Great Reward Unveiled to Entice Triathletes to Great Barrier Reef

Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Minister Jan Jarratt has unveiled a new prize to entice triathletes from around the globe to sign up early for the Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns 2012.

Ms Jarratt unveiled the Great Reward – a prize including return flights and a 10-day accommodation and tour package taking in some of Tropical North Queensland?s breathtaking destinations and unique attractions.

 

“Tourism Queensland, USM Events and the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry have partnered to promote this exciting $130,000 global Great Reward initiative to encourage early registrations for the big event on June 3 next year,” Ms Jarratt said.

 

“To be in the running for this amazing holiday reward, athletes need to register and pay for the Cairns Airport Challenge Full Iron distance event before December 31, 2011,” she said.

 

“The winner and up to three additional guests will be treated to VIP passes to the week?s events and a collection of amazing tour experiences to the Great Barrier Reef, our ancient rainforests and unique Indigenous culture.”

 

The Great Reward has been given the tick of approval by three-time World Champion and inaugural Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns winner Chris McCormack.

 

“It is such a spectacular place and race,” Chris said.

 

“One of the lasting memories I have is of a reef trip I experienced with my daughter – breathtaking.

 

“The Great Reward is such an awesome prize and I strongly encourage people to enter early so they don’t miss out on the chance to win.”

 

Ms Jarratt said the Challenge Cairns Great Reward would be promoted online in Australia by Tourism Queensland and USM Events and would directly target the triathlon community who want to race on one of the greatest courses in the world today.

 

“The campaign will also be promoted online in the US and throughout Asia via the ‘Active’ database which has an audience of more than 60 million fans of triathlons, marathons and other global sporting events, and print advertisements in LAVA Magazine,” she said.

 

“The Challenge Cairns Great Reward message will be extended throughout the UK and Europe via the Challenge network, a series of iron distance events, seven of which are based in the UK and Europe, with advertising in Triathlete Europe magazine and website.”

 

Chief Executive Officer of USM Events Geoff Meyer said he was very confident about the long-term growth of the Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns and the Cairns Adventure Festival.

 

“Our first year of the event exceeded all expectations,” Mr Meyer said.

 

“The athletes at all levels indicated that they are thrilled with the course and also the spirit of the event.

 

“The sport of triathlon can be a very demanding and individual pursuit and athletes have been overwhelmingly positive about the fact that there is an event in Australia that lends itself to being coupled to a great family holiday – in essence a reward for putting up with all the training and preparation across the year.

 

“In our first year we were able to deliver a week long schedule of great events including the RRR mountain bike race, the Hekili Ocean Regatta between stunning Palm Cove and Port Douglas and also the Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Ocean Swim.

 

“It makes for a fun filled and adventurous week and we have some exciting additions planned for the years to come.

 

“This event is a Great Challenge and a Great Reward for everyone who participates – this prize is just a little something to sweeten the deal for one lucky winner,” add Mr Meyer.

 

Barron River MP and a fan of the Cairns event Steve Wettenhall said major attractions like Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns make a significant contribution to the Queensland economy and promote Tropical North Queensland’s key attractions and experiences to a wider audience.

 

“The event fits perfectly with the region’s brand – Tropical North Queensland, Adventurous by Nature,” he said.

 

“It is a great example of Events Queensland working together with industry and event partners to deliver a regional event of great economic benefit to the region.

 

“Cairns is where Australia Shines for adventure and the Cairns Adventure Festival presents the perfect opportunity for the region to establish itself as the ultimate adventure destination.

 

“Ultimately we want to encourage entrants to register early and spend as much time enjoying the wonders of the region as possible.”

 

Events Queensland CEO John O'Sullivan said this year has seen two successful new major events in Cairns which had delivered real tourism benefits for the region - the inaugural Challenge Cairns and the AFL Premiership match at Cazaly's stadium between the Gold Coast Suns and Richmond Tigers.

 

“In its first year, Challenge Cairns delivered a $7.5 million economic shot in the arm to Cairns - more than double what we were originally anticipating,” Mr O'Sullivan said. "This event has the potential to be one of the world's great iron distance events and will deliver real benefits for the local community for years to come."

 

For more information or to enter visit – www.challenge-cairns.com.au