Central Australia will be the focus of the travel writing community this weekend, with 80 members of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) travelling to Uluru for the organisation’s Annual General Meeting and Awards night on Saturday 5 September.

The event will see the largest contingent of travel writers tour the Centre at any one time, and include pre and post conference tours to showcase the region’s rich variety of experiences and attractions.

“We're looking forward to showcasing the Northern Territory and the stunning Red Centre to these influential travel writers,” said Tourism NT CEO, Tony Mayell.

“The travel writers will take part in a range of tours with several different local operators in Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

“The travel stories generated from these tours will help lift the profile of some of our more lesser-known regional locations and landmarks and showcase the NT as a fun and adventure-packed holiday to Australians and overseas travellers.

“With our current marketing campaign urging Australians that: It’s about time they do the NT, it was a logical fit for us to partner with ASTW and take its conference to the spiritual heart of Australia, Uluru, just a two hour flight from Sydney and Melbourne.”

Australian Society of Travel Writers President, Kerry Heaney, said the organisation was celebrating 40 years and was excited to be holding its annual conference in the NT for the first time.  

"We are looking forward to a successful and rewarding annual general meeting, the travel writing awards and experiencing the amazing true outback of Australia,” Ms Heaney said.

"Our members will stay at the stunning Ayers Rock Resort, the perfect base to explore the spiritual heart of Australia, and enjoy the state of the art conference facilities at the Uluru Meeting Place.”

Tourism NT in partnership with Voyages and co-sponsor AAT Kings won the bid to host the ASTW Conference at Ayers Rock Resort from 4-5 September.

The Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) is the peak travel writing body in Australia. Its 300-plus members produce articles, reviews, photos and stories on travel destinations and experiences for leading national and international TV, print and online publications.

This initiative is part of the Government’s plan to drive the development of North Australia and build a $2.2 billion visitor economy by 2020.

Photo attached: Travel writers tour the Earth Sanctuary in Alice Springs

ENDS

Media Contact: Lisa Andrews, Corporate Media and Communications Manager +61 401 115 634