News in Brief: Thursday February 20

News in Brief: Thursday February 20
By admin


Melbourne-based day tour operator Urban Adventures is seeking local partners in a range of destinations around the world as it expands its program of itineraries led by local guides.

The company currently offers 265 tours in 90 destinations but is targeting one million passengers as a “long-term goal”.

As a result, it is actively seeking local partners in a number of destinations, with those in Oceania including Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Byron Bay, Canberra, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

“To become an Urban Adventures Partner, applicants must have the inside scoop on their city's hidden gems, be passionate about showing travellers the very best their city has to offer, committed to the principles of responsible travel, and have the entrepreneurial spirit required to operate a tour business,” the company said.

For more information, visit http://www.urbanadventures.com/become_a_partner

 

Minister for tourism, major events, small business and the commonwealth games Jann Stuckey officially launched Queensland tourism strategy Destination Success last night at a special event at Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal.

Destination Success highlights factors central to growing Queensland’s tourism industry, according to Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Ken Morrison said

“Destination Success includes a 20-year plan which focuses on strategic areas that will ensure the Queensland tourism industry can be flexible and resilient, providing job and business opportunities across the state,” Morrison said.

 

Tourism Australia has launched a new online calendar, to help the industry plan participation in tourism events in Australia and key international markets.

General manager destination development, Katherine Droga, said the fully searchable calendar provides the industry with a “one stop shop”, helping them select which of the nearly 80 events to participate in or attend.

 

C&M Recruitment has reported a steep increase in the need for temporary and contract staff across travel businesses in Australia over the last two weeks.

The firm said it has filled retail travel consultant roles in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne together with wholesale and corporate travel temps in various states, this week alone.

“It seems most travel businesses have had a good start to 2014 with the need to be reactive to an increase or win of new business,” it said.

 

Accor will replace Intercontinental Hotels Group as the managers of Kakadu’s Crocodile Hotel and Cooinda Lodge in the Northern Territory from April 1.

Kakadu Tourism chairman, Rex Wild, said the switch was largely driven by Accor's "championing" of Indiegenous employment. 

“This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of Paul Hogan’s ‘Throw another Shrimp on the Barbie’ advertisement and because of this, and the subsequent Crocodile Dundee films, Kakadu received enormous international exposure,” he said. “

We believe we can build upon this legacy, and with Accor’s sales and marketing support, we will examine ways of refreshing the product offer and introducing new attractions, experiences and events to grow visitor numbers beyond the current annual figure of 220,000.”

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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