Published Tuesday, 18 December, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
New stores in China promote the Great Barrier Reef
Chinese travellers will be encouraged to plunge into a Queensland holiday through four new travel agent outlets boasting a Great Barrier Reef theme, Tourism Minister and Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said today.
Ms Boyle said the shops, which opened in Shanghai on Saturday (December 15), had been decorated to showcase the Reef and encourage more Chinese travellers to the Sunshine State.
“This is great news for Queensland and particularly Cairns and the Tropical North,” Ms Boyle said.
“The latest International Visitor Survey results for the Tropical North in the year to September 2007 showed an impressive 48 per cent increase in visitors to the region.
“China is now Tropical North Queensland’s fourth largest international source market.
“The average length of stay for Chinese visitors to Tropical North Queensland increased over the year to 2.9 nights up from 2.6 nights.
“With another cold winter looming in China and the all-important Chinese New Year peak travel season about to start, Tropical North Queensland is in pole position to welcome these valued tourists.”
Ms Boyle said the Quicksilver Group led a group of Tropical North Queensland tourism operators in the initiative, including CAPTA group, Skyrail, Great Barrier Reef Helicopters, Seawalker, , Hot Air, Blazing Saddles, Cairns Optional Tour Alliance and Down Under Tours, with partners also including Scuba Doo, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Queensland Rail.
“Tourism Queensland also invested in the project with funding and resources of staff in China and Hong Kong,” she said.
It follows the opening of an initial two Great Barrier Reef-themed stores earlier this year in Southern China and China Eastern Airlines’ decision to operate two flights per week between Shanghai and Brisbane between November 22 and February 20.
The new services will provide approximately 570 inbound seats to Queensland per week.
“China is a key emerging market for Queensland and we want to be able to corner it,” Ms Boyle said.
“We’re working hard to secure direct flights to Queensland from this market and look forward to welcoming more and more Chinese tourists in the coming year.”
Ends
Note to media – pictures of the shop are available on request.
Media contact: 3224 2007
18 December 2007
Ms Boyle said the shops, which opened in Shanghai on Saturday (December 15), had been decorated to showcase the Reef and encourage more Chinese travellers to the Sunshine State.
“This is great news for Queensland and particularly Cairns and the Tropical North,” Ms Boyle said.
“The latest International Visitor Survey results for the Tropical North in the year to September 2007 showed an impressive 48 per cent increase in visitors to the region.
“China is now Tropical North Queensland’s fourth largest international source market.
“The average length of stay for Chinese visitors to Tropical North Queensland increased over the year to 2.9 nights up from 2.6 nights.
“With another cold winter looming in China and the all-important Chinese New Year peak travel season about to start, Tropical North Queensland is in pole position to welcome these valued tourists.”
Ms Boyle said the Quicksilver Group led a group of Tropical North Queensland tourism operators in the initiative, including CAPTA group, Skyrail, Great Barrier Reef Helicopters, Seawalker, , Hot Air, Blazing Saddles, Cairns Optional Tour Alliance and Down Under Tours, with partners also including Scuba Doo, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Queensland Rail.
“Tourism Queensland also invested in the project with funding and resources of staff in China and Hong Kong,” she said.
It follows the opening of an initial two Great Barrier Reef-themed stores earlier this year in Southern China and China Eastern Airlines’ decision to operate two flights per week between Shanghai and Brisbane between November 22 and February 20.
The new services will provide approximately 570 inbound seats to Queensland per week.
“China is a key emerging market for Queensland and we want to be able to corner it,” Ms Boyle said.
“We’re working hard to secure direct flights to Queensland from this market and look forward to welcoming more and more Chinese tourists in the coming year.”
Ends
Note to media – pictures of the shop are available on request.
Media contact: 3224 2007
18 December 2007