Published Friday, 04 January, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Internet auctions create a frenzy over holidays in Queensland
People have been logging on to the Tourism Queensland website in droves for the chance to snare a holiday in the Sunshine State for as little as a dollar.
Ms Boyle said the Queensland Holiday’s Online Auctions brought together a range of tourism activities, accommodation and holiday packages which people could bid for online.
“Research shows nearly half of all international tourists use the internet to book their Queensland holidays, so it is no surprise to see people embracing the Online Auctions,” Ms Boyle said.
“This is the second time the auction has been run – offering 20 deals in 20 days – and the website had more than 45,000 hits.
“Seventy-five per cent of website visitors came from Victoria and New South Wales – our target market for this campaign - and most purchases also came from those markets.
“Bidding for all holidays, accommodation and activities started at just $1,” she said.
“While some people have picked up real bargains, others were getting into bidding wars over some of the great deals on offer.
“Auction items included Virgin Blue flights, accommodation at Accor Hotels, Whitsundays sailing cruises, $1000 Sunlover Travel Vouchers, Dreamworld & WhiteWater World passes and other luxury accommodation such as Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island Resort.”
Ms Boyle said the Online Auction was one of the most innovative and successful online campaigns run by Tourism Queensland over the past year.
“It’s another way to attract more tourists to Queensland’s regions and also to drive tourism during traditional low seasons,” she said.
“It’s also a great way to get people looking on the Queensland Holidays website and seeing what we have to offer.”
The latest Online Auction finished on December 21.
“The Online Auctions will run again next year, with the first one planned for May.”
Ms Boyle said the Online Auctions was just one of the innovative digital marketing strategies Tourism Queensland was using.
“Internet is now the most popular booking method for 44 per cent of international tourists, while 29 per cent still prefer to visit a travel agent,” Ms Boyle said.
“Tourism Queensland is using online itinerary planners, blogs and booking facilities supported by podcasts, state-of-the-art video and multi-media content.
“Tourism Queensland won four major industry awards for its websites in 2007.
“More importantly, at the moment, one in every three visits to queenslandholidays.com.au is resulting in a Queensland operator being contacted directly for holiday assistance or a booking,” Ms Boyle said.
Tourism is Queensland’s second largest export market after coal and generates more than $18 billion of the Queensland economy each year.
The Online Auctions are at www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Ms Boyle said the Queensland Holiday’s Online Auctions brought together a range of tourism activities, accommodation and holiday packages which people could bid for online.
“Research shows nearly half of all international tourists use the internet to book their Queensland holidays, so it is no surprise to see people embracing the Online Auctions,” Ms Boyle said.
“This is the second time the auction has been run – offering 20 deals in 20 days – and the website had more than 45,000 hits.
“Seventy-five per cent of website visitors came from Victoria and New South Wales – our target market for this campaign - and most purchases also came from those markets.
“Bidding for all holidays, accommodation and activities started at just $1,” she said.
“While some people have picked up real bargains, others were getting into bidding wars over some of the great deals on offer.
“Auction items included Virgin Blue flights, accommodation at Accor Hotels, Whitsundays sailing cruises, $1000 Sunlover Travel Vouchers, Dreamworld & WhiteWater World passes and other luxury accommodation such as Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island Resort.”
Ms Boyle said the Online Auction was one of the most innovative and successful online campaigns run by Tourism Queensland over the past year.
“It’s another way to attract more tourists to Queensland’s regions and also to drive tourism during traditional low seasons,” she said.
“It’s also a great way to get people looking on the Queensland Holidays website and seeing what we have to offer.”
The latest Online Auction finished on December 21.
“The Online Auctions will run again next year, with the first one planned for May.”
Ms Boyle said the Online Auctions was just one of the innovative digital marketing strategies Tourism Queensland was using.
“Internet is now the most popular booking method for 44 per cent of international tourists, while 29 per cent still prefer to visit a travel agent,” Ms Boyle said.
“Tourism Queensland is using online itinerary planners, blogs and booking facilities supported by podcasts, state-of-the-art video and multi-media content.
“Tourism Queensland won four major industry awards for its websites in 2007.
“More importantly, at the moment, one in every three visits to queenslandholidays.com.au is resulting in a Queensland operator being contacted directly for holiday assistance or a booking,” Ms Boyle said.
Tourism is Queensland’s second largest export market after coal and generates more than $18 billion of the Queensland economy each year.
The Online Auctions are at www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005