Townsville – the great escape

Townsville Enterprise has launched a new regional television campaign urging regional Queenslanders to escape to North Queensland.

The $75,000 campaign is screening in markets benefiting from improved air connectivity to Townsville – Cairns, Mount Isa, and Rockhampton – and those just a short drive away the Whitsundays, Mackay and Bowen.

The freshly produced advertisements will run on Channel 7 for two weeks before operators from around the region are offered a chance to buy in for a further two weeks.

Townsville Enterprise Destination Marketing and Development General Manager Brent Randall said the campaign is running through the support of Channel 7, the Townsville Airport, and Tourism Queensland.

“There are some significant challenges facing the tourism industry in North Queensland at the moment but new flights into Townsville from neighbouring regions have opened up new possibilities for holidaymakers from these cities.”

“We’re launching this campaign after Virgin Blue introduced new flights from Cairns and Rockhampton, and Qantas Link started a new flight from Mount Isa, it also supports existing flights along those routes and encourages people from neighbouring cities to take a short drive holiday.”

“We believe North Queensland has a lot to offer as a short break holiday destination and the commercial features a whole range of attractions and activities from within the region.” “The campaign encourages potential visitors to plan their escape to Townsville at the townsvilleholidays.info website. The advertisements can also be found on
YouTube.”

Townsville Accommodation On The Strand

Issued Wednesday, 20 May 2009

From Townsville Enterprise Website

Eight professional conference organisers are taking a whirlwind tour of the city of Townsville as they consider holding future events in North Queensland. The group is in town as guests of the Townsville Enterprise Convention Bureau – taking part in its annual familiarisation tour of the region’s conference and event facilities.

Their itinerary includes stops at meeting rooms, conference facilities, dinner venues, attractions and accommodation providers and is aimed to showcase the region’s business events capabilities. The program includes a trip to Magnetic Island and briefings from regional operators.

Townsville Enterprise Destination Marketing and Development General Manager Brent Randall said the region is coming of age as a business event destination and these conference organisers have all expressed interest in bringing business to North Queensland.

“For the last few years Townsville’s growth rates have been faster than the state average both in business events held, and visitors coming to town for business events.”

“Business Events are a lucrative market – and this opportunity to bring new business events and visitors to the city comes at a time where tourism futures are uncertain and our operators are facing new and different challenges.”

“The benefits of business events are far reaching, when we had the 3,500 Ulysses Motorcycle Club members in town last year for their AGM the whole business community benefited – these events are similar, just on a slightly
smaller scale.”

“All eight of our visiting familiarisation delegates have expressed a strong interest in bringing specific business to the city and they were chosen on the basis that we think it’s highly likely that they’ll do so.”

For more information contact Nathan Campbell on (07) 4726 2753 or 0434 182 765

Townsville air spectacular

article from the Townsville Bulletin

MALCOLM WEATHERUP

March 17th, 2009

A SPECTACULAR air show, tipped to feature the  world’s leading formation flying team the USAF Thunderbirds, is pencilled in for Townsville later this year.

The Strand is expected to be packed with more than 100,000 spectators on the weekend of September 26-27 to watch what is shaping up to be a display to outshine the wildly successful Townsville air shows of the early 1990s.

The Townsville Bulletin understands negotiations are well advanced between the RAAF, the Townsville City Council, the civilian airport managers and other parties on the details of the two-day event.

A program will be put before Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon for his approval within a month.

The Bulletin understands that an afternoon to twilight aerial display is planned for Saturday, September 26,  while Sunday may feature an open day at RAAF Garbutt, with a second flying program being considered. The centrepiece on the Saturday is likely to be the USAF Thunderbirds.

See the US Air Force Thunderbirds in action

Two of the elite display squadron’s officers inspected the Townsville facilities and display air space earlier this month.

The Bulletin understands they were impressed with the facilities and the venue.

Air Commodore Phillip Byrne, who is in charge of ensuring that all arrangements meet feasibility study criteria, is in Townsville at the moment talking with the city council,  local RAAF personnel, Townsville Enterprise and other groups.  Air Commodore Byrne was reluctant to divulge details yesterday, emphasising that the final word was with the Defence Minister and he didn’t wish to pre-empt or speculate on Mr Fitzgibbon’s official decision.

The air show is expected to include the RAAF’s traditional F-111s, which will perform a traditional `dump and burn’ for spectators along The Strand.

There is also a possibility the popular Roulettes will strut their stuff. Other displays are expected to come from the C-17 Globemaster, Hercules, Caribou, F/A-18 Hornet, Hawk, Army Helicopters, Squirrel Pairs Display Team, Seahawk, War Birds and Red Berets.

Townsville air spectacular

Townsville Hotel Last Minute Deals

STOP PRESS: For the months of May & June 2009 Waters Edge Hotel in Townsville North Queensland are offering excelent last minute traveller discounts on all of our Townsville Hotel Accommodation. To get a fantastic Townsville Hotel deal you can book here direct! There is no need to look any further for that great Townsville Accommodation Package.

With amazing views from every room that extend out across the Great Barrier Reef and Magnetic Island, the Waters Edge the Strand hotel is one of the best located hotels in Townsville. To enqiure about our last minute rates send us an email or click here!

Townsville Hotel Last Minute Deals

Evermore in Concert Townsville

Evermore will be live in concert at Bombay Rock in Townsville QLD for their ‘The Truth Of The World’ Tour. Waters Edge the Strand hotel still have some accommodation available for those of you coming in from out of town.

Following the release of their new song Hey Boys and Girls, Evermore are getting set for their ‘The Truth Of The World’ Tour around Australia. Going to be a great concert!!

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Australian Festival of Chamber Music

Entering its 19th year, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) is an international chamber music Festival held over nine days each July in Townsville, North Queensland. Each year, the AFCM attracts between 25 and 30 chamber musicians from around the world, appearing in over 25 concerts performing 80 compositions along with 20 emerging artists. It is Australia’s largest festival dedicated to chamber music.

Bookings are filling fast for this event so be quick and Book your Hotel Strand Accommodation at the Aquarius on the beach.

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Townsville 400 July 10 -12

V8 Supercars Australia is excited to commence work on this signature event. The event will be more than just a race, it will be a festival of events celebrating the best of V8 Supercars. Spectators can expect 3 action packed days of sensational motor racing and entertainment for all ages.

V8 Supercars Australia is committed to ensuring the Townsville 400 street race is a world class event that compliments the other 13 signature events on the V8 Supercars Championship Series Calendar.

The Townsville 400 promises to be ‘the’ sporting event of North Queensland as it showcases itself to the 850 million homes throughout the world-wide telecast – a V8 Supercar event not to be missed!

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2009 PBR Troy Dunn International

Townsville Entertainment Centre

Friday, May 22 and Saturday 23, 2009

The world’s richest cowboys will descend upon North Queensland’s sporting capital to take on our nation’s gutsiest young men in a two night, knock ‘em down, drag ‘em out action spectacular.

An Australia vs Rest of the World format will kick off proceedings on Friday night, in a territorial battle known as First Blood Friday.

On Saturday night ten internationals will line up against a field of thirty Australians, all vying for a slice of the prize money and the opportunity to take home the 2009 PBR Troy Dunn International event buckle.

Book your accommodation quick as rooms are filling fast!

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