Developing Australian tourism at ATE

Australia's first national symbol of tourism quality
A key vehicle for driving improvement in the quality of Australia’s tourism product, the TQUAL (Tourism Quality) mark, was launched at ATE by the Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP. "Quality tourism businesses can sign up to use the TQUAL mark on a voluntary basis as a means to show consumers that they are committed to offering quality, reliability, professionalism and good customer service," Minister Ferguson said. The initiative is part of the National Long Term Tourism Strategy and helps support excellence in Australia's $34 billion tourism sector which employs almost a million Australians directly and indirectly. Learn More...

A clear vision for the Australian tourism industry
For tourism to continue to play a significant and sustainable role in the Australian economy the industry needs a forward plan Andrew McEvoy, MD Tourism Australia, told delegates at ATE. Launched at the end of 2010, the Tourism Industry Potential 2020 – a vision to double overnight tourism expenditure in Australia to AUD$140 billion by 2020 – will inform Tourism Australia’s marketing strategies over the next decade, Mr McEvoy explained. The markets identified as holding the greatest growth opportunities for Australia include: Canada, China, France, Germany, the Gulf Countries, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the UK and the USA. Learn More...

Asia leads Australian tourism growth
During 2010 international visitor arrivals were up from most Asian countries demonstrated by strong regional increases, including double-digit growth from North East Asia, South East Asia, India and Japan. Speaking at ATE Andrew McEvoy, MD Tourism Australia said, "The latest international arrival figures continue to highlight the growing importance of Asia as a driver of Australia’s future international tourism growth. The number of Asian delegates attending this year’s ATE is substantially up on last year, a further sign of the commitment to Australia’s tourism product from the Eastern travel trade." He added, "The roll out of our global brand campaign, There’s Nothing Like Australia, has proved very successful across Asia, alongside more specific market-by-market activity, such as the Namaste campaign we launched recently in India." Learn More...

Activity in Asia
In India, Tourism Australia and Qantas teamed up for a billboard promotion in Mumbai and Delhi at select high traffic areas. The billboard campaign ran for three weeks in both cities in parallel with Tourism Australia’s ‘Namaste’ campaign on television and print.

In China, Tourism Queensland started a radio and online campaign this month telling millions of Chinese why there’s nothing like Queensland for an Australian holiday. "By targeting Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the radio and online campaign will be encouraging Chinese families, couples and singles to take up the recently increased air capacity and book a trip to Australia," said the Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP. Learn More...

National survey of tourism and hospitality employers
Tourism and hospitality businesses are being invited by the Labour and Skills Working Group under the National Long-Term Tourism Strategy to participate in a national survey about employment and jobs in our regions. The survey will map geographical and occupational 'hot spots' and identify the labour and skills needs of tourism and hospitality employers. The survey will support the initiatives under the Labour and Skills Working Group two-year forward working plan. Take part in the survey or find out more.

Dreamtime in Sydney
Sydney has been selected as host city for Dreamtime 2011, Australia’s premier trade marketing activity for international business events buyers. More than 100 business events decision makers and 20 media from key international markets will be invited to participate in the five day Dreamtime itinerary. The event begins on 13 November and includes a series of educational activities, gala and business networking events before concluding on 18 November. Learn More...

Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference
Organisers for the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC) 2011 are inviting submissions addressing key issues that impact on Indigenous Tourism in Australia and opportunities that exist for culturally authentic Indigenous tourism products. The 2011 conference, which carries the theme Aboriginal Dreaming, is produced by the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council and will be held in Perth on 20 – 23 September 2011. Find out more and submit your ideas at www.aitc2011.com.

Global Marketing Prospectus
Are you looking for opportunities, resources and programs to assist you in reaching customers in Australia and overseas? Download Tourism Australia’s Global Marketing Prospectus 2011/12 – now available on tourism.australia.com.

And the award goes to...
Drum roll... Nothinglikeaustralia.com, which won the Best Tourism or Travel category at the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) Awards this month.

HOW MANY Facebook fans?
This week Tourism Australia’s Facebook fan page, SeeAustralia, will hit 1.4 million fans maintaining its position as the leading destination fan page on Facebook. We’re increasing our responsiveness to fans’ queries and questions and this week we posted a very popular word cloud of responses to the question ‘what activity would you like to do in Australia?’ You can get in on the action at facebook.com/SeeAustralia.

Visitor arrivals in February
Details of short-term visitor arrivals to Australia for February 2011 are now available on tourism.australia.com.