Melbourne-Sydney route a big win for Victoria’s tourism industry
Victoria’s tourism industry will benefit from another aviation win with Melbourne-based Tiger Airways expanding its operations with a new low fare flight service between Sydney and Melbourne.
Flights between Melbourne and Sydney will commence from 3 July with up to four flights daily.
Tiger Airways Australia continues to buck the trend by adding new routes and remains one of the fastest growing airlines in Australia today.
Tiger Airways’ announcement comes on top of other recent aviation wins for Victoria including 40 new jobs being created by Etihad’s new flights to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar Airaways’ planned daily non-stop services between Melbourne and Doha, Emirates’ third daily service, AirAsia X’s new service between Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur and V Australia’s new service between Melbourne and Los Angeles.
Federal Government initiatives
New tourism funding program launched
The Federal Government’s new funding program TQUAL Grants was recently launched by the Hon Martin Ferguson, Minister for Tourism.
Formerly known as the Australian Tourism Development Program, TQUAL Grants focus on encouraging quality and innovation in the development of tourism product.
TQUAL GRANTSwill support initiatives that:
develop innovative product, services or systems within the tourism industry
contribute directly to long-term economic development in the host region
develop or support high quality visitor services and experiences.
Projects in both regional and metropolitan areas are eligible to apply and a new funding category provides support for tourism projects of national interest.
The size of grants will reflect the strategic benefit of the application:
Innovative tourism projects will be eligible for grants between $5,000 and $100,000
Integrated tourism development projects are eligible for grants from $100,000 - $500,000
National or sectoral tourism initiatives are eligible for grants from $25,000 to $500,000
In preparing your application Tourism Victoria recommend you consult Tourism Victoria’s plans and strategies including: 10 Year Tourism and Events Industry Strategy Tourism Victoria Business Plan 2008-2011 Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009-2012
Applications are open until 11 June 2009.
For more information visit ausindustry.gov.au/tourism, contact the TQUAL Grants hotline on 13 28 46 or email
Victoria’s regions
Filming begins on new regional brand campaign
Filming of Tourism Victoria’s $7.3 million advertising campaign highlighting Victoria’s spa and well-being experiences began this month.
The new major interstate regional campaign was shot in key locations in and around Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges.
Tourism Victoria Chief Executive Gregory Hywood said Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges were selected to promote the diverse experiences available in the villages of regional Victoria.
“Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges region is one of Victoria’s tourism gems,” Mr Hywood said.
“The region is well placed with high quality accommodation, integrated food and wine experiences, tranquil villages and spa and well-being products.
“The spa and well-being tourism industry is experiencing rapid growth worldwide.
“Victoria, and Daylesford in particular, is well placed to be recognised as the spa and well-being capital of Australia.”
The advertising campaign to be launched later this year will feature in media throughout Australia.
The campaign is funded from the 2008-09 State Budget and is a key plank of the Tourism Victoria’s Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009-2012.
New holiday planner for the Murray
Tourism offerings in the Murray have received a boost with the launch of a new Murray Holiday Planner.
Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said the Planner will put Murray businesses on the map and help visitors get the most out of their stay.
“The Planner is an exciting step forward for local tourism and hospitality operators and the Murray region as a whole,” Mr Holding said.
The Murray Holiday Planner has detailed information on towns throughout the region and provides visitors with up to date information on places to visit, what accommodation they can stay in and contact details for visitor information centres.
The Murray region has almost 6000 tourism-related businesses providing jobs to around 7000 people.
To order copies of the Murray Holiday Planner contact Daryl Poore on 03 9653 9812 or email
Daylesford events precinct to receive upgrade
Victoria Park Events Precinct in Daylesford will attract new events, more visitors and generate more regional income after it undergoes a $127,050 facelift.
Victoria Park is the largest and most central reserve for Hepburn Shire and the broader region and is a focal point for sport and events.
Three of the top 10 events in the Shire are held at Victoria Park and the largest of these events attract about 15,000 over four days.
The project will include lighting upgrades, sun shading, a relocation of the cricket practice facilities, improved electricity capacity and supply and replacement of the ticket box and the roof of the agricultural pavilion.
Melbourne
Melbourne to feature of influential style blog
One of the world’s most influential bloggers, The Sartorialist, will visit Melbourne this month as part of a new Tourism Australia initiative to target social media opinion leaders.
The Sartorialist, aka Scott Schuman, was rated by Time magazine as one of the world’s top 100 design influencers and by The Observer as the 20th most powerful blog in the world.
His blog site currently receives an excess of 36 million visits per annum. Visit thesartorialist.com
To read more about Tourism Australia’s Visiting Opinion Leaders Program visit tourism.australia.com
Melbourne welcomes latest world-class hotel
Melbourne’s newest deluxe hotel, the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf, opened its doors recently.
The $150 million, 20-storey hotel is part of the Melbourne Convention Centre and another impressive addition to Victoria’s tourism infrastructure.
The Hilton Melbourne South Wharf includes 396 rooms, a café, a Catalan inspired restaurant – Nuevo39, a tapas and wine bar – Sotano, and is the equivalent of a five-star hotel.
The new Melbourne Convention Centre is on track to open in July.
Big business ahead thanks to new Convention Centre
Victoria is set to become one of the most sought after business tourist destinations in the world when the new Melbourne Convention Centre opens for business in July.
It is estimated that the Convention Centre will inject $197 million a year, for the next 25 years into the Victorian economy and create 2500 jobs across the State.
To date 47 international conventions have been booked for the centre bringing close to 100,000 delegates to Victoria and 140 national conventions, meetings and seminars are expected to bring more than 150,000 delegates.
The centre features a 5000 seat Plenary Hall, innovative gala seating system, grand foyer, banquet room and fantastic views of the city.
The Convention Centre also leads the world in sustainability, as the first large public building of its kind to be awarded a Six Star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council.
New Chairperson appointed at Destination Melbourne
Destination Melbourne has appointed a new Chairperson, Mr Richard Bussiere, General Manager of the Westin Hotel.
Mr Bussiere’s appointment follows the resignation of former Chairperson Scott Chapman who stepped aside recently due to work commitments.
Mr Bussiere said it is terrific to have the opportunity to work with such a vibrant organisation.
“In the past twelve months the Board has overseen the development of a three year strategic plan and is committed to working with the industry to help Melbourne become an outstanding global visitor experience.” Mr Bussiere said.
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is calling for nominations of a company, individual or community organisation that deserves to be recognised in the 2009 Melbourne Awards.
The awards celebrate the people and organisations whose achievements, hard work and vision shape Melbourne and inspire others.
In 2008 Fiona Sweetman of Melbourne’s Hidden Secrets Tours took home the individual profile award.
The awards identify and celebrate those who have made significant contributions to Melbourne in the categories of profile; the community and the environment.
For each of the three categories there will be three separate awards presented for individuals; corporations; and community/not-for-profit organisations.
Nominations close 15 May 2009.
The Melbourne Awards will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on Saturday 29 August in the lead up to Melbourne Day (30 August).
Information about the Melbourne Awards categories, criteria, entry details and judging processes can all be found at melbourne.vic.gov.au/Melbourneawards
