Published Wednesday, 19 November, 2008 at 05:00 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Gold Coast to host senior Middle East travel executives
The Gold Coast will host more than 50 of the Middle East’s most senior travel industry representatives next March as part of a strategy to grow the lucrative Middle Eastern market.
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle, who is visiting the United Arab Emirates, this week to meet with senior airline and travel industry representatives, announced that the region’s major Australian tourism trade event, “Yinala”, would be held on the Gold Coast from March 8 to 11.
“Middle Eastern visitors are some of Queensland’s most lucrative, travelling in large family groups, staying longer and spending more than the average visitor,” Ms Boyle said.
“They are keen to escape the scorching Middle Eastern summers and Queensland, with its temperate year-round climate makes for a perfect family holiday destination.
“Last year 30,000 Middle Eastern visitors, mainly from the Gulf States, spent an average 36 nights each in Queensland – double that of the average international visitor.”
Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland had long been at the forefront of targeting the Middle Eastern market and had worked closely with Tourism Australia to secure the Yinala trade event for 2009.
She said more than 50 key travel trade and product managers would take part in the four day event which would include workshops with Gold Coast tourism operators and a series of familiarisations visiting the region’s attractions.
“The Gold Coast has long been a favourite destination for Middle Eastern visitors,” Ms Boyle said.
“Not only do we want more Middle Eastern visitors to come to the Gold Coast, we want them to come back.”
Ms Boyle said an increased number of flights into Queensland from the Middle East via airlines such as Emirates and Etihad meant the state had never been more accessible.
“Travellers into Brisbane from Dubai have increased 57 percent since 2004 for example, proof that the relationships Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Government have built with this important market are paying off.”
Ms Boyle said in addition to hosting Yinala, in April next year Tourism Queensland would lead its annual Queensland on Tour trade mission to the Gulf States, giving Queensland tourism operators the opportunity to meet and do business with senior travel executives.
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
19 November 2008
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle, who is visiting the United Arab Emirates, this week to meet with senior airline and travel industry representatives, announced that the region’s major Australian tourism trade event, “Yinala”, would be held on the Gold Coast from March 8 to 11.
“Middle Eastern visitors are some of Queensland’s most lucrative, travelling in large family groups, staying longer and spending more than the average visitor,” Ms Boyle said.
“They are keen to escape the scorching Middle Eastern summers and Queensland, with its temperate year-round climate makes for a perfect family holiday destination.
“Last year 30,000 Middle Eastern visitors, mainly from the Gulf States, spent an average 36 nights each in Queensland – double that of the average international visitor.”
Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland had long been at the forefront of targeting the Middle Eastern market and had worked closely with Tourism Australia to secure the Yinala trade event for 2009.
She said more than 50 key travel trade and product managers would take part in the four day event which would include workshops with Gold Coast tourism operators and a series of familiarisations visiting the region’s attractions.
“The Gold Coast has long been a favourite destination for Middle Eastern visitors,” Ms Boyle said.
“Not only do we want more Middle Eastern visitors to come to the Gold Coast, we want them to come back.”
Ms Boyle said an increased number of flights into Queensland from the Middle East via airlines such as Emirates and Etihad meant the state had never been more accessible.
“Travellers into Brisbane from Dubai have increased 57 percent since 2004 for example, proof that the relationships Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Government have built with this important market are paying off.”
Ms Boyle said in addition to hosting Yinala, in April next year Tourism Queensland would lead its annual Queensland on Tour trade mission to the Gulf States, giving Queensland tourism operators the opportunity to meet and do business with senior travel executives.
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
19 November 2008