Australian wines losing their global appeal

More bad news for the Australian wine industry today with news that exports declined by 2% in value to $1.90 billion and 3% in volume to 607 million litres in the 12 months to December 2023.

The Wine Australia Export Report released today said that although these figures are an improvement on than those reported in the September 2023 Export Report, the results are still well below long-term averages.

Particularly disturbing will be major falls in sales in the US, a declining market for Australian wines.

Wine Australia manager for market insights, Peter Bailey said that Europe and North America drove the reduction in Australia’s export value over the year, declining by 7% and 12% respectively.

“In Europe, exports to the top 15 markets declined in value as the region suffers through higher inflation rates than North America and Asia, as well as supply chain issues," he said.

"This includes the United Kingdom, Australia’s largest export market by volume. Pleasingly, Australia’s exports to the UK grew in volume for the first time since mid-2021.

“Both the United States and Canada contributed to North America’s decline in value. In 2023, packaged shipments to these markets continued their decline and unpackaged shipments, which were growing strongly, have started to ease off.

“The decline in exports to Europe and North America has resulted in their share of export value dropping to 29 and 27% respectively. Meanwhile, Asia’s share of export value has grown to 37%.

“Hong Kong and Singapore were stand out destinations for Australian wine in Asia, driving the growth of value to the region. Further, the number of exporters to Hong Kong also grew – up 138 export businesses to a total of 531 in 2023. Hong Kong and Singapore are key trading hubs in the Asian region and, as such, some of the wine is on-shipped to other markets.”

The decline in Australia’s exports comes at a time when most wine producing countries are reporting decreasing sales, Wine Australia says.

The global alcohol market is softening and impacting the entire wine category, especially in mature markets. This trend has been attributed to a combination of global economic tightening resulting in less discretionary spending and consumers being more conscious of their health.

No you cannot bring your gun onto the plane

In the good old US of A, many people regard it as their God-given right to travel everywhere with their gun/s. Even on planes.

It was revealed recently that the Transportation Security Administration has seized more than 1,500 guns at airports since the beginning of the year.

A total of 1,508 firearms were found by TSA officers at airport security checks during the first quarter of 2023 - a 10.3% increase over the same period last year, Travel Mole reported.

Even more remarkably, more than 93% of the weapons were loaded.

“Firearms at TSA security checkpoints present an unacceptable safety risk to other passengers and I am deeply concerned that the majority of these firearms our TSOs catch are loaded,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a brilliant example of stating the obvious.

“If you carry a firearm, our TSOs will see it and there will be significant penalties.”

The civil penalty for firearms violations was recently increased to nearly $US15,000 but is apparently having little effect as a deterrent to these freedom-loving folk.

Officers confiscated 6,542 firearms at 262 different US airports last year.

Even the politicians are at it.

Just last year Republican (of course!) Madison Cawthorn from North Carolina was cited at a South Carolina airport for bringing a loaded gun through a checkpoint.

Image: Haymar Santibanez, Scop.io

New York splashes out on bringing tourists back

New York is one of the greatest cities in the world - certainly a personal favourite - and its officials do not mess around when it comes to enticing back tourists post Covid. 

NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, has launched the first phase of “It's Time for New York City,” the largest-ever, multi-phased global tourism marketing and advertising campaign to promote New York City. 

The unprecedented $30 million tourism recovery campaign is being rolled out as restrictions are lifted, more people are vaccinated and as travel resumes in the United States and beyond.

“It's Time for New York City” will run in three phases and will include television, digital, outdoor media and partnerships. 

The initiative aims to remind visitors of the city's energy, excitement, and the abundance of experiences visitors can enjoy. 

New York City expects to welcome 36.1 million visitors this year - recapturing more than half of its record 66.6 million visitors in 2019.

“The Summer of NYC is here—and now it's time to tell the whole world about how this city is building a recovery for all of us,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Tourism impacts hundreds of thousands of jobs across the five boroughs, and its return will fuel our recovery even more. 

"The greatest travel destination in the world is ready to welcome back visitors from around the region, country, and globe, and we can't wait to greet them.”

“It's Time for New York City” will first target travellers in 23 markets across the United States, followed by Mexico, Canada and Latin America, with plans to expand farther internationally as other key markets reopen for leisure and business travel. 

For details on what to do and see in New York City, visit nycgo.com.