23rd July 2007

FROM THE CEO'S DESK

With the TTNQ Japan Mission just over we welcome the new Tourism Australia campaign to promote Australia’s World Heritage areas to the Japan market. Our two big natural attractions, the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforests are both World Heritage listed and remain the must-dos for our Japanese visitors.

With the first Jetstar flight between Cairns and Nagoya now just a couple of weeks away anticipation is building on market take up of the services so the welcome from the trade and consumers in Japan is extremely heartening. We will continue to work with Jetstar, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Australia, the Cairns Port Authority and our industry to reinforce our key messages in market and maintain and further develop our relationships with Japanese trade.

This week we will welcome the first of this year’s Korean Air charters which provide all important direct access for this emerging market. It is great news that 30 per cent more charters are scheduled for 2007 as we work towards securing regular services.

The Western TAG meeting addressed concerns that less first-time international visitors are coming to Australia and we will be seeking advice from Tourism Australia and Tourism Queensland on the best course of action to attract first timers from key markets of the UK, Europe and the USA.

Meanwhile Liz and 10 members are making their way from Adelaide to Brisbane to spread the invitation to “Change Your Latitude” to the domestic market. From all reports the trip is progressing well, despite a very chilly evening in Melbourne – all the more reason for the residents to feel like changing their latitude! Research highlights that the domestic market has some hesitance for travel to our destination between January and May. While we shouldn’t jump to conclusions this could be a carry over from Cyclone Larry and TTNQ will include this issue in our research agenda to gain more insight. The issue for me as we work with support from Tourism Queensland is to ensure future domestic campaigns commence earlier in the New Year, running up to May and reassure people that our vibrant green season offers visitors plenty of unforgettable tropical experiences.

Congratulations to Rydges on the opening of their Sabaya Resort Port Douglas. This development is a fine example of the quality tourism infrastructure that makes up some of the $9 billion worth of construction currently underway or pending in Tropical North Queensland.

The TTNQ Board held a very productive July meeting on Thursday Island and the visit was well appreciated by Torres Strait tourism operators, the local council and other authorities. Thanks to Matt and all the Qantas Link crew for their support for our visit. Tropical North Queensland is the largest and most diverse regional tourism area in Australia. Without support from our industry partners like Qantas Link it would be impossible for us to make these occasional visits to the more remote areas and give them the support they deserve.

Rob Giason Chief Executive Officer

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TNQ STORMS JAPAN
The TTNQ Japan Mission 2007 roadshow supported by Tourism Queensland commenced on 9 July and ended on 15 July and included three trade functions and three consumer events conducted in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo.  27 mission delegates represented an amazing 58 of our region’s tourism products.  Once again, TTNQ and TNQ operators showcased their strong commitment to the Japanese market and showed how highly we rate it as a very important market indeed. Our trade seminars and workshops held in conjunction with Jetstar and Qantas, attracted over 500 trade and some media people and the three consumer events held in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo were very well received, especially the 2 day event in Nagoya. TTNQ will continue to work closely with TQ Japan, Jetstar and Qantas and support trade to create business for Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef region. Watch the next edition of In Touch with TTNQ for more details on the Mission.

DOMESTIC ROADSHOW ROLLS OUT
TTNQ’s Elizabeth Webb and 10 operators are well on the way with the Domestic Roadshow, after commencing activities last Monday in the first stop of Adelaide then continuing on to Melbourne, Wodonga, Bathurst, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Benalla, Wangaratta, Wagga Wagga, Cowra, Cootanumdra, Young, Sydney and Brisbane, with functions in the major stops as well as sales calls in the regional centres to bring travel agents and media representatives up to date on the new Tropical North Queensland Change Your Latitude branding, give updates on all the destination’s exciting product news and answer any questions. The companies participating in the Roadshow are Quicksilver Group of Companies, The Oasis Resort Cairns, Down Under Tours, Stella Hospitality Group, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Poseidon Cruises, Sailaway Port Douglas, The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa, Rendezvous Reef Resort Port Douglas, Sea Temple Resorts & Spas, Oaks Hotels & Resorts and Tropical Horizons Tours.

MYSTERY TOUR FOR VIRGIN
Tourism Tropical North Queensland hosted a one day mystery tour for nine Brisbane travel agents and their Virgin Blue escorts after the agents won the trip through a Virgin Blue incentive. As the mystery day unfolded the group travelled with Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises to Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef to enjoy coral viewing as they snorkeled and from the semi submersible vessel. The Quicksilver Group of Companies & TTNQ hosted a delicious lunch at Emerald’s Restaurant in Green Island Resort and the group undertook a site inspection of the resort before returning to Cairns.

NEW BTA PRICING
A revised pricing structure now applies for new participants in Book Tropical Australia, with greatly reduced fees. Reduced fees will apply to existing members on their subscription renewals. For more information contact ruban.rasiah@tnq.org.au

TTNQ COUCH DONATION
Each Friday the staff at TTNQ dress “casual for a cause”. The funds we have raised through this activity over the past year have been donated to the Committee for Oncology Unit at Cairns Hospital (COUCH) to assist in their efforts to secure this vital health service for the people of Cairns and Tropical North Queensland. Lloyd Smith of CaPTA was pleased to accept TTNQ’s donation of $553 ahead of last week’s official launch of the COUCH campaign to raise $850,000 for a chemo mixing machine for Cairns, which will alleviate the current need for chemo treatments to be mixed in Townsville and transported to Cairns, a process which due to the associated time constraints is not always successful. If you would like to know more or to make a donation visit www.couch.org.au or email info@couch.org.au

VALE COLIN SMITH
TTNQ extends sympathy to the family and friends of Colin Smith, who passed away last week. Colin was an active player in the TNQ tourism industry in the 1990’s and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

DATE CLAIMER - SPECIAL MEMBER’S FUNCTION: 1 August 2007
TTNQ will be holding a special member’s function in conjunction with Jetstar on the evening of Wednesday 1 August at Cairns International Airport ahead of the Jetstar Inaugural Flight to Nagoya on 2 August. Due to airport requirements, including customs clearance for aircraft inspection, only the first 100 TTNQ members to RSVP will be able to attend so if you would like to do so be sure to respond immediately when you receive your emailed invitation.

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. 

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EXCELLENT MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

NEW PRODUCT WORKSHOP
Tourism Queensland has released the New Product Workshop Prospectus 2007 for the New Zealand market. The 5 September New Product Workshop in Auckland has 4 Queensland product spots available. Cost to product is NZ$600 + GST (full detail in the Prospectus).
PRODUCT SELECTION CRITERIA include:

• Must be internationally ready and have wholesale commission structures in place, with the ability to pay up to 25% commission.
• Must have the ability to support New Zealand marketing and trade activity with cooperative funds (including annual participation at OZ Talk NZ and wholesale brochure contribution).
• Not currently brochured with any New Zealand wholesaler.
• Already involved in Australian domestic wholesale programs and co-operative campaigns.

Contact Donna Gray for more information. Completed Expression of Interest forms are due by Friday 3 August.

BRITISH BIRD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
TTNQ and the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland have a stand at the British Birdfair this year. The Birdfair will be taking place at Rutland Water in the UK over 3 days in August (17/18/19).  This is a fabulous ‘budget’ way to get targeted promotion at the World’s premier nature-based event and/or to experience the Birdfair first hand. Places to attend are limited and brochure representation is limited to the first 15 operators as the stand will also encompass regional promotion of Tropical North Queensland and the Great Tropical Drives. For further information or to register your interest, contact Gwyneth Nevard on info@wildlifequeensland.com.au as soon as possible.

NATAS SINGAPORE
14 – 16 September 2007, Singapore Expo Halls – Changi
This activity is linked to TTNQ’s strategy for Singapore as an important aviation hub for our destination. The event is expected to attract 50,000 attendees. The participation fee is AUD $990.00 per operator based on 3 operators sharing 1 booth (3m x 3m) Fees Include rental of booth space, basic décor & theming. If you are interested in participating in this event please contact to  elizabeth.webb@tnq.org.au by Friday 27 July.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

• The first group of Tropical Ambassador volunteers have completed their introductory training session
• Niaomi and various members of the Leisure Marketing team have been conducting site inspections of member properties
• Tablelands operators are enthusiastically taking up IPAT and the TTNQ research team provided them with an update on the program recently.
• Donna and Tamara are preparing for the New Zealand RTO’s Roadshow in August
• Jana is preparing for OzTalk North America
• CRCB reports that all is going well for both Sell TNQ in Nov and AIME in Feb 08
• Responses for the Port Douglas Roadshow are strong out of Sydney, with Melbourne a little slower
• Kyla is preparing her business tourism presentation to be given during the TEA mission in Singapore in a couple of week’s time
• John will participate in a 3 day workshop on the Regional Plan and is working on the Planet Safe Partnerships Program
• David attended the Japan Roundtable meeting at Tourism Australia in Sydney on behalf of Rob and then went on to New Zealand for meetings with Air New Zealand
• It was all hands on deck at TTNQ for the Japan Mission preparations. As soon as Harry returned from the mission he gave a presentation to the ATEC Japan Roadshow in Cairns

• Liz provided a presentation to Tourism Palm Cove on opportunities in the domestic and international markets
• Liz is also providing information packages to wholesalers in the Indian market who are keen for material on the destination. These are also being disseminated to the Middle Eastern market via Tourism Queensland
• She is also providing domestic wholesalers with information as they prepare their new brochures and supporting member-based activity in the Korean and Chinese market
• Meanwhile a host of media famils and film crews have come through the region recently, keeping Donna, Vanessa and Dion busy with support for these groups
• Helen escorted a group of Latin American journalists here to cover the APEC meetings on a visit to the Australian Coffee Centre.

Back to top TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHIEVEMENTS Congratulations to: Wrotham Park, runner up in the inaugural Gourmet Traveller Awards for Best Outback Accommodation. The teams of apprentice chefs who competed for the Nestle’s Golden Chef’s Hat Award, especially the winning team which comprised Sophie Gray from Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns and Brianna O’Reilly from Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas The RnR Whitewater Rafting guides who competed in the recent 2007 IRF World Rafting Championships in South Korea Downunder Tours who scooped the pools at the ATEC Barefoot Lawn Bowls competition. Happy winners – The Downunder Boys Club and runners up, Downunder Girls Club. Kieran Greenhow and JTB who organised a fundraising market stall on The Esplanade Cairns for two groups of Japanese high school girls. The girls sold Japanese trinkets and souvenirs to raise a fantastic $1200 for The Cancer Council Queensland and used the opportunity to interact with locals and other visitors to practice their English skills. They certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves!  Back to top

ON THE MOVE

• TTNQ farewells Ed Brea as GM of Shangri-La Hotel and thanks him for his contribution to the industry during his term there, The Marina, Cairns and welcomes new GM, Bruno Cristol
• John Hibbert has been appointed as Spa Manager of the new Spa at Cairns International
  

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OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS

• Check out the first issue of The Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Rainforest Tourism Newsletter for updates on research being conducted and recent developments within their Sustainable Nature-based Tourism: Planning & Management Project.
• The Hilton Cairns has given away the first diamond in its 20th Anniversary promotion. The luck of the Irish rang true for newlyweds, Shane and Ann-Marie McLoughlin of Galway. As the first guests to qualify the McLoughlins were escorted to Hardy Brothers Jewellers where they were welcomed by staff and asked to choose what they thought was a ‘real’ gem from a bowl of cubic zirconias and authentic half-carat diamonds. Mr McLoughlin’s choice came up trumps. From now until 15 December 2007, Hilton Cairns has 20 half-carat diamonds to giveaway.  Each booking during that period immediately qualifies the guest/s to visit Hardy Brothers Jewellers in Cairns to select a stone. All guests (whether they win a diamond or not) go into the draw for the hotel’s ultimate prize of a $11,000 one carat diamond. The winner will be announced on Tuesday 18 December 2007.
• Rydges Sabaya Resort Port Douglas was officially opened last week at a poolside function to celebrate the culmination of the multi-million dollar property redevelopment. 
• Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat held the official opening of their newest treehouses on the weekend and Vanessa Allen of TTNQ was pleased to attend.
  

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SEEN IN THE MEDIA

There has been excellent coverage of our destination in various publications recently, including:

• A trip through the Tablelands in Scoop Traveller
• A Sun Herald story on Cooktown 
• Cape York experiences in the Sunday Tasmanian and 4WD Monthly
• Luxury Travel’s items on East Bedarra Island Retreat. Bloomfield Luxury in the Rainforest and Voyages Wrotham Park
• The Cairns Post feature on Grandview Country Retreat
• Palm Cove in the Sunday Telegraph
• Port Douglas in the Adelaide Sunday Mail
• An item on Murdering Point Winery in Scoop Traveller 

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GOOD NEWS STORIES

Even a non-coffee drinker found the tour at the Australian Coffee Centre interesting thanks to an enthusiastic guide Paul, while excellence in service and product made for a truly wonderful Whitfield House wedding……..

To all at Skybury,

I was part of a tour in mid-May and had the pleasure of having Paul Peterson conduct the tour. I and others in my party peppered Paul with questions, all of which he gladly answered. His tour was a highlight of my day.

Lunch at the coffee center was quite nice served by caring servers. I don't drink coffee but brought ground coffee to my wife and secretary, both of which enjoyed your product.
Thanks for adding fun and knowledge to my Australian experience.

William m. Harrison, New Orleans

Thanks to Dean and John for their significant contribution to the best day of our lives; our wedding at Whitfield House.

Many of our guests have commented that it was the best wedding they have attended and we believe this is in no small part due to the effort put in by Dean, John and all of the staff at Whitfield House, who from beginning to end did their utmost to ensure our day was as perfect and memorable as it could possibly be.

Dean replied to all our queries the same day and always made us feel our questions were valid and important. His knowledge and experience helped solve the little issues that could easily have tripped up the whole day, and all advice was always given in good humour. Dean was so supportive of our ideas he located a supplier that could help bring them to life.

What can we say about Whitfield House – the location is stunning, the food absolutely divine, and the staff go above and beyond the call of duty. It is the little touches that stand out such as receiving a plate of prawns already peeled at dinner so we did not have to jeopardise our finery! The quiet and elegant garden setting provided the perfect backdrop to our simple yet heartfelt ceremony and was the perfect backdrop for our wedding photos.

Once again heartfelt thanks to Dean and John for making our wedding a truly fantastic and memorable day.

Margaret and Mike Dewhurst

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

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.