Tourism Set to Cash In On Big Summer For International Sport

An unprecedented summer of international sport is set to boost Canberra's tourist numbers after a major decline in business stays and spending in the past year.

With seven Asian Cup football games including a quarter final, three cricket World Cup games and an extra one day International in November, Canberra's tourism boss expected locals to be joined by a mass of regional and international visitors for the sporting feast.

VisitCanberra director Ian Hill said it would be the strongest summer of sport the city had enjoyed. 

"Two absolutely world class events, and I certainly know tickets for those cricket World Cup games have been selling really well."

The National Visitor Survey released last month showed visitor nights were down 790,000 in the domestic business sector for the year to June, a drop of 37.5 per cent. Overall domestic nights were down 16.4 per cent and expenditure down 11.4 per cent, or $14 million. 

International visitor nights also fell 12 per cent, or 570,000 nights, in the same period, with expenditure down 6 per cent.

Mr Hill said the tourism authority was working closely with hoteliers and organisations elsewhere to help them package and promote events.  

"One of those [Asian Cup] games is a China [vs] Korea game; China don't play in Sydney and there's a big group of Chinese background people who live in Sydney, so we're working with some of the multicultural media in Sydney," he said. 

The tourism chief said the key to maximising the windfall for Canberra was ensuring visitors saw other attractions  during their stay, and a rejuvenated cultural and hotel scene would help.

"Places like Braddon are important, Lonsdale Street Roasters is an important place, New Acton, and with new hotels like Hotel Hotel, Peppers has just rebranded, we've seen QT do a fit out at Rydges, the Kurrajong is about to reopen after being refitted – a great location for visitors in the Parliamentary Triangle. I think visitors are seeing a new side of Canberra," Mr Hill said. 

Mr Hill said stories on last week's OECD finding that Canberra was the world's best city to live in,  trumpeted in the New York Times and elsewhere, helped spread the word. 

The Australian Hotels Association ACT recently told ABC TV that occupancy rates were at about 65 per cent, down from the same time last year, but investment was strong, with another 500-600 hotel rooms available by mid-next year. 

Star Studded line up set for Perth International

Reigning US PGA Champion and world number 16, Jason Dufner, has confirmed his return to the PGA Tour of Australasia for the 2014 Perth International at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 23 to 26 October.

Dufner won his first Major Championship last August at Oak Hill in Rochester, NY and will return to Perth after finishing second in the inaugural event in 2012.

He will be joined in the field by the charismatic and talented 24 year old Frenchman, Victor Dubuisson.
Dubuisson is currently the number 1 player on the European Ryder Cup Points list; number 5 on the Race to Dubai Rankings and number 20 in the world rankings.

Dubuisson has enjoyed a terrific past year winning his maiden European Tour title in Turkey last October and reached the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February.

Dufner and Dubuisson are most likely to be rivals at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles four weeks before the Perth International.

Commenting on his return to Perth, Jason Dufner said “I had a great time in Perth two years ago.
"I loved the city, the hospitality and the terrific golf course at Lake Karrinyup.

"I had a terrific battle to the end in 2012, closing as runner-up, and I am hoping to go one better and take home the trophy."

Dubuisson played in the World Cup in Australia last November but this will mark his first trip to Perth.
“I am looking forward to my first trip to Western Australia and have heard a lot of good things about the course and the tournament," said Dubuisson.

"It will be an important event for me in the lead up to the Final Series and Dubai World Championship.”
The Perth International also announced that Korean born, Australian based Jin Jeong will return to defend his title and will be joined in the field by five time European Tour champion and local favourite Brett Rumford, along with Steven Bowditch who won his maiden PGA TOUR title in April at the Texas Open.

On the initial player announcements, David Rollo, Vice President-Director of Golf IMG Australia remarked, “we are delighted to see Jason and Victor commit to the 2014 Perth International and there is no doubt this year’s field will be strongest we have seen with more exciting announcements to follow.

"It is a validation of the outstanding support of Tourism Western Australia and we have the makings of a world class tournament this October.”

The Perth International is now in its third year and is owned and promoted by IMG.

It is proudly supported by the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA, and is the only Australian tournament to be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia.

The Perth International is also partnered with premium brands including Crown Perth, Emirates Airlines, The West Australian and the Seven Network.

Lake Karrinyup Country Club is widely acknowledged as Western Australia’s premier private golf club and has been regularly rated as one of the top ten golf courses in Australia.

Source: http://www.pga.org.au/article-display/star-studded-line-up-set-for-perth-international/138544

Brisbane's Carbrook Golf Course - Metro Hotels

“Hotel General Manager – Allan Hilt said” - It will be a big year for the club as they will host their first National Championship in April 2012 with the Australian Girls’ Amateur Championship and the Australian Girls’ Interstate Teams Matches.

Check out the sharks – see the u tube video’s that have caused a sensation around the world the sharks in the lake around the 13th to 15th holes, “absolutely no searching for your lost golf ball”

The golf club is one of the very few members' owned golf clubs established in Queensland in the last 50 years. As such, the members have control over their own destiny, without interference from landlords or other external parties, and enjoy knowing that any contribution they make to the club stays with the club.

The club property consists of 3 blocks of riverfront land on Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road, Carbrook at the confluence of the Logan and Albert Rivers. It is on the Eastern boundary of the Logan City Council area and closely adjoins Redland Shire. It is a 5 minutes drive from the Loganholme Hyperdome, 8 minutes from Redland Bay, and 15 minutes from Capalaba.

The property totals 92.83 hectares, of which the golf course, including the clubhouse, buggy shed, workshop, and carpark are built on approximately 40 hectares. The balance is a combination Practice Range, Lakes, and unused land.

The golf course is of genuine championship standard: being 18 holes, Par 71, ACR 72 and 6127 metres in length.

The club has a resident Professional, Teaching Professional, and Trainee operating from a well stocked shop. There is a fleet of near new electric Golf Carts for hire at reasonable rates and there is a Driving Range which is free to members, and a warm-up practice nets facility.

The modest but modern clubhouse overlooks the course and adjacent lakes and members and social players can enjoy a drink before or after their round on the outdoor deck overlooking the lake, or test their luck on the gaming machines if they wish. The Bistro is open 7 days with meals 4 days and snacks the other 3. Espresso coffee is available at the bar.

“Play and stay” at Metro Hotel Tower Mill – Call the Hotel on 07 3832 1421 for more information.

Metro Hotel Tower Mill's General Manager, Allan Hilt

Brisbane's Carbrook Golf Course - Metro Hotels

Perth to Host Australia's Richest Golf Tournament

Eventscorp today launched its 2012 events calendar, featuring a record 84 events including Australia's richest golf tournament.

The US$2 million 'Perth International,' held in October next year at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, is expected to attract some of the world's best golfers.

The Perth International is a joint initiative of Eventscorp and International Management Group (IMG) to bring another major international golf event to Perth. IMG will be the owner and promoter of the tournament, which will be sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia. The European Tour is currently experiencing unprecedented success and boasts the top four ranked golf players in world.

The Perth International will be the only tournament in Australia to be sanctioned by the European Tour, and is expected to generate more than 1,000 hours of television coverage around the world, which is great exposure for Western Australia.

Perth to Host Australia's Richest Golf Tournament

Great women's golf on the world stage in Melbourne

The 2012 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open has now been sanctioned by the Ladies Professional Golfing Association (LPGA), and will become part of the global women's tour.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher, said the Victorian Coalition Government, through the Victorian Major Events Company, had worked hard to secure the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in Melbourne for 2012, 2014 and 2015.

"With the 2012 Open now joining the LPGA Tour, this event will attract more competitors and greater media and branding exposure," Ms Asher said.

"Being a part of the LPGA Tour means Melbourne will see an exceptional international field with Golf Australia expecting in excess of 120 international players to compete in Melbourne on the LPGA Tour.

"There will be greater international media exposure for Australia's premier sporting events city. According to the LPGA, the Open will be broadcast into more than 240 million households in 171 countries, exposing our fantastic events and sporting city to thousands of potential tourists and golf fans."

Golf Australia Chief Executive Stephen Pitt said it was a landmark day for Australian golf and particularly women's golf in Australia.

"We are delighted the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open will be played at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on the LPGA Tour's global stage, and look forward to welcoming the world's best to Melbourne," Mr Pitt said.

The Open's new status will see Australia's national championship become part of a global series of tournaments currently staged in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said sharing the limelight with some of the world's best golfing destinations further promotes Victoria's growing reputation as a world-class stage for stand-out golf tournaments.

The prize money for the 2012 championship will increase from AUD$600,000 in 2011 to US$1.1 million (approximately AUD$1,056,000).

The LPGA is one of the longest-running women's professional sports associations in the world. Australia has nine professional players in the LPGA including Karrie Webb, Lindsey Wright, Katherine Hull and Sarah Kemp.

(Source: Tourism Victoria newsletter – Edition 89)

Australian Golf Set to Boost Tourism

A new partnership between Australian Golf and Tourism industries has been announced to place Australia as an international leading ‘golf tourism’ destination.

‘Great Golf Course of Australia’ is a new collaboration between premium golf courses, Tourism Australia, State Tourism Offices and the Professional Golfers Association of Australia (PGA) to tap into the tourism potential of a sport worth AUD$3billion to the Australia economy.

The group will draw on the countries six best golf courses as featured by US Golf Magazine in its ‘Top 100’ courses of the world, to establish Australia as a leading golf destination.

Great Golf Courses of Australia Director Liz Sattler, said promoting of the Australian Golf product internationally is crucial to gaining a larger piece of the golf tourism market.

“Using our six top 100 ranked courses to front the exceptional array of golfing product that Australia has to offer, and combining the marketing and distribution offered by this partnership, we can establish Australia as one of the world's truly great golfing destinations. We believe that Great Golf Courses of Australia is the right vehicle to drive this forward." Ms Slatter said.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said Australia currently has six of the world’s top 100 courses, as well as many others which offer real tourism opportunities.

“We definitely see an opportunity here to build golf into the holiday experience, particularly by tapping into those overseas markets that love their golf, such as China, Korea and Japan," Mr McEvoy said.

“With the PGA on board, and six of the world’s best golf courses to get us started, we have an opportunity here to position Australia as one of the world’s leading golf tourism destinations by showcasing its best courses, and the iconic settings in which they are set.”

PGA chief executive Brian Thorburn said, Golf tourism is vital for both the tourism and sporting economies.

"With over 2,000 PGA Professionals based around this great golfing country, our Members will welcome the opportunity to introduce many new international visitors to Australian golf,” Mr Thorburn said.

“Additionally, through our internationally based Members and the World PGA Alliance, the PGA of Australia has an extensive international network and we look forward to promoting this initiative through PGA Professionals globally."

(Source: eTravelblackboard.com)

Australian Open With Unprecedented Field

More of the world’s top 20 players are set for Sydney with World Number 9 Matt Kuchar, World Number 11 Nick Watney, former champions Robert Allenby and John Senden, and American Hunter Mahan all confirming they will be part of the action at the Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes Golf Club from 10-13 November.

Watney has won twice on the PGA Tour this year and plays the Emirates Australian Open for the first time.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Championship in Sydney,” Watney said. “Most of my family are coming down for it”.

“There seems to be a real buzz around this year’s Open leading into the Presidents Cup and it is amazing how many top international players have won the tournament” he added.

Kuchar will play the Emirates Australian Open for the second time since his debut in 2000 at Kingston Heath Golf Club.

A holder of three PGA Tour titles, Kuchar has had another exceptional year on the PGA Tour including ten Top 10 finishes and twice runner-up.

Robert Allenby lifted the Stonehaven Cup in 1994 and 2005 and returns to the Emirates Australian Open for the first time since 2008.

Hunter Mahan, a three time winner on the PGA Tour, plays the Emirates Australian Open for the first time.

Kuchar, Watney, Allenby, Mahan and Senden join Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Bubba Watson, Greg Norman, Fred Couples and defending champion Geoff Ogilvy in one of the best fields in years.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said the anticipation for the Emirates Australian Open was building rapidly.

“The excitement around the Open is extraordinary and we want to make sure no one misses out. Get in and buy your tickets now so you can come straight in and get into the thick of the action.,” Pitt said.

“Having players of the calibre of Matt Kuchar, Nick Watney, Hunter Mahan, Robert Allenby and John Senden to Sydney only add to an already spectacular field. The countdown to the Open is well and truly on.”

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events George Souris welcomed the news of more world class players coming to Sydney for the Emirates Australian Open.

“The NSW Government through Destination NSW is pleased to support the Emirates Australian Open which is a key international sports event on the NSW Events Calendar.
“There is no doubt our city is synonymous with the Australian Open, having hosted the inaugural championship in 1904, on 35 occasions overall and continuously since 2006.

“This year’s Australian Open is shaping up to be one of the best yet,” he said.

The Emirates Australian Open is again sanctioned by OneAsia and the PGA Tour of Australasia and will be broadcast live on Network Ten.

“The 2011 Emirates Australian Open will boast the best field in recent years and we are delighted to welcome so many of Australia’s and indeed the world’s best golfers to play on the PGA Tour of Australasia,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA Tour of Australasia.

“This year Australian sports fans have a great opportunity to see so many of the world’s best golfers compete in Australia and I hope everyone gets to be a part of such a special year for Australian golf.”

Source: Golf Australia