Talking Tourism

Issue #527, October 18, 2018


Hello

Talking Tourism is Tourism Western Australia's e-newsletter detailing the latest news, events, products and other information of interest to you in the WA tourism industry.

From left: Tourism Australia Regional General Manager (Continental Europe) Eva Seller, Tourism WA Director of Markets, Kelsie Johnston, and Tourism WA Managing Director, Brodie Carr.

Tourism Australia experiences extraordinary WA

Tourism Australia’s Global Leadership team visited Perth and Western Australia this week for its annual strategy planning session. The team included TA’s 16 international market managers who are responsible for selling Australia as a visitor destination to global markets. During the visit Tourism WA hosted the group on a two-day famil, ensuring they experienced first-hand some of the recent changes around Perth and got a taste of what regional Western Australia has to offer. The action-packed itinerary included a walking tour around Perth and a trip to Rottnest Island to hear about its current redevelopment and, of course, to get a quokka selfie. Day two focused on the Margaret River region to explore some of the activities on offer, including visits to wineries, distilleries and premium producers. Tourism WA Managing Director Brodie Carr said the visit was a great opportunity to show TA’s international team how Perth had changed and how accessible the State’s magnificent regional areas are from Perth. For more information, visit our corporate website.

 

Tourism Australia launches next phase of Dundee campaign

Tourism Australia has launched the next phase of its A$36 million Dundee campaign, with a series of videos inviting Americans to book a trip Down Under and visit the ‘set’ of the movie. Starring Aussie actor Luke Hemsworth, the videos take viewers on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Dundee movie backlot, showcasing the breadth of experiences on offer across Australia, including our own Ningaloo Reef, Lucky Bay and Cottesloe Beach. Visit the Set of Dundee: Son of a Legend, builds on the momentum of the Dundee: The Son of a Legend Returns Home campaign, which was unveiled at the Super Bowl in February to more than 100 million American TV viewers. The new campaign offers a tongue in cheek spin on the original campaign and stars Luke, the ‘original’ Hemsworth and older brother to Chris and Liam. Activity will run from October to December to coincide with the peak travel booking season for the US market, and is earmarked for rollout in additional international markets including the UK. More information about the Dundee campaign can be found on the Tourism Australia website.

 

Albany light installation draws more than 12,000 visitors

Recently launched art installation Field of Light: Avenue of Honour has attracted more than 12,000 visitors since it opened to the public on October 4 in Albany. Created by British artist Bruce Munro, the installation consists of 16,000 glass spheres which illuminate the Avenue of Honour at Albany’s Mount Clarence in whites, yellows and golds - the colours of Australia and New Zealand's national flowers. Field of Light: Avenue of Honour will coincide with the conclusion of the Anzac Centenary commemorations, exhibiting from October 4, 2018 to Anzac Day 2019. Field of Light: Avenue of Honour is proudly supported by the State Government, through Tourism Western Australia’s Regional Events Program and Lotterywest. The initiative was commissioned by cultural organisation FORM in partnership with the City of Albany. For more information about the event, visit the event website.

 

Jack Stein food series showcases the Kimberley

A new Jack Stein food series filmed in the Kimberley, Born to Cook, premiered this week in the UK (UKTV – Food) and Australia (SBS Food). The series showcases iconic Kimberley destinations, experiences and produce. Partly sponsored by Tourism WA, the six-part series was filmed over several weeks in May this year. Tourism WA staff worked with the production company to influence choice of locations, experiences, talent and messaging. Key destinations showcased included Lake Argyle, Cape Leveque, El Questro and Cable Beach. Aboriginal tourism operators Brian Lee and Bart Pigram will feature in the series, along with elements of the Ord Valley Muster, including the Corroboree at the Waringarri Arts Centre and a rodeo. This broadcast opportunity forms part of Tourism WA’s global PR plan and aims to drive visitation to regional WA by highlighting the diversity of unique experiences, including Aboriginal culture and events in the Kimberley. Watch the series trailer here.

 

Western Australia features in UK publications

Following travel writer David Whitley’s WA famil in January last year, his ‘First-timer’s Perth’ piece was published in the UK’s Sunday Times Travel Magazine. He opened the feature with the words: “With surfable sandy beaches, headily delicious wines and kangaroos for company, the city's big on the iconic things you want from a Down Under jaunt. Perma-blue skies make it perfect, and for urban buzz it gives Melbourne a run for its money. Best of all, a new nonstop flight from Heathrow gets you there in one go. So there, Sydney!” Other recent coverage of WA in the UK included publication Metro featured Rick Stein in its ‘On the road with…’ celebrity interview section, promoting Margaret River Gourmet Escape to the UK market. In the interview, Rick names Perth as his favourite city, saying he has very fond memories of Cottesloe Beach and Rottnest Island. And The Scottish Sun recently ran a news piece on the wildflower season in WA, listing Tourism WA’s consumer website.

 

Report explores Asian tourists’ motivations to visit South West

The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, together with the South West Development Commission and Australia’s South West, is launching a new report titled, Australia’s South West for Asian markets: Promoting tourism product development. Attracting tourists from Asian source markets and providing them with a positive experience is a strategic priority for the Australia’s South West tourism region. This report explores Asian tourists’ motivations to visit the South West and suggests a number of product development initiatives to further improve the attractiveness of the region for Asian visitors. The report will be launched at a workshop featuring a presentation by Dr Michael Volgger and Associate Professor Christof Pforr, from Curtin University’s School of Marketing. A panel of key stakeholders will also discuss potential implications of this research for industry and government, followed by a Q&A session. For more information or to register, visit Curtin University's website.

 

EOI open for heritage and history conference

Expressions of interest are invited for presentations, workshops, discussions and other activities for the WA State Heritage and History Conference, being held at The Westin Perth on April 29 and 30, 2019. The conference, which is being supported by Tourism WA, seeks to explore elements of heritage, history and collections that may need to be ‘handled with care’. It is l will create a quality event for the heritage and history sector, including those associated with collections. Topics should relate to the theme, with material or activities that build capacity in heritage tourism, or meet an identified need for the sector, particularly encouraged. All information should be forwarded via email to Ray Bird: ray@meetingmasters.com.au to arrive by Friday, November 2, 2018. Visit the conference website for more information.

 

Americans enticed to Perth with Air New Zealand

Americans are being invited to visit two countries for the price of one in a cooperative campaign between Air New Zealand and Tourism WA. The campaign supports Tourism WA’s western gateway strategy to connect via direct daily services between Auckland and Perth. Marketing activity includes digital and social, as well as trade marketing, with a special airfare offer driving conversion. The campaign targets Young Urban Travelers (18-34) and Older Cultural Explorers (45+), with a skew towards people from California, Texas and Illinois – where Air New Zealand flies direct from Auckland.

 

Field of Light: Avenue of Honour makes its mark in NZ

Tourism WA recently hosted freelance journalist Tristram Clayton in Perth, Albany and Margaret River for the launch of Field of Light: Avenue of Honour. His cover story in NZ Herald Travel was published this week and recounts his emotional experience at the National Anzac Centre and his link with Bruce Munro’s installation. Tristram’s grandfather fought in The Great War and departed from Albany. The article also featured Torndirrup National Park, Greens Pool and the Valley of the Giants as experiences that made a South West road trip itinerary a must-do for New Zealanders. NZ Herald Travel has more than 110,000 readers. Read the article here.

 

Regional event funding round now open

Regional event holders are encouraged to apply for funding offered through the 2019-20 Regional Events Scheme, which supports smaller developing regional events. A funding pool of up to $1 million is available as part of the round. The round will include the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme - a quarantined pool of $150,000. To be eligible 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 WA and Royalties for Regions, and are open to events held between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2018. For more information visit Tourism WA’s corporate website.

 

Regional Grants of up to $250,000 available

Grants of up to $250,000 are available for projects contributing to economic growth in regional communities through the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants Program. The program is a State Government initiative that invests in community driven projects to stimulate economic growth and development in regional Western Australia. The State Government's Royalties for Regions program has invested $22.5 million towards the RED Grants program as part of the 2018-19 State Budget. RED grants can be used to develop attractions, visitor facilities, tourism product, visitor markets and tourism skills. Applications close on November 2.

 

Regional tourism and jobs winners in funding round

Regional tourism and local jobs are front and centre of the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund, with regional Australia set to share in $200 million for local infrastructure and community-building projects. Up to $45 million has been earmarked for tourism-related infrastructure projects. Round three of the funding round is open. The deadline for proponents’ submissions is November 15. The Building Better Regions Fund supports the Australian Government's commitment to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional and remote communities into the future. For more information on eligibility and how to lodge an application for round three, visit the Building Better Regions Fund website.

 

Project officer position at Australia's North West

Australia's North West (ANW) is seeking a project officer to fill a seven-month maternity leave cover position. ANW is one of five regional tourism marketing organisations in WA.  Its primary role is destination marketing with the aim of increasing visitation to the Pilbara and Kimberley regions in North West Australia. This is a full-time position, starting ASAP. Please email a cover letter and resume outlining how and why your skills, experience and attributes would make you a suitable candidate for this position.  Email your application to ceo@australiasnorthwest.com and visit the Seek job ad for more information.

 
 

 

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Visit Tourism WA’s corporate website for a comprehensive list of workshops, conferences and other events that may be of interest to WA’s tourism industry. To list or update your industry event, email media@westernaustralia.com.

 

Workshops coming to ASW, AGO and ACC

Tourism Council WA is delivering a range of its industry-relevant training workshops in Margaret River, Perth, Shark Bay, Kalgoorlie and Esperance over the next few months. These workshops cover a variety of industry-relevant topics, including digital marketing and social media, customer service, tourism boost (introduction to tourism), media and public relations, and China-ready. Registrations are now open – visit the website for more information or to register.

 

Register now for Australian Regional Tourism Convention

October 23-25: The Australian Regional Tourism Convention (ARTC) 2018, held in NSW, is a must-attend event for regional tourism professionals. It provides a forum to discuss, debate and investigate solutions to industry issues, challenges and opportunities. It is a chance for all sectors of the tourism industry to exchange ideas about ways to grow a sustainable regional destination and to showcase best practice success. For more information, including program details and to register, visit the event website.

 

Mix and mingle at Network@Night event

October 30: Tourism Council WA is pleased to continue its series of Network@Night industry networking functions in Perth. The focus of this event is on networking – mix and mingle with industry colleagues, make new connections, and engage with TCWA's preferred suppliers. You can also meet the Tourism Council WA team and learn more about making your membership work for your business, as well as win great prizes. Visit the website for details.

 

EOI open for 2019 WA Regional Tourism Conference

Organisers of the WA Tourism Conference are seeking Expressions of Interest from regional towns to host the 2019 WA Regional Tourism Conference. Hosting the WA Regional Tourism Conference can deliver substantial economic, media and visitation benefits to your destination. For more information regarding what should be included in a submission to host the event, visit the website. Expression of interest forms must be forwarded via email to tcwa@tourismcouncilwa.com.au by COB Tuesday, November 6.

 

Tourism Council WA Annual General Meeting

October 30: Tourism Council WA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Tuesday, October 30 from 5pm at The Westin Perth. The AGM agenda will include the annual CEO Report, Financial Report and Declaration of Elected Directors for 2018. Businesses must be a current financial member for representatives of the business to attend. To register, visit the website.

 

Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference

October 30-November 2: The ninth Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC) will be held in Lorne, Victoria from October 30 to November 2, 2018.  Facilitated by WAITOC, hosted by Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and supported by the State Government of Victoria and Outback Academy, the conference will table the opportunities and challenges within the industry and include presentations by tourism industry leaders. For more information, visit the AITC website.

 

Tickets on sale for Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner

November 10: The 2018 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner will take place on Saturday, November 10 at Crown Perth, with tickets now on sale. The Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner is the tourism industry's night of nights - announcing the winners of this year’s awards program. To purchase your tickets for the event, visit Tourism Council WA’s website.

 

Event Industry Association AGM and Christmas party

November 14: The Events Industry Association (WA) Inc is holding its 2018 Annual General Meeting at RAC Arena on Wednesday November 14, from 5.30pm to 6pm. Members are encouraged to attend the AGM to hear the EIA’s progress and to vote for Board members. Attendance is free for the AGM, but you will need to reserve your place. The EIA Christmas party will follow on from the AGM, from 6:30pm to 9pm. A Christmas cocktail menu and beverage package is available, with the cost to members (and their staff) $50 per person. Please RSVP and book your tickets by Friday November 9.

 
 

 

For upcoming Tourism WA sponsored events head to the Tourism WA corporate website.