Published Tuesday, 23 September, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Where’s Wally? Where else but Rockhampton!
League legend Wally Lewis is in Rockhampton this week to help promote the city’s upcoming Rugby League World Cup match, which will be held at Browne Park Stadium on November 8.
The renowned footballer has been named Tourism Queensland’s Rugby League World Cup Ambassador to assist in profiling the event and Queensland destinations hosting matches.
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said this was the first time such a high-calibre international sporting event had been held in Rockhampton.
“Rockhampton is set to take its place amongst Australia’s major sports tourism destinations in the lead up to the November 8 match,” Ms Boyle said.
“This is a great opportunity for the city to be promoted to league fans all over Australia and internationally.”
Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland’s Rugby League World Cup campaign was targeting interstate fans, encouraging them to come to Queensland for the Cup and spend some extra time exploring while they were here.
“Sports tourists are traditionally high spenders and splurge around $300-$400 per night on accommodation, tickets, food and beverages, so we can expect Rockhampton’s tourism and hospitality industry to be boosted by the match,” Ms Boyle said.
“Sports tourists are the ideal visitor - if their team wins they go out, spend up big to celebrate, but if their team loses, they do the same to commiserate.
“Most visitors will also spend a few extra days exploring the region.”
Ms Boyle said more than 5000 travel packages had been sold for Rugby League World Cup matches, including those being held in Brisbane, Townsville, the Gold Coast and Rockhampton.
“Going on previous major sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup, which generated $494 million for Australia, or the Ashes Series, which generated $265 million, the Rugby League World Cup will be an important economic tourism event in Queensland,” Ms Boyle said.
Ms Boyle said as part of his commitment as Tourism Queensland Rugby League World Cup Ambassador, Wally Lewis was taking part in a ‘Money Can’t Buy’ competition highlighting the experiences visitors could have in Central Queensland such a trips to the Great Barrier Reef, national parks and fishing.
The competition winner will attend the Brisbane final and meet Wally for a photo opportunity on the field of Suncorp Stadium before the game.
“To win, entrants must list Wally’s top holiday locations in the destinations that are hosting matches, including Rockhampton,” Ms Boyle said.
“So, right now, whenever anyone asks ‘Where’s Wally?’ our answer is ‘Where else but Queensland’ of course.”
“It is fantastic that for the first time a major international sporting event in Australia will hold matches in regional areas so the benefits won’t just be focused on the capital.”
Wally Lewis said he was honoured to be named a Queensland tourism ambassador for Rugby League World Cup.
“No one could be a prouder Queenslander than I am and talking about Queensland’s fantastic holiday experiences is an easy sell,” Mr Lewis said.
“I have loved being involved with Tourism Queensland, not just in promoting the sport that I love, but the state that I love as well.”
The digital campaign is currently being advertised nationally via a number of channels including a dedicated Tourism Queensland website www.queenslandholidays.com.au/worldcup
Ends
Minister’s office: Kirstie Maier 3225 1005 or 0448 135 195
Tourism Queensland: Kerri Anderson 3535 5010
23 September 2008
The renowned footballer has been named Tourism Queensland’s Rugby League World Cup Ambassador to assist in profiling the event and Queensland destinations hosting matches.
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said this was the first time such a high-calibre international sporting event had been held in Rockhampton.
“Rockhampton is set to take its place amongst Australia’s major sports tourism destinations in the lead up to the November 8 match,” Ms Boyle said.
“This is a great opportunity for the city to be promoted to league fans all over Australia and internationally.”
Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland’s Rugby League World Cup campaign was targeting interstate fans, encouraging them to come to Queensland for the Cup and spend some extra time exploring while they were here.
“Sports tourists are traditionally high spenders and splurge around $300-$400 per night on accommodation, tickets, food and beverages, so we can expect Rockhampton’s tourism and hospitality industry to be boosted by the match,” Ms Boyle said.
“Sports tourists are the ideal visitor - if their team wins they go out, spend up big to celebrate, but if their team loses, they do the same to commiserate.
“Most visitors will also spend a few extra days exploring the region.”
Ms Boyle said more than 5000 travel packages had been sold for Rugby League World Cup matches, including those being held in Brisbane, Townsville, the Gold Coast and Rockhampton.
“Going on previous major sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup, which generated $494 million for Australia, or the Ashes Series, which generated $265 million, the Rugby League World Cup will be an important economic tourism event in Queensland,” Ms Boyle said.
Ms Boyle said as part of his commitment as Tourism Queensland Rugby League World Cup Ambassador, Wally Lewis was taking part in a ‘Money Can’t Buy’ competition highlighting the experiences visitors could have in Central Queensland such a trips to the Great Barrier Reef, national parks and fishing.
The competition winner will attend the Brisbane final and meet Wally for a photo opportunity on the field of Suncorp Stadium before the game.
“To win, entrants must list Wally’s top holiday locations in the destinations that are hosting matches, including Rockhampton,” Ms Boyle said.
“So, right now, whenever anyone asks ‘Where’s Wally?’ our answer is ‘Where else but Queensland’ of course.”
“It is fantastic that for the first time a major international sporting event in Australia will hold matches in regional areas so the benefits won’t just be focused on the capital.”
Wally Lewis said he was honoured to be named a Queensland tourism ambassador for Rugby League World Cup.
“No one could be a prouder Queenslander than I am and talking about Queensland’s fantastic holiday experiences is an easy sell,” Mr Lewis said.
“I have loved being involved with Tourism Queensland, not just in promoting the sport that I love, but the state that I love as well.”
The digital campaign is currently being advertised nationally via a number of channels including a dedicated Tourism Queensland website www.queenslandholidays.com.au/worldcup
Ends
Minister’s office: Kirstie Maier 3225 1005 or 0448 135 195
Tourism Queensland: Kerri Anderson 3535 5010
23 September 2008