The larger-than-life wooden sculptures at around five metres tall are on display for visitors to discover and explore as an evocative, playful, and gentle reminder of the environmental impact humans have had on the earth. Dambo has created over 80 sculptures across the world including the United States, Puerto Rico, Denmark, and South Korea.

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

The Best Practice Guide for Working with First Nations Tourism in Queensland has been launched by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. The guide was produced by Jaramer Legal and sets out a practical framework for recognising people and place, safeguarding intellectual property rights and cultural protocols, and for respecting Indigenous heritage. It involved consultation with Queensland Tourism Indigenous Champions Network, Queensland First Nations Tourism Council, Queensland’s First Nations communities, and the broader Queensland Tourism Industry.

Further information: https://www.qtic.com.au/indigenous-tourism/best-practice-guide-for-working-with-first-nations-tourism/

The Queensland Government has committed $700,000 to help progress the Mandingalbay Yidinji Eco Cultural Tourism Precinct proposal at East Trinity Inlet near Cairns. The world-class attraction which aims to showcase Indigenous history, culture and the natural environment is part of the $27.4 million Regional Tourism Recovery Program. The Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation is also expanding its capacity by recruiting and training Indigenous youth from the nearby Yarrabah community.

Further information: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/news/latest-news/articles/2022/october/indigenous-ecotourism-project-in-the-far-north-progressing

Tourism New Zealand has launched a new campaign domestically and internationally to support tourism recovery. If You Seek is the first global campaign since New Zealand’s borders closed and takes a fresh approach to destination marketing by featuring a range of destinations and activities. The campaign will run for 12 months and features some places and experiences that are not as recognisable in key markets capturing the uniqueness of New Zealand.

Further information: https://www.tourismnewzealand.com/news-and-activity/tourism-new-zealand-invites-the-curious-in-new-global-campaign/

The Croatian National Tourist Board has launched a new autumn campaign ‘Falling for Croatia’ on social networks. The campaign is a guide through the destinations and activities that Croatia offers to encourage further tourist traffic in the post-season. It will cover as many as 90 products and destinations focusing on culture, wine and gastronomy, nautical, active tourism, and nature.

Further information: https://croatia.hr/en-gb

The Vanuatu Tourism Office and Vanuatu Post have relaunched the Vanuatu Volcano Post Box at the rim of Mt. Yasur on the island of Tanauta for domestic travellers and international visitors to post their letters and postcards. The Volcano Post Box is branded with the campaign logo and messaging ‘Answer the Call of Vanuatu.’

Further information: https://www.vanuatupost.vu/volcano-post

The New South Wales Government is assisting assist 26 partners across 28 local government areas with bespoke marketing support aligned to its Feel New brand to encourage visitors from the city to visit the country. The Feel New Co-operative Marketing Program will deliver campaigns aimed at enhancing awareness and driving bookings to visitor experiences in the regions. In addition to matching funds for paid media, the government will cover media fees and campaign development costs.

Further information: https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/tourism/marketing-opportunities/feel-new-visitor-brand

The Queensland Government has declared 2023 the Year of Accessible Tourism in Queensland and will commit $12 million towards making the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games the world’s most accessible and inclusive sporting event. It includes $10 million Accessible Tourism Queensland Fund, $1 million Awareness and Capability Program, and $1 million Visitor Experience Development initiative. These initiatives aim to provide greater destination experiences for visitors of all abilities and legacy outcomes including built infrastructure and skills development for tourism operators across the state.

Further information: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/accessible-tourism-2022/accessible-tourism

Christchurch Airport has joined the Sunflower Lanyard scheme, a program for people who would like a little more assistance without having to ask for it. The lanyards are used by people with a non-visible disability to indicate the wearer would like additional support, assistance or a little more time. Those disabilities include anxiety, autism, dementia, hearing impairment, epilepsy, and partial sight. The airport is offering the lanyards free to people who need them, along with a downloadable or printed guide to the airport.

Further information: https://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/sunflower

The Australian Government has announced over $15 million for the Great Barrier Reef initiative to help tourism businesses recover from COVID-19. Twenty-six tourism operators have been selected through a competitive tender process to participate in the initiative which will enhance the scope of monitoring and conservation of the reef as visitors return to the World Heritage Area.

Further information: https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/plibersek/media-releases/labor-delivers-reef-tourism

The Grampians is set to receive $8 million from the Regional Tourism Investment Fund and Enabling Tourism Fund from the Victorian Government. This important funding will help develop new accommodation, visitor experiences and further position the Grampians region as a sustainable nature-based tourism destination. The Grampians Investment Prospectus has been developed by Grampians Tourism and key partners to showcase the opportunities available to future investors across the four local government areas.

Further information: https://www.visitgrampians.com.au/invest

The World Tourism Organisation is developing a series of investment guidelines to understand and generate sustainable investments and promote innovations in the tourism ecosystem. It recently partnered with fDi Intelligence from the Financial Times to develop a joint publication on global greenfield Investment trends in tourism. The Tourism Investment Report 2022 found that while the tourism sector has been showing signs of recovery, foreign direct investment into the sector remained low in 2021 and continued a downward trajectory in the first half of this year.

Further information: https://www.unwto.org/investment/tourism-investment-report-2022

Travelife and the Adventure Travel Trade Association have released 38 activity sustainability standards for the tour operator industry. The Sustainability Standards for Tourism Worldwide marks the first time there has been a compilation of best practices to specifically address sustainability topics related to adventure activities such as community-based tourism, wildlife watching tours, mountain biking, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, and trekking.

Further information: https://cdn-content.adventuretravel.biz/files/2022/6335ab937716b2.15507796/ATTA-Travelife-CoBPs_compiled_09-2022.pdf

Ecotourism Australia, in partnership with Tourism Australia, has launched the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard program. The program is a pathway allowing tourism businesses to measure where they are at in their sustainability journey across four pillars including environmental, socio-economic, and cultural impacts, and sustainable management.

Further information: https://www.ecotourism.org.au/strive-4-sustainability

The Cathay Pacific Group has released its annual Sustainable Development Report that addresses its commitment and progress in the areas of environmental, social and governance towards a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The report sets out progress made towards priority sustainability issues including support for communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, new commitments towards greater diversity in their workforce and the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Further information: https://news.cathaypacific.com/cathay-pacific-2021-sustainability-report-now-available

The Queensland Government has launched a new strategy setting the direction of tourism in Queensland for the next 10 years. Towards Tourism 2032 aims to make the most of the opportunities ahead, address tourism’s challenges, and collectively achieve the best outcomes in the lead up to hosting the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The strategy was developed in response to the Tourism Industry Reference Panel’s Action Plan for Tourism Recovery which was released in June 2022.

Further information: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/tourism-strategy-2022/towards-tourism-2032

In early September 2022, the Australian Government organised a Jobs and Skills Summit which brought together representatives from tourism industry associations, unions, business, academia, Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. The Employment White Paper builds on the outcomes of the Jobs and Skills Summit and will provide a roadmap for Australia to build a bigger, better trained and more productive workforce. Public submissions close 30 November 2022.

Further information: https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2022-322158

The World Tourism Organisation has launched the Student League to promote local talent development and work with young people to design solutions for some of the most pressing challenges facing tourism. Through the challenge ‘Off the Beaten Track,’ students from around the world will compete to give the tourism sector their best sustainable ideas on the pressing subjects of the sector. Throughout the competition, students will learn from top tourism experts both in their own countries and internationally.

Further information: https://www.unwto.org/students-league

The Griffith Institute for Tourism and Australian Trade and Investment Commission are looking to recruit a suitable PhD candidate for three-years to conduct evidence-based research to further enhance Austrade’s knowledge and understanding of the visitor economy. This will assist with identifying opportunities and challenges associated with implementing the actions set out in THRIVE 2030. Expressions of interest close 28 November 2022.

Further information: https://www.griffith.edu.au/research-study/scholarships/building-a-more-resilient-and-sustainable-visitor-economy-thrive-2030

The Trip.com Group has released its inaugural Sustainable Travel Consumer Report 2022 based on a survey of 7,705 respondents across 11 markets in Asia and Europe. Fundings show the perception of sustainable travel varies with a growing proportion of travellers now approaching the term more holistically, emphasising the economic, cultural and biodiversity aspects in addition to the usual environmental considerations. One highlight was that Asian and European travellers understand and practise sustainable travel differently.

Further information: https://www.trip.com/newsroom/sustainable-travel-consumer-report-from-trip-com-group-reveals-deeper-understanding-of-the-sustainable-trip-identifies-opportunities-for-travel-industry/

SITA’s 2022 Baggage IT Insights report shows more bags were mishandled in 2021 than in 2020 due to staff shortages across airlines, ground handlers, and airports. The report also explored the challenges brought on by COVID-19 and how the industry is addressing them through technology such as SITA Bag Manager which tracks bags in real-time across the airport environment or SITA WorldTracer Self Service which allows travellers to file a missing bag report from their mobile device.

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

A report by GlobalData has found that the companies in the tourism sector are investing in augmented reality to improve traveller experience after the industry was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. Findings of the Augmented Reality in Travel and Tourism 2022 report show that industry is using augmented reality to adapt to challenges such as last-minute cancellations by allowing guests to visualise a room before booking, translating signs and menus, as well as for guiding tourists through popular attractions.

Further information: https://www.globaldata.com/ar-set-transform-travel-tourism-industry-will-provide-informative-enhanced-experience-travellers-says-globaldata/

The Expedia Group have unveiled a comprehensive view of traveller trends across its brands and the broader travel industry in 2023. The No-Normal Unexpected Travel Trends for 2023 report identifies five trends based on data and research from travellers and industry experts across 17 countries. It highlights the surge in demand for trips to culture capitals, TV-inspired locations, and outdoor destinations beyond beaches.

Further information: https://www.expedia.com.au/stories/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Expedia_Travel-Trends-Report_AU-1.pdf

The Queensland Government has announced that 16 councils and regional tourism organisations will receive up to $150,000 as part of the Eco-certified Tourism Destination Program. This will assist these organisations in achieving their Eco Destination Certification and becoming leaders in sustainable tourism.

Further information: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/funds/eco-certified-tourism

Ecotourism Australia has developed Sustainable Tourism Certification to support the tourism industry more broadly and provide the opportunity for non-natured based businesses to also achieve global best practice sustainability standards. Like ECO Certification, Sustainable Tourism Certification will use stringent criteria and independent audits to assess tourism businesses and operators in sustainable and responsible tourism practices.

Further information: https://www.ecotourism.org.au/sustainable-tourism-certification

Ecotourism Australia has developed a new Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification program for destinations that want to be recognised for their sustainability practices and meet global best practice standards. Using similar criteria in the ECO Destination Certification program, it will be available to all destinations that focus on a regional commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices.

Further information: https://www.ecotourism.org.au/sustainable-tourism-destination-certification

The 2022 winners of the WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards have been announced in London. Launched in 2004, the awards recognise and reward travel businesses and tourism destinations which are contributing to a more sustainable and responsible tourism industry across 10 categories. Winners are chosen by a group of industry experts, who meet online to enable the judging panel to be internationally diverse.

Further information: https://hub.wtm.com/category/press/wrtd/

Entries for the 34th National Banksia Sustainability Awards opened this month. Australia’s longest running and most prestigious sustainability awards recognise leadership in biodiversity, climate change, and First Nations people, reinforcing the diversity of sustainability with over 15 categories. Entries close on 13 December 2022, with the national winners announced at a gala awards ceremony in March 2023.

Further information: https://banksiafdn.com/

Tourism Australia will host the annual Destination Australia Conference at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Sydney on 16 March 2023.

Further information: https://www.tourism.australia.com/en/news-and-events/industry-events/australian-tourism-industry-events-calendar.html

The World Indigenous Tourism Summit will be held in Perth, Western Australia from 13-16 March 2023 on the country of the Whadjuk Noongar traditional owners. The event brings together those with Indigenous and non-Indigenous tourism interests, academics, government representatives and youth.

Further information: https://www.wits2023.com.au/