Australians issued warning about popular tourist destinations
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9 News
15 minutes ago
- 9 News
Government gives $10m to jobseeker platform for struggling sectors
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The federal government has funnelled $10 million into a jobseeker platform designed to help Australia's hospitality, travel and tourism sectors hire and retain staff. Workforce demand in the three industries, which already employs 706,000 Australians, is forecast to skyrocket by 150,000 people by 2033, according to government research. In response, the government has launched eeger – an online platform which will advertise job vacancies, offer training programs and promote career development. Th federal government has launched a career platform called eeger. (Supplied) It's hoped eeger will support employers, workers and jobseekers at places like hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes, tourism and cultural centres, where critical staff shortages are hurting business. The platform was created with a $10 million grant from the federal government to help "strengthen the country's visitor economy and secure the skilled workforce it needs for the future". "The launch of eeger marks a pivotal moment for the industry, offering a national perspective for tourism, travel and hospitality job seekers to find the right opportunities and for employers to access the skilled workforce they need," said Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell. "The Albanese Labor Government is proud to support this innovative platform, which will help rebuild and future-proof Australia's visitor economy. "My first job was in tourism, and I know firsthand how magnificent this industry is to be a part of. I encourage businesses and jobseekers to sign up and make the most of this innovative platform and join this vibrant and important sector." It's hoped eeger will support employers, workers and jobseekers at places like hotels, restaurants, pubs and cafes. (Getty) Emilie Howe, the new general manager of eeger, said the free platform is the first of its kind on a national scale. "eeger is more than a job platform – it's built by industry, for industry," Howe said. "We encourage all businesses in tourism, hospitality and travel, no matter the size, to sign up and take advantage of the free eeger platform." The federal government built eeger alongside Accomodation Australia. "We're proud to have worked with so many sectors to develop such an innovative platform that responds exactly to what the industry needs," said Accomodation Australia chief executive James Goodwin. federal politics workplace work Australia national government Politics CONTACT US
The Advertiser
15 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Country town's bold attempt to bag a new public holiday for all of NSW
Mudgee's tourism body is petitioning the state government for a new, Mudgee-branded holiday. Picture supplied By Benjamin Palmer Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area In a promotional push for public holiday parity, Mudgee Region Tourism this week launched a campaign calling for a new day off dubbed 'Mudgee Monday', designed to promote regional travel while tackling burnout and mental fatigue. The proposed holiday comes off the back of fresh research showing 72 per cent of Australians want more public holidays, and over half say a long weekend could reduce their stress. "This is more than a tourism campaign," Beau Kassas, Chief Marketing Officer of Mudgee Region Tourism, said. "Australians are crying out for more balance and better mental health outcomes, so we're calling on the Premier of NSW, Chris Minns, to even the stakes and give us a break." The call for a 'Mudgee Monday' holiday comes at a pivotal moment for the region's tourism industry, which is undergoing its biggest transformation in years. Mudgee Region Tourism has officially transitioned into the new Destination Experience Department, a council-led initiative that brings tourism and visitor services directly under the Mid-Western Regional Council's umbrella. "This structure hasn't been seen in local government before," Council General Manager Brad Cam said in May. The crux of the campaign hinges on NSW having fewer public holidays than its counterparts. Victoria, Queensland and South Australia enjoy up to 13 public holidays each year, just 11 days are offered in NSW and WA, and 10 in Tasmania. Kassas said a 'Mudgee Monday' could be the cure to what ails us. "It's time for a rethink. Towns like Mudgee, Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone remind people of how travel should be, slow, unhurried and deeply personal. We want to encourage visitors to stop rushing and consider the true benefits of creating their own long weekend anytime by simply taking a Mudgee Monday," he said. Taking part in the tourism campaign is Psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis, who is backing the idea, saying the benefits of regional travel shouldn't be underestimated. Bec Quilty, Beau Kassas, Brad Cam and Leianne Murphy. Picture supplied "It's remarkable how travel, especially to regional locations, can provide a powerful emotional and psychological reset," Dr Hronis said. "We need a policy that reflects this growing need." However unlikely it is that the Premier will ultimately gift the entire state a new public holiday, Kassas said wellness travel is on the rise. "Almost half of Australians have taken personal or sick leave just to get away for a short break - and it's Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge," he said. Support for the campaign is strongest among those groups, with 92 per cent of gen z and 88 per cent of millennials backing the idea of more public holidays.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Destination weddings: should you still buy a gift after forking out on travel?
A close friend or relative spends an average of $288 on a gift. A young couple at their beach-side wedding ceremony. Picture: Shutterstock By Anna Houlahan Updated July 28 2025 - 9:56am, first published 9:01am After forking out for flights, accommodation, and a new outfit, a destination wedding guest might start to wonder. Is my presence present enough? Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area Millennials across Australia are in the thick of their wedding guest era and discovering the steep cost of attending celebrations. And destination weddings are the most expensive of them all. So, what is gift-giving etiquette when international travel is involved? Wedding planner Natalie Hagopian said that cash was "always preferred" at a destination wedding, so couples weren't lugging home heavy crystal bowls in their carry-on bags. "While it's still customary to offer something, the expectation for a large or extravagant gift at a destination wedding is significantly lower," she said. "Many couples will explicitly state 'your presence is our gift!' on their wedding website or invitation, acknowledging the substantial financial and time commitment involved for guests." Guests at a wedding. Picture Canva A close friend or relative will spend an average of $288 on a wedding present, while other guests tend to spend $159. Close friends and family are spending around $50 more on a gift in 2025 compared to the year before, the report found. One frequent wedding attendee from Geelong said he's stopped giving gifts in favour of cold, hard cash. "Most couples who get married already live together, so they don't need to be bought random stuff for the house," he said. "I think the unspoken rule for cash is usually to pay for your seat, meal and drinks, so [he and his wife] give $250 to $300 for the two of us." More than ever, couples are asking for cash instead of gifts, the wedding industry report found. A whopping 90 per cent of couples had a wishing well for cash gifts at their reception. Only one per cent of couples were prompting guests to buy a present from a gift registry, while nine per cent set up a honeymoon registry. Wedding planner Sharon Munro. Picture Kayla Martin But she said couples were starting to "think outside the box" when requesting gifts from their guests. "Some couples set up experience funds where guests can contribute to things like cooking classes, scuba diving, or guided tours during the honeymoon," she said. "Others opt for charity donations, asking guests to donate to a cause that's meaningful to them in lieu of gifts." How much is the couple spending? Most Australian couples spent around $8,000 more on their wedding than they intended. The average original wedding budget is $27,455, and this figure ballooned to $35,315 by the big day. Couples planning a destination wedding saved some money, with the average cost reaching $29,391, the report found. Part of the reduced cost could be the smaller guest list, with 74 people attending an average destination wedding, as opposed to 88 guests at a domestic celebration. The majority of Australian couples, 91 per cent, got married at or near home. Just two per cent got hitched overseas, and seven per cent got married in another state or territory, according to the report. Couples are travelling the world to tie the knot, with the top wedding destinations being New Zealand, the United States, Fiji, Italy, Indonesia, Greece, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa. While couples may expect to receive an influx of cash on their wedding day, Ms Munro said most couples were not "counting on gifts of money to cover costs". She said it was "risky and could lead to financial stress if expectations aren't met". Instead, couples tended to plan their wedding based on what they could afford. "Wishing wells offer couples the freedom to use the contributions however they choose - whether it's for items they genuinely need, specific brands they prefer, their honeymoon, or even putting money toward their rent or mortgage." Words by Anna Houlahan Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM's Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to
