GOLD COAST TOURISM DINES OUT ON INDIAN

Mumbai: The Gold Coast has cemented its position as the number one Queensland holiday destination for Indian tourists, reports Tourism Minister Margaret Keech.

Mrs Keech, who is leading a tourism trade mission to India, said interest in the Gold Coast was high among travel agents.

“The feedback I have received about the Gold Coast since arriving in India has been amazing,” she said.

“Agents tell me the Gold Coast is truly a world-class tourism destination, that the region has become a ‘must visit’ for Indian tourists.

“Queensland and the Gold Coast have traditionally been favourite destinations for European, English, New Zealand and Japanese tourists. Now we can add Indians to the mix.”

Mrs Keech said the Gold Coast attracted more than half of the 23,300 Indian visitors to Queensland to the year ended September 2006.

“When you see the interest in the region from Indian travel agents, that’s not surprising,” she said.

“While we’re still experiencing strong support from these traditional international holiday markets, it’s important for the future of the industry that we work at growing opportunities in new and emerging markets.

“The emergence of India and the strong growth we are seeing from there presents exciting opportunities for destinations such as the Gold Coast.”

Mrs Keech is currently leading the Queensland on Tour – India trade mission. She is accompanied by Gold Coast Tourism CEO Pavan Bhatia and a number of Gold Coast operators.

International tourism injected more than $750 million into the Gold Coast economy in the year ending September 2006.

“Last year, almost one in three Indian tourists who came to Australia visited the Gold Coast,” Mrs Keech said.

“Almost 60 per cent of Indian travellers to Queensland are holiday-makers with 44 per cent aged between 25 and 44 years.

“Through the Queensland Government’s $48 million Queensland Tourism Strategy (QTS) we are developing long-term plans to ensure Queensland continues to benefit significantly from Indian tourism.

“Through the establishment of a new Tourism Queensland office in India, and trade missions such as Queensland on Tour, we will work with industry to develop more competitive tourism packages and increase direct aviation access and capacity from India. “