BRISBANE ON TRACK FOR GREAT COVERAGE IN GERMANY

More than seven million people in Germany have had the opportunity to read about Brisbane in their daily newspapers over the past four months, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today.

Mrs Keech said seven journalists from leading German newspapers travelled to Brisbane in early May on the invitation of Queensland Rail, with Tourism Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland providing coordination and logistical assistance.

“This was a hugely successful famil with journalists being escorted on a fabulous train journey from Brisbane to Cairns aboard both the Rockhampton Tilt Train and The Sunlander,” Mrs Keech said.

“Before leaving Brisbane, the group climbed the Story Bridge and kayaked on the Brisbane River. They then travelled by Tilt Train to Hervey Bay and visited Fraser Island, and then by Queenslander Class on The Sunlander to Tropical North Queensland where they explored the Daintree rainforest and snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef.

“The combined reach of the newspapers in which the articles have appeared is 7.3 million – so that means more than seven million Germans have had the chance to learn more about Queensland and consider enjoying a holiday here.”

Mrs Keech said that 54.1 per cent of German visitors to Australia visited Queensland in the year ending March 2006, staying for an average of 22.5 nights.

“Queensland is highly regarded as a destination of choice in Germany. Most of the stories were on the front pages of travel sections and included wonderful photographs that reflected the natural beauty of Queensland.

“Tourism Queensland has one of its 11 international offices in Munich so our presence in the country is strong,” she said.

Media contact: David Smith 3225 1005 or Louise Yates 3535 5349