AU/NZ REPORT PREPARED FOR COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE JULY 2020

cases are at 7,519 and there have been EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 247 deaths in total. The vast majority of active cases reside in the state of Victoria, where in the past 24 hours there have July marked the first month of FY21 – a been over 700 new cases reported as the year in which we expect a rollercoaster locked-down state continues to battle a journey to a return of international second wave. travel. While border opening dates remain unknown, predictions continue to span The New Zealand (NZ) Department of from September/October for trans-Tasman Health reported total and probable cases travel and late 2020 through to Q2 2021 are 1,569 with 479,000 tests conducted. for long-haul travel including the USA. As The current active cases are 24 and total regained confidence in booking deaths are 22. travel domestically in June and early July, the soaring COVID-19 cases in the state of In July, the focus for both AU and NZ Victoria caused somewhat of a realization has largely been the return to economic that we are far from clear of the virus stability, albeit with Victoria now as state borders tightened once again, an exception. In NZ, all coronavirus creating a new wave of cancellations. restrictions have been lifted except for international travel as daily life returns to Despite the uncertain environment, we a degree of normality. With the exception have kicked off the new year attending of Victoria, intrastate travel continued to several insightful webinars across the increase as confidence in regional travel trade and media landscapes, networked returned. Restaurants and bars are often with key travel writers at the first at capacity and recommend bookings ASTW lunch to return and have placed as they continue to adhere to social inspirational content across both distancing rules, including QR code check- trade and consumer media outlets to ins at most establishments. ensure Colorado remains front-of-mind. Conversations with Dan and Zora Avila As the month progressed, Australia have also been extremely positive, with experienced a second wave, with an several placements of the Travel Shooters epicentre in Victoria. Governments series confirmed. were fast to stop access to other states from Victoria (and vice versa), however, We look forward to another year ahead travellers from the state have been working with the Colorado Tourism Office responsible for small clusters appearing to inspire Australasians to return to in New South Wales. While cases in Colorado as soon as it is safe to do so. Victoria are climbing by 250-700 per day and having doubled Australia’s total COVID-19 death rate this month alone, NSW cases are controlled with an average of 10-15 cases per day with single digit COVID-19 UPDATE cases now creeping into . The Queensland premier reacting to two cases that had entered the state through The Australian Department of Health’s flights from Melbourne via closed latest update (5 August) reports 19,444 the border to Victoria and the Greater cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Sydney area. This move caused a loss Australia (AU) and more than 4.5 million of confidence in booking travel as many tests have been conducted. Current active Sydney residents had made plans over the coming months to travel to Queensland

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following the border re-opening in early in early July (most notably the QLD/ July and created further cancellations for NSW border) was highly anticipated, with travel agents who had managed to pivot many interstate travel plans secured as their business to domestic bookings. NSW residents were able to travel north to higher temperatures on 10 July. The The Victorian government has now closing of this border to greater Sydney announced a state of disaster and tough later in July reduced consumer confidence new lockdown laws, including stage four in making interstate bookings, furthered restrictions and a curfew for metropolitan on 5 August when this ruling was Melbourne and stage three restrictions expanded to the whole of NSW and ACT, for the rest of the state, most retail shops expected until at least the end of August. in Melbourne will close from 6 August with many business sectors scaling back On a more positive note, advances in on workers and output to limit movement travel insurance policies began, with and contact. Emirates announcing free Coronavirus coverage for all passengers (including Mask wearing became mandatory in medical and quarantine expenses) and Victoria with the NSW Premier strongly Brand USA Australia confirming they recommending masks on public transport were in positive talks with Aviva who are and in situations where social distancing finalising an insurance policy. was likely to be compromised, for example the supermarket. Brand USA’s monthly research indicated a more substantial lack in confidence of The Victoria cluster has also led the booking international travel as a result National Government to acknowledge that of the accelerating cases of Coronavirus we are not aiming for virus eradication in domestically – where in June there was Australia – and instead, we will have to only a small 15% decline in AU/NZ intent move forward with a suppression strategy to travel internationally compared to to minimise and contain potential clusters 2019, a report published on 21 July that may arise. indicated this was now a more significant decline of 42%. This figure had rebounded JobSeeker 2.0 was announced in Australia, 10% in the 3 months to June and we which, although brings some reductions expect once this second wave has been ($300 per fortnight for eligible full time suppressed will rebound once again. staff) and a tighter eligibility test, was a great victory for the travel industry after extensive lobbying, as this government support is extended from September to March 2021. New Zealand on the other hand has not had an extension on government assistance, with many travel companies now lobbying for extra help as an opening date for international travel remains unknown.

Travel Outlook Source: Brand USA Engine/ORC Custom Study

Throughout July, travel focus remained Speaking at the Visit USA Australia mid- primarily on closely watching the domestic year review on 29 July, Carolyn Childs, borders. The re-opening of some borders co-founder of My Travel Research,

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acknowledged that consumer opinions are split. She referenced Newgate Research PR ACTIVITY indicates that consumer desire to open borders – even to New Zealand – has Strategic initiatives/activity dropped to less than 50% in the past two weeks. A negative trend is that July continued the challenge for the “work together” mentality that had proactively pitching U.S. destinations as been prevalent in the initial status of protests and continued steep upswing COVID-19 is starting to turn and the unity of COVID-19 were widely reported in the is splitting. The consumer sentiment to news in Australia. travel right now is very split with the need for flexibility to engage early commitment. The adapted pitch-focused media strategy Audiences who are more resilient and that the team has had in place since April ready to book should be targeted and continued in July with targeted pitches now is a great time for strategic planning. garnering coverage, including Colorado Carolyn also referenced Sabre Asia landscape images and a meatloaf recipe Pacific’s research, which indicated that 2/3 (!) to spark your travel lust. Caroline of consumers who used to book directly Davidson, PR Director, and Polly Simmons, will now consider booking through an PR Manager, continued to maintain agent due to their buying power and contact with media that are continuing added security. to run international destination coverage and attend webinars to keep abreast of There is still no official timeline on the quickly evolving media and consumer borders re-opening, however the landscape. Australian Travel and Trade Commission is still indicating that international borders Following the confirmation of FY21 should continue to work towards a budgets, the PR team progressed potential reopening in September/October campaigns from FY20 with activity still for many short-haul destinations, and a ongoing, which includes: late 2020/early 2021 proposed reopening for other long-haul markets (dependent on Dan Avila: Nat Geo/Behind the Scenes – their own COVID-19 status and control). Travel videography shoot with content to air across 2x 1-hour episodes on flights, as well as provision of assets to CTO and participating partners.

July Update: Zora Avila requested & granted permission to provide Sensational Colorado video for consideration to run as interstitial material between presentations at Colorado Booth for The Council of State Governments West 2021 Annual Conference is set to take place July 2021 at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs.

At the end of June it was announced that Qantas will let go of 6,000 staff, with CEO Alan Joyce being reported to believe international travel will not properly

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resume until mid-2021, with Dan and Zora Current Media Campaigns Avila being quick to confirm additional exposure while this delay impacts the There are two current media campaigns series being shown on board. Zora running in Australia: provided a full update on the status of series (series 1 = 8 episodes expected to Get Lost campaign be completed at end of 2020). Currently planning for release around Q1 2021 and exposure confirmed for Travel Shooters The planned Get Lost campaign which series as: initially incorporated a fam in late May / early June for coverage in the next issue has been delayed due to the current SBS Australia pandemic and will now re-start with a fam in September. • Main channel After discussion with Liz we have re- • Free-to-air approached freelance U.S.-based writer, Roberto Serrini to now join the multi- • National broadcast (three times over market ‘Conscious Colorado’ famil in three years) September as the original hiking-based fam we had moved him to has been SBS On Demand cancelled. Polly also asked Roberto about his partner accompanying him and if so to • Streaming video service justify ROI to enable her support, as was previously requested by him. • National broadcast Travel Play Live campaign Amazon Prime To inspire travel to Colorado for next • Streaming video service year, a campaign to promote adventure and road trips to the sophisticated female explorer was launched with Travel Play • global markets: after linear channels Live, with a significant discount received broadcast, strategically released for due to Linkd Tourism’s relationship maximum exposure/reach with the editorial team. Polly supplied a brief for a hiking and biking feature and Qantas small town road trip feature, as well as digital banner artwork and imagery. The • Inflight Entertainment campaign went live in late July with the following schedule: • Global fleet Website Banner and MREC – 27 July

Editorial biking and hiking – 21 July (and uploaded to Travmedia stories)

Editorial road tripping – 31 July (and uploaded to Travmedia stories)

LinkedIn biking and hiking – 29 Jul

LinkedIn road tripping – 4 Aug

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Facebook Cover video – 22 Jul

Facebook biking and hiking – 22 Jul

Facebook road tripping – 31 Jul

Facebook Image gallery – 10 Aug

Facebook Image gallery – 18 Aug

Instagram Yoga – 26 Jul

Instagram Cycling – 3 Aug

Instagram Waterfall/hiking – 11 Aug

Instagram Road tripping – 19 Aug Planned Media Campaigns

Instagram MTB – 27 Aug Winter Campaign FY20: proposed Aussie Aussie Aussie Ski Week Pinterest hike and bike 3 pins – 29 Jul Caroline and Polly drafted a two tier strategy (#1 with zero $; #2 with budget Pinterest road tripping 3 pins – 3 Aug tbc and various media partner, SkiMax partnership and event options) with Pinterest outdoors/landscape 3 pins – creative and timelines for consideration. 8 Aug The plan was developed with the possibility to promote the upcoming season, or more likely for Australians, to encourage bookings for the 21/22 season. CD developed a tagline ‘Colorado loves’ which can be directed at Aussies, Brits or Mexicans as we understand are markets being considered for this campaign as a wider global activity. The notion of encouraging skiers to ‘remember your first time’ was also introduced, to strike an emotional connection with skiing in Colorado. As part of this activity, the team also supplied intel on AU resort openings/ closures and COVID management, speaking directly with prolific ski influencer, Rachael Oakes-Ash.

International Traveller Magazine campaign

Polly and Caroline held a zoom meeting with the publisher, editor, and sales team to refresh strategy for booked FY21 campaign in light of current travel

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bans etc. The magazine is grateful that were suspended in May due to the impact we continue to support this campaign. of travel restrictions on transit-reliant The editor has been sent all the current titles, such as NW and OK! Australia, news, releases and potential story angles and declining advertising revenue for by Polly and will revert to us on the the other affected brands. https:// possibility of having a U.S.-based writer www.telummedia.com/public/news/ do an individual fam in Sept/Oct this bauer-media-australia-to-cease-eight- year in order to enable the editorial to titles/5e1p75qd10 be included in the international travel issue to be published in Dec for Dec, The Australian returns to Digital Jan, Feb (or the following issue per CTO’s Content Top Ten List preference). This will be part of a wider campaign following activity that took place ’s The Australian earlier in 2020, with native content to has made it back into the Nielsen Digital also feature in this issue beside the larger Content Ratings top ten, pushing The feature, as well as online and in an eDM. Daily Telegraphy from tenth position and returning to the list for the first time since The sales team are to also revert with March 2020. The change was the only the campaign report from the previous in the top ten, with ABC News Websites advertising campaign in FY20. retaining the number one spot for the sixth month running, followed by the Daily Signature Media campaign Mail which moved into second spot three months ago to become the most-read Caroline liaised with Cathy Wagstaff, commercial news site. Publisher of Signature Luxury Travel magazine, who confirmed Dan Avila’s News Corp to launch more than 50 first story will appear in the next print digital-only regional titles issue, available end of August. Cathy also confirmed that with a page of advertising/ Just a couple of months after ending advertorial that a second piece from Dan the print life of more than 100 regional would also be featured in a later issue and community titles and moving them (time TBC to suit CTO’s preference). to a digital-only format, resulting in 500 to 1,000 redundancies, News Corp has announced a plan to launch more than 50 new digital titles primarily targeting regional areas. The first 15 titles are due Media Trends and News to launch in September, with the rest to be rolled out across three years. Key updates, media movements, news and trends: At Home with Escape Webinar Notes hosted by TravMedia Bauer Media Australia to cease eight titles What changes have happened?

Mercury Capital’s magazine arm, recently As a result of COVID – the travel team has purchased from Bauer Media, has merged with food team. Taste.com.au and announced the closure of eight titles in superfood ideas, as well as delicious.com. Australia – Harper’s BAZAAR Australia, au – News Limited has largest consumer ELLE Australia, InStyle, Men’s Health food publication offering. Escape has a Australia, Women’s Health Australia, Good new Editor in Chief – Kerrie McCallum Health, NW and OK! Australia – due to the (also Editor in Chief for Delicious), new ongoing impact of COVID-19. These titles Digital Director – John Hannan and new

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Commercial Managing Editor – Kelli • Will see regular cover story, wish Armstrong with a new staff writer also lists (translating as galleries online), joining the team, Sammi Stewart. looking at getting regular columns so have tapped personalities for these – They will be continuing with ‘mooks’ not limited to travel – food, wineries, magazine books – have done 4-6 issues so hospitality. Culture vulture column – far but haven’t locked in what topics will people’s desire to travel for cultural be for future issues. Australia & regional things. Opinion column – to tap into domestic will return first. what’s going on in travel now e.g. experience of hotel check in, mask Doc Holliday – longest standing column wearing etc. in Escape – will change from being Q&A column to including updates on the • Will be a lot of domestic content pandemic moving forward

Biggest challenges right now • In process of putting together packages for branded content – deliver • People feeling nervous about travel brand’s messaging with an editorial lens, not an advertorial (although these still available). Also talking about mini • Lack of commercial support as magazines and broadsheet lift outs. nothing to sell – book size in print has decreased from 64 page to 12- 16pg with much lower percentage of At Home with Traveller Webinar Notes advertising. hosted by TravMedia

• At the same time, Escape has had 2 of Current challenge its biggest audience months during this time online. See themselves as first Appealing to readership in terms of to deliver COVID/travel information. content, and using the opportunity that 4-5 online stories are being produced consumers have to plan their travel. per day with a road trip and domestic Domestic content is the focus right now, focus. particularly bringing indigenous sights and experiences into focus. The $65billion The numbers that Australians usually spend on overseas travel we are waiting to see unlocked for the tourism industry which has been put • Publish in 6 different mastheads, on hold for the moment – when the green combined audience for print and light flashes there will be huge pent-up digital is 3.7 million (March 2020 demand. People currently have the luxury figure) of time to get to the outback domestically and to plan future trips. • Domestic v Intl The numbers • Currently 80-90% domestic. Reaches more than 2.1 million monthly Relaunch readers across print and digital with a rise since the beginning of Coronavirus as • Big relaunch for print on 26 July and audiences seek advice, news, updates and content strategy has changed – their inspiration. mantra is to be a title for and about interesting people going interesting Digital audience: 1,000,000 places. Print audience: 1,211,000

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Feedback from online readers and what has Editor announced for new Sunshine been successful: Coast newspaper

The successful stories have been changing Michele Sternberg has started a new drastically – first NZ interest with the role as Editor at Sunny Coast Times. The talk of a trans-Tasman bubble, then publication is due to launch on 19th Queensland stories, with the border August, and will cover local news in the opening, which has since been closed. Sunshine Coast region. Michele has been based on the Sunshine Coast since 2003, Examples of successful pieces: Seven and was previously Editor at Noosa News. highlights of NSW; Places to go in 2021; The 10 overseas countries Australians Three local News Corp titles return to will most likely be able to visit (biggest print story in June showing people are itching to travel overseas as soon as possible); News Corp Australia will resume printing New luxury hotel opening in South Africa three community newspapers in Sydney – a train carriage parked on a bridge in this week. The Wentworth Courier will a National Park – people don’t read to return on Wednesday, and the Mosman book straight away, particularly the older Daily and North Shore Times will return generation plan ahead their remaining the following day. As well as news, these years and may only do one big trip a year titles will run lifestyle features. that they plan well in advance. New AAP Newswire to begin operations There is a huge interest in stories with 1 August what is happening with refunds and insurance. In a letter to staff, CEO of AAP has signed a formal agreement to sell the Won’t necessarily do an overseas AAP Newswire to a consortium of impact destination guide right now but anything investors and philanthropists. The “new” very inspirational with a news hook, Newswire, still known as AAP, will launch inspiring imagery, or an interesting/quirky on 1 August. The new-look AAP will have opening they will consider. the CEO Emma Cowdroy at the helm, and Andrew Drummond as Editor. Around 85 staff members will transfer to the new Newswire. Media Movements

New Head of Features and Publications at The Courier-Mail Media Releases and Pitching

Laura Chalmers has started a new role • Image-based pitch using Dan & Zora’s as Head of Features and Publications at images: 10 amazing photos that have The Courier-Mail. She has also stepped us craving Colorado’s Rocky Mountains into the role of Acting Editor at the title’s (collated by PS) distributed on 30 Saturday magazine, Qweekend. She will June with publication by The Carousel continue to oversee the paper’s Sunday this month (as per below coverage magazine, U on Sunday. example).

• Travel Daily has started a new consumer focused e-magazine ‘Keep Dreaming’ following demand from

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agents wanting to have inspiration in (Mid-Year review) media, website and a format they can show their clients. It ongoing business. has a regular ‘Around the World with mince meatballs’ recipe page included • CD attended relevant Destination each week (a cheap ingredient while Webinars Coffee Clutch series money is tight, everyone is at home continuing every Thursday. and its global adaptability). A Colorado meatloaf recipe was suggested and • PS attended Travmedia’s ‘At Home provided by Bent Fork Grill, which PS with Signature’ webinar on 2 July with pitched to the editor- and was included speakers including Cathy Wagstaff, (as per below coverage example). CEO/Group Editor; Andrew Conway, Editor-at-Large Signature Luxury • Care for Colorado and road trip Travel; Guy Dundas, Editor of LATTE; releases supplied by Liz for future Helen Hayes, Editor-at-Large, Vacations pitches and use, which the team has & Travel and Natasha Dragun, Editor of integrated into the July quarterly Signature@Home. The team introduced newsletter, distributed 24 July. new e-book titles introduced since COVID began (Family Matters and • PS used the Colorado cocktail pitch Signature@Home) and confirmed the content previously collated to send to resumption of Signature Luxury Travel SoWhereNext.com for consideration. in print in August and Vacations and Travel relaunching in print later in Media Events 2020. Across the media publisher’s titles, international coverage is continuing with importance placed on ‘In person’ networking events still to inspiration, as well as practical advice. resume across Australia, with first ASTW LATTE has experienced higher eDM luncheon taking place in Queensland this open rates and a growth in readership month. Webinars and Zoom networking since the beginning of the pandemic as meetings continue to abound. agents are brushing up on knowledge and want to know what will be • CD continues regular media networking available to sell to clients in future. zooms including top media such as Helen Hayes, Julia Zaetta, Sally • PS & CD attended the Travmedia McMillan, Louise Goldsbury, Cathy webinar ‘At Home with Escape’ on Wagstaff, Rob McFarland and many 16 July to hear new strategy and more. revamped sections (as of 26 July) and staff for Australia’s largest circulating • KK and PS attended the monthly ASTW newspaper travel section, News Corp’s Zoom networking drinks on 6 July, Escape and related titles. Speakers including media such as Catherine included Jana Frawley, Content Marshall, Amanda Kendle, Tracey Director; Rowena Ryan, Digital Editor Croake, Monique Campanella, Craig and Kelli Armstrong, Commercial Platt and several other travel writers. Managing Director. No current good news for international travel coverage, • CD took part in zoom exec Visit fams or exposure. USA meeting 20 July and on 23 July with both PS and CD joining Visit • PS attended the Travmedia webinar ‘At USA committee meeting same day Home with Traveller’ on 30 July, with to discuss updates from BUSA, US presenters including Anthony Dennis, Commerical Service events update National Travel Editor; Jane Reddy,

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Deputy National Editor; Craig Platt, • Denise Cullen – Freelance Managing Editor of Traveller.com.au and Lisa Day, Commercial Partnerships • Tiana Templeman – Freelance Director. The sentiment of the webinar was that travel isn’t over, it’s just on • Christina Pfeiffer – Travel2Next hiatus – like being in an airport with a long delay but the trip isn’t over! It • Natascha Mirosch – Freelance will resume and we’ll so much more appreciative of it. Anthony Dennis revealed that Traveller has expanded • Danielle Lancaster – Freelance reach across all titles in the last few (Danielle was speaking very highly months, despite pulling back the of her CTO fam experience to all pages in print and pivoting to news other attendees) rather than features. Opportunities for campaigns and coverage across Upcoming: ’s other titles have also increased as the relationship • ASTW Convention which had previously across the portfolio has become more been reconsidered as a Sydney event collaborative during the pandemic. has now confirmed as cancelled. This includes Good Weekend, Good Food, Sunday Life, Traveller Insider, • Travmedia IMM Virtual Event with 16 Drive and 9Honey. appointments has been announced for October 2020, which we would • The full team attended the Visit USA recommend attending in place of the Mid-Year review virtual event on 29 ASTW convention. July at which a panel of travel industry experts, including Carolyn Childs, co- founder of MyTravelResearch; Matt Leedham, founder of KarryOn and Bruce Piper, Publisher and Editor-in- Media Meetings/ Liaison Chief of Cruise Weekly, commented on the industry and future of travel for • Isentia to hold media monitoring the consumer and the travel agent. contract – PS liaised with Client Services Director and signed hold • Kylee attended the first ASTW luncheon contract for 6 months as discussed to take place since their pause due with Liz Birdsall. to Coronavirus. The event took place at the end of the month and • Quarterly newsletter finalised, presented the opportunity to meet new issued 24 July, with responses from ASTW members and have individual Rob McFarland, Monique Ceccato discussions with: and Barbara Bryan (Lets Go Mummy Blog), coverage on Travel Weekly and • Elisa Elwin – Travel Play Live / Out & eGlobalTravelMedia. About with Kids • International Traveller – PS & CD • Katie Dundas – Freelance held a virtual meeting on 17 July with Quentin Long, Leigh-Ann Pow and Chris Williams and Tim Partridge • Jarryd Salem – Nomadasaurus – considering U.S.-based writer to (interest in Colorado Fam attend a fam in fall still for December opportunities, particularly skiing in (or following) issue as part of a wider Silverton media campaign. PS shared recent content for road trips with Leigh-Ann, • Kerry Heaney – Eat, Drink & Be who will research and plan in next 2 Kerry weeks.

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• CD liaised with Rachael Oakes-Ash Prospective: regarding potential winter campaign and for an update on the ski market. The below names who have previously shown interest will be targeted for • PS liaised with Fiona Harper, Digital renewed follow-up when travel resumes or Editor of TravelPlayLive - shared info for joining multi-market fams if relevant: on Road trips as well as Hike and bike for 2 articles to use as part of an • Lee Atkinson – Freelance inspiration content campaign. • Bonnie Grima – West Australian, • The team liaised with Zora Avila Hobart magazine regarding secured broadcast opportunities for the Travel Shooters • Lance Richardson (US-based) – series. Freelance

• PS liaised with Francesca Baldi, • Caz n Craig Makepeace – Y Travel Travmedia Australia, to discuss IMM virtual and amending the current • Julia D’Orazio – So Perth and So Where contract to reduce costs. Next

• Jarryd Salem – NOMADasaurus (updated Kylee this month he is Media Trips interested in Silverton skiing)

Interest in future fams is expected to grow once there is a clearer picture of when international travel will resume. Media Coverage and Values In planning: Coverage has resulted from news items, FAMs and pitching. • Get Lost fam for Roberto Serrini – now changed to Conscious Colorado fam confirmed as taking place in late Coverage for Colorado in July: The September. Await response re interest generated advertising equivalency in his partner attending & instruction we have achieved is $28,725 (total PR from Liz Birdsall as to approval for this Value for generated this month@ x 3- is or otherwise before booking flights. $86,175). Non-generated advertising equivalency is $16,346. • Leigh-Ann Pow (editor International Traveller) fam for October – awaiting The AVE /PR values are calculated on feedback post-meeting, as to U.S. 3 tiers (since January 2019) as follows based writer who can attend fam to – unless otherwise stated by media enable coverage in following issue. TBC clippings service;

• Beyond Ski fam TBC may still take • Feature in major/national place. newspaper websites (News Corp/Fairfax/ Australian/The Senior etc.) or major magazines: $AU10,000 each.

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• Article or feature in general travel World Nomads magazine, other newspapers, trade sites, blogs etc or paragraph (3 sentences or https://www.worldnomads.com/create/ more) or article in major media outlet: learn/photography/pro-travel-shots $AU5000 each

• Mentions in major media outlet/ or small articles/inclusion in listicals/minor media outlets or blogs etc.: $AU2,000 each

Full coverage table can be found in Monthly Report Excel spreadsheet.

Examples of generated media this month:

Travel Weekly

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The Carousel Keep Dreaming & Travel Daily

https://thecarousel.com/travel/10-jaw- https://travelandcruiseweekly.com. dropping-colorado-landscapes-to-lust- au/keep-dreaming-013-the-chocolate- after/ issue/60430/

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Travel Play Live TRADE https://www.travelplaylive.com.au/ magazine/best-hiking-biking-colorado Agents/Wholesalers Update

Flight Centre (FC) Managing Director Graham “Skroo” Turner believes international travel will not return to pre- COVID-19 levels until at least mid-2023.

Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) will have access to up to $116.7m in funding from the Bank of England’s COVID Corporate Financing Facility. The company will be able to draw upon the debt facility to help offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its UK business.

Helloworld Travel has sold its US wholesale division (Travel2 and Islands in the Sun) to Down Under Answers, a Seattle-based travel wholesaler.

Helloworld Travel Limited has just launched a $50 million fully underwritten equity raising, to strengthen its balance sheet and “provide liquidity to help manage the prolonged period of disruption to the global travel industry”. The company is forecasting that travel restrictions in place are expected to persist through 2020 and into 2021, and once the money is raised it will have sufficient liquidity for operating and capital expenditure through to the end of 2022.

Helloworld confirms 125 store closures (about 5%) of its 2,500 members across Australia and New Zealand have elected to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Concierge Travel Group has this week formally commenced trading under the name of its new UK owner Reed & Mackay, which acquired the business last year.

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Promotions Trade COVID-19 Updates

Karryon Governments across the country have been warned that leisure travel will not https://karryon.com.au/lifestyle/national- come “anywhere close” to generating the parks-and-american-indian-cultures- bookings needed for the tourism sector to virtual-road-trippin-usa/ stay afloat through the COVID-19 crisis.

ACTE files for bankruptcy THE Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, after 32 years of working to serve and advance the global business travel industry. The association cited the COVID-19 pandemic cancellations and impacts of the cancellation of its Asia conference due to the security situation in Hong Kong as “blows that ACTE, as a small, nonprofit association has not been able to withstand”.

In a further blow to the global aviation sector, The International Air Transport Association (IATA) believes global passenger traffic will not return to pre- COVID-19 pandemic levels until 2024 - not 2023 as previously stated. The airline association also noted that global passenger numbers for 2020 are expected to decline by 55% when compared to 2019, an even further decrease from the 46% drop it predicted back in April.

Airlines

American Airlines has published new schedules indicating its non-stop Sydney- Los Angeles services will not resume until the northern summer scheduling season, which kicks off in late Mar 2021. The schedule also confirms a year-long delay to AA’s Auckland services, and no longer lists the previously planned Auckland DFW and Christchurch-LAX flights.

Emirates President Tim Clark has flagged a lower-cost “basic Business class” package - which provides the personal space of a Business class seat without inclusions - it is set to be popular

15 LINKD TOURISM MONTHLY REPORT: JULY 2020 AU/NZ REPORT PREPARED FOR COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE JULY 2020

“because people will be prepared to pay for 2021 marketing opportunities. more for greater distancing” on board, Opportunities include inclusion in “Unique USA” additional supplement to annual Qantas pulls flights. Qantas has closed brochure (editorial style), as well as a reservation on all international flights, dedicated brochure insert which will focus apart from trans-Tasman services, through on tailor-made itineraries. until 27 Mar 2021. Previously the carrier had only formally cancelled flights Mogul Ski through until September 2020. Discussion regarding upcoming Virtual Delta has resumed a 3 times weekly SYD- Snow Shows. KK and CN to have meeting LA service, which has been in place since next week with Tino Orr, Marketing the beginning of July. The cap of only 30 Manager to run through opportunities. people per flight inbound has come in since so it is now mostly for cargo. These Brand USA Partner Update flights are loaded through to Sept. Webinar Series United continues its SYD-SFO daily flight, Kylee, Carolyn and Polly joined a series again carrying mostly cargo. United is of Brand USA led digital industry update looking at SYD-LAX from September (tbc). sessions this month with leaders and representatives from 4 of the largest Hawaiian Airlines confirmed further travel trade partners in Australia/ suspended services to Australia through 1 New Zealand: Helloworld Travel, Flight December. Centre Travel Group, Luxury Escapes and Adventure World (The Travel Corporation). This series was designed to allow each of these key partners the chance to share Trade / Sales Activities business updates, any changes to their distribution channels post COVID, and their current strategies, plans and insights Destination Webinars for the future.

Colorado Webinar loaded onto Destination Throughout the series, it was clear that Webinars. the biggest hindrance to our industry and each of the businesses remains the https://www.destinationwebinars.com.au/ uncertainty around border reopening library/colorado-usa/ timelines. However, each of the partners are tackling this uncertainty in very Destination Webinars is a one stop shop different ways. Flight Centre and housing an independent library of on- Helloworld are more optimistic on travel demand, bite-sized updates for the resumption timelines and are preparing to Australian and New Zealand travel trade. reopen sales and marketing opportunities Currently comprising 30 recordings, new as swiftly as possible once a border videos are being added weekly including reopening is announced. In the meantime, updates from airlines, destinations, cruise they are seeing initial positive sales in the operators, wholesalers and more. domestic space and an appetite from their agents to upskill. Adventure World Similarly, Luxury Escapes also indicated Open discussions with Adventure World that the appetite for travel is still strong

16 LINKD TOURISM MONTHLY REPORT: JULY 2020 AU/NZ REPORT PREPARED FOR COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE JULY 2020

with many of their cancelled bookings remaining in credit status. Initial domestic marketing campaigns to Luxury Escapes’ active database also garnered incredible results in the past weeks.

Alternatively, Adventure World offered a more pessimistic outlook however also indicated that most cancelled bookings remained in credit. They also indicated the need for supply partners to start providing flexible rates for 2021 and 2022 travel to ensure they can capture commitment from customers as soon as possible.

17 LINKD TOURISM MONTHLY REPORT: JULY 2020