Tourism Australia prepares for uplift in Canadian visitors

Tourism Australia has been working with local industry in Canada to generate excitement and interest in Air Canada’s increase in direct flights Down Under expected to provide a boost in visitor numbers following an expanded air services arrangement signed in December 2015.

From Wednesday 1 June, Air Canada will commence a year-round non-stop service three times per week between Vancouver and Brisbane, increasing to daily flights from Friday 17 June. Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland and Air Canada have also joined forces to promote Brisbane to consumers as a laid-back subtropical getaway and the gateway to Australia's Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef.

Australia was also featured at the Air Canada route launch event.

Ahead of the new services commencing, Tourism Australia hosted an industry update for 45 travel industry professionals on Tuesday 12 April. Guests sipped a special ‘Byron Bay’ cocktail and also tried on virtual reality headsets to immerse themselves in Tourism Australia’s latest ‘aquatic and coastal’ themed campaign.

Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland and Air Canada also hosted an Australian Beach Party in Vancouver on Thursday 28 April, attended by Canadian media including writers for Robb Report and Vancouver Magazine.

Guests enjoyed Australian food and wine and virtual reality headsets were used to showcase Queensland’s stunning coastal and aquatic offerings.

Media were also invited to paint a hand-made plane board for bodysurfing as part of the event, and heard about Queensland’s top surf breaks on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast as well as snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Canada is currently Australia’s 13th largest inbound market based on visitor arrivals and 12th largest market when ranked on total visitor expenditure. In 2015, Canadian visitor arrivals grew three per cent and total expenditure increased five per cent to more than $830 million.