Edition 213 · March 2026

We welcome short stories on innovations, and success stories and stories that reflect the positive things that the tourism industry is doing to ensure that the industry returns and re-builds.

Submit stories to editor@tourforce.com

Join industry leaders, innovators and changemakers at Ecotourism Australia’s Global Sustainable Tourism Summit 2026, taking place on the Gold Coast from 2–5 June 2026.
This flagship international event brings together the tourism sector to explore real-world solutions across people, planet, place and purpose, through inspiring keynotes, practical case studies and meaningful connections. Hear from international speakers from Slovenia, Malaysia and the UAE, alongside leading voices from across Australia.

Key conversations will tackle building green skills capability across the sector; communicating sustainability with confidence; designing inclusive experiences from the outset, and leveraging nature and wellness to create world-class tourism offerings.

Explore the program and secure your place: https://ecotourism.org.au/gsts-26/

XXXX and Liquorland have partnered with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to support critical seagrass restoration in the Great Barrier Reef. Proceeds from the campaign will fund the planting of native seagrass to improve water quality, provide marine habitats, and act as carbon sinks with a focus on areas like Kurrimine Beach and Cowley Beach. To date more than 10 hectares of seagrass has already been restored across the Great Barrier Reef.

Further information: https://www.barrierreef.org/what-we-do/partners/corporate-partners/in-partnership-with-xxxx

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is providing funding to tourism operators within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park World Heritage area to cover costs of upgrades, checks or clearances to welcome school groups. Eligible operators for the Reef Educational Experience Fund: Tourism Operator Support Grants program must be high standard tourism operators as recognised by the Reef Authority and participate in the Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate program. Applications close 23 March 2026.

Further information: https://austrade.smartygrants.com.au/reeftourismoperator

The $2.5 million Red Centre Tourism Development Fund provides funding to tourism operators to develop new and innovative offerings or upgrade existing products and experiences that attract visitors in the Northern Territory. Projects must directly support a bookable tourism product or experience and be delivered within the Red Centre tourism regions of Alice Springs, MacDonnell, Barkly and Lasseter. Applications close 13 April 2026.

Further information: https://www.austrade.gov.au/en/how-we-can-help-you/grants/red-centre-tourism-development-fund

Round One of Queensland’s Destination Events Fund (Homegrown) is now open to support local events that drive visitation and economic impact. This program also includes the Destination Kickstarter Events initiative designed to support new events, as well as returning events that have not been staged for at least three years. Applications close 8 April 2026.

Further information: https://teq.queensland.com/au/en/industry/what-we-do/queensland-events/queensland-events-funding/destination-event-funding

A new Uber service has launched in Finland taking visitors to see the Northern Lights on peak solar activity viewing dates in Lapland. Called Uber Aurora, the free experience, which is set to operate out of Rovaniemi, known as the official hometown of Santa Claus, includes expert local guides from tour operator Arctic GM and six to eight hours of Northern Light viewing accompanied by refreshments.

Further information: https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/02/20/visitors-to-finland-can-chase-northern-lights-for-free-in-march-with-new-uber-experience

Aurora Expeditions has released the second comprehensive review of the company’s environmental stewardship, scientific collaboration, and global community engagement. The 2025 Impact Report acts as a checkpoint and has guided partnerships and practices for expeditions across all seven continents. It will continue to shape the business in the year ahead with the arrival of their third ship the Douglas Mawson to deepen scientific and community collaborations.

Further information: https://www.aurora-expeditions.com/purpose/impact-report

The Monarto Safari Resort is introducing new all-inclusive luxury accommodation within Monarto Safari Park, an hour’s drive from Adelaide. The Safari Lodge comprises 20 luxury tents each designed to connect guests with the surrounding environment and overlooking a central waterhole for wildlife. The tents feature private decks, spacious living areas and ensuite bathrooms, with accessible options. A portion of each stay supports the park’s conservation programs providing a meaningful dimension to the wildlife-led experience.

Further information: https://monartosafariresort.com/safari-lodge/

Australia’s newest theme park is slated to open in a mega $2.6 billion entertainment city on a 68-hectare site alongside the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane. The Infinity World proposal will feature a theme park, 2,943 hotel rooms, a 10,000-seat city hall, mega cultural mall, and permanent world expo. A development application has been lodged with Moreton Bay City Council by developer RHC City with the project scheduled to open before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Further information: https://infinityplanet.com.au/

The Grand Egyptian Museum has officially opened near the Great Pyramid of Khufu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Designed by Dublin-based Heneghan Peng, its glass-and-stone architecture mirrors the geometry of the nearby pyramids and offers direct views of Giza. The new museum has about 45,000 square metres of exhibition space making it the sixth largest museum in the world by display area. It houses the complete Tutankhamun collection of over 5,300 artifacts including the pharaoh’s golden mask, sarcophagus, and royal chariots displayed together for the first time.

Further information: https://gem.eg/visit/plan-your-visit/opening-hours/

Visit Sweden has launched a new global marketing campaign where international travellers can compete for the right to use some of Sweden’s 267,570 islands for 12 months. Your Swedish Island aims to highlight one of the country’s unique natural resources, the most islands in the world from small, uninhabited islets to larger islands in both seas and lakes. The competition and island experiences will be promoted via social media channels, press and paid influencers and creators. It is open until 17 April 2026 to citizens over the age of 18 in all countries of the world with Swedes exempt from participating.

Further information: https://corporate.visitsweden.com/press/svenskar-och-miljardarer-gore-sig-icke-besvar-nar-visit-sweden-tavlar-bort-fem-svenska-oar/

Tourism Cares has relaunched their innovative database which aims to connect travellers to a global network of unique, authentic, and sustainable tourism experiences that benefit communities. Sponsored by the Expedia Group, the Meaningful Travel Map features nearly 800 organisations across six continents.

Further information: https://www.meaningfultravelmap.org/

The Outback town of Winton has officially been designated Queensland’s first International Dark-Sky Community. It is the second Dark Sky Place in Queensland alongside The Jump-Up Dark-Sky Sanctuary at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History and is the eighth Dark Sky Place in Australia. The Winton Dark-Sky Community Initiative includes responsible outdoor lighting guidelines, lighting audits and retrofits, and community education programs designed to raise awareness about light pollution. This recognition places Winton among destinations worldwide committed to protecting the natural night environment and supporting sustainable astro-tourism.

Further information: https://darksky.org/news/winton-becomes-queenslands-first-international-dark-sky-community/

Great Walks of Australia has expanded its collection to 15 guided walks nationwide with the addition of the Uluru–Kata Tjuta Signature Walk and the Kangaroo Island Signature Walk, both operated by the Tasmanian Walking Company. Every walk in the collection meets strict criteria for inclusion offering safe, all-inclusive, multi-day hiking experiences that showcase Australia’s most spectacular landscapes, wilderness areas, and cultural heritage.

Further information: https://greatwalksofaustralia.com.au/uluru-kata-tjuta-kangaroo-island-signature-walks/

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and World Commission on Protected Areas has an updated website for the International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation. PARKS provides a platform for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and experts to share knowledge, best practices, and innovative approaches to protected area management worldwide. The new site will offer a more streamlined experience for submitting manuscripts and accessing past volumes.

Further information: https://parksjournal.com

Destinations International, in collaboration with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and the American Indigenous Tourism Association, have published a resource to guide destination organisations in building respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities. The Indigenous-Led Tourism Partnership Toolkit aims to align governance, marketing, procurement, crisis response and community engagement practices with Indigenous leadership and priorities to ensure tourism reflects the full identity and future of place.

Further information: https://indigenoustourism.ca/destinations-international-itac-and-ait-publish-indigenous-led-tourism-partnership-toolkit/

Tourism Australia has launched the first strategic framework for driving accessibility and inclusion across the tourism sector in Australia. The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2025–2028 outlines practical steps to embed accessibility and inclusion into marketing, industry and organisation. It was developed in partnership with Get Skilled Access, a leading disability inclusion consultancy and shaped by input from stakeholders including those with lived experience.

Further information: https://www.tourism.australia.com/content/dam/digital/corporate/documents/tourism-australia-disability-and-inclusion-action-plan-2025-2028.pdf

The Snowy Mountains Nature Wellness Drives is a community initiative designed to unlock the health and healing benefits of nature through self-guided experiences and interactive installations. The layout of the trail and design of the interactive stations follow biophilic design principles to achieve optimal engagement with nature to improve health, wellbeing and increased care for community and the natural world.

Further information: https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/regional-tourism/snowy-valleys-nature-wellness-drive

Visit Finland has updated their toolkit for tourism operators to help understand their own impacts and dependence on biodiversity. A new chapter, Tourism and Biodiversity, has been added to the Sustainable Tourism Guide which provides content and resources that help companies better understand their environmental responsibility and measure impacts.

Further information: https://www.visitfinland.fi/liiketoiminnan-kehittaminen/akatemia/sustainable-travel-finland–jatkovalmennus#monimuotoisuus

G Adventures and National Geographic Expeditions have launched a new collection of itineraries designed around expert-led education, immersive cultural experiences and local communities. The new signature collection spans 32 trips across 28 destinations including Southern Africa, Peru, Japan, Costa Rica, Central Asia, Morocco, Vietnam and Palau. It also supports the National Geographic Society with community-focused initiatives that provide local benefit and give travellers a meaningful connection to the places they visit.

Further information: https://www.gadventures.com/blog/natgeo-signature-experience/

Heritage Expeditions cruise line has partnered with The New Zealand Nature Fund, indigenous tribe Ngāi Tahu, and the Department of Conservation on an ambitious campaign to eradicate invasive predators from Auckland (Maukahuka) Island which supports over 500 native plants and animals. Funding from the campaign is providing research and operational support for the largest sub-Antarctic island pest eradication project in New Zealand conservation history.

Further information: https://nznaturefund.org/

The Better Borders report is a joint initiative by the World Travel and Tourism Council and SITA which outlines how cutting-edge technologies and digital visa policies can transform traditional borders into seamless, secure, and strategic national assets. The report showcases how some nations are reimagining their borders as catalysts for tourism, innovation, and national prosperity through a series of case studies.

Further information: https://researchhub.wttc.org/product/better-borders

The new Active Tourism Coalition brings together 20 civil society and industry organisations to help champion accessible physical activity for mobility, recreation, and leisure in Europe’s future tourism policies. This includes activities that allow visitors to experience destinations at a human scale while delivering low environmental impact, high social value, and strong connections to local landscapes, cultures, and communities. Active tourism can also reduce pressure on overcrowded destinations while strengthening rural and lesser-known areas through activities such as cycling, walking, and hiking.

Further information: https://www.ecf.com/en/news/active-tourism-coalition-launches-to-champion-sustainable-balanced-tourism-in-europe

The Travel Foundation has launched a global action agenda for tourism’s climate transition outlining four practical ideas to help tourism shift towards resilience and fairness. Where Next? is an initiative of the Travel Foundation in partnership with Cuidadores de Destinos and supported by Preferred Travel Group and Beyond Green, The Travel Corporation, Turismo Islas Canarias, and Finn Partners. The aim is to accelerate adaptation and resilience by changing the way that tourism is planned and managed through insights from destinations around the world and stakeholders across governments, businesses, academia and civil society.

Further information: https://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/wherenext/

Tourism and Events Queensland have launched a new online hub for members of the Queensland Guiding Community of Practice which is supported by funding from the Queensland Department of Education, Tourism, Science and Innovation. Developed under the Destination 2045 plan, it provides curated resources and best practice factsheets. Tour guides and operators can sign up to access the platform and join upcoming activities.

Further information: https://teq.queensland.com/au/en/industry/industry-resources/guiding

The winners of the World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards have been announced in front of global leaders of sustainable tourism at Terra, Expo City Dubai. The awards have 30 categories which recognise individuals and organisations that accelerating change and making a lasting contribution to sustainable travel and tourism. They are run in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose partners and members represent over 66,000 hotels across 300 brands and over 100 supply chain partners.

Further information: https://wstha.com/winners/2025

Skift have released their latest report which showcases how traveller priorities and behaviours are diverging across regions, age groups, and traveller mindsets, reshaping the global travel landscape. The Global Travel Insights: What’s New for 2026? report examines traveller behaviour and confidence while highlighting meaningful differences by age and traveller type across four markets including the U.S., U.K., India, and China. It also provides a practical framework for travel brands, platforms, destinations, and investors to understand how behaviour is adapting in an increasingly uneven global market.

Further information: https://research.skift.com/reports/skift-global-travel-insights-whats-new-for-2026/

The World Travel and Tourism Council, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Coraggio Group, Miles Partnership, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has released a report analysing the current and future trends within the travel and tourism sectors employment landscape. The Future of Work in Travel and Tourism report reveals the challenges and opportunities for employers including providing recommendations to boost recruitment and retention, as well as deal with labour shortages and skills gaps.

Further information: https://wttc.org/news/wttc-report-shows-travel-and-tourism-set-to-support-91mn-new-jobs-by-2035

The HBX Group has revealed their latest report highlighting the key shifts reshaping demand and expectation across the travel and tourism industry over the coming year. The 2026 Travel Trends Report explores how traveller behaviour is evolving into a new era of experience-led travel including maximalist luxury stays, modular itineraries, creative escapes, and influence of social media and AI in travel decision-making.

Further information: https://www.hbxgroup.com/news-room/press-release/pop-culture-trips-increased-ai-use-and-social-media-influence-hbx

A major global study analysing a decade of tourism data across 175 countries has revealed surging growth in tourism emissions and inequalities between countries. The Drivers of Global Tourism Carbon Emissions study was conducted by scientists from four universities and is the most in-depth and extensive research of its type. The study estimates that global tourism emissions grew between 2009-2019 and identifies key drivers using environmentally extended input-output modelling.

Further information: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54582-7

Australian Seniors has released the Grey Gap Year Report 2025 which explores how Australians aged 50 and over are embracing travel in retirement including their experiences, aspirations, and preferences. Surveying more than 1,200 Australians aged 50 and over, the report offers a comprehensive overview of the key factors influencing travel decisions and shifting behaviours, priorities, and aspirations. It also uncovers the realities, motivations, and evolving travel landscape for seniors including preferred destinations and budgeting strategies to safety concerns and the growing trend of legacy travel.

Further information: https://www.seniors.com.au/news-insights/the-australian-seniors-series-grey-gap-year-report-2025

The 2026 Trends Report by Hilton has revealed that families are redefining how they travel, with a stronger focus on stays that foster togetherness, create lasting memories, and strengthen bonds across generations. The Whycation: Travel’s New Starting Point has also revealed the impact of kidfluence on the types of trips families choose as beach holidays, theme parks and water parks were among the top family travel destinations. The report is backed by extensive global research including a survey of more than 14,000 travellers across 14 countries, along with proprietary insights from Hilton team members and Honors loyalty members.

Further information: https://stories.hilton.com/releases/2026-trends-release

Screen Scotland has published research detailing the economic growth in Scotland’s film and television sector, and the value of sustained public investment in production, cinema exhibition, screen education, talent and skills development. Commissioned by Screen Scotland, the new report values visitor expenditure on screen tourism activities at £161.4 million and sustaining 2,260 full time jobs. Braveheart, Shetland, and Outlander are just some of the films and TV series that have resulted in visitation to Scotland to discover the history and landscapes behind the on-screen appearances.

Further information: https://www.visitscotland.org/news/2025/press-statement-visitscotland-ceo-welcomes-rise-in-value-of-screen-tourism

Tourism Research Australia has released a report that provides insights on cycle tourism in Australia including engagement by tourists in cycling activities and the impact of trips that involved them in 2024. Cycle tourism plays a key role in Australia’s economy, with each trip contributing to local businesses and communities including road cycling, mountain biking, rail trail cycling, and cycling events.

Further information: https://www.tra.gov.au/en/economic-analysis/cycling-tourism#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=7aaab70f-bf08-4505-bde9-485f3d210000

American Express Travel revealed its annual Trending Destinations list highlighting the 10 must-visit places for 2026. The list draws on booking data from American Express card member travel bookings in 2025, as well as insights from the company’s global network of travel consultants. The survey confirms a shift towards more meaningful and distinctive travel to destinations that are further off the beaten track away from overcrowded hotspots.

Further information: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/newsroom/articles/travel-and-dining/american-express-travel–announces-2026-trending-destinations.html

Technology company iSeatz has published research that decodes the preferences, motivations, and trends in travel bookings. The Modern Traveler 2025 examines the patterns that are defining today’s travellers including what they prioritise, how they plan, and what drives their decisions from the moment inspiration strikes to when they book. The online survey of 1,000 Americans travellers aged over 18 who travel revealed that the booking path no longer follows traditional patterns as consumers have been conditioned by the digital ease of e-commerce, social media and streaming platforms.

Further information: https://www.iseatz.com/blog/the-modern-traveler-2025

Skyscanner has released a Travel Trends report highlighting the cultural forces and emerging behaviours that will define how Gen Z travels in 2026. Drawing from millions of searches and global consumer insights, the report shows how Gen Z’s digital fluency, identity-driven choices and experience-first mindset are reshaping the future of travel.

Further information: https://www.skyscanner.com/travel-trends

Arival 360 is being held at the Royal International Convention Centre Brisbane from 22-24 June 2026. This is the first-ever Arival event in Australia for tour, activity, attraction, and multi-day experience operators and supporting technology, distribution, and destination partners.

Further information: https://arival.travel/event/2026-brisbane/

The Adventure Travel World Summit will be held in Québec City, Canada from 14-17 September 2026. This is your chance to connect with global leaders, forge meaningful partnerships, and discover why this extraordinary province is setting the standard for sustainable, community-driven adventure tourism.

Further information: https://events.adventuretravel.biz/summit/quebec-2026

The annual cruise industry conference Cruise360 Australasia will be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney from 17-18 September 2026. This annual event brings together professionals of the cruise industry including travel advisors, agency owners, cruise line representatives, ports and destination representatives, and travel industry suppliers. Cruise Lines International Association.

Further information: https://www.cruising.org.au/CLIA-Events/Cruise360-Australasia-2026