Published Saturday, 19 July, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Korean charter flights touch down in Cairns
More than 250 Korean tourists touched down in Cairns this morning on the first of nine specially chartered flights which will bring up to 1800 additional tourists to the region over the next month.
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle, who was at Cairns Airport to welcome the first of the charter flights, said the Korean visitors would inject some welcome tourism dollars into the region.
“I met with executives from Korean Airlines on my recent trade mission and they are still very excited by the potential of the Cairns and Tropical North Queensland tourism market,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Korean visitors particularly interested includes families, honeymooners and the youth adventure market.
“Charter flight holidays work exceptionally well throughout Europe and the UK and destinations such as Tropical North Queensland, with its world-class international airport and its proximity to Asia makes it perfectly positioned to capitalise on this form of short-break holiday.”
Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland had worked together with Korean Airlines and travel wholesalers to put together a highly-competitive deal aimed at capturing the Korean summer holiday market.
The packages incorporated three to five day trips which included airfares direct from Seoul to Cairns, accommodation and some tours and meals.
Once they arrived, the Koreans would also have the option to book a range of tours and activities throughout the region.
“This is the peak Korean summer holiday period so is perfect for targeting the couples and families markets in particular,” Ms Boyle said.
“Koreans are interested in a wide range of experiences, particularly nature-based activities and indigenous culture.
“What could be more tempting than hopping on a plane in Seoul and just over eight hours later disembarking to the warmth and friendliness of the Tropical North for a few days of relaxation?”
Ms Boyle said Korea was one of Queensland’s most important Asian markets with 75,000 Koreans spending more than 2.9 million nights in Queensland in the year to March 2008.
Of these, 10,000 spent 319,000 nights in Tropical North Queensland.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Rob Giason said the charters were a result of continued marketing in Korea by the TTNQ team.
“The number of flights is evidence our presence in this important emerging market is growing through the increased promotional activity, such as the successful partnership with Samsung Credit Card,” he said.
“This partnership allows us to target new credit card applicants and provide information about holidays in Tropical North Queensland, plus images of TNQ can be used on newly-issued credit cards, further promoting our image and brand in Korea.
“Continued promotional campaigns will highlight TNQ as Australia’s tropical resort destination offering reef and rainforest experiences as well as the opportunity for adventure and indulgence for this market.”
Ms Boyle said the Korean market had good potential for growth into the region, particularly as a honeymoon destination.
“Special charters such as these are a fantastic initiative that assists in boosting international visitor numbers to the region.”
Ends
Media contact: Marcus Taylor ph 3225 1005 or 0419 0256 326
Tourism Queensland – Kerri Anderson ph 3535 5010
TTNQ – Dion Eades ph 4015 1206 or 0408 102 226
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle, who was at Cairns Airport to welcome the first of the charter flights, said the Korean visitors would inject some welcome tourism dollars into the region.
“I met with executives from Korean Airlines on my recent trade mission and they are still very excited by the potential of the Cairns and Tropical North Queensland tourism market,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Korean visitors particularly interested includes families, honeymooners and the youth adventure market.
“Charter flight holidays work exceptionally well throughout Europe and the UK and destinations such as Tropical North Queensland, with its world-class international airport and its proximity to Asia makes it perfectly positioned to capitalise on this form of short-break holiday.”
Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland had worked together with Korean Airlines and travel wholesalers to put together a highly-competitive deal aimed at capturing the Korean summer holiday market.
The packages incorporated three to five day trips which included airfares direct from Seoul to Cairns, accommodation and some tours and meals.
Once they arrived, the Koreans would also have the option to book a range of tours and activities throughout the region.
“This is the peak Korean summer holiday period so is perfect for targeting the couples and families markets in particular,” Ms Boyle said.
“Koreans are interested in a wide range of experiences, particularly nature-based activities and indigenous culture.
“What could be more tempting than hopping on a plane in Seoul and just over eight hours later disembarking to the warmth and friendliness of the Tropical North for a few days of relaxation?”
Ms Boyle said Korea was one of Queensland’s most important Asian markets with 75,000 Koreans spending more than 2.9 million nights in Queensland in the year to March 2008.
Of these, 10,000 spent 319,000 nights in Tropical North Queensland.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Rob Giason said the charters were a result of continued marketing in Korea by the TTNQ team.
“The number of flights is evidence our presence in this important emerging market is growing through the increased promotional activity, such as the successful partnership with Samsung Credit Card,” he said.
“This partnership allows us to target new credit card applicants and provide information about holidays in Tropical North Queensland, plus images of TNQ can be used on newly-issued credit cards, further promoting our image and brand in Korea.
“Continued promotional campaigns will highlight TNQ as Australia’s tropical resort destination offering reef and rainforest experiences as well as the opportunity for adventure and indulgence for this market.”
Ms Boyle said the Korean market had good potential for growth into the region, particularly as a honeymoon destination.
“Special charters such as these are a fantastic initiative that assists in boosting international visitor numbers to the region.”
Ends
Media contact: Marcus Taylor ph 3225 1005 or 0419 0256 326
Tourism Queensland – Kerri Anderson ph 3535 5010
TTNQ – Dion Eades ph 4015 1206 or 0408 102 226