SHOWCASING TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND IN JAPAN

Close to 60 top Tropical North Queensland tourism businesses are taking their wares to Japan this week for a major tourism trade mission, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today.

Mrs Keech said the mission, run in partnership by Tourism Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland, would enable the region to sell itself directly in the Japan market.

“Taking the message of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to Japan is vital in continuing to support and build one of Queensland’s key tourism markets,” Mrs Keech said.

“The six-day mission to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya will give Tropical North Queensland tourism operators and industry representatives the chance to meet with travel trade in Japan to further promote marketing and promotional opportunities for Queensland.

“The number of Japanese tourists to Australia has decreased nationwide in recent years, but Queensland has weathered this well, and missions such as this will help us maintain our strength in the market.

“Close to 60 operators are represented by the 27 trade mission participants, which is a fantastic example of the industry getting on the front foot to promote its outstanding offerings to one of our key markets.”

The Member for Cairns, Desley Boyle, said the mission was also a chance to unveil Tropical North Queensland’s new ‘Change Your Latitude’ marketing campaign in Japan.

“The Tourism Tropical North Queensland campaign was launched in March, and this mission will provide a fantastic opportunity for industry to sell its product in the Japan market in the context of this highly popular campaign which positions Tropical North Queensland as Australia’s number one tropical destination.

“In addition, it’s excellent timing given the upcoming commencement of new Jetstar Japan services into Cairns in August.

“Last year, nearly 400,000 Japanese visitors came to Queensland, and more than 200,000 of them visited Tropical North Queensland.

“Missions such as this help build on this and further promote Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef as a premier destination for the Japanese holidaymaker.”

The ‘Change Your Latitude’ Japan Mission runs from today until 14 July.

Media contacts: Minister’s Office, Peter McCarthy 3225 1005

Desley Boyle’s Office, Mark Symonds 3224 7081.