Tourism on Q

In this edition:

Industry opportunities
Quick snippets
Industry gongs
People on the move
Events
G'day! Enjoy your stay! Good news story

From the Minister

Last week I launched a fantastic new website for volunteers in Queensland to gain some valuable experience at exciting tourism events and activities around the state.  The tourism industry relies heavily on volunteers to support events, festivals, visitor centres and tourism organisations throughout the state.  This web portal provides a central point for new and experienced volunteers to find out about upcoming opportunities in the tourism industry.  It also highlights opportunities for people who want to combine their holiday experience with volunteering.  Organisations seeking volunteers can also register and promote their volunteering opportunities and events on the site.  For more information head to www.tourismvolunteering.com.au.

Peter Lawlor MP
Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading

Jetstar’s increased air capacity to Cairns

Jetstar has announced it has increased its domestic capacity to Cairns by almost 30 per cent from early 2011. Additional daily services from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane (and building to a daily return Gold Coast – Cairns service) will contribute more than 4425 additional seats to the region’s domestic capacity each week and an additional 25 weekly return services to Cairns.

Jessica Watson onboard as Queensland's Season of Sailing Ambassador

Queensland sailor Jessica Watson is onboard as Tourism Queensland's 2010 - 2011 Sailing Ambassador. Jessica's first official duty as sailing ambassador was at Hamilton Island Race Week - one of Australia's premier sailing events.  Jessica's duties will include featuring in a broadcast sailing special promoting sailing in Queensland and blogging about sailing events on her popular website www.jessicawatson.com.au. Jessica also officially launched Queensland's 2011 Season of Sailing. For more information on Queensland's Season of Sailing and to book packages visit www.queenslandholidays.com.au/sailing.

Queensland tourism operators sell their product to Korea

Queensland tourism operators will have the chance to sell their product in person to about 250 travel wholesalers, retail agents, airlines and tourism media in Korea this week. The 'Queensland on Tour' trade mission, coordinated by Tourism Queensland runs from 23-27 August in Korean cities Seoul, Busan and Deagu.

Brisbane family VIP guests in Shanghai for family exchange

The O'Connor family from Victoria Point were guests of honour at a VIP event in the Australian Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo in China over the weekend, where they have been travelling as Honorary Tourism Ambassadors. The family won the trip through Tourism Queensland's "Sunshine Exchange" competition which provided the opportunity for one Brisbane family to visit Shanghai and attend the Shanghai World Expo, meet the locals and tell them about life in Queensland. Tourism Queensland's China office ran a simultaneous campaign in China which has given a Shanghai family of three, Ms Wang Jiaying and Mr Jiang Hui and their four-year-old son Qijun, the opportunity to visit the Brisbane region later this year. The winning Chinese family will spend approximately five days in Queensland in October accompanied by select Chinese media reporting on their adventures in Queensland.

Indigenous art exhibitions increase indigenous tourism potential in TNQ

Tropical North Queensland has increased its Indigenous tourism offering with new Indigenous art exhibitions showcasing inspired artworks from talented locals from around the region. The Canopy Art Gallery's Indigenous art exhibitions have been part of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) celebrations. The Indigenous exhibitions at the Canopy Art Gallery will run until 25 September. For more information click here www.canopyarts.com.au.  The CIAF ran from 20-22 August to read more click here.

More news

For the latest media releases from Queensland Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor, click here.

Industry opportunities

• NEW! Central Queensland Southern Great Barrier Reef Conversation with TQ - 11 September
  Tourism Queensland is hosting a ‘Conversation with TQ’ to coincide with The Rock Building Society Central Queensland Southern Great Barrier Reef Tourism Business Awards. The event is being held in Gladstone on Saturday 11 September at the Yaralla Sports Club from 11:30am - 3pm and includes a light lunch. The forum gives Tourism Queensland the opportunity to hear from industry and is also a chance for industry to hear more on Tourism Queensland’s strategic direction for 2010/11 and meet with various TQ specialists. Please RSVP to Kristy Taylor or call +61 7 3535 5300.
  
  
• NEW! Tourism Product Packaging and ‘Weather Proof My Business’ workshop – 13 September
  Specialists Anita Clark from Anita Clark Tourism and Mark Olsen from EC3 will be delivering a full day of workshops in Julia Creek to provide Outback and Gulf tourism operators with hands-on practical tips on product packaging and bundling.  The workshop will also help operators with simple crisis management solutions and to prepare for extreme weather events. The workshop will be held on Monday 13 September at the CSA Recreation Hall, Julia Creek from 10:30am – 6:00pm (morning tea and lunch provided). RSVP by 8 September to Sarah Chaplain +61 409 440 108.
  
  
• NEW! Future Transport what it means for your business – 15 September
  Learn more about new transport technologies and practices available now and in the future to save you money and reduce your emissions. The event will be held at Brisbane Technology Park, Eight Mile Plains from 9.00am-1.00pm. Complete the registration form here. 
  
  
• NEW! New Brand advertising opportunities – October to December
  Tourism Queensland is embarking on a global launch of the new brand for Queensland and its destinations in the coming weeks. The brand will appeal to our key target markets and capture the hearts and minds of our consumer. It will also encapsulate all of the amazing experiences and destinations that make up Queensland. Tourism Queensland is offering operators various advertising opportunities for the October through to December period. For further information on all of the opportunities click here or contact Coroneo and Co on +61 7 3252 4860.
  
  
• NEW! Queensland on Tour Middle East 2011 – January 2011
  Expressions of interest are invited from Queensland industry to participate in a travel mission to the Middle East in January 2011. Queensland on Tour Middle East 2011 will be held in Abu Dhabi targeting a select group of Gulf agents invited to attend a workshop and networking opportunities.  The workshop and networking opportunities will run from 26 - 29 January. Email expressions of interest to Paul Buggy.

• ATE 2011 – Dates for potential Queensland sellers
  The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) is a tourism trade show that brings Australian tourism businesses together with airlines, tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world. ATE 2011 will be held in Sydney, for key dates and information for Queensland industry already working in the international market click here or contact Alison Saunders.
  
  
• Registrations now open for the TQ Chinese Travel Planner
  Tourism Queensland invites you to participate in the 4th annual Chinese language version of the Queensland Travel Planner. This marketing tool helps promote product to the Chinese-speaking travel trade for 12 months, stimulate demand for Queensland product and turn enquiries into bookings from the Chinese speaking markets. The Chinese travel planner will be produced in both traditional (Hong Kong and Taiwan) and simplified (mainland China) Chinese languages to maximise reach.  To read more and register click here or contact Shelly Zhu.
  
  
• Conversations with TQ Tropical North Queensland - 1 September
  A selection of Tourism Queensland's Executive Team and specialists will be in Cairns for Tourism Queensland's annual industry forum on 1 September. The TQ team will present the strategic plan for the coming year. Specialists from Digital, Marketing, International, Publicity, Cruise and Aviation, Research, Destination Planning and Industry Innovation will all there to answer questions in a round table conversation format. The event will be held at the Shangri-La, Cairns from 9.45am-1.30pm. Please complete the registration form and RSVP to Kate Lankshear +61 7 3535 5279.
  
  
• Tourism Queensland’s International Market Briefings RSVP – 8 October
  Tourism Queensland’s International Regional Directors will be in Queensland in October for the International Market Briefings. The briefings are open to anyone in the industry wanting insights into key international markets.  You don't have to already 'play' in the international space to attend.  If you’re looking to expand, these sessions offer you a chance to listen and talk with market experts.  Tourism Queensland encourages anyone interested to participate. Sessions are as follows: 
  Brisbane - 22 October, Holiday Inn 8.20am - 2.00pm
  Whitsundays - 25 October, Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach 12.45pm - 5.00pm
  Cairns - 27 October, Shangri-La, Cairns 11.50am - 6.00pm
  The day will start with market briefings by each of the International Regional Directors followed by round table sessions. RSVP by 8 October to Tash Petrolati.
  
  
• Queensland on Stage Eastern Hemisphere - Registrations close 31 August
  Time is running out to register for Queensland on Stage Eastern Hemisphere. Tourism Queensland in partnership with Tourism Tropical North Queensland will host 'Queensland on Stage Eastern Hemisphere 2010'. A one-day workshop will be held on Wednesday 20 October at the Cairns Convention Centre followed by an evening function at the Cairns Wildlife Dome and Pullman Reef Hotel Casino.  Approximately 100 key travel trade participants are expected to attend the workshop looking for new and exciting experiences and products to sell in their markets. Buyers are anticipated from Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, India and the Middle East.  For a prospectus click here or email Alison Saunders.

Quick snippets 

• Tourism Queensland is gearing-up for a very big and exciting change.  Our new brand will be launched in the coming weeks.  To make sure you’re ‘in the know’ sign up to our twitter account www.twitter.com/tourismqld and keep your eye on those tweets!
  
  
• The Global Eco Conference has released an online brochure outlining the highlights of the program for 2010.  To view the brochure click here, or for more information about the conference click here.
  
  
• A new tourist drive brochure launched in the Lockyer Valley will help visitors driving through South East Queensland Country explore and reconnect with the historic Cobb and Co Tourist Drive. The Ipswich City Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council initiative will help visitors navigate their way around the Cobb and Co Tourist Drive.
  
  
• Tourism Victoria, Tourism New South Wales and Tourism Queensland have joined  together  for the ‘Tri State Walkabout’. The three states will host a Mega Famil and facilitate a Product workshop for New Zealand Travel Agents in May 2011. The famil program will take 150 New Zealand Agents through a two-day workshop at the Gold Coast International Hotel with face opportunities with up to 150 products from all three states. Information for agents, trade participation and the registration process will be released over the coming weeks. For more information contact Graeme Manson. 

Industry gongs

• The Sunshine State has picked up some prestigious ‘foodie’ awards with the 2011 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide.  Of the nine categories, Queensland establishments took out three of the awards.  Brisbane's Ortiga took home the New Restaurant of the Year, Aria's (Brisbane and Sydney) Peter Sullivan took home the Maitre D' of the Year and Brisbane's 1889 Enoteca took home the Wine List of the Year.
  
  
• Sarah Pye from Kids Welcome www.kidswelcome.com.au has been named Sunshine Coast Small Business Woman of the Year.

People on the move 

• The Australian Regional Tourism Network (ARTN) has appointed John Sereni as the new Chair to lead the body in 2010-2011.  John is the first Queenslander to chair the ARTN. 

For employment opportunities at Tourism Queensland please visit Opportunities at TQ.

Events

• Tastes of Gold Coast
  25 August-5 September, Gold Coast
  Click here for more information.
  
  
• International Yabby Races
  1 September, Windorah
  Click here for more information.
  
  
• Cairns Amateurs Carnival
  2-5 September, Cairns
  Click here for more information.
  
  
• Technology Challenge Maryborough
  11-12 September, Maryborough
  Click here for more information.
  
  
• Bush Picnic Day
  29 September, Ipswich
  Click here for more information.

All events listed are sourced from the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW). To list your event of leisure tourism potential in the ATDW and gain exposure on a broad network of consumer websites, go to www.tq.com.au/atdwevents.

G'Day! Enjoy your stay! Good news story

"Hi Peter and Craig,

Many thanks for your fantastic tour in partnership with Craig at Quarterdeck accommodation, in making our first wedding anniversary a memorable one. As biologists, my wife Sheree and I both enjoyed the tour for its exemplary quality and relaxing nature, but also in you and your crew’s professionalism and service. Not only would we come out with you again and stay with you again, we would certainly recommend your operation to any interested potential clients. A day of watching these beautiful animals in their natural habitat, followed by a beautiful afternoon sail back into port is one of the top days of my life and of our marriage.

Thanks again,

Hardy Manser BSc(Biol) MAgRuDev GradDipEd(sec) MRI MAIAST MAIBiol"


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