NEW TOURISM TEAM FOR CHINA AND TAIWAN

The Beattie Government has opened a new tourism office in Shanghai and appointed a new regional director to lead Tourism Queensland’s marketing team in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today said new director Wendy Levy, who joined Tourism Queensland in 1995, had extensive tourism marketing experience throughout Asia.

“Ms Levy will work closely with the local aviation and travel industry in each country to further promote Queensland as an attractive holiday and leisure destination,” Mrs Keech said.

“China, Hong Kong and Taiwan collectively represented 10 per cent of all international visitors to Queensland for the year ending June 2006.

“Having our tourism experts on the ground in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei and working with aviation bodies, wholesalers, retailers and industry, means we can develop productive business partnerships, identify emerging opportunities and quickly capitalise on every option in order to grow this lucrative market.

“These countries are rapidly emerging as strong source markets and with China, in particular, we are developing a comprehensive action plan which has been identified as a priority in the Queensland Tourism Strategy.

“Initiatives in the action plan include joint activities with airlines to develop cooperative marketing opportunities as well as ongoing negotiations with national airlines to promote increased services and capacity to Queensland.

“We are also developing a new Chinese language website about Queensland for launch in early 2007 as greater numbers of Chinese access the internet to explore travel options.

“Top travel buyers from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan attended Queensland on Stage Asia in Cairns recently, where they saw first-hand some of our best destinations, experiences and products and met with around 50 Queensland operators.

“Queensland operators will have the opportunity to travel to China in March and to Taiwan in April to participate in a marketing tour organised by Tourism Queensland.

“And we have a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Queensland tourism product to Asia when Brisbane hosts the Australian Tourism Exchange.

”These are all proactive steps to create a sense of buzz and excitement about the range of destinations and attractions in Queensland, which should translate into increased visitation.”

Ms Levy has been based in Hong Kong and China since February. She has lived and worked in Singapore and Japan and her most recent role with TQ was as International Specialist for Eastern Hemisphere markets, based in Brisbane.

Another new appointment is former China Tourism News journalist Violet Tian who has been appointed marketing coordinator. She has a Tourism Management degree and post-graduate qualifications in international journalism and communication.

Other members of the TQ China team include Shanghai-based marketing manager Charley Shen, who was appointed to his position in August; marketing manager Hong Kong and Southern China Jodie Lai; and regional marketing officer Irena Tang. Marketing manager for Taiwan Kimberly Chien is based in Taipei.

Media contacts: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534 or Louise Yates (TQ) 3535 5349