Queensland centre stage on ‘World Expo Family’ tour
Posted by editor (editor) on Jul 30 2009
2009 >>

A lucky Chinese family who won a competition to visit a former World Expo host-city of the past 20 years will introduce Queensland to millions of potential Chinese visitors who are following their adventures, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said.

Mr Lawlor said Tourism Queensland had prepared a specially-tailored itinerary for the Xu-Chen family from Shanghai, who arrived in Brisbane on Monday and are touring Queensland over the coming week.

“The Xu-Chens are one of 10 prize-winning Chinese families to visit a former World Expo site in the lead-up to Shanghai’s World Expo 2010 as part of a competition run by Shanghai Morning Post, China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai World Expo Bureau,” Mr Lawlor said.

“The Xu-Chen family are being followed by a group of Chinese media providing wonderful exposure of Queensland destinations to Chinese readers.

“Shanghai World Expo 2010 is a hot topic in China at the moment and the family’s trip is being followed in earnest, with front-page spreads featuring in the Shanghai Morning Post this week.”

Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes said Brisbane - as host of World Expo ’88 – was the first destination to be visited by a ‘World Expo Family’.

“As well as exploring Southbank (the site of World Expo ’88) and Brisbane, the Xu-Chens will tour a working cattle station, visit attractions on the Gold Coast and in Tropical North Queensland and get a taste of Aboriginal culture,” he said.

“They will go scuba diving and snorkelling on the outer Great Barrier Reef, hot air ballooning, cuddle koalas and feed kangaroos.

“They will stay in hotels and resorts throughout the regions, experiencing the breadth and quality of local accommodation options.”

Mr Lawlor said 140,000 people from China visited Queensland in the 12 months to March 2009, spending $239 million and supporting an estimated 1500 Queensland jobs.

“China is one Queensland’s fastest growing international markets and will be heavily targeted by Tourism Queensland this year through the three-year $36 million package announced by the Premier Anna Bligh in the recent budget,” he said.

“International tourism is a key economic driver for Queensland and during challenging economic times, promotional activities such as this play an important role in increasing Queensland’s market profile in China.”

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 4:02 PM