Talking Tourism

SilkAir’s direct flights from Singapore arrive in Broome

Today Broome welcomed the first of four seasonal SilkAir flights from Singapore, following the success of last year’s direct flight trial. The flights have resulted from a partnership involving the Broome International Airport, Australia’s Northwest Tourism, the Shire of Broome and Tourism WA, and have been strategically timed to coincide with specific events, including school holidays in Singapore, two race meets at the Broome Turf Club (June 15 and 22), and one of Broome’s many popular natural wonders, the Staircase to the Moon (June 18, 19 and 20). The return flights will operate on four dates - June 13, 17, 20, and 24 - and will run at the same times each day. Visitors can choose to stay for three, four, or up to 11 nights on a return ticket. For more information, visit the Australia’s North West website.

Kimberley region in the national media spotlight

WA’s unique Kimberley region has been showcased to a national audience as part of Tourism WA’s domestic PR program. Australia’s highest-selling premium food title Delicious, which has a combined print and digital reach of more than 1.3 million, featured Broome’s dining and cultural experiences with a focus on the magical Shinju Matsuri Festival ahead of the event in September. In the article, writer Jo McKay chats at length with TV chef Adam Liaw, who worked on elements of the Festival's extensive menu. Liaw describes the food of Broome as "phenomenally interesting because of the town’s history, and its isolation from the rest of Australia." Read the adapted online Delicious article here.

Nominate now for the GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards

There are some exciting changes to the GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards this year and all Visitor Centre Western Australia members are encouraged to nominate. Not only is there a simplified submission process, a new consumer voting element has been added. WA locals and visitors have an opportunity to vote for their favourite holiday destination and go in the draw to win a $5,000 travel voucher to spend on a WA holiday. Tourism WA and the RAC are proud to be supporting the awards. All finalists are encouraged to promote their town through their own channels to garner support and increase votes. For more information and to nominate, click here.

First Travel Group campaigns in New Zealand

Tourism WA has partnered with First Travel Group, Air New Zealand and preferred suppliers to launch a tactical campaign encouraging high value travelers to visit Western Australia. The campaign leverages sale fares through Air New Zealand with a focus on adventure, expedition cruising, food, wine and city experiences via YOU Travel, the leisure retail travel brand of First Travel Group. Placements include a mix of digital, eDM, print and in-store activations targeting consumers, as well as webinars and wholesale training sessions for agents.

Singapore Airlines campaign targets US market

Tourism WA has partnered with Singapore Airlines to entice Americans to Perth and explore Western Australia’s regions while they’re here. The campaign positions Perth as the western gateway to Australia, with sale fares from both the east and west coast of the USA via Singapore. Digital creative content encourages Americans to explore the state’s coastal and aquatic offerings, adventure into the outback, immerse in the local wine scene, meet wildlife and experience the transformed city of Perth.

Aussie specialist training in Germany

Tourism WA’s Germany team attended Tourism Australia’s premier Aussie Specialist Training Event, where 27 agents gathered in Munich for two days of training on the latest destination news and developments in WA. The Aussie Specialist Program provides frontline travel sellers from around the globe with the knowledge and skills to best sell Australia. Premier Aussie Specialists represent the exclusive top-tier of the program, offering extensive product knowledge and an established record of selling Australia as a holiday destination.

Brits invited to work and play in WA

Tourism WA has teamed up with Tourism Australia and STA Travel to encourage British 18 to 30-year-olds to work and play in WA. The activity is an extension of the Australia Inc campaign and showcases how a WA working holiday helps young people stand out. The campaign includes social and video advertising as well as use of STA’s retail network and significant database to convert desire to visit Australia into bookings to WA. WA deals have also been promoted at five graduation fairs and universities across the UK.

Perth shortlisted in Nat Geo Traveller awards

UK publication National Geographic Traveller has shortlisted Perth for its annual reader awards. Perth has been nominated for the second year running in the awards’ ‘One to Watch’ category as a result of Tourism WA’s UK team promotion of Perth’s new developments, hotels, the rise of the quokka as a social media star and the direct Qantas London to Perth flight. The nominations are drawn by the magazine’s editorial team and then voted on by readers. To vote, click here.

Tourism expert recognised on Queen’s Birthday honours list

Congratulations to Professor Ross Dowling, chairman of Cruise Western Australia, who received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to higher education, tourism and conservation last week. Professor Dowling retired from his position as foundation professor of tourism at Edith Cowan University in Joondalup last year after 16 years, and holds more than 20 positions related to tourism, conservation and cruising locally and internationally. He actively contributes to tourism research and development around the world, especially in the areas of geotourism, cruise ship tourism, ecotourism and tourism planning and development.

New South West cycling campaign launched

On Sunday June 9, Tourism WA launched a South West cycling campaign to encourage people to get on their bikes and explore the unridden WA. The campaign promotes three specific cycling events: Tour of Margaret River, Cape to Cape and Southern Peaks and encourages everyone, from the casual rider to the serious contender, that there are events out there to excite every rider. The campaign will target cycling enthusiasts in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and will roll out across SBS on Demand, sbs.com.au, Facebook and Instagram.