By far the biggest far northern Queensland tourism sales and marketing mission to the US is getting ready to tour America in two weeks time on a whistle stop promotional campaign.

This group which represents some of the biggest names in regional tourism will be meeting 25 key travel wholesalers during their trip. Their aim is to bang the drum and  generate millions of dollars worth of business from the US, where the level of bookings have been dropping especially as a result of the global finicial crisis.

The tour has been was designed to coincide with the low fare packages being offered by Qantas and V Australia. Qantas has launched $973 return flights, plus taxes, from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Cairns. The Qantas flights are on sale until March 31 and dates are available from May 1 to June 8 and July 24 to September 21.

V Australia is offering return flights from Los Angeles to Sydney, internal flights to Cairns on Virgin Blue, four nights accommodation in Sydney and three nights in Cairns, and bonus day trips such as the Great Barrier Reef from $1475.

Charles Woodward of Capta (Cairns and Port Trips and Attractions) said many other tropical destinations had taken the spotlight away from the Far North and the trip was to re-acquaint North Americans with the region and renew friendships.

The tourism team is made of the following members, Morag Ritchie – Angsana Resort and Spa Palm Cove, Paolo Gambino – Cairns Colonial Club Resort, Shelagh Murphy – Cairns Tropical Zoo, Charles and Pip Woodward – The Capta Group, Drew Hamilton – Down Under Tours, Leslie Miles – Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, Sharee Verdon – Livingston Tourism Marketing, Jason Laska – Ocean Spirit Cruises, Robbie Bastion – Parker Travel Collection, Michael Healy – Quicksilver, Ros Harries – Ros Harries Marketing, Michelle Behsman – Thala Beach Lodge, Cherie Glare – Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Cheryl Kelly – Tourism Marketing Services, Doug Ryan – Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree, Jana Stankovich, Rob Giason and Brian Hennessy – Tourism Tropical North Queensland.