Million dollar partnership to boost regional tourism

The NSW Minister for Tourism, Matt Brown, today announced a $1.5 million marketing partnership with Jetstar resulting in an advertising and promotional blitz to profile the NSW North Coast and Sydney.

Mr Brown made the announcement with Jetstar in Tweed Heads today during the Australian Tourism Export Council’s annual Symposium for the international travel industry, saying “The campaign commenced on Sunday, April 15 and includes television and print advertising in Melbourne, South East Queensland and Adelaide”, adding, “It is offering affordably-priced holiday packages to The Tweed, Ballina, Byron Bay, Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and Sydney.”

“This is the first large scale co-operative campaign between Tourism NSW and Jetstar to promote holiday travel to the NSW North Coast and Sydney,” he said.

The campaign features four NSW North Coast television commercials (one ad each) for The Tweed, Ballina/Byron, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley. There is also a new television commercial for Sydney.

The television commercials will be aired in key spots including during AFL matches, Seven News, Dancing with the Stars and Desperate Housewives.

Flights, accommodation and car hire deals can be booked on one website – www.jetstar.com

Jetstar flights direct from Melbourne to Ballina/Byron have special web fares available at Jetstar.com from $99 one way and to The Tweed via the Gold Coast Airport gateway from $109 one way.

Visitors will be able to book packages such as two nights in the Tweed region staying at the luxury Mantra on Salt Beach resort with return Jetstar flights from Melbourne for $486 per person via Jetstar.com only.

“Tourism NSW is delighted to be working with Jetstar. The airline is helping us to create new markets and opportunities to grow tourism in far north NSW,” Mr Brown said, adding, “By partnering with Jetstar, Tourism NSW and the tourism industry can extend the reach and frequency of their campaigns”.

Jetstar CEO Alan Joyce said the Gold Coast and adjacent Tweed region, Newcastle and the Hunter and Ballina/Byron Bay were amongst the most popular of Jetstar’s existing Australian leisure destinations in its existing network, adding, “We’ve made access to the Tweed region both seamless and more affordable than before with up to eight daily direct Jetstar flights from Sydney, between 5-6 daily direct services from Melbourne, daily from Adelaide and three times weekly from Newcastle”.

“Our Ballina/Byron services into the region’s growing air gateway in Ballina include at least daily flights from Sydney and a unique direct interstate jet service from Melbourne now flying three times weekly.”

“Jetstar’s active presence in flying direct into the Ballina/Byron region has helped make air access and affordability greater than ever before and provides effective leverage to make the new marketing campaign a success for the local tourism sector.”

Newcastle Airport has become the fastest growing gateway to the famous Hunter Valley region and the superb water playground of Port Stephens now supporting almost 1 million flyers per annum.

Jetstar’s operating capacity into Newcastle has increased almost four fold since it commenced services almost three years ago, to drive passenger traffic.

Mr Joyce said Jetstar operates to Newcastle direct from Brisbane (3 times daily), Melbourne (2 times daily) and direct Gold Coast service (3 times weekly) and with this offer of affordable holiday packages in the campaign, now has an even greater opportunity to deliver a welcome boost to holiday and visitor numbers to NSW.

Jetstar web fares between Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast to Newcastle are presently available from $59 one way at Jetstar.com.

The Sydney promotion includes packages to Sydney from Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Adelaide to see the Priscilla Queen of the Desert stage musical. Return airfares and accommodation for three nights is available from $387. People can buy tickets to the show from $79.90 via www.priscillathemusical.com

Report by The Mole