G'Day USA

Australian experiences will be brought to life in New York tomorrow at Virtual Australia - the premier tourism event of the 2017 G'Day USA program. The Tourism Australia event will showcase Australia's world-class aquatic and coastal destinations, food and wine offerings, and indigenous experiences through a virtual tour around the country.

The American travel industry will be fully immersed in our iconic scenery through virtual reality headsets, videos and art installations, while sampling some of our top culinary offerings produced by Neil Perry and matched with a range of Australian wine supplied by Wine Australia.

Tourism Australia global ambassador Chris Hemsworth will lead the audience on a journey through his own personal travel experiences and recent trips around Australia. Rachel Griffiths, Naomi Watts, Baz Luhrmann and a host of other acclaimed Australians will also share their experiences.

The USA is currently Australia's fourth largest inbound market for visitor arrivals and visitor nights and has the potential to be worth $4.5 – $5.5 billion by the year 2020.

Tonight Tourism Australia will announce an expanded partnership with leading luxury travel network Virtuoso, which will see the number of fully qualified Aussie Specialists within their network doubled to at least 500 by the end of 2017, more than any other network in North America. As a long haul destination, it is imperative that Australia works with local travel agents to overcome barriers such as distance and to convert aspiring consumers into actual visitors

This partnership will encourage Americans to book an Australian holiday. More tourists visiting Australia means more Aussie jobs. As a destination for Americans, Australia is fifth for aspiration but only 25th when it comes to actually visiting. This partnership will help more Americans realise their dream of visiting Australia.

G'Day USA is Australia's premier economic, public and cultural diplomacy program in the USA. This year G'Day USA expands into Texas. In Austin, I will co-host, with the Governor of Texas, the G'Day USA Great Australia Texas BBQ, showcasing premium Australian produce in this important and growing market for Australia. I will also highlight Australia's leadership in innovation at the G'Day USA Next Generation Leaders' Lunch.

In Los Angeles, I will join my colleague the Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs, for more events and meetings as part of the G'Day USA program.