Destination wrap: TAA CEO speaks out against lockout laws, SATC sets ambitious target, Queens to host US Open + MORE!
Kick your week off right with all the latest destination news! And if that doesn’t work, we recommend taking a leaf out of Travel Weekly’s editorial book by downing four coffees before midday.
Tourism NT’s Location Scout takes the US by storm with three film festival wins
Tourism NT’s cheeky web series Location Scouts has continued its run of global success, winning Best Web Series at the Los Angeles Film Awards for July 2019, Best Web Series at the Top Shorts Film Festival for July 2019 and Best of Show at the IndieFEST Film Awards
The US accolades comes off the back of Location Scouts’ official selection at WEBFEST Berlin, which is set to take place from 12 to 14 September 2019.
Created by the award-winning Van Vuuren Brothers, the web series is set in the Northern Territory and is an hilarious behind-the-scenes look at blockbuster Aussie rom-com Top End Wedding.
The six-part comedy series follows the story of fictional veteran location scout, Steve Grogan, and his millennial off-sider Morgan, as they roam the Top End in search for the ultimate NT locations for the Top End Wedding movie.
Discover Queens as host borough to the US Open tennis championship
On August 26, the most attended annual sporting event in the world will return to New York City at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as the US Open Tennis Championships take over the borough of Queens.
NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organisation, is encouraging visitors to attend the US Open Fan Week and US Open Tennis Championships events, but also to stay longer and explore the diverse neighbourhood offerings in the vibrant and diverse borough of Queens. Additionally, several NYC & Company hotel members are offering special packages and incentives to encourage more overnight stays during this iconic event.
For more on the US Open this year, visit NYCGo.com/us-open-tennis-championships
Louvre Abu Dhabi to open new restaurant in partnership with Barrière Group with menu by renowned Michelin star chef
Louvre Abu Dhabi today announced a partnership with the French hospitality company Barrière Group to turn the museum’s restaurant into the first Abu Dhabi-based branch of the company’s well-known brasserie-style restaurant Fouquet’s.
Opening in 2020, the restaurant’s menu will be created in collaboration with renowned French chef Pierre Gagnaire, head chef and owner of the eponymous Pierre Gagnaire restaurant, and will include a number of Fouquet’s signature dishes as well as those reflecting the local culture and the tastes of an international clientèle.
South Australia tourism industry targets $12.8 billion by 2030
The State Government, together with industry leaders, has today released the South Australian Visitor Economy Sector Plan 2030 which sets an ambitious, bold agenda for tourism.
Premier Steven Marshall said the industry-led and endorsed Plan aims to grow the state’s visitor economy to $12.8 billion by 2030 and generate an additional 16,000 jobs.
“What we have here is a comprehensive roadmap, direct from industry, on how we can work together to take South Australia’s visitor economy to new heights,” Premier Marshall said.
“This Plan is one of eight different industry sector plans that will form the basis of the State Government’s ‘Growth State’ initiative that aims to promote industry growth by leveraging our competitive advantages, and tourism is a great example of that.”
NSW scores another Australian Tourism first
Destination NSW and Westpac have teamed up to strengthen the NSW Visitor Economy.
The Destination NSW Westpac Tourism Expenditure Monitor will deliver valuable insights from aggregated, de-identified visitor data for the NSW tourism industry to attract more visitors by understanding how people spend money when they travel throughout the State.
The deal brokered by Destination NSW, the State’s tourism and major events agency, sees its tourism expertise and insights linked with Westpac’s leading data analytics capability.
The Destination NSW Westpac Tourism Expenditure Monitor will provide a variety of research metrics using de-identified and aggregated data. Each report will highlight changes from month-to-month and trends over time to reveal:
- How many people are visiting and travelling within NSW
- Where the travellers are from
- Demographic details of those travellers to and within NSW
- Visitor spending patterns, including emerging trends across rural, regional and metropolitan NSW.
The Philippines reminds travellers about its abundance of World Heritage Sites
The Philippine Department of Tourism reminds travellers that the Philippines is home to some of the highest numbers of UNESCO World Heritage ‘cultural sites’ in South East Asia.
With three cultural and three natural sites, the Philippines is a unique and interesting destination for those looking for a little more from their holiday.
For a landmark to be considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it should prove that it is of “outstanding universal value”, have a cultural, historical and scientific significance, and is legally protected by international treaties. These natural and cultural wonders are often steeped in history and draw curious travellers from all around as they seek to learn more about the destinations they visit.
The sites include: Rice Paddies of the Philippine Cordilleras, Historic City of Vigan, Baroque Churches of the Philippines, Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary.
TAA take action on night-time economy to restore Sydney’s reputation
The State’s peak accommodation body, Tourism Accommodation Australia, has warned a Parliamentary Committee action needs to be taken to restore Sydney’s reputation as an international city.
TAA NSW CEO Michael Johnson told the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Night-Time Economy the city’s international standing was being damaged by the package of “lockout laws” introduced in 2014.
“TAA is very much focused on the future development and growth of the accommodation sector in this state,” Johnson told the committee on Friday.
“We seek to ensure NSW remains the premier state when it comes to tourism. As a state we frequently top the charts in the international and domestic visitor surveys, however, reports from our members suggest our reputation is being damaged by the so-called “lockout laws” and their impact on the night-time economy.
“There is real concern in the accommodation sector over the impact of these measures. We directly compete with other states and countries and the poor reputation of our night-time economy means we are simply giving business away.
“By implementing strict measures in 2014 Sydney’s reputation as a global city has been compromised – this needs to change.”
Hong Kong Tourism Board is calling all travel writers
Following last year’s hugely successful launch of the Rising Star Award the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) have decided to collaborate again on this exciting initiative, aimed at enticing a new era of travel writers in Australia.
The ASTW, introduced the award to their Awards for Excellence programme last year to bolster writers looking to expand their expertise into the often daunting but aspirational travel writing industry.
The award is open to writers and digital influencers who have had their first paid travel story published in the past two years. Entries are open from 1 August 2019 to 2 November 2019 via https://astw.org.au/rising-star/
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
hong kong tourism board Louvre Abu Dhabi nsw queens south australia taa the philippines tourism nt US OpenLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.