Ready for a wrap that’s equal parts fluff, form and function? Enter this week’s Destination Wrap.

South Australian Tourism Commission launches ‘SATV’

The South Australian Tourism Commission has announced the release of a new loungeroom tourism initiative showcasing the state.

‘SATV’ features local tourism operators and businesses that have adapted how they operate during COVID-19 restrictions to offer new innovative ways to still purchase, experience and enjoy their product or service, from the confines of your home.

Content will be updated weekly on southaustralia.com/satv, on the SATC’s community Facebook page, #SeeSouthAustraliaFromHome, and on its Instagram page.

After a successful first webinar on 7 April, SATC is also inviting agents to take part in Deloitte’s second webinar.

The broadcast, which will air on Thursday, 16 April at 1:30pm (CST), will feature a facilitated panel with senior partners, covering the tactical and practical activities available to businesses across tourism, and what you need to consider as you move from response to recovery.

To register, click here.

South Africa’s national parks are now live streaming

Some of the world’s best known national parks can now be seen from the comfort of an armchair thanks to the power of live streaming and still cameras.

Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park are giving viewers the chance to see their iconic wildlife, with exclusive streams available here.

Considering the time difference, viewers can spot game from around 4:30pm (AEST) onwards.

Last chance to sign up for Anchorage webinar

Join Canuckiwi on Wednesday to hear from Tia Froehle, tourism sales manager at Visit Anchorage, to discover all that Alaska’s largest city has to offer.

By participating in the webinars, agents will earn additional points on their ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ tally sheets that count towards qualifying for a spot on one of the famils, scheduled for late 2020.

For additional points, agents can also complete the American Airlines and Qantas Learning Bite.

Click here to register.

Thredbo records it first snowfalls of the season

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-kuYe8n1zZ/

Thredbo has recorded its first snowfalls of the season, delivering a few centimetres of powder across the mountain.

At this stage, Thredbo is continuing with its plans for the winter 2020 snow season. However, for bookings after June during the rest of the winter season, Thredbo has introduced a flexible COVID-19 cancellation policy.

New COVID-19 support team to help WA tourism industry

A special team has been established at Tourism Western Australia to offer support to members of the tourism industry during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The ‘Industry Support Team’ was developed with key industry partners and will offer support and information to WA tourism industry operators from people who understand the tourism industry.

The new team includes members of Tourism WA’s stakeholder relations, public relations, markets, and destination development groups.

The support team has begun calling thousands of Western Australian tourism operators to check how they are coping, help them navigate the various state and federal assistance packages, and offer a friendly voice to talk through recovery ideas for when the time is right.

Italian National Tourism Board tells travellers to ‘dream now, travel later’

With travel plans temporarily on hold for the foreseeable future, Aussie and Kiwi travellers have been given a source of inspiration from the Italian National Tourism Board.

Check it out for yourself below:

https://www.facebook.com/aus.italia.it/videos/2901812476604792

LIVE STREAM: First-ever virtual SKYWALK at the Sydney Tower Eye

Join the Sydney Tower Eye on Wednesday for the first-ever virtual SKYWALK tour, live on Facebook and Instagram.

On Wednesday 15 April at 3:00pm (EST), virtual guests can discover the city’s history and identify key landmarks, from the iconic Sydney Opera House to sights as far as the Blue Mountains.

You can check it out by following the Sydney Tower Eye on Facebook and Instagram to receive live notifications.

Tourism Authority of Thailand says “Happy Songkran”

Yesterday marked the first day of Thai New Year 2020.

Commenting on this year’s festival, which has been put on hold, Tourism Authority of Thailand said: “our Songkran spirit remains strong in our hearts.

“In Thai tradition, we make merit at temples and politely pour water on the hands of our elders, asking for blessing of prosperity and a healthy life.

“This year, Thai people are staying home and staying safe.”

WATCH: Traditional Irish bread making

While the majority of us stay home and self-isolate, you and your clients can experience traditional Irish breadmaking from your own kitchen.

Follow Tourism Ireland’s videos, where Tracey of Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen and Catherine Fulvio of Ballyknocken House & Cookery School showcase their methods of making traditional Irish soda bread.

Click here to watch the videos.

Taiwan continues to hold mass spread of COVID-19

Taiwan is currently attracting global headlines as an example of how the coronavirus outbreak can be tackled.

The East Asian state is situated only 130 kilometres from mainland China, where the outbreak originated in the city of Wuhan.

However, as of last week, only 379 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among its population of 23 million – far fewer than expected.

Memphis Tourism launches ‘Together in Spirit and Soul’ video

In an effort to bring comfort and hope (and dreams of travel in the future) to those around the world, Memphis Tourism is continuing its campaign of virtual experiences by launching a feel-good video.

Check it out below:

PNG sends out message of support to Australian travel trade partners

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), in partnership with Tufi Resort, Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort, The Stanley Hotel & Suites (www.thestanleypng.com) and Trans Niugini Tours, has sent a message of support to remind its travel trade partners in Australia to not lose hold of their wanderlust, and to reinforce their support during these difficult times.

Tufi Resort and Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort have also created their own video messages of support, which you can view at their highlighted links.

Lucy sends a message of love and support from the Balonne Shire

Lucy Sevil, the local jillaroo who shot to fame with her starring role as Kylie Minogue in the ‘Matesong’ parody ad for a rural Queensland shire, has shared a message of support for Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic with a new hairy co-star called Pat.

Check out what she and Pat had to say below:

Monaco unveils supportive slogan 

The Monaco Tourist & Convention Authority has unveiled a new slogan to match the current times, with ‘Miss You’ replacing ‘For You’.

Alison Roberts-Brown, director of the Monaco Government Tourist Bureau across Australia and New Zealand, said: “In this challenging time, we want our industry partners to know our thoughts are with them.

“Monaco’s ‘Miss You’ message is simply one of unity, support and positivity.”

The campaign is targeted at both leisure and group business tourism.

Banff introduces epic films for the indoors

The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is bringing the epic adventure of the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival to travellers stuck at home.

“We wanted to provide a curated program of free Festival films that are available online for you to watch at home with your family,” the centre said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created extraordinary circumstances around the world and many of our World Tour screenings have been postponed or cancelled.

“While we can never hope to replicate the theatrical experience of a Banff screening in your home town surrounded by friends, we can still provide these award-winning films to help provide adventure and inspiration.”

To check out the full list of available films, click here.

Qingdao, China, donates masks to Japanese travel industry

Qingdao Tourism Association and various travel agencies in Qingdao have organised a joint project with Qingdao Culture and Tourism Bureau, to donate a total of 15,000 masks to the Japan Travel Association and seven major travel agencies in Japan.

According to Kaichun Li, Qingdao Tourism Association Secretary-General, these donations have been supported by travellers in Qingdao and would strengthen the city’s ties with the Japanese travel industry.

Li also expressed his hope that COVID-19 will be overcome together, according to the Qingdao Tourism Association.

All participants on France at Leisure’s 2020 Anzac tour have postponed to 2021

In 2020, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic will prevent people from travelling overseas for commemorations at Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux, and even from attending local services here in Australia.

The last time there were such large-scale cancellations were during the 1919 Spanish ‘flu pandemic.

Due to the pandemic, France at Leisure has announced that all participants on its six-day Anzac Day tour have postponed their 2020 trips to 2021.

Featured image credit: Jon Wah, Lot 100 cocktail class