Media Releases

Queensland on Tour roadshow keeps Easter momentum driving

11 May 2011

In Parliament today Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Jan Jarratt congratulated 200 Queensland tourism operators who have just completed a five day sales campaign through New South Wales and Victoria.

Ms Jarratt said the group had travelled everywhere from Ballina to Bendigo and Wagga to Wollongong as part of the Queensland on Tour Roadshow to promote the state's unbeatable deals and ensure Queensland was front of mind coming into winter.

"Having met the roadshow participants in Sydney at the end of their journey, I don't know how anyone in New South Wales or Victoria could ignore the chamr of our operators or the allure of a Queensland holiday this winter," Ms Jarratt said.

"The 200 tourism ambassadors on tour sold our great state tirelessly, zealously and emphatically in a determined effort to restore Queensland's profile and position as one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations.

"Queensland on Tour was the single largest domestic tourism roadshow to have occurred in decades. This very practical approach didn't come out of the book of regular tourism campaign strategies, rather it was about getting back to our grassroots and empowering tourism operators to do what they do best - sell our great state."

The tour group included a wide cross-section of operators including Gold Coast surf schools, South Burnett wineries, whale watching companies from the Fraser Coast, yacht operators from the Whitsundays, AJ Hackett Bungy in Cairns and iconic Outback's tourist attractions.

Ms Jarratt said the positive feedback on the success of the tour had been overwhelming.

Sue Griffiths from Sofitel Gold Coast said the stopover in Tamworth was a roaring success, with local travel agents following the group out for dinner following the day's event.

"The following morning we had an event with a local radio station which attracted locals in pyjamas and school groups all really interested in our Queensland holiday deals," Ms Griffiths said.

Natalie Trethowen said Hayman Island found the Queensland on Tour roadshow was enormously beneficial ahead of the island's scheduled August re-opening.

Kuranda Tourism's Marc Sleeman said "the industry will be talking about the huge '2011 Queensland on Tour Roadshow' for years to come."

Outback Aussie Tours owner Alan Smith said feedback from travel agents in Canberra was that they were genuinely excited about visiting Queensland and promoting Outback Aussie Tours in the future.

Kim Morgan from Maroochy River Resort and Bungalows on the Sunshine Coast said the roadshow was "invaluable for boosting their knowledge of the diversity of what Queensland has to offer."

"The Queensland on Tour Roadshow will keep Queensland front-of-mind coming into winter, helping to maintain the momentum enjoyed over the Easter period and Labour Day long weekend following the Nothing Beats Queensland recovery campaign," said Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes.

The Queensland on Tour is one recovery initiative provided for under the Federal and State Government's joint $12 million tourism recovery funding package.

Each day of the tour four brightly branded Queensland coaches pulled into regional communities throughout New South Wales and Victoria, putting Queenslanders in direct contact with local travel agents, the media and passersby to promote Queensland's unbeatable deals and giveaways.

The roadshow has been coordinated by Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia with the support of Qantas, Stonestreet's Coaches, Accor Hotels and Queensland Rail Travel.

Queensland annually welcomes approximately 16 million domestic visitors who spend around $11.4 billion on their visits.