Talking Tourism

Issue #567, August 15, 2019


Hello

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

Record number of jobs for WA tourism industry

The State has achieved the highest number of WA tourism industry jobs on record since the statistic was first recorded 12 years ago, according to a new Tourism Research Australia report released yesterday. The State Tourism Satellite Account 2017-18 reports on the economic impacts of tourism across each state and territory. The report showed in 2017-18 a total of 108,800 people were employed in the WA tourism industry - almost 2,000 more jobs compared to the previous year. This figure makes up 8.2 per cent of the State's total employment, in line with 2016-17. In this timeframe, the WA tourism industry added $12.9 billion to the State's economy, with the results showing WA's tourism industry contributed a total of five per cent of the State's Gross State Product, consistent with the previous year. The WA tourism industry represented a higher share of the State's total employment than the mining (7 per cent); professional, scientific and technical services (6.9 per cent); manufacturing (5.9 per cent), agriculture, forestry and fishing (3.1 per cent) and financial and insurance services sectors (2.2 per cent). For more information, visit our website.

 

UK article reignites Freckles the manta ray fame

As part of a campaign with UK broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Halls, Tourism WA’S UK team negotiated an editorial feature in the travel section of The Telegraph, which was published last week. Following the viral success of Freckles the manta ray’s story, The Telegraph gave Monty’s article the headline 'My Manta Ray Mission off the Coral Coast'. The estimated advertising value for this feature was $361,080, with a reach of 4,452,782. Freckles has been a worldwide sensation since footage of his dramatic rescue was released. The video has been picked up globally, including in CNN Travel, BBC News, NBC, New York Post as well as in Australian and other international media. Total online readership of the story was 3.78 billion, with 6.2 million views of the video and a total broadcast audience reach of 43.4 million.

 

Celebrating WA’s loveable little icon

Rottnest Island is inviting everyone to come and celebrate the world's happiest animal at the inaugural quokka birthday on Sunday, September 15. The quokka has become a national icon, but as the only native mammal to Rottnest Island, is also an important part of the A-Class Reserve’s conservation. To celebrate the quokka's birthday, there is free travel and free island admission for children 12 years and under from Friday, September 13 to Sunday, September 15, and adult return tickets from $50.  Discounted accommodation is also on offer, with prices starting from $229 for a two-bedroom unit, which can sleep up to 6 people, with a 4pm check-out. For more information, read the Tourism Minister’s media statement.

 

Visitors encouraged to explore WA’s heritage places and spaces

Tourism WA and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage are continuing a partnership to encourage visitors to explore Western Australia’s heritage places and spaces. A series of stories and articles are being featured on Tourism WA’s consumer channels, focusing on unique and different ways visitors can discover more about WA’s heritage and history. The first stories: WA’s Best Heritage Hotels and Perth Regeneration: Where Heritage and High Times Collide, have been followed by How Broome became the Pearl of Australia’s North West, Old Meets New: the Revitalisation of Perth’s East End and Fremantle’s West End and A Road Trip into the Past: Discover WA’s Unique History on the Working Life Heritage Trail. All five stories are featured on Tourism WA’s consumer website and supported on social media.

 

Margaret River cleans up at Halliday Wine Companion Awards

The 2020 Halliday Wine Companion Awards were presented last week in Melbourne with Margaret River dominating the night, winning Winemaker of the Year, Best Value Winery of the Year and taking home the largest number of Best of Varietal Awards. Winemaker Vanya Cullen was named Winemaker of the Year at the awards, the second year in a row a Margaret River Winemaker has received the coveted award. Domaine Naturaliste was named Best Value Winery of the Year, with its wines being recognised as “great quality and great value”. Five Margaret River winemakers collected Best of Varietal Awards, including Best Cabernet Sauvignon (Deep Woods), Cabernet Sauvignon and family (Cullen), Chardonnay (Moss Wood), Sauvignon Blanc (Flowstone Wines) and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (Stella Bella). For more information and the full list of winners, click here.

 

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.

 

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.