Published Thursday, 20 December, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Water safety top-of-mind for Gold Coast tourism ambassadors
Two leading Gold Coast tourism identities have been selected to ensure water safety remains paramount for visitors this summer, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said today.
Ms Boyle said Dreamworld CEO Stephen Gregg and Tadashi Echikawa of Japan Tourism Gold Coast and JTB Australia had been named as ambassadors under the Visitor Safety Program.
“These ambassadors have been chosen to help ensure that holidaymakers on Queensland beaches remain safe and sound this summer,” Ms Boyle said.
“They will work with other tourism operators to ensure the message of swimming between the flags is reiterated, along with a range of other surf safety messages. They both enjoy a high level of industry respect so it is fitting that they would work on this important campaign.
“Queensland - and Australia more generally - already has an excellent international reputation for visitor safety. This campaign further highlights our commitment to the industry, and our visitors, ensuring everyone remains vigilant when it comes to summer safety.”
The program – a joint initiative of Tourism Queensland, Surf Life Saving Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council – was launched earlier this year, with Ms Boyle becoming the first official Safety Ambassador.
Ms Boyle said Mr Gregg and Mr Echikawa were among a group of five ambassadors who have been named.
“Summertime is such an exciting period for Queensland with the influx of both international and domestic tourists, all keen to indulge in those time-honoured traditions of enjoying the sun, surf and reef,” she said.
“We want to ensure that we look after our holidaymakers and deliver the best experience possible.
“The other ambassadors include Tropical North Queensland’s Tony Baker from the Quicksilver Group and Max Shepherd from Skyrail, as well as Suzette Pelt from Whitsundays Yacht Charters.
“Ambassadors in the northern part of the state will be encouraging other tourism operators to promote the use of stinger suits, prominently display safety information and personally deliver safety messages to visitors at every opportunity.”
Ends
Note for media: A photo of Mr Gregg is available on request.
Media contact: Minister Boyle: 3224 2007 or Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
20 December 2007
Ms Boyle said Dreamworld CEO Stephen Gregg and Tadashi Echikawa of Japan Tourism Gold Coast and JTB Australia had been named as ambassadors under the Visitor Safety Program.
“These ambassadors have been chosen to help ensure that holidaymakers on Queensland beaches remain safe and sound this summer,” Ms Boyle said.
“They will work with other tourism operators to ensure the message of swimming between the flags is reiterated, along with a range of other surf safety messages. They both enjoy a high level of industry respect so it is fitting that they would work on this important campaign.
“Queensland - and Australia more generally - already has an excellent international reputation for visitor safety. This campaign further highlights our commitment to the industry, and our visitors, ensuring everyone remains vigilant when it comes to summer safety.”
The program – a joint initiative of Tourism Queensland, Surf Life Saving Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council – was launched earlier this year, with Ms Boyle becoming the first official Safety Ambassador.
Ms Boyle said Mr Gregg and Mr Echikawa were among a group of five ambassadors who have been named.
“Summertime is such an exciting period for Queensland with the influx of both international and domestic tourists, all keen to indulge in those time-honoured traditions of enjoying the sun, surf and reef,” she said.
“We want to ensure that we look after our holidaymakers and deliver the best experience possible.
“The other ambassadors include Tropical North Queensland’s Tony Baker from the Quicksilver Group and Max Shepherd from Skyrail, as well as Suzette Pelt from Whitsundays Yacht Charters.
“Ambassadors in the northern part of the state will be encouraging other tourism operators to promote the use of stinger suits, prominently display safety information and personally deliver safety messages to visitors at every opportunity.”
Ends
Note for media: A photo of Mr Gregg is available on request.
Media contact: Minister Boyle: 3224 2007 or Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
20 December 2007