Top 10 Queensland Experiences to Celebrate Queensland Week

With the Maroons and Blues locked in State of Origin fever, Queensland is preparing for Queensland Week, a celebration of the state’s separation from New South Wales.

On 6 June 1859, Queen Victoria signed the Letters Patent authorising Queensland’s independence. This day is now known as Queensland Day. And the day we said goodbye to the Blues.

So while the Queen celebrates her 75^th jubilee, Queensland will turn the ripe old age of 153 (she’s looking pretty fine for an old girl) and will celebrate with a week of activities from 2-11 June.

Here at Tourism Queensland we’ve compiled the ultimate Top 10 Queensland experiences that every Aussie should experience before they kick the bucket.

1. Discover the largest natural wonder of the world

The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef should be experienced by everyone at least once. Dive with turtles and manta rays off Lady Elliot Island, snorkel the spectacular Low Isles coral cay off Port Douglas, take a romantic scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef, or try a helmet dive at Green Island.

2. Have an ‘Outback Eventure’

Queensland’s outback explodes into a dirt-busting riot of colour, cowboys, horse races and oddly enough, operas, every year in celebration of spring with a calendar full of quirky events. Meet the friendliest of folk from the quaintest towns in the country at the Australian Dunny Derby in Winton, the famous Birdsville Races, or Mt Isa Rodeo - the largest in the southern hemisphere.

3. Go back to surfing’s roots

Pull on your boardies, grab your board and get out with the pros at some of the most famous surf breaks on the planet. Home to the Quiksilver Pro and a few of the world’s best surfers including Joel ‘Parko’ Parkinson and Michael ‘MP’ Peterson, the beaches from Dicky Beach on the Sunshine Coast to the famous break at Snapper Rocks are where Australian surf history all began.

4. Dive with minke whales

For six weeks of the year Queensland offers one of the most life-changing experiences in the country.  During June and July, minke whales come to play in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef and live-aboard vessels head out for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dive and snorkel with these curious and amazing sea creatures.

5. Take the plunge 

A family trip to visit the Gold Coast theme parks is a rite of passage for every teenager in this country. A mad few days swapping between the sickening rides at Dreamworld, getting to your saturation limit at Wet’n’Wild, or hanging with the polar bears at Sea World combined with too much fairy floss and too many Dagwood Dogs makes for a perfect weekend! Or if you really want to get the heart started, head to Cairns to the only bungy site in Australia and trial their world-first jump menu.

6. Immerse yourself in Australian history

Discover the historical gems of Outback Queensland – learn about bushrangers, shearers, stockmen and drovers at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame; or the history of QANTAS at the Qantas Founders Museum. Retrace the steps of Cobb & Co. by travelling on the original mail route between Longreach and Windorah on a fully-ladenstagecoach with Kinnon & Co; or visit the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs.

7. Taste-test true blue Queensland drops

The Bundy bear and the flashing XXXX sign winking out over Brisbane are two of Queensland’s proudest icons. The two labels personify Queensland’s laid-back attitude and larrikin nature and a visit inside the hallowed walls of the distillery and brewery should be included on every imbiber’s list.

8. Go camping on Fraser Island

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, boasting ancient forests, one of the world’s most beautifully blue freshwater lakes, Lake Mackenzie, and of course, kilometres of undulating sand dunes. Whether you fly down them on a sand board, careen up them in a 4WD, or camp at the base of them, this World Heritage-listed island is a must-visit for all Australians.

9. Climb to record-breaking heights

Brisbane’s Story Bridge not only features in hundreds of images of the beautiful city but it also boasts the achievement of being the only bridge in the world to offer both a climb and an abseil experience. And just down the road you can get even higher with Australia’s tallest external building climb at SkyPoint on the Gold Coast.

10. Sail the 74 islands of the Whitsundays

The destination of choice for weddings, luxury holidays or sailing adventures for people all over the world, the 74 islands that make up the crystal blue Whitsundays are a mecca for sailors. Whether you want to be spoilt on a luxury yacht, hire a bareboat with your mates or sail off into the sunset with your lover there could be no better way to spend a holiday.

And one more for good luck…

11. Be a part of the seventh-straight win* with the third State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium on July 4.

*Queenslander’s are nothing if not optimistic.

(Source: Travmedia.com)

Queensland Gets Exposed to 40,000 Cruise Passengers

Video clips of Queensland will be beamed to approximately 40,000 passengers on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) thanks to a filming familiarisation in the state this week.

The famil, organised by Tourism Queensland and Abercombie and Kent, is taking an RCCL representative on a tour of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Tropical North Queensland.

“This visit is a huge coup given the international exposure for Queensland and global reputation of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines,” Hayes said.

“Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is a world-recognised cruise company with a fleet of 20 ships and a fleet capacity of 51,468. Its ships visit destinations such as Alaska, Asia, New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii and South America. This famil is allowing the cruise line to film and eventually showcase to its passengers some of the fantastic experiences Queensland has to offer and hopefully entice them to book a cruise to the Sunshine State.

“I understand four of the company’s cruise ships will visit Australia next year which will allow approximately 40,000 passengers to collectively make 20 port visits in Queensland.”

Hayes said that while in Brisbane, the RCCL rep would cruise the Brisbane River and visit a local wildlife sanctuary.

“They will also taste some Brisbane cuisine when they visit the new restaurant precinct at South Bank and do some wine tasting in the Greater Brisbane region,” he said.

“They will visit a zoo on the Sunshine Coast, take in the art and craft delights of the Gold Coast hinterland and stop into Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. They will then head to Tropical North Queensland where they will experience the iconic Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest and local Indigenous culture.

“All this will be captured on film which will then be displayed onboard all Royal Caribbean Cruise vessels visiting Australia next year.”

Tourism Queensland has increased its focus on the cruise industry in response to the continuous growth the cruise market has experienced in recent years.

Between 2010 and 2011 cruise shipping generated an estimated AUD368 million in Queensland. During the same year, 328,863 passengers visited Queensland ports, an increase of 2.8% compared to 319,761 passengers the previous year.

Hayes said following the familiarisation Tourism Queensland would hold a number of ‘Cruise Market’ industry workshops in mid-May and throughout June.

“These workshops will provide local operators with the fundamentals about the cruise market and explain the benefits of the market,” he said.

A list of locations and dates for the workshops are detailed below:

Cairns – 9:30am-1:00pm, Friday 11 May at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
Brisbane – 10:00am-1.30pm, Monday 4 June at Moda Events Portside
Gold Coast – 9:00am-12:30pm, Tuesday 5 June at Southport Yacht Club
Whitsundays – 8:45am-12:30pm, Wednesday 13 June at Peppers Coral Coast Resort, Airlie Beach

(Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au)

Queensland Hotels Bounce Back

A year ago Queensland was hit a double blow from devastating floods and cyclone Yasi.

Twelve months on and tourism in the sunshine state is bouncing back according to local operators.

Australian Bureau of Statistics results show a consistent growth in tourist numbers indicating a positive future for accommodation providers with an increased occupancy rate and average length of stay.

Much of this success comes from Tourism Queensland’s $12 million Nothing Beats Queensland campaign that was released immediately after the summer’s disasters.

Metro Hotels who have three properties in Queensland, have reported a rise in occupancy rates of up to 10 per cent in Gladstone, 12 per cent Brisbane and Ipswich.

The Metro Hotel on Wickham Terrace Brisbane and the Metro Hotel Ipswich International both suffered as a result of last January’s floods. “Luckily, both of these properties are on high ground so they were not directly damaged by the flood waters,” explains Metro Hotels Chief Operating Officer, George Bedwani.

The Metro Hotel and Apartments Gladstone also suffered because of the floods and cyclone Yasi. “Access to Gladstone from the southern and northern parts of the Queensland was completely cut off for a number of days,” said Mr Bedwani. “Gladstone is a mining hub and these natural disasters put a very large dent in their business and ours.”

According to Mr Bedwani, the future is looking positive for Queensland hotels. ”Queensland and Queenslanders are very resilient and the way everyone has pulled together to things up and running again is simply remarkable,” he said.

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.

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)

Queensland stars in whale documentary to be beamed to 2 million Malaysian viewers

A new whale documentary being filmed in Queensland could reach 2 million Malaysian viewers when it airs later this year. This week one of the largest television networks in Malaysia, TV3 begins filming on the Fraser Coast and other locations.

The humpbacks call Queensland home between July and November when they frolic in our calm, safe waters off the Fraser Coast.

The Fraser Coast has front row seats to some of the best whale action where you can experience humpbacks up close as they breach up out of the water or curiously swim alongside whale-watching boats.

The Malaysia TV3 network is focusing their documentary on the humpbacks which stay and play in Hervey Bay. As part of their filming schedule, the crew will also visit a Sunshine Coast zoo, theme park and markets as well as walk through a national park and taste the delightful local cuisine of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. The crew will be filming interviews with local whale experts, whale watching tour operators and tourism industry representatives, join several whale watching tours and take in the Hervey Bay landscape.

See www.queensland.com/whales or for more on Queensland holiday options go to www.queensland.com.

Peak Tourism Body Wary of Carbon Tax

Queensland’s peak body for tourism has grave concerns for the future of the tourism industry following the Gillard government’s Carbon Tax announcement yesterday.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) said there has been little or no recognition of the likely impact the tax will have on the tourism industry.

QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said while it was impossible to gauge the exact bottom-line impact on the industry at this stage, it would certainly not be positive.

“The Gillard Government’s Carbon Tax proposal will increase the cost of doing business for many industries, including tourism, through the direct and indirect impact on energy costs,” Mr Gschwind said.

“The international competiveness of Australian tourism and hospitality services will be negatively affected, a further blow to businesses already feeling the strong Australian dollar which is seeing domestic travellers choosing cheaper overseas holidays instead of holidaying locally.

“While domestic airfares will be driven up by the tax, international fares will not. And consumers with higher incomes, and thus a greater propensity to travel, will feel more of an impact on their hip pockets thanks to the price on carbon,” he said.

Mr Gschwind said while the tourism industry was fully committed to a sustainable economy, the positive impact of the carbon tax on the environment, and tourist destinations like the Barrier Reef, was questionable.

“The tourism sector in Queensland has long recognised that a clean environment is a core asset to our industry. We have been making a significant investment, at a cost to businesses, to develop and implement sustainable practices for several years now.

“For the tourism industry in Queensland a further concern for operators is how the new carbon pricing will affect consumer confidence, with any uncertainty translating into less spending on discretionary items like holiday.

“The proposed carbon tax will create a very challenging and costly business environment that our industry now needs to navigate, with the benefits being only a minimal reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

“Unlike other export-oriented industries including coal and other resource industries, tourism will not receive any compensation in the proposed package, which means the forgotten sectors like tourism will suffer as we shoulder a greater burden.”

Mr Gschwind also said the Carbon Tax announcement would only compound the suffering of an industry still recovering from the floods and cyclones that ravaged the state earlier this year.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) is the State’s peak body for tourism. QTIC is a not-for-profit membership organisation representing members' interests - both large and small. QTIC has in excess of 3,000 regional members, operating in all sectors of the tourism industry.

For further information please contact:

DANIEL GSCHWIND – qtic – 0419 219 795

Frances kinman/ ASHLEIGH STALLARD – BBS – (07) 3221 6711 or 0434 519 812

Easter Boost for Queensland tourism

QUEENSLAND'S tourism businesses have benefited from an Easter holiday boost it's hoped will be repeated in future school breaks.
Premier Anna Bligh said Queensland's golden beaches and good weather had been a great backdrop for many holidaying in the Sunshine State over the extra-long weekend.

She said bookings showed "a real upturn" in tourism from the Gold Coast to Cairns, with many Queenslanders and interstate tourists taking a trip.

"I think a lot of Australians who were here this Easter had the same (great) experience and I hope that brings them back in September and Christmas and next Easter," she said.

Nothing beats Queensland - Reef NEW TOURISM QLD ADVERT

NEW TOURISM QLD ADVERT - Nothing beats Queensland "Reef"

Queensland Unleashes Radio/Online Tourism Blitz in China

A major radio and online advertising campaign costing AUD400,000 has started in start in China today telling millions of Chinese why there’s nothing like Queensland for an Australian holiday.

The Chinese radio and online blitz forms part of the AUD10 million global tourism recovery strategy announced by the Australian and Queensland Governments last month. AUD400,000 goes a long way on radio and online channels in China.

“China is one of Australia’s fastest growing tourism markets and regional areas such as the Gold Coast and Tropical North Queensland have worked hard to attract Chinese visitors out of the major gateways,” Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said.

“By targeting Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the radio and online campaign will be encouraging Chinese families, couples and singles to take up the recently increased air capacity and book a trip to Australia.”

The activity follows the recent visit by 25 journalists from mainland China, who participated in the week long global familiarisation tour of Queensland as part of a contingent of almost 200 journalists from 22 countries who travelled to more than 20 Queensland destinations.

“In the coming weeks Tourism Queensland will also roll out a series of Chinese market workshops for the Queensland tourism industry to assist Queensland businesses better understand Chinese culture, customs and business practices,” said Queensland’s Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business, Jan Jarratt.

“China is now Queensland’s fourth largest and fastest growing international market with the state welcoming 188,000 Chinese visitors in 2010, a 23 percent increase on the previous year.

“Chinese visitors spent $338 million on their trips to the state in 2010, an increase of 18 percent on the previous year.

“It is forecast that by 2014 over 255,000 Chinese will visit the state as part of their Australian adventures.

“It’s important for Queensland’s tourism industry to capitalise on the state’s increasing popularity with Chinese visitors.”

Jarratt said recovery efforts by the industry were in full swing and the world now knew that nothing beats the resilience of Queensland’s tourism industry.

“This marketing activity is an important component of our recovery strategy, designed to encourage Chinese travellers to book a Queensland holiday and support the state’s AUD9.2 billion tourism industry,” she said.

(Source: eGlobaltravelmedia.com.au ; Peter Needham ; 5th April 2011)

Nothing Beats Qld's New Slogan?

The new slogan 'NOTHING beats Queensland', is aimed at reviving the state's ailing tourism industry following a summer of floods and cyclones.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announced the new campaign to attract visitors back to the sunshine state, in parliament on Wednesday.

"Over the next few weeks, Queensland will be everywhere," she told parliament.

"Nothing beats Queensland is the message that will be promoted to Australia and the world as part of this tourism strategy.

"The campaign will harness the unbeatable Queensland spirit.

"Just as these disasters have not beaten us ... we aim to tell the world that nothing beats Queensland, nothing beats our beaches, nothing beats our rainforest, nothing beats our Great Barrier Reef and nothing beats a Queensland holiday."

She said the tourism campaign would be one of the biggest Australia has ever seen.

Ms Bligh said the campaign was part of a joint state and federal government $10 million package.

She said the campaign would target domestic and international media to publicise that Queensland is open for business despite a harrowing summer of disasters.

A "social networking blitz" on sites such as Facebook and YouTube would be used to drive up tourism numbers, Ms Bligh said.

An interstate marketing campaign worth $4.5 million aimed at attracting visitors over the Easter holiday period was also part of the package.

Another element of the campaign was encouraging Queenslanders to holiday at home, she said.

March 2011 - The Queensland Times

Queensland Braces for Japanese Tourism Slump

Outbound tourism from Japan can be expected to fall sharply in the wake of the shocking earthquake and tsunami disaster which is thought to have killed well over 10,000 people. The deadly quake has been followed by a nuclear reactor crisis and bitterly cold weather.

Queensland, in particular, benefits from Japanese tourism. Japanese enjoy the Gold Coast and the market was returning. In 2010, a downward spiral in Japanese tourism to the Gold Coast finally reversed. Last year, Japanese visits to Queensland leapt by 12% to reach 398,000 visitors

A downturn is now expected. An article in the Australian newspaper quoted Daniel Gschwind, chief executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, reporting that the state had enjoyed a “terrific turnaround” last year after Jetstar – the main provider of Japan/Australia flights, began a new service between Osaka and Cairns in April. Gschwind admitted that the state faced “another enormous challenge in this market”, which was a matter of serious concern.

Worldwide publicity given to the floods in January and then Cyclone Yasi have already hit bookings to Queensland. Cancellations from Japan started flowing in after those events and moves were underway to reverse the trend.

The Japanese market is known to be very sensitive to bad news, whether from abroad or at home.

Gschwind pointed out that many Japanese would have other priorities now, and that culturally it was not done to travel overseas at times of national crisis.

There are several precedents. In the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, which killed 53 people, a Japanese driver was attacked and injured. The riots and the attack, widely publicised in Japan, produced massive cancellations. Los Angeles County’s most important international market for tourists took a nosedive. A full 18 months after the end of those riots, tourism industry executives in Los Angeles were still seeing both leisure and business travel from Japan continuing to decline. One hotel operator said business from Japan declined about 40% at his property in the year following the riots. Leisure travellers were landing at Los Angeles International Airport on commercial flights from Japan and bypassing the city to go on to other destinations in the United States.

The Japanese outbound market can be expected to switch off after the current tragic, quake-related events. It may be some time before it re-engages.

Japan is the fifth-biggest provider of inbound tourists to Australia. The market share it represents has fallen steadily from the early 1990s, when it represented 22%. It now represents about 6%, with Japan ranking after New Zealand, Britain, the US and China in visitation to Australia.

Some 357,000 visitors from Japan arrived in Australia last year. Tourism Australia’s “There’s Nothing Like Australia” campaign kicked off in Japan in September 2010.

(Source: Peter Needham, eGlobalTravelMedia.com.au, March 2011)

AFTA rallies behind Queensland tourism

afta CEO, Jayson Westbury is rallying support for tourism to Queensland, sending a clear message to the trade to urge travellers to book a domestic holiday to the State or defer worried holiday-makers from cancelling pre-arranged trips

Speaking to e-Travel Blackboard today, Mr Westbury said the key message was simply, “How can I help?” directing the greater travel industry to get on board with ensuring correct information was relayed to travellers considering visiting popular tourism spots, most of which has been untouched by recent floods.

Mr Westbury said afta has recommended donations to be made to the Premier Fund.
(Source: eTravel Blackboard 18th January 2011)

Chinese visitors to fly direct to Queensland - Queensland Hotels

For the first time in more than a decade, Chinese visitors will be able to fly direct to Queensland thanks to a deal brokered by Tourism Queensland, Brisbane Airport Corporation and China Southern Airlines.

The first Chinese passengers to fly direct to Queensland since 1997 will arrive in Brisbane later this year, opening the door to a potential extra 3600 Chinese travellers a month.

To promote the new flights, Tourism Queensland will partner with Tourism Australia and China Southern Airlines in a $520,000 campaign which will see images of Queensland on outdoor screens in Shanghai and on the sides of buses and trains.

Previously Chinese visitors had to transit through Sydney or Melbourne to get to Queensland so providing the option for Chinese travellers to fly direct into Brisbane and easily connect to a range of Queensland destinations allows them to bypass the southern states and spend more time and money in Queensland.