PREMIER URGES QUEENSLANDERS TO ‘SAY G’DAY’

Premier Anna Bligh today launched a campaign to remind Queenslanders of the unique and important role they play in the State’s $3.3 billion international tourism industry.

Ms Bligh said the new ‘Say G’Day’ campaign was designed to highlight that Queenslanders were the most effective marketing and advertising tool of the State’s second largest export market.

“Including domestic expenditure, tourism generates more than $18 billion for the Smart State economy every year,” Ms Bligh said.

“It also employs more than 140,000 Queenslanders and while we are blessed with some of the world’s most significant natural tourism attractions - time and time again international visitors say what they love most is the friendliness of the people.

“This $40,000 campaign will encourage Queenslanders to play a role in ensuring international visitors have a Queensland experience that has them coming back time and time again,” she said.

Ms Bligh said the Government had identified growth in new and existing international markets as essential for the future of the state’s tourism industry.

“Over the past year, international visitor spending in Queensland has increased by more than $336 million (or 11 per cent) to $3.3 billion, and is expected to grow exponentially in the next decade.

“Queensland is also experiencing exciting growth and opportunities from the new emerging markets of China, India and Korea and we want to see this continue,” she said.

Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the new campaign was part of the Queensland Government’s $48 million, 10-year Queensland Tourism Strategy dedicated to securing the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the State’s tourism industry.

“We have established 11 international Tourism Queensland offices around the world, as well as two market representatives in India and Malaysia,” Ms Boyle said.

“This has been supported by the recent launch of new international language websites, marketing campaigns and international market strategies.

“All of these programs, along with the ‘Say G’Day’ campaign, are designed to make Queensland a more desirable travel destination for international tourists.

“The Bligh Government is dedicated to the State’s tourism industry and, through Tourism Queensland, we will continue to invest in programs that ensure strong economic returns and more job opportunities for Queensland communities,” she said.

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3225 1005 (Minister Boyle’s office)