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Press Release
Actress Promotes Working Holidays in Tassie
17 January 2008
American students are being urged to consider Tasmania as an education, work and leisure destination.
Tourism Tasmania Chief Executive Officer, Felicia Mariani, said the State has joined forces with Tasmanian actress Rachael Taylor, PBS television series Roadtrip Nation and STA Travel, urging young Americans to use the new reciprocal working holiday visa to work and holiday in Tasmania as part of their Australian experience.
“The Aussie Youth Day, a part of the Australia Week 2008 festivities, was today held on the college campus of California Polytechnic Pomona (Cal Poly), the State’s second largest college located in the Greater Los Angeles area,” Ms Mariani said.
“The Tasmanian delegation used the event as an opportunity to reach the US college student market.
“The new Working Holiday Visa provides an opportunity for cultural exchange between Australia and the United States, serving as a strong hook to motivate young Americans to live, work and study in Tasmania.
“There was great interest from many students in the conservation volunteer opportunities developed specifically around Tasmania as well as interest in the Parks and Wildlife Work Study Programs.
“Growing and sustaining the college student segment of the travel market will benefit Tasmania for many years to come as today’s student’s become the next generation of world leaders and travellers.
“STA Travel is offering students great-value travel packages to Australia which incorporate a stay in Tasmania, Ms Mariani said.
“Rachael Taylor made time in her busy schedule on her way to the Sundance Film Festival where she is up for an award and launching her new film Bottleshock.
“She was a key attraction of the entire event and spent a lot of time speaking one-on-one with students about Tasmania.
“Rachael is passionate about supporting education and travel to her home state.
“She enthusiastically encouraged every student she met to experience Tasmania for themselves.”
The event highlighted Australia’s travel experience for student travellers and included the presence of popular national PBS television series, Roadtrip Nation.
Show personnel travel across the US to interview students in order to tap into youth culture.
Rachael Taylor was interviewed during the course of the event, with the program to air during 2008.
Recent video footage shot in Australia by Roadtrip Nation was viewed on large plasma screen TVs.
Students also enjoyed an Australian barbecue and a live performance by Eskimo Joe.
Tourism Australia conducted a major competition on campus to win a trip to Australia. Entrants provided their email addresses, to receive follow up information on travelling Down Under.