Gold Coast lures lucrative Indian market for mega event
Posted by editor (editor) on May 22 2009
2009 >>

A new long-term market strategy aimed at attracting more Indian tourists to Queensland looks like it’s paying off, following an announcement by the Federal Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson that the Gold Coast will host the 2009 India Mega Familiarisation, today.

Queensland Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said India was one of Queensland’s fastest growing international markets and the announcement was great news for Queensland.

“For the past two years Tourism Queensland has worked alongside the State Government and in partnership with regional tourism organisations to develop a new long-term strategy aimed at attracting more Indian tourists to Queensland,” Mr Lawlor said.

“The announcement that Queensland has secured this major event is proof that the India market strategy is paying off.

“The India Mega Familiarisation, which will be held from 10 – 14 August 2009, will bring 100 of the most senior Indian travel industry to Queensland to meet with representatives from the Australian tourism industry.

“The event will give Aussie Specialist agents from India the opportunity to take part in ‘real life’ Queensland experiences, which will enhance the agents’ knowledge of Queensland and their ability to sell the experience back in India.

“Queensland has a broad range of experiences and destinations which appeal to Indian travellers.”

Mr Lawlor said more than 32,000 travellers from India visited Queensland in 2008, injecting almost $90 million into the Queensland economy.

“Indian visitors to Queensland are generally high income earning families and honeymooners who on average stay for 36 nights and have a relatively high average spend per visitor of $2,823,” he said.

“Since 2005, the number of holiday visitors from India to Queensland has grown at an average annual rate of 14 percent.”

Mr Lawlor said it was the first time Queensland had hosted the India Mega Familiarisation, previously known as the India Travel Mission, which was held in India since 1999.

“The response from both the Australian and Indian travel industry was very encouraging with record numbers attending last year’s event,” he said.

“India is one of Queensland’s most lucrative international markets for tourism and events such as the India Mega Familiarisation help to increase the visibility and presence of Queensland products and attract more Indian visitors to the region.

“The event will provide a platform for Queensland tourism operators to introduce new tourism products and enable the Indian representatives to develop destination knowledge amongst a range of Queensland experiences.

“Although the event will be hosted on the Gold Coast, the visiting travel executives will also have the opportunity to attend a pre and post workshop tour visiting a variety of iconic Queensland destinations.”

Mr Lawlor said events like this would not be possible without the support of Tourism Australia, Tourism Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism and the collaborative efforts of the local tourism industry in the regions involved.

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 2:53 PM