Comments on: New Tourism Australia MD considers backpacker market ‘essential’ to strategy

By: Joanna

Joanna — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 08:43:02 +0000

Andrew McEvoy certainly needs a good briefing from those at the sharp end – BTAP isn’t this your job?

By: scotty

scotty — Tue, 25 May 2010 08:21:22 +0000

Other countries with less regs and more favourable currencies, like, almost anywhere at this point: S. Africa, S. America, Asia, Russia,etc,etc.

As I wrote, we have the iconic attractions, ease of travel and higher standard accom (in the main) but lack a concise sale point, in my opinion.

The majority of the backpacker market have a fleeting window of opportunity to travel: it`s their “youth”. They want adventures before settling into study,jobs,relationships and children.

We should be absolutely BRILLIANT at convincing more of them to get those amazing, unique adventure experiences here in Oz.

We aren`t yet…..

By: Brett Eldershaw

Brett Eldershaw — Tue, 25 May 2010 07:55:08 +0000

Ah I had a good laugh at those responses. Very good gentlemen. Scotty, when you say competitors, do you mean other niche tourism markets within Oz or other countries pursuing the youth market?

By: scotty

scotty — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:51:38 +0000

I think he was having a shot at me, Reggi.

Your comparison is wrong, if that is what you`re getting at: how could anyone not come away from McEvoys statement slapping their foreheads, mush less make a Banzai charge?

The funding our segment gets is pitiful, Anon. We haven`t won until our tourism bosses give us the assistance we require to compete on equal advertising terms with our competitors.

Btw, Anonymous Eldershaw, I don`t spit when I type, I just grind my teeth…..

By: Reggi

Reggi — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:20:48 +0000

Are Tourism NSW bosses ex Japanese soldiers?

By: Brett Eldershaw

Brett Eldershaw — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:59:05 +0000

oops, that was me. Or was it the ‘fake’ Rick?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:57:57 +0000

Geez, some of you guys remind me of those WW2 Japanese soldiers who supposedly emerged from the jungle oblivious to the fact the war had ended 30 years previous. The backpacker / student / independant traveller market appears to me to be recognised and acknowledged by the big end of town. You’ve won the battle. Well done (seriously). Now lay down pens, curb your spittle, and let’s focus on ensuring we always have a place at the table.

By: scotty

scotty — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:44:01 +0000

Graeme, Greg et al,I would just like to point out that mine and other comments of a similar nature are expressions of amazement and bemusement that a Tourism Australia CEO could have a such a ‘Eureka!’ moment over our backpacker industry in 2010.

I mean, the backpacker industry has been punching above it`s weight long before I entered the demographic in 1988 and I find it hard to suppress a giggle or two when I read “It introduces first time travellers to our country and nine times out of ten they become massive advocates, they grow up and become great professionals and then older independents and they hopefully come back and see us again. So they’re essential,”. I`m sorry, but DERR-RRRRRRRR!!!

I thought BTAP, BOA, BOAV, BQ etc might have enlightened most government and tourism bodies of how important the backpacker market is YEARS ago! All those meetings, conferences, panels and committee member`s hard work finally kicking a goal…..some recognition in 2010.

The backpacker (and that IS what the majority of them refer to themselves as) doesn`t need to “grow up’, as many of them are qualified professionals (Doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, etc) who travel the world saving on accommodation ( by staying, Mr McEvoy, in BACKPACKERS hostels! ) to prolong their travel time and allow them to have more funds for tours that take their interest. Once they have kids of their own,yes, they come back and have been doing so since the early 90`s.

QED, the backpacking industry should be given at least 50% of any marketing budget to attract likely repeat visitors to our shores whilst their “youth window” is open, lest they make South America, Africa or Asia their initial backpacking adventure destination and we miss out, right now and in the future.

As I offered in my first post, I am more than happy to join any committee that will be advising Andrew McEvoy to bring him up to speed on the most important tourism market in Australia, the “Backpacking” segment.

By: graeme lanham

graeme lanham — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:11:10 +0000

Andrew McEvoy is spot on with his comments. In my book research, I was amazed at the huge number of backpackers travelling in Australia and the important role they play in all aspects of the tourism industry. This is one market we must actively promote overseas. They are particularly interested in work, the beaches, adventure travel, clean budget accommodation, the outback and the best ways to save time and money. You are right. If they love Australia on their first visit, they will tell their friends and they will return.

By: greg cole

greg cole — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:21:42 +0000

Andrew McEvoy has a great track record and a good national and international perspective on our market. This from his time at Tourism SA. Commentators here are making statements that might suggest they’d like Mr McEvoy to be our personal envoy to the UN of backpacking. We are but part of something much bigger, we will be noticed and I am very confident that we will get results.

Any sensible leader needs to sit back and observe and absorb in any new position. Especially a position that involves packaging and selling the worlds biggest island resort .

But hey, don’t let up on him…

By: AJ

AJ — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:59:16 +0000

“Farmers couldn’t live without them,” says Belinda (and a host of others) — Forget the BP market, the IT market, the VFR market — this is the CL market, Cheap Labour, and if we are not careful, Oz will become an agricultural sweat shop — just ensure Kev does not raise the booze age: would hate for them to sober up and ask for better rates of pay.

By: Dominic Davies

Dominic Davies — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:22:43 +0000

Thumbrella, Can you please ask Mr McEvoy: ‘What Kevin Rudds proposal to raise the legal age of drinking to 21 would have on the BP market?

By: John

John — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:25:49 +0000

Scotty, I coudn’t agree more. It seems that the good MD could do with getting to know the Backpacker market a little better. “Turn into the travellers of the future”?? What about the massive boost to the economy the provide while they’re here the first time. He seems to be dismissing backpackers as trainee travellers and as for renaming “independant travellers”!?? Come on get in touch!!

By: scotty

scotty — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:48:10 +0000

I would like to be among the ‘independent travel’ advisers to the new tourism MD, Andrew McEvoy. From the statement above, it appears he needs the good oil, like, yesterday.

By: Belinda Gurd

Belinda Gurd — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:00:33 +0000

We love the backpackers! I know so many great people who have started out in Oz for 1 year on their working holiday visa, and have ended up staying in Oz for years and years.

It’s also becasue of them that we have such a great reputation overseas.

I also think our farmers couldn’t live without them. Sometimes it’s the backpakers that are the only ones that will work the land.

Maybe they should make the working holiday visa longer than a year?