GOLD COAST RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL TOURISM RESEARCH GRANT

A special funding grant of $80,000 will help the Gold Coast boost its share of tourists from India, China, Korea and the Middle East, says Tourism Minister Margaret Keech.

Mrs Keech said the grant would pay for research projects to determine how to attract visitors from international markets to Australia’s premier holiday destination.

“These funds will help Gold Coast Tourism deliver two major destination surveys throughout 2007 and 2008,” she said at a special Tourism Roadshow on the Gold Coast today.

“The market intelligence from these surveys will help Gold Coast Tourism better understand the dynamics and performance of many of its key international and domestic visitor markets.

“This includes important future markets such as the Middle-East and identified emerging markets such as China and India.

“Understanding new trends in visitor patterns, such as the emergence of low cost carriers and the shift to air travel as a preferred mode of transport, are important to the strategic planning of destinations such as the Gold Coast.

“The surveys will be conducted during both low and high season periods, as well as periods traditionally favoured by the growing Middle–East market.

“The Gold Coast is truly one of Australia’s most iconic tourism destinations and continues to be a favourite with international holiday travelers.

“New figures show that international visitors are spending longer on the Gold Coast, with international visitor nights jumping 10 per cent last year according to the latest International Visitor Survey (IVS).

“But as a Government, region and industry we must not become complacent and continue to build on the great work already done in key tourism markets.”

Mrs Keech said the grant was part of a $1 million funding boost to help Regional Tourism Organisations implement the Queensland Tourism Strategy (QTS).

“The QTS is a Beattie Government election promise to secure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the State’s tourism industry,” she said.

“I congratulate Gold Coast Tourism on preparing a funding submission dedicated to better understanding tourism market opportunities.

“This increased investment by the Beattie Government in the Gold Coast is recognition of the region’s importance to Queensland tourism.

“These QTS Special Funding initiatives will serve to significantly improve Queensland’s market intelligence and help maintain our position at the forefront of international tourism destinations.”

For more information on the Queensland Tourism Strategy visit www.qldtourismstrategy.com.au

Media Contact: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007 or David Smith 3225 1005 or 0409 496 534