Nothing says ‘manic Monday’ like a photo of a bunch of Tasmanians participating in a nudie run into the ocean. Except maybe being on your third coffee of the day and still falling asleep at your desk.

Melbourne travel industry get a taste of the ‘Kimberley Express’

The Kimberley region of Western Australia was celebrated on Wednesday, 16 October at the official industry launch of the new Melbourne to Kununurra direct flight service – the ‘Kimberley Express’.

More than 60 travel industry representatives attended the launch held by Tourism Western Australia at Melbourne restaurant, Charcoal Lane, and were treated to a ‘taste of the Kimberley’ including sampling native bush foods and enjoying performances by Aboriginal dancer Sermsah Bin Saad, who is originally from the Kimberley, and Kav Temperley from one of WA’s much loved WA bands, Eskimo Joe.

Rugby World Cup changing perception of Japanese culture

The Rugby World Cup is helping change the “common stereotype” of Japan around the world, according to Japan Tourism officials.

The 2019 world event is the first of its kind to be held in Asia, outside of World Rugby’s ‘traditional’ nations, and has already had a remarkable impact on the economy of Japan during what has been described as “an amazingly exciting time for tourism.”

On the unique charm and character that Japan will bring to a global sporting event, Matthew Joslin of the Japan National Tourism Organisation exclusively told Rugby World Cup in Numbers: “There is a common stereotype of Japan as a polite and reserved nation but that doesn’t mean to say that Japanese people don’t know how to celebrate, and that will probably be the biggest takeaway from a global sporting event like this.

2019 NSW Tourism Awards finalists announced

The finalists that will contest the 2019 NSW Tourism Awards have been announced, acknowledging the exceptional quality of tourism operators across NSW.

Celebrating its 30th year in 2019, the NSW Tourism Awards attracted 146 entrants representing a diverse range of businesses from across New South Wales. Finalists across 26 categories are recognised for excellence in a range of tourism areas such as tourist attractions, festivals and events, ecotourism, new tourism business, destination marketing, accommodation and excellence in accessible tourism.

The winners of the 2019 NSW Tourism Awards will be announced at a gala dinner on November 14 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney. Gold Medal winners in categories 1 to 25 go on to represent NSW at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, to be held in Canberra in March 2020.

See the full list of finalists here.

Los Cabos Tourism Board, American Airlines and Travelport team up for new Campaign

Los Cabos Tourism Board and Travelport are partnering up to run a campaign on airfare and hotels to Los Cabos, Mexico.

Starting today, agents can book through Travelport to receive airfare to Los Cabos with American Airlines from $1,209 AUD stopping over in Los Angeles. In addition to low airfare, booking through Travelport during this campaign period will provide deals to 10 participating resorts from Los Cabos.

Along with the campaign, Los Cabos Tourism Board is running incentive in which agents can win 1 of 5 prizes to stay at one of these amazing 10 properties in Los Cabos.

All agents need to do to enter the draw is complete the 3 chapters on the Los Cabos training program and write in 25 words or less what your ideal perfect day in Los Cabos would be in here. Agents have until February 14^th 2020 to complete the incentive.

Cairns focuses on sustainability 

Kangaroo poo hoovered up for fertiliser alongside the Wet Tropics rainforest and free electric car charging stations are among the sustainability initiatives in Tropical North Queensland.

With two World Heritage areas side by side, the tourism industry takes its role in nurturing the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest very seriously with operators carefully ticking sustainability boxes as well as coming up with innovative solutions to reduce their footprint.

Sydney to get taste of Macao 

Highly acclaimed Macao chef Palmira Pena has returned to Sydney to prepare a new menu of Macanese dishes for Australian lovers of fusion cuisine.

Until November 14, Palmira’s array of delicacies will be prepared and served at two suburban restaurants – the House of Tong Restaurant within the North Ryde RSL and the District 8 Restaurant within the Cabra-Vale Diggers Club – as part of a month-long Taste of Macao Food Festival.

Tourism Tasmania invites Aussies to ‘come down for air’ in new integrated campaign

Tourism Tasmania relaunches its brand with a campaign that calls on Australians to break free from the stresses of modern life and feel more human again; an opportunity to breathe in the incredible nature, the thriving culture, or simply reconnect with yourself. An invitation to ‘Come Down for Air’.

The TV campaign is one piece of a large integrated campaign, supported by radio, print, outdoor and online to position Tasmania as a unique destination for travellers who need a break from the stresses of modern life. The brand idea was brought to life digitally by Clemenger BBDO Sydney, and media buying by Initiative.

Dark Sky Tourism Debut’s in Martinborough, NZ

As the world’s population grows and our cities expand, the opportunity to look up to the sky at the rest of the universe in complete darkness decrease. This has seen the growing trend of travellers seeking out the world’s last-remaining dark skies, where they can get a clear, unpolluted view of the stars and constellations.

Martinborough’s status as a dark sky destination will be given a major boost, as the highly anticipated Star Field observatory complex and astronomy centre opened Friday 18 October.

At Star Field, visitors will be treated to an evening of star gazing with guides taking them on a journey through space and time. They will learn about the importance of constellations, the science of stars, looking closely at our Solar System, planets, and how to read the sky using celestial navigation.

The first Star Field Martinborough tour kicks off today, Friday 18 October. With tours now operating Friday to Sunday, plus weekdays by arrangement.

Australia’s first glass bridge unveiled

Australia’s first bridge constructed entirely of glass was unveiled in Cobbold Gorge.

The new structure was opened in front of 75 people with traditional ceremonies and a ribbon-cutting.

Washington DC to lure culinary travellers with Michelin guide star ratings announced for 2020

The just-released 2020 Michelin Guide has shown Washington, DC is becoming more of a gourmet stronghold every year.

The Michelin guide, now in its fourth year of awarding stars to Washington restaurants, is known for prizing stability over flash, crediting high-quality food available at a reasonable price.

Forty-four restaurants in Washington, DC made Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmands up from 39 in 2019.  This year’s edition features 10 new restaurants.  No change at the top: the Inn at Little Washington retained its three-star status, and the two restaurants previously awarded two stars each — Pineapple and Pearls and Minibar — remained with this status.

TNQ tourism industry celebrates success

The achievements and successes of the local tourism industry were celebrated last night (October 18) at the 2019 Tropical North Queensland Tourism Industry Excellence Awards, held at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.

The 2019 winners are:

• Chair’s Award for Excellence (sponsored by Cairns Regional Council) ¬– The Crystalbrook Collection
• TTNQ Life Member – Ross Steele
• Outstanding Contribution by an Individual – Tony Baker
• Innovation Excellence Award (sponsored by Cairns Airport) – Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• Young Achiever Excellence Award (sponsored by HostPlus) – Jana Stankovich from Cairns Airport
• Customer Service Excellence Award – Deb Ieri, Small World Journeys, and Malcolm Rothall, Bad Fishy Jet Boating Cairns (joint winners)

Direct Zurich – Lugano Flugzug train opened

Agents with clients heading to Switzerland’s Italian speaking region can now enjoy the brand new ‘Flugzug’ direct rail service between Zurich Airport and Lugano Station, which commenced on 16 Oct.

An initiative offered by Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), this connection presents a much more comfortable and greener way to travel between the two cities.

Bookable online or via the airline reservations team, the cost is included in the SWISS flight ticket.

The ‘Flugzug’ timetable offers 14 daily services in each direction between Zurich Airport and Lugano Station, and covers all relevant SWISS connecting flights to and from the airline’s hub in Zurich. The travel time between the two cities is around 2h 40m.