WORKSHOP TO INFORM, INSPIRE TOURISM BUYERS

Fifty Queensland tourism operators will pitch their products and services to 100 top Asian tourism buyers at Queensland on Stage Asia in Cairns tomorrow, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today.

Mrs Keech said each operator had a series of 10-minute meetings throughout the day-long workshop that aimed to give a concise and compelling glimpse of the variety of experiences available in Queensland for Asian tourists.

“The event coincides with the final day of Queensland Export Week 2006, which runs from 9-13 October,” she said.

“It is fitting that tomorrow we have 100 top Asian tourism buyers who will soon return home to share their learnings and experiences with clients, essentially building Queensland’s export opportunities.

“Tourism is Queensland’s third largest export industry, and the Beattie Government is determined to grow the sector’s contribution to our economy.

“We are very excited that these senior product managers and front-line sellers have travelled from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Korea for this special event, which follows a similar successful trade event on the Gold Coast last August.

“To inform and inspire these buyers to encourage their clients to choose Queensland for their next holiday destination, we have brought together representatives from luxury hotels, eco resorts, transport operators, top restaurants, adventure companies – everyone and anyone who can make a holiday in Queensland something out of the ordinary for our international visitors.

“These operators then have the chance to share their product or service directly with each buyer.

“I would like to congratulate Tourism Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland for organising such a fabulous event which showcases our tourism value and potential to such an influential group of trade representatives.”

Mrs Keech will be officially thanking the participants and organisers at an evening function at the Hilton Hotel.

A series of tours for the visitors have been organised by Tourism Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland before and after the workshops.

These will include visits to popular attractions throughout Tropical North Queensland, as well as Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Media contacts: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534 or Louise Yates (Tourism Queensland) 3535 5349 / 0419 713 176