SYDNEY, Australia – WYSE Travel Confederation in partnership with Destination NSW and supported by the Backpacker Operators Association NSW (BOA NSW), invites the Australian youth travel industry to join the WYSE Exchange Australia Youth Tourism Conference at Doltone House, Sydney Harbour on Friday 8 April. The 1-day educational Conference, themed around โTHE FUTURE OF YOUTH TRAVEL: CONNECTING WITH GENERATION SWIPEโ, unveils a wealth of domestic and international speakers.
A diverse range of industry experts, businesses, agencies, tourism specialists, media and academics will reflect on the trends and opportunities shaping the outlook for 2016 and beyond: Destination NSW, YHA Ltd., MyTravel Research, Clemenger BBDO, Tourism Australia, Junkee Media, Topdeck Tours, World Nomads Group, Adventure QLD, Alliance Abroad Group, World Study, Base / Nomads, Swinburne University and The Byte.
NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said: โSydney is the gateway for youth travellers to work, study and play in NSW, making it the perfect location to host this wonderful event. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Australiaโs premier tourism and events State next month, which will provide a valuable opportunity to the youth tourism industry.โ
The Youth Tourism Conference is designed to share and debate trends and analysis, with a clear focus on Generation Z travellers and how to engage their loyalty and business. This topic is crucial to Australia remaining at the forefront of innovating and developing the youth travel industry.
Youth Tourism Conference Program Highlights:
WELCOME FROM THE NSW GOVERNMENT
Jonathan OโDea, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Major Events and Tourism
THE NEXT GENERATION OF TRAVELLERS: IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Carolyn Childs, Director of My Travel Research will provide an expert opinion on Generation Z travel motivations and behaviours, and host a panel discussion where international travellers from key source markets will provide key insights in their own words.
TOURISM AUSTRALIA (TA) UPDATE
Leigh Sorensen, General Manager of Industry Relations at Tourism Australia will share the latest on TAโs in-market campaign activity and their future strategy, outlining opportunities for organisational business planning.
AUSTRALIAโS PLACE IN THE YOUTH TRAVEL MARKET: A BUYERS PERSPECTIVE
Facilitator: Meg Allen-Armistead, Melbourne Operations Manager, Base / Nomads
Panellists: Victoria Lynden, CEO โ Alliance Abroad Group (USA); Kerry Tate, Director of Product & Operations – Topdeck Tours (UK); Mr. Marcelo Cansini, President โ World Study (Brazil)
In-market experts will provide a candid view on how Australia is performing as a youth travel destination, and how to capitalise on key trends and opportunities for 2016 and beyond.
TERRORISM AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE: AN INTERNATIONAL COLLISION COURSE
Dr. Tony Nankervis – Swinburne University will first explore the issue of hostility and terrorism in tourism and what drives it. Secondly, Phil Sylvester, Head of Content โ World Nomads Group will uncover if the threat and fear of terrorism actually discourages young travellers and could pose a threat to Australiaโs tourism industry.
AN UPDATE ON AUSTRALIA’S WORKING HOLIDAY VISA AND TAXATION
Chris Harrison, Editor โ The BYTE; Rob Henke, Operations Manager โ YHA Ltd. and BOA NSW representative; Brendan McKenna – Adventure QLD representative elaborate on โhot topicsโ that currently challenge and shape the Australian inbound youth tourism industry: falling applications and grants, less WHV dollars travelling through the โbackpacker economy’, falling fuel prices, fluctuating exchange rates, competitive airfares.
USING STORY TELLING TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BRAND
Andrew Holt, Managing Director โ Clemenger BBDO Sydney will explain why Gen Z doesnโt want to speak to a faceless company, they want to connect with an authentic person. In a digital and increasingly mobile-first world, we share the strategies and evocative story-telling techniques world-class brands are using to reach young people.