Published Friday, 04 July, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
V AUSTRALIA DELIVERS WELCOMED BOOST TO QLD TOURISM INDUSTRY
Queensland tourism got a much needed boost today with the announcement of V Australia’s newest international route from Los Angeles to Brisbane
Ms Bligh welcomed the news from Virgin Blue’s international long-haul airline, hailing it a huge vote of confidence in Queensland’s tourism product.
"V Australia’s decision to fly this route in an increasingly tough international tourism and airline market is fantastic,” Ms Bligh said.
“These tri-weekly flights will bring American holiday-makers and executive travelers to Brisbane, which will likely be a catalyst for them traveling on to our other spectacular destinations including the Gold Coast, Whitsundays and Tropical North Queensland.
“In what is a tough time for our tourism operators, this is a very welcomed boost and important show of confidence in what Queensland has to offer,” she said.
Ms Bligh said North America was an important market for Queensland, and access was one of its biggest challenges.
"Last year 172,000 Americans visited Queensland and we want to see these numbers grow.
“But when we’re contending with the downturn in the US economy, the strong Australian dollar and fierce competition from other countries – we need to make it as easy as possible for Americans to make the long trip ‘down under’.
“These direct flights will go a long way to do that,” she said.
Ms Bligh welcomed the announcement following a tour of the new, soon-to-be-opened Virgin Village, Virgin’s new Head Office at Bowen Hills in Brisbane.
“Queensland is proud to be home to the Australia Virgin family.
“The impressive new Virgin Village will soon be home to up to 1000 Queensland Virgin Blue employees,” Ms Bligh said.
“Virgin Blue has already delivered significant benefits to Queensland in terms of domestic tourism and resulting business and economic flow-on effects. I have no doubt the new V Australian flights will do the same,” she said.
V Australia will launch three flights a week between Brisbane and Los Angeles (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) as of 1 March 2009.
Friday, 4 July 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)
Ms Bligh welcomed the news from Virgin Blue’s international long-haul airline, hailing it a huge vote of confidence in Queensland’s tourism product.
"V Australia’s decision to fly this route in an increasingly tough international tourism and airline market is fantastic,” Ms Bligh said.
“These tri-weekly flights will bring American holiday-makers and executive travelers to Brisbane, which will likely be a catalyst for them traveling on to our other spectacular destinations including the Gold Coast, Whitsundays and Tropical North Queensland.
“In what is a tough time for our tourism operators, this is a very welcomed boost and important show of confidence in what Queensland has to offer,” she said.
Ms Bligh said North America was an important market for Queensland, and access was one of its biggest challenges.
"Last year 172,000 Americans visited Queensland and we want to see these numbers grow.
“But when we’re contending with the downturn in the US economy, the strong Australian dollar and fierce competition from other countries – we need to make it as easy as possible for Americans to make the long trip ‘down under’.
“These direct flights will go a long way to do that,” she said.
Ms Bligh welcomed the announcement following a tour of the new, soon-to-be-opened Virgin Village, Virgin’s new Head Office at Bowen Hills in Brisbane.
“Queensland is proud to be home to the Australia Virgin family.
“The impressive new Virgin Village will soon be home to up to 1000 Queensland Virgin Blue employees,” Ms Bligh said.
“Virgin Blue has already delivered significant benefits to Queensland in terms of domestic tourism and resulting business and economic flow-on effects. I have no doubt the new V Australian flights will do the same,” she said.
V Australia will launch three flights a week between Brisbane and Los Angeles (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) as of 1 March 2009.
Friday, 4 July 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)