BULGING CROWDS EXPECTED FOR GAY MARDI GRAS RECOVERY WEEK

A surge in international and interstate visitors is expected in Noosa this year during the eighth annual Queensland Gay Mardi Gras Recovery Week, held from March 1-7.

For the first time, Tourism Queensland has provided funds to promote the event. An extensive marketing campaign is currently being run in North America, Europe and the UK aimed at attracting gay tourists to the Sunshine Coast after the February 27 Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney.

Queensland Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said the aim was to entice the 5000 international visitors who travelled to Sydney for the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras each year to extend their stay.

"Tourism Queensland together with Virgin Blue Holidays will also promote Mardi Gras Recovery Week domestically through a series of advertisements in prominent gay and lesbian print publications and online websites," Mr Lawlor said.

Gay Mardi Gras Recovery Week (GMRW) organiser Rod Stringer said program highlights included day trips to World Heritage Fraser Island, Australia Zoo and Lady Elliot Island, a sunset cruise, gala dinner at the Noosa Sheraton, dance rave at the Rolling Rock and pool parties at Horizons Peregian Resort.

"We are expecting a much bigger crowd as a result of this funding from Tourism Queensland,'' Mr Stringer said.

"For the past three months we've been working in overseas markets to create a greater awareness of this event and have gained excellent responses from major sponsors like QANTAS and Virgin Blue Holidays."

Mr Stringer said there was an attractive, tiered sponsorship system, including advertising recognition in all print and digital media placements and event naming rights, for businesses wishing to support GMRW's interstate advertising campaign.  "For the first time, Recovery Week has been expanded to include the Big Gay Day in Brisbane, a fabulous street party in Fortitude Valley that attracts big name bands like Rogue Traders and up to 10,000 people," Mr Stringer said.

"With the support of Tourism Queensland, Gay Mardi Gras Recovery Week has well and truly become an established part of the national events calendar."

Event and sponsorship details are available on www.mardigrasrecoveryweek.com.au