R[0]="1653"; T[0]="Tough times a head for tourism in WA"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20030325"; Dt[0]="Tuesday 25 March 2003"; Acats[0]="a44a67"; B1[0]="      Tourism operators should brace for tough times as terrorism and war continued to undermine travellers confidence, an industry seminar was told yesterday.... "; B2[0]=" "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      Tourism operators should brace for tough times as terrorism and war continued to undermine travellers' confidence, an industry seminar was told yesterday.
"; S2[0]="       WA Tourism Commission chief Richard Muirhead, speaking to about 160 operators, said that tourism had been hurt by a series of world "; S3[0]=" events since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
      'I don't think the tourism industry has ever faced so many "; S4[0]=" setbacks, one on top of the other,' he said.
      The collapse of Ansett, terrorist attacks around the world, anxiety over North Korea "; S5[0]=" and the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome were among the events which had hurt the industry.
      But people would continue to "; S6[0]=" take holidays and the State had fared well with help from the State and Federal governments, Mr Muirhead said.
      He said the "; S7[0]=" commission's final position on its proposal to replace WA's 10 regional tourism associations with zone-based organisations would be released early in May.
      "; S8[0]=" The proposed changes would enable local operators to market their own areas better, Mr Muirhead said.
      He said he would meet key "; S9[0]=" people involved with the Federal Government's review of the tourism industry next week.
      Accommodation figures for the December 2002 quarter showed that "; S10[0]=" providers' takings increased 8.6 per cent from the same period in 2001.
      The Australian Bureau of Statistics' quarterly survey of tourist accommodation "; S11[0]=" showed that Australian accommodation providers took $1.3 billion in the December quarter.
      WA establishments took $111 million in that period, which was "; S12[0]=" $12 million more than the 2001 December quarter.
      The nationwide occupancy rate for hotels, motels and guest houses was more than 60 "; S13[0]=" per cent for the first time since 1999, with WA's occupancy rate up 4.3 per cent to 59.3 per cent.
      The presence "; S14[0]=" of United States Navy personnel under the trial Seaswap arrangement helped to increase occupancy rates, according to the WA branch of the Australian Hotels Association.
"; S15[0]="       Executive director Bradley Woods said there was a slight improvement in occupancy figures in 2002, with the December quarter showing healthy signs "; S16[0]=" of growth.
      The association's own occupancy figures showed a 2.75 per cent rise in occupancy in the whole of last year and "; S17[0]=" a 7.84 per cent rise in the December quarter... "; R[1]="1652"; T[1]="Virgin Blue to begin flights into Central Australia"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20030325"; Dt[1]="Tuesday 25 March 2003"; Acats[1]="a44a70"; B1[1]="      NT sTourism Minister Dr Chris Burns today welcomed the decision by Virgin Blue to begin flights into Central Australia this year.... "; B2[1]=" "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      NT'sTourism Minister Dr Chris Burns today welcomed the decision by Virgin Blue to begin flights into Central Australia this year.
    "; S2[1]="   'I am delighted to announce that Virgin Blue has made the decision to increase their presence in the Territory, through a daily service to "; S3[1]=" Alice Springs in Central Australia,' Dr Burns said.
      'The tourism industry, and the Territory community in general, will benefit from the increase "; S4[1]=" in visitors to the Territory with these new routes.
      More visitors equals more jobs for Territorians.' 'The Territory Government, the NT Tourist "; S5[1]=" Commission and the Aviation Development Director Peter Roberts have worked closely with Virgin, putting the business case for Central Australia since we took office.
  "; S6[1]="     The Martin Government delivered on its election commitment with the arrival of the first Virgin Blue planes to Darwin last year and this "; S7[1]=" expansion of services is yet another milestone in building a Virgin presence in the Territory.
      'I commend Virgin on its decision - "; S8[1]=" I believe it will be beneficial for the company themselves, for visitors and for Territorians - and I congratulate NT Airports, Peter Roberts and the "; S9[1]=" NT Tourist Commission on their excellent work in delivering the business case with these outstanding results.' 'The decision today was also bolstered by the strong "; S10[1]=" representations of the Alice Springs community, and I congratulate the people of Alice for their hard work.
      I know that Virgin expects "; S11[1]=" the community of Alice to use this opportunity to ensure that this is a sustainable service for the long term.
      Dr Burns "; S12[1]=" said new Virgin routes would open up Central Australia to tourists and business travellers.
      'Virgin has said since our negotiations began that "; S13[1]=" their decision would be based on a strong business case, network expansion and sustainable demand.
      'No one wanted an airline who would "; S14[1]=" come to Central Australia for two or three years and then pull out because it wasn't profitable.
      Virgin has made a sensible "; S15[1]=" business decision based on economic factors.
      'The next step for this Government is to begin building the business case for a Darwin "; S16[1]=" to Alice route, and to encourage Virgin to see Darwin as an important hub for flights into Asia... "; R[2]="1568"; T[2]="Forest fungus may cause tourist ban"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20030310"; Dt[2]="Monday 10 March 2003"; Acats[2]="a39a44"; B1[2]="      Tourists and bushwalkers could be banned from some World Heritage-listed rainforests, including the Daintree area, after the detection of a fungus killing "; B2[2]="large sections of the forest... "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      Tourists and bushwalkers could be banned from some World Heritage-listed rainforests, including the Daintree area, after the detection of a fungus killing "; S2[2]=" large sections of the forest.
      The fungus has no natural predator or chemical treatment, and the Wet Tropics Management Authority and Queensland "; S3[2]=" Parks and Wildlife might have to close large sections to tourists and bushwalkers because they carry the fungus by walking through the forest or driving "; S4[2]=" on wet roads.
      Land managers fear tree deaths from the fungus could cause huge holes in the forest canopy and the damage "; S5[2]=" would be permanent because new trees would not grow in infected soil.
      Canopy-reliant species would suffer and the forest would be devastated "; S6[2]=" by a weed invasion.
      Rainforest dieback, or 'phytophthora', has already threatened 14 per cent of the region containing more than half of "; S7[2]=" the rainforest flora.
      Areas of destruction as large as 10ha were found during routine aerial photography expeditions late last year.
    "; S8[2]="   The pathogen kills off plants' fine root systems, stopping water uptake, and can 'swim' through the soil in search of living tree roots which "; S9[2]=" it then invades.
      Eight species of dieback have been discovered in the area - the most notorious of them also blamed for "; S10[2]=" the devastation of the jarrah forests in southwest Western Australia.
      The fungus is spread by native and feral animals - particularly feral "; S11[2]=" pigs, by wallowing in mud - and people and cars when the fungus is caught up in mud on shoes and tyres.
      "; S12[2]=" WTMA executive director Russell Watkinson said there was no known measure to combat the fungus.
      Restrictions on the movement of people, well-drained "; S13[2]=" roads, and pig-baiting programs were necessary in the short term.
      'The transfer of soil from lowland forests to high mountain tops and "; S14[2]=" ridges (where many of the more endangered species are found) has been identified as a particular risk, so we need to be extra vigilant in "; S15[2]=" this area and to minimise the risk of people carrying this around,' Mr Watkinson said.
      The areas in greatest jeopardy are among "; S16[2]=" the most popular with tourists... "; R[3]="1565"; T[3]="Artificial island idea gets shaky reception"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20030310"; Dt[3]="Monday 10 March 2003"; Acats[3]="a44a66"; B1[3]="      Plane for an artificial island featuring water slides, a wedding chapel and underwater cafe to be anchored on the Great Barrier Reef "; B2[3]="are under fire with the rejection of the developer s draft report and imminent legal challenges from environmentalists... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      Plane for an artificial island featuring water slides, a wedding chapel and underwater cafe to be anchored on the Great Barrier Reef "; S2[3]=" are under fire with the rejection of the developer's draft report and imminent legal challenges from environmentalists.
      The Great Barrier Reef Marine "; S3[3]=" Park Authority returned Sunlover Cruises' draft public environment report on its 'EcoReef Centre' because 18 points fell outside guidelines, needed clarification or did not meet "; S4[3]=" the criteria.
      Sunlover plans a 3900sq m concrete pontoon, bigger than a football field, to be based at Moore Reef, about "; S5[3]=" 50km off Cairns.
      The facility would be twice the size of the company's existing pontoon at the Reef and was scheduled to "; S6[3]=" open in October 2004.
      The developers have already held negotiations with representatives of the area's traditional Aboriginal owners, who live at "; S7[3]=" Yarrabah near Cairns.
      But a spokesman involved in the negotiations said the development would be blocked unless the traditional owners received "; S8[3]=" more information on scientific and engineering studies concerning effluent treatment, the structure's capacity to withstand high-force cyclonic winds and anchor points.
      "; S9[3]=" 'They are very concerned about the health of the environment because any damage would have a direct effect on quality of life and the ability "; S10[3]=" to hunt fish, turtles and dugongs,' he said.
      Part of the demands of the traditional owners would see some employed to "; S11[3]=" put on traditional dance displays for the tourists and also in the day-to-day running of the business.
      It is understood these demands "; S12[3]=" were not included in the draft report sent by Sunlover to the Authority.
      The developers are set to face legal challengers "; S13[3]=" from environmental groups.
      Underwater explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau and the Great Barrier Grief Committee began a campaign to drum up international support "; S14[3]=" to fight against the development on two fronts - the environmental impact and the 'visual pollution'.
      Port Douglas naturalist and underwater "; S15[3]=" film-maker Ben Cropp said the pontoon was 'no different to building a great big hotel in front of any of the waterfalls at the Tableland'.
"; S16[3]="       Sunlover Cruises managing director Terry Russell said he was working within environmental and legal guidelines.
      Mr Russell "; S17[3]=" said it would take Sunlover a couple of months to respond to the Authority's questions... "; R[4]="1560"; T[4]="Mount Beauty goes online"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20030310"; Dt[4]="Monday 10 March 2003"; Acats[4]="a44a46a65"; B1[4]="      The fire-ravaged community of Mt Beauty received a welcome boost today with the launch of a Victorian Government program to help rebuild "; B2[4]="tourism and market businesses... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      The fire-ravaged community of Mt Beauty received a welcome boost today with the launch of a Victorian Government program to help rebuild "; S2[4]=" tourism and market businesses.
      The Minister for Small Business, Marsha Thomson launched the project whilst visiting the region to meet with local "; S3[4]=" small businesses.
      The Mount Beauty Business and Community Website will be professionally developed and built, using a $10,000 Victorian Government StreetLife grant "; S4[4]=" to the Mount Beauty and District Chamber of Commerce.
      'The Mt Beauty Business and Community Website project is vital to promoting the "; S5[4]=" Kiewa Valley and rebuilding tourism and business within this fire-affected region,' Ms Thomson said.
      'This community has shown tremendous strength and determination "; S6[4]=" after Victoria's devastating bushfires, and this website will further help to bring businesses, the tourism industry and the community together.
      Ms Thomson "; S7[4]=" said the existing Mt Beauty project had been changed to meet the new needs of the local area following the effects of the bushfires.
  "; S8[4]="     Progress to date on the two-year project includes the appointment of a web developer, the launch of a marketing campaign and a pilot "; S9[4]=" of businesses and community groups listed on the online site.
      'StreetLife is a $1 million Victorian Government program that has already helped "; S10[4]=" over 150 organisations in more than 600 Victorian communities.' Ms Thomson also visited the staff and participants involved in the running the Mt Beauty Enhancing "; S11[4]=" Community Skills - Skills.net Internet access and training program.
      Ms Thomson she Mt Beauty residents without Internet access are taking advantage of "; S12[4]=" a highly successful Victorian Government Internet access and training program 'The team here at the Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre has done a marvellous job to "; S13[4]=" ensure the Skills.net program has been a great success,' Ms Thomson said.
      'They are very close to reaching their target in half "; S14[4]=" the time expected.
      This is a great result, and indicative of the overall success of this program.' The $10,000 Victorian Government-funded Skills.net "; S15[4]=" project opened in March last year with the aim of training 120 Victorians within two years.
      In one year only, the centre "; S16[4]=" has trained more than 100 members.
      Ms Thomson also congratulated the centre on recently being awarded funding under the Victorian Government's My "; S17[4]=" Connected Community program, which provides Victorians with the support and tools needed to build an online community.
      The centre was successful in "; S18[4]=" gaining funding of $20,000 to establish 15 online community groups including low income and unemployed people, youth groups and self-help groups.
      It "; S19[4]=" was one of 16 peak bodies and community groups that shared in $520,000 in the third and final round of the My Connected Community program, "; S20[4]=" announced last month... "; R[5]="1508"; T[5]="Tourism trade braces for tough year"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20030225"; Dt[5]="Tuesday 25 February 2003"; Acats[5]="a44"; B1[5]="      When it comes to leading indicators on the health of Australia s $70 billion tourism industry there s probably none better than "; B2[5]="the level of inbound forward seat bookings coming through on international Qantas flights... "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      When it comes to leading indicators on the health of Australia's $70 billion tourism industry there's probably none better than the level "; S2[5]=" of inbound forward seat bookings coming through on international Qantas flights.
      So much so that Tourism Queensland chairman Terry Jackman yesterday likened "; S3[5]=" airlines to 'coal mine canaries' as he assured the industry his organisation was putting in place plans to help deal with the fallout from a "; S4[5]=" war in the Middle East.
      Qantas chief Geoff Dixon's warning last week that bookings from key feeder markets like Japan, Europe and "; S5[5]=" the US were already down significantly and could fall by up to 20 per cent if war broke out in Iraq articulated the industry's worst "; S6[5]=" fears that the normally soft winter season would be particularly bleak.
      Talk of cutting back Qantas flights, ditching wet-leased aircraft and retrenching "; S7[5]=" staff if necessary to reduce running costs by as much as $200 million highlight the seriousness of the problem.
      According to Mr "; S8[5]=" Jackman, Qantas had confirmed what big sector operators such as hotel group Accor and the nation's peak tourism industry bodies had known for some time.
"; S9[5]="       'We have been gathering market intelligence from our international offices and operators as well as the Australian Tourist Commission and the Australian "; S10[5]=" Tourism Export Council to guide our contingency plans,' he said.
      The key response was to have a plan and execute it as "; S11[5]=" quickly as possible.
      'Queensland tourism operators can be assured that should the worst happen, Tourism Queensland will be in contact and will "; S12[5]=" provide opportunities for operators to participate in recovery campaigns and other assistance initiatives,' Mr Jackman said.
      Queensland attracts about 1.5 million international "; S13[5]=" visitors a year and Mr Jackman expects an initial downturn from the long haul markets of the United Kingdom, Europe and the US as well "; S14[5]=" as Japan in line with Qantas's preliminary data.
      'But if the conflict ends quickly it could be followed by a bubble of "; S15[5]=" pent-up demand,' he said.
      'In Queensland we are fortunate to have a mature and diverse tourism industry which has proven its resilience "; S16[5]=" in past difficulties.' Graham Turner, managing director of global discount travel retailer Flight Centre, says his organisation had experienced a drop off in bookings over "; S17[5]=" recent weeks during what was normally quite a busy time.
      However, he believes Mr Dixon's warning of a 20 per cent drop "; S18[5]=" in international bookings was too pessimistic and designed to influence other Qantas agendas on the industrial relations and regulatory fronts.
      'Twenty per "; S19[5]=" cent just seems a bit extreme to me and probably closer to 10 per cent which we might be able to make up later .
"; S20[5]="       .
      .
      but we don't expect it to be a particularly brilliant period,' he said.
  "; S21[5]="     Enhance Capital senior investment adviser Sara Harman said while Qantas had announced a reduction of flight numbers out of Australia, incoming tourists to "; S22[5]=" Queensland may not be adversely affected.
      Ms Harman said the nation's economic stability and political standing could make the state an attractive "; S23[5]=" destination for travellers wanting to leave war hotspots.
      'However, the other thing with war tension is that some people won't travel unless "; S24[5]=" they have to,' she said.
      Research has shown that historically, major world conflict triggers a significant slow-down in tourism growth but not "; S25[5]=" necessarily a fall in arrivals because tourists tended to avoid areas directly involved in conflict and holiday closer to home.
      'Following the "; S26[5]=" September 11 terrorist attacks in the US, the first reaction of tourists was to return home quickly,' Mr Jackman said, adding that this had led "; S27[5]=" to a wave of cancellations.
      'In general travel was (then) more likely to be shorter and close to home, independent rather than "; S28[5]=" group travel and to a perceived safe destination with flexible booking arrangements.
      'Our preliminary market intelligence indicates that how safe Australia is "; S29[5]=" seen to be by international markets will depend on our level of involvement in any military action.' Village Roadshow and Warner Brother's Gold Coast theme "; S30[5]=" parks are bracing themselves for a further fall in overseas visitor numbers if war breaks out.
      The group's theme park division marketing "; R[6]="1486"; T[6]="Artificial island plans for Great Barrier Reef"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20030220"; Dt[6]="Thursday 20 February 2003"; Acats[6]="a42a44a66"; B1[6]="      An artificial island featuring water slides, a wedding chapel and underwater cafe will be anchored on the Great Barrier Reef.... "; B2[6]=" "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      An artificial island featuring water slides, a wedding chapel and underwater cafe will be anchored on the Great Barrier Reef.
    "; S2[6]="   Sunlover Cruises yesterday confirmed plans for its 'EcoReef Centre', to open in October 2004, but faces legal challenges from environmental groups.
      "; S3[6]=" Under the Sunlover plans, first revealed by The Courier-Mail on January 31, a 3900sq m concrete pontoon, bigger than a football field, would be based "; S4[6]=" at Moore Reef, about 50km off Cairns.
      It would be twice the size of the company's existing pontoon at the reef.
  "; S5[6]="     The four-storey mini-island would have palm trees, limited overnight accommodation, a scientific laboratory, and be visible up to 15km away.
      "; S6[6]=" Sunlover Cruises managing director Terry Russell said the proposed island would be more in keeping with the look of the area than existing metal and "; S7[6]=" canvas pontoons.
      Mr Russell said the company had managed and protected Moore Reef for 12 years and put millions of dollars into "; S8[6]=" its conservation.
      He said the new venture would open up the reef to more night-time excursions, particularly for the conference market.
  "; S9[6]="     It would also be wheelchair accessible.
      'What we've tried to do is give people a broader range of opportunities when "; S10[6]=" they come to the Reef,' he said.
      Tourism was expected to grow about 10 per cent a year in the area.
  "; S11[6]="     Sunlover Cruises is a subsidiary of NYK Line which operates 500 ships worldwide including luxury cruise liners, freighters and oil and gas tankers.
"; S12[6]="       Sunlover chief executive Naruaki Ohnishi said the pontoon would borrow waste management systems and double-hulled technology from the company's oil tankers and "; S13[6]=" cruise liners.
      Wilderness Society Cairns-based campaigner Rob Palmer said a man-made island did not keep to the spirit of the reef's World "; S14[6]=" Heritage listing.
      'This really is Kevin Costner's Waterworld now and our fears have been confirmed,' Mr Palmer said.
      The "; S15[6]=" society was also concerned with the disposal of effluent from the pontoon.
      A Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority spokesman said the "; S16[6]=" proposal would be examined to see if it fell within guidelines before the plan was opened to public comment... "; R[7]="1452"; T[7]="US Travel Writers Want More of Tasmania"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20030215"; Dt[7]="Saturday 15 February 2003"; Acats[7]="a44"; B1[7]="      The people of Boston, in the United States, are about to hear much more of Tasmania.... "; B2[7]=" "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      The people of Boston, in the United States, are about to hear much more of Tasmania.
      In a late-scheduled "; S2[7]=" meeting, the Premier has met nine travel writers from Boston, Massachusetts, in response to their requests.
      Tourism Tasmania Chief Executive Rob Giason "; S3[7]=" said the level of interest in Tasmania was surprising and rewarding.
      'We lunched with a group of nine travel and feature writers, "; S4[7]=" representing publications such as the mass-circulation Boston Globe and Boston Herald, who were keen to hear as much as they could about Tasmania.
    "; S5[7]="   'The Premier's presence went a long way to encouraging a greater level of interest, but all of them were keen to hear as much "; S6[7]=" detail as we could give them about what Tasmania has to offer, and what's happening in Tasmania.' Mr Giason said only one of the writers "; S7[7]=" had visited Australia previously.
      'We took the opportunity to offer them a visit to the State as part of the visiting journalist "; S8[7]=" program which has paid huge dividends in promoting Tasmania through the mass media.
      'The program provides the opportunity for select national and "; S9[7]=" international media representatives to visit Tasmania, and relay their experiences back to their audiences.
      It has been very successful in lifting Tasmania's "; S10[7]=" profile in Australia and internationally.' Mr Giason said the Boston writers had a particular interest in the Ten Days On The Island program, about which "; S11[7]=" there was already a good level of knowledge.
      'They were very willing listeners to everything we had to tell them.
    "; S12[7]="   Boston sits in the New England area of the US - in the north-east corner of the contiguous states - and there is a "; S13[7]=" distinct character not unlike Tasmania's relationship with the rest of Australia.
      'As well, the whaling and sealing industries brought many New Englanders "; S14[7]=" to Van Diemens Land in the early days of colonial settlement, and that connection gives Tasmania a greater interest to the people of New England.
"; S15[7]="       'Boston, particularly, is a potentially rich market for Tasmanian tourism.
      We've already identified opportunities to appeal to specific interest "; S16[7]=" groups such as bird watchers and university alumni travel groups.' The meeting with the Boston media wrapped up the east coast USA leg of the "; S17[7]=" Premier's mission.
      Today, the delegation is heading for Los Angeles as the final stop before returning to Tasmania next week... "; R[8]="1426"; T[8]="Cabinet postpones discussion on tourism"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20030212"; Dt[8]="Wednesday 12 February 2003"; Acats[8]="a44"; B1[8]="      The long-awaited green paper on tourism has again dropped off federal cabinet s agenda, which is preoccupied with defence strategies and the "; B2[8]="looming war with Iraq... "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      The long-awaited green paper on tourism has again dropped off federal cabinet's agenda, which is preoccupied with defence strategies and the looming "; S2[8]=" war with Iraq.
      The 10-year tourism blueprint was to be considered by federal cabinet next week.
      The $71 billion "; S3[8]=" tourism industry had been expecting a government handout to facilitate broad reform of the industry.
      Industry and Tourism Minister Ian Macfarlane had "; S4[8]=" guaranteed the green paper would go to cabinet later this month, although he had all but ruled out more funds.
      But federal "; S5[8]=" cabinet's agenda is now dominated by the war on Iraq.
      Discussion about the further sale of Telstra was also deferred this week.
"; S6[8]="       Tourism leaders fear the federal government's promise that any surplus from the Ansett levy would be directed their way is now in "; S7[8]=" jeopardy.
      The Ansett Ground Staff Superannuation Plan, representing the Ansett aircraft maintenance engineers, is yet to decide whether it will appeal a "; S8[8]=" court decision connected with the failed airline.
      If an appeal proceeds, it could soak up much of the estimated $182 million surplus "; S9[8]=" from the Ansett levy.
      ' If they appeal it means no decision can be made on distributing the funds from the windup "; S10[8]=" of Ansett,' one senior tourism official said yesterday.
      'If an appeal is lodged it means it will be extremely unlikely if this "; S11[8]=" white paper finds its way into the next budget papers.' Small Business and Tourism Minister Joe Hockey's spokesman said yesterday any excess funds were slated "; S12[8]=" for industry reform.
      'The government has on numerous occasions, including during its election commitments, [said] any unexpended funds from the Ansett levy "; S13[8]=" that are not required to secure workers' entitlements have been ear-marked to be returned to the tourism industry,' he said.
      Tourism taskforce "; S14[8]=" deputy chief executive Stephen Albin said the Prime Minister had also given a commitment to use the surplus for the industry.
      Government "; S15[8]=" sources yesterday claimed, with the federal government tightening its purse strings in the event of war, at least one other federal minister was eyeing the "; S16[8]=" surplus.
      Opposition tourism spokesman Gavan O'Connor predicted the industry would be upset if extra funding was not allocated.
      'The "; S17[8]=" industry will go bananas if a major portion of these monies are reallocated to other pursuits,' he said... "; R[9]="1425"; T[9]="Tassie tourism scores high praise"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20030212"; Dt[9]="Wednesday 12 February 2003"; Acats[9]="a44a69"; B1[9]="      International and interstate tourists have given Tasmania s tourism industry top marks in a survey.... "; B2[9]=" "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      International and interstate tourists have given Tasmania's tourism industry top marks in a survey.
      There were concerns that a "; S2[9]=" visitor surge triggered by the introduction of the two ferries last September, and increased air capacity, would overwhelm facilities and lead to disappointments.
    "; S3[9]="   The survey, in late November and December by Hobart-based Myriad Consultancy, was commissioned by Tourism Council Tasmania.
      Four hundred people leaving "; S4[9]=" from Hobart and Launceston airports and the TT-Line's Devonport terminal were asked to rate 10 aspects of their holiday on a scale ranging from very "; S5[9]=" poor to excellent.
      They were also asked whether it was better, the same, or worse than expected.
      Almost a "; S6[9]=" third of those interviewed were from overseas, most of them from the UK, US, Germany and Singapore.
      All 10 sections received an "; S7[9]=" overwhelming majority of 'better than average to excellent' ratings.
      Both the Tahune AirWalk and the Port Arthur Historic Site were widely praised.
"; S8[9]="       The lowest scoring sectors were roads (73.9 per cent) and road signage (65.4 per cent).
      The average length of "; S9[9]=" stay by tourists was nine nights, and 44 per cent of the people had been to Tasmania before.
      A third of all "; S10[9]=" tourists visited every part of the state... "; R[10]="1355"; T[10]="Tourism up in Victoria"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20030123"; Dt[10]="Thursday 23 January 2003"; Acats[10]="a44a65"; B1[10]="      Tourism Minister John Pandazopoulos today welcomed new arrivals figures for Melbourne Airport, showing increased numbers of passengers flying into Victoria.... "; B2[10]=" "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Tourism Minister John Pandazopoulos today welcomed new arrivals figures for Melbourne Airport, showing increased numbers of passengers flying into Victoria.
    "; S2[10]="   The figures released by Melbourne Airport for the first half of the 2002/2003 financial year show an increase in the number of arrivals of "; S3[10]=" 3 per cent compared to the same period in the previous financial year.
      They include an increase of 2 per cent in "; S4[10]=" the number of international arrivals and 5 per cent in the number of passengers arriving from other parts of Australia.
      Mr Pandazopoulos "; S5[10]=" said the figures were more encouraging news for Victorian tourism operators following the release of international arrivals survey figures last month.
      The "; S6[10]=" Bureau of Tourism Research's International Visitor Survey released in December showed Victoria recorded the highest growth of any state in the number of international visitors, "; S7[10]=" welcoming more than 1.2 million overseas arrivals in the year ending June 2002.
      Mr Pandazopoulos said the survey figures revealed the number "; S8[10]=" of international visitors to Victoria had jumped by 130,000 compared to the year ending June 2000
      *.
      'This is "; S9[10]=" an extraordinary result when you consider the challenges faced by the tourism industry in the survey period,' Mr Pandazopoulos said.
      'Compared with "; S10[10]=" June 2000, the figures show the number of international tourists visiting Victoria grew by 12%, with Australia as a whole recording a 2 per cent "; S11[10]=" increase over the same period.
      'New South Wales (3%) and Tasmania (2%) were the only other Australian states to experience growth.
  "; S12[10]="     'These very pleasing results show that increased marketing efforts under the Bracks Government are working, especially in growth markets such as Singapore and "; S13[10]=" New Zealand.
      'The Bracks Government's $10 million tourism rescue package to stimulate domestic and international tourism after the events of September 2001 "; S14[10]=" has had a marked effect.
      'The Government also committed an additional $4 million for international marketing last year which saw increased activities "; S15[10]=" in the United Kingdom, Japan, Europe, Singapore and China.'.. "; R[11]="1332"; T[11]="Boom in backpacker tourists in Tasmania"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20030117"; Dt[11]="Friday 17 January 2003"; Acats[11]="a44a69"; B1[11]="      Tasmania is offering a different perspective of Australia to a growing number of backpacker visitors.... "; B2[11]=" "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      Tasmania is offering a different perspective of Australia to a growing number of backpacker visitors.
      Often looked at as "; S2[11]=" the poor cousin in tourism terms, the backpacker market is becoming established as a significant sector.
      Tourism Tasmania has recognised its "; S3[11]=" value, promoting the state at backpacker expos and working with a dozen industry partners on marketing.
      General manager of communications Robert "; S4[11]=" Hogan said feedback from the industry showed a growth in backpacker numbers.
      'It's not a well structured market but it is "; S5[11]=" all about being a little smarter,' Mr Hogan said.
      'We are now seeing a greater number of the international backpackers arriving "; S6[11]=" in Sydney, who traditionally travel north, are coming south.' French couple Laurent Fuchs and Gisele Erhart spent last night in Stanley as part of "; S7[11]=" the Tasmanian leg of a year-long holiday.
      Gisele said the beautiful landscapes had been the standout since arriving.
      "; S8[11]=" They have been cycling through the backroads from Devonport to Burnie, but Laurent says the trucks and cars on the highway have made it "; S9[11]=" hard work.
      They hope to see plenty of Tasmania in the next three weeks before heading north to Sydney and then "; S10[11]=" on to New Zealand.
      Stanley tourism operator Des Hodgetts said and upsurge in backpackers in the North-West had led to the "; S11[11]=" redevelopment of the historic Union Hotel.
      Mr Hodgetts, a partner in the hotel, says this added to the Stanley YHA hostel "; S12[11]=" at the caravan park he operates.
      'Backpackers usually come to see and experience as much as they can,' Mr Hodgetts said.
"; S13[11]="       'Its a bit of a myth that they come with $10 and a shirt and don't change either.
      "; S14[11]=" What they spend is increasing and the market is incredibly important.
      'Tourism Tasmania is trying to grow the market.
    "; S15[11]="   That's why we are pitching the hotel at backpackers.'.. "; R[12]="1322"; T[12]="$5bn-a-year tourism target in South Australia"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20030116"; Dt[12]="Thursday 16 January 2003"; Acats[12]="a44a68"; B1[12]="      Ensuring South Australia is out there upfront is the focus of a five-year Tourism Plan which aims to raise visitor spending to "; B2[12]="$5 billion a year by 2008... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      Ensuring South Australia is out there upfront is the focus of a five-year Tourism Plan which aims to raise visitor spending to "; S2[12]=" $5 billion a year by 2008.
      More than 200 strategies have been developed to revitalise the sector, which generates $3.4 billion a "; S3[12]=" year.
      The plan reveals 45 per cent of international visitors want natural experiences, but says many of SA's wilderness areas remain "; S4[12]=" unknown.
      'Our weakness is a lack of recognition by the market of the state's rich natural and coastal assets,' the plan, "; S5[12]=" released yesterday, says.
      To achieve the $5 billion target, the plan says the state must become the gateway to the Outback, "; S6[12]=" dramatically increase coastal tourism, present unique SA 'brands' to overseas markets and target affluent families interstate with its tourism promotions.
      The "; S7[12]=" plan says the industry must: ENCOURAGE the development of environmentally sustainable, medium-scale coastal accommodation in prime locations.
      IDENTIFY Year of "; S8[12]=" the Outback events that could be run annually.
      POSITION and develop the state as the home of the houseboat holiday.
  "; S9[12]="     IMPROVE links between the Tourism Commission and the arts industry enhancing the programming, packaging and marketing of major arts events.
    "; S10[12]="   DEVELOP a SA 'brand' for the backpacker market and link cheap accommodation with adventure tourism activities.
      WORK with Adelaide "; S11[12]=" Airport to negotiate new carriers to Adelaide and expand existing services.
      Tourism Minister Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said yesterday SA did not "; S12[12]=" need 'big brassy attractions'.
      'We need sustainable, thoughtful, medium-sized tourism developments that protect the environment and foster our reputation for good "; S13[12]=" living, festivals and events, culture, heritage and sport,' she said.
      A lack of awareness of SA's coastal assets was identified in "; S14[12]=" the plan, with only 6 per cent of people believing SA was a good place for a coastal holiday.
      SA lagged "; S15[12]=" behind the Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland as an Outback and Aboriginal tourism destination.
      It was also "; S16[12]=" the state with the least appeal as an 'adventure' destination - prompting a strong focus on the development and promotion of tracks and trails for "; S17[12]=" visitors.
      In 1999-2000, 350,000 international visitors spent 5 million nights in SA - accounting for only 4.5 per cent of total "; S18[12]=" international visitor nights in Australia.
      'As authentic natural and cultural resources diminish around the world, South Australia's relatively under-developed environment will "; S19[12]=" become increasingly valued by visitors,' the plan says.
      Spirit of the Coorong Cruises director Jock Veenstra said in Goolwa that regional "; S20[12]=" tourism funding needed to increase if the industry was to achieve the $5 billion target in five years.
      'We are getting exactly "; S21[12]=" the same as we got three years ago - the funding has not been indexed,' he said.
      Mr Veenstra was concerned "; S22[12]=" that if government funding did not increase, local government and private-sector support for tourism projects would decline... "; R[13]="1296"; T[13]="Tourism rescue package has new focus"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20030110"; Dt[13]="Friday 10 January 2003"; Acats[13]="a44"; B1[13]="      The focus of Australia s tourism marketing would change to wealthy individuals and self-funded retirees under a blueprint for reviving the $71 "; B2[13]="billion industry... "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      The focus of Australia's tourism marketing would change to wealthy individuals and self-funded retirees under a blueprint for reviving the $71 billion "; S2[13]=" industry.
      Tourism Minister Joe Hockey will make his case for a more targeted approach in a green paper, to be presented to "; S3[13]=" federal cabinet, which underscores tourism's importance to the economy.
      'Instead of targeting Ma and Pa in the US, we have to start "; S4[13]=" targeting George and Barbara,' Mr Hockey said.
      'These are high net-worth, self-funded retirees who are time rich and looking for specific and "; S5[13]=" unique experiences.' The federal government spends about $100 million a year on tourism marketing.
      Mr Hockey wants increased spending aimed at attracting "; S6[13]=" high-end tourists for longer stays to 'god-made infrastructure' destinations such as Kakadu and the Great Barrier Reef.
      Mr Hockey is concerned that "; S7[13]=" Australia has tended to concentrate on mass inbound 'shrimp on the barbie' tourists rather than higher-yield individual visitors.
      The industry has warned "; S8[13]=" that it would not fully recover from the impact of terrorism, increased regulation and higher travel costs for a decade and has been pressing the "; S9[13]=" federal government to speed up its revitalisation strategy.
      The tourism blueprint, which is one of a series of cabinet-level presentations by "; S10[13]=" ministers on key issues such as ageing and higher education, will also emphasise recreational tourism and the importance of developing 'niche markets' for visitors interested "; S11[13]=" in particular hobbies - from birdwatching to rock-climbing.
      Mr Hockey will single out three target categories in his briefing: rich individuals; self-funded "; S12[13]=" retirees - so-called 'grey' nomads; and backpackers, mainly from Europe.
      He will point out that each backpacker spends $4650 during a visit, "; S13[13]=" which is equivalent to exports of 17 tonnes of wheat or 77 tonnes of coal.
      Cabinet will also be advised that, by "; S14[13]=" 2012, 50 per cent of visitors to Australia will come from 'non-Japan Asia', mainly from China and Korea, compared with 40 per cent now.
  "; S15[13]="     Latest data shows that in 1999-2000 international visitors to Australia spent, on average, $4066 each trip.
      Visitors from China "; S16[13]=" spent most, averaging $6070, followed by the US ($5899) and Europe other than the UK ($5411).
      The lowest was New Zealand ($1808).
"; S17[13]="       Mr Hockey wants to increase per-head spending to bring greater benefits to the thousands of small businesses dependent on tourism, and "; S18[13]=" also to encourage greater investment in the sector in the expectation of greater rewards.
      The Tourism Minister's pitch for greater federal stimulus "; S19[13]=" for tourism in recognition of the sector's increasing importance comes against a background of a projected shortfall in arrivals over the next decade because of "; S20[13]=" terrorism and a world economic downturn.
      In a briefing with government backbenchers late last year, Mr Hockey warned of a $2 billion "; S21[13]=" 'black hole' for tourism in 2002.
      He estimated about 12,000 jobs in the sector had gone because of the slump.
    "; S22[13]="   'It was,' he said, 'a bloody disaster.' The Tourism Forecasting Council, in its December bulletin, reported that inbound arrivals would fall by 0.8 per "; S23[13]=" cent in 2002.
      From 2002 to 2012 average annual growth in international visitor arrivals was expected to be 4.8 per cent, 2.5 "; S24[13]=" percentage points lower than originally forecast.
      Overall tourist numbers in 2012 are expected to reach 8 million annually, compared with an original "; S25[13]=" projection of 10 million.
      Arrivals are now about 5 million a year.
      Mr Hockey, who has emerged as something "; S26[13]=" of a hot gospeller for the sector, will argue to cabinet that because of tourism's importance to the economy more should be done in assistance "; S27[13]=" with marketing and possibly through tax incentives.
      He will point out that tourism employs 550,000 people directly - about 6 per cent "; S28[13]=" of the workforce - making it the second-biggest employer after manufacturing.
      An additional 500,000 full-time jobs are linked with tourism.
    "; S29[13]="   According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, tourism contributes about 4.7 per cent - or $31.8billion - of Australia's gross domestic product.
  "; S30[13]="     In 2000-01, tourists consumed more than $71 billion worth of goods and services.
      In written and video presentations, Mr Hockey "; R[14]="1287"; T[14]="Australian tourism recovering"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20030110"; Dt[14]="Friday 10 January 2003"; Acats[14]="a44"; B1[14]="      Guests are returning to Australian hotels following a year-long slump in tourism after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.... "; B2[14]=" "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Guests are returning to Australian hotels following a year-long slump in tourism after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
"; S2[14]="       National statistics released by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) today, show the average hotel occupancy rate last November was 81 per "; S3[14]=" cent, up two per cent on the October figure.
      AHA national executive director Richard Mulcahy said the hotel industry was finally "; S4[14]=" seeing strong signs of recovery.
      'Hotels are reporting an increase in tourism from Asian countries,' Mr Mulcahy said.
      "; S5[14]=" 'This is a particularly encouraging sign for four and five star establishments in popular holiday destinations.' Mr Mulcahy said this was a result "; S6[14]=" of discount room prices, expanded convention centre facilities and excellent marketing of events, such as the bike race Tour Downunder in January.
      "; S7[14]=" Strong bookings suggested that high occupancy rates would continue in capital cities after the summer break, he said.
      Part of "; S8[14]=" the attraction was that Australian hotels' average room price of $144.80 remained low by international standards.
      'High occupancy rates have in "; S9[14]=" part been generated by the low room rates that have been offered by many hotels,' Mr Mulcahy said.
      But he said "; S10[14]=" a sustained period of strong trading was needed to return the industry to a period of strength.
      'The events of September "; S11[14]=" 11 provoked a very significant downturn in tourism in Australia.
      'The impact of any further terrorist attacks or of a war "; S12[14]=" in Iraq could dramatically alter the outlook for the industry in the short to medium term.'.. "; R[15]="1259"; T[15]="Tourists to move em out again"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20021226"; Dt[15]="Thursday 26 December 2002"; Acats[15]="a44"; B1[15]="      Plans are under way to hold the 500km Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive down the Birdsville Track again in 2004 after the "; B2[15]="event s success in May... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      Plans are under way to hold the 500km Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive down the Birdsville Track again in 2004 after the "; S2[15]=" event's success in May.
      The tourism industry is also investigating the development of a new tourism sector with mustering on individual outback "; S3[15]=" cattle stations.
      'The cattle drive has created a lot of interest among the pastoralists and we are looking at the mustering "; S4[15]=" season to see how else we can diversify into tourism events,' Year of the Outback manager Paul Victory said.
      'Many of "; S5[15]=" the cattle stations in the outback and Flinders Ranges are looking at the potential of tourism.
      'I'd also like to see "; S6[15]=" people in the Coober Pedy region look at their mustering season and see what we can offer.' Mr Victory said the tourism industry was "; S7[15]=" seriously considering the cattle drive as a long-term event.
      'It has been a wonderful event for the outback as well as "; S8[15]=" being a national celebration of our droving history.' The South Australian Tourism Commission board had decided to pursue major sponsorships for a cattle droving "; S9[15]=" trip down the Birdsville Track in 2004.
      This would include costs for transport, communication, feeding and watering cattle and establishing international "; S10[15]=" partnerships.
      'We've got a provisional okay to establish an outback events area in Australian Major Events,' he said.
      "; S11[15]=" Mr Victory said the cattle drive should not be seen as just a state event and the tourism commission was trying to develop across-border "; S12[15]=" co-operation and a partnership approach in the interior.
      'There is also significant potential in Aboriginal tourism for all the groups.
  "; S13[15]="     We believe the United States Mid West would be a key market for a future cattle drive.' Mr Victory said the key "; S14[15]=" achievement of the Year of the Outback had been about $10 million worth of media coverage for SA and the outback... "; R[16]="1230"; T[16]="Southern Cross University Wins Tourism Award for Fourth Year"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20021213"; Dt[16]="Friday 13 December 2002"; Acats[16]="a44"; B1[16]="      It s official Southern Cross University still bas the best tourism degress in NSW, winning the NSW Tourism award for Tourism Education "; B2[16]="and Training for the fourth year... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      It's official Southern Cross University still bas the best tourism degress in NSW, winning the NSW Tourism award for Tourism Education "; S2[16]=" and Training for the fourth year.
      NSW Minister for Tourism Sandra Nori announced the awaids last night at the "; S3[16]=" Sydney Convention Centre in Darling Harbour.
      '(Southern Cross University's) School of Tourism and Hospitality Management is internationally- recognised for its "; S4[16]=" excellence in tourism and hospitality education and research,' the Minister said in a statement.
      Another winner from the Northern "; S5[16]=" Rivers was the Angourie Rainforest Retreat in Yamba, which won the New Tourism Development Award.
      'Both winners have shown innovation, "; S6[16]=" initiative, professionalism, business acumen and a commitment to quality and service,' Ms Nori said.
      'The judges received more than 140 "; S7[16]=" entries (for 33 awards) and the standard was very high.' School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Head, Perry Hobson, said the award was "; S8[16]=" recognition of the hard work by his colleagues in the School in Lismore and Coffs Harbour, the Hotel School in Sydney, and the "; S9[16]=" Centre for Regional Tourism Research (based in Lismore).
      'I think the award is continued recognition of the high standards "; S10[16]=" of our program, of our research and the staff we have,' Mr Hobson said.
      'It's also a reflection of the "; S11[16]=" quality of students we're sending into industry,' he said.
      'The award is also a recognition of the work we do "; S12[16]=" with industry, through our industry partnerships.
      They include the Hotel School in partnership with BT and Intercontinental Hotel; partnership with "; S13[16]=" the Club Managers Association, which we do a joint degree in Club and Gaining Management with; and also the Pacific Asia Tourism "; S14[16]=" Association, with whom we do our executive development program every year.' Southern Cross Uuiversity was the first university in Australia to offer "; S15[16]=" degrees in tourism and hotel and catering management in 1989, while about 30 universities now have offerings in tourism.
      'This "; S16[16]=" award shows we're still at the forefront,' Mr Hobson said.
      Ninety five per cent of graduates are employed at the time "; S17[16]=" of leaving university.
      The successful six- month industry placement program is instrumental in securing these positions, Mr Hobson said.
"; S18[16]="       Industry placements within the degree account for 80 per cent of student employment.
      For more information contact "; S19[16]=" Mr Perry Hobson, School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Ph.
      02 6620 3257, or Sara Crowe in the.. "; R[17]="1221"; T[17]="Tourism woes set to continue for next 10 years"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20021212"; Dt[17]="Thursday 12 December 2002"; Acats[17]="a44"; B1[17]="      The continuing threat of terrorist attacks, increased government regulation and higher travel costs seem likely to prevent recovery of the tourism industry "; B2[17]="for another decade... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      The continuing threat of terrorist attacks, increased government regulation and higher travel costs seem likely to prevent recovery of the tourism industry "; S2[17]=" for another decade.
      A federal government report, due to be released today, shows export earnings forecasts have been scaled back by $7.5 "; S3[17]=" billion over the next 10 years and arrivals are estimated to be down 20 per cent.
      According to the Australian Financial Review, "; S4[17]=" the latest overview of the $71billion tourism industry by the government's Tourism Forecasting Council shows a significant downward revision of growth figures for the sector.
"; S5[17]="       Both the international and domestic sectors' forecasts have been cut.
      Tourism, which was once touted as a great growth "; S6[17]=" sector, contributes about 11 per cent of the economy's output.
      But the TFC has now scaled back its export earning forecasts for "; S7[17]=" the next decade from $35.2 billion to $27.7 billion.
      Forecast arrivals are predicted to drop from 10 million a year to 7.8million "; S8[17]=" 2012.
      The TFC 2002 Forecasts also says the domestic market is expected to lose momentum, with a forecast growth rate of 1.6 "; S9[17]=" per cent to fall to an average annual rate of 0.3 per cent by 2012.
      This compares with a previous forecast of "; S10[17]=" 7.3 per cent.
      A recovery in inbound tourism, hoped for at the start of 2002, has not eventuated, the report says, and "; S11[17]=" the pace of recovery from the September 11 attacks has been slower than initially expected.
      International visitor arrivals for 2002 are now "; S12[17]=" expected to fall by 0.8 per cent to 4.8 million.
      The TFC found factors with a negative impact on international visitor numbers "; S13[17]=" included the continued threat of terrorism attacks, the tightening of visa arrangements for some source markets and decreasing airline capacity, largely because of increasing costs.
"; S14[17]="       Tourism Task Force managing director Christopher Brown said the TFC forecast highlighted the urgent need for the federal government to release its "; S15[17]=" long-awaited white paper for the future growth of the industry.
      'The government's response to these figures has been to introduce another tourism "; S16[17]=" tax in the shape of a passenger security charge at airports which will raise $180 million,' he said.
      Mr Brown said tourism "; S17[17]=" industry leaders were upset over the delays.
      The domestic tourism market, which emerged as a saviour for Australian destinations, particularly Queensland, in "; S18[17]=" the uncertain times after September 11 and the Bali attacks, is forecast to slow significantly.
      The long-term growth forecast for domestic visitor "; S19[17]=" nights spent in hotels, motels and guesthouses has fallen, according to the TFC figures.
      But a spokesman for Australia's largest hotelier, Accor, "; S20[17]=" said the market was fragmented and, according to its data, Sydney and Melbourne could expect major increases in tourists next year.
      Queensland, "; S21[17]=" which has traditionally captured about a fifth of Australia's domestic tourism market, has enjoyed bumper peak periods boosted by a buoyant drive market, with travellers "; S22[17]=" choosing to stick closer to home.
      Queensland Tourism Minister Merri Rose was confident in the state's tourism progress.
      'Queensland "; S23[17]=" has bucked the trend when it comes to domestic tourism - and we will continue to,' she said.
      She said visitors to "; S24[17]=" Queensland in the year to June 2002 represented 20.6 per cent of all domestic visitors to Australia.
      The number of room nights "; S25[17]=" was up 3.1 per cent on the previous year... "; R[18]="1216"; T[18]="Luxurious outback tourism"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20021212"; Dt[18]="Thursday 12 December 2002"; Acats[18]="a44"; B1[18]="      No more heat, flies and dust as P&O Australian Resorts is poised to launch into the Queensland outback tourism market with a "; B2[18]="luxury package... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      No more heat, flies and dust as P&O Australian Resorts is poised to launch into the Queensland outback tourism market with a "; S2[18]=" luxury package.
      The company is negotiating with the Authentic Outback Experience and its founding partners, the Australian Agricultural Company and R.M.
  "; S3[18]="     Williams Holdings, to develop and manage a luxury resort at Wrotham Park Station.
      The 400,000ha cattle property, 285km north of "; S4[18]=" Cairns, is owned by the Australian Agricultural Company.
      AOE selected P&O from 'an outstanding group of international tourism operators who lodged an "; S5[18]=" expression of interest in being associated with this unique property'.
      P&O managing director Mark Campbell said an outback resort would complement Barrier "; S6[18]=" Reef, Island and Daintree experiences offered by the company.
      P&O own Heron, Lizard and Wilson Islands on the Reef, as well as "; S7[18]=" Bedarra, Dunk and Brampton Islands.
      They also run Silky Oaks Lodge near the Daintree Rainforest.
      'Outback tourism has grown "; S8[18]=" to become a significant sector of the Australian tourism market,' Mr Campbell said.
      'With over two million arrivals at Cairns annually, there "; S9[18]=" is considerable potential for a premium outback experience, which focuses on the natural environment combining more than a hint of luxury.' AOE project manager Maree "; S10[18]=" Reason-Cain said the development was pencilled in for completion by October 2003 to tap the influx of global tourists lured to Australia by the Rugby "; S11[18]=" World Cup.
      Australian Agricultural chief executive officer Peter Holmes a Court said, 'we feel passionate about' developing cattle station destinations because it "; S12[18]=" was what 'makes up the soul of this county'.
      He said the Wrotham Station proposal would 'let the world know Australian beef "; S13[18]=" is produced in a pristine, beautiful environment' and enable tourists to see 'the clean value of Australian beef'.
      Guests would be flown "; S14[18]=" by private charter to the fully operational cattle property... "; R[19]="1159"; T[19]="Gold coast loses to NQ as tourist destination"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20021126"; Dt[19]="Tuesday 26 November 2002"; Acats[19]="a44"; B1[19]="      The Gold Coast is set to lose its crown to north Queensland as the premier holiday destination for Japanese tourists.... "; B2[19]=" "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      The Gold Coast is set to lose its crown to north Queensland as the premier holiday destination for Japanese tourists.
    "; S2[19]="   The region's dwindling numbers are expected to dip to about 220,000 for 2002, a 40 per cent decline since the 1998 heyday when 369,290 "; S3[19]=" Japanese visited.
      Industry experts predict north Queensland would surpass the Gold Coast in popularity by early next year.
      It "; S4[19]=" is believed almost 200,000 Japanese have landed at Cairns airport in the past 12 months, an increase on the 159,810 in 2000.
      "; S5[19]=" A diminishing image and a reduction in aircraft seat capacity has been blamed for the Gold Coast's demise.
      However Tourism Minister Merri "; S6[19]=" Rose, who recently launched the Australia Gold 2010 initiative in a bid to revive the Japanese market, said excuses were wearing thin.
      "; S7[19]=" 'There are reasons for the decline, but it (the decline) cannot be ignored any longer,' Ms Rose said.
      She said Australian Airlines's "; S8[19]=" entry into the Asian aviation market last month, focusing largely on the Japanese market, would strengthen north Queensland's grasp on Japan holiday-makers.
      "; S9[19]=" Ms Rose said Australian Airlines also had the capacity to deliver 100,000 Japanese tourists to the Gold Coast through connecting flights from Cairns.
    "; S10[19]="   She said Australian Airlines chief executive Dennis Adams had challenged Gold Coast tourism leaders he could double that number 'if the Gold Coast industry "; S11[19]=" got its act together to meet that challenge'.
      'It was a bitter pill for some stakeholders to swallow,' Ms Rose said.
  "; S12[19]="     Gold Coast Tourism general manager Bob Brett blamed a 55 per cent decrease in airline capacity in recent years, and pricing structure, for "; S13[19]=" the decline.
      He conceded the Gold Coast did have an image problem with the Japanese market as opposed to north Queensland which "; S14[19]=" successfully marketed the 'reef and rainforest'.
      'It is one of the significant issues,' Mr Brett said.
      'The focus has "; S15[19]=" been a challenge.
      We do have such a diverse destination that putting a single image to it has been a challenge.
  "; S16[19]="     'We don't want to be a mono destination, but we don't want to be seen to be a beach or theme park.
  "; S17[19]="     We are trying to find a collection of the vibrancy which is the Gold Coast.
      'Hawaii is also going through "; S18[19]=" a massive turn off from its bread-and-butter markets.
      'The Japan market is maturing and looking for new and varied aspects.' Ms Rose "; S19[19]=" said the Gold Coast could not blame a reduction in seat capacity for the reduction of the Japanese market, particularly given Australian Airlines's capacity to "; S20[19]=" increase connecting flights from Cairns.
      Mr Brett said: 'I am not suggesting there is a turnaround,' but Japanese arrival figures in September "; S21[19]=" were up 14.9 per cent and October up 12 per cent on last year.
      He said the region remained the third most "; S22[19]=" popular honeymoon destinations for Japanese tourists... "; R[20]="1128"; T[20]="Tourists urged to go bush despite drought"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20021119"; Dt[20]="Tuesday 19 November 2002"; Acats[20]="a44"; B1[20]="      Christmas travellers have been urged to visit regional and rural holiday destinations despite the drought.
      Tourism Minister Joe Hockey "; B2[20]="said yesterday that he was concerned a growing number of Australians were altering their travel plans to regional areas because of the big dry... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      Christmas travellers have been urged to visit regional and rural holiday destinations despite the drought.
      Tourism Minister Joe Hockey "; S2[20]=" said yesterday that he was concerned a growing number of Australians were altering their travel plans to regional areas because of the big dry.
  "; S3[20]="     Mr Hockey was responding to research from See Australia which showed some people may not be travelling to regional areas because they felt "; S4[20]=" guilty about using precious resources, or they were concerned there wouldn't be enough water for them to use during their holiday.
      'The "; S5[20]=" last thing that the bush needs now is for tourism dollars to dry up,' Mr Hockey said.
      'Tourism is vital to regional "; S6[20]=" Australia, with more than 50 per cent of domestic tourism expenditure spent in regional areas.
      'This represents $24 billion spent each year "; S7[20]=" across Australia, employing more than 180,000 people in regional, rural and remote areas.
      'The misconception by people living in the city about "; S8[20]=" not holidaying in regional areas during the drought must be corrected and not allowed to take hold.' Shadow Tourism Minister Gavan O'Connor said tourists to "; S9[20]=" regional and rural areas should be aware of reduced water supplies.
      'There is no doubt that a large influx of holiday makers "; S10[20]=" to coastal areas will put pressure on existing infrastructure, including water supplies,' he said.
      'However, if all concerned are prudent in saving "; S11[20]=" and conserving the resource, then the economic benefit to rural, regional and coastal communities will not be lost.' Robert Fawcett, a meteorologist from the National "; S12[20]=" Climate Centre, said he expected the drought to break down next autumn, when the El Nino cycle was expected to pass.
      The "; S13[20]=" weather bureau predicts most of the country will receive average rainfall over the summer months.
      Mayor of Mudgee Shire Council Denis Yeo "; S14[20]=" said he agreed with Mr Hockey's message for tourists to continue visiting regional areas.
      And although the traditional agricultural sector in Mudgee "; S15[20]=" was doing 'badly', Cr Yeo welcomed tourists.
      'Don't get the wrong impression that everything is desolation and despair out here,' Cr Yeo "; S16[20]=" said.
      'It's just another stage in the seasons.' Yesterday the Murray-Darling Basin Commission warned that some of Australia's biggest dams would shrink "; S17[20]=" to little more than puddles in coming months as the drought hits the Murray-Darling river system's network of water storages.
      The commission "; S18[20]=" warned that Lake Hume, Lake Victoria and Lake Alexandrina would fall below 10 per cent of capacity - their lowest levels on record... "; R[21]="1077"; T[21]="Review of wine exports and wine tourism review"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20021106"; Dt[21]="Wednesday 6 November 2002"; Acats[21]="a13a44"; B1[21]="      Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss today released the final report of the ACIL Consulting Review of Wine Exports and Wine Tourism.... "; B2[21]=" "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss today released the final report of the ACIL Consulting Review of Wine Exports and Wine Tourism.
  "; S2[21]="     The Government announced on 6 November 2001 it would hold an independent inquiry to advise how small- and medium-sized wine producers might better "; S3[21]=" use wine exports and wine tourism to increase their profitability.
      'The release of this report fulfils the undertaking given during the last "; S4[21]=" Federal election to conduct a review on issues affecting this vital industry,' Mr Truss said.
      'This report provides a wealth of information "; S5[21]=" for smaller and medium-sized wineries thinking about building up wine tourism businesses or venturing into wine exports.
      'Individuals, companies and other wine "; S6[21]=" and wine tourism-related organisations, should examine the report carefully and consider how the information it contains could help achieve their operational goals.' Mr Truss said "; S7[21]=" many of the report's recommendations focused on strategies that could help wine businesses improve their performance.
      'However, it does not try to "; S8[21]=" provide a single blueprint for success, given the vast range of circumstances faced by individual wineries,' he said.
      'The industry focus of "; S9[21]=" the report is consistent with the Australian wine sector's self-management approach, which has proved so successful during the past decade.' The report will be launched "; S10[21]=" by Senator Nick Minchin, the Federal Minister for Finance and Administration, at the Winemakers' Federation of Australia Outlook Conference in Adelaide on Monday 4 November.
"; S11[21]="       The author of the report, David Trebeck of ACIL Consulting, will also speak at the conference.
      Copies of "; S12[21]=" the final report are available from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia (contact Neil Evans on (02) 6272 4942).
      "; S13[21]=" The full report will also be posted on the department's web site www.affa.gov.au (select Publications in 'Tools and Services', then select Wine)... "; R[22]="987"; T[22]="Lack of cheap airfares causes decline in tourists"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20020925"; Dt[22]="Wednesday 25 September 2002"; Acats[22]="a44a56"; B1[22]="      Backpacker numbers were down this winter because of the collapse in budget airfares.... "; B2[22]=" "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      Backpacker numbers were down this winter because of the collapse in budget airfares.
      The shortage of affordable airline seats "; S2[22]=" to the price-sensitive backpacker market, combined with a cut in routes to Australia by various carriers, has led to a drop of up to 20 "; S3[22]=" per cent in occupancy rates and revenue, research by the Backpacker Operators Association shows.
      Possibly 500 fewer backpackers a week are "; S4[22]=" coming to Australia.
      Airlines such as Qantas cannot add extra flights that could result in more discount seats because of low "; S5[22]=" demand for the 'cross-subsidising' first class and business seats.
      In a dramatic contrast, rival destination South Africa recorded its best winter "; S6[22]=" for tourists through cheaper fares, proximity to Europe and a low rand versus the British pound.
      Backpackers can also fly between such "; S7[22]=" cities as Munich and New York for as little as $200.
      Australia is now depending on a boost from next year's "; S8[22]=" Rugby World Cup, with some operators believing that prospective backpackers may be postponing visits until nearer the start of the event next October... "; R[23]="921"; T[23]="New North Queensland walking track"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20020910"; Dt[23]="Tuesday 10 September 2002"; Acats[23]="a44a66"; B1[23]="      A walking track intended to rival the great southern hemisphere trails will open in north Queensland by December.... "; B2[23]=" "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      A walking track intended to rival the great southern hemisphere trails will open in north Queensland by December.
      The "; S2[23]=" 120km long Misty Mountain trail is wedged between Tully, Innisfail and Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tableland.
      The track, costing $1 million to "; S3[23]=" build, is being funded by the Queensland Heritage Trails Network and constructed by the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service within national park land.
  "; S4[23]="     Tourism industry leaders believe the walk could rival internationally acclaimed walking networks such as New Zealand's Milford Track and Tasmania's Cradle Mountain walk.
"; S5[23]="       'The vision we have is to try and develop a walk to rival these walks,' said Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive "; S6[23]=" officer Bill Calderwood.
      He said there was scope for the construction of 'safari type camps' on private land adjoining the Misty Mountain "; S7[23]=" trail.
      North Queensland Heritage Trails Network spokesman John McIntyre said short and long walks would be featured.
      'You can "; S8[23]=" do a seven-day walk if you want, but most of it is broken down into half and full-day walks,' Mr McIntyre said... "; R[24]="891"; T[24]="Tourism headed for fall"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20020904"; Dt[24]="Wednesday 4 September 2002"; Acats[24]="a44"; B1[24]="      Australia s tourism boom is headed for a bust, with the Federal Government warning that the industry hailed as our economic saviour "; B2[24]="is sliding into crisis because of its failure to face reality ... "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      Australia's tourism boom is headed for a bust, with the Federal Government warning that the industry hailed as our economic saviour is "; S2[24]=" sliding into crisis because of its failure to 'face reality'.
      Delivering the wake-up call, the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Joe "; S3[24]=" Hockey, has produced figures showing the sector faces a $2 billion black hole - much of it centred on Sydney.
      This sum, "; S4[24]=" the equivalent of more than 12,000 jobs, represents the annual foreign exchange loss to Australia caused by the failure to pull out of the tourism "; S5[24]=" slump after September 11, Ansett's collapse and the Olympics.
      'It's a bloody disaster,' Mr Hockey is understood to have told Government backbenchers "; S6[24]=" during a confidential briefing last week.
      He reeled off a list of bleak statistics, including a 10 per cent fall in international "; S7[24]=" tourism over the past year, investment at its lowest level in a decade and some hotels running 40 per cent below capacity.
      "; S8[24]=" He told the MPs that the sector was deluding itself in believing the downturn was cyclical and easily arrested.
      This 'rose-coloured view' "; S9[24]=" ignored the fact that the $71 billion industry, now rivalling the minerals sector as an export earner, faced 'massive structural problems'.
      Mr "; S10[24]=" Hockey has also accused the industry, and especially state governments, of trying to attract tourists with halls of fame, white elephant works projects and expensive "; S11[24]=" staged events.
      At the same time, basic needs such as roads were being ignored.
      'The reality is the tourism "; S12[24]=" industry cannot rely on baubles and trinkets any longer,' he told the backbenchers.
      Sydney's main drawcards, such as Bondi Beach and Manly, "; S13[24]=" were attracting more than 8 million visitors a year, yet nothing had been done to improve road access to them.
      Mr Hockey's "; S14[24]=" remarks come just weeks before he is due to present cabinet with a blueprint for reforming the sector.
      He declined to comment "; S15[24]=" further when contacted yesterday but has made it clear in recent talks with industry leaders that while structural problems can be rectified, further pain is "; S16[24]=" inevitable.
      In the party room, Mr Hockey said that tourism, making up nearly 5 per cent of GDP and directly employing 551,000 "; S17[24]=" people or 6 per cent of the workforce, would have to become more efficient by shedding worthless or underused assets.
      He has "; S18[24]=" also accused the industry of responding too slowly to demographic and other social changes and the fierce competition for international tourists.
      As "; S19[24]=" well, domestic tourism, responsible for 80 per cent of turnover, had been flat for three years and showed no signs of turning around.
    "; S20[24]="   The rising cost of housing and a surge in such activities as gambling had robbed families of money formerly spent on holidays or travel.
"; S21[24]="       People were also struggling to get time off, Mr Hockey said.
      Thirty per cent of Australians took no holidays "; S22[24]=" last year - a development that industry experts blamed on the shift to contract employment and the trading away of leave in enterprise bargaining.
  "; S23[24]="     The industry, despite being Australia's fourth-biggest export earner and biggest services export, had spent only $5 million on research and development in the "; S24[24]=" past year.
      Mr Hockey believes such complacency is also due to forecasts that international tourist numbers will rise to 10 million by "; S25[24]=" 2012.
      But many of the new visitors, from places such as China and India, would not be big spenders... "; R[25]="820"; T[25]="Eco-tourism revamp for Queensland"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20020822"; Dt[25]="Thursday 22 August 2002"; Acats[25]="a44a66"; B1[25]="      The Queensland Government is updating a plan designed to assist Queensland s growing eco-tourism sector.... "; B2[25]=" "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      The Queensland Government is updating a plan designed to assist Queensland's growing eco-tourism sector.
      State Cabinet has approved a "; S2[25]=" new draft plan for the eco-tourism industry, which is expected to grow by up to 20 per cent each year.
      The Queensland "; S3[25]=" Eco-Tourism Plan sets the direction for research, planning, management and marketing of eco-tourism in Queensland.
      Tourism Minister Merri Rose told Parliament that "; S4[25]=" the five-year-old plan needs an overhaul, and new changes include an increased focus on research.
      'The revised plan will help us achieve "; S5[25]=" a better understanding of the different needs of various international markets and enable us to tailor our marketing and product accordingly,' she said.
    "; S6[25]="   'It will also continue the process of developing a better management system for Queensland's protected areas.
      In addition, the plan will "; S7[25]=" encourage more indigenous involvement in eco-tourism.'.. "; R[26]="759"; T[26]="Report on Regional Tourism released"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20020813"; Dt[26]="Tuesday 13 August 2002"; Acats[26]="a44"; B1[26]="      The Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, and the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Joe Hockey, today launched a major new report "; B2[26]="on tourism in regional Australia... "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      The Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, and the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Joe Hockey, today launched a major new report "; S2[26]=" on tourism in regional Australia.
      The ministers launched the Tourism Taskforce Report, Keeping the Bush in the Game, at the Regional Tourism "; S3[26]=" Roundtable in Canberra today.
      The Government called the roundtable to discuss the key issues affecting regional tourism operators, and to gain the "; S4[26]=" benefit of their direct, on-the-ground experience.
      'Tourism is our largest service industry, contributing nearly 9 per cent of Australia's GDP,' Mr Anderson "; S5[26]=" said.
      'It is a major driver for economic, investment and community development, with the potential to build on the traditional agricultural or "; S6[26]=" manufacturing based economies of many regional areas.
      'The report points out that each region is different, and each region will need its "; S7[26]=" own tourism strategy to realise its full potential,' Mr Anderson said.
      Mr Hockey said that today's roundtable discussions would build on the "; S8[26]=" feedback and information gained from recent industry consultations on the 10 Year Plan for Tourism.
      'We have received over 250 written submissions "; S9[26]=" and met over 400 people, representing a diverse range of interests and sectors.
      The 10 Year Plan provides tourism's stakeholders with an "; S10[26]=" opportunity to move Australia onto a growth path that will increase profits and create employment.
      'The report points out that our capital "; S11[26]=" cities and other iconic destinations are forecast to enjoy considerable growth in tourism; however, there are issues that need to be addressed to ensure that "; S12[26]=" regional areas also benefit from what is one of our largest export industries.
      We are addressing these issues as a matter of "; S13[26]=" priority in the 10 Year Plan for Tourism.
      'The study indicates that in 1997-98 around 207,000 jobs in regional Australia were directly "; S14[26]=" related to tourism, highlighting the importance of tourism to regional economies.
      'The next stage in developing the 10 Year Plan for Tourism "; S15[26]=" will be a Green Paper, or draft plan, and Keeping the Bush in the Game will be a valuable asset in helping us to develop "; S16[26]=" it further.
      The Government will consider the report's recommendations as we continue to work on our blueprint,' Mr Hockey said.
    "; S17[26]="   The roundtable was attended by 40 tourism leaders from across Australia, representing national, state and territory, and regional interests.
      The report "; S18[26]=" can be accessed at www.ttf.org.au.. "; R[27]="669"; T[27]="Tourism still struggling"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20020726"; Dt[27]="Friday 26 July 2002"; Acats[27]="a44"; B1[27]="      New figures reveal Australia s tourism industry continues to be hit by major events of last year as well as global economic "; B2[27]="uncertainty with overall arrivals dropping by five per cent for the first six month this year... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      New figures reveal Australia's tourism industry continues to be hit by major events of last year as well as global economic uncertainty "; S2[27]=" with overall arrivals dropping by five per cent for the first six month this year.
      Speaking following the release of the Australian "; S3[27]=" Bureau of Statistics, June 2002 preliminary figures, Australian Tourist Commission Managing Director Ken Boundy said the figures show a 11 per cent drop in visitors "; S4[27]=" for June, a five per cent fall for the six months to June 2002 and a six per cent drop for the 2001/02 year.
  "; S5[27]="     'There were around 2.3 million international visitors in the first six months to June 2002 - a drop of around 131,000 visitors so "; S6[27]=" far this year,' he said.
      'This equates to around $430 million in lost export revenue -- a significant impact on tourism operators "; S7[27]=" Australia-wide.
      'The figures indicate the initial recovery forecast following the events of September 11, was optimistic with arrivals from key markets continuing "; S8[27]=" to be impacted.
      'A number of key factors continue to hamper the return to growth for inbound arrivals including economic difficulties and "; S9[27]=" air capacity constraints.
      At the same time we are facing an increasingly competitive environment, a shift in travel to short-haul destinations and "; S10[27]=" an overall shrinkage in the travelling public.
      'Feedback from industry indicates conditions for the September 2002 quarter will be soft.
    "; S11[27]="   Inbound arrivals are expected to improve in the last quarter this year, however it is unlikely that official forecasts of 4.7 per cent growth "; S12[27]=" for this year will be reached.
      Mr Boundy said visitors from Europe were down by three per cent in the six months "; S13[27]=" to June 2002, with the UK the only market to record an increase in arrivals (up 2 per cent) during this time.
      "; S14[27]=" 'UK visitors fell by 26 per cent for the month of June, a direct result of the British Lions Rugby Union tour (which travelled to "; S15[27]=" Australia in June 2001) as well as the impact of the Soccer World Cup on travel from this market,' he said.
      'Visitors "; S16[27]=" from Germany, our second largest market in Europe fell 13 per cent in the six months to June 2002.
      The general travel "; S17[27]=" market in Germany remains soft and is not expected to improve over the next few months.
      'Industry feedback suggests the overall outlook "; S18[27]=" for inbound arrivals from Europe is more positive, particularly the UK, with forward bookings expected to improve in the fourth quarter.
      However, "; S19[27]=" the state of the northern hemisphere economies will play a role in outbound travel from this region.
      'The figures show around 218,200 "; S20[27]=" US visitors in the six months to June 2002, a drop of 8 per cent compared to the sametime last year.
      Factors "; S21[27]=" including the decline in air capacity on the US-Australia route and the recent shocks on the US stock market will continue to impact on outbound "; S22[27]=" travel.
      Mr Boundy said there were mixed results across Asia, with China and Korea continuing to buck the trend, recording growth in "; S23[27]=" arrivals (up 14 per cent and 5 per cent respectively for the six months to June 2002).
      'Arrivals from Japan continue to "; S24[27]=" show signs of improvement, with arrivals up by two per cent in June, the second consecutive month of growth,' he said.
      'There "; S25[27]=" are also indications that Australia has increased it's share of outbound travel from Japan, with the trend expected to continue.
      'However, visitors "; S26[27]=" from a number of markets in the Asia region, including Taiwan (down about 18 per cent in the six months to June 2002) continued to "; S27[27]=" decline.'.. "; R[28]="654"; T[28]="Australian tourists contribute $24bn to regions"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20020724"; Dt[28]="Wednesday 24 July 2002"; Acats[28]="a44"; B1[28]="      Figures released this week show just how much tourism contributes to the economy.
      Bureau of Tourism Research statistics released "; B2[28]="yesterday shows that $45.5 billion was spent by Australian tourists travelling the country in a single year... "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      Figures released this week show just how much tourism contributes to the economy.
      Bureau of Tourism Research statistics released "; S2[28]=" yesterday shows that $45.5 billion was spent by Australian tourists travelling the country in a single year.
      The figures show that in "; S3[28]=" 1999, more than half or about $24 billion of that money was spent in regional areas.
      The bureau's director, Peter Robins, said "; S4[28]=" the statistics 'reinforce the importance of tourism to our national and regional economies, for employment and national growth'.
      Mr Mackay who runs "; S5[28]=" a farmstay in Dungog NSW can attest to the impact of tourism in rural areas.
      'It is very important, particularly in our "; S6[28]=" district in Dungog because it was originally an agriculturally based town.
      Tourism is becoming the major dollar earner,' he said.
    "; S7[28]="   Proximity to Sydney, as well as to wineries, beaches and Barrington Tops National Park, contributed to the Hunter Valley's success, Mr Mackay said.
  "; S8[28]="     'We are lucky to have something to sell.
      If you go further west there are towns which are struggling.' The "; S9[28]=" Hunter Valley was one of the top 10 regions for domestic tourism, as were all state capitals except Hobart and Canberra.
      Queensland's "; S10[28]=" Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and tropical north were also in the top 10.
      In total the top 10 regions received 53 per "; S11[28]=" cent of all expenditure.
      The NSW Minister for Tourism, Sandra Nori, said the Hunter Valley was a stand-out region for spending by "; S12[28]=" day visitors, having increased 61 per cent between 1998 and 1999.
      That is almost twice that of the Gold Coast, where day "; S13[28]=" visitor spending was up 33 per cent over the same period.
      Tourism NSW is encouraging domestic tourism further away from Sydney.
  "; S14[28]="     'Regional tourism means jobs for young people.
      This is vital to help build our regions and provide a future for "; S15[28]=" regional communities,' Ms Nori said.
      NSW received the most overnight expenditure - $10.3billion.
      Queensland followed with $8.9billion, and Victoria "; S16[28]=" attracted $6.1billion... "; R[29]="613"; T[29]="Backpackers on the rise in Queensland"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20020718"; Dt[29]="Thursday 18 July 2002"; Acats[29]="a44a66"; B1[29]="      Federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey says international backpackers are proving to be one of Queensland s best resources with numbers increasing over "; B2[29]="the past 10 years... "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      Federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey says international backpackers are proving to be one of Queensland's best resources with numbers increasing over the "; S2[29]=" past 10 years.
      A new report indicates Queensland is one of the top 10 destinations for the backpacking industry.
      "; S3[29]=" Mr Hockey says the report, despite being compiled from figures from 1999, still indicates a growing trend and should not be affected by recent adverse "; S4[29]=" events.
      'Certainly all the events involving Childers and the collapse of Ansett have had an impact on backpacking industry, but all "; S5[29]=" evidence suggests backpacking industry has held up well since those events took place,' Mr Hockey said.
      'In fact backpackers are proving to "; S6[29]=" be our most resilient inbound tourists,' he said.
      The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) says backpackers are proving the most resilient tourists "; S7[29]=" with growing numbers visiting the State.
      QTIC chief executive officer Daniel Gschwind told the ABC that four Queensland destinations, including north Queensland, "; S8[29]=" Brisbane, the Whitsundays and Hervey Bay are among the top 10 places to visit for international backpackers.
      Mr Gschwind says the 1999 "; S9[29]=" figures are still indicative of more recent trends.
      'The anecdotal evidence and some surveys since September 11 indicate the backpacker market has "; S10[29]=" proved to be particularly resilient,' Mr Gschwind said.
      'Travellers who fall into that category are less troubled by sporadic bad news "; S11[29]=" like September 11.
      'They are more prepared to go to adventurous destinations and less affected by those events so that market has "; S12[29]=" held up very well, I have to say,' he said... "; R[30]="583"; T[30]="Stubbie cartons focus on new NT tourism advertisement"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20020713"; Dt[30]="Saturday 13 July 2002"; Acats[30]="a44a70"; B1[30]="      Fishermen with a hard-earned thirst could have more than a cold VB to satisfy them as a result of a new promotional "; B2[30]="campaign for the Northern Territory... "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      Fishermen with a hard-earned thirst could have more than a cold VB to satisfy them as a result of a new promotional "; S2[30]=" campaign for the Northern Territory.
      Cartons of Victoria Bitter will carry Northern Territory advertisements promoting the NT as the ultimate fishing destination, "; S3[30]=" Minister for Tourism Paul Henderson said.
      The advertising promotion, which starts this week, will run on 600, 000 special 30-pack cartons for "; S4[30]=" the next six weeks.
      'This is a cleverly thought-out promotion, based on qualitative research, which understands the motivations of Australians who fish "; S5[30]=" while on holiday,' Mr Henderson said.
      'Intelligent, tactical marketing post-Sept 11 has already delivered results from the domestic self-drive market and international "; S6[30]=" tourists from the UK.
      I have no doubt that this campaign will deliver similar results.
      'Victoria Bitter has a "; S7[30]=" national male appeal with an audience akin to that of your typical NT fishing enthusiast, ensuring maximum exposure in this valuable market.
      "; S8[30]=" 'And Victoria Bitter only runs four advertising promotions on its packs per year, including a major AFL campaign, and they all prove extremely successful.
  "; S9[30]="     'In fact, this exposure is valued at close to $1 million for the NT tourism industry, so while it may appear a rather "; S10[30]=" light-hearted way to get our message out, it is definitely effective.' The promotion involves giving away a barra fishing safari 'of a lifetime', as well "; S11[30]=" as advertising fishing product offers and accommodation at special rates.
      The distribution is national through all VB retailers... "; R[31]="572"; T[31]="Year of the Outback featured in The Country Web"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20020711"; Dt[31]="Thursday 11 July 2002"; Acats[31]="a44a48"; B1[31]="      Character and life stories of people who have lived in far western NSW are told in this month s Year of the "; B2[31]="Outback edition of The Country Web magazine... "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      Character and life stories of people who have lived in far western NSW are told in this month's 'Year of the Outback' "; S2[31]=" edition of The Country Web magazine.
      Produced by NSW Agriculture's Rural Women's Network, the 28th edition provides an interesting perspective on the "; S3[31]=" past and present outback; stories of outback experiences; adventures and reflections; career opportunities; and artistic endeavours.
      Editor Sylvia Porss described it as "; S4[31]=" a very personable edition, with a number of personal stories from people who have lived in the more remote regions of Australia.
      "; S5[31]=" 'Annette Irving from Warren, who has a keen interest in history and writing, describes the changes of the outback as she sees it since early "; S6[31]=" western settlement, which provides an informative background to outback life,' she said.
      'There are stories about camel races in Marree, a city-girl "; S7[31]=" gone bush, a dental tour servicing outback stations, the Country Care Link's 'Telepal' children's phone-pal tour, and poetry that captures life out back.
    "; S8[31]="   'Profiles of two more unusual careers demonstrate that there's more to outback work than just sheep dip and cattle drives.
      Outback "; S9[31]=" art is also showcased in a double-page spread on paintings, music, photography and theatre.' With a readership of some 20,000 people, The Country Web is "; S10[31]=" an important communication avenue for rural women and their families, providing a wealth of information and contacts.
      Apart from highlights of outback "; S11[31]=" events, the current edition contains information about resources, grants and funding.
      Copies of the 28th edition and previous editions featuring themes of "; S12[31]=" 'natural resource management' and 'volunteering' are available from Allison Windus at the Rural Women's Network on 6391 3620.
      The Country Web can "; S13[31]=" also be accessed via the Internet at www.agric.nsw.gov.au/rwn... "; R[32]="568"; T[32]="Outback Highway will go ahead"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20020711"; Dt[32]="Thursday 11 July 2002"; Acats[32]="a44a56"; B1[32]="      A spokesman for the Northern Territory s Transport and Infrastructure Minister Kon Vatskalis says the Government stands by its election promise to "; B2[32]="spend $40 million on the Outback Highway through central Australia.
      The Minister s office says the Government will start spending the money "; B3[32]="this financial year... "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      A spokesman for the Northern Territory's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Kon Vatskalis says the Government stands by its election promise to spend "; S2[32]=" $40 million on the Outback Highway through central Australia.
      The Minister's office says the Government will start spending the money this financial "; S3[32]=" year.
      Mr Vatskalis had been accused by the Territory's Opposition leader Dennis Burke of breaking the election promise.
      But "; S4[32]=" the Minister's office says he is trying to coordinate a joint upgrade of the highway, which would cross the country diagonally from Western Australia to "; S5[32]=" Queensland.
      But the spokesman says the Territory's money will be spent no matter whether the Western Australia and Queensland ministers support the "; S6[32]=" project.
      The spokesman says Mr Vatskalis will discuss the issue with his interstate counterparts and Federal Transport Minister John Anderson next month... "; R[33]="548"; T[33]="The Dish brings in the tourists"; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20020708"; Dt[33]="Monday 8 July 2002"; Acats[33]="a44a45"; B1[33]="      A movie about an Australian telescope s role in the world s first moon walk is continuing to prove a tourist boom "; B2[33]="for regional New South Wales, with great expectations for Japanese release of The Dish... "; B3[33]=" "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      A movie about an Australian telescope's role in the world's first moon walk is continuing to prove a tourist boom for regional "; S2[33]=" New South Wales, with great expectations for Japanese release of The Dish.
      Ahead of the premiere in Japan this weekend, a crew "; S3[33]=" from the Fuji Television network recently made a dash to the Parkes radio telescope in central NSW to film a preview.
      The "; S4[33]=" preview screened this week to about 10 million viewers.
      The operation scientist at the telescope, John Sarkission, says it is hoped the "; S5[33]=" Japanese release will build on the increase in international tourism the film has already sparked.
      'Especially amateur astronomers who've seen the film "; S6[33]=" elsewhere in the world and have visited the telescope to see where The Dish was filmed,' Mr Sarkission said.
      In Japan The "; S7[33]=" Dish will be called Sheep on the Moon, which is a play on an ancient Japanese legend called Rabbit on the Moon... "; R[34]="491"; T[34]="Eco-Tourism Opportunities In Private Forests"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20020621"; Dt[34]="Friday 21 June 2002"; Acats[34]="a39a44"; B1[34]="      Tasmania s Private Forest Reserves Program is developing the potential to be a significant tourism asset for Tasmania.... "; B2[34]=" "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      Tasmania's Private Forest Reserves Program is developing the potential to be a significant tourism asset for Tasmania.
      Eco-tourism operator "; S2[34]=" Len Doherty, of Mountain Valley Wilderness Holidays in north-west Tasmania, has signed his own property onto the Private Forest Program and sees good opportunities for "; S3[34]=" tourism in the program.
      Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment David Llewellyn agrees the participation of tourism operators in environmental programs "; S4[34]=" like the PFRP and Land for Wildlife will prove a draw-card to visitors from interstate and overseas.
      'Eco-tourism is a growing market "; S5[34]=" which fits perfectly within Tasmania's promotional campaign urging people to come to Tasmania and discover their natural state.
      'Tasmania is the first "; S6[34]=" State to establish this type of program to protect forests on private land and it fits in really well with the marketing message already in "; S7[34]=" place.' Len and Pat Doherty's agreement with the Private Forest Reserves Program applies a conservation covenant on 51 hectares of their Loongana property, a peaceful "; S8[34]=" hideaway situated at the base of Black Bluff.
      For 20 years, they have provided accommodation and guided tours which focus on the "; S9[34]=" area's natural values.
      Their new private forest reserve contains an endangered forest community - wet white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis).
      "; S10[34]=" The creek that flows through the property is home to the giant freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi), a threatened species that can grow to more than "; S11[34]=" 4 kilograms in size and live for more than 60 years.
      The covenant is also protecting a highly significant karst system.
  "; S12[34]="     The Mostyn Hardy Cave contains a range of creatures adapted to underground life including glow-worms, cave crickets, pseudoscorpions, harvestman and bugs.
    "; S13[34]="   Many of these species are rare, particularly those known as troglobites, which spend their entire life cycle in the dark zone of the cave.
"; S14[34]="       There are also fascinating anecdotal reports of pale fish seen in the upper reaches of the cave, which have a layer of "; S15[34]=" translucent skin covering their eyeballs.
      Fossils of extinct megafauna, including those of a giant kangaroo, have been discovered in the cave.
  "; S16[34]="     Mr Llewellyn said the Doherty agreement was a welcome addition to the portfolio of protected private forests in Tasmania.
      'This "; S17[34]=" joint State-Commonwealth program is working to preserve bushland areas containing species which are not already reserved.
      It is working actively to ensure "; S18[34]=" that fragile eco-systems are protected for the future.'.. "; R[35]="419"; T[35]="Wine tourism and exports review announced"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20020525"; Dt[35]="Saturday 25 May 2002"; Acats[35]="a08a13a44"; B1[35]="      Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss today announced an independent review of Australia s wine tourism and export industries - to be conducted "; B2[35]="by ACIL Consulting... "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss today announced an independent review of Australia's wine tourism and export industries - to be conducted by "; S2[35]=" ACIL Consulting.
      'The review, which was a commitment made by the Government during the last Federal Election campaign, will seek to identify "; S3[35]=" additional strategies and actions that individual wine producers, the industry as a whole and governments can take to promote growth in wine tourism and to "; S4[35]=" increase wine exports,' Mr Truss said.
      'The review will focus on that sector of the industry - the small to medium wine "; S5[35]=" producers - which may not have reaped the same level of benefit as the bigger players from Australia's explosive wine export growth during the past "; S6[35]=" decade.' Australia is the world's fourth largest wine exporter and the largest outside Europe.
      'Small to medium wine producers make up the "; S7[35]=" bulk of Australia's 1400-plus wineries.
      They make an important contribution to the economies of many parts of rural and regional Australia,' Mr "; S8[35]=" Truss said.
      'Given the pressures confronting our wine producers in tighter domestic and global wine markets, it is time to examine what "; S9[35]=" we need to do to maintain and improve their economic performance.
      'Wine tourism and wine exporting are two important strategies that can "; S10[35]=" help to achieve these goals.' Mr Truss said the review would take about four months to deliver its report to the Government.
      "; S11[35]=" The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia will chair a Steering Committee that would assist the review.
      The committee will "; S12[35]=" include representatives of the Australian wine industry, the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, the tourism industry and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.
  "; S13[35]="     'In addition to the review, the Federal Government will also provide $450,000 over the next three years to enable the industry to implement "; S14[35]=" a national wine tourism strategy,' Mr Truss said.
      This funding is being provided through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.
  "; S15[35]="     'Both initiatives will also make an important contribution to the Government's election commitment to develop a 10 year strategic plan for the tourism "; S16[35]=" industry,' Mr Truss said... "; R[36]="275"; T[36]="Summer visits critical for future of alpine resorts"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20020418"; Dt[36]="Thursday 18 April 2002"; Acats[36]="a44"; B1[36]="      Building on growing non-winter visitation rates is just one way that Victoria s alpine resort industry can confront the challenges facing it "; B2[36]="over the next 20 years, according to a new discussion paper released today by the Minister for Environment and Conservation, Sherryl Garbutt... "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      Building on growing non-winter visitation rates is just one way that Victoria's alpine resort industry can confront the challenges facing it over "; S2[36]=" the next 20 years, according to a new discussion paper released today by the Minister for Environment and Conservation, Sherryl Garbutt.
      Ms "; S3[36]=" Garbutt said the release of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Discussion Paper was the first step in the development of a strategic vision and framework for "; S4[36]=" the future planning of Victoria's alpine resorts.
      'As demonstrated by recent experience, the alpine resorts need to able to respond to periodic "; S5[36]=" poor snow seasons and plateauing rates of winter visitation.
      They need to be able to grasp the opportunities that arise from the "; S6[36]=" high growth in non winter visitation,' Ms Garbutt said.
      Ms Garbutt said Victoria's alpine resorts are maturing into permanent year-round residential villages "; S7[36]=" and are becoming the gateways to Victoria's high country.
      'To ensure that the resorts remain vital into the future, a long-term strategy "; S8[36]=" focussing on the all round use of the resorts is required.
      This discussion paper is the first step in the development of "; S9[36]=" that strategy,' Ms Garbutt said.
      Ms Garbutt said that while there are many unique challenges confronting Victoria's alpine resorts, there are also "; S10[36]=" some real opportunities for sustainable growth.
      'Alpine resorts are key economic, employment and tourism drivers in regional Victoria and a popular source "; S11[36]=" of recreation for Victorians,' Ms Garbutt said.
      'The Bracks Government is committed to fostering appropriate development in Victoria's alpine resorts.
    "; S12[36]="   We are mindful, however, that the growth of our alpine resorts must adhere to the principles of ecologically sustainable development.' Ms Garbutt said the "; S13[36]=" key issues for Victoria's six alpine resorts of Mt Buller, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Baw Baw, Lake Mountain and Mt Stirling are addressed in "; S14[36]=" the Discussion Paper.
      The issues raised include: · The fact that Victoria's alpine resorts contribute $129 million per annum to the State "; S15[36]=" and support 3,700 jobs in construction, tourism and related services.
      Most of this expenditure and jobs are in regional Victoria; · Global "; S16[36]=" warming as a result of the greenhouse effect is predicted to have some impact on natural snow falls at lower elevations in the future; · "; S17[36]=" Snow season visitation records shows static growth over the last two decades.
      Demographic trends and the effects of changing leisure patterns suggest "; S18[36]=" that only modest growth in snow season use will occur to 2020; and · Non-winter visitation has doubled over the last decade and further promotion "; S19[36]=" of this market is a key adaptation to any effects of climate change; and 'I encourage all interested Victorian's to respond to the issues raised "; S20[36]=" in the Discussion Paper and contribute to the development of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy' Ms Garbutt said.
      Public submissions on the "; S21[36]=" Discussion Paper are invited up to 31 July 2002... "; R[37]="261"; T[37]="Exclusion of commercial fishers could boost tourism"; A[37]="By ... Editor"; Dn[37]="20020404"; Dt[37]="Thursday 4 April 2002"; Acats[37]="a34a37a44"; B1[37]="      Queensland s peak recreational fishing body says the exclusion of commercial operators from six key fishing areas would boost tourism and spending "; B2[37]="in regional economies... "; B3[37]=" "; B4[37]=" "; B5[37]=" "; S1[37]="      Queensland's peak recreational fishing body says the exclusion of commercial operators from six key fishing areas would boost tourism and spending in "; S2[37]=" regional economies.
      On Friday, Sunfish will submit applications to the Queensland Fisheries Service to create recreational only fishing areas off Brisbane, Mackay, "; S3[37]=" Townsville, Hervey Bay and Weipa.
      Chief executive officer David Bateman told the ABC that it will take a lot of consultation with "; S4[37]=" the commercial fishing industry, conservationists and indigenous groups, but he is confident of success.
      'I think we have an excellent chance of "; S5[37]=" getting some or parts or all of them over the next five years,' he said.
      'I think there'll be quite a few "; S6[37]=" of them actually declared in the next two to three years.' The Queensland Seafood Industry Association says it will oppose the applications for recreational fishing "; S7[37]=" areas.
      The association's president, John Olsen, says commercial operators cannot afford to lose access to more fishing grounds.
      'Oh "; S8[37]=" look, we simply have been squeezed down and squeezed down in available fishing area over a great number of years because of management restrictions that "; S9[37]=" have been on the commercial sector for decades, and it's slowly wound the commercial industry down, down, down,' he said... "; R[38]="250"; T[38]="Invasive weed cause swimming ban"; A[38]="By ... Editor"; Dn[38]="20020404"; Dt[38]="Thursday 4 April 2002"; Acats[38]="a37a42a44a48a85"; B1[38]="      Adelaide s West Lakes have been closed to all activity as concerns grow over the spread of an exotic weed.... "; B2[38]=" "; B3[38]=" "; B4[38]=" "; B5[38]=" "; S1[38]="      Adelaide's West Lakes have been closed to all activity as concerns grow over the spread of an exotic weed.
      "; S2[38]=" Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) said the ban - which includes swimming, boating and windsurfing - would remain in force for one month.
"; S3[38]="       A ban was applied to fishing last week.
      That ban was also extended to the Port River as a "; S4[38]=" marine survey was also launched to check on the spread of the weed, Caulerpa taxifolia.
      PIRSA marine habitat program manager Vic Neverauskas "; S5[38]=" said surveys would continue for the next month.
      In the meantime, he said it was important that the weed was not disturbed.
"; S6[38]="       'Because the seaweed can establish a new plant from a very small piece of an existing plant, even if it has been "; S7[38]=" out of the water for 10 days, PIRSA is concerned that people may inadvertently spread the seaweed,' he explained.
      PIRSA said the "; S8[38]=" weed was not harmful to humans but was distasteful to marine species and reduced biodiversity because it was invasive.
      In other countries "; S9[38]=" where the weed had been found whole fisheries have been decimated.
      Marine experts said it was capable of colonising most of South "; S10[38]=" Australia's marine waters.
      It had previously been found in some areas of Queensland and NSW... "; R[39]="194"; T[39]="Wine industry urged to develop tourism strategy"; A[39]="By ... Editor"; Dn[39]="20020315"; Dt[39]="Friday 15 March 2002"; Acats[39]="a13a44"; B1[39]="      It is claimed a good wine tourism strategy could mean the difference between survival and closure for small winemakers in the next "; B2[39]="five years... "; B3[39]=" "; B4[39]=" "; B5[39]=" "; S1[39]="      It is claimed a good wine tourism strategy could mean the difference between survival and closure for small winemakers in the next "; S2[39]=" five years.
      Ian Hollick, who chairs the Australian Wine Tourism Alliance, says it is a way of increasing the number of people "; S3[39]=" visiting cellar doors.
      He says the Federal Government has promised $150,000 a year for three years for wine tourism and the alliance "; S4[39]=" looks forward to delivering practical benefits.
      'The small end of the industry is facing increased competition out in the market place and "; S5[39]=" we're adamant this will be a very important part of the viability of smaller operators whose numbers of distribution channels are shrinking every month and "; S6[39]=" the product of the smaller operators is going to provide the flavour if you like of the wine tourism product,' he said... "; R[40]="118"; T[40]="Tourism takes stock route"; A[40]="By ... Editor"; Dn[40]="20020222"; Dt[40]="Friday 22 February 2002"; Acats[40]="a27a44"; B1[40]="      Country singer John Williamson this week launched the first complete book of stock routes in NSW, appropriately named The Long Paddock, on "; B2[40]="a stock route near Narrabri in the state s northwest... "; B3[40]=" "; B4[40]=" "; B5[40]=" "; S1[40]="      Country singer John Williamson this week launched the first complete book of stock routes in NSW, appropriately named The Long Paddock, on "; S2[40]=" a stock route near Narrabri in the state's northwest.
      Formerly the domain of drovers and their cattle, stock routes could soon host "; S3[40]=" tourists keen to boil the billy and experience the great outback first hand.
      'Stock routes are very valuable to us.
    "; S4[40]="   They are very uniquely Australian,' Williamson explained to the Daily Telegraph.
      'They are legendary with our drovers and have been around "; S5[40]=" since the year dot.
      'I think this book will be interesting to a whole range of people, modern day drovers included.
  "; S6[40]="     'It gives everyone a chance to learn more about travelling stock routes and their place in past and present rural NSW life.
  "; S7[40]="     'It's the real stuff out here and a stock route is the only place where a lot of people can go to experience "; S8[40]=" the outback.' With the help of The Long Paddock, tourists will have a guided tour of stock routes across NSW, their location and the history "; S9[40]=" associated with each area.
      'We are hoping the book will eventually find its way into tourist information centres all over the state,' "; S10[40]=" Trudy Glasgow from NSW Agriculture said.
      'It really is a great publication and the first time all the stock routes in NSW "; S11[40]=" have been put together in the same book.
      'As well as directions on how to get to stock routes in different areas, "; S12[40]=" the book also carries information about each route, their wide ranging uses and what you can expect to find there.
      'We hope "; S13[40]=" this book will enable other interested Australians and overseas tourists a chance to explore.' According to the book, travelling stock routes first originated more than "; S14[40]=" 160 years ago as tracks extending from sites of early settlement out to grazing lands.
      By the 1860s, pastoralists moving livestock along "; S15[40]=" these tracks to open new lands for settlement marked paths out from Sydney to rural NSW and through to Queensland.
      Today, stock "; S16[40]=" routes cover approximately 600,000 hectares of NSW and form public Crown Land managed by the Rural Lands Protection Boards.
      The Long Paddock "; S17[40]=" has been more than 12 months in the making and is the combined work of the Rural Land Protection Board and NSW Agriculture... "; R[41]="48"; T[41]="Outback tours: the real thing"; A[41]="By ... Editor"; Dn[41]="20020205"; Dt[41]="Tuesday 5 February 2002"; Acats[41]="a44"; B1[41]="      Two of Australia s best known companies have joined forces to develop genuine tours of the real outback.... "; B2[41]=" "; B3[41]=" "; B4[41]=" "; B5[41]=" "; S1[41]="      Two of Australia's best known companies have joined forces to develop genuine tours of the real outback.
      Pastoral group "; S2[41]=" Australian Agricultural Co and renouned bush outfitter R.M.
      Williams Holdings have developed outback tours to attract international tourists and corporate groups.
  "; S3[41]="     The joint company, Authentic Outback Tours Pty Ltd, will operate tours to some of AACo's 18 cattle stations in Queensland and the Northern "; S4[41]=" Territory.
      While the tours would focus on high-end international tourism and corporate groups, domestic interest was also expected to be strong, the "; S5[41]=" companies said.
      AACo chief executive officer Peter Holmes a Court told AAP that the tours would deliver a 'true Australian bush experience', "; S6[41]=" while reinforcing AACo's commitment to develop and increase opportunities in the communities in which it operated.
      AACo and R.M.
      "; S7[41]=" Williams said they would invite expressions of interest from tour operators throughout March, with the successful tenderer announced mid-year... "; R[42]="3"; T[42]="WA tourism ads praised"; A[42]="By ... Editor"; Dn[42]="20020118"; Dt[42]="Friday 18 January 2002"; Acats[42]="a44a67"; B1[42]="      The WA Tourism Commission s new advertising campaign launched yesterday has won wide praise from the industry.... "; B2[42]=" "; B3[42]=" "; B4[42]=" "; B5[42]=" "; S1[42]="      The WA Tourism Commission's new advertising campaign launched yesterday has won wide praise from the industry.
      It is expected "; S2[42]=" to give the State's biggest industry and foreign exchange earner a significant financial boost.
      Australian Tourism Export Council State manager Ray Bird "; S3[42]=" said the advertisements were fantastic and would be a big help for inbound tourism.
      'I thought the advertisements were very believable and "; S4[42]=" there is nothing plastic about them,' Mr Bird said.
      'The technical side was just brilliant.
      They are a different "; S5[42]=" focus from Elle.
      She attracted attention to WA, now we are focusing on the product.' The campaign, devised by Perth agency 303, "; S6[42]=" has distinct sections for local, interstate and overseas markets.
      Tourism Minister Clive Brown, who launched the advertisements, said the new creative direction "; S7[42]=" aimed at using WA's stunning and unique attractions and friendly people to promote the State to Australia and to the world.
      The "; S8[42]=" Brand WA campaign featuring supermodel Elle Macpherson has given the State an awareness factor above any other State in Australia and has been an outstanding "; S9[42]=" success.
      Mr Brown said the objective now was to encourage visitors to experience more of the State.
      'The commercials "; S10[42]=" would promote WA as a world class nature-based holiday destination,' he said.
      Perth Convention Bureau director of sales and marketing Jill Henry "; S11[42]=" agreed with Mr Bird and said the campaign dovetailed beautifully with the bureau's marketing.
      'We love the creativity and we love the "; S12[42]=" innovation, they will provide important destination awareness,' she said.
      Staging conventions is regarded as one of the biggest growth markets.
    "; S13[42]="   The Perth centre is due to be finished in May 2004.
      Seven conventions are listed for that year.
      "; S14[42]=" Tourism Council of WA president Manny Papadoulis said the new advertisements were highly creative and would capture consumers'attention.
      'The commercials showcase our "; S15[42]=" State and all the wonderful attractions and activities available for tourists in a very creative manner' Mr Papadoulis said.
      'Our natural attractions "; S16[42]=" set WA apart from the rest of the country and the world so it makes sense to promote them as the hero of our advertising "; S17[42]=" campaigns.' Laura Lewis, general manager marketing for Burswood Resort Casino, said the advertisements would stimulate demand.
      Local, interstate and overseas holidaymakers would "; S18[42]=" relate to them.
      The commission will spend $850,000 in WA this year on the new campaign and $3.5 million overseas.
    "; S19[42]="   'The tourism industry is extremely enthusiastic with the new commercials,' commission chief executive Richard Muirhead said.
      'We also have had a "; S20[42]=" fantastic reaction both in WA and around the world with sample audiences... ";