Talking Tourism

Issue #576, October 10, 2019


Hello

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

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WA tourism’s record-breaking streak continues

The WA tourism industry has reason to celebrate, with Tourism Research Australia’s latest data revealing the number of visitors to WA, and their total spend, has again reached an all-time high. According to the latest National Visitor Survey (NVS) and International Visitor Survey (IVS), which were released on Tuesday night, WA had a record-breaking 2.76 million out-of-state (international and interstate) visitors last financial year. The number of total overnight visitors in 2018-19 was 11.6 million people who, together with day-trippers, spent $10.5 billion in the State – an increase of 16.4 per cent on the previous year. Of this, $4.9 billion was spent in regional WA. The number of overnight holiday visitors to WA reached 4.7 million, an increase of 16.5 per cent on the previous year. International holiday visitors were the highest on record for WA, with the number of holiday visitors increasing by 12.8 per cent - the strongest growth rate of all Australia’s states and territories. For the full story, visit our corporate website.

 

 

South West tourism set to take off with Jetstar direct flights

Tourism WA supported Jetstar in the delivery of a media and influencer event in Melbourne on October 4 to launch new direct flights between Melbourne and the Margaret River region. Tourism WA will be working with Jetstar over the next three years on marketing activities to support the new route and drive leisure visitation to the Margaret River Region and beyond. Thousands of additional visitors a year are expected to visit the Margaret River region as a result of these direct flights. Visitors will be able to fly directly into the region from March 25, 2020. Services will run three times a week - year-round during daylight hours - between Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine and Busselton Margaret River Airport. The State Government, through the South West Development Commission and Tourism WA, worked closely with the City of Busselton to take the project from the business case stage to development to securing an airline service. For more information, cllick here

 

Aussie Specialists welcomed to WA for Corroboree West

Hundreds of Aussie Specialist agents from some of Tourism WA’s key international markets were busy exploring WA this week as part of Corroboree West 2019. One of three Tourism Australia major travel trade events hosted in Perth this year, Corroboree West runs from October 8 to 11 and is a chance for local tourism operators to connect with international frontline travel sellers. More than 300 agents from the UK, Germany, Europe, USA and New Zealand made up 24 individual famil groups, hosted by Tourism WA. The groups visited a range of locations including Swan Valley, Rottnest, Fremantle, Mandurah, Scarborough, Rockingham, the Pinnacles and Kings Park to experience some of WA’s many tourism attractions first-hand. Take a look at some of their photos on #CW19WA. For more information, go to the corporate website.

 

Student athletes aim to chalk up a win at 2020 UniSport

Interstate university athletes will travel to WA to vie for victory when Perth hosts the UniSport Nationals in 2020. The event, formerly known as the Australian University Games, is presented by WA-based UniBank and supported by the State Government, through Tourism WA and VenuesWest. Thousands of athletes are expected to travel to WA for the event. The UniSport Nationals will be held from Saturday, September 26 to Friday, October 2, 2020. The event brings together competitors from universities across Australia to compete in individual and team sports such as badminton, futsal, golf, cheer and dance, sailing and tenpin bowling. The competition will be staged at a range of locations across Perth, including the Bendat Basketball Centre, Gold Netball Centre, HBF Stadium and Champion Lakes Regatta Centre. More information here

 

Destination WA visits Kaarta Koomba

Destination WA will feature Kings Park and Botanic Garden (Kaarta Koomba) this Sunday (October 13), where visitors can immerse themselves in Noongar culture on walking tours. With a long Aboriginal history and deep spiritual connections for the Wadjuk Noongar people, Kaarta Koomba is an ideal location for visitors to experience this ancient element of WA culture. Tune in to learn about these tours with Nyungar Tours and Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences. The show has returned for its eighth season, featuring 13 episodes of WA’s best winter getaways including a series of stories featuring Aboriginal tourism products, supported by Tourism WA.  Destination WA airs in WA on Sundays at 5.30pm on Channel 9 and 9HD, and nationally at 12.30pm on the Nine Network. All stories from the series are available online on the Destination WA website.

 

Flight Centre staff experience Broome

Learning more about Broome’s pearling history, visiting the iconic Cable Beach and taking in the spectacular scenery of Gantheaume Point were among the highlights when Tourism WA recently hosted Brisbane Flight Centre staff on a famil trip to the popular tourism destination. The seven participants from the product team were able to learn more about the destination and the products of Broome to assist them with developing itineraries and packages to be sold through Flight Centre stores both domestically and internationally.

 

Sustainable Tourism Observatory launched

WA is home to Australia’s first sustainable tourism observatory, which was officially launched on September 27 at Bunker Bay. The observatory was established in close partnership with the State Government, Tourism WA, Australia’s South West, Parks and Wildlife Service, the South West Development Commission, the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, RAC Parks and Resorts and Expedia. It will provide current data from the region to ensure tourism strategies for the region balance the needs of promoting tourism and the natural environment.  The observatory will initially focus on the development of the Margaret River region and later include the entire South West region. 

 

EOI open for kiosk at Kalbarri Skywalk

The Kalbarri Skywalk project is a step closer to completion, with the State Government calling for expressions of interest for the lease and operation of a kiosk at the site. The Kalbarri Skywalk will be a new attraction in Kalbarri National Park, with two cantilevered lookouts extending from the edge of the cliff face to provide panoramic views of the Murchison Gorge and surrounds. The universally accessible site will include a kiosk, toilets, shade shelters, landscaping, connecting pathways, carparks, and interpretive signage, in addition to an extra 22km of sealed roads to key tourism sites in the park. The Skywalk is expected to open by early next year. For more information and to apply, click here.

 

Last chance to submit seller application for ATE

Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) seller applications close tomorrow – Friday, October 11. ATE 2020, to be held in Melbourne from May 10 to 14, 2020, is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and the southern hemisphere’s largest international travel trade show of its kind. Exhibiting businesses are able to promote their products directly to tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world through a combination of scheduled business appointments and networking events. Visit the ATE 2020 website to register.

 

Regional event holders encouraged to apply for funding

Upcoming regional events could be eligible for a funding boost as part of Tourism WA's annual Regional Events Scheme. Event holders have until mid-December to submit their application for the 2020-21 funding round, which supports smaller and emerging regional events across the State. A total funding pool of $1 million is available, including a separate pool of $150,000 allocated to the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme (RAES). The RAES is exclusively for events that deliver Aboriginal activities and experiences through the leadership and participation of Aboriginal people. To be eligible for either scheme, events must be held between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 with event holders able to make a funding submission for between $5,000 and $40,000. Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. For more information or to apply, visit the corporate website.

 

Rottnest Island Management Plan open for public comment

The draft of the latest Rottnest Island Management Plan (RIMP) has been released for public comment. The RIMP 2020-24, which will begin operating on January 1, 2020 and end on December 31, 2024, encapsulates Rottnest Island Authority's approach to managing the island and its associated waters. It also sets out Rottnest Island Authority's priorities for the next five years. The plan’s key initiatives reflect an ongoing commitment to sustainability principles in all aspects of the island's management and signal a renewed focus on the island's heritage, in particular the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground and the former Aboriginal Prison (the Quod). Public submissions close on October 25, 2019 and can be made at the Rottnest Island Authority website.

 
 

 

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.

 

China Ready and Accredited Training Workshops

October 23: To prepare your business to service and target the Chinese market Tourism Council WA is delivering two workshops on October 23, as part of the official China Ready & Accredited® program. The workshops cover marketing to potential Chinese visitors and ensuring your business meets the needs and expectations of Chinese visitors. Register for both workshops for $150 - click here to register and receive the discount.

 

Register for tourism workshops in Kalgoorlie

Tourism Council WA will be holding workshops in Kalgoorlie next month, covering topics including social media and digital marketing, customer service, and strategic marketing. Registrations are now open. For the full schedule and to register, click here.

 

Growing your wine exports workshop

October 23: Wine Australia’s Growing Wine Exports team will deliver a workshop to help wine makers grow their wine exports to Singapore and Malaysia. Topics covered include specific wine offers and refined brand pitch, the Singapore and Malaysian market from a WA perspective, a Free on Board pricing model for Singapore as well as finding and supporting suitable trade partners. Register here.

 

WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner tickets on sale

November 9: Tickets are on sale for the 2019 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner on November 9. The event is a fantastic opportunity to join together as an industry for the announcement of the medallists in this year’s Awards program, as well as to network and celebrate the past 12 months. For more information and to purchase your ticket, click here. To view the full list of the 2019 finalists, click here.

 

2019 AHA Hospitality Awards for Excellence

November 11: The 2019 AHA & Aon WA Hospitality Awards for Excellence will be presented at the Byron Bay Lager Gala Ball at Crown Perth. Celebrating the best of Western Australia's hospitality industry, these awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and success of hospitality businesses as well as individuals whose commitment and dedication elevates the quality of the sector across the state. Tickets for this annual event are now on sale and can be purchased by clicking here.

 

Tickets on sale for World Gourmet Symposium

November 14: The World Gourmet Symposium will cover a diverse range of topics related to the food, drink and hospitality industry. The event is part of WA Gourmet Escape, sponsored by Tourism WA. The symposium offers the opportunity to hear about the latest in food and restaurant trends, the chance to learn how to grow and scale your business, brand and bottom line, networking opportunities with industry from around the country and the chance to take part in a global discussion to shape the future of eating, dining and hospitality. The event will be held at Mandoon Estate from 9am to 5pm, with registration from 8am. For more information about ticket prices as well as the program, visit the website.

 

Learn to be a tour guide with Global Gypsies

November 19: Global Gypsies is running a one-day Tour Guide Training Course in conjunction with Tourism Council WA. Designed for working or aspiring guides, or for entrepreneurs keen to start their own tourism businesses, the course combines presentations, anecdotes, group discussions and a creative workshop. Topics will include interpretive presentation, duty of care, risk management, dealing with emergencies, leadership, cultural awareness, environmental responsibility, conflict resolution, customer service, starting your own tourism business, job opportunities and more. For more information or to book your place, click here.

 

Perth and Regional WA Japan Ready Workshops

November-December:  Due to overwhelming demand, Tourism Council WA has scheduled Japan Ready Workshops in Exmouth on November 12, Geraldton on November 20, Australia’s South West on November 27 and Perth on December 4 to assist WA tourism businesses become ready to service the growing Japanese market. This comprehensive workshop will cover an overview of the Japanese market, Japanese service and cultural awareness, translation requirements, food service requirements, welcoming Japanese groups including students and MICE, key commercial considerations and engagement through sales and marketing. For more information and to view the full schedule, click here.