WELCOME TO IN TOUCH WITH TTNQ

I am just back from India and quite in awe of the huge potential of this emerging market. Some of our key findings include the fact that India’s growing economy is fueling increased international travel and associated airline expansion. Cairns and Great Barrier Reef are growing in popularity in India with 11,000 coming here during the year ending September 2006, a fifty per cent increase on the previous year. This was 14 per cent of all Indian visitors to Australia and almost half of all Indian visitors to Queensland. The 12 local operators who participated in the India mission reported productive and profitable discussion with tour operators very keen to extend tour programs and itineraries to increase length of stay and activities within our destination. Also accompanying the Minister on this trip was TQ ceo Ian Mitchell, former Premier Mike Ahern and Gold Coast Tourism ceo Pavan Bhatia. We look forward to working closely with the newly opened TQ India office and in-market representative Ms Supriya Correa. My report on my visit will be posted on the TTNQ corporate website by 20 February.

And after a very successful Queensland on Stage Europe we can look forward to plenty of high value media coverage being generated to build visitation from Germany and help growth continue from France, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden.

I welcome the representatives of Tourism Australia and Tourism Queensland here today to provide international market briefings and look forward to continuing to work closely with both organisations to achieve our marketing goals for Australia’s Tropical Destination. I am pleased to hear that there will be a good roll up of local operators at this event, as is fitting for the destination which attracts the second highest number of international holidaymakers in Australia.

We bid a sad farewell to two key individuals both of whom have headed up organisations with which TTNQ enjoys strong partnership. As head of the Cairns Port Authority Brad Geatches has been a driving force in the further development of Cairns International Airport and the Cityport seaport redevelopment. On behalf of us all here at TTNQ I wish Brad and his family all the very best for their move to Perth. Meanwhile David Maguire of Advance Cairns is heading off to China in a return to newspapers. The close links he has forged in China during his time at Advance Cairns will see him well placed to fill his new role and no doubt he will remain a staunch ambassador for Cairns and Tropical North Queensland as we continue to build on the groundwork he has laid in developing our business relations with China.

Finally a quick reminder to cast your Monopoly votes for the Great Barrier Reef everyday until 10 February – we are falling well behind the Sunshine Coast – so visit www.monopoly.com.au and get clicking for the GBR.

Rob Giason
Chief Executive Officer

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THE LATEST NEWS

EUROPEANS PUT TNQ IN MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Queensland on Stage Europe brought 26 media representatives here to see the region first hand and gather material for specific guaranteed stories which were agreed to in advance of their visit as part of their assessment in market by Tourism Queensland. Donna did a great job of preparing the appropriate itineraries and she, along with everyone at TTNQ, sincerely thank all our participating members for their great support of this important event. We look forward to noting a range of European magazine, newspaper, television and online stories on Australia’s Tropical Destination to stimulate readers to book their trip.

Click here for more photos!

INDIA MISSION GALLERY

Check out these photos from the India Mission!

TOURISM AWARDS SURVEY

Thanks to the many members who have already responded to our Tourism Awards Survey. We are now compiling these responses however it is not too late if you would like to complete the Survey Form but have not already done so. Your valuable feedback will be greatly appreciated to ensure future awards programs best serve our membership.

LUXURY CRUISE LINER VISITS CAIRNS

Asuka II, a Japanese luxury cruise liner, visited Cairns on 29 January as part of their 2007 44 day Oceania Grand Cruise. A majority of the 630 Japanese passengers aboard enjoyed optional touring to Kuranda, city sightseeing and flights on GRB Helicopters. Cairns will see the return of Asuka II next February on her 2008 Oceania Grand Cruise.

AROUND THE REGION

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

ATEC SYDNEY SHOWCASE 2007

13 February 2007
Sydney Tower Restaurant’s 360 Degrees Bar and Dining

This innovative one day training and networking event will be attended by key ITO staff from all levels of management (from Sydney and interstate). Click here for more details and Registration Form.

IPAT- INFORMATION AND TRAINING SESSIONS

Wednesday 28 February 2007 Cairns and Port Douglas

Information and Training sessions for IPAT (Information Performance Analyser for Tourism) will be held on 28 February in both Cairns and Port Douglas, and we urge you to attend if you are interested in participating in IPAT. A session on the Tablelands is planned during March. Each session will run for approximately 2 hours. Details of both sessions will be made available to members shortly. These sessions will also provide you with an opportunity to give us your input, so it best suits your needs. To ensure the success of IPAT as a great asset to both your individual business and the destination providing accurate and reliable data, we need the participation of as many operators as possible. The Information session will give you all the background you need to get started. Expression of interest can be sent to rosalind.anderson@tnq.org.au For more information about IPAT and an outline agenda for the Information Sessions please click here.

DITR BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING WORKSHOPS

8:30am – 12:30pm, Thursday 29 March, CAIRNS

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (DITR) is holding a free workshop to ensure Australian businesses are in the best position to manage the effects of a crisis such as a human influenza pandemic. It will include information on the utilization of two tools, the Being Prepared for Human Ifluenza Pandemic – A Business Continuity Guide for Australian Businesses and Being Prepared for an Influenza Pandemic – A Kit for Small Businesses. Click here for More information and registration form, visit www.industry.gov.au/workshops or contact Kristen Benn on (02) 6213 6107 or kristen.benn@industry.gov.au

KARUMBA COMMUNITY ANGLERS CLASSIC 2007

13 – 15 April 2007

See the Flyer for information on this unique fishing event which promises a great weekend in the Gulf Savannah region. You will also find contact details if you would like to find out more or register as a competitor.

JCU CAREERS FAIR

Tuesday 3 April 2007, JCU

JCU Cairns are holding their annual Careers Fair on Tuesday 3 April, 2007. A total of 45 local and national organisations will be on campus to talk to JCU students about opportunities for graduates. If you wish to connect with future professionals in tourism, business, human resources, marketing, hospitality and eco-tourism consider attending the JCU Careers Fair. Participation is free and booths are limited. For further information on this opportunity for your business contact Suzanne McIntyre at the JCU Careers & Employment Service on 4042 1150.

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EXCELLENT MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

MEETING & INCENTIVE PLANNERS GUIDE

TTNQ member business tourism product is invited to participate in the Cairns and Region Convention Bureau’s Meeting and Incentive Planners Guide 2007 -2008. This guide is the bible for event organisers planning a business event in our region. There are opportunities to advertise and provide information including pre and post touring options, incentives and events, testimonials and case studies and photos. You can use this template to submit relevant editorial for consideration. Advertising bookings close 14 February or when capacity is reached so don’t miss out. For more information please contact Debra Woffenden at Australian Tourist Publications by email debraw@welcometocairns.com.au or phone 4031 3161.

TOKYO MARINE DIVE FAIR 07

The Tokyo Marine Diving Fair is the largest annual scuba diving fair targeting consumers and trade. It provides a unique opportunity for exhibitors to reach two key targets, consumers and travel industry trade, and to provide updated information on your products. 2007 will mark the 15 th year of the Marine Diving Fair to be held in Tokyo on 6 – 8 April. Each year the number of visitors to the Marine Dive Fair grows. In 2006 the exhibition attracted a total of 48,510 visitors with the number expected to exceed 50,000 at this year’s Fair. As has been done in previous years, TTNQ in conjunction with TQ Tokyo will organise themed Cairns & Great Barrier Reef booths. If you are interested in participating, or would like further information, please contact Lisa as soon as possible – email lisa.monks@tnq.org.au

BOOK TROPICAL AUSTRALIA

Interest in Book Tropical Australia is constantly growing with more and more operators choosing to install the system to enhance their online booking capacity. Any members interested in finding out more can contact Natasha MacPherson on 4015 1238 or natasha.macpherson@tnq.org.au or Rubah Rasiah on 4015 1220 or ruban.rasiah@tnq.org.au.

BEHIND THE SCENES

• Cairns and Region Convention Bureau is preparing for the major business tourism event the AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) which is on in Melbourne 13 – 14 February. They are holding a Sell TNQ debrief this Thursday 8 Feb, which will include a presentation on feedback from buyers and sellers. CRCB is also busy with site inspections and sales leads for future conferences and collection of Business Events Survey responses – please send yours if you haven’t already.
  
  
• Sharyn, David & Harry travelled to Brisbane for briefings with TQ Managers and to update them on TTNQ activities, ahead of Tuesday’s International Market Briefings in Cairns presented by TQ and TA.
  
  
• The preparations for the new TNQ brand rollout continue with planning for an industry workshop to present the Brand Toolkit to TTNQ members.
  
  
• Harry and Lisa are preparing for the upcoming Tourism Australia’s Japan Australia Mission, with 10 TNQ operators participating. For the first time this mission will be held in Western Japan, ahead of the introduction of Jetstar services and will be followed up with a series of sales calls with TNQ operators in Osaka and a Business Tourism event in Tokyo. Harry and Lisa will also conduct sales calls in Nagoya, Tokyo and Sapporo.
  
  
• Sharyn, Jana and Donna are continuing with their preparations for the upcoming North American Mission (23 April - 6 May), Oz Talk New Zealand (14 – 17 March), ATEC (13 Feb), ATE (26 May – 1 June), an updated Dive brochure, a Corroboree bid and this year’s caravan and camping shows.
  
  
• While Rob has now returned from India, Liz is continuing on the second leg of the sales mission along with TNQ operators.
  
  
• The IT section is working with various groups in the region with regard to distribution opportunities through BTA and is conducting a scoping study for a Chinese language website.
  
  
• TTNQ recently hosted a welcome dinner at Dundees Restaurant for the Jalpak agent famil consisting of 10 agents.  Thank you to all local operators who supported this famil group’s welcome dinner and touring activites.  The group enjoyed their 4 day stay in the region taking in Kuranda, Palm Cove, Great Barrier Reef and optional touring activities.

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TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to:

• The Great Barrier Reef which was named the named No.1 Snorkelling destination in the Pacific and Indian Oceans by top American dive magazine, Scuba Diving.
  
  
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on its nomination for the Destination Award in the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. Also to GBRMPA for the various Australia Day Awards it received.
  
  
• Sheridan Plaza Hotel for its Australia Day Award nominated by Queensland Ambulance Service for outstanding support post Cyclone Larry.
  
  
• Queensland Rail’s Queenslander Class on the Sunlander on being voted the top long distance train in Australian by members of the Society of International Railway Travellers.

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ON THE MOVE

• TTNQ farewells two of the region’s prominent business leaders, Brad Geatches of Cairns Port Authority and David Maguire of Advance Cairns and wishes them both well in their new endeavours.
  
  
• Tourism Queensland has appointed Greg Howe from Western Australia as Regional Director, Tropical North Queensland and Townsville. Greg has wide experience in the Tourism industry both in Australia and overseas. He is currently working in New Zealand, has worked with RTOs and recently developed a Regional Tourism Strategic Plan. Greg commences with TQ on Monday 26 March.
  
  
• Shirley Dodt is the new Business Development Manager at Shangri-la Hotel, The Marina, Cairns.
  
  
• The new General Manager at the Reef Hotel Casino is Adam Laker.
  
  
• New appointments at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre include Meghan Comas , Sales Manager, who is responsible for inbound sales from the USA, Asia, and New Zealand markets as well as Sandra Wilkinson, C&I Manager, and Jocelyn Amey, Business Development Manager of Education.
  
  
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway have appointed Rachael Ball as Local Sales Executive.
  
  
• The new General Manager of Skytrans is Anthony Sandford.
  
  
• Professor Sandra Harding replaces Professor Bernard Moulden as Vice-Chancellor of James Cook University. She was previously Deputy Vice Chancellor (International and Development) at Queensland University of Technology.
  
  
• Captain Cook Cruises says farewell to Irene Barrett who is relocating to Tasmania.
  
  
• Coconut Beach Rainforest Lodge, Ferntree Rainforest Lodge, Jungle Lodge and the land & sea based tours including Odyssey H2O are now owned and operated by Ocean Hotels following the acquisition of the businesses from Voyages Hotels & Resorts. Coconut Beach Rainforest Lodge will change its name to Coconut Beach Resort.

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OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS

VTA PUT COOKING SKILLS ON THE MENU

Vocational Training Australia has recently been awarded an Australian Government sponsored tender to offer a free pre-vocational program to assist in breaking the skills shortage in the local area. Students can then proceed straight into VTA’s nationally recognized Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) apprenticeship program. Employers or potential chefs can contact Michelle or Kobe at VTA now for more information on 4051 5022. Class sizes are limited – so early booking is recommended.

GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS

Saturday 24 February Ravenshoe

Sunday 25 February Atherton

Arts Nexus is presenting these one day training workshops in grant writing. Check out the Flyer, visit www.artsnexus.com.au or phone 4051 4433 for more information.

MEMENTO AUSTRALIA AWARDS ACTIVITY AT THE TANKS

Tanks Arts Centre is seeking expressions of interest from local creative people to be involved with the forthcoming Memento Australia Awards inaugural exhibition. The Memento Australia Awards reward and promote artists and designers who create innovative, quality and authentic mementos for the tourism and gift retail markets using the diverse aspects of Australian life, land or spirit as their inspiration. The exhibition, developed by Memento Australia in partnership with Tanks Arts Centre, presents a selection of Australia’s best designer mementos from the past eight years of the awards program to inspire local creative people to take up the challenge to develop products for the local tourism market.

Tanks Arts Centre is hosting a ‘Product Development-to-Market Workshop’ on Wednesday 28 February to teach participants how to create and develop items that can be commercially produced for domestic and international markets. Please contact Jonathon on (07) 4032 6600 to book for the workshop. Tanks Arts Centre is also seeking creative people who have other products suitable for retail outlets at Tanks. For more information on the workshop or to share your retail product, contact the Tanks Arts Centre Curator on (07) 4032 6600 or email tanks@cairns.qld.gov.au

NEW HELI CHARTERS PRODUCT

Heli Charters Australia has introduced new product to cater for the business tourism market, which includes its signature package “Discovery Blend”, a combination designed for executive getaways and high achievers featuring Skybury’s Australian Coffee Centre and Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat. Other experiences include a reef tour to idyllic Vlasoff Cay and a near outback trip to working cattle station Mt Mulligan.

SAILAWAY’S INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

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SEEN IN THE MEDIA

• The Western Cape York Turtle Conservation Project featured in articles by visiting journalist John Coomber published in several newspapers around Australia:

Sunday Mail
Sunday Tasmania
Sunday Cambera Times
Sunday Telegraph
Launceston Examinar
Coffs Coast Advocate

• Raging Thunder’s Fitzroy Island Sea Kayaking tour featured in The Cairns Post and Townsville Bulletin recently.
  
  
• Reporter Alison Coates encourages visitors to explore much of TNQ in her Pakenham Journal article.
  
  
• Tim Johnson wrote up his TNQ eco-tourism adventures for the Times Leader Pennsylvania.
  
  
• The New Zealand Herald featured AJ Hackett’s Cairns product, along with Cairns Rainforest Dome and Big Cat Reef Cruises.
  
  
• The Sydney Star Observer retraces celebrity footsteps in Port Douglas.
  
  
• An article in a recent Medical Observer points out the benefits of a summer visit to TNQ.
  
  
• Cape Tribulation featured in a Sunday Age article on the weekend.

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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

"The best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain". Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 – 1882)

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GOOD NEWS STORIES OF GREAT TROPICAL MOMENTS

Mission Beach Tourism was pleased to see the service and experience provided by one of their local operators, Coral Sea Kayaking, was well appreciated:

Our Coral Sea Kayaking trip to Dunk Island on Tuesday 27th November was a fantastic experience.  We were highly impressed with all aspects of the day and our expectations were exceeded on all levels, including equipment, technical kayak instruction and extensive interpretive knowledge.
We would highly recommend this trip to anyone wishing to combine a kayak journey with a broadening of their understanding of the tropical sea and landscapes and people 's culture.
Thanks enormously to Atti

Helen & Brian, NSW

Sometimes it is us locals who really appreciate the opportunity to enjoy a tropical experience, particularly when we are looked after as well as Jason was aboard Aristocat:

Dear John

Firstly I wanted to thank you and your Aristocat team for a magnificent day on the Reef on Sunday. The day was really good and the whole experience was magic. I had some friends up from the Rydges Capricorn Property and was looking for something different and exciting for them to do while they were in Cairns. The Aristocat boat is a pleasure to be on. You really do have an absolute pearl there. It will be very easy to recommend such a delightful vessel and the crew was magnificent as well. They were attentive and friendly and made the day as good as it could be. I have to make mention you ship 's engineer. He was not only around everywhere but was also happy to communicate with the passengers.  

It was a great day all round and I hope that we can frequent the boat again soon.

All the best for the new venture and we will be making sure that we recommend it every time we can on our tour desk.
Regards

If you have a good news story or have achieved a recent success please send your information to Helen Laird.

Brought to you by Pacifc Toyota Cairns Corporate Vehicle Sponsor for TTNQ