21st March 2007

The Latest News - Important Upcoming Events - Excellant Marketing Opportunities - Behind the Scenes - TTNQ Applauds Acheivements - On the Move - Other Industry News - Seen in the Media - Thought for the Week - Good News Stories

FROM THE CEO'S DESK

Thanks to the many members who attended the TTNQ Branding Launch Networking Function at Rydges Plaza Lure Bar. It was great to see such a huge turnout. For those unable to make it be sure to visit www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/corporate to view and download the Brand Tool Kits for all brand logo applications, font, colour palette, graphic elements and advertising templates.

Since then both the IVS and NVS for year ending December 2006 have been released. Again the impacts of the stronger Australian dollar and the competitiveness in the market are evident in the Japanese visitor numbers. To address this challenge we must confirm even stronger commitment to build our presence in Japan. Next week I will be participating in an inaugural Jetstar flight ahead of their scheduled services from Cairns to Osaka and Nagoya, starting in August this year. Jetstar's push into Japan is receiving our full support as their successful entry could well spark rejuvenation in this important market. Jetstar have committed to extensive promotional campaigns and there are plans in place for a major in-market launch celebration. Just ahead of the flights, in July, we will undertake a TTNQ Japan mission. Jetstar's commitment to Cairns is also evident in their current recruitment of 70 cabin crew to be based here, adding to the already 100 strong Cairns based staff.

We must also develop greater integration with Tourism Australia's Japanese marketing activities and encourage TA to more strongly invest in promotion of the tropical experiences, including the reef and rainforest, available in our destination. For the past 18 months the TA focus was on other Australian destinations, and it is time again to elevate the profile of Cairns and Tropical North Queensland, the regional destination that has proven itself an Australian asset and the jewel in the Australia's crown for Japanese visitors. We can no longer only rely on the very capable and dedicated support provided by Tourism Queensland. And after all, the more Japanese visitors we attract through the Cairns gateway the more opportunities for dispersal into other parts of Australia, including regional areas such as Alice Springs & Uluru and Hamilton Island, as well as in our own region into areas such as Port Douglas & Daintree, the Tablelands and Mission Beach.

On behalf of everyone at TTNQ I would like to wish Mike Burgess the very best on his retirement as managing director of the Quicksilver group in July 2007. Mike has made an enormous contribution to Tropical North Queensland and to tourism generally during his 19 years with the company and his earlier years in the industry. Congratulations also to Tony Barker who will take on the role of Managing Director and Matthew Hurley who will become Group General Manager. We look forward to working closely with them both in the future.

I would also like to congratulate the Cairns Taipans on their efforts this season. Their games are always exciting and entertaining and they are a force which puts Tropical North Queensland in the spotlight as they play around Australia. They well deserve the strong support they receive from the Cairns business community.

Rob Giason Chief Executive Officer

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THE LATEST NEWS

INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL STATISTICS JUST OUT

The latest International Visitor Survey shows the total number of international visitors to Tropical North Queensland during the year ending December 2006 was 859,000, a slight increase on the previous year's 857,000. There was strong growth in the number of United States, Canadian, German & other European and Korean visitors coming here, the United Kingdom and China remained steady, while Japan and New Zealand continue to pose challenges.

The National Visitors Survey for year ending December 2006 shows Tropical North Queensland led the state in domestic visitor growth, with 1,575,000 visitors last year, up 26 per cent on 2005 and a 9.1% increase in visitor nights to 7,779,000 nights. TTNQ is treating the results with some reservation until the impacts of Cyclone Larry can be assessed, however a 12.7 per cent growth in holiday visitors is certainly good news.

AGENTS CHANGE THEIR LATITUDE

Thirty-five Harvey World Travel Agents changed their latitude to learn more about Tropical North Queensland just ahead of the 26 March launch of the tactical campaign which features the new destination branding. Thanks to all members who supported the famil and the campaign.

JAPAN MISSION MOVES WEST

TTNQ once again participated in the Japan Australia Mission 2007 (JAM 07) along with 14 TNQ operators (9 from the TNQ region and 5 national TNQ operators). This year the event was held for the first time in Western Japan. Workshop style appointments were held with some 41 Japanese buyers and the evening functions were a great opportunity for buyers and sellers to interact and build good relationships. TTNQ and 4 TNQ operators also attended a TA Business Events seminar held in Tokyo following JAM 07 which focused on MICE and Education business. Nine TNQ operators joined TTNQ for 2 days of sales calls with major wholesalers in Osaka and meetings with Jetstar and Qantas. TTNQ also visited Tokyo, Nagoya and Sapporo for meetings with key partners such as Tourism Queensland, Qantas, Continental, major wholesalers and travel agents. A report from JAM 07 will be posted on www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/corporate

Click here for more JAM 2007 photos!

INDIAN & GULF AGENTS VISIT

The Emerging Markets team welcomed two agent groups here for brief famil trips recently, one of Indian Aussie Specialists and a Yinala group from the Persian Gulf. Thanks to the members who supported these visits.

BUSINESS TOURISM WINS ABOUND

Last year's new format Sell TNQ workshops hosted by Cairns and Region Convention Bureau are certainly bearing fruit with some recently confirmed events including the Adult Learning Australia Conference, the NATRAD Conference and the Scholarships Group Conference. And of course the return of FoodWorks to the region is great news. We look forward to welcoming many more buyers to the 2007 Sell TNQ workshop to be held in Port Douglas in November with pre and post touring in Palm Cove and Cairns. An expression of interest to exhibit at Sell TNQ 2007 will be sent out late March.

Our award winning Cairns Convention Centre continues to lead the way with a host of upcoming major events scheduled including the 18^th World Congress of the International Association for Mathematics and Computer Simulation (IMACS) for 1000 delegates, the Pacific Rim International Conference on Protein Science for 600 delegates, the Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting for 1000 delegates and the Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Annual Conference for 1500 delegates.

STRONG SUPPORT FOR CRCB PLANNER'S GUIDE

Cairns and Region Convention Bureau thanks all members for the overwhelming response to the Meeting and Incentive Planner's Guide 2007 - 08 to be launched in May. The great level of participation is bound to result in a bumper edition.

BOOK TROPICAL AUSTRALIA EXPANSION

The new TTNQ consumer website www.tropicalaustralia.com.au, the Gateway Discovery Visitor Information Centre and around 100 other Book Tropical Australia distribution channels were recently joined by these new regional distribution channels:

• Kuranda Visitor Information Centre 
• www.kuranda.org 
• Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre  
• www.missionbeachtourism.com  
• www.missionbeachinfo.com 
• www.pinkguide.com  
• www.tourismportdouglas.com.au  

If you would like to join other BTA participants to be sold online through the above outlets please contact Ruban Rasiah on 4015 1220 or visit www.booktropicalaustralia.com.au for further information.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE BENCHMARKING TOOL

The new Industry Performance Analyser for Tourism (IPAT) is now being rolled out. This free online business benchmarking tool enables real-time tracking of industry performance, with immediate access to results, and comparison with an aggregated data set from other businesses within the same sector. By monitoring their daily results as well as changes in performance month to month and changes over a year, businesses can assess the impacts of significant events or advertising/marketing campaigns on their individual business and industry sector, as they actually occur. Many accommodation providers, tour operators and attractions have already taken up this free service. To take advantage of this opportunity contact rosalind.anderson@tnq.org.au

NETWORKING FUNCTION

Thanks to everyone who attended the recent TTNQ networking function at Rydges Plaza Lure Bar. There were plenty of smiling faces at this enjoyable event and many thanks to Rydges for a great night.

Click here for more pics.

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

Eyepower Seminar

Create designprintexhibit will hold their 2^nd Eyepower seminar in Cairns this Thursday, 22 March at the Hilton Hotel. This seminar will enable you to gain the upper hand when participating in your next trade Show, exhibitions and/or conference. To register simply go to www.create-design.com.au.

STCRC Interpretation Evaluation Workshop

9.00am - 10.30am Wednesday, 11 April, TTNQ Boardroom, 51 The Esplanade
Click here for Workshop Outline
Further enquiries or to RSVP, by Thursday April 5, email michelle@crctourism.com.au.

TNQ Research and Insights Forum

9:00am - approx 12:00 noon Thursday, 12 April, Venue: TBC
Guest speaker Jane Mallam, Research Director, Tourism Queensland. Click here for Forum Outline
For more information please contact Melinda.Connolly@tnq.org.au. 

Big TNQ Events Coming Up

Three of Tropical North Queensland's biggest events are coming up so be sure to mark these dates in your diary:

REEF AND RAINFOREST CARNIVALE 18 - 27 May 2007

LAURA DANCE FESTIVAL 22-24 June 2007

FESTIVAL CAIRNS 25 August - 15 September 2007

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EXCELLENT MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

TTNQ JAPAN MISSION

Date Claimer: 9 - 13 July 2007
Watch for more information coming soon!

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BEHIND THE SCENES

• Last week Rob gave presentations on the new branding to Palm Cove Tourism and Tropical Tablelands Tourism. This week he presented a six-month report to the Cairns City Council.
  
  
• Jana has just finished the OzTalk NZ trade mission, while Sharyn is participating in Queensland on Stage UK & Nordic and Rhett Lego will represent TTNQ on Queensland on Stage Europe, starting this week.
  
  
• Liz is in China with 12 TNQ operators. She will go on to Singapore for a series of sales calls and then returns to China for training sessions with TQ.
  
  
• Donna is preparing for the upcoming round of Caravan and Camping shows, as well as preparing famil itineraries for visits by Cathay Pacific agents.
  
  
• Kyla of CRCB is just back from China where she attended TABEE along with Cairns Convention Centre, Mirvac North Queensland and Off-Site Connections. They attended a 2 day workshop for appointments with corporate end users and travel agents from the Asian region and also provided market updates.

• Val attended a meeting of Visitor Information Centre Managers in Maryborough.
  
  
• David Rose is in China with Amol Virkar from Cairns Port Authority to meet various airline representatives at the annual Asia Routes Conference. Both will be presenting Cairns Airport as a potential destination for regional Asian carriers.
  
  
• John McIntyre and David Rose met with representatives from Tourism Queensland and Torres Strait Regional Authority on Thursday Island to discuss the implementation of the Cape York and Torres Island Tourism Strategy.
  
  
• TTNQ hosted Ms Masayo Nishino, currently on secondment to the Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR Sydney) from Japan, for 3 days work experience in our office so she could learn more about our region, TTNQ's structure and the marketing initiatives we conduct to attract visitors to our region. Ms Nishino also spent some time at Cairns City Council and returns to Japan next week to resume her work at the Tokushima Prefectural Government office. Cairns has a sister city in Tokushima Prefecture called Minamicho (previously known as Hiwasacho).

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TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHIEVEMENT

Congratulations to:

• The Quicksilver Group on their outstanding Australian Tourism Awards win
  
  
• Hilton Cairns on raising $3000 for Qld Cancer Fund's Relay for Life and for the launch of their Blue Horizon Wedding Chapel
  
  
• Surf Life Saving Queensland on the 100^th anniversary of the lifesaving movement in Australia
  
  
• Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat on their expansion which includes a new conference facility
  
  
• Grand Mercure Rockford Esplanade Apartments Palm Cove on their opening
  
  
• A.J. Hackett on the release of his autobiography Jump Start
  
  
• Kim Thomas (Big Cat) newly elected president of Skal International Cairns and new committee members; Sheryl Kelly (Oasis Resort), Ross Steele (Cairns Convention Centre), Cam Charlton (Kleinhardt FGI), and Gaye Scott (20/20 Group)
  
  
• The Bama Way on their recent launch

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ON THE MOVE

• Rachel Abbott is the new Business Development Manager for the Sea Temple properties
  
  
• Madeleine Elliot has been appointed UK & Europe representative for Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
  
  
• Dr Victoria Gordon is the new Chair of the Australian Rainforest Foundation
  
  
• Ross Steele has been appointed General Manager of Cairns Convention Centre and Jenny Graham is now Director of Sales
  
  
• Colleen Were has joined The Tour Specialists to head up their new conference, incentives and accommodation division
  
  
• Victoria Moore is the new Sales Manager - Conferences and Conventions at Cairns Colonial Club Resort
  
  
• John and Sue Haymes have taken over management of The Meridian at Port Douglas from Marianna & Luigi Bonomi who will move to the Shantara Resort & Spa Port Douglas, due to open in July 2007
  
  
• Donna Pansino and Bob Shaw are leaving The Reef Retreat, where management rights have been taken over by Marilyn & Ed Phillips
  
  
• All Seasons Cairns Gateway Resort is seeking a sales and marketing professional. For more information contact Bill O'Sullivan 0407 516 220

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OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS

• Applications for $4 million of tourism funding for innovative and regional tourism projects under the Australian Government's Australian Tourism Development Program (ATDP) can be submitted until Friday, 27 April 2007. View more information on the ATDP website or call the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.
  
  
• A recent European roadshow showcasing indigenous tourism product is expected to produce excellent outcomes for local indigenous tourism ventures. The Indigenous Tourism Australia initiative involved 15 indigenous tourism operators visiting London, Milan, Paris, Utrecht and Berlin. Judy Freeman, federal indigenous tourism mentor and board member of Indigenous Tourism Australia, attended the roadshow, along with some of the business managers from TNQ projects under the mentoring scheme. There was a high level of interest among the more than 80 Aussie Specialist agents, 90 product managers and 300 consumers they met with.

• Queensland Parks and Wildlife has completed the first of four stages of the $1 million Lake Eacham redevelopment in Crater Lakes National Park.
  
  
• The members of the Advisory Council for the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) Program are: Mr John McIntyre (Chair), Ass. Pr Bob Beeton (Deputy Chair), Mr Russell Beer, Pr Scott Bowman, Ms Suzie Christensen, Dr Victoria Gordon, Mr Tim Nevard, Mr Greg Peel, Cr George Pitt, Mr Geoff Plante, Mr Alan Wallish, Mr Stewart Wood. Click here for more information about MTSRF.
  
  
• Hilton Cairns has welcomed its fifth annual intake of JCU Hospitality Management Trainees for their 12 week intern program.

• Department of State Development Opportunities:
  Advanced Business Planning Program
  Cairns Business Women's Coaching & Mentoring Program
  
  
• Vocational Training Australia Opportunity:
  Free Training in Tourism Certificate II for over 25s who have not completed Year 12 or equivalent (or Certificate II or higher). You can be employed on a full-time, part-time or casual basis, or unemployed. A variety of study options are available including "Off-campus"; One Day per week; or Full-time. Contact Michelle or Kobe to arrange your voucher on 4051 5022.
  
   
• Quicksilver and Great Adventures vessels treated locals to a close up and personal encounter with the QE2 when it visited Cairns recently.
  
  
• The latest Marine Stinger Management Newsletter has some interesting updates on sting treatment and incidents.
  
  
• The former Outrigger properties are now rebranded following their purchase by MFS Limited. Click here for a list of the new property names.
  
  
• Jim and Marion Moore and the crew at Cairns Seaplanes are pleased to announce that they will resume operations bigger and better than ever and have been joined in the business by the Gschwenter Family. A new Beaver sea plane will be in service by mid April with a second plane to arrive in June.

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SEEN IN THE MEDIA

• This full-page article by Queensland on Stage Europe participant Eleonore Baumberger of popular Swiss daily Tagblatt was published within a month of her visit.
  
  
• A Half-Day Walk with Mason's Tours was the subject of an article in the March issue of Japanese travel magazine, Hare Yoho.

• The Coffee Works and the Australian Coffee Centre were both featured in the Northern Services Courier Feb 22 2007 which described the Tablelands as Australia's coffee capital.

• Innisfail's Feast of the Senses featured in March edition of The Senior.

• The Weekend Australian Magazine included Lizard Island and Cooktown in its Top Ten Fishing Spots.

• Architecture was the focus for this Mission Beach feature appearing in a recent edition of the Australian Financial Review's Life and Leisure lift-out.

• A five-day Great Tropical Drive adventure was covered by Alpha Magazine, along with a listing of 10 more things to do if there'd been more time.
  
  
• Kelvin King suggested PCOs and other event players put TNQ on their 'high priority' list in his article in top business tourism publication MICE BTN February edition.

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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

"If I have seen further than others it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" Sir Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727)

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GOOD NEWS STORIES

A tour with Food Trail Tours proved an informative and tasty Sunday treat for these American visitors.

Hello Warwick

I recently went to my diary from last year and found the writing I put in for the day we did your tour...

Andy was our driver, and we had two ladies from Seattle, one from Sydney and then the two of us. The "trial planting of tropical fruit trees" was VERY informative, and we tried several fruits that Paul and I haven't tried before. They were good! The custard apple, jack fruit, paw paw and mango were some that we've since bought here in Houston, so thank you for introducing us to fruits we otherwise would never have known taste so good!

On driving from the fruit farm to the next stop, we saw beautiful red-tailed cockatoos and blue-winged kookaburras. Andy was very good at pointing out and explaining everything we pointed to. The Mareeba rock wallabies and morning tea with Jack was a memorable part of the tour also.

The information from Andy was staggering. I never knew so much about banana, coffee bean or macadamia farming! Even our lunch was informative hearing about the barramundi becoming male or female depending on fresh or salt water as they grow up.

The coffee plantation roasting room smelled absolutely wonderful. Again, the information was impressive. We bought several items - the chocolate covered coffee beans were gone by the time we got to the airport! I'm a certifiable chocoholic!!! The information of the WWII days was also interesting.

As you can tell, we enjoyed the tour immensely. I am sending this email to my travel agent and to you, so you know how much it was enjoyed and that we both would recommend this to people planning a trip to Cairns. This tour is a wonderful and educational way to spend a relaxing day in Cairns. Thank you for taking us on the tour on Sunday when you normally don't do Sundays.

Mary and Paul Hahn
1307 Wentworth Court
Houston TX 77055
USA