Tourism Australia is kicking off its first international campaign in more than a year today to remind New Zealanders of the experiences that await them across the Tasman.

Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison says she hopes New Zealanders will make the most of the two way bubble that starts on 19 April and enjoy being the first international travellers back to Australia. That theme is evident in the campaign theme - 'Be the First'.

A new campaign just launched by Tourism Australia aims to lure young New Zealanders across the ditch by showcasing the adventures and experiences they can have while working and travelling in Australia. The young Kiwis are being urged to take a working holiday and gain employment in sectors such as agriculture, tourism and hospitality.
Australia's Tourism Minister, Simon Birningham, says with travel from across the Tasman back in play this is an opportunity to entice New Zealanders to take a longer stay in Australia and

Former Tourism Australia New Zealand manager, Jenny Aitken, will now represent the Sunshine Coast region.

Aitken spent 12 years at the helm of Tourism Australia in New Zealand.

Tourism Australia is promoting a number of ways agents can encourage their clients to experience different sides of Australia while travel is restricted.

‘Storytelling is embedded in Australian culture. Thanks to our creative industry, there are many different means of soaking up our rich culture – even from the comfort of your couch,’ says Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia.

The 12-year tenure of Jenny Aitken as NZ country manager of Tourism Australia was marked during an intimate function at Soul Bar and Grill in Auckland this week.

Aitken, who officially leaves the role early next week, noted that this is an ‘incredibly hard time for the industry’ but also summed up the general mood of the room.

‘This night is about celebrating with friends and colleagues.’

David Libeau, of helloworld, and Petrina Maxwell of Agent 86 Experiences Ltd paid tribute to Aitken and the work she had done over a dozen years.

• Kim Herd, Venture Travel; Jenny... Kim Herd, Venture Travel; Jenny...
• Sam Cameron, Destination New South... Sam Cameron, Destination New South...
• David Libeau, helloworld; Lindy Christian,... David Libeau, helloworld; Lindy Christian,...
• Malcolm Jordan, Total Event; Vic... Malcolm Jordan, Total Event; Vic...
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The departure of Tourism Australia’s New Zealand country manager Jenny Aitken will not in itself significantly change the relationship the organisation has had with the general travel trade here for the last five years.

Since 2015, Aitken’s official brief has been almost entirely business events focused (with some exceptions such as working with wholesalers on the Australian Tourism Exchange).

Phillipa Harrison is the new managing director of Tourism Australia.

Aussie Specialist agents in New Zealand are invited to participate in Corroboree West 2019, taking place from 7 to 11 October in Perth, with applications to attend now open.

Aboriginal experiences have an increasing role to play in Australia’s luxury travel sector, delegates at Luxperience conference and exhibition in Sydney are hearing this week.

Tourism Australia’s focus on the New Zealand market will remain firmly on business events and incentives.
So remarked managing director John O’Sullivan at the Australian Tourism Exchange this week, saying the job of wooing Kiwi leisure travelers will remain with the eight states and territories in spite of increased competition in the wake of bolstered connectivity in the New Zealand market.