Edition 194 · July 2024

We welcome short stories on innovations, and success stories and stories that reflect the positive things that the tourism industry is doing to ensure that the industry returns and re-builds.

Submit stories to editor@tourforce.com

Plans have been revealed for a new underground tourist attraction in London by 2027. Once protected by the U.K.’s Official Secrets Act the Kingsway Exchange Tunnels are 40 metres below Chancery Lane tube station and were built in 1940 to shelter Londoners during World War II. The $268 million transformation is being done by architects Wilkinson-Eyre who did Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay and London’s Battersea Power Station.

Further information: https://thelondontunnels.com/

A new grant program in Tasmania aims to help Aboriginal people in tourism and hospitality participate in professional development opportunities. Grants of up to $3,000 per person are available for costs associated with participating in conferences, workshops, training courses and trade shows. Submissions close on 5 September 2024.

Further information: https://www.business.tas.gov.au/funding/tourism2/aboriginal_tourism_and_hospitality_industry_grant_program

The $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund aims to increase investment in nature-based tourism experiences and showcase South Australia’s natural landscapes to domestic and international tourists. Private businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community associations can access grants for new and improved nature-based tourism products and experiences in or near a national park, reserve, wilderness protection area or marine park. Round three applications close 16 August 2024.

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

Uber is launching new nautical experiences in European tourist spots including Ibiza, Venice, Athens, Paris, Corfu, and Santorini. The ride-sharing company has launched Uber Yacht, Uber Boat and Uber Cruise giving customers an affordable way to travel in ultimate style. The new travel products are launching in response to rising demand for Uber’s services in tourist hotspots with availability expected to be limited and subject to weather conditions.

Further information: https://www.uber.com/newsroom/uber-yacht/

The International Air Transport Association is collaborating with the Aviation Sustainability Forum to launch a standardised Cabin Waste Composition Auditing Platform in September 2024. The audit data will guide the airline industry and policy makers in their efforts to reduce the levels of waste produced and improve circularity by identifying opportunities for re-use and re-cycling.

Further information: https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2024-releases/2024-07-04-01/

The Lufthansa Group is introducing an Environmental Cost Surcharge to offset the rising price of eco regulations and increase sustainable air travel. The Lufthansa Group is adding an Environmental Cost Surcharge on all tickets sold to and from the U.K. and 29 European countries for departures from 1 January 2025. The Environmental Cost Surcharge will vary depending on the flight route and fare.

Further information: https://newsroom.lufthansagroup.com/en/lufthansa-group-introduces–environmental-cost-surcharge/

Wood Hotel Bodø is a new sustainable resort in Norway built by Nordic Hotels and Resorts. The 177-room hotel is built from wood with a facade that blends into the landscape of Mount Rønvik. The use of wood instead of steel and concrete reduced the carbon footprint of the construction process by up to 45 percent. The eight-storey building has solar panels on the roof and the interior design primarily features Norwegian furnishings to minimise transportation emissions.

Further information: https://woodbodo.com/

Marriott International is planning to develop a Sheraton Hotels and Resort in Hervey Bay as a component of the AU$445 million Torquay waterfront development. The hotel group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with developer Sunny Beach Land confirming its intention to operate the proposed 223-room five-star hotel. Hervey Bay will be the fifth location in Australia joining the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resorts at the Gold Coast and Port Douglas, the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, and the Sheraton Melbourne Hotel.

Further information: https://www.hotelmanagement.com.au/2024/03/15/marriott-unveils-plans-for-luxury-sheraton-resort-in-hervey-bay/

The Queensland and Australian Governments are investing a combined $6 million to expand First Nations tourism experiences, create jobs, and deliver unique cultural events leading up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Strategic Indigenous Tourism Projects funding includes creating Regional First Nations Tourism Action Plans, First Nations tourism and events development, Best Practice Guide for Cultural Inclusion at Events, Trade Ready programs specific to First Nations tourism industry and events, Implementation support for the First Nations Tourism Plan.

Further information: https://www.dts.qld.gov.au/news/latest/2024/first-nations-tourism-receives-a-6-million-boost

The Slovenian Tourist Board has unveiled a project aimed at increasing Slovenia’s visibility and development as a world-class sports and tourism destination. The new Slovenia Sports Destination website is a comprehensive resource for fans and those organising sports venues, training, events, competitions, and athlete rehabilitation. It also features stories of top athletes, tourism ambassadors, and profiles of European and World Championships hosted or to be hosted in Slovenia, highlighting the country’s status as a top sports destination.

Further information: https://www.slovenia.info/en/press-centre/press-releases/28289-new-projects-by-the-slovenian-tourist-board-innovative-approaches-to-enhance-the-visibility-of-slovenian-tourism-and-sport

The new Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre at Karatta on Kangaroo Island has opened after the former building was destroyed in the bushfires. The new fire-resistant centre will be run by the National Parks and Wildlife Service with design features that integrates technologies including solar panels, batteries, electric vehicle charging stations and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Further information: https://tourism.sa.gov.au/news-articles/stunning-new-flinders-chase-national-park-visitor-centre-to-bolster-ki-tourism

Palm Beach Headland on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been officially designated as the first Urban Night Sky Place in Australia by DarkSky International following a rigorous application process. The designation aims to educate people on the benefits of proper outdoor lighting that ensures public safety while protecting the night sky. The Urban Night Sky Place covers 62 hectares and incorporates Governor Phillip Park and Barrenjoey Headland which is part of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Further information:

https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/newsroom/palm-beach-headland-becomes-australia-s-first-urban-night-sky-place

https://darksky.org/places/palm-beach-headland/

Sunshine Coast Airport is partnering with Cérge, a locally based company dedicated to fostering inclusivity and enhancing the travel experience for everyone, particularly those with hidden disability. The ‘digital concierge’ App and website provides venues with plug-and-play companion technologies designed to offer accessible and sensory experiences, imagery, and descriptions. This empowers individuals with disability, along with their parents, carers, and support workers, to make informed decisions prior to arrival.

Further information: https://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/corporate/media/media-releases/transforming-travel-sunshine-coast-airport-partners-with-cerge-to-enhance-accessibility/

Booking and review platform Green Book Global has launched a new Road Trip Planner tool. This innovative web application is designed specifically to assist Black travellers in planning safer, more enjoyable road trips across the United States by leveraging community-driven insights and data to curate routes that prioritise safety and inclusivity. The tool incorporates feedback and ratings from thousands of Black travellers, enabling users to chart routes that avoid areas with a history of being unwelcoming or unsafe.

Further information: https://greenbookglobal.com/road-trip-planner/

The Commonwealth Bank has announced a new Travel Booking service which allows more than six million customers to search, book and pay for flights and hotels from hundreds of airlines and hundreds of thousands of hotels. The new CommBank digital experience is powered by global online travel agency Hopper which provides a range of innovative travel features.

Further information: https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2024/07/commbank-launches-travel-booking.html

Intrepid Travel has released a handbook to help travel agents better understand and talk about sustainable travel options with their clients. The How to be a Champion of Change: An Agent’s Guide to Understanding Sustainable Travel features facts, product case studies and easy-to-understand definitions to inspire a new generation of travellers to make informed decisions and contribute to a better future for the industry.

Further information: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/newsroom/releases/intrepid-travel-releases-sustainability-handbook

Tourism Noosa has launched ‘50 Shades of Green,’ a comprehensive guide designed to assist event organisers achieve their sustainability objectives while hosting events in Noosa. The resource provides a roadmap offering practical strategies to minimise environmental impacts while maximising the positive contributions of events to the community. Developed with the support of local organisations and experts the online platform will be regularly updated with the latest resources tailored to the region.

Further information: https://www.visitnoosa.com.au/50-shades-of-green-an-innovative-guide-for-sustainable-event-management

One of the largest sustainable projects in Slovenia has been launched in Postojna Cave to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of Proteus anguinus (olms), a little-known animal species which are endemic to Slovenia and the Dinaric Karst. The Protect Proteus Project aims to ensure the protection of the environment for the ‘baby dragons’ from Postojna Cave.

Further information: https://www.postojnska-jama.eu/en/protect-proteus-project

The World Travel and Tourism Council has partnered with IC Bellagio to launch a new consumer focussed initiative helping travellers understand how they can discover the world sustainably. The new campaign ‘Community Conscious Travel’ aims to highlight the positive impact travellers can have by making informed choices such as exploring destinations during off-peak times, promoting year-round travel, and considering less-crowded, new, and emerging destinations.

Further information: https://wttc.org/news-article/wttc-and-ic-bellagio-partner-for-new-consumer-campaign

A sustainable initiative to clean and reuse soap bars from 270 Australian hotels is saving the lives of thousands of children around the world. Soap Aid collects soap bars from hotels and recycles them into new soap for distribution to vulnerable communities in Australia, Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and New Zealand. Over the last 13 years it has distributed more than three million recycled soap bars with primary focus of preventing child mortality and reducing diseases linked to poor hygiene. F

urther information: http://www.soapaid.org/get-involved

G Adventures has added five wildlife focused trips to its Jane Goodall Collection in celebration of world-renowned ethologist Dr Jane Goodall’s 90th birthday. The collection of 19 tours aims to promote responsible wildlife tourism and support conservation efforts across the globe. The new trips give travellers options in Tanzania, the Amazon, Galápagos Islands, Costa Rica, and the U.S.A.

Further information: https://www.gadventures.com/jane-goodall/

Tourism Fiji is embarking on a transformative journey to encourage travellers to explore beyond the main island by dispersing tourism benefits across its outer islands to showcase the unique natural attractions and ensure long-term sustainability while maintaining its unique cultural heritage. The strategy also includes the promotion of eco-friendly accommodations, responsible travel practices, and community-based tourism initiatives including the Duavata Sustainable Tourism Collective. Established in 2018, this network of tour operators and accommodations providers showcase some of the best sustainable travel experiences in Fiji.

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

A new publication has been developed to assist government agencies dedicated to tourism to develop policies and initiatives that will support the low-carbon transition of the sector. The Policy Guidance to Support Climate Action by National Tourism Administrations provides examples of good practice from around the world that illustrate climate-enabling policy and initiatives in other sectors.

Further information: https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/resources/policy-guidance-support-climate-action-national-tourism-administrations

Destination Riverina Murray has launched the Riverina Murray Agritourism Development Strategy which aims to grow a differentiated and competitive agritourism sector in the region. The strategy outlines a roadmap to transform the region into a premier agritourism destination by leveraging the agricultural assets and natural beauty of the area to enhance the benefits of the region’s visitor economy. Development of the strategy was supported the by Department of Regional New South Wales and Destination New South Wales.

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

The Sustainable Tourism Toolkit has nationally agreed advice to help small to medium-sized tourism businesses across Australia become more sustainable. The toolkit was produced by Austrade in cooperation with Tourism Australia, state, and territory governments, and EarthCheck.

Further information: https://www.austrade.gov.au/en/news-and-analysis/publications-and-reports/sustainable-tourism-toolkit

UN Tourism and The Hague Hotel School are partnering to stimulate innovation and promote entrepreneurship while engaging in projects that can enhance the tourism and hospitality industry. This Memorandum of Understanding will further facilitate connections between startups and potential investors, as well as promote knowledge and skills through joint events, communication channels, and media interactions.

Further information: https://www.unwto.org/news/un-tourism-and-hotelschool-the-hague-to-drive-innovation-in-hospitality

The Responsible Tourism Awards is looking for changemakers who are inspiring and challenging others to manage tourism to make it more sustainable. The rest of the world category covers six areas including making travel inclusive, championing cultural diversity, nature positive, climate change, increasing local sourcing, and upskilling local communities. Submissions close 31 August 2024.

Further information: https://responsibletourismpartnership.org/row2024/

The Michelin Green Star is awarded to restaurants that are pioneers and role models in sustainable gastronomy. It promotes the most committed stakeholders and their environmental standards which are transforming the sector, cultivating awareness and action. First introduced in 2020, just over 350 have obtained a MICHELIN Green Star.

Further information: https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/sustainable-gastronomy/the-michelin-green-star

UN Tourism is working with the Government of Croatia and the University of Zagreb to establish a new research and development centre for sustainable tourism that will engage stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia, and civil society to address some of the most critical challenges facing tourism. It will contribute to data-driven policymaking at the regional, national and destination level, ensuring tourism grows responsibly and inclusively, for the benefit of all communities.

Further information: https://www.unwto.org/news/un-tourism-and-croatia-to-establish-research-centre-for-sustainable-tourism

Tourism Research Australia has released the State of the Industry 2023 Report. This annual snapshot contains metrics and case studies to tell the story of the Australian tourism sector. In 2023, Australia’s tourism sector made clear progress towards sustainable growth a core objective of THRIVE 2030 the national strategy for the visitor economy.

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

Custom travel specialist Audley Travel has published its annual Responsible Travel and Sustainability Report which highlights its long-term commitment to ensuring the entire business operates ethically and responsibly. The annual report details the progress and achievements Audley has made against its Environmental Social Governance Framework including launching the Responsible Choice criteria for clients to enable them to make sustainable choices on trips to over seventy-five destinations worldwide.

Further information: https://www.audleytravel.com/about-us/responsible-travel

McKinsey & Company have released a new research snapshot into current traveller flows and estimates for growth through to 2030. The Now Boarding: Faces, Places, and Trends Shaping Tourism in 2024 Report identifies three major themes for industry stakeholders to consider including the bulk of travel spending is close to home, source markets are shifting, and the destinations of the future may not be the ones you imagine.

Further information: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/travel-logistics-and-infrastructure/our-insights/the-state-of-tourism-and-hospitality-2024

The Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference will be held in Melbourne (Narrm) on 27 August 2024. The conference provides an opportunity to learn about the accessible and inclusive market while contributing to the growth of the sector.

Further information: https://aitcap.getaboutable.com/

The Tasmanian Tourism Conference will be held in Launceston from 20-21 August 2024. The two-day event will feature practical workshops, industry updates, market intel, inspirational keynote speakers and networking opportunities.

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

The Australian Cruise Association Conference is being held in Adelaide from 4-6 September 2024. Speakers and panellists from both domestic and international who influence deployments, develop destination management, and deliver on sustainability.

Further information: https://www.australiancruiseassociation.com/conference/2024-annual-conference-adelaide