It's "Game On" as Million Dollar Memo Companies Converge in Queensland for AUD$1 million Challenge

Twenty finalists from 11 countries and regions have converged on Queensland to battle it out for AUD$1 million in Queensland incentive travel experiences in the Million Dollar Memo campaign.

Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Jan Jarratt said it was "game on" for the first day of competition on the Gold Coast.

"Over the next eight days finalists will be under the microscope of our expert panel as they go head-to-head in a series of challenges set in some of our most stunning incentive destinations including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsundays and Tropical North Queensland," Ms Jarratt said.

"Only one company can win, but at the end of this incredible experience we want all entrants to go back to their home countries and tell everyone in their business circles that Queensland is the best destination for companies to reward staff.

"This is an amazing prize and understandably the stakes are high, so we expect competition to be fierce over the next week as companies vie for the ultimate AUD$1 million in Queensland incentive travel experiences."

Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes said the incentive travel market was a lucrative area, with incentive travellers spending more than $300 million per year in Queensland.

"The Million Dollar Memo campaign aims to grow this figure by backing up Tourism Queensland's five-year incentive strategy," he said.

"Ultimately our aim is to position Queensland as the top incentive destination in the Asia Pacific region."

The campaign message has already reached an audience of around five million people, with marketing activity undertaken by the companies involved estimated at a media value of AUD$6 million.

Mr Hayes said the online campaign had captured the imagination of companies worldwide, with hundreds of hopefuls entering to try to win the AUD$1 million prize.

"To continue this momentum, an international media contingent of more than 30 is also in Queensland to follow the Million Dollar Memo finalists during the campaign," Mr Hayes said.

"They will broadcast their experiences and images of Queensland to a global audience of millions.

"Word of mouth is one of the best forms of promotion and for the next week the 20 entrants involved in Million Dollar Memo will act as Queensland ambassadors, broadcasting their experiences through all their business and personal networks.

"This will be amazing publicity for Queensland."

The Final 20 included three chosen by popular vote which were ASUS Design Centre (Taiwan), XinMedia (Taiwan), Yahoo! Taiwan (Taiwan) and 17 chosen by Tourism Queensland, including ADR Group of Companies (Indonesia), Base Architecture (Queensland, Australia), Beijing Huayuan Int'l Travel (China), Boomerang Reisen GmbH (Germany), COM2US Corp (Korea), Datamatics (India), DéLonghi (New South Wales, Australia), Hong Leong Assurance Berhad (Malaysia), Lend Lease (Queensland, Australia), Mary Kay Cosmetics (Victoria, Australia), Peoplebank (New South Wales, Australia), Procter & Gamble (Taiwan), Reading Room (United Kingdom), Samsung Card (Korea), Sparkloft Media (United States), Vero Insurance NZ Ltd (New Zealand), Wood Group Integrity Management (Western Australia, Australia).

The Million Dollar Memo campaign is proudly supported by Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways, Gold Coast Convention Bureau, Business Events Sunshine Coast, Tourism Whitsundays Convention Bureau and Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef. Mackay Convention Bureau, Townsville Convention Bureau, Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau are also supporting partners.

To follow Tourism Queensland's Million Dollar Memo campaign, learn more about the finalists and grab images of Queensland visit - www.milliondollarmemo.com

(Source: Travmedia.com August 2011)

Tiger returns to Brisbane - Brisbane Tourism News

Tiger Airways will resume flights between Melbourne and Brisbane today, almost seven weeks after the carrier was forced to suspend flights due to safety concerns.

The low-cost carrier was grounded early last month by the Civil Aviation Authority of Australia (CASA) after it was considered a flying hazard.

Six weeks of negotiation and safety adjustments, the carrier received its Air Operator’s Certificate early last week and announced that it would roll out its services over time and that for the moment only flights between Sydney and Melbourne would return to the sky.

However, earlier this week the carrier said it would resume services between Brisbane and Melbourne, commencing with a daily return afternoon flight that will take off today.

The carrier added that it will pick up the number of flights between Melbourne and Brisbane from 23 August, with two daily return services.

“Brisbane has always been a popular Tiger destination so it makes sense that the Sunshine State is the next cab off the rank following the welcome resumption of our Melbourne - Sydney services last week,” Tiger Airways head of marketing Vanessa Regan said.

Achieving solid bookings since its return last week and 100 percent departure and arrival performances, Mr Regan added that the carrier’s long term goal was focused on safety and punctuality.

“With safety underpinning the operation at all times, a key long term goal for Tiger Airways is to become the most popular and punctual airline operating in Australia,” Ms Regan said.

“Combined with our great value fares we believe that we have an offering many Australians will continue to embrace.”

(Source: eTravelblackboard, August 2011)

Shows Australia: Taylor Swift Will Return to Australia in 2012

Taylor Swift has extended her Speak Now world tour, adding six dates in Australia and New Zealand in 2012. In less than a year, the globetrotting superstar will have visited nearly 20 countries spanning four continents since the hugely successful tour's official kick-off in Singapore in February.

Shows Australia: Taylor Swift Will Return to Australia in 2012

It's showtime at the Ekka - Brisbane Tourism News

WHILE many visit the Ekka for the showbags and the rides, there are those who take home some medals.

This year, a swag of Redlanders took home the big prizes in a variety of Ekka competitions.

Murray Thompson, of Dish and Spoon Fine Foods at Cleveland, entered his outback tomato relish for the first time, bringing home a first prize in the Class 105 cookery.

"It's great. It was a first time for us. We thought we'd give it a try," Murray said.

Murray said the Dish and Spoon products are sold at farmer's markets at Cleveland and Manly.

Wellington Point sculptor Peter Steller took out the champion sculpture prize for the second time in his two years of competition, beating 47 entries to do so. His entry was turned on a lathe and "sculpted from there" in Australian red cedar sourced at Kenilworth.

Peter's work will be exhibited from September 30 to October 26 as the October feature artist for the Old School House Gallery, Cleveland.

Cake maker Kay Smith, of Ormiston, regained her position as prize fruit cake maker with the Florence Morgan memorial prize, won for the fifth time.

Kay entered the competition in 2004, achieving a third place. She won first place from 2005 to 2008, with a second place in 2009.

"This year, I added extra spice and I have got it (the prize) back," she said.

Cleveland cake maker Patricia Morrison also took out several firsts for the themed cake (trinket box) and Christmas cake and three second places for open modern contemporary wedding cake, miniature decorated cake (special occasion) and contemporary wedding cake.

Roslyn Nankervis, of Alexandra Hills, also gained a first for modern contemporary cake in intermediate class, raising her winning profile as a novice last year.

"It was a bit of a shock to me, to be truthful. But I wanted to give it a go," Roslyn said.

Shirley Kemp, of Cleveland, gained a first place for her miniature patchwork quilt, second for some knitted booties and a highly commended for a knitted bonnet.

One of her quilts achieved a third place and remains on display for the duration of the Ekka at the Quilts Across Australia exhibition, above the Dairy pavilion.

And on the catwalk, Redland models Lauren Philips and Nicole Weston feel like winners in this year's Cotton and Wool parades.

Book Accommodation with Ekka Citing at Metro Hotel Tower Mill

Experience the Enchantment of the EKKA Express

Regional residents can have an EKKA special treat this year on board the Queensland Rail Travel EKKA Express; a Tilt Train arriving at the Exhibition station just after the gates open, a day pass to the iconic event and a return trip home again the same evening.

Queensland Rail Travel General Manager Max Kruse said this was the first time in several years that regional show-goers had the chance to get directly to and from Queensland’s largest annual event.

“This special discount rail package for same day return travel between 11 and 19 August is adding to the EKKA excitement already building around the state,” Mr Kruse said.

“With more than 70 per cent of the show dedicated to free events and activities, the EKKA Express makes the rest of the planning easy and affordable.

“The EKKA Express is the stress-free option for young families to travel return from Bundaberg to the RNA showgrounds and secure a day pass where they can see almost 10,000 animals, browse hundreds of showbags and enjoy the huge entertainment line-up that the EKKA has to offer.

“There is so much to see and do for every age and interest, it’s no wonder the EKKA is a long-standing tradition for so many Queensland families.

“We don’t want customers to just take a trip; we want them to take a journey that stays with them forever.”

The EKKA express adult ticket starts from $62 from Cooroy and includes return same day Tilt Train to Brisbane, a full day Brisbane EKKA day pass and a Queensland Rail souvenir tote bag.

(Source: TravMedia.com, 2nd August 2011)

Metro Hotel Tower Mill, Brisbane: Ekka Citing at Metro Hotel Tower Mill @ Metro Hotel Tower Mill - Metro Hotels

Metro Hotel Tower Mill is offering this Ekka Citing Package including:

Accommodation for two in an Executive Twin or Double Room (Family rooms available upon request*)
Full Buffett Breakfast for two
Late Check-out 12 pm

Metro Hotel Tower Mill, Brisbane: Ekka Citing at Metro Hotel Tower Mill @ Metro Hotel Tower Mill - Metro Hotels

Tourism Queensland Inks Deal With Singapore Airlines to Boost Tourism

Singapore Airlines and Tourism Queensland recently signed an agreement to jointly promote tourism to Queensland through the airline’s services to Brisbane. According to a press release, under the four-year agreement, which took effect from July 1, 2011, Singapore Airlines and Tourism Queensland will fund a range of campaigns and promotional activities aimed at driving tourism to the north-eastern Australian state. Key markets covered under the agreement include China, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Scandinavia and Singapore.

Tan Chik Quee, Senior Vice-President - Marketing, Singapore Airlines, said that the partnership with Tourism Queensland reflected the airline’s long-term commitment to the Australian market.

Jan Jarratt, Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business, Queensland, said, “Singapore Airlines is an important aviation partner with access to many key international markets and its network will help Queensland achieve its goal of attracting more travellers.”

Singapore Airlines operates 92 flights a week to five Australian cities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and 19 flights weekly to Brisbane from Singapore by Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

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