australian tourism board

Your guide to the structures , organisations and key people in the Australian Government

• Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Tourism Australia

Tourism Australia (Board)

Further information, type of body.

R. Management Board

Established By / Under

Act / Regulation

Established By/Under More info

Tourism Australia Act 2004

Paid Members?

Max no. of board/committee members, annual report prepared and tabled, classification.

X. Internal Management

Function Categorization

Executive Management

Creation Date

1 July 2004

Postal Address

To be confirmed To be confirmed ACT Australia

Current board appointments

Quick feedback.

Let us know what you think of this page. Your ideas and feedback are encouraged and will be used to help us prioritise design fixes and new features.

The Voice of Australian Tourism

About the Australian Tourism Industry Council

Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) is the national representative body of Australia’s various state and territory Tourism Industry Councils. As a leading voice for the Australian tourism industry, ATIC represents over 9,000 tourism business operators from across the country.

The role of ATIC is to provide leadership and industry representation through a national voice for tourism, advocate for the industry across important and relevant issues, and to manage national industry development programs.

Additionally, ATIC is the owner and licensor of the Quality Tourism Framework, its programs and Brandmark. Some of these programs include the Quality Tourism accreditation program, Sustainable Tourism accreditation program and the Accessible Tourism program. These are just a selection of the suite of programs offered to support Australian tourism businesses to develop and grow.

About the Quality Tourism Framework

Following more than 20 successful years of recognising high-quality tourism businesses, the Australian tourism accreditation and awards have been re-branded to better promote your business.

The new Quality Tourism Framework combines multiple tourism accreditation, business development and awards programs into a single, user-friendly online tool to develop your business and grow your market, paired with new, modern branding to promote your status as a Quality Tourism Accredited Business.

The Quality Tourism Framework enables you to develop your business from start-up through to niche markets and international trade channels, in order to develop a sustainable tourism business that can compete and prosper.

• NSW Road trips
• Accommodation
• Be inspired

Sydney, Australia

Welcome to Sydney, with new experiences around every corner. As the official tourism, destinations and events website, let us guide you through this surprising city.

Wildlife, nightlife, the good life. Hidden restaurants down historic laneways, famous icons on Sydney Harbour, an endless calendar of events. Golden sands, turquoise oceans, dewy green rainforests. This is Sydney. Bring the family, your best mates, your soul mate — and feel the city’s heartbeat all year round. So, where to first?

Plan your trip to Vivid Sydney

Visiting with kids

Unmissable food experiences

Free things to do

A first-timer's guide

Must-see events, discover the best of sydney.

Tour the famous Sydney Opera House

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Discover The Rocks precinct

Your guide to the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

Meet wildlife at Taronga Zoo

Explore the Royal Botanic Garden

Get a culture fix at the Art Gallery of NSW

Swim at iconic Bondi Beach

Check out trendy Barangaroo

Soak in the views at Sydney Tower Eye

Expand your mind at the MCA

Eat your way through Chinatown

Hotels in Sydney

Accommodation options in Bondi

Luxury hotels

10 most unique stays in Sydney

Pet-friendly accommodation

Cockatoo Island's waterfront camping

Roar & Snore at Taronga Zoo

Jonah's Boutique Hotel on the Northern Beaches

Love Cabins Hawkesbury

Caravan & camping near Sydney

4 ways to stay in Sydney

7 of the newest Sydney hotels

Top attractions for kids

Where to stay with kids in Sydney

Zoos & wlidlife encounters

A 3-day family itinerary in Sydney

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Top museums in Sydney

Where to eat out with the family

Kid-friendly tours in Sydney

8 budget-friendly school holiday activities

Free things to do with kids

Luna Park Sydney

Family-friendly beaches

The best musicals now showing

Art galleries & exhibitions

4 self-guided Sydney culture trails

A design lover's guide to Sydney

Must-see theatre & shows

Dance, cabaret & ballet

Concerts & live music

Where to see Aboriginal art in Sydney

Delve into Sydney's history

Aboriginal tours of Sydney Harbour

Catch a comedy show

Sydney's most Instagrammable buildings

How to spend 3 days in Sydney

72 hours in Sydney for luxury lovers

A gourmet weekend in Sydney

A scenic day trip to the Blue Mountains

An adventurous day trip to Parramatta

A sun-soaked day trip to the Northern Beaches

A coastal day trip to Cronulla

A pet-friendly holiday in Sydney

A Sydney escape for romance

Blue Mountains adventure weekend

An indulgent 72 hours in the Hunter Valley

A long weekend in Newcastle for foodies

Tastiest Eat Streets in Sydney

Cocktail bars in Sydney

Where to go wine tasting

Waterside restaurants

Food tours & cooking schools

Best brunch spots

Explore Western Sydney's street food

Sydney's most innovative vegan restaurants

Beer gardens in Sydney

Dog-friendly restaurants

Sydney's most decadent desserts

Dining precincts in Sydney

What to do in sydney this winter.

Warm up with a bowl of ramen

Get cosy in a pub with a fireplace

Embark on a whale-watching tour

Indulge in a yum cha brunch

Find things to do on a rainy day

Refresh yourself in a hidden bar

Take the plunge in a bathhouse

Get a taste for NSW’s wine regions

What's happening in sydney view all.

24 of the best walking tours in Sydney

The best Indian restaurants in Sydney

A 3-day itinerary in the Hawkesbury for foodies

Sydney deals & packages.

Feel Indulgent with Accor Hotels

Book your next Sydney stay at an Accor property with rates from $165 per night

Indulge in a day of shopping and fine dining, take in a musical or an art exhibition or explore a harbour walk and glistening beaches.

More about Sydney

Wondering where to stay in Sydney? Then explore the accommodation options on the website. You can make reservations as well. Getting around is easy on public transport . Ferries and harbour cruises are a memorable way to experience the beauty of one of the world’s great natural harbours.

Hop on a ferry at Circular Quay for Taronga Zoo , Manly or Watsons Bay . You can also take a ferry to intriguing Sydney Harbour islands and Parramatta for delicious food and colonial heritage. Or jump aboard a Tribal Warrior cruise and explore Aboriginal culture, the world’s oldest living culture.

Aboriginal people have a long connection with Sydney, dating back at least 50,000 years before the First Fleet arrived in 1788. There are fun and informative Aboriginal-guided tours , including in national parks where you can see ancient indigenous ochre hand-paintings and rock engravings.

The following pages will also help you plan your holidays, short breaks and weekend escapes:

• Places to stay
• Things to do
• Places to visit
• Events in Sydney
• Deals and packages
• Tours in Sydney
• Hire cars, kayaks and other things

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay connected to Sydney for all the latest news, stories, upcoming events and travel inspiration.

Discover Somewhere New

All the insider news, tips and inspiration you need to plan your next trip, delivered straight to your inbox.

Destination NSW acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations and recognises Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and occupants of New South Wales land and water.

• NSW Government
• Destination New South Wales (Corporate site)

Sydney.com is the official tourism site for Destination NSW. © Copyright 2024 Destination NSW. All rights reserved

Advertisement

Supported by

‘Fortress Australia’ Has a New Message: Come Back

For nearly two years, the country projected a harsh message of rigidity and “rules are rules.” Will long-haul travelers bet on the easygoing, inviting image it is sending out now?

• Share full article

By Tacey Rychter and Isabella Kwai

Moments after the Australian government announced that it would reopen the country’s borders to international travelers later this month, Emily Barrett locked in a fare for a flight to Sydney. The 32-year-old nanny from Palo Alto, Calif., spent three days researching and talking to Australian friends before she decided to book her trip to the island continent, which for two years had some of the world’s strictest border controls and longest lockdowns aimed at controlling the spread of the coronavirus.

“They all said, ‘if we go back into a lockdown now, people will go into the streets,’” she said. Her two-week trip is scheduled to start a few days after the border opens on Feb. 21.

Potential travelers and tourism operators alike are cautiously optimistic about the reopening of “Fortress Australia,” but many wonder if the isolated nation’s ongoing Covid restrictions — such as vaccine and testing requirements, as well as mask mandates — will make the return of international travel more of a trickle than a splash. Australia’s reputation for rigidity and reclusiveness during the pandemic — at odds with the inviting, easygoing nature portrayed by the country’s tourism boards — may also be a hurdle to overcome.

“There is no doubt that a full recovery will take time, but we are confident that the demand for Australia is strong,” said Phillipa Harrison, the managing director of Tourism Australia, the country’s tourism board.

Tourism was one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia’s economy before the pandemic, contributing 45 billion Australian dollars in 2019, or $32 billion.

Australia is among the world’s most immunized countries for Covid-19, with 94 percent of people over 16 fully vaccinated. Through 2020 and 2021, the country pursued a tough “zero Covid” strategy that closed national and state borders; restricted Australians from returning home and even leaving; enforced monthslong lockdowns and required its few visitors to undergo expensive hotel quarantines . Surging cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in January, which persist, but have since declined , tipped most of the country into a new ‘living with the virus’ phase .

“It’s about coming back so the virus is under our control, whereas we felt that the virus was controlling us,” said Catherine Bennett, an epidemiologist at Deakin University in Melbourne, adding that opening the borders represented a turning point. “This is saying: We’re ready for this.”

Australia’s walls come down

Australia’s grand reopening comes with a few ground rules. Travelers entering the country must be fully vaccinated to avoid a costly hotel quarantine, and must test before arrival — somewhat common requirements for travel now.

But it will take a little more time for Australia’s welcome mat to roll out all the way. The entire state of Western Australia — a third of Australia’s vast land mass, but home to just 10 percent of the population — has essentially been closed to both international travelers and even vaccinated Australian citizens for most of the pandemic. It plans to reopen to vaccinated travelers on March 3, with testing rules on arrival. The state, which has reported about 2,900 total cases and 10 deaths since the pandemic began, is home to Perth — one of the world’s most remote major cities — more than 7,000 miles of coastline, the Kimberley region’s dramatic sandstone gorges and wine destinations like Margaret River. While the federal government can open the nation’s borders, the states can still set their own Covid restrictions, including entry rules.

“We desperately want people to come back,” said Graeme Skeggs, a general manager at Adam’s Pinnacle Tours , one of Western Australia’s larger tour companies, which, until the pandemic, operated luxury tours of the state’s renowned coastlines and landscapes. Much of their business evaporated after Covid struck, and some smaller operators the company worked with have closed. “Two years is a lot longer than any of us thought,” Mr. Skeggs said.

While many operators who rely on foreign tourists are hopeful, it’s clear that there is no simple return to prepandemic times.

China overtook New Zealand as Australia’s largest foreign tourist market for the first time in 2017, and 1.3 million visitors from mainland China spent more than $12 billion Australian dollars , or nearly $9 billion, in 2019, about 27 percent of the year’s international visitor spend.

With China still severely limiting outbound travel, that leaves a gaping hole in Australia’s tourism economy.

Michelle Chen opened the Apollo Surfcoast Chinese Restaurant in 2012 along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road — one of the state’s major scenic attractions, about a 2.5-hour drive from Melbourne — to cater to the hundreds of Chinese day-trippers who would stream off buses each day on their way to view the Twelve Apostles, a limestone rock formation farther down the coast.

When Australia closed to Chinese travelers on Feb. 1, 2020, she lost “nearly a hundred percent” of her business. In another stroke of misfortune, the restaurant burned down in April of last year. She reopened in December a few doors down. But Ms. Chen is not expecting her core customers to return for a long time.

She’s even revamped her menu, which used to feature dishes like Sichuan chile chicken that appealed to mainland Chinese visitors. Now the menu is “80 percent Australian-Chinese,” Ms. Chen said, with milder offerings like Mongolian beef. “I find I can’t sell the Chinese-Chinese dishes.”

Another thing desperately she’s looking forward to with the return of international travel: more workers. “Everywhere is shortage of labor,” she said.

The Djokovic drama

In January, the Australian Open — one of the country’s biggest sporting events, which draws hundreds of millions of viewers annually — became a media circus when Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one men’s tennis player, who is not vaccinated, was detained and finally deported from Melbourne because of his risk for “civil unrest.” The drama, which stretched on for 10 days, triggered protests in Australia from groups who believed the battle was the latest example of Covid-related mandates trampling public freedoms.

“Strong borders are fundamental to the Australian way of life,” the country’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, said after the decision to cancel the tennis star’s visa.

Australia’s fixation with border security is highly contentious within the country, particularly its harsh treatment of asylum seekers , but ultimately plays well with voters. But how would Mr. Djokovic’s unceremonious booting fit into Australia’s new “come on in” narrative?

“From our view, it really highlights the strength of Australia’s border policies,” said Chris Allison, Tourism Australia’s acting manager of the Americas. While Mr. Djokovic’s treatment was divisive, he said, it showed that “Australia has zero tolerance in terms of requiring vaccinations to come into the country,” and affirms the message of “how we’re trying to reopen our borders safely and protect the health of the nation.”

But time — and bookings — will tell if long-haul travelers are willing to bet on Australia’s reopening.

Some prefer to wait and see. Australia was where “everyone wanted to go” before the pandemic, said Samantha Carranza, a manager at Sky Tours , a travel agency in downtown Los Angeles. But “there isn’t much demand right now,” she said, adding that Australia’s protectiveness has made her clients cautious to travel there. “No one’s sure if it’s really open or not. Will it close again, will they get stuck there?”

The data shows that interest in travel to Australia is already on the rise: Flight bookings were up 200 percent following the border-opening announcement compared to the week before, according to Forward Keys, a travel analytics company.

“While the immediate jump in bookings is encouraging, the overall booking volume compared to the equivalent week in 2019 is modest,” said Olivier Ponti, the firm’s vice president of insights.

“I imagine there will be more and more confidence over the course of the year,” said Christie Hudson, a senior public relations manager at Expedia, the major online travel agency. “People are really ready to start thinking about these bucket-list trips again. I think for a lot of Americans, Australia is a bucket-list-type trip.”

Opening Aboriginal Australia to the world, cautiously

Cultural experiences led by Australia’s diverse Indigenous groups will be a focus of marketing to overseas travelers, according to Tourism Australia. But in the Northern Territory, the region with the highest proportion of Indigenous people, many remote communities are barred to outsiders until at least March 3 in an effort to protect the residents there from infection.

International visitors are key for the region’s Indigenous tourism sector: Before the pandemic, nearly 70 percent of overseas visitors to the Northern Territory engaged in Aboriginal tourism activities, compared to 16 percent of Australian tourists.

Victor Cooper, who owns and operates Ayal Aboriginal Tours in Kakadu National Park, said he used to welcome visitors from Europe and the United States to his “grandmother’s country,” where he taught them about bush tucker (native foods) and told traditional stories of the land.

“I had a really, really good thing in the overseas market, it took a long time to get that,” Mr. Cooper said. He has not had any overseas bookings since the reopening announcement, and worries things may be “complicated” for a while yet. “I don’t think I’m going to get the clients I used to have back in 2019.”

Other tourism operators are already seeing signs of recovery, which gives them hope for a better year ahead.

“It’s good to see people again,” said Dave Gordon, an employee at Wake Up Bondi , a hostel on Sydney’s famous beach, of the limited number of travelers who have been filtering back in recent months. “It’s exciting.”

Since the news of the border reopening, booking numbers for later in the year have risen, he said.

The first year of the pandemic was “quite a struggle,” he said. To survive, the hostel, which is on Bondi Beach’s main thoroughfare, slashed its rates and accepted longer-term lodgers, and even closed for a period.

But the border opening removes a major hurdle for him and other operators across the country, who want to convey a clear message for would-be tourists thinking of Australia: “Come!” he said. “This is the time to travel.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

Tacey Rychter is the social editor for the Travel section. More about Tacey Rychter

Isabella Kwai is a breaking news reporter in the London bureau. She joined The Times in 2017 as part of the Australia bureau. More about Isabella Kwai

ATDW-Online

Free Optimisation Support

Give your tourism business the visibility it deserves

Tourism Operators

Increase your online exposure and have your business seen by more travellers, simply by listing with ATDW.

Tourism Distributors

Create your listing for the opportunity to be featured throughout our distribution network of Australian tourism partner websites.

Conveniently populate your website with content from local tourism businesses.

Gain increased exposure online.

Only list once. Be seen on multiple sites

Access business intelligence & insights

Access to over 50,000 listings & 250,000 images

Quality assured & up to date content

Significant regional content available

Search our extensive content collection of 50,000+ tourism business listings across 11 categories.

What is the Australia Tourism Data Warehouse?

The Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) is Australia’s online marketplace for tourism information. The ever-evolving ATDW-Online platform is a content tool for tourism operators and businesses to use to improve their digital presence.

ATDW-Online supports over 50,000 tourism profiles whose content is published by our expanding distributor network . Including both experience and destination information, all profiles contain consistent and quality-assured content.

ATDW collaborates closely with State and Territory tourism organisations and Tourism Australia, capitalising on mutual projects, harnessing resources, leveraging expertise, and gathering insights.

Our Shareholders & Stakeholders

ATDW was established in 2001 by our eight official Australian State and Territory Tourism Organisations (STOs) and Tourism Australia, to market, assist and support tourism operators and the Australian tourism industry as a whole.

ATDW is jointly owned and managed by our official Australian STOs. To contact your local STO, click here .

Register or update your listing.

Why a rise in 'tourism-phobia' should give Australians flocking to European summer a cause for pause

It's that time of year again when social media feeds become flooded with "Euro summer" holiday content.

Every winter, there's a cohort of Australians who escape to the Mediterranean Sea, seeking an idyllic scene to sip Aperol spritz in the sun.

But, they may not all be getting a warm welcome. 

Since pandemic travel restrictions eased, tourism has come surging back and Europe is copping an influx of visitors in record numbers.

And some locals aren't happy about it. 

Graffiti and stickers exclaiming, "Tourists go home!" and threats such as "We'll spit in your beer" are becoming a common sight across major cities. 

Anti-tourism protests are also spreading, with locals angered by "bad tourists", short-term rentals and "the touristification of daily life".

Experts say at this rate there's no way tourism can be sustainable, and we need to re-think the way we travel so we're not part of the problem. 

A return to overseas travel

Australians are back on the move.

In 2023, nearly 10 million residents returned from a short-term trip overseas , an increase of over 4.7 million on the previous year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

June was a particularly high time to travel, with more Australians leaving the country in mid-last year than in December 2022. 

Skyscanner Australia travel expert, Jarrod Kris, says there has been an increase in Australians searching for flights to European destinations.

Search volumes for European countries in 2023 were up by 28 per cent on the previous year, with Greece, France, Italy and Spain among the most popular.

Searches were also 16 per cent higher than pre-pandemic 2019, Mr Kris said. 

Based on Skyscanner flight booking data, the most popular 2024 Euro summers destinations for Australians so far are: 

• 2. Manchester
• 4. Istanbul

Landing in an overtourism crisis

Many of these popular destinations are facing an "overtourism crisis", Claudio Milano from the University of Barcelona's department of social anthropology, said. 

And it's leading to a resurgence of "tourism-phobia".

The term emerged around the 2008 financial crisis with locals blaming tourists for their deteriorating quality of life.

Now as crowds have come flooding back in record numbers after the pandemic reprieve, so too has social unrest and tourism rejection.

Especially as cities confront housing emergencies, masses of Airbnb lockboxes strewn down residential streets are a scathing sign of the times. 

Already Europe's foreign tourist arrivals for 2024 have exceeded 2019 levels.

And summer is bringing two major sporting events to the continent — the Paris Olympics and the UEFA European Football Championship in Germany.

Tourism officials expect 15.3 million visitors to the French capital over the Olympics period. 

Parisians have been staging protests and strikes, calling out the social impact the Games will have on their city, which is already the most-visited destination in the world.

Locals lash out   

In recent weeks, tens of thousands of residents have also been taking to the streets in Athens, Venice, Barcelona and Spain's Balearic Islands.

Last weekend, protesters occupied beaches frequented by tourists in Mallorca, after about 10,000 demonstrated the previous week under the banner #Mallorca no es ven — Mallorca is not for sale. 

Smaller protests have been held in neighbouring Menorca and the notorious party island Ibiza.

And throughout April, more than 50,000 people from the small Spanish Canary Islands took part in demonstrations.

Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, a lecturer in tourism management at the University of South Australia, says it's clear impacts of overtourism have reached new heights.   

"The recent activism in the Canary Islands, where tens of thousands of people came out in a relatively small community, indicates just how angry people are," she told the ABC.

Fake signs have been spotted at Spanish beaches warning tourists that there's dangerous jellyfish and falling rocks.

Then small-print in Catalan reads "the problem isn’t a rockfall, it's mass tourism", according to local media reports. 

There's also been more confronting backlash with reports of rentals cars, bikes and tourist buses being vandalised or their tires slashed.

Tourists making life unlivable

Professor Milano says similar messages are being echoed by anti-tourism activists and movements across the board.

Locals are frustrated by cities being oversold and overcrowded with "capitalistic tourism".

Short-term rentals are raising housing costs, taking over residential buildings, and pricing locals out of living in their own towns.

Javier Carbonell, a real estate agent in Mallorca, told Reuters over half of rental properties were used for holiday rentals and were not affordable for locals.

"We want less mass tourism and more sustainable tourism," Mr Carbonell said.

Professor Higgins-Desbiolles said cities and towns have become completely over-run by tourists, making them unlivable and unrecognisable to those who call them home.

"There's no problem having tourists in the city, the problem is to have only tourists in the city," Professor Milano said. 

He called it the "touristification of daily life".

In places such as Venice, Italy, locals have been displaced due to poorly-managed tourism, Professor Higgins-Desbiolles said.

Some shops that sustained local life have been replaced with tacky souvenir shops.

"Because of tourism developments and the way tourism has run, it's made it difficult to lead normal lives," she said.

"Whether you can travel to Venice, and have that accepted, requires thought on the part of the traveller."

Should you still travel?

Professor Milano says for the most part activists are not angered by the tourist encounter, rather the tourism model and the issues it provokes. 

They don't want no tourism at all, but he admitted they do want better tourists. 

And there are ways to minimise negative effects so your travels benefit local businesses. 

Avoid Airbnb 

In Athens, graffiti is sprayed across walls showing buildings up in flames alongside the words "burn Airbnb", according to local media.

And protesters in the city have been waving signs reading "Barcelona: Tourists welcome, locals NOT welcome", and chanting "tourists are taking our houses".

Professor Milano said travellers should avoid booking Airbnb and instead find a hotel.

And tourists should try to spend money on local businesses as much as they can. 

A lot of frustration stems from outside entities profiting while locals suffer, Professor Higgins-Desbiolles said. 

"The most simple advice that I could give to make sure you're welcome — no matter where you go — is to knowledgeably and intentionally spend money in that local economy." 

Beware of 'live like a local' myths 

Travellers are being warned about falling for commercial narratives that promote getting a local's experience. 

"With Airbnb, we have brought tourism into our buildings," Professor Milano said. 

"Airbnb used to be promoted as 'live like a local' ... But it’s not 'live like a local' because the property manager is a big company that probably owns 200 apartments in Barcelona."

In some cities, residential areas are becoming so congested locals can't easily access their own streets or get on a bus. 

The advice is to stay away from the crowded areas and avoid travelling at peak seasons.

Scrap the multi-stop trips

What has been called the "Ryanair revolution" has enabled travellers to jet between European destinations for next to nothing.

This hyper mobility is a big part of the problem, Professor Milano said.

Regularly flying to Europe for two weeks and visiting several destinations isn't uncommon for some Australians. 

But Professor Higgins-Desbiolles says we need to consider slowing down — not just for the wellbeing of the local communities, but for the environment.

"Access to these places is not our right, it’s a privilege," she said.

"We need to get more considered in our consumption."

She said we don't need to stop holidaying, but it would be better to scale it back to one big holiday every few years, and staying in the one country.

'Don't be a jerk'

Protesters in the Canary Islands have been calling out "bad tourists" who disrespect the land and culture.

While campaigns in Amsterdam have been targeting badly-behaved tourists with the slogan "stay away" if your plan is to come for a messy night "getting trashed".

Professor Higgins-Desbiolles says if you want to be accepted in cities, simply "don’t be a jerk".

"You're a visitor in somebody's home, and that's the thing about these destinations that we forget — these are local people's homes," she said.

"Visitors think they have a right to go to places, that their money buys them access, and that they don't need to be thoughtful and sensitive."

This also applies to "commodifying travels", and the lengths people will take to get the perfect social media shot. 

Listen to communities 

Policies and measures are being rolled out in many places to address overcrowding, such as introducing tourist taxes, entry fees, and capping visitor numbers at peak times. 

Professor Higgins-Desbiolles says it's also important to listen to what communities want, because locals are saying this isn't enough.

"We should stop emphasising continual economic growth to instead look at wellbeing," she said. 

Countries outside Europe have been developing responsible tourist pledges for visitors to sign when they arrive.

The Pacific Island nation of Palau has taken this a step further, opening up local opportunities for tourists who abide by the pledge and show respect.

"That's what gets you a warm welcome into these places," Dr Higgins-Desbiolles said.

"We really should centre tourism on local community rights. That would make the difference."

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Fears new amsterdam ad campaign could just attract more boozy tourists to 'party valhalla'.

January saw a decrease in overseas travel. The latest data suggests numbers won't be low for long

Overcrowded Venice introduces first payment charge for tourists

• Globalisation - Society
• Tourism and Leisure Industry
• United Kingdom

Waters, Angus among new Tourism WA board members

Tourism Western Australia has appointed five new board members, including Perth Airport chief executive Jason Waters and Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours owner Rosanna Angus.

The state government has also appointed Kelsian Group WA general manager Andrew Lane , Swan River Seaplanes director Kristy Bailey  and hospitality professional Caroline Taylor to the government tourism agency’s board.

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said the new board members possessed a variety of expertise across tourism operations, marketing, hospitality, and aviation industries.

“It’s great to see enhanced industry expertise on the board, particularly as a new Tourism WA managing director is recruited,” Mr Hall said.

“The new board members will help steer the recovery of international tourism to WA, which is still 21 per cent behind from pre-COVID levels.”

Mr Waters has led Perth Airport since November last year after serving more than 18 months as Gold Corp chief executive.

He has a wealth of experience guiding companies as chief executive, formerly serving stints in this position at Synergy for eight years and Verve Energy for nearly two years.

Jawi woman Ms Angus operates Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours in Broome and was recognised at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards 2023 , winning Australia’s Top Tour Guide award.

She has facilitated guided tours to Sunday Island and other locations off the coast of Dampier Peninsula since 2019, sharing stories from her family and ancestors who lived there.

Mr Lane became the WA general manager of SeaLink Travel in 2017 and oversaw the travel company’s rebrand to Kelsian Group in early 2023.

Swan River Seaplanes director Ms Bailey has held this role for eight years and additionally became the director of Rottnest Water Taxi in December.

She previously served on the board of Tourism Council WA for more than six years until May.

Chef-by-trade Ms Taylor has experience as a business owner, hospitality consultant and currently works in administration and communications at Wines of Western Australia.

Mr Hall said Tourism WA ’s newly announced board members would help guide the agency’s strategic direction.

“Both Mr Lane and Ms Bailey have invaluable expertise in tourism marketing and operating tourism products in both marine and land protected areas of high environmental value,” he said.

“Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters ’ appointment will bring a critical perspective of driving international aviation passengers into Perth and regional WA.

“We warmly welcome Rosanna Angus’ appointment to the board of Tourism WA , who was awarded Western Australia’s FACET Golden Guide Award winner and Australia’s Top Tour Guide in 2023.”

Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said the state government was pleased to welcome highly experienced tourism experts to Tourism WA .

"WA's tourism sector has gone from strength to strength in recent years as evidenced by the record $17.7 billion in visitor spend achieved in 2023, and I have no doubt these new Commissioners will assist in driving even more success,” Ms Saffioti said.

Tourism WA has also confirmed existing board members Iain Grandage and Janelle Marr, and deputy chair Manny Papadoulis would have their terms extended.

This announcement comes one month after Carolyn Turnbull’s resignation as managing director .

Tourism WA executive director of strategy engagement Stephanie Underwood stepped up as acting managing director on May 13 as the organisation commenced a recruitment and selection process for Ms Turnbull's successor.

Related Data & Insights

Associations, data & insights, related articles.

Connection key for infrastructure

Students part of Forrest’s Carillon plan: Zempilas

Qantas and Perth Airport strike landmark deal

Perth fighter to miss UFC 305

Rex launches Adelaide-Perth flights

China Southern Airlines returns to Perth

Subscribe today for award-winning, unbiased and trusted journalism.

• Travel Updates

Rise of ‘tourism-phobia’ a warning to Australians flocking to Europe for a Euro-summer

Are you one of the many Australians thinking about having a “Euro-summer” this year? You might want to reconsider.

Warning as new travel scam emerges

Dire scenes at Aldi stores across Australia

Warning after thousands rejected from snow

Considering a “Euro-summer” this year? Maybe have another think about it.

Since the easing of pandemic travel restrictions, Europe has experienced an unprecedented surge in tourism.

Many locals are voicing their frustration, as evidenced by declarations across Europe, including, “tourists go home”, “foreigners out”, and “not for sale”.

Anti-tourism protests are becoming more common, driven by anger over “bad tourists”, short-term rentals, and the “touristification of daily life”, the ABC reports .

Experts and locals warn that the current rate of tourism is unsustainable and that Aussies should reconsider their travel habits to avoid exacerbating the issue.

Australians return to travel in record numbers

In 2023, nearly 10 million Australians returned from short-term overseas trips, more than doubling the previous year’s numbers according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). June saw an especially high volume of travel, surpassing even December figures.

Claudio Milano from the University of Barcelona’s Department of Social Anthropology told the ABC that many popular destinations are facing an “over-tourism crisis,” leading to a resurgence of “tourism-phobia.”

“There’s no problem having tourists in the city, the problem is to have only tourists in the city,” Professor Milano explained.

The term “tourism-phobia” first emerged around the 2008 financial crisis, when locals blamed tourists for their declining quality of life.

With the post-pandemic influx, social unrest and rejection of tourism have surged once again. Housing crises and the proliferation of Airbnb rentals are exacerbating tensions.

In 2024, Europe’s foreign tourist arrivals have already surpassed 2019 levels. The continent is also preparing for two major sporting events — the Paris Olympics and the UEFA European Football Championship in Germany.

Paris alone expects 15.3 million visitors during the Olympics, sparking protests and strikes from locals concerned about the social impact on their city.

‘The Spanish Mykonos’ battles over-tourism

Each year, almost 800,000 tourists visit Binibeca Vell, a tiny village in Menorca dubbed “the Spanish Mykonos” for its picturesque resemblance to the famous Greek island.

For its 200 residents, this influx is overwhelming.

Oscar Monge, who runs a local residents’ association, told AFP last month of his desire for the village “to be calmer”.

While the village’s charm draws tourists, locals are frustrated by their behaviour.

“Everyone wants to come here to have their picture taken,” Monge said.

Signs asking visitors to be “respectful” and “quiet” are posted throughout the village, addressing issues like tourists walking on walls and rooftops or entering private homes.

‘Negative social aspect’

To combat over-tourism, Binibeca Vell residents have restricted visitor access to certain hours and are considering a total ban.

However, this has sparked debate. Maria Neyla Ramirez, who runs a local restaurant, worries about the impact on businesses, advocating for “a bit of flexibility.”

Despite these measures, tourists like Jean-Marie Bassut from France still wish to visit.

“For the people who live here, it’s special. But that’s tourism ... we like to see beautiful things,” he told AFP.

Monge believes a balance is possible but insists on regulation to prevent unchecked busloads of tourists. Last year, a record 17.8 million people visited the Balearic Islands, and numbers are expected to rise.

Regional leader Marga Prohens of the right-wing Popular Party (PP) emphasised the need to consider tourism’s “negative social impact” to make it compatible with residents’ lives.

‘Not for sale’

In late May, millions of residents across Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza protested under the slogan: “Our islands are not for sale,” calling for limits on over-tourism.

They highlighted noise, traffic, pollution, and rising house prices as primary concerns. In response, local authorities have implemented various restrictions, including alcohol sales limits and bans on street drinking.

Mallorca’s mayor plans to ban new tourist accommodations and limit cruise ship arrivals, while Ibiza is tightening rules on party boats.

More Coverage

A regional government committee is developing a “road map” for sustainable tourism solutions.

Joaquin Quintana, a Binibeca Vell resident, summed up the delicate balance: “We do want tourists to come … and enjoy the natural paradise we have here, but it’s important to find a balance.”

– With AFP

Australians heading abroad this winter are being urged to keep a close eye out for three types of scams in particular.

Once upon a time if you blinked, you’d miss Aldi’s biggest sales event of the year. Now — product sits limp and lifeless weeks after the famed event.

The ski season officially kicks off in NSW and Victoria this weekend despite the lack of snow – and authorities have a stern warning for visitors.

Our Organisation

Our Careers

Tourism Statistics

Industry Resources

Media Resources

Travel Trade Hub

News Stories

Newsletters

Industry Events

Business Events

Come and Say G’day

Come and Say G’day  is Tourism Australia’s new global campaign to support the Australian tourism industry rebuild.

Come and Say G’day is the next instalment of Tourism Australia’s There’s Nothing Like Australia global brand platform. With travel being restricted for the last two years, Come and Say G’day is a joyful, creative and unmistakably Australian invitation to the world. The multi-channel campaign will introduce the world to two lovable CGI animated characters; Ruby, a souvenir kangaroo, voiced by Australian actor Rose Byrne, and Louie, a toy unicorn, representing international visitors, voiced by actor Will Arnett.

The Come and Say G’day campaign is set to run across Tourism Australia’s 15 key international markets from October 2022 and aims to support the tourism industry’s recovery by driving demand for travel to Australia. The campaign will capture the world’s imagination with a short film and television commercial (TVC) as well as print and high-impact out-of-home creative, social, digital, editorial and partner advertising. The music featured in the TVC is a re-interpretation of the classic Australian anthem Down Under , by up-and-coming band King Stingray, who sing in both English and Yolŋu Matha - an Indigenous language from North East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.

Industry Toolkit

This toolkit contains a range of social media templates and content including gifs, stickers and carousel cards for industry to use on their own channels. it also contains instructions on how to use all the assets., how to get involved.

Tourism Australia has developed a campaign toolkit with campaign information, social media tools and a range of static and video assets for operators. Industry are encouraged to download the toolkit and utilise the assets in their own digital and social channels. In addition, industry are encouraged to get involved in the campaign by:

• Sharing product/experience photos and tagging #comeandsaygday and #seeaustralia so they can be promoted on Tourism Australia’s social media channels. Images selected will be credited and tagged in any content used.  
• Subscribe to Tourism Australia’s weekly industry e-newsletter Essentials for updates on how to get involved.
• Download images and videos free of charge from Tourism Australia’s galleries.
• Ensure product information and rates are up to date with partners and on distribution channels, including on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse.

How to use the toolkit

'g'day' the short film, discover more.

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. Find out more .

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

*Disclaimer:  The information on this website is presented in good faith and on the basis that Tourism Australia, nor their agents or employees, are liable (whether by reason of error, omission, negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this website. Tourism Australia wishes to advise people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent that this website may contain images of persons now deceased.

Australia Recommends 2024

Come and Say G'day

G'day, the short film

Discover your Australia

Travel videos

Deals and offers

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

South Australia

Western Australia

External Territories

The Whitsundays

Mornington Peninsula

Port Douglas

Ningaloo Reef

Airlie Beach

Kangaroo Island

Rottnest Island

Hamilton Island

Lord Howe Island

Tiwi Islands

Phillip Island

Bruny Island

Margaret River

Barossa Valley

The Grampians

Hunter Valley

McLaren Vale

Glass House Mountains

Alice Springs

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

The Kimberley

Flinders Ranges

Kakadu National Park

Eyre Peninsula

Karijini National Park

Great Barrier Reef

Blue Mountains

Daintree Rainforest

Great Ocean Road

Purnululu National Park

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Litchfield National Park

Aboriginal experiences

Arts and culture

Festivals and events

Food and drink

Adventure and sports

Walks and hikes

Road trips and drives

Beaches and islands

Nature and national parks

Eco-friendly travel

Health and wellness

Family travel

Family destinations

Family road trips

Backpacking

Work and holiday

Beginner's guide

Accessible travel

Planning tips

Trip planner

Australian budget guide

Itinerary planner

Find a travel agent

Find accommodation

Find transport

Visitor information centres

Deals and travel packages

Visa and entry requirements FAQ

Customs and biosecurity

Working Holiday Maker visas

Facts about Australia

Experiences that will make you feel like an Aussie

People and culture

Health and safety FAQ

Cities, states & territories

Iconic places and attractions

When is the best time to visit Australia?

Seasonal travel

Events and festivals

School holidays

Public holidays

How to get to Australia's most iconic cities

How long do I need for my trip to Australia?

How to travel around Australia

Guide to driving in Australia

How to hire a car or campervan

How to plan a family road trip

How to plan an outback road trip

Kangaroo, Lucky Bay, Esperance, Western Australia © Australia’s Golden Outback

An Aussie Specialist has the knowledge and experience to help you plan and book every detail of your Australian trip.

Link Copied!

There are thousands of great Australian experiences to choose from. Chances are, your Aussie Specialist Travel Agent has experienced or planned for them before.

Experts on everything Australian, these specialists receive extensive training from Tourism Australia and most have travelled throughout Australia. They have the experience to help you plan and book your Aussie adventure. They know what to pack, what the weather will be like and how to join in with the locals.

So, if you are wondering what it's like to sail on Sydney Harbour , feel the warmth of the Australian outback, or dive on the Great Barrier Reef , contact an Aussie Specialist and you'll soon be enjoying your very own Australian experience.

Discover more

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.  Find out more . By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

• New Zealand (English)
• United States (English)
• Canada (English)
• United Kingdom (English)
• India (English)
• Malaysia (English)
• Singapore (English)
• Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia)
• Deutschland (Deutsch)
• France (Français)
• Italia (Italiano)
• 中国大陆 (简体中文)

*Product Disclaimer:  Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.