3 October 2007

FROM THE ACTING CEO'S DESK

Air access is the lifeblood of Tropical North Queensland's tourism industry. Securing new air routes into Cairns and increasing seat capacity from domestic and international source markets is critical if we are to see significant visitor growth.
 
New route development is perhaps the greatest challenge facing both Tourism Tropical North Queensland and our partners Cairns Port Authority. Despite our region's status as Australia's second most popular destination for international holiday-makers, we face significant challenges in convincing new airlines especially that they should be flying into Cairns.
 
Which is why a strong and coordinated partnership approach is key to unlocking the air access puzzle. Last week I attended the 13th Annual International Routes Forum in Stockholm along with CPA's research analyst Amol Virkar. Crucially, we were also assisted by Andrew Parle, Tourism Queensland's Aviation Director, and Karl Flowers, Tourism Australia's Head of Aviation and Research.

The event brings together more than 3,000 delegates representing most of the world's major airlines and airports. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin and Adelaide were all competing with Cairns to put their case for new air routes to key carriers.

The Cairns team spoke to more than 20 international carriers either currently serving our region, or which have potential to operate into North Queensland.
 
This is the most important aviation networking event in the world, and it is important Cairns competes effectively against not only its Australian rivals, but airports around the globe.
 
We have to remain continuously on the radar for international airlines and work hard to pitch our case. I am pleased to report that this year we received a great deal of positive feedback from the airlines we spoke to and I strongly believe this will eventually translate into more airline seats into Cairns.

Of course, we don't forget the support of those international carriers already serving Cairns - especially Jetstar, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand and Continental Airlines. Most were predicting growth for the region, and there was no shortage of optimism for the future.
 
But in addition to thanking those airlines that have already demonstrated their faith and confidence in Tropical North Queensland, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank those partners whose assistance our industry doesn't often recognise. My appreciation goes to Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia for their encouragement, guidance and very practical support.
 
Both Cairns Port Authority and TTNQ are working hard together to deliver additional capacity. We are focused more than ever on route development and, with the help of our State and National tourism promotion agencies, we're optimistic the skies over Cairns will be busier than ever.

David Rose Acting Chief Executive Officer

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THE LATEST NEWS

NEW MINISTER VISITS
TTNQ was pleased to welcome the new Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle, to the office to meet the team recently. It was a chance to share ideas and visions for the industry and TTNQ particularly welcomes the opportunities that may arise with tourism and other industries coming under the one department.

NVS & IVS INFORMATION NOW ONLINE
The Tropical North Queensland Snapshots for the International Visitors Survey and the National Visitors Survey are now both available on the TTNQ Corporate website: www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/corporate

TEAM AUSTRALIA KOREA
Cairns and Region Convention Bureau’s Sales Liaison Executive, Kyla McIntosh joined six other Australian convention and visitors bureaux on Tourism Australia’s Business Events Team Australia Exploratory Mission, held in Korea and Taiwan last week. Through a series of workshops and presentations to over 150 buyers and agents, the Mission aimed to improve knowledge of Australia as a business events destination.

CORROBOREE 2007
TTNQ’s Business Development Executive, Jana Stankovich, attended Corroboree in the Hunter Valley from 12 - 15 September. With around 90 appointments training Aussie Specialists the event was a success. Next year Corroboree will be held in the United States.
 

UPDATE FROM CHINA
Elizabeth Webb has been in China for the past two weeks conducting meetings with TQ China in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. Team Cairns activity has commenced for all three areas and lead packages consist of three nights in Cairns with two full day tours and an optional day. Target numbers from each city and partner agent (6 agencies) are at least 700 pax per agent and discussions with our partner airline confer this is achievable with a campaign running during the low season and capacity available.

TTNQ joined seven other Tropical North Queensland operators who were in China for an afternoon training session for at least 30 frontline agents and then hosted a joint dinner with the managers. 

Our region is included in at least 90 percent of Australian itineraries along with Sydney and the Gold Coast, but our biggest concern is the limited access and capacity.  Meetings with airlines and other partners have been held with the anticipation of charter services leading to the hope of regular new services or increase of services already in place. Liz will continue meetings with partners in Hong Kong and Shenzhen continue this week and next.

TOURISM AUSTRALIA INDIA MISSION
Three Cairns operators, Craig Biber of The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa, Warwick Baker from Hotel Cairns and Sharon Livingston of Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises recently attended the Tourism Australia India Travel Mission in Jaipur. The event was staged 10 - 14 September and attracted around 120 buyers.

MILESTONES FOR BTA
Book Tropical Australia is continuing to prove successful for many subscribers with a total of over 2000 bookings and $500,000 in revenue taken through the system to date. The second 1000 bookings occurred in one third of the time that it took the first 1000 bookings, proving its increased popularity.

PATA AWARD PRESENTED
Geoff Brown of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources attended the PATA 2007 Gold Awards ceremony in Bali to accept the award for Tourism Marketing won by the Great Tropical Drive.

A MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY
TTNQ extends wishes of deepest sympathy to the family, friends, colleagues and associates of Peter Webster of Tourism Queensland who passed away suddenly last week.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
TTNQ reminds anyone who intends to rejoin as a member for 2007-2008 but has yet to complete the Membership Renewal forms to do so as soon as possible as the closing date of 31 August is now well passed and you will not be able to access member benefits until your renewal is complete. For more information please contact our Membership Development Executive Niaomi McSwiney on 40151208 or niaomi.mcswiney@tnq.org.au

TROPICAL AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH: GEOFF COX
Congratulations and thanks to Geoff Cox, named Tropical Ambassador of the Month (September) for his outstanding contribution to the program, positive attitude towards passengers and fellow volunteers and great outgoing personality.

After just two months the Tropical Ambassador program at Cairns Airport is already proving a great success and is extremely well received from both passengers and airport staff. The purpose of the scheme is to help passengers throughout the various phases of the airport redevelopment, provide directions and general information, and ease the travelling process. The small team of extremely enthusiastic and dedicated Ambassadors are recognisable by their green shirt featuring an “i” information logo. Look out for them at the Domestic Terminal. We are still recruiting more tropical smiles to the team, so please spread the word!

VIC REVAMP CONTINUES
Updating of the Gateway Discovery Visitor Information Centre continues with the installation of a huge back wall banner and new front door signage.

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

TTNQ AGM & NETWORKING FUNCTION
The TTNQ 2007 Annual General Meeting and Networking Function will be held on 23 October 2007 at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort. Registration opens at 5.00pm and the meeting will commence at 5.30pm sharp.  A Formal Notice of the meeting together with further information as required by Corporations Law is being forwarded to all members this week. See the Invitation for more information. Nominations for Board Positions have now closed. Please see the links below for all other AGM documentation.

• Notification of AGM 2007
• Agenda AGM 2007
• Nominee Profiles
• Proxy Vote Sheet

TNQ TOURISM AWARDS TICKETS SELLING FAST
Saturday 13 October 2007, Cairns Convention Centre
Don’t miss out on your tickets for this year’s Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards. The Gala Presentation Evening is on Saturday 13 October at the Cairns Convention Centre, thanks to the support of our many generous sponsors which makes this possible. Tickets can be purchased until 8 October and are available online at http://corporate.tropicalaustralia.com.au/tourism_awards/tourism_awards_tickets or phone Claudia on 4015 1237.

QUEENSLAND TOURISM AWARDS – TICKETS ON SALE SOON
Tickets will be on sale soon for the Queensland Tourism Awards being held on Saturday 10 November in Townsville. To receive an invitation, register your details at www.tq.com.au/qta

GREEN ISLAND OCEAN SWIM
11:00am Sunday 14 October
Get out the Speedos – the great ‘Aussie swimming cozzie’ because the Great Adventures Green Island Ocean Swim is on again. The event consists of 1.5 and 3km swims on the leeward side of the island and is open to swimmers 12-years and up with prizes awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall for men and women.  A ‘nippers’ swim for under 12s will take place on a course parallel to the beach. For bookings contact Great Adventures on 4044 9944 or register on line at www.quicksilvergroup.com.au/oceanswim.htm

OPERA IN THE OUTBACK
19 – 20 October 2007
Undara Experience is again staging their popular event, Opera in the Outback. For bookings phone 1800 990 992, fax (07) 4097 1955 or visit www.undara.com.au/opera.html  Please note due to the enormous interest in this event there are only camping and powered sites still available.

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

BEHIND THE SCENES

• Lisa travelled to Guam recently for the US Navy Travel Fair and meetings with Continental Micronesia and various travel agents.

• Harry has just returned from Japan where he conducted a series of sales calls with wholesalers and retail agents with the focus on promotion of the Jetstar International services. Watch the next issue for a more detailed update.
• Sharyn is just back from the United Kingdom & Europe and we will also have more from these markets in the next edition.
• Donna & Tamara are busy working on the next round of famils. Last weekend a group of six Jetstar Holiday agents were in town, and other recent famils include a group of 10 Flight Centre agents from the UK and 14 Korean Qantas Holiday agents.
• Niaomi, Val & John visited TTNQ members in Cooktown on Monday & Tuesday of last week.
• Niaomi & Lisa attended the Gulf Tourism Network meeting in Georgetown on Thursday last week & also visited our members at Cobbold Gorge & Undara. This week Niaomi and Val will travel to Daintree & Cape Tribulation.
• John McIntyre gave a presentation on the Planet Safe Partnership program at the recent PATA Travel Mart 2007 in Bali last week.
• Jana is currently working on Youth/Adventure activities including preparations for the Cairns Backpacker Famil, Sydney Backpacker Expo & The Daily Telegraph Show.
• Jana also escorted Jonathon Day from Tourism Queensland’s LA office during his recent visit to Tropical North Queensland.
• CRCB’s Angela and Karen attended meetings with Tourism Queensland and other Queensland Convention Bureaux in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast last week.
• Karen also attended a meeting of Convention Bureaux from Australia, Singapore and Malaysia in Darwin recently.
• CRCB received 130 applications for the eight available places on the MICE.net famil being held this month. They are also busy preparing for Sell TNQ in November and putting together bids for two events.
• Dion is working on campaigns for early 2008 and the entire Marketing Communications team is busy with preparations for the Tourism Awards. Dion also attended a dinner with the media representatives traveling with the World Youth Day group.
• Annie attended meetings with the Tourism Australia and Tourism Queensland research teams where topics under discussion included IPAT issues and Destination Visitor Profiles for the Tablelands and Port Douglas.
  

TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHEIVEMENT
Congratulations to:

• The 4,000 people who participated in Sunday’s Cancer Crusade Charity Walk to raise money, and awareness of the need, for full radiation oncology services in Cairns. Among the walkers were this dedicated group of TTNQ team members who enjoyed the beautiful day out in Tropical North Queensland. The walk raised around $40,000 while the Federal Government announced $8.3 million for a radiation oncology unit for Cairns.

• Don and Judy Freeman on being recognised in the 2007 Travel + Leisure Travel Innovators Awards. After helping forge a modern outlet for a 40,000 year culture at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park at Smithfield following its beginnings in Kuranda, Don and Judy Freeman are now developing, via their consultancy Freeman Productions, major business projects nationwide involving both private and government sector tourism stakeholders.

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ON THE MOVE

• TTNQ says farewell to Information Manager Ruban Rasiah who is moving back to Canada. Rod Kelynack will commence in the IM position in November.
• Stephen Olle is the new CEO for the Village Property Group, who own the business associated with the All Seasons Cairns Gateway Resort. The new manager and executive chef for the Resort’s Pickled Frog restaurant is Andrew French who joins them after two and a half years at Trinity Beach Tavern. 
• The Gschwenter family, formerly of Britz Australia, is pleased to again be involved in the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry as the new operators of Cairns Seaplanes.
• Caroline Kennedy is the new Melbourne-based Director of Sales for Rydges Sabaya Resort Port Douglas.
• Create Design has officially opened their new premises at 84 Buchan Street.
  

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OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS

• The APEC Task Force was so impressed with Down Under Tours’ coaches and operation during the APEC meetings in Cairns in July, they invited the company reposition two of their luxury 25-seaters to Sydney to participate in APEC Leader’s Week to transport Mrs Howard and the world leader’s partners around Sydney for the full touring program. The coaches were also used in the Chinese delegation movements and those of the Russian president and his delegation. Normally limousines are used in these instances, so the Down Under by Appointment Luxury Coaches were a first time trial that worked extremely well and by all reports, organisers were very pleased with the outcome. 
• The properties formerly known as Oaks City Quays & Oaks Piermonde (located at 2-4 & 6 Lake St, Cairns) are now re-branded as PARK REGIS CITY QUAYS & PARK REGIS PIERMONDE. Features of both properties will remain the same, apart from new signage, re-branded collateral, planned upgrade to lobby area and contact email/website changes. The Park Regis brand is owned and operated by Kusido Hospitality and Property Group, which also owns and operates the Leisure Inn brand, and has 17 properties in its portfolio with a rapid expansion program underway in Australia and throughout Asia Pacific and future plans for European, American and Middle Eastern properties joining the group’s portfolio. For further information on hotel changes, contact the hotels directly on 07 4042 6500 or 07 4042 6400 or Park Regis head office on 02 8198 9299.
• Ocean Spa at Coconut Beach Resort in Cape Tribulation was officially opened after an excellent response to its first couple of weeks of operation.
• Skysafari Port Douglas has added a new helicopter to their fleet, a twin Robinson 44.
• South Pacific Bridal and JTB Wedding Angel and Hilton Cairns officially opened the beautiful new Hilton Blue Horizon Chapel on Friday evening. The chapel is already creating plenty of excitement with 400 bookings already for next year. 

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SEEN IN THE MEDIA

• A group that enjoyed an adventurous famil on the Great Tropical Drive earlier this year has now published the resulting Top Gear article.
• The Sunday Mail featured Sea Temple Golf and Country Club in this recent Escape article.
• The Cape York Turtle Rescue was the topic of an Independent Traveller article. Page1, Page2
• A Weekend Australian article titled South to Cairns covered a cargo boat trip from the tip of Cape York.
• Mike Bingham's wrote a Tropical North Queensland coffee trail story in the Adelaide Sunday Mail.
• Susan Kurosawa's Port Douglas food/wine story in The Weekend Australian.
• John Wright’s review of Coconut Beach Resort appeared in Saturday’s Courier Mail.

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GOOD NEWS STORIES

Guurrbi Tours recently received a letter from a Premiere Aussie Specialist travel agent in the USA who specializes in the outback and Aboriginal tours. It was full of praise for Willie Gordon’s excellent presentation as this summarised excerpt shows:

Over the years I have taken numerous Aboriginal Rock Art tours across Australia and this year I went on Guurrbi Tours Rainbow Serpent Tour led by Willie Gordon. Willie is the best Aboriginal rock art tour I’ve ever done - he made it a truly memorable experience. As we walked to the rock art sites Willie stopped to point out plants and features of the landscape telling us its use and their history to his people, thus setting the stage to make the rock art relevant.

Willie’s approach is very different and personal. His emphasis is not on the detail but in the meaning. In order to make sure the meaning bridges the gap between his culture and that of the visitor he makes the telling both personal and interactive. He has a remarkable way of sensing what each visitor brings to the moment. I left the tour with many things to think about and I’m sure others did also. Long after I’ve forgotten the story line I will not forget the spiritual impact of the message in the rock art.

Unlike some others I’ve experienced, the site is not difficult to walk.

I will be encouraging my clients who have an interest in Aboriginal culture to take Willie’s tour. I am very pleased with the development of many more Aboriginal experiences on the Bama Way, which make Tropical North Queensland an ideal choice for those who want more than the “song and dance” show that too often passes as Aboriginal tourism.

Karolyn Wrightson
Essential Down Under Travel Adventures, North Carolina USA
 

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.