Keep on top of the where’s where of travel with all the latest news and events in this week’s bumper destination wrap.

Vanuatu’s Tok Tok tradeshow invites Australian wholesalers to discover a more exciting way to relax

Vanuatu Tourism Office’s (VTO) annual two-day industry tradeshow, Tok Tok, is set to showcase more than 57 local sellers – including 15 new operators – in the South Pacific Island’s capital of Port Vila, from 29 to 31 August 2019.

Buyers from across Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Singapore, China, Europe and the United States will have the opportunity to build one-on-one relationships with key industry contacts, with this year’s Tok Tok attracting more local operators than ever before.

Representatives from across a range of accommodation offerings including resorts, budget and adventure-focused lodgings; fresh diving, cultural and eco touring options; as well as a range of local boutique offerings, will all be on hand.

Outback Festival celebrates 25th anniversary with bumper entertainment line-up this September

With just over a month to go until it’s 25th anniversary, Australia’s quirkiest festival is coming back bigger and better this September 24th-28th. Coinciding with 2019’s ‘Year of Outback Tourism’, the small Queensland town of Winton is gearing up for what is set to be the biggest Outback Festival yet.

A bumper entertainment line up has been announced as part of the 2019 programme and will be a treat for Aussie music fans, with a host of established and up and coming artists including Aussie Country music star Adam Harvey, up and coming country star Brad Butcher, central Queensland acoustic duo Innocent Eve, 1RAR Rock Band, Australia’s rock legends Frankie J Holden & Wilbur Wilde, the Absolutely 80’s band with Brian Mannix (Uncanny Xmen), Scott Carne (Kids In The Kitchen) and Dale Ryder (Boom Crash Opera), Australia’s pop Queens The Chantoozies and Brad Butcher performing with two of Australia’s best rock n roll tribue acts: ACCA DACCA and the Chili Peppers Tribute Band.

Trend analysis for 2019 shows strong performance for incoming tourism in Germany

Destination Germany is positioning itself outstandingly for the first six months of 2019 in an international comparison. This is shown through first trend statements by the IPK International on the development of foreign travel on the basis of the World Travel Monitors.

The research shows Germany’s incoming tourism is on the up with a plus of 3.7  per cent than the worldwide average. From European source markets, Germany is generating a growth of 4 per cent and positions itself clearly in front of the European average (plus of 2.5 per cent). Compared to European competitors, Germany is on equal footing with Austria, Italy and Spain and significantly ahead of Switzerland and Great Britain.

West Hollywood announces first-ever Eat + Drink week

The West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board (WHTTB) announced its first-ever Eat + Drink Week will take place October 18th to October 27th, showcasing the diverse landscape of culinary offerings and creative mixology that fills the 5km square destination.

The “Eat” side of Eat + Drink Week highlights West Hollywood’s acclaimed foodie scene, which includes a dozen eateries recently recognised in the 2019 California Michelin Guide.

Eat + Drink Week will also showcase West Hollywood’s robust craft cocktail culture in particular, which comprises an impressive collection of hot spots that run the gamut from Old Hollywood camp and new A-List trendsetters to gritty back-alley bars and swanky Boystown lounges.

Visit Victoria partners with Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne on next chapter 

Visit Victoria has appointed Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne as its lead creative and strategy agency, following a competitive process.

The Saatchi & Saatchi tender demonstrated the agency’s strengths in integrated marketing, digital and data, shown through its proposition to deliver ‘impossible outcomes through the alchemy of creativity, intelligence and technology’.

Noosa volunteers learn valuable tips for being eco-friendly

70 of Tourism Noosa’s volunteers have successfully completed the Noosa Eco Check 2.0. training course with flying colours.

Following on from the recent launch of Noosa Eco Check 2.0. the volunteers enjoyed a group training course going through the new revamped course which features interactive videos and case studies of Noosa operators doing good things in the eco-space.

The program has been designed to inspire the tourism industry to become more environmentally friendly, so naturally, Tourism Noosa’s team and volunteers have completed the course as well.

Tourism Tasmania roadshow wraps up 

Tourism Tasmania recently held their biennial Talkabout Tasmania Roadshow, dropping into the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide from 29 August to 1 August. Travelling with 24 of their fabulous Tassie tourism operators and suppliers, they shared Tassie tourism experiences, accommodation, and delicious food and wine with the domestic travel trade and inbound tour operators that came along to meet with them.

A few lucky agents went home with more than just new Tasmanian knowledge and a full belly, snapping up prizes including a return trip to visit Tasmania to experience the island and its offerings for themselves. Congratulations to Rachael Muller from Travel Counsellors, pictured here with (John Fitzgerald, CEO of Tourism Tasmania/Nathan McMeekin from Federal Group), taking home a fantastic prize.

Utah Tourism and Aussie travel industry partners successfully complete Sydney’s City2Surf

Australian travel industry teamed up with the Utah Office of Tourism and United Airlines to run, walk or shuffle along the route that is the City2Surf this past weekend in Sydney.

Participants from Collette Tours, Flight Centre, Helloworld, Skimax, Excite Holidays, Adventure World, Sno’n’Ski, Brand USA and some travel media joined in the fun with Utah’s visiting sales mission team in the event.

Utah Office of Tourism was also the official tourism partner of City2Surf Sydney 2019 casting their net wider to capture and peak participants interest to visit Utah.    Participants of the race were encouraged to visit the pop-up Utah tent at the finish line on Bondi Beach for their best “post-race face” photo at the photo booth.