Television presenter Teigan Nash, of Cronulla, has landed a job many young people would love to have – travelling Australia to show off its attractions to the world.
Teigan is fronting Aussie News Today, a new new tongue-in-cheek news channel, established by Tourism Australia as part a $5 million youth campaign.
Other members of the news team are former Wallaby Nick Cummins and former Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis.
Aussie News Today is broadcasting stories directly into the news feeds of potential young travellers through Tourism Australia's digital and social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram and a news hub on Australia.com
Additional youth content will be created as part of a world-first content partnership with BuzzFeed, which will see eight young travellers from Europe sent on a three month road trip around Australia to report on their experiences of local culture, festivals, events, food and wine.
Teigan, a former Saturday Disney presenter, said her new role was “heaps of fun”.
“We have been talking to backpackers and finding out where they are going in Australia, and what they have liked so far,” she said.
”One girl said she came to Australia for a couple of weeks, but called her Mum and said, ‘I think i will stay for a year’.
”We have only just started, but we are going to see some incredible places and show them off to young people around the world, as well as in Australia.”
Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan said the campaign would highlight many of the unique destinations and experiences available to youth travellers and working holiday makers.
“We plan to put a smile on young people’s faces by serving up fun, sometimes irreverent and uplifting news stories of daily life Down Under,” he said.
"From crocodile cage dives and selfies with quokkas, camel racing and tuna throwing competitions, Big Bananas and Giant Pineapples, Australia is a remarkable continent with as many great stories to share as there are great reasons to visit.”
Mr O’Sullivan said youth travellers represented 25 per cent (2.1 million a year) of all international visitor arrivals to Australia and 46 per cent of the $18.7 billion spent by visitors.
The campaign would initially focus on four of Australia’s largest youth markets – UK, France, Germany and Italy – before being extended to other markets next year, he said.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo, said young travellers under 30 were a critically important part of Australia's visitor mix.
"Many people underestimate just how important the youth market is for Australian tourism,” he said.
“Young travellers and working holiday makers stay longer, disperse more widely throughout our country and ultimately spend more than most other travel segments.
"This campaign is a great way to share a bit of our land down under with young travellers around the world seeking fun, adventure and life-changing travel experiences.