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23 January, 2020

Tourism Australia launches ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaign to boost bushfire recovery

By Travel Weekly

Australians are being encouraged to throw their support behind the local tourism industry in the wake of the devastating bushfires by holidaying in their own backyard.

Tourism Australia’s new ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaign taps into the overwhelming goodwill and support for local communities impacted by the recent bushfires by urging Australians to plan, book and take a domestic holiday and share their experiences with friends and online.

Supported through a $20 million government funding boost, the campaign forms part of a coordinated marketing push involving all states and territories that provides a unified platform to galvanise the tourism industry and Australians.

Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said that the Holiday Here This Year campaign would help spread the important message that Aussie tourism was open for business and ready and eager to welcome visitors.

“There is no doubt that Australian tourism has been hit hard by the recent bushfires. It’s critical that we help the industry get back on its feet as soon as possible,” she said.

“The desire from ordinary Australians to assist the communities impacted both directly and indirectly by the bushfires has been overwhelming. This campaign seeks to show them how they can directly support the recovery by simply holidaying here in Australia.

“We are currently in the middle of the peak summer period and we’re already seeing an impact on tourism as people delay or cancel their travel plans, including to areas that haven’t been directly affected.

“That is why we are asking people to commit to holidaying in their own backyard this year – whether it’s a drive up the coast, taking a trip interstate, or ticking off a bucket list destination – and to spread the word that Australia is ready to welcome more travellers.

“Holiday Here This Year is a practical way that Australians can help bushfire-affected communities by filling hotel rooms, restaurants, caravan parks, beaches, and more.”

Harrison said the new campaign is the first of a package of measures Tourism Australia will be rolling out over the coming weeks and months to help local tourism rebuild and recover.

The campaign will be rolled out across print, social media, billboards across major cities, content partnerships, radio and outdoor advertising, with Aussies being encouraged to demonstrate their support using the hashtag #holidayherethisyear.

Furthermore, Tourism Australia will be making it easier than ever for consumers and industry partners to find the resources and inspiration needed to plan and book a holiday in Australia, and help out affected communities in the process, thanks to additional information and resources hosted here.

The website will also include practical tools for industry partners to use in their own marketing initiatives.

A summary of some of Australia’s most popular destinations for international travellers, and whether they have been impacted by the current bushfires or are safe to visit, can be found here.

The new campaign comes after Tourism Australia temporarily pulled the plug on its ‘Matesong’ ad less than two weeks after it launched in response to the country’s bushfire crisis.

The ad, which features pop icon Kylie Minogue alongside a host of other famous Aussies such as Adam Hills, Ash Barty, Ian Thorpe and Shane Warne, is part of Tourism Australia’s latest campaign aimed at enticing more Brits Down Under.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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