Campaign encourages giving the gift of travel

AUSTRALIANS are being encouraged to give the gift of travel this holiday season and support the tourism industry, which has been doing it tough throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $8 million national marketing campaign is the latest phase of Tourism Australia’s Holiday Here This Year campaign.

Point Lonsdale’s Lon Retreat & Spa features in the “Luxurious travel gifts for them, or for you” gift guide, with the new luxe “Lon to Laura” package described as a three-day experience that will take guests from peninsula to peninsula and the best Victorian retreats: world-class dining, great wines, and luxurious accommodation.

Guests will begin the experience with a night of relaxation at the Lon Retreat on the Bellarine Peninsula in a Premium Suite before sailing across Port Phillip Bay to the family-owned Pt. Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula for an eight-course degustation at Laura.

There are plenty of upgrade options available, such as fresh brunch hampers, dinners and private spa treatments.

The California redwood plantations in the Otways near Beech Forest is also highlighted in the campaign.

The other gift guides are “Gifts for everyone on your list”, “Must buy gifts for the animal-lovers in your life”, “Unique gifts for the person that has everything”, “Meaningful gifts on a budget – everything under $100”, “Gifts to impress any self-proclaimed foodie”, and “Last Minute Gift Guide”.

The Gift of Travel features ambassadors Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster-Blake as they plan the perfect meaningful gift.

The couple said giving a holiday booking or a travel voucher for Christmas was a two-part win.

“You’re obviously giving someone that you love an incredible experience that they are never going to forget, and that is better than just another thing that you have bought off the intearnet, which we have all done heaps of this year.

“Also, it’s a great way to help tourism operators and businesses.”

The campaign also features comedian Andy Lee, “The Outback Wrangler” Matt Wright, professional rugby league player Johnathan Thurston, comedian Hannah Gadsby, actor Hugh Sheridan and cook and restaurateur Elli Beer.

Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson said giving a tourism experience as a present this year was a unique gift that supported jobs and businesses in the Australian tourism sector.

“After more than 18 months of restrictions and lockdowns, now is the perfect time to give the gift of travel to a loved one this Christmas.

“Every dollar spent at a local tourist operator supports jobs and businesses in our community.

“With so many Australians getting vaccinated in record numbers as set out in the National Plan, our country is finally reopening for people to travel.

“From Gippsland to central Victoria to the Great Ocean Road to the Bellarine, regional Victoria is such an incredible place to explore – what better way to inspire a visit than through the gift of travel?”

For more information, head to the Tourism Australia website.