MEDIA RELEASE 26 February 2010 Spirited promotion of regional tourism Every passenger on every QantasLink turboprop flight around the Eastern seaboard is getting a glimpse of our region as 29 pages of stories, photos and advertisements are featured in the summer and autumn editions of the Spirit of Regional Australia in‐flight magazines. The highly visible promotions were arranged by Cradle Coast Authority’s tourism unit and combine information and special deals from more than forty tourism operators in north west and western Tasmania. The idea for the regional promotion emerged from the Cradle Coast ‘Shades of Green’ Sustainable Tourism Conference last year and once agreed took three months to go from a concept into the QantasLink airline seat pockets. The efforts of the regional and state tourism units came together in December and February when the Spirit editor and publisher, Paul Manias, visited the region for two, three day tours to source information and photos for the publication. “We work with tourism bodies all around the eastern seaboard of Australia and the Cradle Coast Authority tourism unit was outstanding in making our task so much easier,” Mr Manias said. “Importantly, we were able to not just see the places but also meet the people and that makes for a much better article for readers. It’s such an interesting part of Australia.” A key element in securing such a high profile spread in the magazines was the ability of the Cradle Coast Authority’s tourism unit to connect the region’s tourism operators with the advertising opportunity. “Because Cradle Coast tourism works closely with the local tourism operators they achieved great advertising support for the article. The level of interest was high and this resulted in more space being allocated to the feature,” Mr Manias said. The Cradle Coast regional tourism promotion will feature in the Spirit of Regional Australia magazine until the winter edition commences distribution in mid May. End… Cradle Coast tourism works with the tourism and associated industries, councils, state government and visitor centres to create a regional tourism sector that delivers economic, social and environmental benefits to the Cradle Coast. Cradle Coast tourism is a unit of the Cradle Coast Authority. Cradle Coast Authority Media Contacts: Ian Waller Regional Tourism Development Manager Ph: 0419 372 400
Amanda Wilson Communications Manager Ph: 03 6431 6285