Hamilton Island rated #1 ‘Most popular travel destination’ on Google Australia 

Hamilton Island has rated number one as the 'Most popular travel destination' in Google Australia’s newly published annual 2011 Zeitgeist list. This category also included international destinations making ‘Hamilton Island’ the top international travel destination search term used by Australians.

Hamilton Island’s online marketing manager, Bernie O’Keefe comments: “We are delighted with Google’s rating which can be attributed to the Oatley family’s $300 million investment in Hamilton Island, the island being located at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, our digital marketing strategy, strong brand and PR campaigns such as Tourism Queensland’s Best Job in the World and Oprah’s visit, and the hardworking team at Hamilton Island.”

“However we won’t rest on our laurels, being a top search term is just the start and we will continue to innovate and enhance the online experience for our guests and trade partners. For example, recently completed and upcoming online projects include: continual content creation, launching mobile sites and eight foreign language websites, re-launching the current portfolio of websites, social media initiatives and smartphone apps,” said O’Keefe.

Over the past three years, Hamilton Island’s digital marketing strategy has achieved strong results with increases in average monthly website visitation by 216 per cent, monthly transactions by 186 per cent and monthly revenue by 166 per cent.

Top 10 list - Most popular travel destination, rated by Google Australia

1. Hamilton Island
2. Hawaii
3. Byron Bay
4. Blue Mountains
5. Port Douglas
6. Hayman Island
7. Great Barrier Reef
8. Uluru
9. New York
10. Las Vegas

-ENDS-

Note to Editors:
Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna. Hamilton Island offers a wide range of accommodation options, not to mention over 60 activities and all within a short direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. There are also great connections from other Australian cities. www.hamiltonisland.com.au www.facebook.com/hamiltonisland

Image library and media centre: www.hamiltonisland.com.au/media-centre/

Media contacts:
Joanne Wilkinson, mob: +61 (0)416 036 713, jwilkinson@hamiltonisland.com.au
Katie Cahill, mob: +61 (0)439 775 656, kcahill@hamiltonisland.com.au