Published Friday, 14 December, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Japanese baseball legends to hit a home run for Gold Coast tourism
A legendary Japanese baseball team, flanked by an influential media contingent, arrived in Queensland today for a Gold Coast holiday that is expected to showcase the region in Japan, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle says.
Ms Boyle said the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters were celebrating their 2007 Japan Pacific Baseball League series win with family and friends on a six-day Gold Coast holiday.
“Baseball is the number one sport in Japan – it’s incredibly popular,” Ms Boyle said.
“It was the second championship win in a row for the Sapporo-based players, whose victory last year broke a 44-year drought for the team.
“We welcome these champions to Queensland and the Gold Coast and are confident they will have a fantastic stay in one of our iconic destinations.
“We expect the media contingent travelling with them will capture the beauty and excitement of this fabulous destination and broadcast it back to Japan.
“The group will enjoy a myriad of Gold Coast experiences, from hitting the magnificent Gold Coast surf to discovering the region’s hinterland wonders and exciting theme parks and relaxing with a round of golf.
“It’s only fitting they end their hectic and successful season with a Queensland holiday and we are honoured they chose the Sunshine State.”
Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes and representatives from Gold Coast Tourism greeted the team this morning when they arrived at Brisbane Airport on a chartered JAL flight at 6.10am.
Earlier this year Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia partnered with the tourism industry to bring 18 major Japanese retail travel agents to the Gold Coast as part of a campaign to drive an increase in Japanese tourists taking Jetstar flights to Queensland.
Almost 400,000 Japanese visitors came to Queensland last year spending more than $407 million. More than 178,600 Japanese tourists holidayed on the Gold Coast last year, spending more than 1,470,100 visitor nights.
Ends
Note: Photos may be available for media.
Media contact: Minister Boyle: 3224 2007, Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
14 December 2007
Ms Boyle said the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters were celebrating their 2007 Japan Pacific Baseball League series win with family and friends on a six-day Gold Coast holiday.
“Baseball is the number one sport in Japan – it’s incredibly popular,” Ms Boyle said.
“It was the second championship win in a row for the Sapporo-based players, whose victory last year broke a 44-year drought for the team.
“We welcome these champions to Queensland and the Gold Coast and are confident they will have a fantastic stay in one of our iconic destinations.
“We expect the media contingent travelling with them will capture the beauty and excitement of this fabulous destination and broadcast it back to Japan.
“The group will enjoy a myriad of Gold Coast experiences, from hitting the magnificent Gold Coast surf to discovering the region’s hinterland wonders and exciting theme parks and relaxing with a round of golf.
“It’s only fitting they end their hectic and successful season with a Queensland holiday and we are honoured they chose the Sunshine State.”
Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes and representatives from Gold Coast Tourism greeted the team this morning when they arrived at Brisbane Airport on a chartered JAL flight at 6.10am.
Earlier this year Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia partnered with the tourism industry to bring 18 major Japanese retail travel agents to the Gold Coast as part of a campaign to drive an increase in Japanese tourists taking Jetstar flights to Queensland.
Almost 400,000 Japanese visitors came to Queensland last year spending more than $407 million. More than 178,600 Japanese tourists holidayed on the Gold Coast last year, spending more than 1,470,100 visitor nights.
Ends
Note: Photos may be available for media.
Media contact: Minister Boyle: 3224 2007, Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
14 December 2007