Published Friday, 23 January, 2009 at 05:00 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Queensland Tourism a Rugby League World Cup winner
While the 2008 Rugby League World Cup didn’t end quite the way Queenslanders had hoped, Queensland’s tourism industry came out a clear winner, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced today.
Ms Boyle said more than 6800 Rugby League World Cup themed holiday packages and 7500 corporate hospitality packages were sold, and 40 corporate functions were held as part of the tournament.
“The overall success of the event can be attributed to the 243,349 fans who attended the whole event including matches in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Rockhampton and Townsville, and the millions who watched both in Queensland and overseas,” she said.
“The 2008 Rugby League World Cup not only drew the attention of millions of rugby league fans to Queensland, it also translated into people visiting Queensland destinations where matches were held.”
Ms Boyle said the success of the event was also evident in the fantastic results produced by a Tourism Queensland marketing campaign, which encouraged fans to stay longer and explore other destinations while attending the Rugby League World Cup in Queensland.
“Tourism Queensland’s domestic competition ‘Money Can’t Buy Queensland Holidays’ Rugby League World Cup Experience, which ran from July to October, also generated fantastic interest with more than 8400 entries,” she said.
“The dedicated Rugby League World Cup campaign website generated more than 23,000 visitor sessions and an additional two international competitions targeting season ticket holders of English Rugby League teams received more than 30,000 entries.
“Tourism Queensland’s Rugby League World Cup, ambassador ‘King’ Wally Lewis also proved to be an invaluable asset in the promotion of Rugby League World Cup holiday packages.”
Ms Boyle said events such as the Rugby League World Cup were important financial contributors to Queensland’s economy.
“Tourism Queensland successfully leveraged both domestic and international exposure from the recent Rugby League World Cup for Queensland, which involved a range of consumer and trade focused marketing activity including ground signage, online competitions and promotions, an ambassador program, print and outdoor advertising, broadcast footage and hospitality,” she said.
“While it’s a shame the Australian side did not come out on top on the night, overall the Queensland economy was definitely a winner.”
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
Ms Boyle said more than 6800 Rugby League World Cup themed holiday packages and 7500 corporate hospitality packages were sold, and 40 corporate functions were held as part of the tournament.
“The overall success of the event can be attributed to the 243,349 fans who attended the whole event including matches in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Rockhampton and Townsville, and the millions who watched both in Queensland and overseas,” she said.
“The 2008 Rugby League World Cup not only drew the attention of millions of rugby league fans to Queensland, it also translated into people visiting Queensland destinations where matches were held.”
Ms Boyle said the success of the event was also evident in the fantastic results produced by a Tourism Queensland marketing campaign, which encouraged fans to stay longer and explore other destinations while attending the Rugby League World Cup in Queensland.
“Tourism Queensland’s domestic competition ‘Money Can’t Buy Queensland Holidays’ Rugby League World Cup Experience, which ran from July to October, also generated fantastic interest with more than 8400 entries,” she said.
“The dedicated Rugby League World Cup campaign website generated more than 23,000 visitor sessions and an additional two international competitions targeting season ticket holders of English Rugby League teams received more than 30,000 entries.
“Tourism Queensland’s Rugby League World Cup, ambassador ‘King’ Wally Lewis also proved to be an invaluable asset in the promotion of Rugby League World Cup holiday packages.”
Ms Boyle said events such as the Rugby League World Cup were important financial contributors to Queensland’s economy.
“Tourism Queensland successfully leveraged both domestic and international exposure from the recent Rugby League World Cup for Queensland, which involved a range of consumer and trade focused marketing activity including ground signage, online competitions and promotions, an ambassador program, print and outdoor advertising, broadcast footage and hospitality,” she said.
“While it’s a shame the Australian side did not come out on top on the night, overall the Queensland economy was definitely a winner.”
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010