Key facts

• Corroboree is a combined mega famil and training workshop event exclusively for Aussie Specialists in the UK, Ireland and Europe and an initiative of the Destination Australia Partnership (DAP) and Qantas.
• Aussie Specialists from the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe have until 29 October 2009 to register their interest in attending Corroboree.
• Last year’s Corroboree was a resounding success with 99.7% responding that as a result of the famil and workshops, they felt more confident recommending and selling Australia to their clients.

Key quotes

• "Corroboree is such an important part of our Aussie Specialist Programme and gives our agents first-hand experiences and necessary sale skills through direct interaction with more than 100 Australian tourism suppliers during the workshops." Rodney Harrex, General Manager Europe, Tourism Australia
• "We are delighted to again be a partner of this important trade educational event. Travel agents play a fundamental role in promoting and selling our product and we are pleased to offer these Australian Specialists the opportunity to experience Qantas first hand." Judith Crompton, Regional General Manager UK and Ireland, Qantas Airways
• "Melbourne is incredibly stylish and contemporary, and captures Australia’s friendly welcoming nature. By hosting the workshops in Melbourne, the participating Aussie Specialists will have the chance to experience some of the exciting product and experiences this city and surrounding areas has to offer them and their clients." Claire Golding, Regional Manager UK/Europe, Tourism Victoria

Full story

Tourism Australia, Tourism Victoria and Qantas are delighted to announce expressions of interest will open on Friday 9 October on the Aussie Specialist website for the Australian mega famil and training event Corroboree* to be held in May 2010.

Aussie Specialists from the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe have until 29 October 2009 to register their interest in attending Corroboree, while those who are not yet qualified Aussie Specialists can complete the free online training programme and are then welcome to register by the deadline**.

300 qualified Tourism Australia Aussie Specialists from across the region will have the opportunity to travel to and around Australia with airline partner Qantas for training workshops in Melbourne from 6-8 May 2010***.  They will then undertake a five-day famil as part of the programme, choosing from 21 available itinerary options across Australia.  All will enjoy a Melbourne city famil as part of the event.

Other activities during Corroboree include a Melbourne treasure hunt and travel agent parties which will further showcase the destination.

Last year’s Corroboree was a resounding success with 99.7% responding that as a result of the famil and workshops, they felt more confident recommending and selling Australia to their clients.

Tourism Australia General Manager (Europe), Rodney Harrex, said he was delighted with the success of last year’s combined UK and European event and commented on the strength of feedback received from agents.

“We had such positive feedback from both agents and Australian industry partners who have said the pan-European approach with the range of nationalities gave the event a wonderful feel,” he said.

“Corroboree is such an important part of our Aussie Specialist Programme and gives our agents first-hand experiences and necessary sale skills through direct interaction with more than 100 Australian tourism suppliers during the workshops.”

“We are pleased to also announce that the official airline partner for next year continues to be Qantas and we thank them for their ongoing support of the event.”

Qantas Airways Regional General Manager UK and Ireland, Judith Crompton comments: “We are delighted to again be a partner of this important trade educational event. Travel agents play a fundamental role in promoting and selling our product and we are pleased to offer these Australian Specialists the opportunity to experience Qantas first hand."

Tourism Victoria Regional Manager (UK/Europe), Claire Golding said hosting the workshops in Melbourne would give the agents a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this dynamic, must-experience city.

“Melbourne is incredibly stylish and contemporary, and captures Australia’s friendly welcoming nature.  By hosting the workshops in Melbourne, the participating Aussie Specialists will have the chance to experience some of the exciting product and experiences this city and surrounding areas has to offer them and their clients.”

One of last year’s Corroboree participants, Richard Buckley from Travelbreeze in Macclesfield, who visited Melbourne as part of the famil programme, comments:
“Melbourne is such a fantastic city.  It is incredibly vibrant with an array of diverse experiences, from exploring the city on a bike tour, to checking out the hidden laneways and the Queen Victoria Market, there’s so much to do and see.  And the food and coffee is the best!  I wasn`t there long enough!”

Another agent who attended Corroboree last year, Vanessa Bird from Owens Travelmaster, said:
“Our itinerary was truly awesome! On the selfish side I would have liked to stay and explore even longer - However, in the time allowed we were treated to some amazing experiences, covering culture, adventure scenery. Our famil escort made our trip informative, educational and fun. He was friendly, fun and professional at all times.”

-ends-

Notes to Editors:

* Corroboree is a combined mega famil and training workshop event exclusively for Aussie Specialists in the UK, Ireland and Europe and an initiative of the Destination Australia Partnership (DAP) and Qantas. DAP is a joint initiative between Tourism Australia and the State and Territory Tourist Organisations (STOs) in the European markets.  This year the workshops will be held in Melbourne from 6-8 May 2010.

** Once interest has been registered, applications will open from 2 November – 9 December 2009.

*** Full travel dates will be 2-15 May 2010 or 3 May-16 2010.

Tourism Australia’s award winning Aussie Specialist Programme www.specialist.australia.com is a free online course designed specifically for the retail travel trade to help agents increase their knowledge of Australia. After having completed the ASP agents will be able to:

• sell Australia more effectively,
• deal more efficiently with customer enquiries,
• provide superior service when planning the perfect itinerary for customers.