Martin Ferguson
Minister for Resources and Energy
Minister for Tourism
Jan McLucas
Senator for Queensland
Breathtaking images of Oprah’s visit to the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island and the Great Barrier Reef were screened to over 40 million viewers in the US yesterday as part of the first episode of Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure.
Footage viewed by the US audience included Oprah witnessing the spectacular sights of the Great Barrier Reef from a helicopter, after only previously reading about it and seeing it in documentaries. Oprah described being able to view the natural wonder first hand as amazing. She also described the beautiful composition of coral that has naturally formed into the shape of a heart and appropriately named the Heart Reef as “not just cool, that is damn cool”.
Amongst other activities featured in the episode Oprah also threw her first shrimp on the barbie at Hamilton Island under the guide of Aussie celebrity chef Curtis Stone.
Australian audiences will have the opportunity to watch the show tonight and they will be joined by millions more viewers as broadcast of the show rolls out to a further 144 countries around the world.
During the first episode Oprah told viewers about the amazing welcome she and her 302 Ultimate Audience members had received in Australia and the warmth and hospitality they all enjoyed during filming.
Importantly, during the show, Oprah reminded everyone that despite the terrible floods ravaging parts of the country, Australians are resilient and recovery is underway.
Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, said this message of support, from one of the world’s most influential celebrities, could not have come at a better time for Australia’s tourism industry.
“The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s most iconic tourism destinations and it will now be on display as part of this important visit.
“Queensland's tourism industry provides jobs where people live- in Brisbane and Cairns - as well as many regional communities,” Minister Ferguson said.
“Oprah’s Ultimate Australia Adventure not only showed international visitors about the quality of our experiences, it’s a reminder to Australians about the beauty and richness of our local tourism activities.
“Despite the extensive damage caused by the floods, the majority of our iconic tourism destinations – including in Queensland - are untouched and trading as usual.
“They continue to welcome visitors, and it is important during this challenging time that we encourage people to have a holiday in Australia and ensure businesses maintain their meetings and conferences.
“Communities need the influx of tourism dollars, which will benefit the whole economy.
“Holidaying and continuing to conduct meetings and events in Australia will help flood-affected communities get back on their feet and help keep people in jobs.”
Tourism generates $9.2 billion dollars for Queensland’s economy. With the strong economy and high Australian dollar, more Australians are choosing to holiday overseas at the same time that more international visitors are coming to Australia.
Oprah’s Ultimate Australia Adventure will encourage more visitors to Australia but it will also remind Australians that some of the best holiday destinations in the world can be found right here in our own back yard.
Tourism Australia, Tourism Queensland and commercial partners are targeting their marketing to help turn the publicity from Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure into travel bookings.
Senator McLucas said Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure will encourage more visitors to Australia but it will also remind Australians that some of the best holiday destinations in the world can be found right here in our own back yard.
“Reef operators are telling me that divers and snorkelers have not had such great underwater visibility for a long time so it really is a great time visit the region.”