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Winfrey surprises with free trip
Source: Agencies |
September 15, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
OPRAH Winfrey might have surprised her talk show audience on Monday by giving them all a free, eight-day trip to Australia but the trip also surprised Australians - with a A$3 million (US$2.8 million) bill.
Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said the federal and state New South Wales governments would spend more than US$3 million helping to bring "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to Australia as a way to boost tourism.
He said it was money well spent as it would put Australia in the spotlight as the show is watched by 40 million Americans and screened in 145 countries.
"Oprah is a household name and her star power has the potential to lift Australia's profile as a premier tourist destination," Ferguson said.
Former federal tourism minister John Brown asked the media not to be "cynical about the cost."
"We spent hundreds of millions of dollars over 30 years without much effect, I must say that honestly," he said. "The publicity that Oprah will bring to Australia around the world is something you couldn't buy."
The trip was announced by Winfrey at the premiere of her 25th and final season on Monday.
Some 300 audience members clapped, cried and hugged each other as Winfrey told them they were off to Australia for eight days and seven nights where she will film at least two episodes of her show, including one at the Sydney Opera House on December 14.
Winfrey's Oprah Winfrey Network is set to launch on cable on January 1.
Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said the federal and state New South Wales governments would spend more than US$3 million helping to bring "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to Australia as a way to boost tourism.
He said it was money well spent as it would put Australia in the spotlight as the show is watched by 40 million Americans and screened in 145 countries.
"Oprah is a household name and her star power has the potential to lift Australia's profile as a premier tourist destination," Ferguson said.
Former federal tourism minister John Brown asked the media not to be "cynical about the cost."
"We spent hundreds of millions of dollars over 30 years without much effect, I must say that honestly," he said. "The publicity that Oprah will bring to Australia around the world is something you couldn't buy."
The trip was announced by Winfrey at the premiere of her 25th and final season on Monday.
Some 300 audience members clapped, cried and hugged each other as Winfrey told them they were off to Australia for eight days and seven nights where she will film at least two episodes of her show, including one at the Sydney Opera House on December 14.
Winfrey's Oprah Winfrey Network is set to launch on cable on January 1.
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