August 2025

Welcome to the August edition of the GMTC Australia Newsletter. This month we spotlight our presence at upcoming global events like WCN, share the latest flight connectivity updates, recap August’s cultural highlights, and give a look ahead at what’s coming up across Australia.

As always, GMTC Australia partners with MICE and group travel teams to ensure events run smoothly. From registration and onsite support to accommodation and logistics, every detail is designed to create seamless delegate journeys.

Global Events Update

Attending WTM (London, 3 to 5 November 2025)

GMTC Australia will be present at the World Travel Market (WTM), one of the leading global platforms for travel and tourism. Our participation highlights our commitment to showcasing Australia as a destination for MICE, incentives, and group travel while building stronger connections with industry partners.

By engaging with global events like WTM, GMTC Australia brings back valuable insights that enhance the way we deliver logistics, accommodation, and technology-enabled event support for clients.

Connectivity Updates

New and upcoming flight connections are making Australia more accessible for business events, incentives, and group travel.

Perth ⇄ Singapore: Singapore Airlines continues to adjust seasonally, with capacity increases from September 2025 supporting up to four daily flights.
Melbourne ⇄ Dallas/Fort Worth: From 3 December 2025 through late January 2026, Qantas will operate a daily Boeing 787 service, expanding direct access to the southern U.S. and one-stop connections across North America.
Adelaide ⇄ Dubai: From 1 December 2025, Emirates resumes a daily service with its new A350-900ULR, making Adelaide the first city in its network to debut the aircraft.
Los Angeles ⇄ Brisbane: American Airlines will launch a seasonal three-times-weekly Boeing 787-9 service from 5 December 2025 to 30 January 2026, boosting trans-Pacific capacity during the holiday and summer peak.

August Highlights Recap

August showcased how Australia’s cultural calendar creates unique opportunities for group and incentive travel:

Darwin Festival (7 to 24 August 2025) – An 18-day celebration of arts, music, and Indigenous culture, offering planners a vibrant backdrop for incentive programs and cultural immersions.
Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) (7 to 24 August 2025) – A global platform for film and creative industries, ideal for tying corporate groups with cultural experiences in one of Australia’s key MICE cities.
Ekka – Royal Queensland Show, Brisbane (9 to 17 August 2025) – Queensland’s signature event blending agriculture, food, and entertainment, drawing large audiences and adding value for incentive or leisure extensions.
Hamilton Island Race Week (16 to 23 August 2025) – Australia’s premier sailing regatta that combines competitive racing with luxury island experiences, a natural fit for high-end incentive groups.

Coming Up Next (Sept–Oct)

New and upcoming flight connections are making Australia more accessible for business events, incentives, and group travel.

AIPM International Conference, ICC Sydney (8 to 9 September 2025): Project management leaders from across industries will gather in Sydney. The conference provides scope for corporate hospitality, stakeholder meetings, and delegate engagement.
No Vacancy Expo, ICC Sydney (17 to 18 September 2025): The leading accommodation industry event returns with supplier meetings and tech showcases. It’s a hub for hospitality connections and a valuable platform for planners exploring future accommodation partnerships.
Floriade, Canberra (13 September to 12 October 2025): Australia’s biggest flower festival transforms the capital into a citywide showcase. With vibrant displays, entertainment, and the popular Night Fest, it offers planners unique opportunities for incentive programs and corporate hosting.
Junction Arts Festival, Launceston (12–14 & 18–21 September 2025): Marking its 15th year, the festival presents a mix of art, performance, music, and food across two weekends in Tasmania. Program highlights include the Tasmanian premiere of Airship Orchestra, live music from Kutcha Edwards and Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, comedy, cabaret, circus, and the signature dining event Artist at the Table.

News

Tourism Australia Expands ‘Come and Say G’Day’ Campaign: Tourism Australia has launched the next phase of its $130 million global campaign with ambassadors Robert Irwin (U.S.) and Nigella Lawson (U.K.), targeting markets including the U.S., China, India, Japan, and the U.K.
Hamilton Island Welcomes The Sundays: A new 59-room boutique hotel has opened on Hamilton Island, offering private terraces, tropical garden surrounds, and curated dining for premium leisure and incentive travellers.
Sofitel Melbourne on Collins Wins Sustainability Award: The hotel has been recognised with the 2025 International Sustainability Award by Luxury Lifestyle Awards for innovations such as real-time food waste reduction, circular in-room systems, ethical sourcing, and on-site water bottling.
New Wellness Sanctuary Opens in Queensland: SOL Elements has opened Australia’s first “floating” elemental bathhouse on Tamborine Mountain, featuring magnesium pools, float caves, a cedar sauna, a salt cave, and nature-inspired design.
G Flip Honoured at Madame Tussauds Sydney: Australian musician G Flip has been honoured with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Sydney, becoming the first non-binary celebrity in Australia to receive this recognition. The figure sits at a Yamaha drum, with visitors invited to join in on a real drum kit.

Australia is well-positioned for the months ahead. New flight connections are opening doors, while September festivals and global campaigns are adding energy to the travel calendar, strengthening confidence in choosing Australia for upcoming programs.

For planners and partners, this momentum translates into real opportunities. With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, now is the time to secure group itineraries, incentive programs, and accommodation blocks, as demand always peaks early. Whether it is managing delegate logistics for a major event, coordinating travel during holiday seasons, or ensuring seamless onsite engagement, GMTC Australia delivers programs with precision and confidence.