Queensland tourism officials launch Japan trade mission

A tourism trade mission to Japan this week will help attract more visitors to Queensland when daily Qantas flights between Tokyo and Brisbane start in August. 

Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones said the trade mission would engage Japan’s travel wholesalers, agents and media in the lead up to the new flights.

“This Tourism and Events Queensland trade mission will further build relationships with key travel stakeholders in the Japan market,” Ms Jones said.

“The number of visitors to Queensland from Japan increased more than two per cent to 160,000 in the year to September 2014, with that group spending $317 million in the State. 

“We estimate the direct flights will bring an additional 108,000 travellers to Queensland each year.

“The trade mission is part of a wider campaign to increase awareness of the new route and the tourism experiences we have on offer in Queensland.”

Ms Jones said the trade delegation included representatives from Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), Gold Coast Tourism, Brisbane Marketing, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited, Trade and Investment Queensland and Qantas.

Leading the trade mission to Japan, TEQ CEO Leanne Coddington said the visit would strengthen relationships with key travel agents and grow business opportunities for Queensland tourism operators.

“More than half of all Japanese travellers that visited Australia in the year to September 2014, came to Queensland,” Ms Coddington said. 

“The group will spend time in Tokyo and Osaka, meet with delegates from the Japan Association of Travel Agencies, major wholesalers and Japanese media.

“As well as promoting our tourism destinations, we also have the chance to increase awareness of our It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar including sporting events such as the Gold Coast Marathon and Queensland PGA golf tournament that are attractive to the Japan market.”

Media contact: Minister Jones’ Office 3719 7530