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Welcome to this week’s edition of Talking Tourism newsletter.
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New Singapore flights show confidence in WA tourism
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Tens of thousands of extra visitors a year to the State are expected when Singapore Airlines launches an additional fifth daily service into Perth from June 1 this year. Announced this afternoon, the additional service will also boost opportunities for the tourism industry and local economy. The new Singapore Airlines flight will operate using a 303 seat Airbus A350-900, with the additional daily flight to add over 2,100 seats per week to Perth’s inbound market, or more than 110,000 seats per year. Singapore is currently the State’s second largest international tourism market in terms of both visitor numbers and spend. For the year ending September 2019, WA had 107,600 visitors from Singapore who spent $269 million.The decision follows the McGowan Government’s proactive work last year to secure a $5 million three-year co-operative marketing deal with the airline, to promote WA globally
as a desirable holiday destination. The $5 million agreement was made possible thanks to the State Government’s $12 million international marketing boost, announced last year, to attract more international visitors to WA, particularly from key South East Asian markets like Singapore. Read more in the Tourism Minister’s media statement.
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Multi-million-dollar marketing boost to holiday in WA
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The State Government, through Tourism Western Australia, is injecting $2.85 million of new money to support the local tourism industry in the wake of the devastating east coast bushfires and potential impacts on travel plans following the coronavirus outbreak. The funding is planned to focus on attracting interstate visitors to Western Australia in the coming months through co-operative marketing deals and partnerships with airlines, travel agents, hotels and other trade partners. Tourism WA will collaborate with the State's Regional Tourism Organisations to encourage locals to holiday at home as well as Perth Convention Bureau and automobile clubs. The agency will also work closely with Tourism Australia to ensure the proposed marketing activity leverages the Western Australian element of the national Holiday Here This Year campaign. Read more in the Tourism Minister’s media statement.
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Information on coronavirus and tourism for industry
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Industry stakeholders have recently played an important role in two working groups set up to worth through the impact of bushfires and the coronavirus on the tourism industry. Premier Mark McGowan and Tourism Minister Paul Papalia brought together a Tourism Industry Leaders Working Group, also with key industry stakeholders while Tourism WA recently convened a coronavirus Industry Working Group with key stakeholders. The agency held an urgent Industry Briefing Session, attended by the Tourism Minister and WA’s Chief Health Officer, to share this information with industry last Friday. To view the presentation click here. The agency has sent updates to industry through special editions of the Talking Tourism newsletter and will now provide this information in the news
section of the corporate website. This will include updates relevant to the tourism industry and links to access up-to-date information. Industry are encouraged to visit this page to find out more.
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Chairman spreads words of support and opportunity in the UK
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Tourism WA chairman Nathan Harding has helped to promote the message that WA is still open for business and not impacted by the east coast bushfires through interviews in two of the UK’s biggest travel trade publications. In the articles, Mr Harding promoted WA’s attractions, such as Perth’s transformation, and addressed inaccurate information about the geographical reach of the bushfires in Australia. Read the Travel Weekly article here and the TTG article here.
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Western Australia Tourism - Our Story Industry Forums
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Following the Brand Narrative Project, where more than 500 tourism industry business owners and leaders participated in workshops across WA throughout 2019, Tourism WA invites our tourism partners to attend a presentation where the new Western Australia Tourism - Our Story will be shared with everyone. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion involving industry and morning or afternoon tea. For more information, view the invitations here. For those who are not able to attend any of the sessions, Tourism WA will be conducting a live stream of the Perth session on Tuesday February 18, from 10am to 12pm. Details will be available in next week’s Talking Tourism.
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US 2020 must-do lists point to WA
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Western Australia has been featured in a number of 2020 must-do lists across key US publications, showcasing the State’s variety of experiences. Margaret River’s unique combination of premium wines and legendary surf breaks earned it a place on Wine Enthusiast’s ‘Seven Best Wine Travel Experiences of 2020’. Read it here. Perth, the Golden Outback, South West and Coral Coast are listed as wildflower hotspots in a Departures piece on ‘Where to find super blooms around the world this year’. Read more here. Finally, Perth Festival is featured in National Geographic’s ‘February hot list: 5 can’t-miss experiences’ due to its showcase of theatre, music,
art and sunshine. Read it here. These articles were the result of a mix of Tourism WA-hosted media famils and proactive pitching.
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UK readers show a thirst for WA
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Tourism WA’s UK team gave 150 guests a taste of Western Australia at the magnificent Australia House in London last week. The ticketed event, held in partnership with South Australia Tourism Commission, sold out in 24 hours and was the final part of a five month campaign with Waitrose and Partners food magazine and Qatar Airways to promote the food and wine, wildlife and coastal experiences both states offer. Guests were treated to Margaret River wine, rum and gubinge from the Kimberley and talks from Australia cook and author Rebecca Sullivan and TV presenter and APT ambassador John Torode. The campaign also included a 36-page supplement dedicated to travel in Western Australia and South Australia. This magazine is the UK’s highest circulating food, drink and travel
title with a readership of nearly 3 million customers with the campaign already generating strong commercial results.
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International Market Profiles 2018/2019
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Tourism WA’s updated International Market Profiles for 2018-19 are packed with interesting facts and figures.
Some of the useful insights include:
• Two thirds of Swiss visitors to WA spend at least one night in regional WA – more than any other international market.
• Indonesians often make their first booking up to just one week before travel, while travellers from New Zealand, Germany, USA and UK book 3-6 months before their trip.
• The main source of trip inspiration for High Value Travellers (HVTs) from UK, Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia is ‘general internet searching’, while Germans gain more inspiration from friends and relatives.
The profiles can be downloaded from Tourism WA’s corporate website here.
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Register for national ‘India Host’ program
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The tourism industry can take part in a national ‘India Host’ program in the lead-up to the 2020 Cricket World Cup and projection of the Indian Visitor forecast. The program is delivered by ATEC together with Tourism Australia and Austrade. The ‘India Host’ program includes culture ready, product ready, service ready and trade ready modules. All modules are delivered through a 90 minute webinar, concluding with a face-to-face graduation event, including a trade engagement session. The training provides the industry with a handbook and tools and resources that assist them in their development in welcoming the Indian visitor. Graduates are badged as an ‘India Host’ and receive a certificate and digital badge (logo). To book click here, or find out more via email.
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Survey link on coronavirus impact
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Following the restrictions imposed on travellers coming from or through China visiting Australia due to coronavirus, Tourism Council WA is inviting businesses to complete a survey. The survey will provide feedback on the impact of travel restrictions and international coverage of the coronavirus on WA destinations and businesses. Businesses are invited to complete the survey even if they are not experiencing any impact. To access the survey, click here.
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Call Out for Nyoongar Wadjuk Artwork
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Nyoongar Wadjuk artists are invited to enter a Welcome to Country artwork as part of a competition launched by WAITOC and the WA Visitor Centre. The artwork will feature as a decorative display in the Visitor Centre reception area at 55 William Street with the winning piece to be featured prominently in Perth City. The competition is open to artists and creative people of all ages who are of Nyoongar Wadjuk descent. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges with the artist of the selected piece receiving a prize of $1,000. The competition closes on February 29, 2020. Click here for more information and the entry form.
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Holiday in WA campaign
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Tourism Council WA's consumer marketing campaign launched in late 2019 to promote Quality Tourism Accredited Businesses. The campaign, Holiday in WA, prompts consumers to look for the Quality Tourism Accredited Business logo when planning their holidays and book directly with your business. The call to action for the campaign is the new Holiday in WA consumer website where eligible Quality Tourism Accredited Businesses are listed. If you require assistance setting up or updating your business's listing on the website, please contact an industry advisor on 9416 0700 or via accreditation@tourismcouncilwa.com.au.
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Registrations close soon for Perth and Geraldton workshops
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Tourism Council WA will be holding workshops in Perth and Geraldton during February, covering topics including social media and digital marketing, customer service, and strategic marketing. Registrations for Geraldton workshops close 12pm Friday, February 7 and registrations for Perth workshops close 5pm Monday, February 10. To view the full schedule and to register, click here.
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Register now for regional industry networking events
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February 12-April 1: Tourism Council WA is delighted to announce that registrations are now open for the newly scheduled Tourism Connect industry sundowners taking place in Geraldton on February 12; Broome on March 12; Kununurra on March 18; and Albany on April 1. Tourism Council WA invites members and the wider tourism industry to attend a Tourism Connect event for an evening of networking with key tourism players and industry colleagues, to hear the latest lobbying and industry news and for some drinks a nibbles. Registrations for the Geraldton Tourism Connect close 12pm Friday, February 7 - to see the full schedule and to register, click here.
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Closing soon - WA Tourism Conference submission of papers
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February 14: Tourism Council WA is now seeking submissions of papers and topics from potential speakers for the 2020 WA Tourism Conference. The 2020 conference will be held on August 17 – 19 in Perth and will provide delegates with opportunities for professional and business development, networking and engagement with industry colleagues, and the chance to hear from industry-leading speakers on critical industry issues and innovative ideas. Submissions close 5pm WST February 14, 2020. For more information and submission requirements, click here.
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Registrations close soon for Perth Network@Night
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February 26: Join us aboard Sealink’s MV James Stirling for the first Network@Night for 2020. The focus of the Tourism Council WA’s Network@Night events is purely on networking - mix and mingle with industry colleagues, make new connections, and engage with TCWA's Preferred Suppliers. Attendees can also meet the Tourism Council WA team and learn more about making their membership work for their business, as well as win prizes. Registrations close 5pm Tuesday, February 18. For more information and to register, click here.
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