Daily News & Opinion

The Federal Government has launched a new website (www.tourisminvestment.com.au) that aims to show global investors why `There’s Nothing Like Australia’ for their tourism investments. The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo, is launching the website at an Investment and Northern Australia Reception in Singapore. The Minister said for Australia to remain a competitive tourism destination, investment in tourism infrastructure must continue to be a priority.

The Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre was named an `employer of choice’ at the Australian Business Awards last week. The award recognises outstanding achievements in key areas including culture and leadership, learning and development, health and safety, engagement, performance management and employee recognition.      

Finalists for this year’s Luxperience Awards have been announced with finalists being: INSPIRING category finalists – Destination Asia, Luxury Travel Advisors, and Trisara; MEANINGFUL category finalists – Auckland Seaplanes, Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, and Shinta Mani Hotels, Cambodia; CONNECTIONS category finalists – Experiential Travel Journeys, Lighthouse, and Local Eyes Sydney; OUTSTANDING DESTINATION finalists – Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau, JNTO, New Caledonia Tourism, and Tourism New Zealand. Winners will be announced at the Luxperience Gala Dinner on September 19.      

Cricket legend Michael Clarke will help drive tourists down under in his new role with Tourism Australia after being announced as a `Friend of Australia’ during the organisation’s recent annual India Trade Mission. In the new role, Clarke, who made his Test debut against India in 2004, will work with Tourism Australia to encourage people in Australia’s key international markets, especially India, to visit and experience Australia.      

CEO and MD of The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), Kai Hattendorf, is in Sydney in mid-September for a series of talks with industry and government. Mr Hattendorf will also deliver a ‘State of the Industry’ address to industry members and take part in the Exhibition & Event Association’s ‘political insiders’ event for its gold and platinum members. Also pictured is the UFI regional director, Mark Cochrane.

Australia’s peak travel writing body, the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) held its annual convention on the Sunshine Coast over the weekend. The more than 150 attendees also enjoyed some 21 pre and post convention famils designed to showcase the diversity of the region’s tourism attractions.      

International conference trends will be front and centre at the Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) annual conference in Dunedin this October. The 41st CINZ annual conference from October 24 to 26 is themed Ahead of the Curve, and focuses on the future with an insight into new generation technologies, smart thinking and leading-edge practice. Speakers will include president of the Professional Convention Management Association, Deborah Sexton, and ci events Australia manager, Fiona Batten.  

Korea is prepping to host an expected 30,000 delegates attending the largest conference for architects in the world in September. The UIA (International Union of Architects) 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress will utilise not one but two of Seoul’s top event venues, with the congress itself taking place at Coex from September 3-7, followed by the UIA General Assembly at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (pictured) from September 7-10.