11 February 2021 Events Return Across Queensland

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11 February 2021 Events return across Queensland

Events are certainly Good to Go in Queensland, as yet another busy week of announcements continue to highlight the importance of events to the state's visitor economy.

Set to bring visitors from all over the country to their host destinations and stimulate local economies, as well as provide a platform for tourism promotion, dates are live and ticket sales and registrations are now open for the NRL Magic Round (14 - 16 May 2021) and the Gold Coast Marathon (3 - 4 July 2021). Yesterday it was announced that Cairns will host an International Basketball Federation (FIBA) qualifying match between the Australian Boomers and New Zealand Tall Blacks next week, and an event was announced this morning for the Whitsundays – ‘White on Whitehaven’ will become one of the hottest tickets around as visitors can wine and dine on delectable local produce with their toes in the white sands of Whitehaven Beach. The future is also bright as event organisers continue to plan for international events, and the 2026 UCI BMX World Championships this week announced with Brisbane as the host.

Supporting events is a key part of TEQ’s strategy to drive visitation to, and around, the state, giving visitors an additional reason to book a Queensland getaway and generating significant spend with tourism operators in the host destinations.

Morning TV shines spotlight on Queensland

With Queensland’s border back open to Greater Sydney, TEQ organised for the TODAY Show team to broadcast from the Sunshine State as soon as possible. Karl and the whole crew broadcast live from Burleigh Beach on the Gold Coast last Friday morning, with tourism stories pre-recorded from Cairns, Capricorn and Brisbane showcased throughout the morning show.

This week TODAY's live weather crosses have been beamed from Cairns, Palm Cove, Townsville and the Whitsundays thanks to Tourism Australia’s ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaign activity.

Channel 7’s Sunrise were also in Queensland last week, broadcasting weather crosses from the Gold Coast and Brisbane and showcasing the Nitro World Games event. New content you can use TEQ marketing update

Inspire your fans and followers to lock in In order to provide tourism and events their next Queensland break during this businesses an insight into TEQ’s strategy traditionally busy period of travel for the coming months, last week we planning and booking. You can share released our six-month domestic these links to TEQ’s content, or take marketing strategy document, which inspiration to create your own. outlines TEQ’s marketing goals and priorities, and the plan for campaign If you do create your own, don't forget to activity in Queensland and other states. tag #thisisqueensland to give us The plan remains fluid and will be permission to share! responsive to any changing public health '11 unique ideas for Valentine's or border restrictions. Day' - perfect for those who have This week we’ve also released an updated had 14 February sneak up on them ‘How to work with TEQ’ checklist to help (it's this Sunday!). businesses maximise the opportunities to 'New accommodation in take part in our marketing and make the Queensland' - highlighting new most of the resources that TEQ has to openings in Brisbane, Gladstone help you. and the Gold Coast. 'The Top 10 lesser-known reefs - by TEQ’s Group Executive Marketing, Master Reef Guide and Queensland Michael Branagh, provides a quick two- Creator Johnny Gaskell'. minute overview of our six-month marketing strategy.

WATCH NOW International update

TEQ is continuing work to keep Queensland top of mind in international markets, maintaining relationships with trade partners and inspiring consumers with engaging content.

Last week Tourism Australia hosted its bi-monthly Australia Marketplace Japan virtually, with TEQ and 37 Queensland operators joining other Australian tourism operators and 70 Japanese buyers to maintain business relationships with qualified travel agencies and tour operators from across Japan.

In the USA and UK, Amazon Prime viewers now have access to view ‘Hotels by Design’ – a TV series already aired in Australia and New Zealand telling the stories behind some of the best designed Australian and New Zealand hotels, including their environment and surrounding experiences to inspire discerning travellers who seek out and appreciate good design. And in New Zealand, the ‘Amazing Race’, which heavily features Queensland destinations, will go to air from this Sunday night, 14 February. TEQ’s international teams are leveraging this on-air activity with communications with trade partners and consumer databases to provide links for further training and holiday planning.

In China, high-end travel magazine, Voyages Magazine, has awarded TEQ the Voyages Annual Award 2020 for Eco Creativity for our focus in promoting Townsville’s Museum of Underwater Art. Tourism Australia was also awarded in the category of Sustainability Pioneer for a project to promote the Daintree Rainforest. COVID-19 latest

Changes for overnight vessels

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has signed off on the easing of restrictions for live- aboard marine vessels, who can now operate for one person per two square metres in sleeping areas, for up to 50 people. See the official annex.

Visitors from Victoria

Anyone coming to Queensland from Victoria from 1:00am AEST Saturday, 13 February 2021 will need to complete a border declaration pass. People already in Queensland who have been in the Greater Melbourne area since 5 February 2021 should check the Victorian Department of Health's list of exposure sites - if they have been at any of those venues they should be tested immediately and isolate for 14 days. If they have not been in those venues, they should monitor their health and get a COVID-19 test if they experience any symptoms. More details here.

Visitors from New South Wales

People in Queensland who have been in New South Wales since 2 February 2021 should monitor their health and get a COVID-19 test if they experience any symptoms. They should also check New South Wales Health's list of alerts - if they have been at any of those venues they should be tested immediately and isolate until receiving a result.

Restrictions easing for Western Australia

From 1:00am AEST Saturday, 6 February 2021 the South West regions of WA are no longer declared hotspots. The LGAs in the Metropolitan Perth and Peel regions of Western Australia that are currently declared hotspots will be revoked from 1:00am AEST 14 February 2021 should community transmission case numbers continue to remain at zero.

Advice for tourism operators to manage this public health advice

The Queensland Government has provided this fact sheet with advice for tourism operators on their role in responding to COVID-19 and what businesses do (and don't) need to do.

OPERATE SAFELY

Business opportunities

Destination Australia Conference

4 March 2021, Sydney and virtual

After the unprecedented challenges of 2020, Destination Australia 2021 will focus on the future of Australian tourism. High-profile speakers from Qantas, THL and Boston Consulting and more will share consumer insights, global trends and discuss key opportunities for the tourism industry in a post-COVID world.

TravMedia's International Media Marketplace (IMM)

5 – 6 May 2021, virtual

Australia's largest media networking event connecting PR professionals with Australia and New Zealand's top-tier media titles, IMM Virtual Australia registrations are now open for customisable, branded virtual meeting spaces with 16 pre-scheduled one-on- one appointments. Early bird pricing ends 28 February 2021. Closing tomorrow: QTIC’s Insurance Survey allows you to tell your story and contribute to highlighting the challenges faced and explore potential solutions to improve the financial and operational viability of tourism and events businesses. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete, and early responses show that 12 per cent of businesses do not have property insurance due to the lack of availability or affordability.

Funding to grow Indigenous festivals and events

The Year of Indigenous Tourism Festival and Events fund has been established to provide strategic support to grow existing events and festivals that showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in 2021.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES

Quick snippets

Destination Gold Coast has launched a new video series to rally Kiwis to take in the scenic views, soak up the sun and pack their jandals and a towel with a simple message to our friends from across the ditch: ‘New Zealand, we can’t wait to see you’.

Screen Queensland secures filming of Season Six of 'Australian Survivor' in Cloncurry, Outback Queensland.

Is your business or region hosting a Chinese New Year event? Queensland Health has provided some customised advice to help plan a COVID Safe Chinese New Year celebration. Job opportunity: Macadamia’s Australia is looking for a Tourism Manager for their new on-farm visitor experience in Bundaberg. Learn more and apply.

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