Media Releases

30 June 2010
Indian Queensland Tourism Ambassador and former Best Job in the World candidate, Anjaan, is in Queensland this week to show a group of Indian travel agents Queensland's holiday hotspots as part of Tourism Queensland's Best Famil in the World, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor announced.

Mr Lawlor said Anjaan's role as a Queensland Tourism Ambassador was to spread goodwill between Queensland and India.

"Anjaan will escort a group of Indian travel agents around the Brisbane, Gold Coast, Redlands and Sunshine Coast regions showcasing a diverse range of Queensland experiences that would most likely appeal to Indian travellers," Mr Lawlor said.

"Having a genuine person such as Anjaan who has travelled extensively in Queensland promoting his love of our state is a great way to strengthen our relationship with India - an important growth market for Queensland.

"During the week-long familiarisation of South East Queensland, the agents will visit various Queensland tourist attractions from Gold Coast theme parks to Surfers Paradise, including the beach and Cavill Avenue, Tamborine Mountain and its national parks, Australia Zoo and Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, and Moreton Island.

"The group will also get to take part in some of the region's adventure activities such as a jet boating, rainforest treetop walks, scenic hot air balloon rides, quad bike riding and dolphin feeding."

Mr Lawlor said the aim of the visit was to increase the groups' awareness of Queensland destinations and help Queensland's tourism operators expand their networks within the Indian travel industry.

"We want to expose our guests to the full range of Queensland's iconic experiences including islands and beaches, natural encounters, adventure and Queensland lifestyle," he said.

"The visit is sure to inspire the Indian travel agents to return home and further promote Queensland to their clients."

Mr Lawlor said Anjaan, a popular radio DJ in India, was a larger-than-life-personality who had a passion for Queensland.

"Since he was appointed as a Queensland Tourism Ambassador, Anjaan has been busy hosting Indian familiarisations here in Queensland and promoting Queensland as the destination for the Best Holiday in the World at corporate events throughout India," he said.

Mr Lawlor said India's economy was one of the fastest growing in the world, which meant an increasing number of Indians had the means to travel overseas.

"In the year ending March 2010 approximately 27,000 Indians visited Queensland and spent $72 million on their trips to the state.

"The Gold Coast welcomed 12,000 Indian visitors in the year ending March 2010.

"Two out of five Indian visitors to Queensland spent time on the Gold Coast in the year ending March 2010, making the Coast the most popular Queensland destination for Indians.

"Queensland is especially popular with high income earning Indian families who enjoy the combination of our laid-back lifestyle, food and shopping experiences.

"Familiarisations such as these are an excellent way to showcase Queensland to the Indian travel industry and will hopefully convert into more Indians booking their next holiday in Queensland."

The Best Famil in the World tour, hosted by Anjaan, was organised by Tourism Queensland, Cathay Pacific and local tourism operators, and will take place from 24 June to 4 July.