After reading "Australia, the 51st state"? thread and seeing many interesting comments I thought it might be timely to ask a few questions about how the "average" American see's us as a tourist destination.
In fact,open it up to anyone that want's to have their say.
Have you ever travelled down here for a holiday?
Would you like too?
If not why not?
General view?
I have yet to see the ads and it would be of interest to me if anyone want's to comment on those also.
I can clear up any misconceptions and answer your questions too if need be.
Nation 'must develop tourist image'
From correspondents in Los Angeles
July 19, 2003
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PAUL Hogan, shrimp and barbies were nowhere to be seen in Los Angeles today when Australia launched its most expensive campaign to entice American tourists Downunder.
The $US6.5 million ($9.98 million) blitz includes television, magazine, newspaper and online advertisements throughout the US and Canada.
"Some years ago Paul Hogan got us on the map in the United States, this is taking us to the next level," federal tourism minister Joe Hockey told a gathering of tourism officials and operators at LA's Park Hyatt hotel.
The slick new campaign features Australian landmarks, beautiful scenery, native animals and promotes Australians as friendly and hospitable.
The ads ask the American audience questions, including: "Have you ever waltzed with a kangaroo?" or "Have you ever found yourself in a land without strangers?"
Mr Hockey caused a firestorm last week when, during a visit to Japan, he referred to Sydney as "tired, complacent and event-free".
The comments infuriated NSW Premier Bob Carr and NSW tourism officials.
Mr Hockey didn't re-visit those comments during today's function, but he did tell the gathering "Australia has to move from being a destination to becoming an experience".
The new ad campaign underlines that.
"It is not good enough to assume that people, consumers are always going to have a holiday because they're not," said Mr Hockey, who has visited Tokyo, Singapore, London, New York and LA on his current world tour.
The US market is one of Australia's most important, with 430,000 Americans visiting the country over the past year.
Research, however, shows 12 million Americans "dream about going to Australia" and "see it as their number one destination".
The new campaign also promotes two-week packages to Sydney-Melbourne-Cairns, Sydney-Northern Territory-Cairns and Sydney-Kangaroo Island-Cairns for under $US2,000. ($3,070).
The campaign is a joint partnership between the Australian Tourist Commission, Qantas, state tourism offices and other commercial partners.
Mr Hockey also announced today a plan to create "Australia Week" in Los Angeles in January next year.
The idea was devised by Australia's Consul General in Los Angeles, John Olsen, with the aim to "focus the eyes of LA" on Australia during a week of Australian-related public events including a film festival, art exhibitions and business promotions.
AAP