5 August 2008
Melbourne’s food and wine on show to the world
Americans and international travellers will be served an enticing taste of Melbourne’s food and wine scene when the city takes centre stage at the world’s largest and longest food and wine festival - the 2008 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.
Staged at the World Showcase in Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, from 26 September to 9 November 2008, the six week festival attracts the world’s largest gathering of food and wine enthusiasts.
The event features a purpose built Melbourne pavilion which offers Melbourne and regional Victorian food and wine, tasting opportunities, demonstrations and interactive cultural and regional touring experiences.
Visitors to the bustling pavilion will also be able to purchase Victorian merchandise and souvenirs.
Reflecting Tourism Victoria’s award winning It’s Easy to Lose Yourself in Melbourne campaign, the pavilion will feature Melbourne’s intriguing laneways and arcades, iconic locations such as Federation Square, marketplace scenes from the thriving Queen Victoria Market and the Great Ocean Road.
Representing Melbourne’s food industry at the festival are:
• Ian Curley (executive chef of The European, City Wine Shop and Melbourne Supper Club)
• Guy Grossi (executive chef and owner, Grossi Florentino and Mirka at Tolarno Hotel);
• Paul Wilson (chef director of The Botanical);
• Mark “The Black” Olive (Indigenous chef, author and TV cooking program host);
• Andrew Blake (chef and owner of Blakes Feasts Catering and author);
• Nicky Riemer (executive chef of Trunk Food and Wine Precinct); and
• Tami McAdam (food stylist and culinary consultant).
The festival presents an exciting opportunity to position Melbourne and Victoria as a top food, wine and tourist destination to an international audience.
Demographic information about Epcot visitors indicates a close fit with Victoria’s target traveller market, including countries of origin (e.g. USA, UK, Canada, Japan and Germany), age group, income and holiday-making preferences.
According to Tourism Victoria’s international visitation figures for the year ending March 2008, there were 136,200 US visitors to Victoria which was a 3.4 per cent increase on the previous year. These visitors spent 1.7 million visitor nights during that period.
The exhibition is a joint partnership between the Victorian Government, through Tourism Victoria and Regional Development Victoria, Tourism Australia, Foster’s, Great Southern Touring Route and the wineries.
Wines that will be available for sampling include popular varieties from: Yarra Valley’s St Huberts, Coldstream Hills and Domaine Chandon Green Point; T’Gallant and Yabby Lake Vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula; Seppelt Winery from the Grampians; Rutherglen Estate in Victoria’s north-east; Yellowglen; and several boutique wineries.
Etihad Airways to start daily Melbourne flights
Victoria will welcome the United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrier Etihad Airways daily Airbus A340 services between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne in March 2009.
The Premier, John Brumby, said the Victorian Government would work with Eithad to market the new Melbourne service to potential visitors in key markets including Abd Dhabi, the UK and Europe.
“This is great news for tourism and business and joins an impressive list of recent aviation wins for Victoria,” Mr Brumby said.
“Middle East carriers are among the fastest growing in the world, emerging as a new focal point in global aviation and Ethiad’s new flights will further open-up Victoria to the world.
“Passenger movements between Victoria and United Arab Emirates topped 37,700 in the year to March 2008 – this is a 20 per cent increase on the previous year, and with Ethiad’s arrival to Melbourne the outlook is even stronger.
“Etihad’s services will also futher secure Victoria’s position as a gateway to the United Kingdom and Europe and with 30 per cent of visitors coming from these areas the new flights will provide a great opportunity to attract even more people to Victoria.”
Visit http://www.etihadairways.com/etihadairways/AU/EN/home to read further background on Ethiad Airways.
Draft Regional Tourism Action Plan released
Tourism Victoria has released the draft Regional Tourism Action Plan 2008-11 for industry comment.
This plan will outline the direction for regional tourism for the next three years.
Businesses, industry groups and local communities have been asked to provide feedback to the Action Plan, with the final plan to be released later this year.
The Regional Tourism Action Plan 2008-2011 will replace the previous series of Regional Tourism Development Plans that expired in 2007.
The recommendations and actions in the Action Plan have been framed to respond to issues through the consultation undertaken across 2007-08.
The plan addresses various issues affecting tourism in regional Victoria and will provide an implementation schedule to translate the directions of the State Government's 10 Year Tourism and Events Industry Strategy into action.
The new Action Plan focuses on four key cross-regional issues:
• industry structures,
• investment attraction,
• destination marketing and skills
• service standards
The Action Plan also identifies key development priorities for Victoria's 10 tourism regions.
Industry feedback along with an analysis of the recommendations in the Inquiry into Rural and Regional Tourism will be considered in finalising the plan.
Provide your comment on the Regional Tourism Action Plan 2008-11 by completing our industry feedback form. Any feedback on the Action Plan will need to be provided by no later than 31 August 2008.
For further information visit http://www.tourism.vic.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=177&Itemid=2097
Destination Gippsland appoints new CEO
Destination Gippsland Limited, the region’s new, independent peak tourism body has appointed Terry Robinson as its inaugural Chief Executive.
Robinson has spent the past four years in senior management roles at one of Victoria’s biggest tourist drawcards –Phillip Island Nature Parks. His responsibilities included management across the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Nobbies Centre and Churchill Island heritage farm.
His previous experience includes working in tourism, economic and regional development roles with Indigo Shire Council in Beechworth and Moira Shire Council in Yarrawonga.
Mr Robinson said the formation of Destination Gippsland Limited would allow the cohensive development of tourism across Gippsland. “As CEO I will be working to bring tourism groups together, identifying opportunities for industry development and investment and coordinating ways to bring them to fruition,” Mr Robinson said.
“Tourism is a major industry for Gippsland but there is no doubt it can be even more significant. I believe the opportunity exists for Gippsland to become known as one of the world’s best nature-based tourism areas.”
Learn more about the work of Destination Gippsland at http://www.destinationgippsland.com.au/
$950,000 boost for Hamilton Arts Precinct
Tourism will be boosted in Hamilton thanks to a $950,000 facelift of its arts precinct. The converted 19th century town hall building needs a significant upgrade and the redeveloped precinct is expected to attract an extra 17,3000 visitors each year.
The Performing Arts Centre is a regular touring destination for the Melbourne Symphony, Opera Australia and the Australian Ballet, while the Art Gallery is famous for its outstanding collection of fine and decorative arts.
The Performing Arts Centre, art gallery, library and cinema welcomed more than 180,000 visitors in 2006/07.
The funding will be provided through the State Government’s Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to Southern Grampians Shire Council, which is also contributing $750,000 toward the project.
The $1.7 million redevelopment of the Hamilton Arts Precinct includes:
• a new forecourt area suitable for outside performances and other arts activities, an outside café area, street improvement and better access for patrons;
• internal renovations to the Performing Arts Centre, including the foyer, upgraded box office facilities and public amenities, a new café; and
• upgrading the cinema auditorium, seating and foyer, safety upgrades to cinema facilities and improvements to lighting and interior design.
Visit Hamilton Art Gallery at http://www.hamiltongallery.org/
United Nations recognises Kanawinka Geopark
The United Nations has declared part of south-west Victoria as a globally significant geological area. The Kanawinka Geopark situated in the Western District of Victoria and south-east South Australia has been selected as the 57th United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organisation endorsed global geopark.
The surface geology of Australia’s first geopark is a striking contrast of sweeping plains and spectacular mountains which are largely the product of volcanic activity. Australia’s most extensive volcanic province includes six sites of international significance and 14 of national significance.
The Kanawinka Geopark includes the area from Red Rock to Colac in Victoria through to Millicent in South Australia.
Major signage and branding will now commence along with art, education and culture programs.
http://www.volcanoesdiscoverytrail.com/
Victorian scoops the pool at spas awards
Victoria scooped the pool at the recent Australasian Spa Association Spas of Excellence awards.
Mineral Spa at Peppers Springs Retreat reinforced that Hepburn Springs and the Daylesford Macedon Ranges region is the spa capital of Australia, taking out three awards including Best Day Spa (Rural), Best Hotel Spa and the readers’ choice award.
Meanwhile St Kilda Spa Dreamtime took out the honours in the Best Day Spa (Urban) category while Peace & Quiet in Ballart was the winner of the Employer of Choice Award.
With the awards attracting entries from all over Australasia, being recognised by the spa industry is a wonderful achievement.
For further information visit: http://www.aspaassociation.com.au
To visit the award winning spas visit:
http://www.thesprings.com.au/
http://www.southpacifichc.com.au/spa-dreamtime.html
http://www.peaceandquiet.biz/
What’s on
Hotel, Motel and Accommodation Association Awards 2008 - 20 August, Melbourne
Angliss Global Network Industry Breakfast: Food and Wine Tourism –
are we delivering on the promises? – 27 August 2008, Melbourne
Australian Regional Tourism Convention (ARTC) - 9 - 12 September 2008, South Australia
Tourism Victoria’s Marketing Masterclass – 8 October 2008, Melbourne
Bed and Breakfast Industry Conference - 13 & 14 October
For the latest information on Tourism Victoria's work in International Markets click here.
Industry News is produced by Tourism Victoria’s Corporate and Destination Communications team. Telephone 03 9653 9830.
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