News & Views

16 Oct 2023

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We asked tourism professionals and travellers “If you saw a person wearing a sunflower lanyard would you know what it represented?”

 

The results: a whopping 85 percent (195 people) stated that they did not know what a sunflower denoted.

 

We asked that question because we firmly believe that everyone has the right to travel and we want to be part of a world where all people feel confident to visit every corner of our wondrous country.

 

The above two factors together are why we have chosen Hidden Disabilities Sunflower as our 2024 social cause.

 

It is our hope that by supporting the Sunflower initiative that those who travel Australia with a hidden disability will feel better supported and those in tourism will gain a greater awareness of these people’s plight and how to support them better.

 

What is a hidden disability? One in every six people have a disability^. It’s the largest minority group in the world, and one that any of us can join at any time. Yet for many people their disability is not visible. It may be that they have a neurological, cognitive, neurodevelopmental, visual, auditory or processing disability. [Read more]

 

This suite of conditions is called ‘hidden disabilities’, and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is the global symbol used by those people in a silent request for understanding and a little extra support.

 

By helping raise awareness we will assist in moving closer to a society where an offer of help, understanding and kindness can make a huge difference to the daily experiences of anyone courageous enough to wear a Sunflower lanyard.

 

The Art of Attraction conference team will be Sunflower trained and you will be able to identify them from the Sunflower Supporter lanyards that they will be wearing. If you require additional assistance on any level during the conference you will be able to approach one of our team.

 

While no Australian airline has joined the Hidden Disability Sunflowers network, we want to give a big shout-out to the 10 Aussie airports where staff have been Sunflower trained: Adelaide, Albury, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Shellharbour Airport and Sydney.

 

^ WHO, March 2023

6 Oct 2023

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Planning is now well underway for a bigger, better Art of Attraction in early March 2024.

 

The event delivers Australian’s only conference for destinations and tourism operators looking to take advantage of two fast-growing areas: art tourism and mature-age visitation.

 

A master stroke saw Queensland’s Sunshine Coast secure the right to host the conference for a second time.

 

Event Director, Liz Rivers, said the Summit is the only all-inclusive opportunity in Australia to connect with and learn from tourism leaders at the very forefront of using public and street art as an economic driver, and also harnessing the wealth and loyalty of senior travellers.

 

“Public art, including mural towns and silo art trails, has become a booming tourism drawcard. ” Ms Rivers said.

 

“In addition, travellers aged 55 represent 28 percent of the Australian population and control 55 percent of the nation's assets. Many who are retired or partially so are seeking a post-work life oozing with experiences – travel, seasonal employment, volunteering, and authenticity. They are agile, mentally alert, loyal, educated and discerning,” she said.

 

The 2024 Art of Attraction will arm delegates with grass-roots information to best attract art-loving visitors and mature-age travellers.

 

It will incorporate:

• Two full days of information-packed sessions

• A fun and light-hearted offsite Welcome Reception

• Streams for street and public art

• Special over 55s visitation sessions

• Street art walking tours

• A gala evening where the winners of the Australian Street Art Awards and Grey Nomad Awards will be announced.

 

The Awards teams are committed to supporting and showcasing destinations, operators and community organisations that are working extra hard to stand out and demonstrate ingenuity.

 

Australian Street Art Awards: A Tourism Awards for Public Art program designed to showcase destinations while educating travellers about the magnificent array of outdoor art that can be found in every corner of Australia.

 

Grey Nomad Awards: Encouraging positive aging through support and promotion of soft adventure and social inclusion for mature-age travellers while recognising destinations, tourism operators and events that provide exemplary products, services or experiences that make the lives of travellers aged over 55 happier, healthier and safer.

 

What: 2024 Art of Attraction Tourism Summit

When: 6, 7 and 8 March 2024

Where: The Events Centre Caloundra, Sunshine Coast Q