« Listen to your computer | Main | A cheap student laptop? »
June 17, 2005
Hopping into tourism
Have you noticed that there are fewer American tourists around these days? They're not as keen as they used to be to pop over and throw a few prawns on the barbie, largely because, according to tourism experts, the Government has forgotten all about barbies, and instead has been trying to promote the place as a sophisticated destination with lots of nice wines and fine dining opportunities.
And it turns out that Americans aren't all that keen to pay a lot of money and fly 14 hours to eat in an Australian restaurant, when they can enjoy a great meal and a bottle of Burgundy in New York or Los Angeles. And possibly even Boston and San Francisco.
According to American travel experts, we've got to start promoting Australian flora and fauna. According to Californian-based president of Qantas Vacations, Ross Webster, quoted in this morning's Financial Review "It's the kangaroo down Collins Street that appeals."
OK. We're going to have to make some sacrifices here. It's going to cause a few traffic jams, and no doubt we'll lose a few kangaroos and wombats etc, but it's going to be WAAAaay cheaper than Federation Square. Maybe we can even dress the little critters in slouch hats and swags, before we turn them loose in the mall?
Posted by cw at June 17, 2005 10:51 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://bleedingedge.com.au/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/673
Comments
How about promoting Possums in the Parks.
Many of Melbournes parks and gardens have possums running about at night.
We could also advertise in the US that we have Bats in the Botanical gardens.
:-)
Posted by: Aubrey at June 17, 2005 11:59 AM
i went to America but didn't see Bison onthere streets so may be we should educate the septics (tanks) in the outback and not endanger our wildlife in the city
Posted by: Pricklycow at June 17, 2005 12:18 PM
Maybe throwing a shrimp/prawn on the barbie needs an update with a contemporary personality. How'bout Steve Irwin throwing a croc on the barbie?
Posted by: Ed Charles at June 17, 2005 04:25 PM
Possums in the Park ???
I will provide "Possums in the Back-Yard" --- PLUS --- a Home style Barby if only they (credible Yanks) will take some home, or ANYWHERE !!
Reminds me of the story about "Killer Koalas in Collins ST" thhat featured on a Cincinnatti radio station following one hell of a good party !
Posted by: Retired Wallaby at June 17, 2005 07:40 PM
Steve can only do that if he is holding a child in one arm!
Posted by: jamrob at June 17, 2005 07:57 PM
Dont know about wines and dining... but you can come any time and take as many roos as you like .....just dont tell PETA though...cheers gee.tee...
Posted by: Anonymous at June 17, 2005 11:25 PM
Might find this funnier if I hadn't spent too many years in Canberra! I will have refer this to the ACT tourism people - kangaroos on the freeways and in suburbia are common place, just ask the governor general!
Posted by: maureen at June 18, 2005 12:14 PM