Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
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.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
QantasLink Boosts Seat Numbers
QantasLink has announced it will increase its capacity between Brisbane and three central Queensland airports from this month.
The expansion will allow additional capacity between Brisbane and Mackay and Brisbane and Rockhampton and new services into Gladstone.
An additional 572 seats will be available between Mackay and Brisbane.
Executive manager Narendra Kumar says more upgrades are scheduled for central Queensland destinations over the coming months.
"It's in response to demand from the regional communities and industries, including the resource sector, and ensuring that we are putting on ample capacity at the required times," he said.
"I think it's important that we are putting on capacity when people want to travel and ensuring that we grow in line with how the markets are growing in central Queensland."
Kylie Porter from the Mackay Chamber of Commerce says while it is welcome news for the region, she says Qantas needs to commit to servicing the area at its full capacity.
"Just because there may be that slight downward pitch in the economy doesn't actually mean that business or the transactions that we need to do every single day to conduct business dries up," she said.
"We still need to get to Brisbane, we still need to be able to get from Brisbane to other major centres and it would be great to be able to do that with a reliable national carrier."
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Five-Day Weekend Gets a Nation On The Move
Add Anzac Day to Easter and what do you get? A tourism industry delivered from the doldrums as holiday crowds head for beaches and bright city lights.
WHAT a difference a day makes. With Anzac Day joined to Easter this year to create a five-day break, many travel companies are reporting a jump in bookings.
Some Australians are taking the opportunity to make a short overseas trip while there are cheap airfares available, although the longer Easter break is also providing a much-needed boost for our rather embattled domestic tourism industry.
A recent survey undertaken by lastminute.com.au reports that 33 per cent of Australians were planning to holiday in Australia at Easter, while 8 per cent were planning to go overseas.
Many were yet to decide but only 9 per cent declared their intention to stay at home.
Lastminute's sister company, travel.com.au, says its domestic flight bookings for Easter are up more than 70 per cent on last year (while international flight bookings are up only slightly).
"A lot of people are putting the five days to good use and going away," says the brand general manager for travel.com.au, Lisa Ferrari. She says domestic airlines have been very active with tactical sales campaigns, which has helped spur people into action.
There are also plenty of people taking a few days off work and extending their break.
With public holidays on Friday (April 22), Monday and Tuesday, workers can get a 10-day break for the price of three days' leave.
Ferrari says some of those taking longer breaks have been enticed by cheap overseas airfares, such as $899 fares to Hawaii and $930 fares to Los Angeles.
"There's even an increase in people travelling to London [for the Easter period]," she says.
A spokesman for Quickbeds says it has seen a healthy increase in Easter bookings as a result of the longer break. The managing director, John Feenaghty, says there are also people who had their January holidays disrupted by the bad weather in Queensland and Victoria looking to make up for that.
"I'm predicting a bumper Easter and June/July holiday period," he says.
The big winners on the domestic scene seem to be the Gold Coast and Melbourne, with every company contacted by The Sun-Herald nominating those cities in most popular destination categories.
Travel.com.au says the Gold Coast and Melbourne are clearly its biggest sellers for the Easter period, though Ferrari notes this is based solely on those flying to their destination and does not take into account driving holidays.
FlightCentre also nominates the Gold Coast and Melbourne, along with Sydney and Tasmania. The company says the Queensland islands and tropical north Queensland, which are typically very popular at Easter, are down on last year, "for obvious reasons relating to weather".
However, AOT Holidays, which has several brands including Queensland specialist Sunlover Holidays, says it has seen strong demand for north Queensland, along with the Gold Coast.
The general manager of sales and marketing for AOT, Hugh Houston, says that while negative perceptions have been a problem since cyclone Yasi, the industry has done a good job reassuring travellers that north Queensland is open for business.
"The bookings coming through for this region are an indication that we are slowly getting that message out there," he says.
Houston says the company is also seeing demand for city breaks, with plenty of good deals on offer for capital cities. AOT's Easter bookings have been tracking on a similar line to last year but are expected to improve, owing to a trend to last-minute reservations.
Zuji Australia says it expects its Easter bookings to be up about 100 per cent on last year, thanks in part to the longer break.
"We're quite excited about how Easter bookings are proceeding at the moment," says the managing director, James Gaskell.
He says there have been very good flight-plus-hotel packages in the market and the extra day off work is encouraging people to travel further. Many Zuji customers are heading overseas, making the most of cheap flights and the strong Australian dollar.
"We've had a significant number of customers booking early with special offers for combined flight and hotel packages, particularly to Fiji and Phuket," Gaskell says.
"I think this has been buoyed naturally by the strong Australian dollar, making it more affordable for Australians to travel abroad."
Never too late for a good deal
IF YOU haven't yet planned anything for Easter it's not too late. Travelpoint.com.au this week had four-star Melbourne accommodation priced from $135 a night during Easter, while needtoescape.com had a five-star hotel in Cairns priced from $149 a night and quickbeds.com had Noosa accommodation from $95 a night. For those wanting to venture further out, lastminute.com.au had 4½-star accommodation in Auckland priced from $110 a night, while wotif.com listed a range of Pacific Island accommodation, with prices starting at $65 a night.
Find Easter Accommodation at Metro Hotels
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
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Queensland's 2011 Season of Sailing off to a Flying Start
Queensland’s Season of Sailing is making it easy to come onboard to stay and sail in the state’s world-class sailing destinations.
Now in its second year, the Season of Sailing aims to attract visitors to sailing events in Brisbane, SunshineCoast, Central Queensland, the Whitsundays and Townsville being held from April 22 to September 6.
Visitors can enjoy and be part of a world famous race week, learn to sail and embark on a bareboat adventure or if DIY sailing doesn’t appeal a range of crewed charters are available. Choose from a wide range of boating experiences – from catamarans to 20 foot racing yachts – and exploreQueensland’s many spectacular waterways. Stay in a resort with views of theCoral Seaor visit The Great Barrier Reef.
The Season of Sailing website, www.queenslandholidays.com.au/sailing makes it easy to experience a Queensland sailing experience and book a range of stay and sail holiday packages with your friends and family from now until September, with travel extending until December 15, 2011.
The Sunsail Australia package allows you to take to the water on a bareboat charter from $99 per person or Descarada Luxury Charters offer an all-inclusive luxury two night cruise through the Whitsunday Islands– a great way to relax and unwind after the Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island Race Weeks.
There is also a package available for people to explore the Townsville region with a seven night Peppers Island Escape, including accommodation at the Peppers Blue on Blue Magnetic Island and daily breakfast.
From just $85 per night, you can stay at the Island Gateway Holiday Park at beautiful AirlieB each(kids stay free) or enjoy one of Queensland’s newest resorts, the Boathouse Apartments by Outrigger, also atAirlieBeach, which is offering two bedroom apartments from $260 per night quad-share.
Young Australian of the Year and proud Queenslander, Jessica Watson has come onboard once again as the Queensland’s Season of Sailing ambassador when she launched the 2011 Season at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly, Brisbane last Saturday, April 2.
Jessica says she is happy to encourage more people to take up the sport of sailing. “The Season of Sailing offers everyone, from all age groups, an opportunity to get out there and give it a go.”
There’s so many ways to get out onQueensland’s clear blue waters; there is an opportunity for every level of skill and experience, at any time of the year.
Individual race events for 2011Queensland’s Season of Sailing include:
Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race – April 22–24
Etchells Australasian Winter Championships (Sunshine Coast) – June 9–12
Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race - August 5-8
Airlie Beach Race Week - August 12-18
Hamilton Island Race Week - August 19-27
Magnetic Island Race Week - September 1-6
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
State Seeks Tourism Dollar This Easter
Queensland tourism operators are offering cut-price deals over Easter in a bid to draw back visitors following the state's recent natural disasters.
Despite a $10 million global tourism campaign to spread the message that Queensland is open for business, areas normally booked out over the peak period are promoting slashed prices just three weeks out from the Easter long weekend.
Accommodation operators on Moreton Bay islands, the Sunshine Coast and some Whitsunday islands, as well as the far south and west, are among those still seeking visitors.
“Bonus nights, added incentives and competitive holiday packages including tours are being promoted to lure people back to Queensland's holiday hot spots," a Tourism Queensland spokeswoman said.
However, the “Nothing Beats Queensland” campaign appears to have had a strong impact in some areas, with several accommodation operators reporting record levels of occupancy for the next two months.
There are few Easter options available in the Capricorn, Gladstone and Bundaberg regions, according to Tourism Queensland. Even tiny Pumpkin Island, on the Great Barrier Reef, is experiencing its strongest April-May season yet.
In a positive sign for the industry, many who were forced to cancel holidays on the Gold, Sunshine and Fraser coasts over the wet Christmas-January period literally took a “rain check” and opted to re-book at Easter rather than seek a refund.
Bookings are strong along the southern coasts, but some operators are still hoping for more by offering discount deals.
In inland areas around Brisbane, many hotels say they are fully booked for Easter but others fear they will not reach their usual occupancy levels.
Accommodation is hard to find in Toowoomba, hosting the popular Easterfest music festival, and Mt Tamborine. However, other areas in the Western Downs and Scenic Rim have plenty of vacancies.
Regions further south and west are indicating a slower Easter compared to previous years.
According to Tourism Queensland, cheaper accommodation options such as caravan parks and camping grounds have been most popular, while four- and five-star hotels have weaker bookings.
However, Flight Centre general manager Colin Bowman said some people were taking the opportunity to stay in more luxurious properties because they could get a good deal this year.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said tourism operators were desperately hoping Easter would be a shining light in what had been a disastrous summer season.
"It's been extremely difficult and we're hoping that a lot of people will take that holiday they probably missed out on over Christmas," he said.
"Everybody is pretty spooked about the weather; we've had rain and pretty bad weather over the last few months ... [so] people have left booking until the last minute.
"But, so far, the Easter break will probably bring a bit of relief to operators, [particularly those] on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast."
A spokeswoman for accommodation booking website Stayz.com.au, said a “substantial” number of Queensland Easter bookings had been lost because many people typically booked during January, when the state was at the height of floods and Cyclone Yasi.
However, she said consumer sentiment had returned and inquiries for Queensland properties were returning to pre-flood levels.
“[That's] generating last minute Easter and school holiday bookings,” the spokeswoman said.
“Queensland is also very popular for interstate winter holidays and bookings have started for this period as well.”
Flights to various Queensland holiday destinations have been snapped up, with only the most expensive options available for most routes.
Jetstar spokeswoman Jennifer Timm said flights were especially booked out on April 25-26, when the last days of the school holidays and the Easter break clash.
Mr Bowman said Easter bookings were unusual this year because of the unique timing.
The Christian holiday, which is determined by the full moon, begins on Friday, April 22, coinciding with Anzac Day to create a five-day break, occurring further into autumn than usual and falling outside the school holiday period for most Queensland private schools.
All of those factors appeared to be benefiting tourism operators, Mr Bowman said.
“[Most] private schools are on holidays last week and this week, so a number of people have chosen to take their Easter break in the last two weeks,” he said.
“That's spread the peak that we would get out of the Queensland market over a bigger period.
“The southern states are starting to get colder so we've seen an up take [in the number] of people booking holidays out of Melbourne in Queensland.
“[And] the extra public holiday [has given people] the opportunity to ... stay away an extra night.”
Mr Bowman said the tourism campaign was having mixed results.
“It's been a fairly tough period … because of the weather conditions,” he said.
“The great thing is Tourism Queensland is out there spending money to promote Queensland. I think that's having a positive impact on business, but there's still some properties that have got some availability and they would be looking to fill that in the next 10 days.”
Where you're most likely to still get an Easter deal:
Moreton Bay and Islands
Outback, Gulf and Western Downs
South Burnett Region
Parts of the Scenic Rim
Brisbane
Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas (particularly 4 and 5-star hotels)
Townsville and Magnetic Island
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Nothing beats Queensland - Reef NEW TOURISM QLD ADVERT
NEW TOURISM QLD ADVERT - Nothing beats Queensland "Reef"
Monday, April 4, 2011
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)
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