Published Tuesday, 13 May, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
“I’m a travel agent….get me out of here!” … and take me to the Gold Coast
A group of British travel agents, some who could be mistaken for Steve Irwin, Dame Edna and Kylie Minogue, are participating in a series of Aussie activities in a parody of the hit English reality show I’m a celebrity … get me out of here!.
Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the agents from major British travel wholesalers and retailers were visiting the Gold Coast today as part of Tourism Queensland’s “I’m a travel agent…get me out of here!” familiarisation which aimed to put a fun slant on educating the agents about the state’s tourism attractions.
The agents, all of whom are from the UK’s major travel wholesale and retail companies, are a combination of prize-winners who submitted their best celebrity look-alike photos and leading consultants who took part in a sales incentive.
“Our aim is to draw on the Brits’ fascination with Australia’s wilderness and wildlife by combining natural experiences with luxury ones,” Ms Boyle said.
“Queensland’s national parks, animals and beaches are a far cry from anything Brits have back home. They see Australia as a real adventure, even if it’s a walk through our national parks and then go stay in luxury accommodation.
“While the theme of the familiarisation is a fun take-off of the TV program, the serious side is in showcasing the best of the destinations’ product to a group of high-performing travel agents, many of whom are on their first trip to Australia.”
She said the UK was Queensland’s third largest market, with 260,000 Brits visiting the state in 2007 and staying more than five million nights.
Of the 260,000 British tourists, 60,000 visited the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Tourism Chairman Paul Donovan said the city was delighted to host the agents.
“The Gold Coast is a well-known and well-loved destination with travellers from the United Kingdom, and we love having them here," he said.
“It really is all that is great about Australia in one destination, the beaches, rainforest, culture, cosmopolitan precincts, lively nightlife and great people; that’s why the Gold Coast is a favourite with tourists form the UK and around the world.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Marcus Taylor (3225 1005 / 0419 025 326) or Kirstie Maier (3224 2007 / 0448 135 195)
Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the agents from major British travel wholesalers and retailers were visiting the Gold Coast today as part of Tourism Queensland’s “I’m a travel agent…get me out of here!” familiarisation which aimed to put a fun slant on educating the agents about the state’s tourism attractions.
The agents, all of whom are from the UK’s major travel wholesale and retail companies, are a combination of prize-winners who submitted their best celebrity look-alike photos and leading consultants who took part in a sales incentive.
“Our aim is to draw on the Brits’ fascination with Australia’s wilderness and wildlife by combining natural experiences with luxury ones,” Ms Boyle said.
“Queensland’s national parks, animals and beaches are a far cry from anything Brits have back home. They see Australia as a real adventure, even if it’s a walk through our national parks and then go stay in luxury accommodation.
“While the theme of the familiarisation is a fun take-off of the TV program, the serious side is in showcasing the best of the destinations’ product to a group of high-performing travel agents, many of whom are on their first trip to Australia.”
She said the UK was Queensland’s third largest market, with 260,000 Brits visiting the state in 2007 and staying more than five million nights.
Of the 260,000 British tourists, 60,000 visited the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Tourism Chairman Paul Donovan said the city was delighted to host the agents.
“The Gold Coast is a well-known and well-loved destination with travellers from the United Kingdom, and we love having them here," he said.
“It really is all that is great about Australia in one destination, the beaches, rainforest, culture, cosmopolitan precincts, lively nightlife and great people; that’s why the Gold Coast is a favourite with tourists form the UK and around the world.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Marcus Taylor (3225 1005 / 0419 025 326) or Kirstie Maier (3224 2007 / 0448 135 195)