Showcasing our region at the Australian Society of Travel Writers Christmas lunch
Posted on December 18th, 2019
The Capricorn region was recently showcased at the Australian Society of Travel Writers Christmas Lunch, held in Brisbane on 12 December, 2019. Capricorn Enterprise proudly sponsored this lunch as a means of promoting our destination to over 40 travel writers that attended. This was perfect timing to engage these influential writers as many are currently creating story pitches and making travel plans for the upcoming new year.
The event was purposely chosen to be held at Customs House in Brisbane, as this building has a natural synergy with the Customs House in Rockhampton being a replica, and is also being located on the Brisbane riverbank, enabling a connection to our Fitzroy River. To further strengthen this symbolism, beef and barramundi was served on the lunch menu.
Kerry Kerr, Tourism Manager, and Heather Congram, Marketing Executive, from Capricorn Enterprise provided a presentation of the region and answered queries from the travel writers. The feedback from attendees was very positive, with many of the writers expressing a keen interest to visit the Capricorn Region over the coming year, and several expressing how pleasantly surprised they were to learn about the positive growth and development in the region.
Along with sharing stories and information throughout the course of the luncheon, prizes (kindly donated by several members) were given out as an opportunity to place some of our member product in front of these influential attendees. Offering prizes encourages the writers to experience our destination first hand, which in turn helps to develop editorial relating to their visit. Also, each delegate was gifted a delicious fruit mince pie from Artizan Gluten Free Bakery, and a media pack containing the brand new Capricorn Coast Visitor Guide and some recent media releases to whet their storytelling appetite.
Table centre pieces displayed three glass vases – each containing items that represented our region. There were pieces of Sandstone with aboriginal art to represent Carnarvon Gorge, fern to represent the region’s National Parks and the Byfled Fern, as well as a few gemstones from the Central Highlands. In addition there was sand, coloured stones and shells to represent the Capricorn Coast beaches, islands and reef. Also, there where pewter barramundi elegantly submerged in glass bowls, positioned on a locally made cow hide coaster, to represent Rockhampton.
The Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) is the most highly respected travel media body in Australia. It is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting he unbiased reporting of travel. Chances are if you’ve enjoyed a recent travel story, and perhaps ogled a gorgeous travel photograph, it’s been the work of an ASTW member. ASTW members’ work appears regularly in major newspapers, magazines and websites across Australia and all over the world. Members must satisfy strict criteria to join the ASTW and substantiate annually, by providing details of their published output or travel-related position.
