Last month Australia’s tourism ministry launched a Middle East road show that began in Kuwait, and targets travelers in Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Queensland, Australia is making every effort to attract tourists from the Gulf. More than 30,000 tourists from the region visited Queensland in 2008, and while they were not the biggest demographic group of foreign visitors, they spent the most at A$125 million (Dh355 million).
With falling airfares and a lower Australian dollar Queensland is becoming a more accessible destination, especially for visitors from Gulf States. Airlines continue to increase flight services as well. There will soon be 100 direct flights connecting the two regions. Emirates currently operates 63 flights each week and this will increase to 70. Etihad flies 21 times a week and Qatar will begin flights this winter.
