As we reported almost two months ago, Tourism Queensland's budget has gone into the Red, resulting in drastic cuts to its budget, including the closure of one of Tourism Queensland's two offices in Japan.
Our report has now been confirmed by The Courier Mail's story yesterday (Christmas Day, 2010) titled:
'Tourism Queensland says sayonara'.
Part of the blame for the $500,000 Black Hole in Tourism Queensland's budget has been attributed to TQ staff going on overseas trips (over $210,000), with 'nothing to show for it'.
One particular Tourism Queensland Staff member's travelling expenses have come under the spotlight.
According to The Courier Mail, Digital Marketing Director, Chris Chambers, took a 12 day trip a year ago, notching up $6,500 in expenses in an effort "to negotiate savings for the promotion of Queensland globally". One would think Mr Chambers, being in the position he is, would embrace 21st Century digital technology rather than old 20th Century methods.
The State Opposition has called for a full review of Tourism Queensland's International Marketing - hopefully they will look at Tourism Whitsundays' marketing efforts and 'value for money' next . . .
The Opposition should also look at the joint Tourism Queensland / Tourism Whitsundays Coast Multi RTO's Website project managed by Mr Peter O'Reilly, CEO of Tourism Whitsundays (and ex Tourism Queensland), that was due to come online at the end of September. That project launch was then delayed to the 23rd December (odd day for a website launch), and now we hear it will be mid February. This $420,000 project is now running around five months overdue.
UPDATE7pm Sunday 26 December 2010
Tourism Queensland and Tourism Whitsundays sponsor Mate in Sydney to Hobart Yacht race.
Leo Rodriguez, owner of Internet Whitsunday (aka Voice2Net), and long time member of Tourism Whitsundays has become the beneficiary of what appears to be new sails, courtesy of the Queensland taxpayers, Whitsundays ratepayers and Tourism Whitsundays Members.
Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes (already in hot water over recent revelations of staff junkets, budget defecits and poor marketing results - see below) said: “To celebrate the launch of The Whitsundays new tourism brand, The Whitsundays 74 Island Wonders, earlier this month, we decided the timing was perfect to partner with Merit and put some Whitsundays wind into the Sydney to Hobart race’s sail,” Mr Hayes said.
Tourism Whitsundays contract Mr Rodriguez for their internet services.
We would like to know how much has been spent by Tourism Queensland and Tourism Whitsundays on this marketing campaign.
Social Media Klout of those mentioned in this article:
CKJChambers (Digital Marketing Director, Tourism Queenland) - 45
Tourism Queensland - 48
Tourism Whitsundays - 40
Peter O"Reilly (CEO Tourism Whitsundays) - 10
Whitsundays Online (Us) - 67
Whitsundays News - Coreen the Cranky Curlew (original tip)
The Courier Mail - Kelmeny Fraser and Samantha Healy
Yachte.com.au
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