1. Tourism off to flying start

2. ATDW waives subscription fee

3. Opportunities to leverage branding campaign

4. Interfaith promotes region

5. Erin McNaught attends charity night

6. Enter the Dragon

7. Roll dice for Australia Zoo

8. Did you know?

9. Upcoming events

Contact Us

Caloundra Tourism Inc
PO Box 688
Caloundra, Qld, 4551
Phone 07-5491 2500
Fax 07-5420 8319
Mob 0410 538 202
leanne@caloundratourism.com.au
www.CaloundraTourism.com.au

Written specifically for members of Caloundra Tourism Inc as an information source.

Tourism off to flying start

The new $4 million tidal swimming pool at Kings Beach proved to be a big hit with visitors.

Visitors flocked to Caloundra over the school holiday season with reports of very strong occupancy and trading. If crowds are a good judge, then the new $4 million tidal swimming pool at Kings Beach backed up Caloundra’s popularity. Premier Peter Beattie and his wife Heather were also among those who visited Caloundra last month and enjoyed a happy holiday. Caloundra Tourism is planning a big year to keep the momentum going. Already, some members of a group of European journalists experienced our coastline and hinterland as part of their Sunshine Coast itinerary during February. Advertising will run in the Tourism Australia/Fairfax Book Out Australia magazine released on Australia Day in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers, with cross promotional links to Tourism Australia and Fairfax media web sites. The campaign pushes the message that you don’t have to go overseas for amazing experiences. On the meetings and incentive front, Caloundra Tourism is a member of the Sunshine Coast delegation attending the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from February 13-14.

The first National Rugby League pre-season game on the Sunshine Coast will be held at Quad Park Kawana when the Melbourne Storm play the Manly Sea Eagles in a trial match on Saturday night, February 24. For tickets visit www.caloundracentre.com.au. The Storm is expected to stay at Rydges Oasis Resort while Manly is considering Ramada Pelican Waters. Star fullback Billy Slater is expected to be among the Melbourne Storm squad.

ATDW waives subscription fee

Tourism operators in Queensland now have the opportunity to join the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) without cost. Under the new $48 million Queensland Tourism Strategy (QTS), eligible operators can have their $300 2007/2008 membership paid in full. The ATDW is a central national database of tourism operators and is used by tourists and travel companies as a directory for information and planning holidays. The information is also displayed by Tourism Queensland through www.queenslandholidays.com.au and Tourism Australia’s www.australia.com. Government assistance will continue, with a 50% subsidy of membership in 2008/09 and 30% in 2009/10. Existing and new subscribers can join the ATDW subsidy scheme by contacting Tourism Queensland on 1800 629 749 or atdw@tq.com.au. For more information, visit tq.com.au/atdw. Caloundra Tourism encourages all businesses involved in tourist accommodation, tours, cruises, activities, transport and attractions to take up this opportunity. Some of the most popular travel websites in Australia will then have a comprehensive and compelling showcase of tourism in Caloundra.

Opportunities to leverage branding campaign

Co-operative marketing opportunities are available in a variety of publications, including national titles until June, particularly skewed from April in order to leverage the Sunshine Coast Find Your Space $400,000 branding campaign. Tourism Sunshine Coast members can take advantage of greatly reduced advertising rates, with buy-in starting from just $300.  The 2007 co-operative campaign will also include a national online campaign and dedicated print campaign for the growing South Australian market.  A full prospectus for the 2007 Co-op program including, titles, readership, circulation and timing is available here. (download pdf) For further information contact Gemma O'Brien on gemma@tsc.com.au, or telephone 5452 2505.

Interfaith promotes region

Popular Christian communicator Aliki will perform during the inaugural National Interfaith Festival from March 10-11 at Maleny Showgrounds.

Caloundra Tourism is supporting a wonderful weekend program of over 100 diverse activities planned for the National Interfaith Festival from March 10-11. Festival director Helen Zeckendorf says the program could be described as connecting people faith to faith. The festival is supported by peak body, the World Council of Churches, and will be based at the Maleny Showgrounds with the opening ceremony to start at 9am on Saturday, March 10 followed by five concurrent program streams. The two-day event includes key speakers, songs and music from Tibetan culture performed by Tenzin Choegyal, popular Christian communicator, Aliki, internationally acclaimed singers Oscar and Marigold and the Hindu Nadananjali Dancers. In addition, there are children’s activities such as a two-day Youth Interfaith Adventure, sacred art being created on site, puppetry, workshops, international food, art exhibitions, religious rituals being demonstrated and explained and much more. Tickets are available on (07) 5499 9788 or 1800 700 899. Discount specials run until February 16. Gate price entry will be $25 per day and $7 for youth. More event information and registration form is available at www.nif.org.au.

Erin McNaught attends charity night

Miss Universe Australia, Erin McNaught, will be the special guest at the From Outback to Outstanding auction night at Aussie World on March 24.

Miss Universe Australia, Erin McNaught, will be the special guest at the From Outback to Outstanding auction night at Aussie World on March 24 to raise funds for a number of worthy charities. The specially designed and crafted "Charis" charity opal pendant, currently on display at Opals Down Under’s showroom in Palmview, will be auctioned off along with a number of other outstanding pieces of art. This piece features a 9.10ct top quality Queensland boulder opal, and a total of 108 diamonds (weight: 1.75 carats). The evening includes a four-course meal by Executive Chef Troy Brien, entertainment, and Penfolds Wines. Master of ceremonies is columnist and radio personality Caroline Hutchinson while Mark Unkel is the professional auctioneer. To reserve tickets phone (07) 5494 5400. Award winning wood artisan Randy DeGraw, oil painter David Hart, master glass blower Lucas Salton, and ceramicist Johanna DeMaine have all provided stunning works for the auction that can be viewed at www.opalsdownunder.com.au.

Enter the Dragon

The Abreast in Australia 2007 Dragon Boat Regatta will be based in Caloundra from September 28-30, with the event to take place on Lake Kawana. National coordinatior Michelle Hanton, based in Darwin, has been a frequent visitor to the region as planning progresses for this wonderful regatta. Already 1283 individual registrations have been confirmed with about 2000 paddlers expected to compete, bringing along family, friends and supporters. Caloundra Tourism is a sponsor of this event that is generating enquiries from around the world. A Pink Penny Appeal has been launched to help raise funds for the staging of the event.

Roll dice for Australia Zoo

You can help put the Sunshine Coast on the monopoly map. Australia Zoo is one of the attractions nominated for the chance to appear on the Australian limited edition of the board game Monopoly. Online voting ends on February 10 at www.monopoly.com.au. There’s some stiff competition with the Great Barrier Reef, The Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Surfers Paradise among the Queensland nominations. The State or Territory with the highest number of votes wins the coveted dark blue spot traditionally occupied by Mayfair. Follow the links on the site to see current voting trends.

• Australia Zoo has been listed by Austrade in Australia’s 50 Most Beautiful Exports for 2006 in the category of tourism. Others placed on the Honour Roll in the Tourism category include the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Ocean Road.
• A new book ‘Ginger – the flavours and the flowers’ has been published by Petra Frieser who has a website www.localharvest.com.au that is generating exposure for Sunshine Coast food industries. ‘Ginger – the flavours and the flowers’ is available through selected book stores. For stockists see www.pebblesinthesky.com.au
• Police are warning the accommodation and hospitality industry to be wary of bulk overseas bookings. Police say the scam involves bulk overseas bookings where the customer pays too much by credit card or international bank cheques, and requests a cash return. They may be booking accommodation or services for religious orders or groups or professional bodies such as doctors. There will generally be a reference to a logistics manager and will generally relate to a booking of one to two weeks. Please report any suspicious requests for payment to your local Office of Fair Trading. www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au. Anyone with concerns or questions should contact the Fraud and Corporate Crime Group for advice via the Queensland Police Service switch on (07) 3364 6464. Already one Caloundra operator has been approached by these fraudsters.

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Upcoming events

The thrills and spills of spectacular surf sports are on show at Kawana Beach during the Crazy John’s Queensland Life Saving Championships from March 1-4 and the Westpac Queensland Junior Life Saving Championships from March 9-11. Caloundra Tourism is a sponsor of these events.

• February 11: Titanium Enterprises Caloundra Triathlon, Woorim Park, Golden Beach. Further information www.usmevents.com.au
• February 14: Valentine’s Day.
• February 20: Caloundra Tourism and Caloundra Chamber of Commerce joint networking evening at Velvet Waters, Bulcock Street.

A complete list of events is available at: www.caloundratourism.com.au

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