Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today welcomed 20 Singaporean high school students to the Gold Coast, as part of a push to promote Queensland as a study tour destination.

Mrs Keech said the students, who won a five-day educational trip to Queensland, came from nine Singaporean schools and represented the growing number of educational tourism visitors to the state each year.

“We’re delighted to welcome these students and give them a taste of both study and play on the beautiful Gold Coast,” Mrs Keech said.

“Queensland offers such a wide range of educational tour opportunities, with its unique combination of world-renowned tourism destinations and experiences, along with its world-class educational facilities.

“It makes it a perfect study tour destination for international students.

“There has been a significant rise in educational visitation to Queensland in recent years and the Beattie Government is committed to increasing this even further.”

Mrs Keech said the students were asked to research and outline how a visit to Gold Coast regional attractions such as theme parks, the Hinterland and Tangalooma would be educational for students.

“They were judged on creativity, knowledge and effort, with the winners flying out for a five-day trip to the Gold Coast.”

Mrs Keech today took the opportunity to remind the students, as well as visitors to Queensland in general, of the need for safety while at the beach, as she launched the second annual G’Day , Have a Safe Holiday campaign on Surfers Paradise Beach.

“Visitors to our state, particularly those from overseas, are sometimes unaware of the need for surf safety,” she said.

“We are heading into the busy summer months, and will see a huge influx of visitors, including young international tourists and schoolies.

“More people than ever will be taking to our glorious beaches and it is important that we remind visitors how to be safe in the surf so they enjoy a safe and pleasant stay in Queensland.”

In the year to June 2006, Queensland welcomed nearly 80,000 international educational visitors.

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