Jane Hutchinson is the CEO of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC), a non-for profit, non-government, non-political, environmental organisation. TLC began 15 years ago and has become one of Tasmania’s largest private landowners, working in nature conservation projects across more than 65,000 hectares of Tasmanian land. Hutchinson is a keynote at this year’s Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference 21-23 November, Hobart, TAS.

Taking over as CEO in 2011, Hutchinson has protected approximately 10,000 hectares of critical habitat for plants and animals unique to Tasmania. TLC raise funds from the public to protect unique sites, threatened species’ habitats, and rare ecosystems by buying and managing private land.

Discover more about Jane Hutchinson and our other Keynote Speakers at:
http://www.globaleco.com.au/program-speakers-keynote.php

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has invested more than $4 million into a new tourist attraction at Darwin's Stokes Hill Wharf, which features a virtual reality and holographic experience of the Bombing of Darwin. The new attraction will complement existing military experiences in Darwin and establish the Northern Territory as a leader in Australia’s war history. Tourism Northern Territory will also launch dedicated military tourism campaign to showcase the range of tours, attractions and historical sites on offer across the Territory.

Further information: http://mediareleases.nt.gov.au/mediaRelease/21151

The Bundaberg Distilling Company has opened a new Visitor Experience following an $8.5 million upgrade. The new Visitor Experience is one of the most significant investments in the distillery's 127-year history and is testament to the ongoing popularity of Bundaberg Rum and the Bundaberg region. The new world-class facility now offers two new tour experiences in addition to the famous Distillery tour - The Bundaberg Rum Museum Experience and a Blend Your Own Rum Experience.

Further information:https://www.bundabergrum.com.au/

The Spicers Group of luxury lodges has been given conditional approval from the Queensland Government for a Scenic Rim trail featuring a glamping Eco resort in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park. The 50 kilometre hiking trail through spectacular national park land is expected to take six days and see guests stay at luxury camps en route

Further information: http://www.scenicrimtrail.com/

South Australia has launched its latest global tourism campaign featuring music from the hip-hop band The Hilltop Hoods and celebrating the best of South Australia's unspoilt nature, premium food and drink and unique experiences. The new campaign showcases the beauty of South Australia and will be featured on national television in the key markets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, as well as marketed digitally online and through social media to international markets

Further information: http://www.southaustralia.com/en/travel-ideas/best-of-south-australia

VisitEngland has published a new accessible tourism guide for destination managers to prepare for this ever-growing market. The Destinations for All: A guide to creating accessible destinations is divided into four main sections to assist a destination meet the needs of older and disabled visitors. The new guide challenges common myths, provides best practice examples and longer term actions.

Further information:
https://www.visitbritain.org/developing-accessible-destinations

The world's first hotel with its own rainforest is scheduled to open in Dubai in 2018 in the Rosemont Hotel and Residences on Sheikh Zayed Road. The five-star hotel and apartment project to be operated by Hilton Worldwide under the Curio brand will feature an indoor rainforest and aquarium, manmade beach, infinity pool and trampoline park.

Further information: http://news.hiltonworldwide.com

Kind Traveller is a new site that enables holidaymakers to donate money to charities in exchange for exclusive deals with sustainable luxury hotels. It is the first ‘Give + Get’ hotel booking platform where Kind Hotels are displayed on the website alongside a selection of charities that benefit the community, environment or animals.

Further information: https://www.kindtraveler.com

World Expeditions has announced a partnership with international animal welfare organisation World Animal Protection to develop a range of new wildlife adventures in Kenya, India, Thailand and Romania. The organisations have also developed a new Animal Welfare in Tourism Code of Conduct that aims to inform local partners, employees and travellers about expectations in relation to the treatment of animals on all World Expeditions trips.

Further information: http://www.worldexpeditions.com/au/index.php?
section=responsible_travel&id=2208046

The CaPTA Group has announced a partnership with a leading researcher to add genetic diversity to captive koalas and increase the wild koala population in Tropical North Queensland. The breeding program has the backing of the Zoo
and Aquarium Association of Queensland, Dreamworld’s Department of Life Sciences and
the Queensland Government Environmental Protection Agency.

Further information: http://www.wildlifehabitat.com.au/saving-our-koalas/

Emirates has partnered with Blippar to offer the world’s first interactive in-flight amenity kit for economy class customers. The new kits utilise augmented reality (AR) technology to unlock immersive content on mobile devices, as well as include all the usual necessities for long-haul flights. The reusable kits will be available on selected long-haul routes and on all ultra-long haul services from August 2016.

Further information: http://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-introduces-the-worlds-first-interactive-amenity-kit-in-economy-class

Applications are open for $3.88 million in grants through the Department of Transport’s Regional Airports Development Scheme. The 2017-19 grants will support airport projects that help improve regional air services, safety and regional development. Funds are available to eligible owners or leaseholders of regional airports that can be accessed by the public.

Further information: http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/aviation/regional-airports-development-scheme.asp

TripAdvisor, famous for its reviews on hotels, restaurants and attractions, is now allowing consumers to rate airlines and airport facilities. Travellers will be able to read and write their own reviews on airport facilities including restaurants and bars, shopping and even airport lounges.

Further information: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Airlines

The Caravan and Camping Industry Association of New South Wales have released a new campaign inspiring people to embrace adventure, slow down and experience the great outdoors. It will use television and digital channels to target young families, adults and couples. A new consumer website has also been developed featuring over 400 holiday parks in natural locations with a range of facilities from basic tent sites to luxury cabins and safari tents.

Further information: https://www.cciamembers.com/new-campaign-to-showcase-c-c-to-new-markets//

The TUI Group has published an overview of activities delivered in the first year of their sustainability strategy 2015-2020. The strategy aims to reduce CO2, provide more sustainable holidays and develop community engagement programs. The company is seeking to deliver 10 million greener and fairer holidays per year, and in 2015 it took more than 5.6 million customers to sustainability certified hotels.

Further information: http://www.tuigroup.com/en-en/sustainability/reporting-downloads

A new study commissioned by Expedia Media Solutions with comScore provides an inside look into what inspires and influences consumers in the United Kingdom as they plan travel during the 45 days leading up to an online purchase. The Traveller’s Path to Purchase study shows that British travellers are avid researchers spending 2.4 billion minutes engaging with travel content and visited travel sites more than 121 times during the path
to purchase.

Further information: https://blog.advertising.expedia.com/new-study-looks-into-the-british-travelers-path-to-purchase

The Australian Regional Tourism Network has secured funding from Austrade, State Tourism Organisations and Industry Associations to undertake research that highlights the importance of the contribution made by Local Governments to the visitor economy.

Further information: http://www.regionaltourism.com.au/News/ID/70/ARTN-to-highlight-the-importance-of-Local-Government

A new report commissioned by the Cruise Lines International Association shows that Asia is the world's fastest growing source of cruise passengers with over 2 million travellers from the region taking an ocean cruise in 2015. The 2016 Asia Cruise Trends study also confirms the continued rise in the number of sailings in the region with 1,560 cruises scheduled for 2016.

Further information: http://www.cruising.org/about-the-industry/research/asia-cruise-trends-2016

Applications are open for the 2017 World Travel and Tourism Council Tourism for Tomorrow Awards that are open to anyone working towards a more responsible, sustainable tourism industry across five categories - Environment, Community, People, Innovation and Destination. Applications close 14th November 2016.

Further information: http://www.wttc.org/tourism-for-tomorrow-awards/apply/

Ecotourism Australia is staging the 24th Global Eco Asia-Pacific conference at the award winning MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) in Hobart. The world’s leading ecotourism conference is being held 21-23 November 2016. The conference will celebrate 25 years of Ecotourism Australia and 20 years of Eco Certification.

Registration fees have been held at the same price as 2015. It’s no coincidence that Global Eco attracts the world's leading ecotourism operators, protected area managers and tourism professionals.

This year the theme is Ecotourism: Fostering Innovation – Sustaining Excellence - pushing the boundaries to provide travellers with outstanding tourism experiences in a way that respects the environment, the local community and the culture of the destination.

Further information: http://www.globaleco.com.au/

The Sustainable Economic Development for Regional Australia (SEGRA) Conference will be held at the Albany Entertainment Centre from 26-28 October.

The conference is celebrating its 20th year with a progressive, future driven agenda. It will be focusing on the natural strength of regions and how they can be increased or concentrated to ensure future prosperity and good growth.The theme for 2016 is Naturally Stronger Regions: realising the potential.

The SEGRA conference provides a single forum in which people with a deep commitment to regional Australia can discuss issues and advance options and solutions for the future. Drawing over 200 delegates from across Australia, it is now recognised as the nation’s most credible and independent voice on issues affecting regional Australia.

Further information: http://2016.segra.com.au/