Americans Embrace Australian Tourism Events in LA

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. January 22, 2009

JANUARY 22, 2009 - Americans have embraced the invitation to 'Come Walkabout' at a series of Australian tourism events in Los Angeles over the past week - now New Yorkers will get their turn, Tourism Australia Managing Director Geoff Buckley said today.

Mr Buckley said the events, part of the G'DAY USA: Australia Week 2009 program, have included a 'Come Walkabout in Beverly Hills' event and a promotional day at Santa Monica College targeting students to work and holiday in Australia - both of which have generated a tremendous response.

"Come Walkabout in Beverly Hills surpassed all expectations on the weekend when one thousand locals turned up to take part in the day's festivities and engage in a range of Australian experiences," Mr Buckley said.

"The event, held right near the famous Rodeo Drive shopping district, was targeted at high-spending Beverly Hills residents and shoppers, giving them a taste of Australian culture and inspiring them to come and experience it first-hand.

"Visitors were treated to a special live food event featuring celebrity chefs Curtis Stone, Mark Olive and Luke Mangan as well as performances by the Nunukul Yuggera Dancers and Australian idol contender Dewayne Everettsmith.

"Record numbers of students also turned out for the Tourism Australia and RoadTrip Nation's G'Day Santa Monica College, which kicked off the G'Day celebrations on 13 January. The travel expo and barbeque was lapped up by students hungry for information about how to work and holiday in Australia," Mr Buckley said.

Mr Buckley said another highlight of the G'Day program was the inaugural US Indigenous Roadshow.

"Tourism Australia's first US Indigenous Roadshow kicked off with fifteen representatives from some of Australia's premier Aboriginal culture tourism product inspiring sixteen top trade and Aussie Specialist retail agents with information about their authentic tourism experiences, cultural performances and cooking demonstrations before participating in the Come Walkabout event in Beverly Hills," Mr Buckley said.

"The Indigenous Roadshow will include a similar program of activities with the travel trade in New York later this week, helping to further spread the word about Australia's unique cultural heritage and how travellers can have these experiences in our country," Mr Buckley said.

With the Los Angeles part of the G'DAY USA program wrapping up with the star studded gala dinner on Sunday night, the event has now moved to New York. At what will be the last event on the 2009 G'Day USA calendar, producer of the current Tourism Australia campaign and film director Baz Luhrmann will be honoured in person at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York on 23 January at the New York Black Tie Gala.

Mr Buckley added that in addition to supporting a number of public events during G'DAY USA 2009, Tourism Australia has also secured a one hour special promoting the country on cable TV's Independent Film Channel. The program is expected to reach 60 million homes across the US.