Published Thursday, 31 July, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
State Gov’s $4 million makes it ‘too easy’ to have a Queensland holiday
The Queensland Government will start aggressively marketing the Sunshine Coast and Queensland tourism as part of a new $1million campaign launched by Acting Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today.
Ms Keech said the strong Australian dollar, airline cuts and inconsistent weather had a significant impact on tourism in 2008.
"These are real issues that the Sunshine Coast must address," Ms Keech said.
"Tourism Queensland has worked with Tourism Sunshine Coast as well as state regional tourism organisations and operators to develop a trade and agent level campaign as the first major phase of increased tourism activities for the state.
“Through this campaign we will be hitting the key national holiday promoters and sellers directly.
“We want the Sunshine Coast to be top of mind when agents are recommending holidays to their clients.
“Our message to them is clear – it is far ‘easier’ to take a Queensland holiday than it is to travel overseas.”
Mrs Keech said this was the first major marketing campaign to be rolled out as part of State Government’s $4million funding boost to assist the state tourism industry.
“The past holiday season has been disappointing for the Sunshine Coast but we must move the industry forward,” Mrs Keech said.
“We need to be very strategic about our promotions of Queensland at the moment.
“This initial agent and wholesaler level campaign will be complemented by a range of other highly target initiatives over the next six months.
“These will include a campaign encouraging Queenslanders to holiday at home and a new ‘world-first’ international campaign.
“These are just some of the initiatives the State Government and Tourism Queensland are working on in cooperation with industry to keep the state’s $18 billion tourism industry ahead of the pack.”
Mrs Keech said Tourism Sunshine Coast and operators had all rallied as part of the new agent campaign producing competitive holiday deals that will be supported by direct agent promotions as well as extensive television, print and online advertising throughout the country.
“A range of holiday deals offering three nights for the price of two at some of Queensland’s best resorts and hotels is the sweetener to encourage Southerners to take a “too easy” winter break in the Sunshine State,” Mrs Keech said.
“The industry level campaign, which started this week and runs until the end of August, will tempt Southerners with a range of highly-competitive buy ‘two nights, get one free’ Sunshine Coast deals starting from $119.
“The campaign specifically targets the couples market in the southern states.”
Mrs Keech said the campaign was also being rolled out state-wide in other weather and airline affected regions.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
31 July 2008
Ms Keech said the strong Australian dollar, airline cuts and inconsistent weather had a significant impact on tourism in 2008.
"These are real issues that the Sunshine Coast must address," Ms Keech said.
"Tourism Queensland has worked with Tourism Sunshine Coast as well as state regional tourism organisations and operators to develop a trade and agent level campaign as the first major phase of increased tourism activities for the state.
“Through this campaign we will be hitting the key national holiday promoters and sellers directly.
“We want the Sunshine Coast to be top of mind when agents are recommending holidays to their clients.
“Our message to them is clear – it is far ‘easier’ to take a Queensland holiday than it is to travel overseas.”
Mrs Keech said this was the first major marketing campaign to be rolled out as part of State Government’s $4million funding boost to assist the state tourism industry.
“The past holiday season has been disappointing for the Sunshine Coast but we must move the industry forward,” Mrs Keech said.
“We need to be very strategic about our promotions of Queensland at the moment.
“This initial agent and wholesaler level campaign will be complemented by a range of other highly target initiatives over the next six months.
“These will include a campaign encouraging Queenslanders to holiday at home and a new ‘world-first’ international campaign.
“These are just some of the initiatives the State Government and Tourism Queensland are working on in cooperation with industry to keep the state’s $18 billion tourism industry ahead of the pack.”
Mrs Keech said Tourism Sunshine Coast and operators had all rallied as part of the new agent campaign producing competitive holiday deals that will be supported by direct agent promotions as well as extensive television, print and online advertising throughout the country.
“A range of holiday deals offering three nights for the price of two at some of Queensland’s best resorts and hotels is the sweetener to encourage Southerners to take a “too easy” winter break in the Sunshine State,” Mrs Keech said.
“The industry level campaign, which started this week and runs until the end of August, will tempt Southerners with a range of highly-competitive buy ‘two nights, get one free’ Sunshine Coast deals starting from $119.
“The campaign specifically targets the couples market in the southern states.”
Mrs Keech said the campaign was also being rolled out state-wide in other weather and airline affected regions.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
31 July 2008