Talking Tourism

Issue #568, August 22, 2019


Hello

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

Bigger discounts for Qantas regional airfares

The State Government has welcomed an announcement from Qantas that it will cap the price of airfares for residents in Kalgoorlie and Karratha. Qantas has announced residents of Karratha and Kalgoorlie will pay no more than $800 for a return airfare to Perth, particularly when booking at the last minute or during busy periods. The remote WA towns are two of 16 across Australia where Qantas is rolling out capped fares for local residents needing to travel to larger towns or cities. The State Government has worked collaboratively with airlines, airports, mining companies and local governments to pursue innovative opportunities to reduce airfares on regional air routes. A range of discount community fares have already been introduced on a number of regional routes, with record numbers of passengers recorded during 2018-19. Meanwhile, regional consultation for the State Government's State Aviation Strategy recently concluded. The draft strategy, which will be released for comment in late 2019, will identify further opportunities for regional airfares. For more information, read the Minister for Transport’s media statement.

 

New podcast explores Margaret River’s wine region

Wine Unearthed is a new podcast series which explores how the wine of the Margaret River wine region connects to Aboriginal custodians, big wave surfers and mountain bikers. It also looks at the pivotal role the area’s extraordinary natural environment plays. The podcast is led by food and wine journalist Fleur Bainger, who is joined by wine connoisseur and author Peter Forrestal. It is supported by the Australian Government's International Wine Tourism Grant, administered by Wine Australia, Margaret River Wine Association, Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, South West Development Commission and Australia’s South West. Download the podcast here.

 

Celebrity UK chef helps promote Kimberley region

UK Celebrity chef John Torode has been named APT Travel’s ambassador for the Kimberley region. APT is also working with Tourism WA to promote the Kimberley region and will unveil a dedicated brochure on August 30. John Torode is a MasterChef UK judge and co-presenter of John & Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen on ITV. Ahead of the announcement of his two-year ambassadorial role, John visited the Kimberley, taking an expedition cruise to Montgomery Reef and a land tour to see the Bungle Bungle range in Purnululu Park, the Horizontal Falls and El Questro.

 

Albany enjoys growing reputation as tourism hotspot

Albany is enjoying a moment in the tourism spotlight with news its overnight visitors increased by 26 per cent between March 2018 and March 2019. International visitors rose from 44,100 to to 51,400 during the same period, an increase of 17 per cent, while overnight domestic visitors increased by a dramatic 27 per cent to 441,000. Albany is well known for its important role in Anzac history and was recently named the number one destination on Lonely Planet's Best in Asian Pacific 2019 list for its breathtaking beaches, long stretching coastline, award-winning wineries, breweries, restaurants, tall-tree forests and abundant farmland. Read more in the Premier's media statement.

 

CMV appoints new Business Development Manager for WA

Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) Australia has this week appointed Bronwen Milsom as its new Business Development Manager for Western Australia. Based in Perth, Bronwen will provide ongoing support for agent partners on the west coast to help develop their business and cruise knowledge. Bronwen is the latest addition to the CMV sales team led by Darren Chigwidden, National Sales Manager (Australia and New Zealand). Offering more than 30 years of experience in the travel and cruise industry, including roles as a retail and wholesale travel consultant, Bronwen has previously worked with Royal Caribbean, Azamara and Celebrity Cruises. Bronwen will work with agents in metropolitan and rural Western Australia.

 

New interactive wildflower tracker available

The WA Visitor Centre’s new interactive wildflower map is up and running, with people on the ground sharing ‘sightings’, which are then added to the map to help visitors find the latest wildflowers blooming around WA. Have you found wildflowers that aren't already on the map? If so, you can contribute by sending photos of the flowers and the location to the WA Visitor Centre via email or Facebook.

 

Have your say in Top Tourism Town Awards

Cast your vote in the 2019 GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards. Twenty towns are finalists across the categories of GWN7 Top Tourism Town Award and GWN7 Emerging Tourism Town Award. Winners of each category will be able to promote their town via TV broadcast, while voters go in the draw to win a holiday in WA or a voucher for any RAC Park or Resort. The awards are run by Visitor Centres WA and are supported by Tourism WA, GWN7, Vanguard Press and RAC Parks and Resorts. To vote, visit the website by August 25.

 

Tourism businesses among finalists in awards

Premier Mark McGowan this week announced the finalists for the 2019 Western Australian Industry and Export Awards, now in their 31st year. The 32 businesses announced as finalists cover products and sectors such as premium chocolate, seafood and wine, fashion and tourism, as well as innovative mining industry suppliers and communications technology. Four leading businesswomen have also been announced as finalists in the WA Women in International Business category. The awards attracted a strong field of 144 applications from 47 businesses, seeking recognition in 17 award categories. Winners will be announced at a gala event to be held at the Hyatt on September 23. For more information, visit the JTSI website.

 

Regions to benefit from revamped funding program

Changes to the Federal Government’s Business Events Bid Fund Program (BEBFP) will make it easier for regional destinations to access funding to help them secure international business events. The $12 million fund is managed by Tourism Australia and designed to increase conversion of new international business for Australia by offering financial support for bidding organisations, such as convention bureaus and centres. The program will now offer more assistance to regional destinations, which often bid for smaller international events. Funds are only provided once the event is confirmed, and cover costs related to the delivery of the event, including venue hire and accommodation.  More information regarding the BEBFP is available on the Tourism Australia website.

 

New project set to streamline WA tourist attractions

The Tourist Attractions Regulatory Mapping and Reform Project, led by the Department of Treasury in collaboration with Tourism WA, requires industry input to help streamline the establishment or expansion of new tourist attractions in WA. The project is one in a series under the Streamline WA reform initiative. By sharing your experience through this survey, you will assist the project team in identifying and developing solutions for issues affecting your business the most. The survey will be open until September 1. For more information on the project, please visit the Department of Treasury's website or contact the project team.

 

ITB Berlin 2020 applications now open

Applications are now open for seller participation at Internationale Tourismus Börse (ITB) 2020, being held in Berlin, Germany, from March 4 to 8, 2020. The event, open to trade and consumers, brings together prominent people from the tourism industry to network, negotiate and do business. Tourism Australia will have an exclusive stand at ITB Berlin and invites the industry to participate as stand partners. Visit the event website for further information, and to apply click here. Applications close on Friday, September 13.

 
 

 

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 Perth and Kalgoorlie

Tourism Council WA will be holding workshops in Perth and Kalgoorlie over the next few months, covering topics including social media and digital marketing, customer service, and strategic marketing. Registrations for Perth’s August workshops close 5pm Monday, August 19. For the full schedule and to register, click here.

 

Australian Hotels Association’s 2019 Devil’s Lair Gala Ball

August 26: The Australian Hotels Association’s 2019 Devil’s Lair Gala Ball will host the presentation of the Perth Airport WA Accommodation Awards for Excellence on Monday, August 26 at The Westin Perth. This event recognises and acknowledges WA’s accommodation industry, celebrating our state’s leading properties and the outstanding staff who drive their ongoing success.The Accommodation Awards for Excellence is recognised as one of the top 10 events in WA, showcasing the finest food, beverages, theming and entertainment. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit the AHA website.

 

FACET offering an Astrotourism Workshop

September 2: Join FACET, the WA Parks Foundation and Geoparks WA for a half-day workshop showcasing the latest WA astrotourism developments and explore the opportunities our unique night skies can offer. A stargazing experience is included. Astrotourism is an emerging sector of the tourism industry and is gaining in popularity around the world.  Western Australia has one of the best dark night skies on Earth and is well placed to take advantage of this natural asset. For more information and to register, click here.

 

Australian Event Awards and Symposium

September 16-18: The Australian Event Awards and Symposium is being held in Perth for the first time this year, after a successful bid by Tourism WA, Perth Convention Bureau, VenuesLive and the Events Industry Association. This year’s theme “Creating Connections, Breaking Barriers” aims to bring together event industry leaders as well as offer a variety of sessions exploring the latest event trends and communication techniques.  The Symposium will be held at Optus Stadium, with the two-day program concluding with an Event Awards Ceremony where the 2019 winners will be announced. Details of the program and booking information can be found here.

 

Regional Tourism Conference registrations close soon

September 16-18: The 2019 conference will be held from September 16 to 18 in Karratha and will provide delegates with unrivalled 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. There is limited travel assistance remaining, provided by the City of Karratha for delegates travelling from outside the Pilbara region. Accredited accommodation providers are offering discounts to delegates. Delegates are also able to optimise their trip to Karratha with a range of half and full-day pre- and post-conference touring options. There are less than four weeks left to register – for more information and to secure your ticket, click here.

 
 

 

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