Talking Tourism

Issue 632, October 29, 2020


Hello

Welcome to this week’s edition of Talking Tourism newsletter.

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Ultimate WA adventure on display at 4WD show

Exciting WA adventures will be on show at Australia’s biggest 4WD event thanks to Tourism WA. We have joined forces with all five regional tourism organisations, the WA Indigenous Tourism Operators Council and industry partners to create a WA Adventure Travel Hub at the Perth 4WD and Adventure Show. Held at McCallum Park, Victoria Park from November 6 to 8, the show is the biggest event of its kind in Australia and is expected to attract thousands of visitors. The travel hub will encourage people to wander out yonder and provide all the information they need to plan the ultimate WA adventure holiday. WA tourism operators, including Yahava Coffee, Willie Creek Pearls, Maalinup Gallery, Ngurranga Tours, Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures and Global Gypsies, will offer 20-minute interactive presentations throughout the event. For more information, visit our corporate website.

 

Gift a WA tourism experience this Christmas

A group of nearly 25 WA tours, attractions and experiences have joined together for a campaign encouraging West Aussies to “Gift a WA Tourism Experience” this Christmas. Coordinated by Busselton Jetty, the campaign is a great example of the industry banding together to support each other and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Promoted through an advertising feature in the Sunday Times last weekend, the gifting campaign features a variety of quality tours and attractions from around the State including Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, Fremantle Prison, Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre and the Bell Tower in Perth city and Busselton Jetty. The #giftawatourismexperience hashtag is being used to support the campaign.

 

Finalists announced in hospitality awards

The finalists for the 2020 Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Hospitality Awards for Excellence have been announced, with an outstanding field of nominees showcasing the strength of WA’s hospitality industry despite a challenging year. AHA WA reported unprecedented interest in this year’s awards, with quality nominations across 41 categories including recognising employees, venues, dining and bars as well as a Tourism Initiative Award. Award winners will be announced at the White Claw Gala Ball on November 16 at Crown Perth. The event, which is supported by Tourism WA, is expected to be one of the largest hospitality industry events for the year. For the full list of award finalists, visit the AHA WA website.

 

Skål Perth places in Global Club of the Year

Skål International Perth has placed third in the annual Global Club of the Year Awards. Skål International convenes the awards, which recognise clubs that show outstanding activity and work under Skål International values. Skål clubs from around the world voted on the awards, with the announcement made at a virtual International Annual General Assembly meeting. Tourism WA, along with Destination Perth and Guru Productions, sponsored Skål International Perth to develop their video submission for the awards which showcased WA as a holiday destination and Skål Perth’s achievements. Perth young Skål member Beverley Nanchen, was also awarded the Future Leader Award for her outstanding efforts in promoting Young Skål. For more information on Skål Perth including membership details, visit their website.

 

Throw your support behind WA Small Business Day

West Australian small businesses are encouraged to get behind a campaign to promote WA Small Business Day this Saturday, October 31. The #mysmallpledge campaign asks people to commit to doing their Christmas shopping at local small businesses. WA Small Business Day is supported by the WA Government and run by Small Business Matters, a volunteer advocacy group. There are more than 225,000 small businesses in WA, representing 97 per cent of all businesses in WA. Businesses can get involved by displaying promotional materials that can be downloaded from the Small Business Matters website and engaging with the Small Business Matters Facebook page. Read more in the media statement.

 

New visitor hub opens at Strawberry Hill

A new guided tour and visitor hub at Western Australia’s oldest farm; Strawberry Hill in Albany, will open this weekend. The visitor hub will improve accessibility to the site and guided tours of the main house and exhibition displays will create a more meaningful tourism experience. New exhibitions have also been added to share the Menang history of the site, known as Barmup, a traditional meeting place for the Menang people. Read more in the media statement.

 

Canal Rocks upgrade a step closer

Upgrades to the popular Canal Rocks boat ramp and jetty are a step closer with Advanteering Civil Engineers awarded the tender for construction. The Jetty and boat ramp are located at a popular site for divers and tourism operators on the Leeuwin-Naturaliste coast, south of Yallingup. Upgrades will see the existing boat ramp replaced and a new wheelchair accessible jetty built. Works are expected to begin next month. Read more in the media statement.

 

New Board appointments for Tourism Australia

Tourism Australia has welcomed two new appointments and three reappointments to its Board. Harvey Norman Chief Executive Officer, Katie Page, and co-founder and proprietor of The Landsmith Collection, Alexandra Burt, have both been appointed for three-year terms. Tourism Australia Chair, Bob East, has also been reappointed to the position, while Board member Jeffrey Ellison has been appointed Deputy Chair. Board member Bradley Woods, CEO of the Australian Hotels Association WA (pictured above), has also been reappointed for another term. Read more in the media statement.

 

$1 million funding for regional events available

Event holders from around the State are encouraged to apply for the 2021-2022 Regional Events Scheme funding round. The Tourism WA program provides funding for smaller and developing WA events. A total of $1 million is available through the scheme, including $150,000 for the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme (RAES). Event holders can apply for funding for events held between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. Applications close at 5pm WST on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. For more information visit Tourism WA’s website.

 

Program puts domestic market in spotlight

Tourism operators can strengthen their knowledge of domestic distribution through a series of online Domestic Ready workshops. Offered through the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), the five module program will be offered nationally and will focus on the areas of consumer marketing, product distribution and pitching tourism product. The program is suitable for operators who offer both new and pre-existing product and provides a refresher on the domestic marketplace. For more information, go to the ATEC website.

 

National Japan Host program upskilling tourism businesses

Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), in partnership with Tourism Australia, is offering tourism businesses a chance to build their knowledge of the Japan market. The successful Japan Host program was launched by Tourism WA in 2019, in partnership with Japan’s leading travel wholesalers, Japan Yonshakai. The program is now offered nationally, supported by Tourism Australia, with online workshops beginning in Queensland this month. Graduates will receive digital badging to display their market readiness. Registrations and dates for workshops across the country are available here.

 
 

 

INDUSTRY EVENTS

To list or update an industry event, please email media@westernaustralia.com.

 

Register for regional workshops and networking

November: Register now for Tourism Council WA’s training workshops and Tourism Connect networking events throughout the region this November. Attend the training workshops to upskill, then join Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall at networking events in Esperance (November 2), Northam (November 11), Dwellingup (November 17), and Chittering (November 24). For the full schedule of events and to secure your spot, visit TCWA’s website.

 

Skål networking and Perth tour

November 5: Join the Skål Club for an evening networking event and Perth walking tour. The event kicks off at 6pm at the Perth Town Hall with a guided tour of Perth by Ryan Mossny from Two Feet and a Heartbeat before finishing up at the Cheeky Sparrow with networking, pizzas and a drink on arrival. Book tickets here.

 

City of Joondalup Business Forum

November 5: The City of Joondalup is hosting an interactive panel discussion at Joondalup Resort on its plans to grow a resilient visitor economy. Minister for Tourism and Small Business Paul Papalia and some of Western Australia’s leading advocates for the visitor economy will take part in the discussion. Register and make payment for this event here.

 

Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference

December 1-3: More than 60 speakers will present at the Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference in December. The event will be held in Margaret River as a live conference for West Australians and as a virtual conference for interstate or international delegates. The program's focus is on building domestic markets and rebuilding inbound markets. Presentations will be made by operators who have faced natural disasters, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Tourism Council WA’s Xmas Tipple

December 4: Save the date for Tourism Council WA’s Xmas Tipple. The tourism industry’s biggest Christmas party, Xmas Tipple is the time to catch up and relax with others in the tourism industry and reflect on the year that was. To register for this event visit TCWA’s website.

 

Skål Christmas event

December 10: Enjoy lunch with travel and tourism industry friends at the Duxton Ballroom for the 2020 Skål International Perth Christmas networking lunch. Tickets to the event include a two course sit down lunch and four hour drinks package. Book here.

 

Destination Australia 2021

March 4: Tourism Australia will host the seventh annual Destination Australia conference on March 4, 2021 at the ICC Sydney. The conference will focus on the future of Australian tourism, with high-profile speakers sharing consumer insights, global trends and discussing key opportunities for the tourism industry in a post-COVID-19 world. Destination Australia will also be offered online. Watch a recap of last year’s event here and stay tuned for more information on speakers and how to register.