Ministerial Statement: Great rail deal for Gold Coast's international visitors

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
01/04/2011

Great rail deal for Gold Coast's international visitors

The Queensland Government is aiming to lure international tourists to Brisbane with a ticket to ride, Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said today.

The special Queensland Coastal Pass is exclusive to overseas visitors and allows them to go all the way by train between the Gold Coast and Cairns for just $219 one way with unlimited stops in one direction.

Ms Palaszczuk said the limited offer is aimed particularly at backpackers and will get them back to the popular tourism destinations which took a hit during the recent natural disasters.

"There are also many work opportunities up north as communities move to rebuild," she said.

"The Queensland Coastal Pass is great value and the most flexible, easy and versatile way to discover the coast of Queensland.

"The Queensland Rail travel network provides the gateway to all the tourism hotspots including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, The Whitsundays, Townsville and Cairns."

Ms Palaszczuk said the Queensland Coastal Pass offers international visitors the freedom to hop on and off coastal rail services as they explore all the wonders this state has from beaches to the rainforests and The Great Barrier Reef.

The latest Tourism Research Australia figures show the number of international visitor numbers to Queensland and particularly the Gold Coast has increased for the first time in three years.

"Korean visitation has increased 22 per cent, Chinese visitation increased by 17 per cent and the region also enjoyed growth from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The Queensland Coast Pass is available to international visitors to Australia only and for purchase up to 31 May 2011. Travel must be completed by 22 June 2011.

For further information log on to www.queenslandrail.com.au or call 1800 TRAINS (872 467)

[ButFli]

Interesting, but let's face it. $219 is still more than a LC airfare and for the money the Government spends subsidising each of these tickets they could fly 10 people between the Gold Coast or Brisbane and Cairns. Now maybe these international visitors spend some money on their stops along the way, but are they really spending thousands of dollars worth? In all honesty, I don't think so.

Don't get me wrong. I am all for efficient rail passenger transport over long distances, but when you've got such shitcunt services over long distances between sizeable cities that have airports and frequent flights between them, the case for Government subsidy quickly diminishes. Yes to Government subsidy where no other affordable transport is available, no to Government subsidy where private enterprise is providing transport cheaper and making a profit. I mean it's beyond belief that the Queensland Government is shelling out over $1000 in subsidies to transport people from Brisbane to Cairns by rail when privately owned airlines are selling tickets for about one tenth of the cost. Uterly ridiculous!

[#Metro]

Is that the only thing that they can come up with? More subsidies?

How about proper infrastructure. Tourists do not need subsidies. They fly half way around the planet and save for years to afford to do things. We need to be spending money on US no tourists from other countries.

I caught rail and it was slow and uncomfortable. Then it got flooded like it always does.
You need SPEED and FREQUENCY.

Train to the Gold Coast is faster than the Traveltrain tilt train.

[Golliwog]

Is that the only thing that they can come up with? More subsidies?

How about proper infrastructure. Tourists do not need subsidies. They fly half way around the planet and save for years to afford to do things. We need to be spending money on US no tourists from other countries.

I caught rail and it was slow and uncomfortable. Then it got flooded like it always does.
You need SPEED and FREQUENCY.

Train to the Gold Coast is faster than the Traveltrain tilt train.

Not always actually. And I would see this as a good deal. I did an university exchange trip and yes you save money to do so, but most of thats to get there, and for accomodation, I had pretty much nothing organised for what I was going to do with my spare time, other than I wanted to see the sights of the local country. If there had been a ticket like this where you get unlimited stops in the first direction, and then it includes the trip back I would most certainly have gone for it.