15th August 2007
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The Latest News - Important Upcoming Events - Excellent Marketing Opportunities - Behind the Scenes - On The Move - Other Industry News - Seen in the Media - Good News Stories |
FROM THE CEO'S DESK
My experience aboard the inaugural Jetstar flight to Nagoya from Cairns confirms my opinion that the service provided by the airline’s staff and the comfort afforded on the A330 aircraft is excellent. The challenge is to convey this message effectively to the Japanese market as we work with Jetstar, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Australia and the TNQ industry to encourage them to adapt to the low cost carrier model. The industry is showing signs of understanding the model but there is no denying it will be an ongoing process. Bookings are looking quite strong for the upcoming holiday season and we will be working to continue the momentum this period generates.
In other aviation news, as you will see in more detail below, the Korean Air charter flights are performing well and Continental Micronesia have announced an additional two services into Cairns from Guam each week.
Meanwhile the hot issue for the region is definitely local government amalgamations. While there is plenty of angst about the Queensland Government’s amalgamations program there are also plenty of positives to be embraced, particularly for the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry. The amalgamation of Cairns City Council and Douglas Shire Council will bring together two of the region’s tourism powerhouses, giving the strength to consolidate our competitive position as we move into a new future for tourism, while maintaining the crucially important individual style of each of the key tourism locations of Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas. On the Tablelands the critical mass created through the amalgamation of four key councils will pave the way for clear and positive brand positioning of this area and help build a strong marketing message. The amalgamation of the Johnstone and Cardwell Shire Councils will be a positive step for Mission Beach as it will no longer be divided between two local government areas. Tourism operators will benefit from the resulting concentration and coordination of the resources and infrastructure necessary to support their industry.
As per a letter being sent out to our members this week thanks to the many of you who have promptly completed your membership renewal. If yours is still pending I remind you the closing date is 31 August and urge you to retrieve it from your paperwork pile and process it as soon as possible!
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Rob Giason Chief Executive Officer |
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THE LATEST NEWS
TIM FISCHER ENJOYS A TROPICAL MOMENT
In thanking Rob Giason for best wishes on his retirement Tim Fischer sent this message: “My first action as ex Chair of Tourism Australia was to practice what I preached and spend a week on holiday in TNQ with the family, it was a delight and good to see a revamped Green Island and Kuranda, also to soak up the modern Cairns and all! There are many challenges ahead in Tourism across Australia, I will do what I can to continue to spread the word at every opportunity. Keep up the good work with the TNQ team.”
JETSTAR JAPAN SERVICES TAKE OFF
Jetstar have now launched their new services to Western Japan in Cairns. Around 100 TTNQ members and industry representatives enjoyed the opportunity to board the Jetstar A330 at a special function at Cairns International Airport and check out the two class product before its inaugural flight to Nagoya. TTNQ thanks members for your understanding of the fact that numbers for this function had to be strictly limited due to the necessity for customs clearance and other airport security measures. Rob Giason and Stephen Olle joined Mayor of Cairns Kevin Byrne and other VIPs on the inaugural flight to Nagoya. Harry is working with Jetstar and Tourism Queensland on and Action Plan for campaigns to promote the services.
Jetstar has also announced an additional Brisbane to Cairns daily service, raising capacity from an existing 3 times daily to 4 times daily, from 1 June 08. As well as boosting domestic capacity this will also provide improved connectivity to the Japanese services into/ex Cairns to Brisbane.
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TQ/TTNQ GLOBE TROTTER JQ PROMOTION WEBSITE LAUNCHED
As part of the marketing push associated with the commencement of Jetstar flights from western Japan TQ and TTNQ have produced a destination feature website for Cairns with a well known travel guide book & site company “Globe Trotter Guide Book” which launched on 1 August. The site highlights twin World Heritage icons, the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforest, with Jetstar flight information for Cairns/Nagoya services which started this month and Cairns/Osaka to commence on 8 September. In addition to the site an 8 page booklet on Cairns will also be produced with a run of 30,000 copies using the same images from the web feature which will be available to distribute to consumers at events and trade events. Click here to visit the website.
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KOREAN CHARTERS POPULAR
The 2007 series of Korean Air charters are proving even more popular than last year with the first three flights running at 90 – 100% loading. Marketing for the charter series was jointly undertaken between Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Tourism Queensland and Cairns Port Authority. Media activity generated has included a huge 31 page feature in Korean glossy lifestyle magazine, Dove, which featured product included in the charter package itineraries. MEMBERS DEBRIEF MEETING: TTNQ members involved in the Korean Air charter package itineraries are invited to attend a debrief meeting on Monday 27 August at 10:00am at TTNQ. This is just after the last charter on 24 August and just ahead of Queensland on Tour Korea in which Elizabeth Webb and some operators will be participating and during which they can discuss any issues raised with the relevant parties. Please RSVP to Elizabeth Webb.
DOMESTIC ROADSHOW SPREADS THE WARMTH
After warming up the southern states with hot solutions to escape the winter chill, Eleven Tropical North Queensland tourism operators and TTNQ’s Elizabeth Webb returned from the two week ‘Change Your Latitude’ domestic roadshow. They met with over 400 travel agents and wholesalers, including many independent agents, who thoroughly enjoyed the functions and expressed their support for the new TTNQ branding. Adelaide and Brisbane hosted the biggest turnout at the functions and there was generally strong interest from the agents and the Change Your Latitude brand was well received with wholesalers keen to incorporate it into their own promotional material. The group also conducted sales calls throughout the two week trip and secured good opportunities to be included in various programs and gain greater exposure for their product. The roadshow also attracted media interest along the way. To view photos from the ‘Change Your Latitude’ domestic roadshow, click here.
GREAT TROPICAL DRIVE STRIKES GOLD
North Queensland tourism attraction, the Great Tropical Drive, has been honoured with a 2007 Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Award. PATA President and CEO Peter de Jong said the quality of the Great Tropical Drive’s winning entry in the Marketing - Secondary Government Destination category maintained the standard of excellence for which the PATA Gold Awards have become known. “The achievement is all the more impressive considering that the 2007 PATA Gold Awards attracted a record 339 entries from 132 organisations,” Mr de Jong said. The federally funded Great Tropical Drive was the first joint venture ever conducted between Townville Enterprise (TEL) and Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) to develop and promote a major self-drive North Queensland touring route that winds its way from the Great Barrier Reef, tropical islands and palm-fringed beaches to ancient rainforests, the goldfields and spectacular outback.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER
Thanks to all those TTNQ members who have promptly paid their 2007-2008 Membership renewal. If you haven’t paid it yet remember the deadline is 31 August, after which we are unable to accept participation for any TTNQ activities until membership renewal payment is received. If you have any queries regarding your membership please contact Niaomi McSwiney.
TOURISM AWARDS WELCOMES INTRUST
The Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards are pleased to welcome new sponsor Intrust Super Fund aboard this year. Intrust’s NQ Regional Manager Karen Prins met with Rob Giason recently to shake hands on the sponsorship arrangements. We look forward to welcoming Intrust along with our many other valued sponsors, TTNQ members and industry representatives to enjoy the 2007 Gala Tourism Awards Presentation Evening on Saturday 13 October.
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QUEENSLAND & TNQ TOURISM AWARDS REMINDER
Remember submissions in the Queensland Tourism Awards are due this Friday 17 August and submissions in the Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards are due on Friday 31 August.
BTA LINKS WITH RESPAX
After months of hard work online booking system Book Tropical Australia takes another major leap forward through an innovative link-up with the region’s leading online reservation system, ResPax. The integration allows BTA subscribers who also utilise ResPax to distribute and sell their product seamlessly through over one hundred high profile distribution channels plus three of Australia’s leading tourism websites TotalTravel, About Australia and Please Take Me To. ResPax Director Matz Persson said ResPax TourDesk enables real-time availability checking and immediate confirming of bookings directly into the operator’s reservation system. “The benefit for tour operators is that it takes away the necessity for providing distributors with allotments and making double entries in their systems.” To find out more about Book Tropical Australia contact Ruban Rasiah.
SUCCESS FOR PORT DOUGLAS BUSINESS TOURISM ROADSHOW
The Cairns & Region Convention Bureau in conjunction with the Port Douglas Business Tourism Group joined 11 members on the inaugural roadshow to Melbourne and Sydney. The strategy was to raise awareness of the Port Douglas regions’ capabilities as a meeting/incentive destination and for the participants to gain market intelligence and competitor analysis. The two format roadshow included evening cocktail functions in Sydney and Melbourne for a total of 115 business tourism decision makers to informally meet and network with sellers. Product presentations were also given to a number of large PCOs/Inbound operators. The roadshow has been deemed a success for the products participating with a number of sales leads generated as well as the excellent contact made with those attending the functions and presentations. CRCB assisted in the preparation, coordination and participation in the road show as well as managing the task of collating RSVPs.
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VALE STEVE NOTT
Tourism Tropical North Queensland extends our sincere sympathy to the family, friends and employees of leading Cairns aviation figure, Steve Nott, who died in a light aircraft accident. Mr Nott’s company owns TTNQ member businesses Reefwatch and Paul’s Xtreme Skydiving.
AIRPORT PARKING CHANGES
As the redevelopment work continues at Cairns International Airport please note the changes to parking arrangements for all users at the Domestic Terminal now in operation as outlined in this map.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
JCU SYMPOSIUM & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
26 October 2007, The Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns
The Symposium is presented by James Cook University Centre for Tropical Tourism and Hospitality and supported by the QHA and TTNQ. It will explore the notion that collaboration between tourism, hospitality, and other service industry providers is key for sustainable regional development and destination management. For more information contact Jenny Walker, JCU Centre for Tourism & Hospitality; Phone 4042 1744 or email jenny.walker@jcu.edu.au To register visit www.jcu.edu.au/fac1/public/business/symposium
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY: TTNQ members are invited to consider sponsoring the Symposium lunch to the value of $5,000.00 and if interested can contact Jenny Walker at the Centre for Tropical Tourism and Hospitality (JCU) on 4042 1744, or email jenny.walker@jcu.edu.au. Sponsorship benefits will include acknowledgement of the lunch sponsorship on the program, logo recognition on the program and overarching material and powerpoint presentation, opportunity to add information to the delegate packs.
THE GREAT PYRAMID RACE & COUNTRY FAIR
17 & 18 August, Gordonvale
This classic TNQ event includes The Golf Challenge, Cocktails in the Park, Cycling Criterium, Dash For Cash (100m sprint races) and the 48th Great Pyramid Race plus fireworks, markets, delicious food, live entertainment, amusements and kids activities.
FESTIVAL CAIRNS PROGRAM LAUNCHED
Saturday 25 August – Saturday 15 September
This year’s Festival Cairns Program is jam packed with events spanning music, sport, food and wine, art and loads of free family entertainment. Taking the cue from this year’s theme “Love Cairns” Festival Cairns 2007 is all about celebrating Cairns and everything that makes it a great place to live and visit. Businesses in Cairns can join in the fun through the new “Dress Up Your Business” initiative. Visit www.festivalcairns.com.au to find out more.
GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
WHK Greenwoods (WHK) is conducting a program of important business advisory seminars and workshops to help small business owners: successfully grow your businesses and plan for the future. Topics include: Plan for retirement; Maximise the value of your businesses; Minimise taxes; and Transition your businesses and wealth to the next generation. The seminars are free of charge and the workshops will cost $165 per person. The first information seminar will be held at 5.30 pm on Wednesday 12 September at the Sofitel Reef Casino. Contact Adam Volcov at WHK Greenwoods for more information on 4052 3222 or email avolcov@whkgreenwoodscairns.com.au
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EXCELLENT MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT IN INDIA
TTNQ members are invited to participate in a promotional CD being produced for the Indian market, which is to be distributed to front-line trade and product managers. To be included send Elizabeth Webb 2 hero images, your logo and contact details and a product Fact Sheet, including a brief descriptor. Material is required by 24 August.
QUEENSLAND ON TOUR – KOREA
4 – 9 September 2007
There are still some opportunities for TTNQ members to participate in this marketing mission which times in very will with the awareness created by the Korean Air Charters and associated trade and media activity. To find out more please contact Elizabeth Webb.
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BEHIND THE SCENES
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Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) Managing Director Chris Brown and his senior management team held a policy Round Table with TTNQ Board members, platinum and corporate sponsors plus CEO Rob Giason and TTNQ staff, during a visit to Cairns on 7 August. Under discussion was a range of issues, including climate change, labour shortages within the tourism industry, parks access and regional marketing and promotion.
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Work has begun on revising the Queensland Cruise Shipping Strategy. David Rose joined more than 30 shipping, government and port stakeholders at a Tourism Queensland-led forum to discuss a new approach to bolstering the state's attractiveness as a cruising destination or base port.
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Rob and David met with officials from the Department of Tourism, Orissa, India who were visiting the region, and took the opportunity to share tourism know-how.
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Donna is in New Zealand on the Tourism Queensland RTO Roadshow, while Tamara is working on upcoming famils.
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TTNQ hosted the first Elders Dinner for this financial year at the Sea Temple Golf and Country Club Port Douglas recently and the event attracted a good turnout. A dinner for Platinum Members and Corporate Sponsors was held at Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns with Jetstar CEO, Alan Joyce as special guest.
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Karen of CRCB is working on collation of Queensland Business Events Survey data and preparing for the New Zealand business tourism trade show 2007 PAICE and associated sales calls.
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The Tropical Ambassadors volunteers assisting visitors at Cairns Airport have commenced their services, coinciding with the changes to the Domestic Terminal operations, access and car parking. There are still opportunities for volunteers to join in this program. Contact Genevieve Tardy.
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In addition to the Jetstar Action Plans Harry is working on Team Cairns activities with Tourism Queensland and Qantas.
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Research Officer Michelle is collecting postcards from operators which will provide information for the Destination Visitor Profile research being undertaken by TTNQ.
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Jana is preparing for Oz Talk North America and Corroboree, while Sharyn is preparing for an upcoming round of European sales calls. Both representatives conducted the Youth and Adventure TAG meeting last week.
TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHIEVEMENTSCongratulations to:
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ON THE MOVE
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Shangri-la Hotel, The Marina Cairns has farewelled GM Ed Brea and welcomed new GM Bruno Cristol.
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Warwick Kahl has taken over the position of GM at Voyages Silky Oaks Lodge.
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Darren Pike is the new GM at Castaways on the Beach at Mission Beach.
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Duncan Watts is stepping in for Holly Newton as Skyrail's Sales Executive for the Domestic, C&I, New Zealand and Cruise Shipping markets while Holly takes 12-months maternity leave: good luck Holly! Duncan can be contacted on duncan.watts@skyrail.com.au
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TTNQ welcomes Annie Riddet (formerly Meadows) back to the organisation, taking over from Melinda Connolly as Business Manager.
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OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
JAPANESE SPEAKING INTERNS
Travel Journal has established an Internship Division, which seeks to place experienced workers in Japan into various companies and organisations in many industries overseas. The program’s philosophy seeks to expand horizons for both interns and participating organisations through the exchange of experience, skills and business contacts. Interns expect no wages just your help in assisting them with accommodation. The interns come from different work backgrounds in Japan, including airline companies, top-class hotels and other service industries, as well as major financial, manufacturing and trading corporations. For more information please see: www.trajal-internship.jp/english
WHALE WATCH
The Quicksilver Group was in awe of being the first to see the world famous white whale Migaloo for the third year in a row. The Quicksilver vessel Silversonic sighted Migaloo off Port Douglas on the 24 July as they were travelling to Agincourt Reef. For a full story, images, video and press clippings please click here.
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Meanwhile they’ve also been having a ‘whale of a time’ out on Calypso Reef Charters lately with some lucky guests were thrilled to see some Humpback Whales swim over to the vessels and have a little play.
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SKYRAIL CELEBRATES WORLD HERITAGE ANNIVERSARY
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is helping to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first Australian properties being inscribed on the World Heritage list with a display at Red Peak Station. The display is a touring photographic exhibition prepared by the Department of Environment and Heritage and showcases all 16 of Australia’s unique World Heritage sites including our Tropical Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef and will be at Red Peak Station until 28 August.
ROSE GUMS
The unveiling of the third and final phase of the Rose Gum development by the Hon. Senator Ian MacDonald, representing Tourism Minister Fran Bailey last month brings the property’s number of tree houses to nine, along with a fully functional conference centre and restaurant.
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BOOK LAUNCH FOR WILLIE GORDON
In response to constant requests from his customers Willie Gordon has compiled a 36 page booklet of the stories he tells on his tours, complete with photos and explanations of some of the other Nugal rock art, and information on bush tucker, bush medicines and bush crafts.
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SEEN IN THE MEDIA
- A recent media famil to Port Douglas by well known writer Sheridan Rhodes has translated into stories in The Age and several other publications.
- The opening of Bale Port Douglas also put the village in the spotlight as this Travelmole article shows. Author Thomas King was here for Sell TNQ in November 2006.
- Travel Weekly promoted Castaways on the Beach on its recent joining of the Rydges Hotels & Resorts Group.
- Journalist Sarah Thomas included Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa in her top three listed in her Sydney Morning Herald article.
- Both the Sun Herald Sun and Sunday Mail featured a story on Guurrbi Tours.
- Captain Cook Cruises were promoted in a recent edition of The Senior.
- The Courier Mail featured Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway featured on Network Ten's Totally Wild at 4:00pm this Tuesday, 14 August, following a visit from the popular children's show in late June. Presenter Adam Cox and crew travelled from Skyrail's Caravonica Terminal to its Kuranda Terminal taking in a Ranger guided boardwalk tour and interview with General Manager, Max Shepherd. This is the third time Totally Wild has visited Skyrail.
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GOOD NEWS STORIES
Top quality tucker at Red Ochre Grill gave a VIP group a memorable tropical moment.
Hello Craig,
I would like to thank you for looking after our overseas VIP guests during our recent visit to Cairns. I would like to thank Claire in particular for looking after our group on the day.
The ladies were very impressed with my recommendation to have lunch at Red Ochre Grill. The food was spectacular – each dish was a work of art!
Thank you once again – I won’t hesitate to recommend the Red Ochre Grill to anyone visiting Cairns in future.
Kind regards
Sheila, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
As this testimonial on the Port Douglas Business Tourism Roadshow proves enthusiasm for our destination can be contagious:
Now that you are back (we assume) in the lovely sunshine of TNQ, we would like to thank you for the road show evening in Melbourne last week.
We found the evening to one of the best that we have attended.
The concept to get people talking to your clients worked a treat, plus we found them all to be the most enthusiastic and friendly group we have encountered.
If this enthusiasm flows through to all TNQ then it can't help but develop and flourish.
The night helped confirm that our upcoming visit will be most rewarding and one we are looking forward to even more than previously.
Excellent night, our thanks to all involved.
See you in Port in 14 days....
Kind regards,
Ken Murray.
Creative Event Group Melbourne.
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If you have a good news story or have achieved a recent success please send your information to Helen Laird.
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In Touch with TTNQ e-newsletter is produced by Tourism Tropical North Queensland. If you would like to unsubscribe to future mailings of In Touch with TTNQ, please email membership@tnq.org.au.
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.