European travel specialists explore Queensland
Posted by editor (editor) on May 04 2009
2009 >>

Following on the heels of the announcement of the successful candidate for Best Job in the World this week, 300 hand-picked travel professionals from across Europe and the UK will be on Hamilton Island to participate in a training workshop promoting tourism to Australia, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said today.

“The three-day training workshop on Hamilton Island kicks off the day after the big announcement of the successful candidate,” he said.

“Corroboree Europe 09 is a mega familiarisation and training workshop event, run in partnership by Tourism Australia, Tourism Queensland and other State and Territory organisations.

“The Destination Australia initiative presents Australian tourism products first-hand to travel agents and tour operators from Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Ireland and the UK who specialise in tourism to Australia.

“Forty-four Queensland operators will show off products at the workshop and another 20 national suppliers will have Queensland products to promote.

“Tourism Queensland will host a ‘beach party’ welcome dinner for the 300 international participants on Thursday 7 May, with Queensland operators well represented.”

Mr Lawlor said 43 of the travel professionals will take part in an indepth discovery tour of Queensland’s attractions and products in the days leading up the Hamilton Island workshop.

“Queensland will host three famils with the travel specialists in Southern Queensland, the Whitsundays and the Tropical North,” he said.

The tourism professionals will participate in one of the following itineraries:

• Southern Queensland: visits to Fraser Island, Noosa, Southbank Parklands, Australia Zoo, Canungra Valley Vineyard and O’Reilly’s in Lamington National Park, and opportunity to kayak, sail, surf, snorkel, ride a flying fox and walk through rainforest.
• The Whitsundays: resort hopping between Hamilton, Daydream, Hayman and Hook Islands, Whitehaven Beach, Peppers Palm Bay and Airlie Beach, and the chance to participate in an overnight sailing trip on the Great Barrier Reef, beach volley ball, windsurfing, snorkelling, catamaran sailing, paddle skiing and ocean swimming.
• Tropical North Queensland: visits to Cairns, Port Douglas, the Daintree, Cape Tribulation, Kewarra Beach, Kuranda, an outback station and Palm Cove, and opportunities to snorkel, scuba dive, ocean walk, ocean swim, sailing, quad bike, horse ride and to see rainforest wildlife and experience Aboriginal culture.

“The trip will also include overnight stays in a variety of hotels and resorts throughout the regions, demonstrating the breadth and quality of Queensland accommodation options,” Mr Lawlor said.

“Queensland’s participation in Corroborree Europe 09 will increase international awareness of Queensland destinations and strengthen the position of these regions in the United Kingdom and European markets.

“Increasing awareness of Queensland experiences and generating confidence and understanding about what Queensland has to offer will encourage and assist the travel professionals in selling more Queensland holidays.

“International tourism is a key economic driver for Queensland and during challenging economic times, it is crucial to continue with activities such as Corroboree Europe 09, which will increase the visibility and presence of Queensland destinations and products in international markets.

“We are committed to generating interest from international holiday-makers and will do everything possible to maximise the benefits for Queensland.”

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 2:21 PM