Wednesday 8 August 2007

MAKE TASMANIA A LANDING PAD FOR THE "ROCKET MAN"
Renowned superstar Sir Elton John has announced an Australian Tour and might be persuaded to come to Tasmania.

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, has urged Tasmanian music lovers to support a push to bring Elton John to the state.

Ms Wriedt said a special web site will be set up by Tourism Tasmania where fans can register their support for a Tasmanian concert to form part of his upcoming tour.

“Elton John will be performing a series of concerts on the mainland from late November to early December and it would be very exciting to see a Tasmanian venue on the itinerary,” Ms Wriedt said.

“An Elton John tour to Tasmania will be dependent upon the level of support we can generate from this on-line expression of interest. We need to show Elton John that he has huge fan base in Tasmania and that a concert here would be well supported.”

Ms Wriedt said Tasmanians had an impressive record of supporting their state through the Internet.

“In June this year, Tasmania recorded the fourth-highest number of Internet votes of all Australian States and Territories in its bid to secure positions on the new Australian Monopoly board.” Ms Wriedt said.

“As a result, Tasmania now “owns” some very high-profile Monopoly real estate.

“If enough Tasmanians register their support for an Elton John concert at Tourism Tasmania’s website, discovertasmania.com , I’m confident we can make it happen.”

Tourism Tasmania is also working with ABC Radio, The Mercury and other Tasmanian media to give Tasmanians the best opportunities to find out how to register their interest.

“If a concert is secured, all those who registered will have the opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on general sale.”

Elton John’s first ever solo concert tour of Australia has been launched by Chugg Entertainment, with the first of five concerts to be held in the Barossa Valley on 24th November.

Tourism Tasmania met with Tasmanian expat Michael Chugg at the Hawthorn match in Melbourne last weekend and put a convincing case forward for inclusion of a Tasmanian concert.

“A concert in late November, or early December, would see Tasmania’s tourism season off to a flying start.
“I urge all Tasmanians to make their voices heard so that we can see Tasmania included on the tour.”

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

(03) 6230 8244
email mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au