Published Monday, 18 August, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Queensland wins prestigious tourism award in LA
US Aussie Specialist travel agents have voted Tourism Queensland as Australia’s best state tourism organisation Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced today.
Ms Boyle said TQ won the Opal Award for Excellence at an annual training convention in Los Angeles for North American travel agents over the weekend.
“I’m thrilled Tourism Queensland has edged out perennial winners Tourism Tasmania to take out this coveted award for the first time,” Ms Boyle said.
“This award is voted for by around 200 North American travel agents who specialise in selling Australia, so it’s particularly gratifying for our Tourism Queensland staff in the US.
“These trained Aussie Specialist agents are dedicated to selling and promoting Australia, and are highly influential when it comes to advising their clients where in Australia to travel.
“Tourism Queensland has worked hard to put Queensland front of mind with travel agents.”
Ms Boyle said one of Tourism Queensland’s newest initiatives was the appointment of a Queensland Advisory Board made up of six Premier Aussie Specialist agents.
The board offered insights into market trends from an agent’s perspective and ensured Tourism Queensland’s travel agent tactics were on track.
“Their market intelligence suggests the travel agent community is still busy despite rising oil prices and economic concerns in the US,” Ms Boyle said.
“The board has also emphasised the need for Queensland operators to maintain personal contact with their Aussie Specialist agents in the US to ensure they remain top of mind.
“These insights will help to strengthen our position as an extremely attractive destination for travelling Americans, who already account for around eight percent of international visitors to Queensland.
“Tourism Queensland’s efforts have been recognised with this Opal Award ahead of other state and territory programs in the US, and it should pay dividends for our industry here on the ground.”
Further information:
Minister’s office – Kirstie Maier ph 3224 2007
Tourism Queensland – Kerri Anderson ph 3535 5010
18 August 2008
Ms Boyle said TQ won the Opal Award for Excellence at an annual training convention in Los Angeles for North American travel agents over the weekend.
“I’m thrilled Tourism Queensland has edged out perennial winners Tourism Tasmania to take out this coveted award for the first time,” Ms Boyle said.
“This award is voted for by around 200 North American travel agents who specialise in selling Australia, so it’s particularly gratifying for our Tourism Queensland staff in the US.
“These trained Aussie Specialist agents are dedicated to selling and promoting Australia, and are highly influential when it comes to advising their clients where in Australia to travel.
“Tourism Queensland has worked hard to put Queensland front of mind with travel agents.”
Ms Boyle said one of Tourism Queensland’s newest initiatives was the appointment of a Queensland Advisory Board made up of six Premier Aussie Specialist agents.
The board offered insights into market trends from an agent’s perspective and ensured Tourism Queensland’s travel agent tactics were on track.
“Their market intelligence suggests the travel agent community is still busy despite rising oil prices and economic concerns in the US,” Ms Boyle said.
“The board has also emphasised the need for Queensland operators to maintain personal contact with their Aussie Specialist agents in the US to ensure they remain top of mind.
“These insights will help to strengthen our position as an extremely attractive destination for travelling Americans, who already account for around eight percent of international visitors to Queensland.
“Tourism Queensland’s efforts have been recognised with this Opal Award ahead of other state and territory programs in the US, and it should pay dividends for our industry here on the ground.”
Further information:
Minister’s office – Kirstie Maier ph 3224 2007
Tourism Queensland – Kerri Anderson ph 3535 5010
18 August 2008