Talking Tourism

Issue #561, July 4, 2019


Hello

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

Margaret River and Southern WA top Lonely Planet list

In exciting news for the State, Margaret River and Southern WA have been named this year's number one Asian-Pacific destination by Lonely Planet. Expanded this year to include Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific for the first time, 'Best in Asia Pacific' is Lonely Planet's annual online list of the region's 10 best destinations to visit over the coming year. The Margaret River and Southern WA region was selected by Lonely Planet's team of independent travel experts because of its breathtaking beaches, long-stretching coastline, award-winning wineries, breweries and restaurants, tall-tree forests, food festivals, world-class surf, and abundant farmland. Lonely Planet's 'Best in Asia Pacific 2019' is available online, with accompanying articles to each destination. For more information, read the full story on our corporate website.

 

Cruise partnership charts new waters for WA tourism

Tourism WA has negotiated a landmark marketing partnership to boost the State’s cruise tourism industry. A cooperative marketing agreement between Tourism WA and leading UK-based cruise company, Cruise & Maritime Voyages Australia (CMV Australia), has supported a new range of WA-focused fly, cruise, rail and stay packages, which are currently on sale. The packages are being promoted nationally through print and digital media and feature a complete Western Australian holiday experience. The itineraries include extended stopovers at WA ports, allowing for longer shore excursions in Perth metropolitan and regional areas. Port calls to destinations including Fremantle, Broome, Geraldton and Kuri Bay feature in the new itineraries, along with shore trips to Margaret River, Busselton and Rottnest Island. It is the first time the State Government has negotiated a cooperative marketing agreement with a cruise industry operator, with the deal reflecting the growing importance of the cruise sector to the tourism industry. For more information, visit our corporate website.

 

Update on Tourism WA’s brand narrative

Over the past six months the Tourism WA team, alongside consultant Guy Taylor (the tourism story guy), travelled WA meeting industry operators, experiencing incredible product and conducting workshops. This was all part of a process to better inform Tourism WA about the State’s ‘unique tourism story’. Defining our point of difference is critical to making our marketing stand out in a crowded marketplace, and the level of engagement from the industry has been exceptional. The data we gathered from these workshops has revealed some exciting results, which will lay the groundwork for a new and more authentic direction for our marketing. The WA Tourism – Our Story project is still very much a work in progress, with the next steps including consumer research and testing of the research findings. We will then bring an advertising agency on board so we can embed our new direction into marketing material, with this body of work expected to extend out to early 2020. For more information, email Kym Francesconi, Tourism WA’s Partnership Manager.

 

Campaign urges visitors to create their own gourmet escape

Tourism Western Australia’s new domestic campaign - Create Your Own Gourmet Escape in WA - begins this July and continues through to September across key east coast markets. Highlighting the gourmet experiences available in the Perth and South West regions, the purpose of the campaign is to encourage visitors to Create Their Own Gourmet Escape in WA and book a holiday. Do you have a special gourmet experience or product in Perth or the South West? Click here to find out ways you can get involved and engage with the campaign.

 

Skyskanner last minute flight deals to WA

Following previous successful campaigns with Skyscanner, Tourism WA’s UK office has rolled out a new campaign targeted at the youth market. The campaign includes inspirational articles on road trips and working holidays in WA, tying in with content from Tourism Australia’s Australia Inc campaign. It also includes budgeting tips and the best last-minute airfares. The campaign aims to increase flight searches and passenger bookings to WA, and drive traffic to key distribution partners including STA Travel, Real Aussie Adventures and Student Universe. The campaign features Western Australia’s nature, wildlife and coastal experiences.

 

Chance to share in $5 million in regional grants

Qantas is offering a chance to share $5 million in grants - $1 million each year over five years - to charities, organisations, causes, projects and individuals that help deliver direct services or benefits to regional communities. Qantas’ new Regional Grants Program will provide financial, flight and marketing support to community groups and organisations to help further their causes. The program adds to Qantas’ existing initiatives created to strengthen regional communities, drive local economic activity, stimulate tourism and support jobs. This includes a discounted fare program for residents to make air travel more accessible, and a new pilot academy scheduled to open in regional Australia next year. To apply, visit the Qantas website.

 

Sponsorships open for Indigenous Tourism Summit

The third World Indigenous Tourism Summit is being held in Perth in April 2020 and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Organised by the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC), and sponsored by Tourism WA, the summit is expected to attract hundreds of delegates from around Australia and the world. The summit theme is Tourism and Indigenous Earth Wisdom – Weaving the Future that Benefits All. The summit will focus on key areas of Aboriginal tourism, including Youth, Environment, Culture, Aboriginal-led research, Government best practice and the Business of Tourism. The Sponsorship Prospectus has been released and you can register here to receive regular updates on the summit program.

 

Dreamtime 2019 seller applications close soon

Seller applications for Dreamtime 2019, Tourism Australia’s signature business events showcase, are open until tomorrow, July 5. The event, which will be held in Perth from December 1-3, is hosted by Tourism WA in partnership with the Perth Convention Bureau. It will provide an opportunity to meet and do business with 120 qualified international business event decision makers and international trade media from 10 key markets. The program includes a full day of face-to-face pre-scheduled appointments as well as networking events.

 

Collie Futures Small Grants Program

The second round of the Collie Futures Small Grants Program is now open, offering up to $100,000 to organisations with initiatives that will have a positive impact on Collie’s economy. The financial support offered through the program is on top of the $2 million per industry-led project, accessible through the $18 million Collie Futures Industry Development Fund, which is part of the wider Collie Futures Fund. For more information or to apply, visit the website

 

Australia Marketplace China 2019 registrations close soon

Tourism Australia’s China flagship trade event, Australia Marketplace China 2019 will take place in Chengdu, China from November 11 to 15. The program includes pre-scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers, and networking events. The event is an opportunity for WA tourism operators to establish business relationships with key qualified travel agencies and tour operators from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Tourism WA is participating in the event and encourages WA operators  to attend. For more information, please click here. Applications close on July 16. 

 

Accreditation to re-brand your business in 2019

Following more than 20 successful years of recognising high-quality tourism businesses, the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program will be re-branded to better promote your business. The new Quality Tourism Framework will combine multiple tourism accreditation, business development and awards programs into a single, user-friendly online tool to develop your business and grow your market, paired with new, modern branding to promote your status as a Quality Tourism Accredited Business. To find out more, visit the website.

 

Tourism WA engages new brochure supplier

Tourism WA recently engaged a new supplier to store and distribute brochures and other printed collateral on behalf of the agency. From July 1, Vanguard Press is the key contact for any brochure orders. Register here to place your order, or contact Cindy-Lou Watson at Vanguard Press if you need assistance.  If you have any questions, please contact Tourism WA.

 

Tourism WA MD now on Instagram

Tourism WA’s Managing Director Brodie Carr now has his own unofficial Instagram account, to keep industry up to date on all things tourism in WA. Follow @brodiequokkcarr on his quest to share what’s happening behind the scenes at Tourism WA, including new campaigns, events, and the occasional cute quokka pic.

 
 

 

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 for Kalgoorlie, Margaret River, Mandurah and Perth

Tourism Council WA will be holding workshops in Mandurah, Margaret River, Perth and Kalgoorlie over the next few months, covering topics including social media and digital marketing, customer service and strategic marketing. For the full schedule, click here.

 

FACET Heritage Tourism workshop

July 25: Heritage tourism is part of an emerging trend towards experience-based tourism, where visitors are looking for authentic experiences and wanting to connect with their own and other cultures.  FACET has partnered with the Heritage Council of WA to deliver a half-day workshop at Heathcote Cultural Precinct in Applecross.  It will explore innovative ways to interpret and promote Western Australia's cultural heritage and include examples of the positive economic and social impacts of sharing our heritage through stories. Register here.

 

Regional Tourism Conference in Karratha

September 16-18: The 2019 WA Tourism Conference, which is supported by Tourism WA, will be held in Karratha in September. The conference 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. To assist tourism businesses from across WA to attend the event, the City of Karratha is offering a subsidy for those who will be flying or driving long distances. Accredited accommodation providers are also offering discounts to delegates. For more information and to register for the conference, click here.

 
 

 

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