Part of the Whitsundays’ “74 Islands Out Of The Blue” campaign, Mr Lawlor said the “The Whitsundays 74 Hour Sale” would start tomorrow, Tuesday 8 September.
Mr Lawlor said the 3-day 74 hour campaign was part of an aggressive rolling strategy by the Government and Tourism Queensland to ensure that tourism operators and tourism jobs were protected during the economic downturn.
Mr Lawlor said: “The Bligh Government knows that global tourism market has temporarily contracted, and this means that the competition for the tourism dollar is fierce.”
“With this campaign we are capitalising on the award-winning Best Job in the World Campaign, and moving quickly to harness new interest in our state generated by the recently-launched ‘Hey Hey This is Queensland’ advertisement.
Mr Lawlor said the new campaign would offer great deals for people to holiday on the Whitsundays’ 74 islands and mainland.
“These deals will be only available for 74 hours and local tourism operators will be serving up some fantastic offers, which include flights, accommodation, transfers and day tours,”
“Virgin Blue is offering great airfares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - starting at $74 from Sydney to Hamilton Island - while accommodation package rates begin from $74 a night, per person twin share.
“A range of five-night packages on the islands and mainland will be available for holidaymakers to book a break from the rat race at great prices.
“The campaign is being promoted on television, press and online in Sydney and Melbourne.
"There's no doubt that people have become price conscious in recent times and this campaign is a fantastic enticement for holidaymakers to book a trip to the Whitsundays at value for money rates.
“The Whitsundays are Australia’s premier aquatic leisure destination, boasting unparalleled sailing, cruising and nature-based activities in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.”
Mr Lawlor said the “Hey Hey This Is Queensland” campaign was already showing very positive signs with the Mantra Group reporting more than 1400 enquiries to its call centre last week.
He said Tourism Queensland’s consumer website www.queenslandholidays.com.au had also seen a 20 percent increase in visitation in the first week of the campaign.
“The Whitsundays’ region has been increasingly in the spotlight this year, thanks to the phenomenal success of the Best Job In The World.
“A campaign like this, specifically for the Whitsundays, is the perfect follow-on to that success and will continue to drive domestic visitors to one of Queensland’s most stunning regions.”
Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes said more than 191,000 people had visited Best Job in he World Island Caretaker Ben Southall’s blog on www.islandreefjob.com since he began work on Hamilton Island.
“Along with the related media coverage Ben has generated, this campaign comes at a perfect time to entice holidaymakers to the Whitsundays.
“In addition to our airline partner Virgin Blue, 14 Whitsunday operators have taken part in this campaign, including Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, Coral Sea Resort, Club Crocodile Airlie Beach, Long Island Resort, Pinnacles Resort, Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, DescaradA Charters, Fantasea Cruising, Hayman, Cruise Whitsundays, Water's Edge Resort, Club Med Lindeman Island and Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Reef Festival 2009.”
Virgin Blue Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Brett Godfrey said the group was delighted to help play a role in stimulating Queensland tourism.
“In times like these the industry needs to work together. Queensland is a truly fantastic destination and what better way to help people experience the Whitsunday’s 74 islands out of the blue than to fly there with Virgin Blue, on fares starting from just $74?,” Mr Godfrey said.
Bookings for the “The Whitsundays 74 Hour Sale” can be made at www.thewhitsundays.com.au, opening at 9am on Tuesday 8 September and closing on Friday 11 September at 11am.
The campaign is for travel in November 2009 and February 2010, specifically from 2 November to 9 December 2009, and from 1 February - 10 March 2010.
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