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24 - Sunday, July 2, 1985 - North Shore News

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Aa Be *

Aussies intensify tourism promotion

KANANASKIS — What’s the next best thing to a weekend
in Australia? What about a corroboree in the Rockies?
Kangaroos are a bit thin on the ground here, but the jet-

lag’s not bad.

Vancouver travel agents were
among 180 travel industry profes-
sionals who went to Kananaskis
for a weekend's education on
Australia. They also were the first
to learn of Canadian Airlines’ new
super apex fare, which at $1,399
knocks $200 off « Vancouver-
Sydney roundtrip ticket.

The corroboree (an aboriginal
word for meeting) hosted by the
Australian Tourism Commission
and Canadian Airlines, featured
workshops and entertainment that
won the hosts several standing
ovations.

Maggie Warner, ATC manager
for Canada, said Canada was
Australia’s third fastest growing
market after Japan and Asia. ‘We
are very pleased,*’ she added,
“shat Canadians have discovered
the wonder of Down Under and
with our new advertising campaign
in full swing, we’re sure to con-
tinue the trend."”

The $1 million television and
print campaign is Australia’s big-
gest ever by far in Canada and
follows the establishment last year
of the ATC office in Toronto.

Warner said it was a toss-up
whether the office was located in
Vancouver — B.C. is a strong
market — or Toronto, but the
ATC went for the latter because of
the huge growth potential in On-
tario.

The state of Queensland used to
have an office in Vancouver, but
closed it down. However, the Nor-
thern Territories is in business at
the Burrard Building, where man-
ager Janet Rogers has sunrise and
sunset times for Ayers Rock (685-
4329).

Warner said extensive marketing
research had shown the ATC that
a large number of Canadians
wanted to visit Australia, but not
quite so many intended to go. She
said that showed the potential new
market, but first the industry had
to adjust a common perception
that a visit to Australia must take
in the entire continent.

Not so, said Warner, and agents
saw examples of this in the joint
promotion .of the states of South
Australia, Victoria and Tasmania,
which encourage visitors to con-
centrate on their region.

This makes sense for tourists,
for only youth travellers have the
time and stamina to cover the con-
tinent in one go. There may also be
special offers, such as cheap fares,
for travel among states that share a
marketing program.

Most first-time visitors make a
bee-line for Sydney and then head
up the Queensland coast to
Surfer's Paradise. I wouldn't argue
with this as Sydney is one of the
great cities of the world. Stay at
the Regent if you can afford it,
take a harbor cruise over to Man-

ly, have a barbic at Phillip’s Foot
and walk around the Opera House.

For a change from the city
scene, try the glorious beaches of
Surfer’s Paradise, where the lux-
urious sand squeaks between your
toes.

A return visit: could start) at
Melbourne, whieh lacks Sydiey's

magnificent setting but has more

style and better restaurants. The .

place to be here is the Hyatt on
Collins, and don’t miss a barbie
cruise on the Yarra and lunch on
the floating Melbourne Lighter
opposite the World Trade Centre.

it would also make 2 good base
to explore the southern states, in-
cluding Victoria’s| own Ballarat
whose mines produced fortunes in
the 1850s. Nearby is Sovereign Hill
where a goldmining town has been
cleverly reconstructed.

A third visit might cover a little
more ground. You could fly into
Perth in Western Australia via
Hong Kong, Bangkok or
Singapore, then fly to Adelaide,
take the Ghan train up to Alice
Springs and Ayers Rock, then
catch a flight to Townsville and
relax on the Whitsunday islands.

Trip planning should start with a
superb publication put out by the
ATC called the Destination
Australia Book and available by

posts’

calling 800-247-1200 or 416-925-
9575 or writing 2 Bloor Strret
West, suite 1730, Toronto, Ont.
M4W 362.

lk cove:s the continent with
facts, maps and typically dry
Australian humor. Definitely the
best in the business. Other tourist
boards please copy.

And don't forget New Zealand.
When you're Down Under you're
almost there.

eee

ues?

We've got work for you now.

f you're a high school or college student you could use a little walk-
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You'll be pleasantly surprised about the money you can make delivering the
North Shore News ... especially if you have a car. By working a couple of hours,
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If you don’t want to be just

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this week.

Distribution
986-1337

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