It's Official - Time-Poor Americans Can 'Do' Australia in Just One Week!

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Tourism Australia and Qantas sent 100
Americans to Australia for a week in the lead up to a new campaign which
demonstrates that time-poor Americans can get a truly authentic and fulfilling
Australian experience with just one week's vacation time.
The campaign, called Aussie Week, begins this week, with television,
online and radio specifically targeting the west coast cities of Los Angeles,
San Francisco and San Diego.
Michelle Gysberts, Vice President Americas, Tourism Australia said that
though Australia is consistently listed on the top of popularity polls of
desirable destinations for American travelers, many assume that they need more
than a week to justify a visit.
"Americans generally think nothing of jumping on a flight to Europe to
spend their annual week's vacation, yet the flight time to Australia is
practically the same. Also, with great deals on transportation and
accommodation and fewer ground costs -- Australia is better value for money
than many other international destinations."
Wally R. Mariani, Qantas Airways, senior executive vice president, The
Americas and Pacific, said that with Qantas, the journey begins as soon as you
step onto the flight.
"With your own personal entertainment system in every seat providing over
400 choices on demand, fine Australian food and wine and friendly Aussie
service, you're there before you know it," he said.
As part of the campaign, 100 west coast American competition winners were
sent to experience different parts of Australia for a week. Video diaries and
footage of a selection of the winners will air in a half-hour special on CBS
at 7pm on the 19th January 2008.
A specially developed campaign microsite http://www.aussieweek.com
includes iconic as well as off the beaten track itinerary ideas and
experiences in and around the key Australian hubs of Brisbane, Melbourne and
Sydney from as little as $250 a day, including flights and 4 star
accommodation.
The easy to navigate and interactive site also includes videos from the
CBS half-hour special as well as travel deals, photos and travel blogs from
other visitors.
City breaks are available for $1699 including roundtrip flights and four
star accommodations for seven nights.
Choose from:

-- Sassy Sydney - voted one of the world's best cities for its first-class
restaurants, impressive icons, wine valleys, beaches and outdoor
adventures

-- Marvelous Melbourne - a stylish and progressive city with fascinating
architecture, trams, fashion, food, theatres, art galleries and
eclectic nightlife; or

-- Beachy Brisbane with its access to the Great Barrier Reef, wildlife,
beautiful coastline and tropical adventures.

An official launch event, including a preview of the CBS special, will be
held at the CBS Studios Hollywood, 7600 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles on
Wednesday, 16th January, 2008, commencing at 7pm.
To attend the launch event, contact athompson@tourism.australia.com or
+1 310 695 3219.
Aussie Week is launched in conjunction with G'day U.S.A Australia Week.
Growing from its inception in 2004 and celebrating its fifth year of success,
Australia Week is now arguably the largest foreign country promotion held
annually in the United States showcasing all things Australian from trade and
investment, food and wine, film, arts, fashion, lifestyle, to indigenous
culture and tourism. For more information see http://www.australia-week.com
SOURCE Tourism Australia

Zoe Shurgold, +1-310-695-3213, or Cell, +1-310-283-9745,
zshurgold@tourism.australia.com