R[0]="2067"; T[0]="Travel meeting coup for state"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20070823"; Dt[0]="Thursday 23 August 2007"; Acats[0]="a44"; B1[0]="      South Australia has won the right to host a national eco-tourism conference next year that is expected to attract about 400 national "; B2[0]="and overseas delegates... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      South Australia has won the right to host a national eco-tourism conference next year that is expected to attract about 400 national "; S2[0]=" and overseas delegates.
      The 2008 National Ecotourism Conference will be hosted by Ecotourism Australia, the peak national body for the eco-tourism industry.
"; S3[0]="       It is expected to generate more than $1 million.
      The state's eco-tourism experiences, which range from swimming with sea "; S4[0]=" lions at Baird Bay to River Murray cruises, will be on show during the conference in November.
      The Adelaide Convention Tourism Authority "; S5[0]=" predicts the event will be worth $690,000 to the SA economy although the wider impact will be higher.
      Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith "; S6[0]=" said eco-tourism was an industry with huge potential.
      'Eco-tourism destinations now attract about 15 per cent of the global tourist market and "; S7[0]=" that number is climbing fast,' she said.
      Dr Lomax-Smith said the Government was committed to marketing SA's credentials as a 'green' holiday "; S8[0]=" destination.
      She said SA was already a leader in ecologically sustainable tourism, with about 15 per cent of the nation's Eco-Certified tourism "; S9[0]=" operators based here.
      'Our 76 Eco-Certified tourism experiences range from swimming with dolphins and cave-diving to wine-tasting and camel safaris through the "; S10[0]=" Outback,' she said.
      'We believe SA offers visitors easily accessible, world-class ecotourism experiences and there is a great opportunity for us to "; S11[0]=" be a leader in this area in the future.' SA's first six-star resort - the nature-based Southern Ocean Lodge at Hanson Bay on Kangaroo Island "; S12[0]=" - is expected to open on March 1... "; R[1]="2000"; T[1]="Soaring dollar brings joy to tourists, despair to farmers"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20070331"; Dt[1]="Saturday 31 March 2007"; Acats[1]="a44"; B1[1]="      Speculation of an imminent rise in interest rates and a once-in-a-generation commodities boom has sent the Australian dollar to a decade high "; B2[1]="above US80 cents... "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      Speculation of an imminent rise in interest rates and a once-in-a-generation commodities boom has sent the Australian dollar to a decade high "; S2[1]=" above US80 cents.
      The jump over the US80 cent hurdle was good news for holidaymakers and imported iPod listeners, but bad news "; S3[1]=" for manufacturers and farmers.
      Since it was floated in 1983, the dollar has spiked above US80 cents on several occasions, with the "; S4[1]=" highest being US89.60 in March 1989.
      Having busted the psychological US80 cents barrier again, economists now expect it could go higher.
  "; S5[1]="     'The dollar has tended to baulk at US80 cents,' the chief currency analyst at Westpac, Robert Rennie, said.
      'The difference "; S6[1]=" this time is that the economy looks to be in pretty good shape.' Grange Securities director Stephen Roberts said that the dollar was likely to "; S7[1]=" remain over US80 cents on the back of export-driven economic growth.
      'When you look at Australia's terms of trade - the prices "; S8[1]=" paid for exports compared to the prices on imports - there has been a massive lift in the last couple of years,' he said.
  "; S9[1]="     'The last time we've seen anything like it was the 1950s, and this has continued for longer than then.' The higher dollar is "; S10[1]=" also driven by different expectations about interest rates.
      'The expectation is that the US will hold in the near term but then "; S11[1]=" start cutting rates later in the year,' Mr Roberts said.
      But back at home, some are tipping that the Reserve Bank could "; S12[1]=" raise interest rates as soon as next month, raising the appeal of buying the Australian dollar.
      This would be the fifth interest "; S13[1]=" rate blow dealt to home owners since the last election.
      As NSW home owners struggle with higher mortgage repayments, figures released yesterday "; S14[1]=" show building activity in the state remained near 30-year lows in the final quarter of last year.
      The chief executive of the "; S15[1]=" National Farmers' Federation, Ben Fargher, said drought-stricken farmers would come under added pressure from a higher dollar, which makes Australian exports more expensive for foreign "; S16[1]=" buyers.
      'Obviously when the dollar appreciates it reduces our competitiveness in terms of export values,' he said.
      Mr Fargher "; S17[1]=" estimated that for every 1 per cent rise in the dollar, $190 million is wiped from the value of the farm sector.
      "; S18[1]=" The chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, Heather Ridout, said manufacturers exporting goods or competing with low-cost imports would also struggle.
      "; S19[1]=" 'There has been a recent moderate pick-up in manufactured exports and if the currency stays at these sorts of levels this will be killed stone "; S20[1]=" dead,' Ms Ridout said.
      However, the chief economist of the Australian Trade Commission, Tim Harcourt, said only one in five exporters cite "; S21[1]=" the exchange rate as a factor determining their decision to expand overseas... "; R[2]="1994"; T[2]="Visitor spending in Western Australia tops $4.6 billion"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20070331"; Dt[2]="Saturday 31 March 2007"; Acats[2]="a44"; B1[2]="      Tourism spending in WA topped $4.6 billion in the 2006 calendar year, with over 40 per cent more domestic visitors, according to "; B2[2]="research released today by Tourism Australia... "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      Tourism spending in WA topped $4.6 billion in the 2006 calendar year, with over 40 per cent more domestic visitors, according to "; S2[2]=" research released today by Tourism Australia.
      The full text of an announcement from Tourism Minister Sheila McHale is pasted below Visitors to "; S3[2]=" Western Australia from overseas and interstate are spending more than ever before, according to research by Tourism Australia.
      Tourism Minister Sheila McHale "; S4[2]=" said she was encouraged by the latest domestic and international results to the year ended December 2006, which showed visitor spending in WA had topped "; S5[2]=" $4.6 billion for the first time.
      Ms McHale said the quarterly figures showed domestic visitor numbers had skyrocketed by 40.7 per cent "; S6[2]=" and visitor spending had increased by 34.6 per cent compared with 2005.
      'The latest domestic results were extremely encouraging and show 1.3 "; S7[2]=" million interstate visitors to WA in the year ending December 2006,' she said.
      'The research indicates interstate tourism visitor numbers are recovering, "; S8[2]=" particularly to WA, but that there are challenges in some international markets requiring further examination beyond just statistics.' Ms McHale noted that the figures must "; S9[2]=" be used with caution as they are volatile and often show steep variations.
      'It is pleasing to note these latest figures also "; S10[2]=" make it clear leisure travellers, not business travellers, are the main drivers of this growth.
      'Coupled with extensive co-operative activity with our "; S11[2]=" trade partners and an active campaign to educate travel agents, we are seeing outstanding results from the UK and interstate,' she said.
      "; S12[2]=" Ms McHale said while the domestic results had soared and were outshining the rest of the nation, total international numbers were static.
      "; S13[2]=" 'We do have challenges ahead, particularly in some Asian markets where there is fierce competition and enormous growth in the low cost airline market.
  "; S14[2]="     'That is why the Government worked so hard to encourage Tiger Airways to add Perth to its routes.
      'The "; S15[2]=" strong Australian dollar is also driving potential Asian visitors to cheaper destinations.' Note: National tourism research data is released on a quarterly basis by Tourism "; S16[2]=" Research Australia, and is based on a comprehensive telephone survey undertaken with 120,000 Australians every year.
      International tourism research data is also "; S17[2]=" released on a quarterly basis and is based on face-to-face surveys with 40,000 international visitors each year... "; R[3]="1980"; T[3]="Australians rediscover backyard for holidays"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20070319"; Dt[3]="Monday 19 March 2007"; Acats[3]="a44"; B1[3]="      Australians are rediscovering their own backyard.
      A report released today has shown domestic tourism is starting to take-off again, "; B2[3]="with more people choosing to spend their hard-earned holidays in Australia... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      Australians are rediscovering their own backyard.
      A report released today has shown domestic tourism is starting to take-off again, "; S2[3]=" with more people choosing to spend their hard-earned holidays in Australia.
      The number of domestic trips taken in 2006 rose by five "; S3[3]=" per cent to 73 million, according to Tourism Research Australia's December quarter Travel by Australians report.
      This in turn led to "; S4[3]=" a $3 billion increase in travel spending during the same period.
      The increase is welcome news for the industry, but experts "; S5[3]=" have warned more must be done if the struggling market is to fully recover.
      Tourism and Transport Forum Australian (TTF) managing director "; S6[3]=" Christopher Brown said visitor numbers were still well below 2004 levels and that cheap airfares would continue to make international travel a fierce competitor with "; S7[3]=" the domestic market.
      'The findings show that Australians are slowly regaining their appetite for domestic travel (and) in 2006 we took "; S8[3]=" more trips away from home and stayed away longer, than we did in 2005,'' Mr Brown said.
      'However, overall visitor numbers "; S9[3]=" in 2006 were still one per cent below their 2004 level and visitor nights were down 3.8 per cent on 2004.
      "; S10[3]=" 'The (report's) results provide a foundation, but the hard work of achieving a genuine recovery in the domestic tourism market must continue.'' Federal Tourism "; S11[3]=" Minister Fran Bailey has also welcomed the results but has called on State Governments to help push figures even higher over the next 12 months.
"; S12[3]="       'Of real concern is regional tourism in NSW, which is lagging behind tourism to Sydney,'' Ms Bailey said.
      "; S13[3]=" 'This is because the NSW Government has cut its tourism budgets repeatedly, adopting a Sydney-only tourism push.
      'Domestic tourism is "; S14[3]=" the mainstay for Australia's $75 billion tourism industry so it is vital we continue to ensure that Australians continue to take great Australian holidays.''.. "; R[4]="1976"; T[4]="SA ahead of pack in tourism"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20070319"; Dt[4]="Monday 19 March 2007"; Acats[4]="a44a68"; B1[4]="      South Australia has again strongly outpaced the rest of the nation in tourism growth, this time in domestic visitors.... "; B2[4]=" "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      South Australia has again strongly outpaced the rest of the nation in tourism growth, this time in domestic visitors.
      "; S2[4]=" SA received 1,938,000 overnight visitors from interstate last year, up 16 per cent from 1,674,000 in 2005.
      Last year, interstate guests stayed "; S3[4]=" 9,296,000 nights, which is 5 per cent more than the previous year.
      Nationally, there was a 5 per cent increase in domestic "; S4[4]=" overnight trips with total nights stayed up 4 per cent over 2005.
      SA's interstate visitors came mainly from Victoria, New South Wales "; S5[4]=" and Queensland.
      SA Tourism Alliance chairman Les Penley said the latest figures showed an encouraging turnaround in domestic travel in Australia.
  "; S6[4]="     He said that in some aspects, SA was behind other states and needed to push its marketing harder.
      The figures, "; S7[4]=" released yesterday by Tourism Research Australia, show domestic air travel increased 12 per cent compared to a 3 per cent growth in road travel.
  "; S8[4]="     'Australians continue to take advantage of competitive air fares,' federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey said.
      She said air travel meant "; S9[4]=" people were spending fewer nights away from home each trip but total spending had not been affected.
      'Domestic travellers spent $54.6 billion "; S10[4]=" on their trips in Australia last year, an increase of 6 per cent on 2005,' Ms Bailey said.
      Christopher Brown, head of "; S11[4]=" TTF Australia (Tourism & Transport Forum) said low-cost flights out of Australia meant international travel was a fierce competitor for the domestic tourism industry... "; R[5]="1968"; T[5]="Australia ranked 13th in tourism competiveness"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20070308"; Dt[5]="Thursday 8 March 2007"; Acats[5]="a44"; B1[5]="      Australia has been ranked 13th in an international survey of countries offering the best environments for developing travel and tourism.... "; B2[5]=" "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      Australia has been ranked 13th in an international survey of countries offering the best environments for developing travel and tourism.
    "; S2[5]="   European neighbours Switzerland, Austria and Germany topped the list, followed by Iceland and the United States.
      Hong Kong and Singapore rank "; S3[5]=" highest in Asia, and sixth and eighth respectively overall, according to the World Economic Forum's competitiveness report which evaluated 124 countries.
      France "; S4[5]=" - the world's most popular tourist destination - ranked only 12th, dragged down partly due to the general attitude of the French towards visitors, the "; S5[5]=" Forum said in its 'Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2007'.
      Italy, host to the highest number of World Heritage sites in the "; S6[5]=" world, ranked a 'mediocre' 33, mainly due to weaknesses that included policy rules and regulations, it said.
      Countries were evaluated for natural "; S7[5]=" and cultural resources, safety and security, environmental laws, health and hygiene, air transport infrastructure, labour practices and the priority which the government gives the sector.
"; S8[5]="       Data as well as results from the WEF's executive opinion survey were used.
      Travel and tourism, which employs some "; S9[5]=" 234 million people, is an important driver of growth, accounting for 10.3 per cent of world gross domestic product last year, according to the report.
"; S10[5]="       Switzerland, home to some of the world's most prestigious hotel management schools, offers excellent transport and tourism infrastructure as well as rich "; S11[5]=" natural resources, it said.
      Britain ranked 10th while Australia and New Zealand ranked 13th and 14th, respectively.
      Spain, which "; S12[5]=" is the world's second-largest tourist destination, was 15th.
      In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates ranked highest at 18, thanks to "; S13[5]=" a positive attitude toward foreign travellers and price competitiveness, it said.
      Barbados, at 29th, was the highest ranked country in the Latin "; S14[5]=" American and Caribbean region, while Brazil came 59th, as safety and security 'continue to be of serious concern'.
      The most competitive country "; S15[5]=" for tourism in sub-Saharan Africa is Mauritius (39th), followed by South Africa (62nd), which was also brought down by safety concerns, it said... "; R[6]="1903"; T[6]="Tourism Australia launches new campaign to attract more MICE"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20070216"; Dt[6]="Friday 16 February 2007"; Acats[6]="a44"; B1[6]="      A new $2.6 million campaign to attract more international conventions, conventions and business tourists, was launched by Tourism Minister Fran Bailey at "; B2[6]="the 15th Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo in Melbourne today... "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      A new $2.6 million campaign to attract more international conventions, conventions and business tourists, was launched by Tourism Minister Fran Bailey at "; S2[6]=" the 15th Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo in Melbourne today.
      The new Tourism Australia campaign - 'Re-energise in Australia' - would "; S3[6]=" target the world's top 800 decision makers in the UK, US and Asia.
      It will be a long history, high-tech campaign, featuring "; S4[6]=" Indigenous art, didgeridoos, coupled with iPods, podcasts, and virtual guides.
      The campaign will specifically target business events, with event delegates ($554 per "; S5[6]=" day) spending on average six times more per day than leisure tourists ($94 per day).
      'Australia has the best of both worlds "; S6[6]=" - top notch business facilities and great getaways for a relaxing post-conference holiday.
      Through 'Re-energise in Australia', we'll tell the top decision "; S7[6]=" makers that their next conference Down Under can't wait any longer,' Bailey said.
      In 2006, 786,000 business and conference tourists visited Australia, "; S8[6]=" an increase of seven per cent.
      'This is a clever campaign.
      Rather than a sweeping approach, it engages the "; S9[6]=" key decision makers with our innovative technology as well as direct and online marketing,' Bailey said.
      'By targeting business events, we can "; S10[6]=" attract even more big spending tourists who spend valuable dollars in regional Australia.'.. "; R[7]="1867"; T[7]="Australia's hidden dangers take deadly toll on tourists"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20070207"; Dt[7]="Wednesday 7 February 2007"; Acats[7]="a44"; B1[7]="      Australia is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, but its beaches, rainforests and deserts take a deadly toll "; B2[7]="on tourists... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      Australia is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, but its beaches, rainforests and deserts take a deadly toll "; S2[7]=" on tourists.
      According to official statistics, 2,433 overseas visitors, including 25 children, have died in the past seven years with causes of "; S3[7]=" death ranging from drowning to heat stroke and even a jellyfish sting.
      The figures released by the Australian bureau of statistics and "; S4[7]=" the national coroners' information system suggest many tourists are taken unawares by the country's harsh natural environment, or die during recreational activities.
      "; S5[7]=" In a two-year period between 2003 and 2005, seven people died while scuba diving or snorkelling, two died while hiking, one died while paragliding, "; S6[7]=" another died on a parachute jump, three people lost their lives on fishing expeditions and two people died after games of tennis and golf.
  "; S7[7]="     Heat stroke claimed the lives of three tourists while 65 were killed in car crashes and six people died in falls.
    "; S8[7]="   Another 276 deaths in the same period were attributed to natural causes.
      Australia's idyllic beaches, a magnet for sun worshippers, also "; S9[7]=" hold hidden dangers.
      Among the drowning fatalities in the past seven years were eight children under the age of 10 on holiday "; S10[7]=" with their families while another 17 youngsters aged 10 to 19 were also pulled dead from the water.
      Sean O'Connell, spokesman for "; S11[7]=" one of Sydney's lifeguard organisations, said tourists flock to beaches without realising the dangers and suggested people on inbound flights to Australia should be informed "; S12[7]=" about dangerous sea currents.
      'You could conceivably hop off a plane, go to your backpackers' hostel, hop on the bus and be "; S13[7]=" swimming at Bondi within four hours and there is this terrible rip you wouldn't even know about,' he told the Sydney Daily Telegraph.
    "; S14[7]="   'In some cases the rip appears to be the calmest part of the water.' With at least one tourist dying after a jellyfish sting "; S15[7]=" and others injured by animal bites, visitors are also being warned to admire Australia's wildlife from a safe distance.
      Ranger Craig Adams "; S16[7]=" of the Australian Reptile Park said crocodiles can hide in 30cm (12') of water and pounce unexpectedly.
      'People don't realise a koala "; S17[7]=" will give you a nasty bite or carve you up with its claws,' he said.
      'A wombat can knock you over.' More "; S18[7]=" than five million people visit Australia every year, among them 800,000 British visitors, and most people return home safely, according to tourist officials.
    "; S19[7]="   In the past two weeks however there have been two shark attacks, and at the weekend hundreds of swimmers on three of Perth's most "; S20[7]=" popular beaches were warned to leave the water after a two-metre long shark was seen near the shore.
      In another incident, a "; S21[7]=" 25-year-old man was airlifted to hospital after he swam into a swarm of bluebottle jellyfish.
      He was treated for multiple stings and "; S22[7]=" released.
      In an editorial, the Sydney Morning Telegraph called the tourist fatalities, and those of Australians who have died 'the price paid "; S23[7]=" for a country where nature has not been totally cowed by human development'... "; R[8]="1639"; T[8]="Tourism body honours Irwin"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20061111"; Dt[8]="Saturday 11 November 2006"; Acats[8]="a44a48"; B1[8]="      Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin is being honoured by Queensland's tourism industry with an award in his name.... "; B2[8]=" "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin is being honoured by Queensland's tourism industry with an award in his name.
      The winner "; S2[8]=" of the Queensland Tourism Awards' ecotourism category will receive the Steve Irwin Award at next week's ceremony in Brisbane.
      'This is our "; S3[8]=" way of acknowledging the incredible contribution made by Steve Irwin to conservation around the world and to promoting tourism in Australia, and especially in Queensland,' "; S4[8]=" Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said.
      'This is an important category that celebrates ecologically sustainable tourism, something that Steve endorsed and championed with "; S5[8]=" an amazing spirit and energy.' Australia Zoo won an award for tourism retailing at last year's state awards... "; R[9]="1475"; T[9]="CyberTrips: Use Internet to plan wine tour of Australia"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20061006"; Dt[9]="Friday 6 October 2006"; Acats[9]="a13a44"; B1[9]="      A lot of visitors to Australia head straight for its best-known attractions, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier "; B2[9]="Reef... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      A lot of visitors to Australia head straight for its best-known attractions, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier "; S2[9]=" Reef.
      But explorers who have time to venture inland will be pleasantly surprised by the wine-tasting country of South Australia, a small "; S3[9]=" state on the southern coast.
      The Internet can help you explore the area and plan a tour.
      South Australia's "; S4[9]=" hilly, green scenery is reminiscent of the Europe that many homesick settlers left behind.
      Much of the state, like the rest of "; S5[9]=" the country, is desert, but in some of the southern part, where it rains, the landscape is almost verdant.
      In those hills "; S6[9]=" are many winemaking operations.
      The Adelaide Hills area, a semi-rural suburb above the city, has long rows of grape vines staked up "; S7[9]=" and down backyards and former pastures.
      Tucked along the Adelaide Hills' shady, winding roads are many winemaking operations with cellar doors _ "; S8[9]=" shops where visitors can taste and buy local wine.
      One of the best known is the Penfolds brand _ http://www.penfolds.com.au _ which "; S9[9]=" has wineries in Adelaide and in the Barossa Valley nearby.
      Click on 'experience Penfolds' to find out more about Penfolds' cellar tours.
"; S10[9]="       Another giant is Hardys, which gets its grapes from South Australia's Clare Valley, Riverland, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Connawarra as well "; S11[9]=" as other regions of Australia.
      Hardys _ http://www.hardys.com.au/ _ has a website as ambitious as its network of distributors around the world, "; S12[9]=" and it's a good place to go for an overview of South Australian wineries.
      Click on 'Wine Making' to get started.
  "; S13[9]="     Even if you haven't made it to Australia lately, you have probably noticed Yalumba on your supermarket shelves.
      The winery "; S14[9]=" _ http://www.yalumba.com/ _ bills itself as the country's oldest family-owned winery.
      Click on ''winery' from the home page to get a virtual "; S15[9]=" tour of Yalumba's graceful grounds in the Barossa Valley; and go to 'Wine Information' for a long essay on the history of the screw-cap.
  "; S16[9]="     Of course, not all Australian wineries are household names in the United States.
      The unassuming Rockford, which has a collection "; S17[9]=" of old stone buildings at its Barossa Valley winery, has a minimalist website that states 'At Rockford we're into actual not virtual.' But other websites "; S18[9]=" carry information about this small place, which distributes only around Adelaide and at its own cellar door.
      You can buy Rockford wines "; S19[9]=" online at the Old and Rare Wines Collector House _ http://www.winehouse.com.au _ and find some description and photos of the winery at Michael Skurnik Wines "; S20[9]=" _ http://www.skurnikwines.com.
      Just type 'Rockford' into the search bar.
      The small Kabminye Wines _ http://www.kabminye.com _ in the Barossa "; S21[9]=" Valley offers little more than contact information on its website, but its winery has gorgeous views and an excellent restaurant.
      All its "; S22[9]=" wines are made with Barossa grapes.
      Open up the website for Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards and Winery in McLaren Vale _ http://www.kaybrothersamerywines.com/home.html "; S23[9]=" _ to hear an Australian-accented overview of the 120-year-old vineyard.
      The site carries several photos of the vineyard and of the McLaren "; S24[9]=" Vale's hilly landscape, wildlife and grape vines... "; R[10]="1448"; T[10]="Tourism goes broadband"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20060927"; Dt[10]="Wednesday 27 September 2006"; Acats[10]="a44a46"; B1[10]="      Online tours and other offerings help promoters make timely pitches for the world's destinations... "; B2[10]=" "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Online tours and other offerings help promoters make timely pitches for the world's destinations The same Internet that's making so much of "; S2[10]=" the world just a virtual click away is revolutionizing the way the US tourism industry entices people to come visit in person.
      "; S3[10]=" Marketers who not long ago waited for prospective tourists to send in postcards to get a glossy brochure have pushed into dramatically more timely promotional "; S4[10]=" tactics, like video clips, live webcam feeds, and downloadable video tours.
      From Philadelphia to Oregon, US destinations are offering advanced tools for "; S5[10]=" planning and generating a detailed itinerary that can be downloaded to a hand-held computer.
      This summer, Tourism Massachusetts, a nonprofit group that "; S6[10]=" markets to international visitors, began rolling out the first 15 of a planned 50 two-minute videos promoting venues like Cape Cod and the Berkshires.
  "; S7[10]="     The technology, at website USAMass.tv, lets officials put television-quality video in front of millions of potential tourists at one-tenth the cost of European "; S8[10]=" television infomercials.
      A bubbly British host adds an international feel.
      ``It's a very different and compelling new form of "; S9[10]=" communication to get our story in front of potential international visitors, and as a high-tech state, we should be marketing ourselves in a high-tech fashion,' "; S10[10]=" said Bill MacDougall, president of Tourism Massachusetts.
      With only light promotion of the site in a handful of countries like Italy and "; S11[10]=" Argentina, more than 75,000 visitors have tuned in so far.
      To sponsors' surprise, the top source of hits is China.
    "; S12[10]="   Each 2 1/2- to 3-minute segment costs about $10,000 to produce and host online, and officials have found that they can afford to produce "; S13[10]=" many of the next 35 segments in high definition.
      Coming soon, MacDougall hopes, are ways to make the clips available for download "; S14[10]=" to video-capable portable entertainment devices like the iPod and the seatback televisions of airlines like JetBlue that fly to Logan International Airport.
      "; S15[10]=" It's not just for fun.
      In Massachusetts and dozens of other states, tourism has become a crucial business.
      Bay "; S16[10]=" State tourism officials estimate that as many as 125,300 jobs across the state depend on tourism.
      In 2004, the last year with "; S17[10]=" full records, more than 31 million visitors spent $12.5 billion and paid $808 million in state and local taxes, according to the Massachusetts Office of "; S18[10]=" Travel and Tourism.
      With more than 48 million US homes with high-speed Internet connections, downloadable and interactive web video is far more "; S19[10]=" feasible and, officials say, necessary.
      Concierge.com, a travel website associated with Conde Nast traveler, earlier this month began offering a six-minute look "; S20[10]=" at 24 hours in the life of New York City, with time-lapse photographs showing daybreak over the city and Central Park and late-night bustle in "; S21[10]=" Times Square.
      This week the site is adding a similar look at Miami, followed in coming weeks by virtual days in London "; S22[10]=" and Paris The chamber of commerce for a Colorado resort, AspenChamber.org, recently began offering virtual tours of a half-dozen attractions there.
      ``As "; S23[10]=" visitors have become more tech savvy, using online tools to make vacation decisions, we saw a need for creating a method to explore town without "; S24[10]=" even being here,' said Lisa Weiss, marketing director for the Aspen chamber.
      Another take on the same idea is tours through the "; S25[10]=" eyes of average residents.
      At VisitPA.com, Pennsylvania officials offer 14 local tours designed and narrated by regular-guy hosts like Pittsburgh limousine driver "; S26[10]=" Calvin ``CJ' Jackson, who urges visitors to check out museums and a famous pot-pie restaurant, and Erie barber Mike Pelusso, a fan of the Lake "; S27[10]=" Erie shore.
      (Some better-known Pennsylvanians, like Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, also offer their personal-favorite tours.) Similarly, GoHawaii.com began offering a travel "; S28[10]=" guide this fall with 300 photos taken by native Hawaiians, selected from more than 8,000 submissions.
      Research showed that ``visitors appreciate knowing "; S29[10]=" what residents like to experience,' said Jay Talwar, vice president of marketing for the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
      Tourism promoters around "; S30[10]=" the country are also finding a host of ways to use Internet technology to not only help potential visitors learn about local attractions, but to "; R[11]="1431"; T[11]="Bonanza for tourism"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20060927"; Dt[11]="Wednesday 27 September 2006"; Acats[11]="a44"; B1[11]="      Don't be surprised if there's an invasion of singing, dancing Indians next year.... "; B2[11]=" "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      Don't be surprised if there's an invasion of singing, dancing Indians next year.
      The filming of the $10 million "; S2[11]=" Bollywood flick Love Story 2050 in South Australia is set to have huge spin-offs for the state when it opens at the box office in "; S3[11]=" June 2007.
      Images of the Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Hindley St and Carrick Hill will be seen by up to 1.3 billion "; S4[11]=" people in the futuristic film, which stars former Miss World Priyanka Chopra.
      India's first commercial sci-fi love story will also use the "; S5[11]=" name of our city and state rather than fictional places, further boosting exposure.
      Line producer Anupam Sharma, of Sydney-based production company Films "; S6[11]=" and Casting Temple, said there was already talk of Love Story 2050 tours to Adelaide featuring the film's locations following its release.
      "; S7[11]=" Mr Sharma, also head of the Australia-India Film, Arts, Media and Entertainment Council, said he had been liaising with travel agents about the idea.
  "; S8[11]="     'The exposure SA will get will be enormous; up to 1.3 billion people around the world,' he said.
      'People will "; S9[11]=" be talking about Adelaide, and the beauty of the place.' The crew, including a number of Australians, are filming at locations around SA for about "; S10[11]=" six weeks, with some scenes shot in Geelong, Victoria.
      Mr Sharma said it was originally going to be filmed in Scotland, but "; S11[11]=" the SA Government offered attractive incentives.
      These included a $150,000 cash grant and a number of incentives such as assistance with road "; S12[11]=" closures.
      The potential for film tourism is being mined around Australia, particularly in the wake of the boom New Zealand has experienced "; S13[11]=" from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
      SA country township Burra is still a magnet for tourists wanting to see where Breaker "; S14[11]=" Morant was filmed in 1980.
      Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said film tourism held a lot of potential for the state.
    "; S15[11]="   'After a recent Bollywood film in Singapore, tourism there from India expanded exponentially,' she said.
      'We are quite optimistic this Bollywood "; S16[11]=" movie will have a significant impact in India in terms of putting SA on the radar as a tourist destination.'.. "; R[12]="1296"; T[12]="Aussies are not seeing their own country"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20060818"; Dt[12]="Friday 18 August 2006"; Acats[12]="a44"; B1[12]="      Australians are electing not to see their own country with domestic tourism lacking pace over the past 20 years, a new report "; B2[12]="shows... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      Australians are electing not to see their own country with domestic tourism lacking pace over the past 20 years, a new report "; S2[12]=" shows.
      The report, commissioned by the federal government and obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald, found a static industry struggling to stay "; S3[12]=" afloat.
      This has happened despite huge increases in government and business spending to promote the industry, the report said.
      "; S4[12]=" The number of trips taken by Australians has risen on average by just 0.8 per cent a year since the mid-1980s, lagging behind population growth.
"; S5[12]="       In 1985, the average Australian took five domestic trips a year while in 2005 that figure has fallen to 4.3 trips.
  "; S6[12]="     Overseas travel suffered a similar decline until 2003, but since then the number of nights people spend on overseas holidays has risen by "; S7[12]=" nearly 23 per cent, with New Zealand and Asia the preferred destinations, the paper said... "; R[13]="1238"; T[13]="Cradle Coast 2-Year Strategy Launched"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20060805"; Dt[13]="Saturday 5 August 2006"; Acats[13]="a44a69"; B1[13]="      A co-ordinated and strategic framework addressing transport issues for the next 20 years in Tasmania's Cradle Coast region has been released.... "; B2[13]=" "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      A co-ordinated and strategic framework addressing transport issues for the next 20 years in Tasmania's Cradle Coast region has been released.
  "; S2[13]="     The State Government and Cradle Coast Authority, on behalf of the nine local councils in the Cradle Coast Region, have developed the Cradle "; S3[13]=" Coast Integrated Transport Strategy as part of the Cradle Coast Partnership Agreement.
      Minister for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources Jim Cox and "; S4[13]=" the Executive Chairman of the Cradle Coast Authority, Roger Jaensch, said the plan identified regional objectives, strategies and outcomes that would contribute to an integrated, "; S5[13]=" safe, accessible and efficient transport system to meet the needs of the region's communities and industry.
      'The strategy addresses all major "; S6[13]=" transport modes, including road, rail, sea and air, public passenger transport, freight movement and non-car based transport.
      It is built on community, "; S7[13]=" industry and key stakeholder consultation, and underpinned by a successful partnership approach,' Mr Cox said.
      Mr Jaensch said that because the "; S8[13]=" region and its transport system were complex and dynamic, the strategy did not aim to address every transport issue facing the region.
      "; S9[13]=" 'Its focus is on providing a solid and strategic foundation for developing cooperative transport responses as issues and needs emerge over the coming decades,' "; S10[13]=" he said.
      The strategy is the second regional transport plan prepared for Tasmania following the Northern Tasmanian Integrated Transport Plan.
  "; S11[13]="     The State Government is currently preparing the Southern Integrated Transport Plan, which is the state's third and final regional transport plan.
    "; S12[13]="   A subsequent Tasmanian Transport Plan will consolidate these three reports.
      Copies of the strategy are available on the internet at www.cradlecoast.com "; S13[13]=" or available from the Cradle Coast Authority by phoning (03) 6431 6285 or the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources by phoning (03) 6233 2486... "; R[14]="1093"; T[14]="Tourism gap filled by Indians"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20060713"; Dt[14]="Thursday 13 July 2006"; Acats[14]="a44"; B1[14]="      Tourists from South Korea and other east Asian nations are following the lead of the Japanese and turning their backs on Australia.... "; B2[14]=" "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Tourists from South Korea and other east Asian nations are following the lead of the Japanese and turning their backs on Australia.
"; S2[14]="       But Indians are flocking here, making the subcontinent Australia's fastest-growing tourism market.
      Figures from Tourism Australia show Japanese holidaymakers "; S3[14]=" no longer view Australia as a must-see destination.
      In the five months to the end of May, 275,300 Japanese tourists visited Australia "; S4[14]=" - down 4per cent on the same period last year.
      This follows a 4 per cent slump from 2004 to 2005, continuing "; S5[14]=" the trend of recent years.
      And South Korea, Australia's second-biggest Asian market, is following the Japanese trend.
      Although 104,800 "; S6[14]=" South Koreans visited Australia in the five months to May, this was down 7per cent on the same period last year.
      The "; S7[14]=" number of visitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan also fell sharply, although the Chinese market showed modest growth.
      But numbers "; S8[14]=" of Indian visitors in the five months to May jumped 31 per cent to 36,500.
      India is Australia's 10th-biggest tourist market this "; S9[14]=" year.
      In 2003, it was the 20th biggest.
      More than 2.2 million tourists chose Australia for a holiday in "; S10[14]=" the five months to May -- down 2.4 per cent from 2005.
      Australian Tourism Export Council managing director Matthew Hingerty said the "; S11[14]=" nation was losing business and convention visitors to Asian destinations such as Hong Kong.
      But Australia was benefiting from the rapid growth "; S12[14]=" of India's affluent middle class... "; R[15]="1079"; T[15]="Tasmania Takes International and National Tourism Titles"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20060712"; Dt[15]="Wednesday 12 July 2006"; Acats[15]="a44a69"; B1[15]="      Tasmania has been named the 'No.1 Island in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific' as part of the 2006 World's Best "; B2[15]="Awards announced in North America overnight... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      Tasmania has been named the 'No.1 Island in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific' as part of the 2006 World's Best "; S2[15]=" Awards announced in North America overnight.
      Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment Paula Wriedt said the award is the result of "; S3[15]=" the readers of North America's top selling travel magazine Travel + Leisure having rated Tasmania the ultimate island destination in the region.
      "; S4[15]=" 'To be voted number one by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine is testament to the appeal of Tasmania as a 'must see' destination.' 'This "; S5[15]=" latest award is further proof of why Tasmania's natural environment, award-winning food and wine, and distinctive heritage make Tasmania perfect for an island holiday and "; S6[15]=" why our State continues to be acknowledged and praised around the world.
      The 2006 World's Best are considered the most prestigious travel "; S7[15]=" awards of their kind as they are determined by travellers themselves as opposed to expert panels or travel writers,' said Ms Wriedt.
      "; S8[15]=" 'With readership in excess of four million, this rating is guaranteed to put Tasmania on North American consumers' hit lists for their next island holiday.
"; S9[15]="       Ms Wriedt said that on the national front, Tourism Tasmania has been named 'Best Australian Tourist Office - Domestic' at this year's "; S10[15]=" National Travel Industry Awards announced in Melbourne on Saturday night.
      'Tourism Tasmania's win over finalists Tourism Victoria and Tourism Queensland is an "; S11[15]=" outstanding achievement in today's challenging domestic tourism market,' Ms Paula Wriedt said.
      'The 2006 win by Tourism Tasmania is especially significant because "; S12[15]=" this is the first year in which nominations were made by travel agents.
      In previous years State Tourism Offices had been required "; S13[15]=" to nominate themselves.
      'Tourism Tasmania's job is to work with industry to promote Tasmania as a world-class destination.
      'To "; S14[15]=" be voted best of Australian State Tourism Offices by industry customers shows what a great job Tourism Tasmania is doing.
      Ms Wriedt "; S15[15]=" said the award is a result of the success of Tourism Tasmania's Australia-wide program of Tasmanian 'roadshows'.
      'Tourism Tasmania's roadshows allow agents "; S16[15]=" and wholesalers interstate to keep up-to-date with Tasmanian tourism product,' Ms Wriedt said.
      'The roadshows enable agents to talk to Tasmanian tourism "; S17[15]=" operators at these forums instead of reading about Tasmania's tourism product in brochures.
      'Travel agents who have this level of knowledge about "; S18[15]=" Tasmanian tourism operators are much better equipped to get visitors to come to Tasmania.
      'Both these awards are significant because in both "; S19[15]=" cases the judgement comes from the 'coal face'.
      In one case from North American travellers who have been or wish to come "; S20[15]=" here for a holiday, and in the other from Tourism Tasmania's customers.
      'These awards are a credit to our tourism operators and "; S21[15]=" the staff of Tourism Tasmania, who work hard make our tourism industry strong, sustainable and a major job creator for Tasmania.' Ms Wriedt said... "; R[16]="1035"; T[16]="Dive Trail Brochure a Tourism Treat"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20060708"; Dt[16]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[16]="a44a69"; B1[16]="      Minster for Tourism, Arts and the Environment Paula Wriedt today launched a map to some of the world's most precious sunken treasure "; B2[16]="- the natural wonders of Tasmania's marine environment... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      Minster for Tourism, Arts and the Environment Paula Wriedt today launched a map to some of the world's most precious sunken treasure "; S2[16]=" - the natural wonders of Tasmania's marine environment.
      Tasmania's Dive Trail brochure shows the locations of sponge gardens, reefs, seals, seahorses, underwater "; S3[16]=" caves, whales, giant kelp forests and shipwrecks, as well as providing important environmental and safety information and contact details for dive operators.
      "; S4[16]=" Ms Wriedt said this brochure will be an invaluable reference for visiting divers and a great way to promote our diving experiences.
      "; S5[16]=" 'By making this brochure available to dive enthusiasts internationally through the Internet, Tourism Tasmania is promoting our cool-temperate marine environment as the new frontier in "; S6[16]=" world-class diving experiences,' Ms Wriedt said.
      'Tasmania has more coastline than any other Australian State, and world-renowned underwater photographer David Doubilet has "; S7[16]=" described it as 'the world's most accessible underwater wilderness'.' Almost 4,000 visitors to Tasmania in the 12 months to March this year went diving, spending "; S8[16]=" a combined total of more than $6.5 million on their holidays.
      These visitors travelled the state for an average of 16 nights "; S9[16]=" each, which is considerably longer than the average for all visitors.
      'We are an island of maritime and marine experts - we "; S10[16]=" know these waters better than anyone.
      Special-interest tourism products that capture the inspiring quality of island life and local knowledge are increasingly "; S11[16]=" appealing to the visitors we want to attract.' Ms Wriedt said she hoped there would soon be another dive wreck to attract visitors - the "; S12[16]=" Troy D, which is expected to be scuttled off Maria Island in coming months.
      'The State Government's $280,000 contribution to the Troy "; S13[16]=" D project is recognition that infrastructure can contribute to regional tourism in a targeted and original way.
      'One of the great advantages "; S14[16]=" of diving is that it gets our visitors out of the cities, ensuring the benefits of tourism are spread throughout the State.' Ms Wriedt said.
"; S15[16]="       Tourism Tasmania is featuring the brochure and its information on its holiday website www.discovertasmania.com.
      Tasmania's Dive Trail brochure was "; S16[16]=" produced by the National Oceans Office in cooperation with Tourism Tasmania and Dive Tasmania.
      It is available at Tasmanian Travel and Information "; S17[16]=" Centres and from dive operators... "; R[17]="896"; T[17]="Winner of the Second Annual Rosemount Diamond Award"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20060613"; Dt[17]="Tuesday 13 June 2006"; Acats[17]="a13a44a45"; B1[17]="      Rosemount Estate, the prestige wine of Australia, and the Jackson Hole Film Festival announced the winner of its second annual Rosemount Diamond "; B2[17]="Award, a film competition for emerging filmmakers, at an award ceremony at The Amangani hotel in Jackson, Wyoming Friday evening (June 9th)... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      Rosemount Estate, the prestige wine of Australia, and the Jackson Hole Film Festival announced the winner of its second annual Rosemount Diamond "; S2[17]=" Award, a film competition for emerging filmmakers, at an award ceremony at The Amangani hotel in Jackson, Wyoming Friday evening (June 9th).
      "; S3[17]=" Legendary Hollywood executive Alan Hirschfield presented writer/director Robert Collector with the Rosemount Diamond Award and a $10,000 cash prize for his film Believe in Me, "; S4[17]=" based on an inspiring true story about a girls basketball coach set in rural Oklahoma circa 1964, starring Jeffrey Donovan, Samantha Mathis and Bruce Dern.
"; S5[17]="       Guests at the award ceremony included film critic and festival judge Leonard Maltin and actors Alicia Witt and Thora Burch, among other "; S6[17]=" film industry notables.
      'We are so thrilled to present the Rosemount Diamond Award to Bob.
      His film Believe in "; S7[17]=" Me exemplifies the great emerging talent out there today which was also evident by the films of the other finalists that were up for consideration,' "; S8[17]=" said Eben Dorros, President of the Jackson Hole Film Institute.
      'Ultimately Bob was chosen for his outstanding achievement in cinematography, directing, editing "; S9[17]=" and production.
      The decision was very difficult this year which is a true testament to the growing prestige of this award within "; S10[17]=" the film community and our Festival,' added Dorros.
      Collector was one of five talented finalists including Mary McGukian, Julius Avery, Tatia "; S11[17]=" Pilieva, and Patricia Radoi.
      These five finalists were selected from over 3000 films submitted for the competition.
      A distinguished "; S12[17]=" panel including: Nadine Velazquez (Actor) and Frank Coraci (Director).
      JoAnn Perritano (Producer) along with Witt and Maltin selected Collector as the winner.
"; S13[17]="       The Rosemount Diamond Award was established by Rosemount Estate and the Jackson Hole Film Festival in 2004 to recognize emerging Australian "; S14[17]=" talent and bring their work to a U.S.
      audience.
      However to meet the growing success of the award, this "; S15[17]=" year's competition was opened up to U.S.
      and British filmmakers as well as Australians.
      The festival intends to add "; S16[17]=" an additional country to the mix each year.
      'It was great to see such outstanding films and to be associated with such "; S17[17]=" fine artistic talent,' said Nicole Carter Vice President of Communications for Rosemount Estate.
      'As a wine industry leader Rosemount Estate has always "; S18[17]=" encouraged and valued innovation so it seems fitting that we extend our encouragement of creative endeavors to the medium of film.
      The "; S19[17]=" art of film, like great wine, requires dedication, creativity and an unconditional focus on quality.
      We hope our support will provide greater "; S20[17]=" recognition -- and opportunity -- for the next generation of film talent,' she added... "; R[18]="846"; T[18]="Tourism worry as ferry reaches end of the line"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20060607"; Dt[18]="Wednesday 7 June 2006"; Acats[18]="a44a69"; B1[18]="      Tasmania is preparing for a slump in tourism after the state Government scrapped the Sydney-to-Devonport ferry in a bid to ensure the "; B2[18]="survival of the two ferries that cross Bass Strait from Melbourne... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      Tasmania is preparing for a slump in tourism after the state Government scrapped the Sydney-to-Devonport ferry in a bid to ensure the "; S2[18]=" survival of the two ferries that cross Bass Strait from Melbourne.
      Premier Paul Lennon - whose Government made a pre-election 'long-term commitment' "; S3[18]=" to the Spirit of Tasmania III just three months ago - yesterday announced the closure of the service and sale of the ship.
    "; S4[18]="   The embarrassing turnaround was made after advice from state Treasury that the Sydney service would need an estimated $50million annual subsidy - or $5300 "; S5[18]=" for every passenger.
      A subdued Mr Lennon was unapologetic.
      He insisted his Government was not told by TT-Line of "; S6[18]=" dire passenger projections for 2006-07 and beyond until last month.
      He pledged continuing government support for TT-Line's remaining two Devonport-Melbourne ferries, Spirits "; S7[18]=" I and II, although the company warned it would need to immediately increase fares.
      The last voyage will sail on August 28.
"; S8[18]="       Passengers with tickets for after then can transfer to the Melbourne service or obtain a refund.
      Mr Lennon also "; S9[18]=" announced an extra $31 million for tourism marketing aimed at minimising the losses for the tourism-dependent island state... "; R[19]="835"; T[19]="$75 Million For Tasmanian Tourism"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20060606"; Dt[19]="Tuesday 6 June 2006"; Acats[19]="a44a69"; B1[19]="      The Premier has announced the State Government will spend $75 million on promoting Tasmanian tourism over the next four years following the "; B2[19]="withdrawal of Spirit of Tasmania III... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      The Premier has announced the State Government will spend $75 million on promoting Tasmanian tourism over the next four years following the "; S2[19]=" withdrawal of Spirit of Tasmania III.
      Following a meeting of Cabinet in Hobart, Mr Lennon said the plan would include $31 "; S3[19]=" million of new funds, backed by $44 million already committed by Tourism Tasmania over the next four years for marketing and promotion of the State.
"; S4[19]="       The Premier said the four-year plan would place the tourism industry in the strongest possible position for the future, with the "; S5[19]=" bulk of the funding provided up-front.
      'The outlook for domestic tourism right across Australia is challenging, with greater competition for consumer "; S6[19]=" dollars and the availability of cheaper international travel,' Mr Lennon said.
      'Tasmania will face this challenge head-on under my Government.
  "; S7[19]="     We will be on the front foot aggressively targeting people in our key markets.
      'We will meet this visitor "; S8[19]=" forecast with an integrated plan to aggressively promote Tasmania and make it even more attractive to tourists.
      'An important part of "; S9[19]=" our plan will also be to encourage tourists to travel around the regions and stay longer in the State to arrest the trend of shorter "; S10[19]=" holidays.
      'We will provide $75 million for the biggest tourism promotion plan ever embarked upon by Tasmania - and we will "; S11[19]=" ensure the bulk of the new funds are provided in the first two years so as we can quickly respond to the changing market conditions.
"; S12[19]="       'There is no point in waiting until 2009-10 to respond to the challenge by ramping up the promotion of our State.
"; S13[19]="       'We are in competition against the other states and I will ensure we provide appropriate resources to ensure Tasmania's tourism message "; S14[19]=" is heard in a crowded national market.
      'We will make sure that $25 million of this $31 million in additional funding "; S15[19]=" goes into the front end of the process and is made available in the first two years.' Since 1998, Mr Lennon said visitor numbers "; S16[19]=" to Tasmania had grown by 50 per cent to more than 800,000-a-year and the value of tourist spending had grown by 93 per cent to "; S17[19]=" more than $1 billion-a-year.
      He said that with 38,500 Tasmanians directly and indirectly employed in tourism and $600 million worth of "; S18[19]=" new developments either planned or under construction, the Government recognised tourism as a vital driver of the State's economy.
      Accordingly, the "; S19[19]=" $75 million Tourism Promotion Plan would position Tasmania prominently in the national market, involving:
      * Promotion of the TT-Line's Melbourne "; S20[19]=" service in critical markets;
      * Tactical marketing of the State in major interstate markets, including Sydney and South-East Queensland; "; S21[19]="
      * Development of marketing material focusing on regional areas of Tasmania most likely to be adversely impacted upon;
  "; S22[19]="     * Enhancing regional tourism infrastructure;
      * Improving tourism facilities and signage; and
      * "; S23[19]=" Other initiatives agreed between the Premier, Deputy Premier Bryan Green, Treasurer Michael Aird and Minister for Tourism, Paula Wriedt.
      Mr Lennon "; S24[19]=" said Ms Wriedt would begin consulting the tourism industry this week on the Tourism Promotion Plan and how it could be targeted to have best "; S25[19]=" effect.
      He said he was confident the tourism industry would recognise that while the Government had no choice but to terminate "; S26[19]=" the Sydney service, it was doing everything possible to support the industry and those who depend on tourism for their livelihoods.
      "; S27[19]=" 'We have worked hard over the last three years to build Tasmania's profile in the Sydney and South-East Queensland markets,' Mr Lennon said.
    "; S28[19]="   'We have come a long way and we have made significant progress in turning interest in Tasmania as a holiday destination into actual "; S29[19]=" travel.
      'Booking trends suggest the bulk of people in the Sydney and South-East Queensland markets prefer to travel to Tasmania by "; S30[19]=" air and we now have to respond to those market forces.
      'Let's not forget that Spirit III will have carried more "; R[20]="834"; T[20]="Tassie's Spirit III To Be Sold"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20060606"; Dt[20]="Tuesday 6 June 2006"; Acats[20]="a05a08a44a69"; B1[20]="      The State Government has decided to sell Spirit of Tasmania III and close down the Sydney ferry service.... "; B2[20]=" "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      The State Government has decided to sell Spirit of Tasmania III and close down the Sydney ferry service.
      A "; S2[20]=" meeting of Cabinet in Hobart today agreed to end the service, two and a half years after it began.
      The last service "; S3[20]=" of the ferry will run on August 27.
      The Government has been advised that most jobs can be absorbed by the company.
"; S4[20]="       Premier Paul Lennon said today's decision had been difficult but unavoidable, given the hard facts the Government had been presented with.
  "; S5[20]="     'This is a decision not about this year's operation but the outlook for the next few years is extremely challenging,' Mr Lennon said.
"; S6[20]="       'Aggressively attacking the Sydney and Queensland tourism markets by introducing Spirit III was a bold move.
      'We have done "; S7[20]=" everything possible to support the service but we have to recognise now that it is not sustainable.
      'The Sydney service has allowed "; S8[20]=" us to make inroads into new tourism markets and has delivered Tasmania strong benefits - in terms of promotion of the State's image to tourists "; S9[20]=" who would never have otherwise considered visiting Tasmania.' Mr Lennon said the trigger for today's decision had been expert forecasts indicating a down-turn in patronage, "; S10[20]=" flowing from a forecast decline in national tourism expectations.
      'In the current year of operation alone, more than 80,000 travellers will have "; S11[20]=" used the Sydney ferry service,' he said.
      'However, the business case depends on passenger numbers building to around 115,000 per year.
  "; S12[20]="     Expert advice shows that those forecasts cannot be achieved.
      'Running costs have been rising - mainly driven by fuel cost "; S13[20]=" increases - and the numbers of passengers cannot keep pace with the increased costs.
      'Treasury's estimate is that TT-Line would require a "; S14[20]=" funding injection of more than $50 million each year to be able to operate both Melbourne and Sydney ferry services on a sustainable basis.
  "; S15[20]="     'That's effectively a subsidy of $5,300 for every additional passenger coming to Tasmania on Spirit III.
      'Against those benchmarks, cancelling "; S16[20]=" the service was a hard decision but a responsible one.' 'We cannot ignore the advice we have been given and responsibility to the taxpayers of "; S17[20]=" Tasmania demands no other alternative than to call an end to the service.' Mr Lennon also noted the Government's full support for the TT-Line Board "; S18[20]=" through the decision-making process.
      'The Board has demonstrated great integrity and professionalism in the way it has considered these issues and brought "; S19[20]=" them to the attention of the Government,' he said.
      Mr Lennon said the Government had set aside a contingency of $22.5 million "; S20[20]=" to cover the costs of ending the service and to ensure that the TT-Line would not be left with additional debt after the sale of "; S21[20]=" the ship... "; R[21]="822"; T[21]="Spirit III future to be decided"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20060605"; Dt[21]="Monday 5 June 2006"; Acats[21]="a44a69"; B1[21]="      The Tasmanian Government will decide the fate of its Sydney to Devonport ferry today.... "; B2[21]=" "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      The Tasmanian Government will decide the fate of its Sydney to Devonport ferry today.
      State cabinet is expected to "; S2[21]=" announce the sale of the financially-stricken Spirit of Tasmania III after members meet this morning.
      The ferry - one of three vessels "; S3[21]=" operated by the Government-owned TT-Line - has struggled in the face of cheap airlines and rising fuel costs since its purchase in 2003.
    "; S4[21]="   Today's decision comes only 15 months after Premier Paul Lennon announced a $115 million rescue package for the troubled ferry.
      But "; S5[21]=" TT-Line chairman Denis Rogers said the vessel needed a further cash injection to survive after a recent downturn in domestic tourism.
      Former "; S6[21]=" premier, the late Jim Bacon, had hailed the ferry as a new era in tourism after its purchase, against Treasury advice, for $105 million.
  "; S7[21]="     Mr Lennon has repeatedly rejected selling the ferry, but last week hinted he was in favour of the sale.
      'There "; S8[21]=" comes a time when the amount of money that can be provided from the central budget ...
      must come to an end,' "; S9[21]=" he told parliament... "; R[22]="812"; T[22]="Tassie Ferry Service to end"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20060605"; Dt[22]="Monday 5 June 2006"; Acats[22]="a44"; B1[22]="      The loss-making Sydney to Devonport ferry is set to be scrapped, with the Tasmanian Government developing a tourism support package to cushion "; B2[22]="the blow of the decision... "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      The loss-making Sydney to Devonport ferry is set to be scrapped, with the Tasmanian Government developing a tourism support package to cushion "; S2[22]=" the blow of the decision.
      State cabinet is expected to agree to the sale of the Spirit of Tasmania III ferry when "; S3[22]=" it meets on Monday, after receiving projections it will fall more than 35,000 passengers short of its 100,000 target in 2006-07.
      While "; S4[22]=" the Maritime Union of Australia is desperately trying to prevent a sell-off, The Australian has learned the Government is already working on a package to "; S5[22]=" compensate for the sale.
      It will divert the $50 million in remaining subsidies due to be paid to support Spirit III to "; S6[22]=" tourism marketing campaigns and to shoring up the future of the two Melbourne-Devonport ferries, Spirits I and II.
      The influential Tourism Council "; S7[22]=" of Tasmania, which successfully fought to retain the ferry in March last year, last night indicated it was resigned to its sale.
      "; S8[22]=" 'It would be foolhardy to assume it's likely to be maintained - the industry position is not one of retaining the ship at all costs,' "; S9[22]=" council chief executive Daniel Leesong said.
      Under a four-year, $115 million rescue package announced in March last year, Spirit III was projected "; S10[22]=" to carry 87,520 passengers this financial year, rising to 100,000 in 2006-07 and 115,000 in 2007-08.
      These targets allowed the service to "; S11[22]=" make a loss - declining to $13.5million in 2007-08 - but were aimed at preventing a blow-out.
      However, while the ferry will "; S12[22]=" fall only 6000 short of this year's target, a report received by the TT-Line board on May 1 warns a projected downturn in domestic tourism "; S13[22]=" will see a sharp decline in passengers next year and beyond.
      Next financial year alone, this would see the ferry fall 35,000 "; S14[22]=" short of its target, forcing a blow-out in losses that could jeopardise the more successful Melbourne-Devonport ferries.
      On May 10, the TT-Line "; S15[22]=" advised the Government to either top up its rescue package or sell Spirit III... "; R[23]="613"; T[23]="Thanks a Bloody Lot - It Works"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20060310"; Dt[23]="Friday 10 March 2006"; Acats[23]="a44"; B1[23]="      The preliminary decision of the United Kingdom television broadcasting authority, the Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre (BACC), to not allow the use of "; B2[23]="the term 'bloody' in Tourism Australia's new advertising campaign on UK TV will deliver a massive PR boost to Australia... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      The preliminary decision of the United Kingdom television broadcasting authority, the Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre (BACC), to not allow the use of "; S2[23]=" the term 'bloody' in Tourism Australia's new advertising campaign on UK TV will deliver a massive PR boost to Australia.
      Mr Morrison, "; S3[23]=" who will launch the new campaign in UK next week, said 'The campaign was designed to achieve cut through and get people talking, especially online.
"; S4[23]="       After just two weeks, we've certainly achieved that.' 'Already, we estimate that over 100,000 people in the UK have already viewed the "; S5[23]=" ad online through our website www.wherethebloodyhellareyou.com and after the BACC decision this is only going to get better.' 'More than 180 destinations advertised on UK "; S6[23]=" television last year to attract tourists and only one of them, Australia, is now getting this type of reaction.
      The campaign is "; S7[23]=" creating a talkability that marketers only dream about.' Mr Morrison said the decision only relates to commercial television and that the rest of the campaign, "; S8[23]=" including on-line and print, was unaffected by the decision and will run using the 'uncut' version.
      Tourism Australia also plans to make "; S9[23]=" the most of the decision by driving PR interest around the launch in the UK, and will run ads in major UK newspapers encouraging the "; S10[23]=" UK public to go direct to the websites to see the 'uncut' versions of the ad.
      At home, Tourism Australia will be "; S11[23]=" inviting Australians to join the campaign, with advertisements in major Australian newspapers on Friday, encouraging them to go online to invite their friends, family and "; S12[23]=" contacts in the UK and other countries using a viral email 'postcard' available at 'www.wherethebloodyhellareyou.com'.
      Mr Morrison said 'We had always factored "; S13[23]=" in the prospect of such a decision in the UK.
      We decided to press ahead knowing that a ban would only increase "; S14[23]=" interest in the campaign and give us the PR equivalent of 'a free kick in front of an open goal''.
      'We ensured "; S15[23]=" we had alternative versions of the strap line, including 'so where the hell are you', which will now be used on UK TV, in 'the "; S16[23]=" can' as part of our production,' Mr Morrison said.
      Mr Morrison said 'I'm sure that there will be a reaction to the "; S17[23]=" campaign, after all that's the point.
      Our extensive consumer research in the UK shows that our target audience does not take offence.
"; S18[23]="       Rather they appreciate the tone and warmth of the invitation as something that is uniquely Australian.' Tourism Australia understands that the decision "; S19[23]=" at this stage is based on a very narrow interpretation of six year old guidelines.
      Tourism Australia is hopeful that the BACC "; S20[23]=" will reconsider their decision as it is within their jurisdiction to do so, citing the broad usage of the phrase in UK broadcasting, film and "; S21[23]=" literature, including 'Harry Potter'.
      Mr Morrison will be seeking further discussions while in the UK, including with the broadcast networks.
    "; S22[23]="   The Australian High Commissioner, The Hon Richard Alston, has also written to the BACC urging the authority to approve the commercial arguing that the "; S23[23]=" phrase is used in context and represents a uniquely Australian expression.
      In the meantime, Mr Morrison said 'We thank the UK authorities "; S24[23]=" for the extra free publicity and invite them to have a 'bloody' good holiday in Australia, especially with the Commonwealth Games now on and the "; S25[23]=" Ashes coming up later in the year.
      To show there are no hard feelings we are happy to extend them an invitation'.
"; S26[23]="       Mr Morrison concluded by saying that 'the best way to find out what all the 'bloody' fuss is about is to click "; S27[23]=" on to www.australia.com or www.wherethebloodyhellareyou.com and see for your self.
      And while you're there, send a copy to a friend'... "; R[24]="526"; T[24]="'Bloody' tourism ad campaign rattles MPs"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20060224"; Dt[24]="Friday 24 February 2006"; Acats[24]="a44"; B1[24]="      Several Federal Government backbenchers have taken issue with the new advertising campaign for Australian tourism that uses the slogan, 'So where the "; B2[24]="bloody hell are you?'.. "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      Several Federal Government backbenchers have taken issue with the new advertising campaign for Australian tourism that uses the slogan, 'So where the "; S2[24]=" bloody hell are you?' Prime Minister John Howard says the word 'bloody' is a colloquialism and the style of the new $180 million campaign is "; S3[24]=" 'anything but offensive'.
      But Liberal backbencher Alan Cadman has a different view.
      'I just hope it doesn't damage the "; S4[24]=" Australian image,' he said.
      'I think that in an Australian context, people usually can say those things to somebody they know well.
"; S5[24]="       'I don't think they would use it to a stranger and, in this instance, we're talking to strangers of a different culture, "; S6[24]=" who I think may be offended.' The campaign is aimed at attracting tourists from major markets such as the United States, Japan, China and India.
"; S7[24]="       Another Liberal MP Stuart Henry thinks the colourful language will not go down well in overseas markets.
      'As a "; S8[24]=" slogan, I am not sure about it.
      I don't think it's going to work,' he said.
      Mr Henry is "; S9[24]=" worried about the reaction in Asia.
      'I have doubts about that sort of expression in the Asian markets,' he said.
    "; S10[24]="   The Federal Opposition is warning the campaign must be successful.
      Labor's Martin Ferguson says it is cheeky and warns the advertisement "; S11[24]=" is crucial to the multi-billion dollar sector.
      'This slick advertising campaign has got to work because tourism exports for Australia have stagnated,' "; S12[24]=" he said.
      Mr Ferguson says the Opposition will be monitoring the impact of the campaign... "; R[25]="509"; T[25]="SO WHERE THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU?"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20060223"; Dt[25]="Thursday 23 February 2006"; Acats[25]="a44"; B1[25]="      Tourism Australia has today launched a new international tourism campaign, which issues a uniquely Australian invitation to prospective travellers to experience Australia "; B2[25]="first hand - 'So Where the Bloody Hell Are You?'... "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      Tourism Australia has today launched a new international tourism campaign, which issues a uniquely Australian invitation to prospective travellers to experience Australia "; S2[25]=" first hand - 'So Where the Bloody Hell Are You?'.
      The campaign launched today by the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, "; S3[25]=" the Hon Fran Bailey, conveys the compelling aspects of Australia which appeal strongly to global travellers - the personality, the lifestyle and the place - "; S4[25]=" that will motivate them to visit Australia now.
      Tourism Australia Chairman, Tim Fischer said the new campaign, which builds upon the successes "; S5[25]=" of the past, aims to increase the economic benefits of tourism to Australia.
      'This campaign is about increasing the dollars that we "; S6[25]=" earn from international tourism and encouraging the spread of tourists right across Australia especially for rural and regional areas.
      This is the "; S7[25]=" job that the Australian Government has tasked Tourism Australia to do and this is the campaign that will deliver on that job.' Mr Fischer said "; S8[25]=" 'this is unashamedly a campaign about getting international tourists to come to Australia.
      What matters most is what potential visitors think and "; S9[25]=" how we can get them to respond.' Tourism Australia Managing Director, Scott Morrison said 'in an increasingly competitive and tough commercial environment we must be "; S10[25]=" bold, aggressive and distinctive to win the business.
      But we also must be credible - we must be true to what we "; S11[25]=" are as a destination and focus on why the world loves us - and our marketing must be authentically and distinctively Australian.
      "; S12[25]=" Mr Morrison said 'Tourism Australia has made an unprecedented investment in making sure that we have done our homework on this campaign.' 'In total, 86 "; S13[25]=" focus groups were conducted in our top seven tourism markets which make up 67 per cent of our inbound tourism business, to develop and test "; S14[25]=" this campaign.
      'More broadly we have invested $6.2 million in the past eighteen months through our brand tracking, segmentation studies, international visitor "; S15[25]=" studies, focus groups, in-depth interviews and through these mechanisms have spoken directly to more than 47,000 tourism consumers around the world to put this campaign "; S16[25]=" together,' Mr Morrison said.
      'The research was firstly all about making sure we knew what we had to achieve - to get "; S17[25]=" them to visit now, not just think we're great.
      We then had to identify our target market, what we call the Experience "; S18[25]=" Seekers, who possess the characteristics best suited to meeting Australia's objective to increase yield and dispersal as they spend twice as much and disperse three "; S19[25]=" times as much as average travellers,' Mr Morrison said.
      'It was then about developing a campaign which would have the desired impact "; S20[25]=" in getting them to commit to holidaying in Australia and then having the confidence that what had been developed would work.' Tourism Australia, and its "; S21[25]=" predecessor the Australian Tourist Commission, have been vigorously marketing Australia internationally as a tourist destination for almost 40 years.
      Now that record "; S22[25]=" levels of awareness have been achieved the next step is to convert this awareness into an actual intention to travel to Australia now.
    "; S23[25]="   'To increase conversion Australia needs to cut through the clutter of sameness in tourism destination marketing, by presenting a compelling message about Australia to "; S24[25]=" consumers in all markets,' Mr Morrison said.
      'The proposition for the campaign, 'Australia invites you to get involved' delivered through a uniquely "; S25[25]=" Australian invitation of 'so where the bloody hell are you?', captures the essence of Australia's famous warmth and hospitality and provides a personal invitation to "; S26[25]=" share in the uniquely open Australian experience, defined by the personality, lifestyle and environment of Australia.' 'The tagline for the new campaign, 'so where the "; S27[25]=" bloody hell are you?' has been thoroughly tested in all of our major markets, in particular Japan, UK, USA, Germany, China, New Zealand and South "; S28[25]=" Korea and given the green light by our customers - they get it, it cuts through and it delivers the invitation.
      'While "; S29[25]=" there are standard features of all executions in the campaign, there are subtle variations for each market, through the use of colloquial language translations and "; S30[25]=" the inclusion of different sets of experiences based on this research,' Mr Morrison said.
      In total there are 11 scenes that have "; R[26]="480"; T[26]="Yarra River to star in Games Opening Ceremony"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20060222"; Dt[26]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[26]="a04a05a44a50"; B1[26]="      The iconic Yarra River will be the pathway leading 71 Commonwealth nations to the Opening Ceremony of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games "; B2[26]="on March 15... "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      The iconic Yarra River will be the 'pathway' leading 71 Commonwealth nations to the Opening Ceremony of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games "; S2[26]=" on March 15.
      Commonwealth Games Minister Justin Madden, Lord Mayor John So and Games organisers today revealed that for the first time "; S3[26]=" in Commonwealth Games history, the Opening Ceremony will flow out of the stadium and onto the streets of the host city, Melbourne.
      "; S4[26]=" They unveiled one of the key elements of the River Event - 72 water creatures representing the 71 nations of the Commonwealth (Australia will have "; S5[26]=" two creatures).
      The creatures will be anchored to 36 pontoons along the Yarra River between the Princes and Swan Street bridges by "; S6[26]=" the end of February.
      Ceremonies executive producer Andrew Walsh said each creature had significance to the region it represents, been verified by "; S7[26]=" the Commonwealth Games Federation representatives of each nation, and authenticated by the Melbourne Museum's Senior Curator of Ichthyology (fish expert) Dr Martin Gomon.
    "; S8[26]="   Mr Madden said the Yarra spectacular would run concurrently with the Ceremony inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
      'For the first time, "; S9[26]=" we are going to extend the Ceremony beyond the borders of the stadium,' Mr Madden said.
      'And without giving too much away, "; S10[26]=" colour, light and sound will literally spill out across the city.
      'Imagine more than 80,000 spectators inside the MCG, thousands lining the "; S11[26]=" banks of the Yarra River and thousands more at Live Sites across the city - all intimately involved for the very first time in a "; S12[26]=" Games Opening Ceremony.' Lord Mayor John So said the River Event would be Melbourne's biggest art installation ever.
      'Melburnians love the Yarra, "; S13[26]=" and we look forward to showing off our waterfront city to a global television audience of more than 1.5 billion,' Mr So said.
    "; S14[26]="   'Whether we're within the MCG, on the banks of the Yarra or at a Live Site in the city, March 15 will live long "; S15[26]=" in our memories.' Games Chairman Ron Walker said the water creatures all had significance to the region they represented - whether they were edible fish, "; S16[26]=" native to that region or of cultural importance.
      'These water creatures give the public a glimpse into what is going to be "; S17[26]=" the most fantastic Opening Ceremony ever staged,' Mr Walker said.
      'Melbourne is one of the few cities in the world with a "; S18[26]=" meandering river that is so picturesque connecting to a skyline of city.
      The River Event will bring the Yarra to life like "; S19[26]=" it's never been seen before.
      'And it will only be paralleled by the breathtaking Ceremony we have planned for inside the MCG.
"; S20[26]="       A small number of tickets are still available for the Opening Ceremony, but you'll need to get in fast.' River Event creative.. "; R[27]="465"; T[27]="Reef tourism feels heat from bleaching"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20060222"; Dt[27]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[27]="a04a42a44a88"; B1[27]="      Around 1987, Keiko Hashimato s mother came home to her Tokyo apartment after a holiday in Cairns raving to her children about "; B2[27]="the majesty of Queensland s Great Barrier Reef... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      Around 1987, Keiko Hashimato's mother came home to her Tokyo apartment after a holiday in Cairns raving to her children about the "; S2[27]=" majesty of Queensland's Great Barrier Reef.
      Now Keiko has seen it for herself, and is equally stunned at the beauty of this "; S3[27]=" underwater garden.
      'My mother loved it.
      She always raved about it and now we understand why,' Keiko said after "; S4[27]=" snorkelling at Norman Reef off Cairns.
      'It's just spectacular.' The question is whether Keiko's seven-month-old son Amon will be among a third "; S5[27]=" generation of Japanese tourists to swarm into Cairns in another 20 years.
      Possibly not, according to leading marine scientists who are looking "; S6[27]=" on aghast as up to 90 per cent of one section of the reef succumbs to a bleaching episode.While Federal Tourism Minister Ian Macfarlane has "; S7[27]=" dismissed bleaching concerns as unfounded or grossly exaggerated, a team from the Townsville-based Australian Institute of Marine Science will begin an expedition this week to "; S8[27]=" determine the extent of the most recent damage.
      AIMS research scientist Dr Ray Berkelmans will be among an inspection team of four "; S9[27]=" scientists to head to the Keppel Islands off the central Queensland coast.
      'We already have reliable information from the field that "; S10[27]=" between 80 to 90 per cent of the coral in that area is now pale to white,' Dr Berkelmans said.
      The bleaching "; S11[27]=" has resulted from sustained periods of water temperatures of up to 29C in some areas since December.
      'The water temperature in that "; S12[27]=" area should be around 27.5,' Dr Berkelmans said.
      He believes the northern end of the reef stretching from Mackay past Cairns is "; S13[27]=" still not out of danger after a blistering December.
      The arrival of cloud cover around Christmas headed off potentially disastrous bleaching, with "; S14[27]=" a monsoonal trough kicking in to supply cloud cover for much of January.
      'There is bleaching in the northern end of the "; S15[27]=" reef, but it's been kept to a minimum.' Dr Berkelmans said.
      'Provided we see more cloud cover over the next six "; S16[27]=" weeks there should be little damage.' The coral off the central coast stands a good chance of regeneration because of the strong nutrient content in "; S17[27]=" the waters, including the presence of chlorophyll.
      Algae that live in the coral and are crucial to its survival have also "; S18[27]=" shown an impressive ability to switch their identity from a type sensitive to water temperature to one that is more robust.
      Some "; S19[27]=" Cairns tourism operators that rely on the reef for a living appear to sympathise with Mr Macfarlane's view, insisting bleaching is a 'beat-up.' Major players "; S20[27]=" such as cruise company Quicksilver are hedging their bets,.. "; R[28]="376"; T[28]="Coorong a Tourist jewel we just can t let slip away"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20060222"; Dt[28]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[28]="a04a44"; B1[28]="      It is not an obvious summer holiday destination, but the secrets of the Coorong are increasingly being revealed to thousands of tourists..... "; B2[28]=" "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      It is not an obvious summer holiday destination, but the secrets of the Coorong are increasingly being revealed to thousands of tourists.
"; S2[28]="       Each year, up to 135,000 tourists visit the National Park, with thousands of them finding a summer escape in its 50,000-hectare expanse.
"; S3[28]="       And while authorities are keen to see the land-locked sliver of water, stretching 145km from the Murray Mouth to just north "; S4[28]=" of Kingston, become a jewel in the state's tourism crown, they also face a continuing challenge to protect this delicate site.
      'Over "; S5[28]=" the summer, there are a lot more interstate tourists visiting the Coorong.
      They want to have a look and see and learn "; S6[28]=" what it's all about,' District Ranger Phil Hollow says.
      The water level in the Coorong has been lifted by the release of "; S7[28]=" South-East drainage scheme water at Salt Creek, but Mr Hollow says the unique environment is still suffering from low River Murray flows.
      "; S8[28]=" 'This year was the best year we've had for some time, but there are still high concentrations of salt water in the Coorong,' he says.
"; S9[28]="       'It is fantastic, but people need to slow down and get off the main road to enjoy it.
      Like "; S10[28]=" a lot of our parks, late afternoon and early morning are the best times,' Mr Hollow says.
      Visitors can best protect the "; S11[28]=" Coorong and surrounds by staying on the tracks provided, letting their car tyres down and driving responsibly.
      Mr Hollow encourages tourists in "; S12[28]=" two-wheel-drive cars to visit Parnka Point, the Coorong's narrowest section.
      Those without four-wheel-drive vehicles can also see a lot of the Coorong "; S13[28]=" by driving to 42 Mile crossing and walking 1.3km to the beach, or driving to the Narrung Peninsula and along to Tauwitcherie Barrage and Pelican "; S14[28]=" Point.
      Four-wheel-drive owners can cross to the ocean beach at 42 Mile crossing and drive along it to within 5km of the "; S15[28]=" Murray Mouth.
      About 7000 vehicles make that crossing each year with up to 200 a day crossing in the summer months.
  "; S16[28]="     'Our advice is to stay high on the beach, if you get stuck low on the beach you will get swamped by the "; S17[28]=" next tide that comes in,' Mr Hollow says.
      There are five access tracks into the Coorong, although Tea Tree Crossing is closed "; S18[28]=" because of the high water levels.
      'The water there is about four times saltier than the sea, so if people drive through "; S19[28]=" it in their four-wheel-drive, you can almost hear it rust .
      .
      .
      so it's not "; S20[28]=" advisable,' Mr Hollow says.
      Mannum couple Kerrin and Nicole Forrest, with.. "; R[29]="265"; T[29]="Bollywood inspires Tourists to Visit Australia"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20060222"; Dt[29]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[29]="a04a44"; B1[29]="      Stunning Australian scenery viewed in the cinema by millions of Indians has inspired new interest in Australian tourism, with the latest tourism "; B2[29]="figures from India showing a 29 per cent increase in the month of October 2005 alone to 6,200... "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      Stunning Australian scenery viewed in the cinema by millions of Indians has inspired new interest in Australian tourism, with the latest tourism "; S2[29]=" figures from India showing a 29 per cent increase in the month of October 2005 alone to 6,200.
      Overall for the year "; S3[29]=" 2005, Indian tourism is up 21 per cent to 55,300.
      'Just as Lord of the Rings gave New Zealand unprecedented exposure throughout "; S4[29]=" the western world, Australia is receiving enormous exposure through Salaam Namaste, the latest Bollywood hit filmed entirely on location in Victoria,' Fran Bailey, Minister for "; S5[29]=" Small Business and Tourism, said today.
      'Bollywood is the world's largest film industry.
      It produced 973 films in 2004, "; S6[29]=" compared to around 600 from Hollywood, and its movies are enjoyed by millions of cinema-goers in India and around the world.
      'Bollywood "; S7[29]=" is great news for our tourism industry.
      The many aspects of Australia's unique tourism experience, including our vibrant cities, scenic vistas and "; S8[29]=" unique culture are being profiled widely in this important market.' India is an emerging market for Australian tourism with a booming economy and a rapidly "; S9[29]=" growing middle class.
      Indian tourism currently contributes $200 million per year to the Australian economy.
      It is forecast to "; S10[29]=" grow by 17 per cent to $900 million by 2014.
      Overall, tourism figures are strong in 2005 with an increase of 6.8 "; S11[29]=" per cent for the10 months of this year.
      Key markets include: o China up by 13.7 per cent, o Germany up by "; S12[29]=" 5 per cent, o Korea up by 20.4 per cent, and o UK up by 5.9 per cent.
      'These results are good "; S13[29]=" news for the tourism industry.
      The international tourism industry is booming, reflecting Australia's natural appeal and the solid investment made by the "; S14[29]=" Australian Government,' Fran Bailey said... "; R[30]="213"; T[30]="Victoria s Tourism Industry Honours its Finest"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20060222"; Dt[30]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[30]="a44a65"; B1[30]="      Tourism Minister, John Pandazopoulos, today paid tribute to Victoria s leading tourism businesses and individuals at the Melbourne Airport 2005 Victorian Tourism "; B2[30]="Awards... "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      Tourism Minister, John Pandazopoulos, today paid tribute to Victoria's leading tourism businesses and individuals at the Melbourne Airport 2005 Victorian Tourism Awards.
"; S2[30]="       'The Awards recognise tourism businesses striving for excellence in an increasingly competitive environment,' he said.
      Winners were announced across "; S3[30]=" 31 categories, ranging from accommodation to tourism retailing, ecotourism, tourism training and new developments.
      Mr Pandazopoulos congratulated the number of regional business "; S4[30]=" represented in the awards - around half of all winners.
      'Just last week, the Bracks Government announced a $27 million regional tourism "; S5[30]=" package designed to grow an industry already contributing $3.4 billion annually to the regional economy, employing 61,000 country Victorians,' Mr Pandazopoulos said.
      "; S6[30]=" 'Over the past five years, regional tourism has grown by nearly 30 per cent in Victoria.
      Tonight's awards reflect the hard work "; S7[30]=" our regional tourism businesses are putting in to make sure their businesses thrive.' Mr Pandazopoulos was also proud to see a large number of Public "; S8[30]=" Sector Tourism organisations performing well in the Awards, with seven category winners and eight merit winners/finalists coming from organisations funded or supported by the Victorian "; S9[30]=" Government.
      'This outstanding result reflects the record investment the Government has made in our state's culture, as well as towards developing our "; S10[30]=" unique parks and wildlife institutions, some of which are our biggest tourism products.' Six businesses were inducted into the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame "; S11[30]=" at the ceremony for winning their category three years in a row: ' Sovereign Hill, Ballarat ' Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park ' Aquila Mount Abrupt "; S12[30]=" Eco Lodges, Dunkeld ' Yering Station Vineyards, Yarra Valley ' The Immigration Museum ' Crown TowersSkyHigh Mount Dandenong was recognised personally by Mr Pandazopoulos, receiving "; S13[30]=" the Minister's Encouragement Award.
      The Koori Heritage Trust, an Encouragement Award winner in 2004, picked up the award for Aboriginal & Torres "; S14[30]=" Strait Islander Tourism.
      Industry identity Bob Annells, chairman of the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, received the award for Outstanding Contribution by an "; S15[30]=" Individual.
      The Young Achiever's Award went to Viv Collins from Bendigo Tourism, the second year in a row the organisation has "; S16[30]=" won this category.
      The award for Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer was won by Lesley Barnes from the National Trust.
    "; S17[30]="   Mr Pandazopoulos thanked tourism operators for their efforts, which have contributed to the tourism boom experienced in Victoria.
      'Tourism, which contributes "; S18[30]=" $10.9 billion annually, is worth nearly 50 per cent more to Victoria's economy now than six years ago.
      And tourism employment has "; S19[30]=" increased 19 per cent over the same period,' Mr Pandazopoulos said.
      'Our international visitor numbers have grown 21 per cent since 1999, "; S20[30]=" compared with.. "; R[31]="201"; T[31]="Funding for High Country Cattlemen History"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20060222"; Dt[31]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[31]="a04a44a48"; B1[31]="      The Minister for Tourism, John Pandazopoulos today visited Mansfield to announce funding of $200,000 over four years to three events in Victoria "; B2[31]="s High Country that celebrate the life and times of the Alpine cattleman... "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      The Minister for Tourism, John Pandazopoulos today visited Mansfield to announce funding of $200,000 over four years to three events in Victoria's "; S2[31]=" High Country that celebrate the life and times of the Alpine cattleman.
      Speaking at the construction site of the new Mansfield Visitor "; S3[31]=" Information Centre, partly funded by the Bracks Government Mr Pandazopoulos was joined by Mansfield Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Tom Ingpen, Acting CEO Kaylene Conrick, members "; S4[31]=" of the Mansfield Shire tourism advisory board, Mansfield Mt Buller High Country Festival organisers and other representatives of the local tourism industry.
      "; S5[31]=" Mr Pandazopoulos said the funding was part of the Bracks Government's High Country Initiatives Program announced in May.
      It also follows the "; S6[31]=" decision not to renew cattle grazing licences in the Alpine National Park, and has been provided through Tourism Victoria's events program.
      'These "; S7[31]=" festivals are important to the local community.
      I'm please to announce that the Bracks Government is recognising these important events and will "; S8[31]=" keep alive importance of the cattlemen.
      Cattle grazing will be preserved with grazing continuing in high country State Forests,' Mr Pandazopoulos said.
"; S9[31]="       Funding of $17,500 per year for four years has been allocated to the 2005 Mansfield Mt Buller High Country Festival.
  "; S10[31]="     The festival has been held annually in the Mansfield region for 22 years on the Melbourne Cup weekend and grew out of the "; S11[31]=" Man From Snowy River films that were produced in the local region.
      Funding of $27,500 per year for four years has been "; S12[31]=" allocated to the 2006 Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, established in 1995 and held annually in late March-early April.
      The festival "; S13[31]=" traditionally comprises of an art and photography exhibition, The Man from Snowy River Re-enactment, Bush Poetry, Bush Music, Outdoor Bush Concert and Riley's Ride and "; S14[31]=" Ute Muster.
      Funding of $5,000 per year for four years has been allocated to the Mountain Cattlemen's Association of Victoria Annual Get-Together, "; S15[31]=" held annually on the second weekend in January.
      The program will include music and entertainment along with a variety of related events "; S16[31]=" including the annual Cattlemen's Cup, a poet's breakfast, a whip cracking event and a dog high jump competition.
      In 2006 Cheshunt will "; S17[31]=" host this annual event.
      'These three events are not just a celebration of bush folklore, they are an excellent way to boost "; S18[31]=" the profile of a destination while delivering economic benefits and generating business for local restaurants, cafes, retail and accommodation providers,' Mr Pandazopoulos said.
    "; S19[31]="   The Bracks Government's decision to cease grazing in the park is supported by a $7.4 million package, which includes $1.8 million to help repair "; S20[31]=" the park, promote tourism and protect the culture of the cattlemen... "; R[32]="163"; T[32]="Dark days for travel industry"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20060222"; Dt[32]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[32]="a44"; B1[32]="      The way we travel has changed, and that s hurting some key sectors of the tourism and travel industry.... "; B2[32]=" "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      The way we travel has changed, and that's hurting some key sectors of the tourism and travel industry Almost five million Australians "; S2[32]=" will head overseas for their holidays this year, enticed by a stronger dollar and plenty of cheap package deals.
      That's a 9.9 "; S3[32]=" per cent jump over last year and robust increases are expected to continue through 2014, according to the latest government estimates.
      The "; S4[32]=" numbers are up more than 30 per cent on 2000 levels.
      But all is not well with Australia's $56 billion domestic travel "; S5[32]=" and tourism sector.
      Travel growth within the country is flat and forecast to remain so over the next 10 years.
    "; S6[32]="   Accommodation nights are actually expected to dip 3.3 per cent this year and only recover to less than 1 per cent annually.
    "; S7[32]="   The mixed picture is indicative of an industry in transition, as traditional travel retailers such as Flight Centre struggle to cope with dwindling "; S8[32]=" commissions and rising costs while a growing number of travellers gladly book direct over the Internet.
      It's no accident that Flight Centre's "; S9[32]=" decline - illustrated by last month's announcement of a 21 per cent fall in first-quarter pre-tax profit and a plunge in its share price - "; S10[32]=" coincides with the rise of online services such as last-minute accommodation booking agency Wotif.com.
      The changes come as domestic tourism industries brace "; S11[32]=" for falling yields and a slowdown in the number of overseas visitors, particularly from Japan.
      The Federal Government's Tourism Forecasting Committee last "; S12[32]=" month predicted that the number of Japanese visitors to Australia through 2014 would fall 9 per cent.
      Tourism Australia is so worried "; S13[32]=" they have approved a $13 million marketing campaign to attract more Japanese travellers, who inject more than $2 billion into the sector every year.
  "; S14[32]="     At the same time, Queensland tourism authorities are making overtures to the growing middle classes of China and India with a $3 million "; S15[32]=" campaign over the next three years.
      Chinese visitor numbers to Queensland increased nearly 16 per cent in the year to June.
  "; S16[32]="     But a prominent analyst warned at a recent conference on the Gold Coast that tourism's share of the economy is falling and has "; S17[32]=" not bounced back from multiple setbacks since the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
      Geoff Carmody, a consultant and co-founder of Access "; S18[32]=" Economics, described the recovery since then as 'pretty anaemic'.
      'Five years after the Olympic Games in Sydney, inbound visitor numbers are now "; S19[32]=" only about 2 per cent to 9 per cent higher.
      Moreover, numbers appear recently to have dropped off,' Mr Carmody said.
  "; S20[32]="     'Australia-wide, accommodation yields are finally above the 2000 Olympics levels but that's before.. "; R[33]="113"; T[33]="Northern Territory leads in caravan and camping holidays"; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20060222"; Dt[33]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[33]="a44"; B1[33]="      The Northern Territory is leading the way in caravan and camping holidays for international tourists, with a massive 22 per cent of "; B2[33]="international visitor nights in the Northern Territory being spent in caravan or camping accommodation, compared to an average of six per cent for the rest "; B3[33]="of Australia... "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      The Northern Territory is leading the way in caravan and camping holidays for international tourists, with a massive 22 per cent of "; S2[33]=" international visitor nights in the Northern Territory being spent in caravan or camping accommodation, compared to an average of six per cent for the rest "; S3[33]=" of Australia.
      The findings were found in the Tourism Research Australia report, A Profile of Travellers who used Caravan or Camping Accommodation "; S4[33]=" in 2003-04, that was released today.
      'The Northern Territory is extremely popular with international tourists to hit the road in a caravan "; S5[33]=" or pitching a tent, allowing them to experience the wonderful sights and experiences the Territory has to offer,' Fran Bailey said.
      'International "; S6[33]=" tourists are three times more likely to undertake a camping or caravanning holiday in the Territory than in the rest of Australia.
      "; S7[33]=" With unique environments to experience such as Kakadu, it's easy to understand why.
      'Many Australians would be surprised to learn that when "; S8[33]=" they pack up the family and set out on a camping holiday, they are supporting a $6.7 billion industry that employs more than 50,000 Australians, "; S9[33]=" many in regional areas.
      By getting out of the main cities, camping and caravan enthusiasts are injecting much needed cash and jobs "; S10[33]=" into regional and remote Australia.' This report shows that international visitors who used caravan or camping accommodation spent 40 per cent of their nights in "; S11[33]=" regional Australia compared to 18 per cent for those not using caravan or camping accommodation.
      'Domestically, the busiest months for caravanning and "; S12[33]=" camping are January, April and October coinciding with school holidays.
      The most popular activities by these visitors are going to the beach, "; S13[33]=" sightseeing and eating out in restaurants as part of their caravanning and camping holidays,' Fran Bailey concluded.
      The Tourism Research Australia, A "; S14[33]=" Profile of Travellers who used Caravan or Camping Accommodation in 2003-04, is available from Tourism Research Australia (02) 6213 6940 or email tra@tourism.australia.com... "; R[34]="86"; T[34]="Tourism industry running on empty"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20060222"; Dt[34]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[34]="a04a06a44a68"; B1[34]="      South Australia s tourism marketing was labelled tired and outdated yesterday, as new figures showed tourist numbers had dived 9 per cent "; B2[34]="in the past year... "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      South Australia's tourism marketing was labelled tired and outdated yesterday, as new figures showed tourist numbers had dived 9 per cent in "; S2[34]=" the past year.
      SA Tourism Alliance chairman Zayne Boon said the National Visitor Survey figures were proof that marketing campaigns might be "; S3[34]=" missing the mark.
      'It asks the question about whether the way we are marketing the state is tired and outdated,' he said.
"; S4[34]="       In the 12 months to June 30, 5.3 million interstate and local tourists chose to holiday in the state, compared to "; S5[34]=" about 5.9 million the year before.
      Visitor nights were down 10 per cent to 19.7 million nights.
      Mr Boon "; S6[34]=" said the figures were frightening and record fuel prices meant the worst was yet to come.
      'Anecdotal evidence says that petrol prices "; S7[34]=" will further hurt the industry this year.
      It's going to be crippling,' he said.
      Opposition tourism spokeswoman Joan Hall "; S8[34]=" said the award-winning Secrets campaign was 'old' and 'tired'.
      'The Rann Government has slashed millions of dollars from the tourism budget.
  "; S9[34]="     'Tour operators, particularly those in the two-hour/200km radius around Adelaide, are hanging on by their fingernails.' Adelaide City Councillor Anne Moran said the "; S10[34]=" figures indicated the council's widely criticised marketing campaigns were a 'waste of money'.
      'This says to me it is not working,' she "; S11[34]=" said.
      But Lord Mayor Michael Harbison said all the council's indicators - including regular pedestrian counts and city conference attendance figures - "; S12[34]=" showed that visitor as well as worker, student and residents numbers were on the rise.
      Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said the drop "; S13[34]=" in tourist numbers was largely due to the festival state not hosting major festivals during 2004/05.
      'Locally, (in 2003/04) we had one "; S14[34]=" of our busiest festival periods on record and this year we didn't have those festivals to boost visitor numbers,' Ms Lomax-Smith said.
      "; S15[34]=" A $460,000 Must See, Must Do campaign had been launched and another would follow in November to promote the festival season starting in January next "; S16[34]=" year... "; R[35]="33"; T[35]="Looking out for Western Australian wildflowers"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20060222"; Dt[35]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[35]="a44a67a78"; B1[35]="      Western Australia s spectacular wildflower season is expected to attract thousands of interstate visitors into remote rural areas from the northern Pilbara "; B2[35]="region through to Esperance on the South Coast... "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      Western Australia's spectacular wildflower season is expected to attract thousands of interstate visitors into remote rural areas from the northern Pilbara region "; S2[35]=" through to Esperance on the South Coast.
      The WA Department of Agriculture has issued quarantine advice to travellers to help protect the "; S3[35]=" wildflower resource and clarify interstate travel regulations.
      WA Quarantine Inspection Service officer Lesley Lally said interstate visitors could help prevent the introduction "; S4[35]=" or spread of weeds, pests and diseases which threaten the State's unique wildflowers and surrounding agricultural industries.
      'As a general rule, Western "; S5[35]=" Australia's border biosecurity prohibits the entry of fresh fruit and vegetables, plants, flowers, soil, honey and seeds because of the risk of introducing serious biological "; S6[35]=" threats,' Ms Lally said.
      'Travellers can also assist by washing their vehicles clear of mud, soil and plant material when moving from "; S7[35]=" region to region.
      This will prevent the spread of weeds, pests and diseases into new areas.' Ms Lally said frequent washdowns would "; S8[35]=" also protect against moving soil which may be contaminated with the parasitic fungi Phytophthora, known as 'die-back'.
      This is particularly important in "; S9[35]=" the South West.
      Footwear, clothing, blankets, camping gear, fishing nets and equipment should also be cleaned of soil or weed seeds before "; S10[35]=" moving from an area.
      Ms Lally said travellers who were interested in buying WA wildflowers as tube stock would need to check "; S11[35]=" with their home state's quarantine requirements to ensure the plants were allowed entry.
      'Although Western Australia is relatively free from exotic pests "; S12[35]=" and diseases, some pests such as green snail, Western flower thrips and potato cyst nematode are of concern to other states of Australia,' she said.
"; S13[35]="       'Plants would therefore need to be inspected or disinfested and certified by the WA Department of Agriculture WA prior to export.
  "; S14[35]="     'If a Plant Health Certificate is required by other States, the WA Quarantine and Inspection Service (WAQIS) can provide it for fee of "; S15[35]=" approximately $40.' Plant export enquiries can be directed to WAQIS on (08) 9334 1800.
      WA wildflowers will also be on display at "; S16[35]=" the Kings Park Wildflower Festival from 22-26 September.
      The Department of Agriculture's Pest and Disease Information Service will be on hand to "; S17[35]=" answer gardening questions and to identify pests.
      Their Freecall phone is 1800 084 881... "; R[36]="19"; T[36]="Women Achieving in Australian Tourism Industry"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20060222"; Dt[36]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[36]="a04a44a49"; B1[36]="      Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey today took the opportunity to formally congratulate women in the Australian tourism industry..... "; B2[36]=" "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey today took the opportunity to formally congratulate women in the Australian tourism industry.
  "; S2[36]="     Speaking at Women in Tourism Conference on the Gold Coast Fran Bailey said this year's theme, 'Leading the Way', was indicative of the "; S3[36]=" work being done by women in the tourism industry.
      'This conference provides a wonderful opportunity to tap into the minds of successful "; S4[36]=" businesswomen and be inspired and motivated by their achievements,' said Fran Bailey.
      'It will give delegates the tools, ideas and information needed "; S5[36]=" to help them become even more successful in their pursuits in this highly competitive tourism industry.' Women have achieved enormous success in the Australian tourism "; S6[36]=" industry.
      Six of Australia's tourism ministers are women, two of the state tourism organisations are led by women and the head of "; S7[36]=" the tourism division within the Department of Industry Tourism and Resources is a woman.
      Almost half the employment base of the tourism "; S8[36]=" industry is women.
      There are many successful businesses throughout Australia that are run or owned by women.
      More than "; S9[36]=" 460,000 Australian and Indigenous women describe themselves as self employed in the last Census, meaning they run there own business.
      'These women "; S10[36]=" are making a huge contribution to the Australian economy and are seen as positive role models,' said Fran Bailey.
      'These are very "; S11[36]=" impressive facts that highlight the invaluable contribution women make to the tourism industry, and we should be proud of these achievements.' Clare McFarlane is one "; S12[36]=" of many successful businesswomen in the tourism industry.
      Aries Tours, located on the Gold Coast and Cairns, are leaders in the areas "; S13[36]=" of coach charter, eco-tours, tour coordination, and guide services.
      Offering a range of educational and special interest programs, and servicing corporate clients, "; S14[36]=" with transportation for conferences and sporting events.
      'Tourism is one of the Gold Coast region's biggest industries and I applaud the Women "; S15[36]=" in Tourism organisation for running events like this which can only help take the industry to the next level,' said Fran Bailey... ";