Tourism pins hopes on Easter money



Monday 14 February 2011

Tourism pins hopes on Easter money

 

The focus of Queensland Premier Anna Bligh in her efforts to boost the State's desperate tourism industry has moved to the Easter school holiday period.

Speaking to Travel Today, Ms Bligh said the $10 million allocated for a new marketing campaign aims to show to the rest of the country that Queensland's popular tourist destinations are ready and waiting for them.

“We need to say Queensland is the best value package holiday you'll get this school holiday,” she said.

According to the Premier, the possibility of more bad weather during the wet season is one of the reasons why the attention has turned to Easter.

Meanwhile, Tourism Australia is planning to deliver a “high impact” advertising campaign using part  of the State and Federal Governments' $10 million relief fund, which will be delivered to the domestic and New Zealand markets.

In other tourism news the State Government has introduced a tourism accreditation scheme which attempts to encourage operators and assure visitors they are dealing with reputable businesses.

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said national accreditation was an important way for accomplished tourism businesses to be recognised within their industry, and also provided visitors with a way of identifying them.

Mr Lawlor said the scheme would deliver a two-year pilot program to encourage as many tourism businesses as possible to gain recognition under the National Tourism Accreditation Framework.

"This is all about our tourism businesses recognising, committing and adhering to national operating standards so visitors can be assured they are dealing with a recognised operator," Mr Lawlor said.

"Initiatives such as accreditation are one way in which businesses impacted by recent flooding and cyclones can grow their businesses successfully into the future."