20 August 2008
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The Latest News - Important Upcoming Events - Excellent Marketing Opportunities - Behind the Scenes |
FROM THE CEO's DESK
While we sit back and enjoy the excitement and exhilaration of the Beijing Olympic Games, we see a country of more than a billion people proudly represented by China’s most gifted sportsmen and women.
There is no doubt that for many decades China has been an economic sleeping giant. The Beijing Games have shown the world just how far China has advanced in such a short space of time – and now China wants to see much, much more of the world.
The rapidly expanding outbound Chinese travel market is showing no signs of letting up over the long term. For Tropical North Queensland, we welcomed some 60,000 visitors from China in 2007/8 – a massive increase of more than 70 per cent over the previous year. And for many middle class Chinese, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are positioned right at the top of their ‘must-see’ list of experiences around the globe.
Tropical North Queensland’s tourism industry has been proactive in seeing the potential of this incredible market. Over many years, TTNQ and its members have been carefully preparing for China’s visitation through sales missions, training, promotions, familiarisation visits and much more. Because of this preparation, we are the best trained destination for these important visitors or our region.
For our industry, securing the Chinese market is a marathon – not a sprint. It requires patient hard work and a long-term commitment to an ambitious goal. There are no short cuts, and TNQ is up against a world-class field of competitors – all eagerly eyeing the winner’s podium. However, this race will not go to the swift, but to the persistent.
We recognise we still have to put in the hard yards if TNQ is to secure the almost unlimited potential China has to offer, especially as we come to terms with the loss of some 100,000 airline seats from Japan towards the end of the year.
Recently, more than a dozen representatives from our region were in Eastern China to open four new specially-themed 'Cairns and Great Barrier Reef' travel shops in Zhejiang province in Eastern China. It brings to 11 the total number of retail outlets the region now has around the country.
A joint collaboration between TTNQ members is the envy of much larger destinations attempting to gain a foothold in China – and demonstrates the power of cooperation and collaboration, essentially being a team.
TTNQ is working hard with its partners at Tourism Queensland, Tourism Australia and Cairns Ports Ltd to secure additional charter services from Hong Kong and China for Chinese New Year, and we are shortly to undertake one of our biggest consumer promotions ever in the key market of Shanghai.
For Tropical North Queensland, the prospects for the Chinese market are golden – but getting across the finish line first will be a team effort against some of the toughest competition anywhere in the world but there is no doubt we are ready.
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Rob Giason Chief Executive Officer |
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THE LATEST NEWS
BOOK TROPICAL AUSTRALIA BREAKS RECORD
BTA has surpassed $120k worth of business for the month of July, with over 1100 room nights booked for the month! This represents a 10 per cent increase on last month’s $110k total bookings. To enquire how your business can become a part of BTA, contact TTNQ’s Information Manager Derek Tottle at Derek.tottle@tnq.org.au
TNQ IN NORTH AMERICA
Over the past few weeks, TTNQ and TNQ operators were in North America for three important missions: Goway Pow Wow, Oz Talk East & West and Corroboree - The Americas. The focus of these missions was to promote the destination through training and networking with over 400 Retail Travel Agents, Wholesale Reservation Staff and Aussie Specialists from North America.
GREEN THUMBS FOR TTNQ MEMBERS
Cairns Colonial Club and Cairns Tropical Zoo were each given a big green “thumbs up” at this year’s Cairns Regional Council Garden Awards.
The Cairns Colonial Club Resort took home top honours in the “Tourist Accommodation & Caravan Parks” category, while the Judges Special Award for Commercial Premises and Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures was Cairns Tropical Zoo.
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Sebastien BONVIN, Cameron HILL, Paul STIVICIC and Dan CHANDLER
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LOCAL DEMAND UP FOR SKYBURY COFFEE
Local demand for Skybury Coffee has pushed wholesale orders up by 20 per cent this year, with growers citing the increase was driven by the quality of coffee being produced.
Skybury’s Managing Director, Ian MacLaughlin said Tablelands coffee growers are on track to have the best harvest ever, with a projected yield of 200 tonnes. The high quality of the 2008 crop is due to the ideal conditions of favourable rains and temperatures experienced during the growing season.
Click here to read more.
PARKER TRAVEL COLLECTION OPENS SALES OFFICE IN KOREA
Parker Travel Collection global tourism marketing network now includes a new Korea sales office, inaugurated by Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle on 31 July 2008.
The event was an opportunity for key members of the region’s tourism industry to meet with the new Korean sales staff, Ronnie Kim, Irene Park and Henry Han.
NORTH AMERICAN FAMILIARISATION A BUSINESS EVENT SUCCESS
Cairns and Region Convention Bureau, in conjunction with Business Events Australia, recently hosted 10 of North America’s top incentive buyers on a three and a half day famil highlighting Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas. The program highlights included cuddling koalas at Rainforestation, helicopter flights to the Great Barrier Reef, fine dining at Silky Oaks and Flames of the Forest, and a memorable stay and breakfast at Sheraton Mirage Resort.
Osoth Williams, Operations Manager for SMI Travel Inc had this to say about her experience in TNQ: “Thank you so much for taking such wonderful care of us along the way. This famil has got to be one of the best fams I’ve ever been on in my career. You did a fantastic job of keeping us entertained. Your area will be very easy to sell and knowing we have such terrific support at the destination is a plus.”
North American Familiarisation – Day on the Reef with Quicksilver
North American Familiarisation – Skyrail Experience
North American Familiarisation – Breakfast at Sheraton Mirage
NEW MAP RELEASED OF CAPE TRIBULATION AND THE DAINTREE COAST
Mason’s Tours, Ocean Hotels and Ocean Safari are proud to announce the release of a new version of the already popular Daintree River to Cape Tribulation (Daintree Coast) Map. The new maps will be distributed across Tropical North Queensland.
Should anyone require maps, please call 40980070
DAINTREE ECO LODGE AND ANGSANA RESORT & SPA AWARD WINNERS
The HM Awards for Excellence 2008 recently held in Sydney bestowed the coveted “Ecotourism Award” to Daintree Eco Lodge in recognition of this outstanding eco-friendly Australian Lodge, adding to the plethora of National and International Awards recently received, including “World’s Leading Eco Lodge” (World Travel Awards) and “Best Spa on the Continent” (World Spa Awards). Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa were also nominated in the Unique Accommodation category.
Angsana Resort & Spa were also winners on the night in the highly contested :Hotel Day Spa” category adding to their impressive resume of awards and accolades as well.
The awards had a record 260 nominations in 29 categories received from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
CHILDREN FIVE AND UNDER TO ATTEND CAIRNS AMATEURS
Following a meeting with the Queensland Liquor Licensing Division in Cairns, the Cairns Amateurs has announced changes to previous age restrictions on this year’s 50th Carnival.
The Club has been given the go-ahead to allow children aged five years and under to attend the Carnival, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
“The tradition of Amateurs being a family event will continue and we are pleased with the response from Liquor Licensing,” said Club President Alan McPherson. “We are, as always, working with the local officials to ensure all requirements are met and the inclusion of children five and under is greatly appreciated.”
Children aged five years and under, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will be admitted free to the race course during the two-days of racing at the 50th Carnival, whilst the adult ticket price is $25 per day. Pensioners with valid identification will be able to purchase a ticket for $12 per day. General Entry Gate Passes are now available online at TicketsPlus. Admission to those aged between 6 and 17 inclusive is still not allowed.
ANOTHER MAJOR WIN FOR CAIRNS
Cairns & Region Convention Bureau, in conjunction with Cairns Indoor Sports, has been successful in its bid to secure the 2009 Masters Indoor Cricket Nationals Championships for Cairns! The event will run from the 26 July -- 01 August 2009, with players and officials coming from all over Australia to participate. With an estimated 440 athletes and many of their families and friends expected to visit the region during the event, the anticipated conservative economic impact for the region will exceed $150,000.
A cricket tournament of this nature has not previously been held in Cairns and is considered a major coup for the region. CEO of Indoor Cricket Queensland Reg Roberts announced, “We are particularly excited about this announcement and I can tell you the Queensland players, based in Brisbane, are particularly excited.”
MICE.NET FAMIL
Following on from the TNQ Destination Supplement published in the June 2008 Mice.net Magazine, 11 corporate-end users were invited to attend a famil in TNQ from 08 – 11 August 2008.
With flight sponsorship from Virgin Blue, CRCB put together an itinerary to include the 24 TTNQ members who advertised in the supplement, showcasing Cairns, Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation and the Tablelands.
UK WHOLESALER KUONI LOVES TNQ
Nicola Denbigh, Kuoni Product Manager - Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, who recently attended the Change Your Attitude, post-ATE famil, proudly displays her Cairns poster and pride of place in her Dorking office.
As a result of the famil, Kuoni has decided to brochure a new Atherton and Cape Tribulation three day, self-drive itinerary in their upcoming 08/09 brochure, due for release on 26 September 2008.
Nic said, "After such a wonderful, informative and well organized trip which opened my eyes to a whole new world of activities in the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Region, I had no choice to pick up on some new exciting products for Kuoni as a result."
All of the eight UK Product Managers received a Cairns poster as a surprise return gift and these posters can now be found hanging in the offices of all of the wholesaler's offices, serving to remind the Product Managers of their attitude changing famil trip.
AIRPORT AMBASSADOR UPDATE
“AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH” - This award goes to Carmel Portelli
If there was one word to describe Carmel, it would be “caring”. Carmel is always concerned about the welfare of our passengers, and of her fellow ambassadors. She can be trusted to always do the right thing and portray the most positive behaviour in the Terminal.
Carmel has excellent observation skills and an uncanny ability to pick-up on body language and behaviour. She is always first to go forward in order to offer help. (She can also bake a deadly chocolate mudcake…)
We all need one of you Carmel, luckily we got you before anyone else did! Our sincere thanks for your contribution.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Reef Catering Cairns
http://www.reefcateringcairns.com.au/ (website under construction)
Reef Catering Cairns is Cairns' leading new catering company, offering a wide range of services from lunch boxes to five-star weddings and gala dinners.
Reef Catering is the exclusive caterer and event manager for the Whitfield house. We are all about fabulous food excellent service and premier catering.
Cushman & Wakefield Hospitality
www.cushmanwakefieldhospitality.com
CWH provides a wide range of consulting services for hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, and mixed-use developments across Asia. We specialise in operations analysis, market research, and demand analysis and have developed a detailed understanding of accommodation industry dynamics. This allows us to complete comprehensive market demand forecasts, which forms the base for market and business assessments, financial projections, and valuation services.
We also advise on the development of new hotels, working with developers, architects, and other development team members to conceptualise the optimal product for a particular site. Through the integration of consulting and valuation services with a specialist division providing design management and project direction services, we can provide our clients with a full suite of services from site analysis and project conception, through market analysis and financial evaluation, to construction administration and project delivery.
Exportise
www.exportise.com.au
The expertise of the company in assisting clients to access the benefits of Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) has been acknowledged by our clients as contributing to their export success. These export grants are administered by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) and provide financial support for export marketing activities. Our export grant consultants are members of the Export Consultants Association Ltd (ECAL) and feature as best practice consultants on the Austrade website.
Exportise provides other export services to develop Australian exports. This includes export plans, export market advice, tourism grants and other government grants.
TTNQ 08/09 MARKET BRIEFS AND ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS
Many thanks to those of you who were able to attend the 08/09 Market Briefings and Round Table Discussions held at the Cairns International. TTNQ hosted over 100 members and plans are already underway for the next one.
The presentation is now on the TTNQ website in the member’s area, under Industry Presentations. To view this, click on the link below:
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IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
DELEGATES HELP DETERMINE FUTURE FOR REGIONAL TOURISM
More than 150 regional tourism professionals from industry, state and local government from across Australia will converge on the Barossa in September for the annual Australian Regional Tourism Convention supported by Tourism Australia (TA).
Australian Regional Tourism Network (ARTN) Chairman Wayne Kayler-Thomson says; “Everyone involved in regional tourism knows that businesses, destinations and regions are facing many ongoing and new challenges. The convention provides the knowledge, insights, contacts and shared ideas to turn the challenges into opportunities".
For more information, visit: http://www.regionaltourism.com.au/ARTC08/index.html
AUSSIEHOST WORKSHOP DATE ANNOUNCED
QTIC is running AussieHost Customer Service Workshops in Cairns on Thursday August 21and Tuesday Sept 2 at the Cairns campus of TAFE. The cost of the workshop is $145.00pp ($50.00 discount for members) including workbook, tea/coffee/light lunch.
Please forward any enquiries to sarah-jane.gourlay@deta.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4042 2509.
WALK IN THE LIGHT FOR LEUKAEMIA
The Leukaemia Foundation invites you to join thousands of people on the Esplanade Thursday 18 September to carry a balloon containing a tiny light. Together everyone will create a sea of glowing lights and reminded to remember, celebrate and give hope to patients and families living with blood cancers, such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Supporters are asked to gather at 5:15pm at Fogarty Park, where you will receive your special balloon and the festivities will begin, including a stroll along the Esplanade to the hospital area and back again, information booths and entertainment by Hesty Whiting before and after the walk.
For more information, you can go to www.lightthenight.org.au
TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS WITH SMART TECHNOLOGY
The Information Industries Bureau (IIB) invites you to attend a half-day conference featuring local tourism businesses that have effectively used technology to improve market reach, increase business productivity and even reduce their carbon footprint.
This event takes place on Friday 29 August from 8:00 – 12:00 at the Rydges Esplanade Resort Hotel and will inform, inspire and enable tourism-focused business owners and managers who are interested in growing their business through the adoption of innovative, smart information and communications technology (ICT) solutions. The Honorable Desley Boyle, Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, will open the conference.
There is no cost to attend however reservations are essential by contacting:sarah.harvey@dtrdi.qld.gov.au
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- Alistair Tuttle is the new Food and Beverage Manager at Rydges Esplanade Resort
- TTNQ’s Dion Eades, Director Communications and Domestic/NZ Markets leaves Friday to attend OZ Talk New Zealand, along with other QLD RTO representatives promoting TNQ to trade and consumers.
- CRCB held a reunion lunch in Melbourne to update the business events industry on TNQ product developments and renew interest in the region.
- TTNQ’s Elizabeth Webb and Raging Thunder’s Peta Zietsch are presently in Seoul and Busan attending Qld on Tour Korea. The trade event (organized by TQ) enables workshop product sessions with frontline staff and product managers from the leading agencies/wholesalers throughout Korea. Meetings with airline partners (QF, CX & KE) are also being held by TTNQ whilst in Seoul.
- CRCB will exhibit at PAICE (Pacific Area Incentives & Conferences Expo) on 19 August 2008 in Auckland. Other TTNQ Members exhibiting include: Port Douglas Incentive Group, Cairns Wildlife Safaris, Rydges Resorts North Queensland, Voyages Hotels & Resorts, and Off-Site Connections.
TTNQ staff profiles on the corporate site. To view, click on: http://www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/corporate/about_us
SEEN IN THE MEDIA
- A story by Chris & Suree Pritchard recently appeared in The Sunday Mail and the Sunday Telegraph. **FYI, Chris' first story from the trip (about Mission Beach and Paronella Park) also got a run in the three papers.
- A story by Catny Finch which appeared in the Sunday Telegraph (Sydney circulation 671,500) on 10 August 2008.
- A story by Sally MacMillan of the Sunday Telegraph which appeared in the Sunday Mail Adelaide (circulation 318,179) on 10 August 2008. *Please note that this story has already run in a number of other News Ltd papers including The Sunday Telegraph and the Sunday Mail.
- A story by Kara Murphy which appeared in the Sunday Mail Brisbane (circulation 592,440) on 10 August 2008.
- An adventure tourism story by Angie Kelly was published in the Sunday Morning Herald. Click here to read the online version.
- A feature story about Tropical Queensland is in the Aug/Sept issue of The Road Ahead magazine.
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GOOD NEWS STORIES
In our To Warwick and all of the team,
Hello, it is Yasmeen here from Coral Tree Inn wishing you all a super day. Just wanted to pass on the guest's comments regarding your tours.
I find it so easy to recommend your tour to any guest(regardless of age/ability) because of the high standard and itinerary of the day. Your tour is unique and full of value. The lunch is second to none. All the people concerned at the business places you visit are welcoming, informative and have a balance of being very professional yet relaxed. Every time a guests returns from either of your tours....they express high praise for every aspect of the day. They also comment on how full they are and what a great day they had. They have fully enjoyed themselves and will remember this as a highlight to their visit to Cairns.
Congrats to you all. Just wanted you to know that all your efforts are appreciated. Keep up the great work.
Have a great day.
Yasmeen
Dear All
Well what a fantastic and memorable trip these kids have had.
I was a little unsure how working with so many "kids and animals" would go - but it has been really really great.
The feedback I have been getting from everyone on the trip, kids and adults, has been nothing short of positive plus.
I have for the first time on the trip, had a chance to go to the national geographic web site where all the daily blog and footage from the day has been posted. Take a look at: http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/handsonexplorer/2008/07/benjamin-and-elisabeth.html
Thank you to you all for the fantastic support and for pulling together all the logistics for a group this size.
It has been great everywhere we have gone. If you can pass on thanks to all staff that have helped to make this happen
that would be much appreciated.
I certainly think we have made a big impression, both on the kids and all the adults.
I will keep you posted regarding any further material/exposure that results from this trip.
Thank you again for being a part of this special project.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Trace
Tracy Farr | Tourism Queensland
Dear Junelle,
We are locals living just round the corner from C'est Bon, over the last year we have enjoyed the excellence that you and your staff bring to classic French dining in Cairns. But we feel must comment on the quite extraordinary quality, thanks to your butcher and your chef, of the filet
steak you serve.
This is such a simple dish, but needing exceptional kitchen skills to present well, a rare or medium rare filet steak, slightly charred on the outside, succulent and hot on the inside, with memorable taste and texture . We consider this simple dish an indicator of any kitchen's culinary skills, we have ordered the same at Le Gavroche and the Ivy in London and many starred restaurants around the world, so you can appreciate that we are more than delighted to find a so far unsurpassed presentation of this taste sensation in downtown Cairns.
A Cordon Bleu to your chef.
Regards
Jan
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If you have a good news story or have achieved a recent success please send your information to Karen Doane.
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While every effort is made to ensure the information in this newsletter is accurate, Tourism Tropical North Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs incurred as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in anyway, and for any reason.