Published Wednesday, 19 November, 2008 at 05:00 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Middle East travel executives to visit Tropical North Queensland
DUBAI: The natural beauty of Tropical North Queensland will be used to help lure more visitors from the lucrative Middle East market to Queensland, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said today.
Ms Boyle, who is visiting the United Arab Emirates, said a group of senior travel industry representatives from the Middle East would take part in a four-day familiarisation to the Tropical North after attending the Australian tourism trade event “Yinala” at the Gold Coast from March 8 to 11.
“Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia secured the “Yinala” event for 2009 and while it is being hosted at the Gold Coast this major trade show also presents a significant opportunity for other Queensland destinations,” she said.
“Middle Eastern visitors to Queensland usually travel in large family groups, stay longer and spend more than the average visitor.
“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 the VIP visitors would have the opportunity to experience Indigenous culture, visit iconic destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef and walk through tropical north rainforest as part of the familiarisation.
“Tropical North tourism operators will be able to strengthen ties with representatives from one of the most lucrative international markets for our industry, which in turn will assist to increase the number of Middle East visitors to the region,” she said.
“Not only do we want more Middle Eastern visitors to come to Queensland, we want them to come back and visit new destinations such as Tropical North Queensland which are largely untapped for this market.”
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
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
19 November 2008
Ms Boyle, who is visiting the United Arab Emirates, said a group of senior travel industry representatives from the Middle East would take part in a four-day familiarisation to the Tropical North after attending the Australian tourism trade event “Yinala” at the Gold Coast from March 8 to 11.
“Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia secured the “Yinala” event for 2009 and while it is being hosted at the Gold Coast this major trade show also presents a significant opportunity for other Queensland destinations,” she said.
“Middle Eastern visitors to Queensland usually travel in large family groups, stay longer and spend more than the average visitor.
“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 the VIP visitors would have the opportunity to experience Indigenous culture, visit iconic destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef and walk through tropical north rainforest as part of the familiarisation.
“Tropical North tourism operators will be able to strengthen ties with representatives from one of the most lucrative international markets for our industry, which in turn will assist to increase the number of Middle East visitors to the region,” she said.
“Not only do we want more Middle Eastern visitors to come to Queensland, we want them to come back and visit new destinations such as Tropical North Queensland which are largely untapped for this market.”
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
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
19 November 2008