Queensland businesses and tourism operators will head to India this week to showcase the state’s unique offerings to key trade partners.
The 2019 Australia Marketplace India, Tourism Australia’s flagship trade event in India, will feature 17 Queensland participants – 14 of those staying on for the joint Tourism and Events Queensland-Visit Victoria Destination Showcase India.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the trade mission was an opportunity to showcase Queensland to a key market.
“By attracting more tourists to Queensland we’re creating jobs for the future in our great state – that’s what this mission is about,” she said.
“We’re taking tourism operators and some of the best salespeople we have to India to grow our share of this burgeoning market.
“We’ve worked hard to tap into the amazing growth of the Chinese middle-class. We want to do the same thing in India – that’s why we’re focusing much of our energy on marketing Queensland in the subcontinent.”
The latest international visitor survey demonstrated the value of Indian tourism with 77,000 Indian travellers spending $134.3 million in Queensland in the year ended March 2019.
“The latest market research shows Queensland ticks all the boxes for Indian tourists looking to book their next holiday,” Ms Jones said.
“They want to experience the natural beauty of our state – from our reefs to our islands and beaches. They also want to get a taste of what it’s like to be a Queenslander.
“That’s what our operators and salespeople will pitch on this mission – wildlife and marine encounters, adventure tours and theme parks, new resorts and rainforest retreats.”
These workshops will enable operators to teach agents about Queensland experiences. The 2019 Australia Marketplace India will be held in Kochi and Mumbai from 8-12 August, followed by Destination Showcase India in Mumbai and New Delhi from 13-14 August.
