Talking Tourism

Tourism WA wins ANZ Campaign of the year

Tourism Western Australia has won the ANZ Campaign of the year in the 2019 Expedia Group Media Solutions Partner Awards for a Brand Partnership campaign run in the Singapore market in late 2018. Expedia Group Media Solutions’ campaign with Tourism Western Australia was designed to promote Perth to Singaporean travellers. The campaign was jointly supported by Expedia Group and Tourism Western Australia and involved a co-branded TV activation, designed to highlight exciting things on offer in Perth and drive booking demand though Expedia.com.sg. To complement the advertisement, Expedia Group Media Solutions implemented a digital conversion strategy, using a range of digital display advertising, along with email and social marketing tools.

Statement on tourism land uses in bushfire prone areas

The Western Australian Planning Commission has released a position statement to guide local governments in planning for tourism land uses within bushfire prone areas. Position Statement: Tourism Land Uses in Bushfire Prone Areas introduces a range of measures to ensure bushfire risk is considered appropriately. The position statement is effective immediately in determining planning applications until a revised policy is in place. A Guide to Developing a Bushfire Emergency Evacuation Plan and a Bushfire Emergency Evacuation Plan Template have also been prepared to help local governments prepare for emergency evacuation plans. For more information, visit the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.

Tourism operator scam alert

There are recent reports of a scam targeting tourism operators in Western Australia. Emails asking operators to click or phone to confirm bookings are being sent out and this leads to a website requesting payment. These emails are designed to appear as if they are from Tourism WA or another State Tourism Organisation. If you have received an email of this type then it can just be deleted. As a reminder, Tourism WA does not charge operators to be listed on its website.

New Holiday in WA Campaign

Tourism Council WA has launched a marketing campaign promote Quality Tourism Accredited Businesses. The campaign, Holiday in WA, will prompt consumers to look for the Quality Tourism Accredited Business logo when planning their holidays, and to book directly with your business. A new Holiday in WA consumer website is being developed, where eligible Quality Tourism Accredited Businesses will be listed. To prepare your business for this marketing campaign, visit the Trust the Tick website to ensure your business is listed and your information is up to date. For help with setting up or updating your listing, contact an industry advisor on 9416 0700 or via email.

Call for Abstracts for the World Indigenous Tourism Summit

The third World Indigenous Tourism Summit is being held in Perth in April 2020 and a call for abstracts is now open until December 13.  Organised by the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC), and hosted 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 theme will focus on key areas of Aboriginal tourism, including Youth, Environment, Culture, Aboriginal led research, Government best practice and the Business of Tourism.  The abstract topic areas are available to view here and you can register here to receive regular updates on the program.

Change of date – WA Japan Roadshow

WA Japan Roadshow, which will now take place in Japan between February 24 and 29, 2020, is a premier trade event for WA tourism products and services to engage with key Japanese travel companies. There will be a range of events throughout the week, providing an opportunity to network and engage with wholesale planners, salespeople, major agencies, local travel agencies, MICE sales, online travel agencies and land operators in Tokyo and Osaka. Registrations will open late in November. In the meantime, please email your Expression of Interest by November 15, 2019.

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 webpage.

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.

Perth and Regional WA Japan Ready Workshops

November/December: Due to overwhelming demand, Tourism Council WA has scheduled Japan Ready Workshops in 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. Registrations for the Australia’s South West Workshop close 5pm Tuesday, November 19. Join the waitlist via email. For more information and to view the full schedule, click here.
 

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.

Workshops to welcome industry on board

November 22: The Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association will be running a number of workshops in partnership with Australia’s South West in November to support industry in understanding some of the opportunities available as part of the direct flights between Melbourne and Busselton which start next March. For more information or to register for a workshop, go to the website.

Registrations close soon for Tourism Connect industry events

November 27: Tourism Council WA invites members and the wider tourism industry to attend a Tourism Connect industry sundowner in Busselton. Registrations close 5pm Tuesday, November 19. For more information and to view the full schedule, click here.