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| USTOA Vice Chairperson Bronwyn Wilson (left) and USTOA President Terry Dale (right) present a $10,000 contribution to Anthony Hayes, CEO, Tourism Queensland (center). |
Following the massive flooding that took place earlier this year in the state of Queensland, Australia, the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is reporting that Queensland is in top condition and eager to welcome visitors from the U.S. A delegation of USTOA members recently traveled to Australia to attend the association’s Out of Country Meeting. The meeting, which took place from March 27 to April 6, visited Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Cairns/Port Douglas, Hunter Valley and Sydney areas of Australia.
“Our members were impressed with how well Queensland has rebounded from the floods in late December and the tropical cyclone in early February,” said Terry Dale, USTOA president. “We want to encourage agents to book Australia, and especially Queensland, and we are confident that clients will have an exceptional travel experience,” he said.
The USTOA also presented a $10,000 donation to The Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal Fund. The fund is a trust designed to help entities and individuals affected by the destructive flooding that hit Queensland earlier this year, and to aid in recovery work underway.
”We want to get the word out that Australia—and more specifically Queensland—is open for business,” said APT President and Vice Chairperson of USTOA, Bronwyn Wilson. “Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Cairns/Port Douglas area, which we visited during the USTOA Out of Country trip, are back in top operating condition and ready to welcome North American visitors.
Tourism Queensland Americas International Director Shana Pereira welcomed the USTOA delegation’s visit, and noted it as a positive sign of tourism recovery in the region.
“The visit was a great way for us to show the USTOA that ‘nothing beats Queensland’ and that Queensland is well and truly ready to welcome visitors,” Pereira said.
Visit www.ustoa.com.