Destination Wrap: ‘Philausophy’ campaign update, Abu Dhabi shows growth, Tourism Solomons webinar + MORE!
Welcome to our last Destination Wrap of the year! This week, we bring you a special festive edition, which has nothing to do with the festive season except that our journo penned it while covered in tinsel.
Tourism Australia releases ‘Philausophy’ campaign update
Tourism Australia has released another industry video as part of its ‘Come Live our Philausophy’ campaign.
The video features Georgia Currant from the Maria Island Walk in Tasmania. Check it out below:
Abu Dhabi welcomes 1.3 million hotel guests for third quarter of 2019, boosting room revenues by six per cent
Figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have revealed that the number of hotel guests staying in the emirate during the third quarter of 2019 exceeded 1.3 million, an increase of 1.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2018, while in the year-to-date in 2019 there have been almost 3.8 million hotel guests, a 2.9 per cent increase on 2018.
The latest report from DCT Abu Dhabi also shows that total hotel revenues for the third quarter were up to AED 1.1 billion, a rise of 1.7 per cent from the previous year; hotel occupancy was up 4 per cent to 69 per cent; while average length of stay was up 5.6 per cent to 2.5 nights.
These figures were spearheaded by impressive visitor number statistics from key markets, with hotel guests metrics from India, the UK, Oman and Saudi Arabia all showing solid increases for the July to September period. Indian guests increased by 8.1 per cent, UK guests by 5.3 per cent, and guests from Oman (18.6 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (2.1 per cent) also increased during this quarter.
Tourism Solomons webinar on tomorrow!
Tourism Solomons is offering industry staffers the opportunity to win a $50 pre-paid Visa card simply by participating in a Solomon Islands update webinar taking place on Tuesday 17 December 2019.
Running for approximately 30 minutes and including a Q&A session, the webinar is timed as follows:
NSW/VIC – 10:00am
QLD – 09:00am
NZ – 12:00pm
Interested agents do need to register ASAP here.
For more information on the webinars, please contact Tourism Solomons marketing representative Australia/NZ, Richard Skewes via email at richard@ptm.net.au or phone 0412 524 699.
JNTO hosts largest-ever Japan roadshow in Sydney and Brisbane following Rugby World Cup
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has last week concluded a series of educational seminars in Brisbane and Sydney for the travel trade. More agents than ever participated in this year’s roadshow with 319 Australian agents enjoying the opportunity to meet 41 suppliers in Brisbane and 53 in Sydney including local governments, DMCs, accommodation, attractions and transportation.
The Japanese Consulate-Generals of Brisbane and Sydney and JNTO Sydney executive director, Yoko Tanaka, welcomed the agents and thanked them for their support of Japan.
New air routes were a focus at both events with Virgin Australia commencing their direct daily route from Brisbane to Tokyo (Haneda) from March next year, ANA launching additional daily flights to Haneda and JAL switching from Narita to Haneda. The additional capacity into Haneda offers travellers easier access to regional areas through connecting domestic flights. Virgin Australia also sponsored the lucky door prize of two return air tickets to Japan for the Brisbane event.
Scotland reveals new national visitor attraction opening in 2021 for the globally acclaimed Great Tapestry of Scotland
A new visitor attraction housing the globally acclaimed Great Tapestry of Scotland will open in spring 2021 in Scotland’s premier textile region, the Scottish Borders. The £6.7 million purpose-built facility and interactive exhibition space will bring the best of Scotland’s world-renowned storytelling to life through the Tapestry’s wonderful textile artistry and a range of other significant visiting exhibits.
The vision of one of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors Alexander McCall Smith, designed by historian Alistair Moffat and artist Andrew Crummy, and championed by a team of 1,000 women from across Scotland, the Great Tapestry of Scotland tells the inspirational true story of the country’s history, heritage and culture (from 8500 BC to present day). It is made up of 160 panels and 300 miles of wool (enough to lay the entire length of Scotland from the Border with England to the tip of the Shetland in the North Atlantic) – making it one of the largest tapestries ever created.
The Tapestry is truly the work of the Scottish people, as it was handstitched by thousands of women, men and children (age four to 92) in communities across Scotland and transported by land, sea and air to come together in the town of Galashiels, recently voted the happiest place to live in Scotland. It previously toured Scotland to great acclaim from visitors from every corner of the globe.
Destination BC premieres Great Bear Rainforest to travel industry
Destination British Columbia joined 50 travel trade, tourism media and airline partners to host the Australian premier of the Great Bear Rainforest film in partnership with IMAX Melbourne, who welcomed 400 VIP industry guests on Monday 9 December to the opening event.
The documentary narrated by celebrity A-lister, Ryan Reynolds opens to the public at Melbourne IMAX on 2 January 2020, with dates for other screenings around Australia to be announced in 2020.
Broadway Inbound teams up with the New York Yankees
Broadway Inbound is pleased to announce its newest offering – tickets for New York Yankees games at Yankee Stadium.
Together with the New York Yankees, Broadway Inbound is excited to increase its portfolio of sports offerings. The partnership will provide travel agents across the world with the necessary tools and knowledge to encourage travellers to book Yankees tickets in advance, allowing them to make the most of their time in New York City.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles county select Weiss/Manfredi to lead master plan for La Brea tar pits
Dr Lori Bettison-Varga, president and director of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC), today announced the Museums’ selection of the architecture firm WEISS/MANFREDI to lead a master planning team in re-imagining the uniquely important and world-renowned La Brea Tar Pits.
The team will work with NHMLAC on a multi-year process of public engagement, master planning, design and construction at the Tar Pits’ 13-acre campus, which encompasses the world’s only active paleontological research site in a major urban area, its asphalt seeps, surrounding parkland, and the George C. Page Museum building.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
abu dhabi Broadway Inbound destination bc Destination wrap Great Tapestry of Scotland jnto los angeles tourism australia Tourism SolomonsLatest News
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.
Bonza’s future on knife edge
It would seem a long road back from here, perhaps a knife's edge is too much credit.
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.
Amora Hotels & Resorts set to double APAC portfolio, announces new Sydney office
Staff in the new Sydney office have been welcomed by a week of rain on the forecast.
RIU opens Chicago hotel and rooftop bar a few steps from the world-famous Magnificent Mile
Rooftop cocktails hold a dear place in your heart? Look no further than RIU Chicago.
How can travel agents best sell cruises? Uniworld’s Alice Ager tells all: Travel Weekly TV
Agents, you don't want to miss this. Yes, that's the case with everything in the newsletter, but we really mean it here!
South Africa bookings are back in action
It's a wrap! South Africa in the news with resumed flights, film fest and booking tech.
Agents’ chance to score free spot on Intrepid trip to Antarctica
This is the trip of a lifetime, even if you are scared of the cold!
Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes
Bonza's days appear to be numbered as the low-cost carrier today announced mass cancellations around the country.
Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event
Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.
Pullman Sydney Penrith ties up with Trilogy Hotels, announces new GM
The crew from Trilogy hotels doing their best impression of the Penrith front row here.
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.