DESTINATION NEWS YOU CAN USE


Tourism Australia to hold Marketplace in London


Ben Ireland ben.ireland@travelweekly.co.uk


Tourism Australia is to hold a trade show in London for the first time in ctober.


Australia Marketplace – UK &


Europe is expected to feature about 130 sellers, including inbound Australian operators, airlines that fly to the country and new Australian product. There will be a focus on specific


markets, such as youth travel, premium experiences, wildlife and adventure travel. Around 100 buyers are expected


to attend the two-day event, which is open to product and marketing managers, and frontline agents. The date and venue of Australia


Marketplace are yet to be set, but Tourism Australia said these would be confirmed in May, with the show expected to take place in the last week of October. An evening gala event will be


held at Australia House in central London as part of the event.


Busch Gardens starts work on the world’s fastest hybrid coaster


usch ardens Tampa ay has started building what it claims will be the tallest hybrid rollercoaster in orth merica.  hybrid rollercoaster


is socalled because it is constructed of wood and steel. The yettobenamed ride


is slated to be the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world. t will be more than  feet tall and feature restored


GOING UP: The Tampa Bay ride is due to open next year


elements of wai a wooden rollercoaster that operated in the par from  to .


LONGITUDE 131: Australian product will be showcased at UK event This year’s World Travel Market


in London is on November 4-6. Sally Cope, Tourism Australia’s


regional manager for the UK and northern Europe, said: “The new Australia Marketplace will highlight the very best of what Australia has to offer. And with visitor numbers from the UK and wider Europe at near-record levels, it is the right time to launch this event and build on momentum. “The UK is one of Australia’s largest tourism markets and


continues to show resilience in the face of current local uncertainty. “Tourism Australia sees this as a


key moment to work closely with the UK travel trade to create new and lasting opportunities. “The UK trade has remained


highly engaged with Australian industry partners and the new Australia Marketplace, alongside our Aussie Specialist Training Programme, will allow these


strong ties to continue to flourish.” australia.com


t is due to open in 


a year after usch ardens launches Tigris a tigerthemed steel rollercoaster. tewart lar president of


usch ardens Tampa ay said This launch of bactobac attractions is unprecedented for our par and continues our legacy as loridas thrill ride leader. usch ardens is celebrating


its th anniversary this year which as well as the Tigris opening includes a ood  ine festival from arch  and a pintrading program enabling guests to swap souvenir badges. buschgardens.com/tampa


NEWS IN BRIEF


Adventure-focused Jordan Tourism Board joins Atas


The Jordan Tourism Board has become an associate member of the Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers. A focus on adventure tourism was a key part of Jordan’s tourism growth strategy outlined in London last week at the Jordan: Growth and Opportunity conference attended by the King of Jordan and prime minister Theresa May. visitjordan.com


Sri Lanka signs top wildlife documentary film-maker


Sri Lanka Tourism has teamed up with wildlife producer Nicola Brown to create a nature documentary to entice travellers to visit. Brown’s filming and production team has worked with the BBC’s Natural History Unit, including on hit documentaries Blue Planet II, Africa, Human Planet and Our Blue Planet. srilanka.travel


Big Bus Tours introduces two routes in Los Angeles


Los Angeles has been added to the portfolio of Big Bus Tours, which sells through Attraction World and Do Something Different. The sightseeing operator offers two routes in the Californian city – Hollywood Loop and Beach Loop – with 20 hop-off stops. LA is the 8th US city featured by Big Bus Tours. bigbustours.com


New York marks 50 years since the Stonewall riots


New York City’s destination marketing organisation, NYC & Company, has declared 2019 as the ‘Year of Pride’ as the city marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in June and hosts WorldPride. Other events are planned during the year. nycgo.com/year-of-pride


14 March 2019travelweekly.co.uk23


PICTURE: BAILLIES LONGITUDE 131


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