2nd July 2007

FROM THE CEO'S DESK

It is fantastic to see the strong support coming from members for the TTNQ Japan mission which commences next week. With around 58 operators represented by the 27 people participating in the mission, Tropical North Queensland is again demonstrating its solid commitment to our key international market of Japan.

Activities in Nagoya and Osaka will be in close conjunction with Jetstar just ahead of the commencement of the new services into Cairns from those ports in August. In Tokyo there will be trade seminars and workshops conducted with Qantas. There will be consumer events held in each city too, working with various travel agencies including Nippon, H.I.S. and Hankyu. A highlight of the collateral we are taking to Japan is the hot off the press Japanese version of our beautifully presented Cairns and Great Barrier Reef Region Gazette. Boosting the focus on our own natural attractions will be a 16 page booklet produced by Tourism Australia highlighting all of Australia’s natural attractions. Insertion of this publication into leading newspapers in Osaka and Nagoya times in perfectly with the TTNQ mission. The new TTNQ Japanese website will be an important element in our continued promotion of the destination both to trade and consumers once the TTNQ mission is over.

Meanwhile TNQ has achieved growth in the domestic market. The latest National Visitors Survey shows we attracted 4 per cent more holiday visitors during the year ending March 2007 than in the previous year and 17 per cent more who came to visit friends and relatives. There was particularly strong growth in holiday visitors out of New South Wales of 21 per cent.  The total 1.5 million domestic visitors coming here spent an extra 15.2 per cent or $200 million, contributing a total of $1.5 billion to the regional economy.

This shows a very creditable performance by our destination in the face of a difficult and competitive market. Recent reports show that some 2.3 per cent more Australians took advantage of the strong Australian dollar by holidaying overseas during 2006 than did in 2005, yet holiday visitation to Tropical North Queensland has still grown.

I am confident that the domestic promotional campaigns featuring our new Change Your Latitude branding which are being run in the key domestic markets of NSW, Victoria and SA and the major domestic roadshow to be undertaken this month will translate into continued growth in holiday visitors for Tropical North Queensland.

We have recently launched both the Cairns & Region Convention Bureau’s Meeting & Incentive Planner’s Guide 2007 – 08 and the 2007 TNQ Tourism Awards. You can read more about these events below.

Meanwhile I welcome Don Morris’s appointment as Chair of Tourism Queensland. TTNQ looks forward to working with Don in his new role and value his broad experience which includes time spent in Tropical North Queensland.

Rob Giason Chief Executive Officer

Back to top

CRCB PLANNER’S GUIDE LAUNCHED

Business Tourism continues to grow as an important sector of the TNQ tourism industry with current estimates showing around 70,000 business tourism delegates deciding to “Change their business latitude” by coming here each year.

In a key initiative to build on that growth the Cairns & Region Convention Bureau has officially launched its Meeting and Incentive Planners’ Guide 2007 – 2008.  This comprehensive guide showcases the region and offers vital information on the range of high quality business tourism product now available to help conference organisers in their planning and decision making. It explains how business events in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region benefit from the seamless integration of the destination’s superb natural experiences with its numerous professional suppliers and promotes our destination as a tropical business tourism location with a sophisticated edge that knows how to get events just right. For your copy of the Planners’ Guide visit the CRCB website www.cairnsconventionbureau.com to lodge your request.

TOURISM AWARDS LAUNCHED – NOMINATIONS CLOSE 9 JULY

The 2007 TNQ Tourism Awards were launched at an industry function this month so it is time to get going with your nominations.

The Tropical North Queensland tourism awards program recognises excellence and outstanding contribution to the region’s tourism industry.

Attendees at the launch heard details of the more simplified and streamlined approach being taken in the awards program this year, based on the feedback provided by TTNQ members who have participated in the awards in previous years.  Information was also provided on the awards categories, criteria and the new secret site visit judging method.

TTNQ members interested in nominating for the 2007 TNQ Tourism Awards are reminded that nominations close Monday 9 July. Submissions are due Friday 31 August. For information on upcoming Awards Submission Seminars see the IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS section in this edition of In Touch with TTNQ. For more information please contact Vanessa Allen. 

BOOK TROPICAL AUSTRALIA HITS A CENTURY

Over 100 Tropical North Queensland tourism operators are now taking bookings from holiday makers as far a field as India, Switzerland, Spain and the Netherlands thanks to the online booking system Book Tropical Australia.

The system gives operators access to a live online environment where their products can be sold through numerous distribution channels 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. It is particularly advantageous to those who have not had access to online bookings previously.

Recent subscribers include Cape Tribulation Beach House, whose manager Mathew McClelland says BTA’s visual appeal and user friendliness have improved the property’s web presence and staff are finding it flexible and easy to upload inventory.

Even events such as the Laura Dance Festival are finding the system beneficial too, as this world-class event now has a world-class on-line booking system to match.

AND BTA REACH EXPANDS TO TOTAL TRAVEL

TTNQ is also excited to announce that key travel website, TotalTravel.com will be joining the list of Distribution Channels selling Book Tropical Australia (BTA) products. Ranked in the top two travel related websites in Australia by Hitwise. TotalTravel.com now offers significant distribution and conversion opportunities for BTA products and TTNQ members. Operators using BTA can automatically add a Book Now Button to their listing, enabling consumers to make a physical booking directly from the site.

For more information on how to take part in BTA, please view the interactive demo on www.booktropicalaustralia.com or alternatively call Ruban on 0448 151 220.

FIRST DIVE CAMPAIGN WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Dive the Wonder Down Under campaign continues to attract attention in the US with almost 6,000 hits on the site recorded to date. The first prizewinners in this competition currently running in conjunction with leading US dive equipment company, Aqualung have been announced. Major Prize: Joe Gersch – Pennsylvania - Return trip for two flying Qantas from Los Angeles to Cairns Australia to experience three fantastic days and two tropical nights with Pro dive on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.  Two Minor Prizes: Carl Lindhom Jr. from California - Live aboard experience with Reef Encounter and Reid Williams - Day cruise aboard Calypso Reef Charters out of Port Douglas.
Promotion of these prize winners will be in:
Scuba Diving Magazine website homepage – Destination of the month July
Sport Diver Magazine website homepage - Feature June 25 – July 9
There will be two more prize draws as the campaign continues through to the end of July. TTNQ thanks everyone participating in the campaign including, Dive Queensland, local dive companies and several other Tropical North Queensland tourism operators, TQ USA, GBRMPA and Aquanaut Australia.

CROSSROADS FOR GREAT TROPICAL DRIVE

On 30 June the Great Tropical Drive Project officially draws to a close. There will be some continuation of activities as unspent funds are now tied to programs that will be administered by TTNQ and Townsville Enterprise, with completion due by 31 December 2007. Project Director returns to TTNQ as Director of Destination Management, a role that will include the development and implementation of the Destination Management Plan for the region. Meanwhile IT guru Angus Sprott returns to Tasmania but will provide consultancy services to TTNQ to support the new IT platform.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED

TTNQ welcomes the following new members:

• H.I.S. Australia - comprehensive travel organization offering a wide range of products from overseas business trips to group tours and original H.I.S. package tours.
• Mission Beach Information Station - offers information on local tours/attractions, maps, tour bookings, broadband internet and digital photo processing. 
• Simpson Marketing – effective tourism marketing services provided by highly experienced professionals
• Tourism Port Douglas - interactive business directory for visitors, corporate sector and local industry to assist with Port Douglas product research. 
• Kani’s Restaurant – well known Cairns Esplanade eatery specialising in fine seafood, prime beef, local and international cuisine and a choice of al fresco terrace dining or air-conditioned comfort upstairs.
• Etch Tourism Marketing – a new company offering tourism products representative & consultative services with the focus on achieving results within a delibertely small and complimentary portfolio. 
• Australian Rainforest Foundation - non-profit organisation dedicated to education, research and habitat rehabilitation for Australia's tropical rainforests.
• On the Wallaby & Uncle Brian’s Tablelands tours departing from Cairns with overnight packages “Wildlife & Canoeing” with backpacker accommodation in Yungaburra, and  day tours “Wildlife & Waterfalls” and “Make a Didgeridoo”.
• Cairns Radio Centre Hot FM & Sea FM – offering two popular local radio stations - 103.5 Hot FM plays all of today’s best music plust plenty of Brekkie Show hot goss and interviews. On Sea FM’s it’s family fun with the Morning Crew and a playlist with all the best new and old stuff. 
• Shantara Resort & Spa Port Douglas - new luxury 5 star holiday resort in the heart of Port Douglas featuring two large lagoon pools, Gym, health & beauty spa rooms for relaxation and rejuvenation.
• The Jade Cosmetic Clinic - provides the latest in medical cosmetic procedures & technology performed by highly trained health professionals.
  

Back to top

 
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

CRCB PLANNERS’ GUIDE LAUNCH
10:00 FRAUD & IDENTITY THEFT SEMINAR
3:00 – 4:00pm 16 July 2007, Cairns City Council
All businesses in the Cairns District are invited to attend this free seminar with a specialized detective from the Queensland Police Service’s Major Fraud Squad. Bookings essential RSVP to Coolican.cary@police.qld.gov.au by Friday 6 July.

SYMPOSIUM 07
Cross collaboration in hospitality and related services: Synergies and future possibilities.
A distinctive one day event for professionals, practitioners and educators.
26 October 2007, The Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns
The Symposium is presented by James Cook University and supported by the QHA and TTNQ and explores 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

FESTIVAL CAIRNS

25 August – 15 September 2007
Visit  www.festivalcairns.com.au to find out about all the exciting activities planned for this action packed three week long celebration. 

Back to top

EXCELLENT MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

BRITISH BIRDWATCHING FAIR
17 – 19 August Rutland Water Nature Reserve, United Kingdom
The British Birdwatching Fair is the largest nature based fair in Europe with profits going to BirdLife International and its world partners for conservation projects. Over 18,000 visitors attend and over 300 exhibitors display their products - everything from scopes to sculptures, eGuides to eco-holidays! Most of the birding hotspots around the world are represented, promoting their region and selling holidays. As a biodiversity hotspot and mecca for birders, TNQ had its first regional stand at the Fair in 2006, sponsored by the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland and joined by several operators particularly from the Tablelands and Daintree region. This year, through the Great Tropical Drive initiative, TTNQ will be supporting the stand, assisting all members of TTNQ working in nature based tourism to access the lucrative UK nature lovers market. Anyone interested in either attending the Birdfair or having their product promoted should contact Gwyneth Nevard at the Wild Conservancy (0408 932303 info@wildlifequeensland.com.au) or John McIntyre. There will be space for a few operators to attend, but the early bird catches the worm! For further information visit www.birdfair.org.uk

QUEENSLAND ON TOUR CHINA 2008
Dates have been set for the annual Queensland on Tour China activity 2008.
QOT Taiwan - 26-28 March 2008
QOT China - 31 March-02 April 2008
Further details on locations, venues & pricing will follow in a few months.

10th ANNIVERSARY TABEE MARCH 2008
The Team Australia Business Events Educational (TABEE) will take place early March 2008. Team Australia is a joint marketing initiative of Tourism Australia and the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB), formed to collectively market Australia as a business events destination to international markets. The objective of the Team Australia Business Events Educational 2008 is to maintain Team Australia’s presence in the Asian corporate meeting and incentive market segment and develop new business out of Asia for Team Australia member destinations and participating product, by hosting an event for buyers from across the Asian region. More details on TABEE 2008 will follow in late August.

AIME 2008 EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST OPEN
CRCB are now accepting Expressions of Interest for AIME 2008, which is on 19 – 20 February. For more information contact Kyla McIntosh.

Back to top

BEHIND THE SCENES

• The TTNQ Board held its June meeting at the TTNQ offices in Cairns and the July meeting is to be held on Thursday Island.
• Rob and the TTNQ Management Team presented the 2007-08 Business Plan to members at a seminar last week, while Rob continues to provide Platinum & Gold members with individual briefings.
• Harry & Lisa are busy preparing for the upcoming TTNQ Japan Mission which runs from 9 - 14 July and will visit Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka with a strong focus in Western Japan on promotion of the Jetstar services into Cairns which commence in August. 27 TNQ operators are participating in the mission.
• Harry & Lisa provided a presentation to a group of over 100 Hospitality and Business Management students from Tokyo, Nagoya, Sendai and Osaka brought to Cairns on an inspection and leisure tour by NTA.

• Liz is getting everything together for the TTNQ Domestic Roadshow in which she and 13 operators will visit Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide as well as regional stops.
• Liz is also doing follow up work in the Indian market and working on a Great Barrier Reef promotion in Korea and other Asian markets.
• Donna is preparing for the New Zealand Roadshow which takes place in August as well as ATE follow up.
• Jana is preparing for OzTalk East & West Coast USA which starts 17 July as well as upcoming TAG meetings for the Western and Youth Adventure markets.
• CRCB’s Angela and Karen along with Dion participated in a Tablelands famil which featured the Heli Charters Australia Discovery Blend business tourism package taking in the Australian Coffee Centre and Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat. The famil also visited Mt Uncle Distillery and The Coffee Works. 

• Karen attended QNT on Show in Melbourne last week where she and operators were promoting the region’s business tourism capabilities to buyers. While the display looked great the turnout was disappointing.

• CRCB held a briefing for members intending to participate in November’s Sell TNQ workshop. They are also preparing for the Port Douglas Roadshow in August.
• The CRCB team escorted business tourism journalist Kate Nicholson of CEI Asia over several days last week.
• There is plenty of media activity at the moment with writers for the Sunday Mail, Courier Mail, Go Camping, MacAir, Fresh TV, Fishing with ET and Susan Kurosawa all due here soon. Donna is working on the final three Great Tropical Drive media famils. Meanwhile APEC is attracting international media and TTNQ will be providing briefings to groups of US and Latin American journalists this week.
• TTNQ is working on various collateral pieces at the moment including the new Cairns & GBR Gazette, with French, Italian and German versions planned. There’s also a Restaurant Guide underway, TNQ Fact Sheets, the new Holiday Planner as well as a business tourism motivational piece and the CD Rom version of the M&I Planner’s Guide. CRCB’s destination video is also being updated.
  

Back to top TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHIEVEMENTS Congratulations to: Renee Wilcox of the Gateway Discovery Centre who has won a $1000 Skal International Cairns bursary to assist in her tourism studies at James Cook University where she is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Tourism Management and a Bachelor of Business. Daintree Discovery Centre on their 1,000,000 visitor and the launch of their carbon emission off-set scheme. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on their World Environment Day Award from the United Nations for Excellence in Marine and Coastal Management. Cairns City Council on securing the historic ship the Duyfken to be transformed into a floating museum and tourist attraction based at Trinity Wharf. Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns on receiving five-star hotel re-certification for 2007-08 from AAA Tourism national star rating scheme. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which has retained its title as the only Australian company to have achieved Certified status under Green Globe, the worldwide Benchmarking, Certification and improvement system assisting the international travel and tourism industry to attain sustainability.   The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa which has become the only Cairns based hotel to be included in the Expedia Insiders’ Select List. Pro Dive Cairns on the issue of their 90,000th PADI Dive Certification to an English tourist last month  Back to top

ON THE MOVE

• Paolo Gambino joins Ocean Hotels as General Manager Sales & Marketing
• The Conservancy of Tropical Queensland has awarded the tourism concession for the Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve to Cairns-based business, Tourism Naturally.
• TTNQ says goodbye to Melinda Connolly who is taking up a government role after six years with our organisation. She has made a very significant contribution to the organisation and will be sadly missed. Former TTNQ team member Annie Riddett is returning to take up Melinda’s role as Business Manager.
• TTNQ has also welcomed several other new staff members in recent months so here are some of the newer faces you may see round the office when you pop in….they are from left to right Juliane Hayn (Research Assistant), Tamara Stewart (Marketing Coordinator) Rebecca Hong (Finance & Admin Coordinator) Michelle Pearce (Research Officer) and Christie Faul (Finance & Admin Assistant).

Back to top

OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS

POWERUP YOUR BUSINESS
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council is offering 2-day subsidised workshops which will provide business owners and managers the potential to improve business efficiency by assisting employers identify ways to support and motivate existing staff and/or attract new staff. Visit www.qtic.com.au to find out more or contact Deborah Moseley, Regional Skills Project Officer, QTIC Phone 07 3236 1445, Email info@qtic.com.au

MINKE VISIT THRILLS GUESTS
Guests on board POSEIDON last Friday had an experience of a life time when they were visited by two adult Dwarf Minke Whales. The amazing encounter happened around 2:00pm on the last site of the day at Agincourt Reef. The whales were first spotted on the surface by Skipper David Miller, while all snorkellers and divers were in the water. After the initial rush of excitement the crew assisted to assemble the guests to have a turn on the float line. Poseidon holds one of only three permits issued to day boats by GBRMPA allowing passengers to deliberately swim with these curious and friendly whales that grow to 8 meters in length. This interaction is a world's first, and relies upon the operator following very strict guidelines to avoid disturbing these beautiful animals.

MEMENTO AWARDS 2007 CLOSING 31 JULY
Entries for The Memento Australia Awards 2007 close at the end of the month. The Awards promote artists, craftspeople and designers who create innovative mementos for the tourism and retail gift markets that reflect the spirit of Australia, and assist suppliers and retailers to profit from an Australian tourism gift market worth $700 million per annum. For more information, go to www.mementoaustralia.com

Back to top

SEEN IN THE MEDIA

• The Backyard Blitz segment filmed at Innisfail State High School last September was broadcast last week.
• Alison Coates’ article Magic of the Daintree was published in The Courier Mail.
• A town like……Cooktown featured in the latest edition of The Road Ahead
• The attractions of Tropical North Queensland were given a great rap in this Convention & Incentive Marketing article.
• Turn on the Sun was the title of this Sydney Star Observer article on Cairns and the region.
• This Sunday Mail Adelaide article featured the Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns.

Back to top

GOOD NEWS STORIES

Going that extra mile can take your company a lot further, as this letter to Tropical Horizons points out.

Dear Tropical Horizons Tours Management,
Having just participated in a full day tour, I would appreciate acknowledging the exemplary services of two Staff members in the employ of Tropical Horizons Tours, namely Customer Service operator Ann, and Tour driver/guide Neil.
Thanks to the organisational ability of Ann, I was accommodated with an unusual request for the pick-up site that was then competently coordinated and met by Neil whose courteousness, efficiency, knowledge and guidance provided all of us with a wonderful day of memories (and memorable photographs) to Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest, incorporating Mossman Gorge.  Many positive comments were made by other travellers participating in this tour on Wednesday, however I am aware that feedback is not always tendered to management, hence my email to advise of their satisfaction with Neil in his capacity as our Tour Guide.
Again, my sincere appreciation for including me at such short notice and in making specific arrangements to accommodate me in your Tour. Having had years of contact in the travel industry in varying capacities, it was great to find a company that goes that extra mile'. It will be a pleasure to mention your company to other Agents in Brisbane.
Warm Regards to all, and especially to 'Ann' and 'Neil', from
Dorothy Cheney.

Meanwhile these happy travellers shared their good news by posting a testimonial to Food Trail Tours on a Cairns information website.

The day at Kuranda was really good, but the highlight for us was the Food Trail Tour and we thoroughly enjoyed that.  It was so different and well worth the money. We have already sent Warwick an email to tell him how enjoyable it was, how great our driver Andrew was and have had a reply from him already. It was good to have the tours booked in advance and to be picked up on time etc. It was so good thank you. Khris and Mal Hill – Australia 
 

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 and AVIS Australia - Corporate Vehicle Sponsors for TTNQ

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.