To kick proceedings off, Tourism Australia and Destination New South Wales hosted a New Zealand welcome cocktail function at The Pavilion in the new Crown Towers, Sydney.

• Gordon Bayne, Showponi; Phillipa Harrison,... Gordon Bayne, Showponi; Phillipa Harrison,...
• Karen Pettit, Latitude South, Sam... Karen Pettit, Latitude South, Sam...
• Greg Miller, Book Me; Daniel... Greg Miller, Book Me; Daniel...
• Narissa Phipps, First Light Travel;... Narissa Phipps, First Light Travel;...
• Luke McLeod, Tāpoi Travel; Kate... Luke McLeod, Tāpoi Travel; Kate...
• Telesia Fonoti, First Light Travel;... Telesia Fonoti, First Light Travel;...
• Sheriden Beaumont, Sydney Oyster Farm... Sheriden Beaumont, Sydney Oyster Farm...
• Cat Love, Rottnest Fast Ferries;... Cat Love, Rottnest Fast Ferries;...
• Luke McLeod, Tapoi; Sally Pullin,... Luke McLeod, Tapoi; Sally Pullin,...
• Julia Bozich (centre), House of... Julia Bozich (centre), House of...
• Iris Seraya, Tori Somerville, both... Iris Seraya, Tori Somerville, both...
• Kate Wright (centre), Tourism Western... Kate Wright (centre), Tourism Western...
• Julie Smith, Barossa Shiraz Estate... Julie Smith, Barossa Shiraz Estate...
• Tony Rice, Go See Travel... Tony Rice, Go See Travel...
• At ATE happy hour…Stacey Kerr... At ATE happy hour…Stacey Kerr...
• Gordon Bayne, Showponi; Jenny Wallis,... Gordon Bayne, Showponi; Jenny Wallis,...
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Now is an ideal time for Kiwis to discover that they don’t know Australia as well as they think they do – and for the trade here to take advantage of that, says Tourism Australia’s executive general manager commercial and business events, Robin Mack.

Nine New Zealand wholesalers / product managers plus five ‘lux buyers’ and a small media contingent were in in Sydney now for the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE 2022).

A new consumer attitude to travel arising from being locked down and having savings to spend is one of the key trends being focused on by Tourism Australia, says managing director Phillipa Harrison.

Speaking at a press conference during the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE 2022), Harrison noted that people don’t want discounts, they want experiences.

Tourism Australia yesterday launched a new campaign in New Zealand to encourage Kiwi travellers to book their next big holiday in Australia, now that two-way quarantine-free travel has resumed across the Tasman.

Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison says the Come and Say G'Day - Don't Go Small. Go Australia campaign will run across TV, print, digital and social channels in New Zealand and feature some of the country's most iconic destinations and hidden gems.

Tourism Australia has introduced a second tier to its travel agent training in New Zealand with the introduction of the Premier Aussie Specialist Program.

The premier membership category acknowledges destination expertise, inside knowledge and strong ties with the Australian travel industry with an established record of selling Australia.

Access to information will be more important than ever for travellers when they start moving again and the industry as a whole needs to work to ensure the consumer can move with confidence, says James Marshall, vice-president global air account management with Expedia.

Speaking at CAPA Live, Marshall was responding to a question put by moderator Trent Banfield, international operations and aviation manager at Tourism Australia. Banfield noted that travellers might be more confident being able to call someone to help them get through any difficult situation.

Tourism Australia is kicking off its first international campaign in more than a year today to remind New Zealanders of the experiences that await them across the Tasman.

Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison says she hopes New Zealanders will make the most of the two way bubble that starts on 19 April and enjoy being the first international travellers back to Australia. That theme is evident in the campaign theme - 'Be the First'.

A new campaign just launched by Tourism Australia aims to lure young New Zealanders across the ditch by showcasing the adventures and experiences they can have while working and travelling in Australia. The young Kiwis are being urged to take a working holiday and gain employment in sectors such as agriculture, tourism and hospitality.
Australia's Tourism Minister, Simon Birningham, says with travel from across the Tasman back in play this is an opportunity to entice New Zealanders to take a longer stay in Australia and

Former Tourism Australia New Zealand manager, Jenny Aitken, will now represent the Sunshine Coast region.

Aitken spent 12 years at the helm of Tourism Australia in New Zealand.

Tourism Australia is promoting a number of ways agents can encourage their clients to experience different sides of Australia while travel is restricted.

‘Storytelling is embedded in Australian culture. Thanks to our creative industry, there are many different means of soaking up our rich culture – even from the comfort of your couch,’ says Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia.