Queensland Tourism Industry Canvassed on China Growth

Tourism Queensland has released a discussion paper on opportunities and challenges facing the industry as the State ramps-up efforts to snare a greater share of the burgeoning China market.

Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Minister Jan Jarratt said work was well advanced on developing the new Project China Strategy, with industry feedback critical.

"Sustainably growing our share of the China market and giving Chinese visitors a great experience involves everyone and I want industry to have their say, with consultation open until December," Ms Jarratt said.

"The discussion paper raises issues from better catering for Chinese travellers to diversifying target markets such as attracting different age groups and destinations so it is important for industry to think about these issues and give their feedback," she said.

"The resulting Project China Strategy will map out our long-term vision to grow our share of the crucial China market, with potential spending by Chinese visitors in Australia tipped to reach $7-9 billion by 2020."

Ms Jarratt said China was already Queensland's third largest international market and one of the fastest growing, with 198,000 Chinese visiting Queensland in the year ending June 2011 - 25% more than the year prior.

"Chinese travellers are big spenders, outlaying $381 million on their trips to Queensland in the year ending June 2011 - a significant $48 million more than during the previous year," she said.

"With Chinese visitor numbers forecast to continue growing by double digits over the next few years, it's vital that our tourism industry has the skills, products and experiences to ensure they have the best possible Queensland experience, and when they go home they tell their friends and family that Queensland is where Australia Shines."

Topics raised in the discussion paper include:

Fine-tuning Queensland's aviation strategy; Educating the Queensland tourism industry about Chinese travellers' behaviours and expectations; Ensuring marketing efforts are focused on specific geographic areas in China, particularly high yield visitor regions, and are carried out jointly with key industry partners; Preparing and developing Queensland's tourism industry to deliver high quality experiences to Chinese visitors; and The potential for Chinese investment in Queensland tourism infrastructure.

Ms Jarratt said Tourism Queensland already has a strong presence in China focusing on relationships with key industry partners and aggressive marketing and retail activities to attract Chinese visitors.

"An outcome of our strong industry relationships has already resulted in China Southern Airlines announcing that from October 30 the airline will increase its Guangzhou-Brisbane flights from three to four per week and add Beijing to the route.

"This will increase the number of seats per week into Brisbane from 846 to 1,132.

"Industry development focusing on the China market has already begun, with this week's infrastructure investment forum on the Gold Coast and Tourism Queensland's workshop series on China cultural awareness helping operators develop the skills and product that appeal to Chinese visitors."

Feedback on the discussion paper will be incorporated in the new 2012-2016 China market strategy.

Sydney Tourism News and Information: Aussie Surf Tops World Beaches

AUSTRALIA has the world's best surfing beaches, according to an international gathering of scientists, legislators, environmentalists and wave riders.

At the Global Wave Conference in France this week attendees from more than 20 nations gave a thumbs up to Australia's surfing beaches as they considered an increasing threat to surfing environments.

"Australia has long been regarded as having many great beaches," National Surfing Reserves chairman Brad Farmer said.

"Now this conference is recognising Australia's 10,000 plus beaches as the world's best."

Founder of the organisation he represents, Mr Farmer is lobbying for the establishment of a Ministry for Coasts in Australia to help protect beaches.

"The world is looking to Australia (for) how to manage and protect beaches. It's an honour for us to be leading the way forward," he said.

Aussie Surf Tops World Beaches

Brisbane Tourism News: Queen Elizabeth's Four-Hour Visit to Brisbane Leaves Lasting Impression

SHE spent just over four hours in the state that bears her name but the Queen's visit left a lasting impression on a recovering Brisbane.

More than 45,000 people crowded into South Bank to welcome Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh to Queensland for maybe the last time.

Despite soaring temperatures, the crowd swelled - as many as 30-people deep in some sections - waiting for a glimpse of the Queen.

After a trip down the Brisbane River, she later comforted flood and cyclone victims and thanked volunteers who helped the state through its summer of disasters.

Ben Conway, 8, was one of the lucky ones to meet the monarch. The last time he wore his Queen's Guard's outfit, it was among his school mates at a Rochedale State School cultural day.

Yesterday, the little boy from Daisy Hill got to don the ceremonial uniform of the palace foot guards again.

But this time he got to meet the Queen.

Ben was among a handful of excited children plucked from a crowd of more than 45,000 at South Bank to meet Her Majesty.

The 85-year-old monarch and the eight-year-old Queensland boy may not have exchanged many words, but they shared smiles and a photograph instead.

Asked about whether he was nervous, Ben declared "not at all", insisting "I had fun".

It was Ben's mother, Barbara, who was more overawed by the occasion.

The family emigrated from England a decade ago to settle in southeast Queensland.

Mrs Conway, 44, said she made the outfit for Ben to wear to a cultural day where students wore costumes from another country.

Mrs Conway, Ben and his older brother David, 10, waited at South Bank from 8am, and as the crowd gathered, they feared even seeing the Queen was going to be difficult.

And while some people in the crowd suffered under the sun, Ben soldiered on with only one piece of his apparel giving him grief in the heat: "Just my hat," he said.

The 45,000-strong crowd at South Bank yesterday was the biggest to welcome Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh since the royal pair touched down in Australia last week.

The city, for its part, turned on a glorious spring day, with temperatures hitting 27C and several royal watchers subsequently treated for heat exhaustion.

It was Her Majesty's 16th visit to Australia and her first tour of Brisbane since 2002.

After landing at Brisbane Airport, the royal couple was taken to Bretts Wharf, where they boarded a boat for a trip along the Brisbane River.

Brisbane Tourism News: Queen Elizabeth's Four-Hour Visit to Brisbane Leaves Lasting Impression

What's On Ipswich: Discover Ipswich in 60 seconds - Video

Discover Ipswich in 60 seconds!



Ipswich is Queensland's oldest provincial city and offers an alluring blend of heritage charm, metropolitan sophistication and expansive green spaces. Early colonial buildings stand proud in the city centre, lovingly restored Queenslanders perch on hills and quaint townships dot the surrounding countryside.

Just 40 minutes west of Brisbane and an hour from the Gold Coast, Ipswich combines rich heritage with the energy of being the hub of today's growth region in South East Queensland. Whether you’re looking for family friendly fun, outdoor adventure, adrenalin action, pure indulgence or a glimpse back to bygone days … come and Discover Ipswich.

What's On Ipswich: Discover Ipswich in 60 seconds - Video

Brisbane Tourism News: The Queen's Arrives in Brisbane

Queen Elizabeth has arrived in Brisbane for what could be the monarch's last visit to her namesake state.

The Queen, wearing a pale green coat and matching hat, and Prince Philip touched down at Brisbane airport just after 11am (AEST) on a flight from Canberra.

Hundreds of people gathered outside a security fence to watch the Queen's arrival, many waving Australian flags.

The royal couple was greeted by dignitaries including Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley, who will accompany the royal couple on a cruise up the Brisbane River.

Ms Bligh, wearing a scarlet suit and cream hat, has said she'd do her best to paint a picture of the damage the surging river did to the city in January.

Governor Wensley greeted the Queen with a traditional curtsey, but Ms Bligh followed Prime Minister Julia Gillard's lead and bowed to the monarch.

The royal couple then climbed into a vehicle, bound for their river cruise.

Ms Bligh earlier admitted to being nervous about meeting the royal couple and said she'd look to the Queen for conservational cues during the river cruise, due to leave from Bretts Wharf ferry terminal at 11.30am (AEST).

'She'll be able to see a city that's well and truly recovered,' Ms Bligh told ABC radio earlier.

'I'll be pointing out the worst hit areas for her to see just how much things have improved since then.'

Royal watchers began staking out viewing positions early on Monday at sites along the river, including at the ferry terminal.

Among the scores of wellwishers at the site is die-hard royal watcher Shirley Rogers, who's brought along an elaborately wrapped tea towel as a present for the Queen.

Decked out in her finest pearls and a red hat, Ms Rogers said the Queen, who is 85, continued to show remarkable energy.

'I've always loved her. She's down to earth, so natural, a colourful person,' she told AAP.

Also there is Janice Warriner, who turned out to see the Queen on previous visits in 1954, 1970 and 1988.

'I like her as a person and I like the idea of a monarchy. I think it's not broken, so why fix it.'

The royal visit will focus heavily on Queensland's deadly summer of natural disasters.

On Monday afternoon, after arriving at South Bank, the Queen and Prince Philip will meet with flood and cyclone victims who lost family members and homes.

Ms Bligh said the Queen had expressed a strong desire to meet with people who'd suffered the most, and would see that beyond the 'shiny veneer' of recovery, many people were still hurting.

The royal couple will explore the river aboard the cruiser Pure Adrenalin, alongside the premier, her husband Greg Withers, Governor Wensley and her husband Stuart McCosker.

It should be a comfortable ride, the 27 metre luxury wave piercing catamaran is fully air conditioned with spacious viewing decks.

Brisbane Tourism News: The Queen's Arrives in Brisbane

Australian Domesic Intentions Fall as International Picks Up

More Aussies are taking advantage of the strong Aussie dollar and planning overseas trips, dropping the number of Australians intending to travel domestically down three percent over the year compared to the same time last year.

According to a Roy Morgan Research Holiday Tracking Survey, the number of Aussies intending to go on a domestic trip over the next 12 months has fallen to 55 percent while the number planning an international trip grew nine percent in August this year, up one percent on the same month last year.

Roy Morgan Research international director of tourism Jane Janniello said domestic travel may pick up if expert predictions that the Aussie dollar will weaken come to life.

“However, the long-term outlook for domestic tourism is not rosy, with the percentage of Australians saying they would like a domestic holiday at 76% in August 2011, down from 78% in August 2010 and 80% in August 2006,” she explained.

Of the Aussie 14 years and older, around 68 percent said they intend to take at least one holiday over next, down from 70 percent last year.

Ms Janniello added that the leading was for Aussies to plan a trip is online and through books, with 86 percent of holiday intenders access the net at least once a month, while 61 percent say internet is most useful media for travel and accommodation.
“Of those holiday intenders who booked their last holiday, 58% did so via the internet,” she concluded.

What's On Ipswich: THE Last Four Super Hornets to be Based at RAAF Base Amberley

These photos were taken today from the Metro Hotel Ipswich International As they flew over today.

THE last four Super Hornets to be based at RAAF Base Amberley will fly over Ipswich today as part of a 20-strong jet formation.

Ipswich residents will see 16 F/A-18F Super Hornets depart Amberley about 10am before they fly over various south-east Queensland locations from the Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads.

After they meet the four new jets at the Sunshine Coast, they will return, and Ipswich residents will be able to look to the skies about 11.24am to see all 20 Super Hornets return to base.

THE Last Four Super Hornets to be Based at RAAF Base Amberley

Queensland Gets a Vitamin Boost

Tourism Queensland has launched a new AUD4 million campaign called ‘Vitamin Me’ promoting Queensland as the ideal destination to unwind and relax.

Kicking off the campaign's activities from 22 October, Minister for Tourism, manufacturing and small business Jan Jarratt said Vitamin Me highlighted the natural beauty that Queensland offered visitors.

“Vitamin Me is the name given to that feeling of relaxation you get from a Queensland holiday. It's a fun, creative idea that demonstrates why Queensland is Where Australia Shines,” Ms Jarratt said.

Ms Jarratt said to celebrate the campaign, Tourism Queensland has developed a fun way for people to test their Vitamin Me levels in an online quiz, where participants go into the draw to win an AUD10, 000 Queensland holiday.

“There are also many Queensland holiday deals on offer, from short breaks and experiences to give a quick boost, to longer holidays to help maintain your Vitamin Me levels.”

Tourism Queensland chief executive Anthony Hayes said the campaign was designed to strengthen Tourism Queensland’s brand Queensland Where Australia Shines.

“As we near the end of the year most people’s energy levels are pretty depleted and the campaign is designed to hit domestic the market in the lead up to the summer holiday booking period by using a range of aggressive cinema, print, online and outdoor channels.

“Using fun, creative tools such as the online quiz to ‘test’ Vitamin Me levels is a great way to get people thinking about how they’re feeling right now and how much better a Queensland holiday will make them feel.”

(Source: eTravelblackboard)

Brisbane Tourism News: New Virgin Australia Route a Boost for Local Tourism

The launch today of new Virgin Australia direct return flights from Port Macquarie to Brisbane will provide a much needed boost to local tourism in both destinations.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Accommodation Association of Australia, Richard Munro, congratulated Virgin Australia for adding more services to regional areas, and the Federal Government for its investment in local airport infrastructure which has made this new route possible.

"Accommodation and tourism operators in these areas welcome the new flights, which allow greater access for more international and domestic travellers to NSW's beautiful mid-north coast, and all that Brisbane has to offer," said Mr Munro.

"It is great to see Virgin Australia expanding into these emerging regional areas, where hard working local accommodation and tourism operators are ready and waiting to welcome guests. Making it easier for international travellers to visit more of Australia's unique destinations, and for Australians to holiday and travel within Australia will provide a boost to our home-grown domestic tourism industry. This also helps to boost to the economy of Australia as a whole."

Brisbane Tourism News: New Virgin Australia Route a Boost for Local Tourism