Tourism Queensland Hosts Largest Media Contingent as Part of AUD 10 Million Tourism Recovery Programme

Almost 200 international and Australian media from over 20 countries including India were taken on familiarisation tours to Queensland's regions to help the AUD 9.1 billion tourism industry recover from recent floods and cyclone that hit the state.

The media tour is one of the initiatives announced as part of the joint Federal/State AUD 10 million global tourism recovery package under the banner of 'Nothing Beats Queensland'. The tour known as a 'mega-famil' covered 14 of Queensland's regions - including Brisbane, Tropical North Queensland, the Whitsundays, Mackay, the Fraser, Gold and Sunshine Coasts and Queensland's Outback.

This has been one of the largest media contingents to ever be brought to Queensland. Jan Jarratt (honourable minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business) said, “ It looked like the United Nations had come to QLD as media from nearly 20 countries converged here to sample the best of what this region has to offer. And we want them to take back the message to the world that we are ready to take on visitors. Nothing beats Queensland because that's where Australia shines. We organsied this tour because we think that seeing is believing. We want the media to tell everyone that we are not just back in business but right on top. We want the world to know that the Queensland brand is strong.”

Commenting on the India market she said that it is a very important and growing market for Tourism Queensland besides China and Korea. “We are expecting that the huge Indian student population in Australia will visit the region with family and will return for more.”

Mathew Hayden, former Australian cricketer and a Queenslander said that he, “Lived and breathed that connection. I am an incredibly proud Queenslander.”. Urging the media to blog and twitter about Operation Sunshine, he along with Anthony Hayes, CEO, Tourism Queensland, signed The Queensland Pledge, “To do that little bit extra to welcome visitors back again.” By encouraging tourism operators, other businesses and individuals who come in contact with tourists to sign a pledge, visitors are being offered the best holiday possible.

Queensland premier and minister for reconstruction, Anna Bligh added, “During their week-long visit the journalists have participated in some of Queensland's best tourism experiences, such as visiting theme parks on the Gold Coast, learning to surf on the Sunshine Coast, snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, sampling wine in the Granite Belt, zip lining through the rainforest in the Daintree, experiencing the wilderness and beaches of Fraser Island, visiting Queensland's Outback, hot air ballooning above the Atherton Tablelands and kayaking on the Brisbane River," she said.

The Australian Govt is working closely with the Queensland Govt to deliver a AUD 12 million package to support tourism businesses and jobs. Apart from a comprehensive print, radio and TV advertising campaign, businesses are being provided direct support with trade shows, trade missions and risk management.

Tourism businesses in Queensland are being given subsidies to participate in the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) being held in Sydney in April.

Indian arrivals:

There were 14,700 visitors from India during December 2010, an increase of 17 per cent relative to the same month previous year. The total for the year ending December 31, 2010 is 138,700, an increase of 11 per cent relative to the same period in 2009. This makes India the 11th largest inbound market for arrivals as of Dec 2010. Average growth is forecasted at 10.8 per cent.
Comparative figures for Indian visitors to Australia and Queensland

Australia: Leisure 26%, VFR 48%, Business 23%, Others 23% Queensland: Leisure 52%, VFR 26%, Business 17%, Others 13%

Source : Australian Bureau of Statistics

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)

Tourists still welcome to enjoy a Queensland holiday

The majority of Queensland’s tourism destinations are still ready to welcome visitors, Tourism Queensland acting CEO Leanne Coddington said today.

Ms Coddington said while the floods currently affecting parts of Central Queensland, Western Downs and Outback Queensland had impacted visitor access to those regions, tourism operations in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, Whitsundays, Mackay, Townsville, Tropical North Queensland, Southern Downs and Toowoomba were functioning normally.

She said tourism businesses in Bundaberg, Gladstone, Agnes Water and 1770 were recovering from flood effects and most were now open and returning to normal business operation.

Heron Island, Mon Repos Turtle Experience, Bargara beaches, Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island, were also open and ready to welcome visitors.

“Our thoughts are with those who have lost homes and livelihoods in this natural disaster,” Ms Coddington said.

“The impact will be felt for a long time to come, but as flood waters recede in some affected regions, tourism operations are returning to normal as quickly as possible.

“Tourism Queensland is currently working with industry partners, government and other stakeholders to help tourism operators in these regions get back on their feet once access has been restored and infrastructure and businesses return to normal operation.”

Ms Coddington said the majority of the state’s tourism operators remained unaffected and with more than 222,000 Queenslanders directly or indirectly employed in tourism throughout the state, taking a Queensland holiday would help protect their livelihoods.

“Queensland beaches and island resorts are open and most day tours and attractions are operating normally,” she said.

“Most of the state’s natural areas are also open and, with full waterholes and gushing waterfalls, are quite spectacular at the moment.”

Ms Coddington said although road and rail travel were currently restricted in some areas, with the exception of Rockhampton airport, air access into the state’s remaining 19 airports was currently operating normally.

“I would encourage anyone thinking of a Queensland holiday or concerned about an existing booking to check with their travel agent, accommodation or tour provider for latest local conditions before considering changing plans.

“There are some fantastic holiday options available and taking a Queensland holiday will help recovering businesses get back on their feet and help protect the livelihoods of those businesses that haven’t been affected by the floods.”

(Source: Tourism Queensland)

Tickets on Sale Tuesday for Brisbane Test against Springboks

Tri-Nations – now for the real thing

The Wallabies acknowledge they are still a work in progress, New Zealand has focused its preparations on ways to nullify the aerial superiority by South Africa, and the Springboks have to explain some baffling backline selections to convince certain critics that they will successfully defend their Tri-Nations crown.

The Tri-Nations campaign will kick off at Auckland on 10 July with a Test between New Zealand and South Africa.

Australia

After scraping through against Ireland with a rather flattering score line of 22-15 last Saturday, Australian captain Rocky Elsom acknowledged that his team still had much work to do to be competitive in the Tri-Nations competition.

“We just weren’t sharp enough and not on the same page [as New Zealand and South Africa],” he said.

Australia has been viewed by some notable rugby critics as the likely winner of the World Cup in 2011.

Os du Randt, current Springbok scrum doctor, said he was extremely impressed by the performance in the scrums by some of the Australian Super 14 teams.

Players such as Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson buried the myth that the Australians were vulnerable against giant scrumming machines.

They could field a potent backline with game breakers who have the ability to run impressive opponents ragged, he said.

But Australia could not field its first-choice props lately, and lost the second Test against England as a result.

John Eales, the former Australian captain, said the goal of the Wallabies must be to raise the standard of their poor performances.

“The differential between our best and poorer performances is substantial. and great teams show minimal variation,” he said.

Symptomatic of the uncertainty with this team is the goal-kicking standoff. Curiously, right-footed Quade Cooper takes aim from his preferred left side of the field and goofy-footed Matt Giteau lines up from the right side. They seemed to swap around the midfield duty.

“A show of faith in both, you might say. But it could also be viewed as a lack of faith in both,” Eales warned.

New Zealand

The Springboks' dominant lineout and New Zealand's inability to handle the high ball were features of last season's "blackwash" in the Tri-Nations, but there is confidence that those areas have been addressed well, reported the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA).

Forwards coach Steve Hansen, who must again try to outwit world-class lock Victor Matfield, reckoned the lineout had improved several notches on this stage last year.

"We now step up into the big boys' league and I think we can go in there with some confidence, as long as we keep it smart and keep it simple and people do their job," he said.

Winger Cory Jane, a standout figure in New Zealand's hammering of Ireland and twin defeats of Wales, expected another aerial bombardment even though this season's rule interpretations had prompted less kicking in general play.

"I presume they'll keep kicking, we just have to keep working on our counter-attack," Jane told NZPA.

Graham Henry, the All Black coach, made an unexpected manoeuvre at the end of last week by dropping four noted players when unveiling his Tri-Nations squad.

And that is arguably New Zealand’s greatest single mystery, and also its biggest problem. In eight years at the helm, Henry has never once selected the same 22 players for successive Tests. That contributed to New Zealand's defeat in the 2007 World Cup quarterfinal when a lack of backline leaders in the team gifted the France the match.

While Henry likes to keep his players honest, he also feeds inconsistency and insecurity.

South Africa

South Africa played with vigour and intensity in dismantling Italy in East London.

“I am much happier. We got the send-off for the Tri-Nations we needed. We wanted a good workout and we wanted to play much better – and we did both,” coach Peter de Villiers said of his team's 55-11 win over Italy.

What was baffling, though, were the choices of the substitute bench for the internationals at Auckland, Wellington (17 July) and Brisbane (24 July).

South Africa will start with Enrico Januarie at scrumhalf, a man who looked out of sorts in the second Test against Italy. The team flirted with Ruan Pienaar as substitute wing, used Jean de Villiers as wing as well, and announced the inclusion of Francois Hougaard in the Tri-Nations squad.

According to certain critics, De Villiers' reasoning behind the move is to use Hougaard as scrumhalf substitute. Hougaard has not featured for the Bulls at scrumhalf in the past two seasons.

Pienaar represented the Sharks in this position in the final half of the Super 14 season and at times edged Fourie du Preez in terms of excellent form.

Yet, the Bok management persists with Januarie, and is contemplating the move to use Hougaard in a position in which he has not been tried and tested at this level.

Hougaard has been sensational at wing for the Bulls, but scrumhalf? It does not make sense.

Another possible blunder was not to use Francois Steyn’s massive boot as a possible weapon. If Steyn looked rusty against Wales, his form might have been improved by using him in the lesser internationals off the substitute bench against Italy.

Zane Kirchner has struggled to make the step up to the Springboks from Super 14 level.

Despite these reservations, most pundits give the Boks a chance to repeat their Tri-Nations triumph of 2009. The Kiwis may not have the benefit of a psychological advantage playing at home against South Africa.

The Bulls and the Stormers were overwhelmingly successful in New Zealand, and even the Sharks scored two notable victories there.

South Africa’s formidable performances in the lineouts, scrums and at the rucks will send a few shivers down the spine of the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

And there are sufficient superb game-breakers at the back to keep the New Zealand and Australian teams honest come Tri-Nations time.

Book Accommodation at Metro Hotel Tower Mill Brisbane
Book Accommodation at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

See Source