A group of tourism operators from Queensland Gold Coast is visiting the Middle East this week as part of a trade mission to promote Queensland as Australia's top holiday destination for Gulf countries' residents. Tourism Queensland's Regional Director for Gulf Countries, Paul Buggy, said the Queensland on Tour mission would spend almost two weeks visiting travel agents in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar, including the Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai – the region's largest travel trade show. “In 2007, 30,000 Middle Easterners visited Queensland and spent an average of 36 nights in the state, twice as long as the average visitor,” Mr. Buggy said. “Queensland makes a fantastic family holiday escape from the heat of the Middle Eastern summer, but during our winter, it still has a temperate climate that is great for outdoor activities such as visiting the beach or national parks.” Middle Eastern visitors particularly love the Gold Coast for its world class beaches, theme parks and shopping. As Australia's most popular domestic holiday location, it's a fantastic family friendly destination. Mr. Buggy said in addition to in-market activities such as the Queensland on Tour mission, Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Government had developed a strong relationship with Middle Eastern airlines such as Emirates and Ittihad. Queensland capital city, Brisbane, only an hour from the Gold Coast, was the first international hub outside Dubai to have an Emirates first and business class lounge and is also the first in the world to provide access directly onto aircrafts. “Many tourism operators in the region also specialize in catering to Middle Eastern visitors' cultural requirements through special menus and even prayer rooms.” Mr. Buggy said. “With travelers into Brisbane from Dubai increasing by 57 percent since 2004, these relationships are paying off.” The Queensland on Tour Middle East mission runs from April 25 until May 7 and includes five Gold Coast tourism operators, three Brisbane operators and a national hotel chain. Products include theme parks, a shopping center, resorts, hotels and a farmstay. __
