In this edition:

On the fly
People on the move
Events
G'day! Enjoy your stay! Good news story

Queensland Network Review released for your feedback

The Stafford Group's review of the Queensland tourism network has been released today. The review examined the structures of successful tourism industries around the world, included an extensive six month consultation with Queensland tourism groups and considered the individual views of more than 300 tourism industry members. Key findings included: there had been a lack of new product development in Queensland in recent years; there should be a reduction in the number of layers within the tourism network and regional boundaries should reflect market trends. It also concluded that the focus of activity should be on product development and marketing. The review was the first action of the 10-year Queensland Tourism Strategy. The report proposes several different options to remodel the existing network for optimum industry growth. The Tourism Queensland board and other key stakeholders are being briefed by the consultant, Albie Stafford, today and tomorrow. A review group of key stakeholders will be formed to consider feedback and put a recommendation to Tourism Minister Desley Boyle for her consideration. The report can be viewed: www.tq.com.au/networkreview and your feedback can be directly submitted via a link from this page.

Jetstar to operate daily Australia-Japan service to the Gold Coast

From 1 October Jetstar will change its current daily Sydney-Osaka-Brisbane service to operate via the Gold Coast in lieu of Brisbane. This change will allow for access from both Sydney and the Gold Coast with the carrier operating a direct Osaka-Gold Coast* service daily with a five times weekly A330-200 tag service from Sydney and a number of domestic connections on the other two days via the Qantas Group’s domestic network. (*Flights subject to regulatory approval).

Village Roadshow takes the plunge on the Sunshine Coast

Village Roadshow is spearheading the development of the Sunshine Coast's first theme park, buying the iconic Aussie World and with plans to develop the site into a major water park similar to its Wet 'n' Wild theme park on the Gold Coast. Village Roadshow will spend up to $70 million building the theme park. Chief Executive Officer John Menzies says the planned site is ideal for tourism.

Queensland goes WOW!

Tourism Queensland's own dedicated campaign website whereelse.com.au is another integral part of the WOW! campaign. The site features holiday packages from key campaign partners as well as a competition where consumers can submit their own Queensland holiday photos through a new user-generated tool for a chance to win a Queensland holiday. Tourism Queensland has already received over 300 photos and encourages reader's to spread the word to friends and family - visit www.whereelse.com.au and follow the links to the competition page.

Chinese 'Justin Timberlake' looks for love on the Gold Coast

A Chinese popstar who is the country's equivalent to Justin Timberlake or Robbie Williams is this week filming an MTV music video on the Gold Coast where he falls in love with an Australian girl. Thanks to Tourism Queensland's China-based office, popstar and actor Liu Ye who has sold millions of CDs and been on the cover of magazines such as China Esquire, chose the Gold Coast as the key location for the music video for his next single. Tourism Queensland's Shanghai-based office has been proactively looking for opportunities to showcase Queensland by linking our destinations with major brand names. The Chinese, one of Queensland’s fastest-growing international markets, place a strong emphasis on celebrity power. The single and music video will be accompanied by a media blitz in China. Tourism Queensland has permission to use Liu Ye's Gold Coast images in its promotional campaigns in China for the next 12 months.

Fraser Coast tourism campaign lures shivering southerners

Images of white sandy beaches hit Sydney and Melbourne streets last week as part of a new tourism campaign to lure southerners to the Fraser Coast during their cold winter. The $250,000 joint campaign between Tourism Queensland, Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism, the Fraser Coast Regional Council, local tourism operators and Virgin Blue focused on the region's natural experiences and adventures. The short campaign, which is part of a larger $2.9 million 'Wow Queensland!' national campaign, includes outdoor and press advertising, online activity and an eight page insert in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Melbourne Age.

Hang out with Picasso

Following hot on the heels of the hugely successful Warhol exhibition, is another major coup for Queensland. 'Picasso and His Collection' will be shown from June 9 to September 14 at the Gallery of Modern Art and is likely to attract even greater interest. The exhibition is exclusive to Brisbane and this will be the first time it has been seen outside Europe. Tourism Queensland is a major sponsor of the exhibition and in partnership with Brisbane Marketing and Queensland Events is coordinating a major campaign including digital, TV, billboards and famil programs.

North America Upcoming Trade Events in August

Dates have been confirmed for OzTalk and Corroboree this year in the North Americas. This year both events will be held in August so you can wrap it into one trip:
East Coast OzTalk: 8 - 10 August in Manhattan, New York
Corroboree: 12- 15 August in the greater Los Angeles area, California
West Coast OzTalk: 15 - 17 August in Costa Mesa, California (1 hour from LAX)
To register for Oztalk, click here.

Tourism Futures Conference

Don't be left behind! Make sure your business is keeping pace in this rapidly evolving economy. For the latest in consumer travel trends and up to the minute internet business strategies and tools don’t miss the national Tourism Futures conference 2 - 4 June. Hear what's happening at the cutting edge so you don't slip behind the competition. For a full program and registrations visit www.tourismfutures.com.au.

More news

For the latest media releases from Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle, click here.

On the fly

• The closing date for nominations for the Queensland Tourism Awards is the end of the month - Friday 30 May. All information is available online or contact Kym Stephenson on Tel +61 7 3236 1445.

• A new category has been included in the Queensland Tourism Awards the "Qantas Sustainable Tourism Award". The award will recognise and showcase successful tourism businesses that set out to minimise their environmental impact, conserve natural resources, respect local cultures and benefit local communities.

• Tourism Queensland has added some natural adventure fact sheets to the suite of information available for international media, including information on bird watching, whale watching, turtles and dolphins and dugongs. Click here to view the factsheets.

• The Australasian Spa Association has released the latest Australia Spa Benchmark Report 2002-2010. This is the fourth spa industry survey conducted in Australia by Intelligent Spas and the report incorporates historical and forecast data for the period 2002 - 2010. Click here for the download.

• Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me? Tonight on ABC 1 at 6pm, new TV travel show Travel Oz, will feature Bush Ballads - Banjo Paterson country. Don't forget your Banjos!

People on the move

• Tourism Queensland is seeking Digital Marketing Coordinator (Destinations and Experiences). Applications close 30 May. For more information, click here.

• Tourism Queensland’ Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) team is seeking a Sales and Marketing Coordinator. Applications close 1 June. For more information, click here.

• Livingstone Tourism Marketing has appointed Sharyn Brydon as the General Manager Sales and Marketing.

• Ocean Hotels and Tourism has appointed Karen Naylor as their Group Domestic and Retail Sales Manager.

For employment opportunities at Tourism Queensland please visit Opportunities at TQ.

Events

• The Weekend Australian Art Brisbane 08
  30 May to 1 June
  Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
  This year's must-attend art event features the affordable to the collectable from 80 of Australia's leading galleries and emerging artists.

• Goomeri Pumpkin Festival
  24 - 25 May, Goomeri
  Tel +61 7 4168 1925
  This weekend event incorporates huge street markets, a street parade, music, displays, demonstrations, novelty pumpkin competitions, delicious pumpkin food and more.

G'Day! Enjoy your stay! Good news story

Bruce Wallace, Tourism Queensland's Director Publicity and Partnerships received great feedback from one of Australia's most experienced freelance travel writers, Roger Allnut. Roger has just returned from an extended drive trip in north Queensland and commented on the exceptional staff in the Visitor Information Centres.

‘Hi Bruce

I just returned from a great driving trip from Cairns out to Karumba, down to Cloncurry and back to Cairns via Charters Towers. It was a great trip.

One thing you could pass on with pride is the fantastic information centres at places along the way. At all of them the staff was friendly, enthusiastic, helpful and the range of material was top class. Especially good (but all were good) were at Georgetown, Croydon (an incredibly enthusiastic woman Eleanor), Normanton, Julia Creek, Richmond, Hughenden and Charters Towers.

Congratulations to them all.

Regards

Roger'

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