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Press Release
Tasmania Showcases Travel Experiences to US Media
27 January 2008
Tasmania has hosted New York-based journalists representing travel, lifestyle, environment, design, the arts, culture and wildlife at the Taste of Tasmania media reception in Manhattan.
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Doug Parkinson, who is heading a parliamentary delegation from Tasmania, provided the keynote speech at the function.
The reception was part of the G’Day Australia Week 2008 Tasmania initiative, and complemented the numerous media appointments Tourism Tasmania has secured in New York City and Los Angeles over the festival period including Departures, Los Angeles Times, Town & Country and Travel and Leisure.
“Tasmania hosted strategic New York City media to a true Taste of Tasmania, immersing attending media in the sounds, food, beverages, design and artwork from the island of inspiration,” Mr Parkinson said.
Media attendees included representatives from American Craft, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, MOJO Network’s Pressure Cook, New York Daily News, Out Traveler, PBS series Martha Stewart Everyday Food, Robb Report, Travel and Leisure and Wine Spectator.
Culinary Media Network correspondent, chef Mark Tafoya, taped interviews with Tasmania representatives to be broadcast on the leading US culinary lifestyle website.
The event featured jewellery from Hobart’s Handmark Gallery and artwork by local artist Tricky Walsh.
American Artist Tia Factor also attended with artwork that was inspired from her stay in Tasmania as a part of the International Natural and Cultural Residency Program through Arts Tasmania.
Tasmanian actress Rachael Taylor also attended and spoke about her home’s key attributes for visitors.
Tasmanian fare and beverages was also featured including Tasmanian Rain, the official water of Australia Week New York, J Boag & Sons Beer, Southern Rock Lobster, Greenlip Abalone and King Island Dairy Cheeses.
“As a result of this event, Tourism Tasmania will be working with MOJO Network’s Pressure Cook series to film an episode in Tasmania in March 2008,” Mr Parkinson said.
Lifestyle magazine the Robb Report also intends to profile Rachael Taylor and her home in an upcoming issue, reaching 102,000 business elite in the US.
“The event provided an ideal forum to update media on the latest developments in Tasmania’s tourism industry and further build upon established relationships with key media contacts in New York City that will translate into editorial placement over the next 12 to 18 months,” Mr Parkinson said.