Many consider Travel Weekly‘s Destination Wrap as the next best thing to travelling, and given we can’t do much of that at the moment, this is a ‘must read’.

Destination Canada’s new president and CEO

Marsha Walden (pictured abvove) has been appointed as Destination Canada’s new president and CEO, joining the national tourism authority from Destination British Columbia, where she has served as president and CEO since 2013.

At Destination British Columbia, Walden successfully led the newly formed provincial Crown corporation to create strategies for tourism development and nationally recognised, data-driven performance marketing.

Most recently, her attention has focused on leading the organisation to support the ongoing recovery of British Columbia’s tourism sector.

Visit Victoria launches $1.5m campaign

Victorians can now enjoy a taste of their state at home with the $1.5 million ‘Click for Vic’ campaign, a curated a selection of the many restaurants, cafes, bars, producers, growers, and artisans offering a slice of the good life delivered straight to locals’ doors.

Locals can browse through Visit Victoria’s collection, or explore hundreds more proudly Victorian options at Providoor, Co-lab Pantry, and Victorian Country Market.

NSW tourism champions showcased online

Sydney and New South Wales’ tourism industry champions have shared their inspiring stories in a video series that takes future holidaymakers behind the scenes to motivate them to support local when planning their next escape, once non-essential travel advice is updated.

The 49 ‘Local Stories’ were launched on Tuesday by Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres and Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh in recognition of leading Coffs Harbour operator Clark Webb, of Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, who features in the series.

Meanwhile, NSW small businesses are set to benefit from a new $45 million grant program designed to cushion the economic impacts of the state’s southern border closure.

As of Tuesday 8 September, businesses in 13 local government areas along the NSW and Victorian border will be able to apply for $5,000 and $10,000 grants through Service NSW.

Singapore moves to relax travel restrictions

Image source: iStock/yongyuan

Singapore is reportedly easing its incoming travel restrictions, including for Australians, saying it has managed to effectively control the rate of new coronavirus infections.

According to ABC News, travellers from Australia, except for Victorians, have been deemed low risk and will only be required to self-quarantine for seven instead of 14 days upon arrival in Singapore under relaxed travel rules.

Under the changes, which reportedly come into place on 1 September, travellers from Malaysia, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam will also have their quarantine periods halved.

According to Stuff, an effective travel ‘bubble’ has also been established with New Zealand and Brunei, with Kiwis required to apply for an air travel pass seven to 30 days before travel, and then pass a COVID-19 test on arrival into Singapore Changi Airport.

COVID Marshal training now available through SATC

The South Australian Tourism Commission’s free COVID-19 Awareness Training has been expanded to enable COVID Marshal certification.

The new COVID Marshal training is expected to take around 30 minutes to complete, and steps through the fundamentals of infection and prevention control for COVID-19, as well as the roles and responsibilities of a COVID Marshal in South Australia.

As of Friday 21 August 2020, a COVID Marshal is required for many South Australian businesses, including but not limited to hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, and wineries, as well as any activity (such as events) which require a COVID Management Plan.

You’re invited to VisitBritain’s Great British Pub Quiz

Keen to show-off your knowledge of the United Kingdom?

Grab your wellies and get ready to rock out at VisitBritain’s Best of British Music & Festivals virtual pub quiz, which kicks off on Thursday.

There are even fantastic British themed prizes up for grabs. To register, email rsvpaus@visitbritain.org.

Abu Dhabi selects ADARA to run first-ever connected TV campaign in US

ADARA, a market leader in permissioned data and verified identity, has partnered with Publicis Groupe’s media agency, Spark Foundry, to run the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s first-ever connected TV campaign in the US.

The campaign aired in the US between December 2019 and February 2020, with the aim to target high-intent travellers looking for holidays and travel arrangements to the Middle East region, but undecided about their final destination.

According to eMarketer, Connected TV is one of the fastest-growing media channels in the US, with an expected spend of US$14 billion by 2023.

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival goes virtual for 2020

Image source: iStock/zhuyufang

In view of the uncertainties concerning the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has announced that its annual signature event, ‘Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival’, will, for the first time, take on a virtual format for 2020.

To preserve as much original flavour of the physical event as possible, the HKTB is building an online hub where most of the festival programs will take place.

A variety of wine merchants will be providing special discounts and products tailored for the festival, which participants can browse and purchase in a virtual exhibition space.

Meanwhile, renowned wine and food critics, chefs and wine experts will be invited to speak on wine-pairing and culinary topics in virtual workshops and classes.

South Africa’s tourism sector gradually opens up again

South Africa’s domestic tourism sector is open and ready for South Africans to once again explore and enjoy their country.

The move comes as part of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Saturday evening that cabinet has decided to place the entire country on alert level II, which means the resumption of economic activity across most industries.

According to South African Tourism, this further opening of the sector comes off the back of the resumption of domestic business air travel at the beginning of June and business conferences of no more than 50 people being permitted to take place later in the same month.

It comes as part of a gradual reopening of the tourism sector and tourism-related services in accordance with South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy, which is based on lockdown levels, and not on set dates.

Noosa Eat & Drink Festival evolves in 2021

Noosa’s signature foodie festival, the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival will look a little different in 2021, evolving from the annual four-day event in May to a series of events throughout the year.

Adapting to the unstable environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tourism Noosa and the festival team have redesigned the event with the health and safety of guests, staff, festival partners and visitors as a top priority.

Bibbulmun Track Foundation welcomes WA government investment in upgrades

The Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) has announced it is pleased that the state government’s $150 million investment package to support WA’s tourism sector includes money for trail development and upgrades, including $1 million for the Bibbulmun Track.

Upgrades along the Bibbulmun Track will include renewing of campsites, bridges and sections of the track. These works are to ensure the track can meet increasing demand and continue to provide a quality hiking experience for the next 20 years to come.

As announced by Premier Mark McGowan, the spending is necessary to help revive and maintain the state’s economic recovery. Tourism will play a big part in this, which is why it is hoped the upgrades will help to attract interstate visitors in the future once border restrictions are lifted.

An additional $100,000 has been allocated to relocate the southern terminus of both the Bibbulmun and Munda Biddi Trails next to the Albany visitor centre in the main street.

BTF said this will greatly improve the experience for end-to-enders in particular – and increase visibility of the trails within the town.

Featured image source: Twitter/Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association