Tourism Australia has signed an agreement with BBC World to sponsor the popular series Peschardt's People.

 

The deal, announced by the BBC's 24-hour news and information channel yesterday, covers the channel's South Asia/Middle East feed and reaches nearly 25 million viewers. It is the first regional sponsorship for the series and provides Tourism Australia with a strong presence in India – considered to be one of its most important tourism markets.

 

Presented by the BBC's Michael Peschardt, the series provides viewers with a ‘behind the scenes' look at the lives of some of the most famous and infamous people in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

The series is also a perfect fit for Tourism Australia as it has a strong Australian flavour. Michael Peschardt is a well-respected BBC journalist based in Australia and the series also features several famous Australians.

 

The line up of guests include; former Australian basketball player Luc Longley; ‘Australian of the Year' and world-leading plastic surgeon Atticus Fleming; New Zealand actor, Sam Neill and cricketing legend Rod Marsh.

 

Michael spends an average of three days with each of his guests, interviewing them about the people, places, and issues that really matter to them, in a relaxed and informal style, encouraging them to open up and talk sincerely and passionately about their lives.

 

BBC World's VP of sales for Asia and Australasia, Sunita Rajan, says: “We are delighted to have Tourism Australia showcase their destination message on BBC World . BBC World is the leading international news channel in India, the country is now one of the world's largest democracies and its influential and affluent individuals are travelling more than ever. The fact that BBC World was voted as the leading television channel for travellers two years in a row, also makes this the perfect environment for Tourism Australia to launch its campaign in.”

 

Maggie White, General Manager, South and Southeast Asia and Gulf Countries, Tourism Australia says: “Tourism Australia is delighted to be associated with BBC World's Peschardt's People series. In the series, some of our most famous Australians will show viewers around our beautiful country and share their stories. India is an important market for Australia and through our partnership with BBC World, we have the opportunity to reach out more extensively to our target audience and extend an invitation to them to visit Australia.”

 

Tourism Australia is among a number of tourism boards to partner with BBC World . Other boards include Macau Tourism, Tourism New Zealand, Palau Tourist Authority, Maldives Tourism, Beijing Tourism and Hangzhou Tourism.

 

Peschardt's People: The Line Up

Luc Longley:

Saturday 20th January at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 20th at 2230 and Sunday 21st at 0530, 1030 and 1830 GMT

One of Asia Pacific's most successful sportsmen, Luc shows Michael around his extraordinary home in Western Australia and reminisces about what it was like to play alongside Michael Jordan in the most successful basketball team ever to take the court.

Vanessa Mae:

Saturday 27th January at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 27th at 2230 and Sunday 28th at 0530, 1030 and 1830 GMT

Violinist and former child prodigy, Vanessa Mae talks candidly about her Asian heritage and the traumas she faced as a young girl growing up with an extraordinary talent.

Sam Neil:

Saturday 3rd February at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 3rd at 2230 and Sunday 4th at 0530 and 1030 GMT

New Zealand's most famous actor shows Michael around his spectacular vineyard on New Zealand's South island and gives his forthright views on multi-culturalism, conservation, and working in Hollywood.

Shobha De:

Saturday 10th February at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 10th at 2230 and Sunday 11th at 0530 and 1030 GMT

Controversial best-selling Indian author, Shobha De talks about sexual hypocrisy in India, nuclear weapons, and injustice towards women as she shows Michael around her home city of Mumbai.

Fiona Wood:

Saturday 17th February at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 17th at 2230 and Sunday 18th at 0530 and 1030 GMT
Former Australian of the Year, world leading plastic surgeon Fiona Wood talks about her work in treating the victims of terrorist attacks, and the agonising decisions she faces while treating the victims of severe burns.

Atticus Fleming:

Saturday 24th February at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 24th at 2230 and Sunday 25th at 0530 and 1030 GMT
We cover a journey of more than five thousand miles as Michael travels with Atticus Fleming the man taking extraordinary and direct action to safeguard the most endangered mammal species on the planet.

Preity Zinta:

Saturday 3rd March at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 3rd at 2230 and Sunday 4th at 0530 and 1030 GMT
One of Bollywood's biggest stars talks about the appeal of Indian film, and the inequalities between rich and poor in modern India.

Rod Marsh:

Saturday 10th March at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 10th at 2230 and Sunday 11th at 0530 and 1030 GMT
Cricketing legend, Rod Marsh goes back to his roots as he talks about some of the biggest issues facing the world game.

Jenny Chua:

Saturday 17th March at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 17th at 2230 and Sunday 18th at 0530 and 1030 GMT
One of the most influential women in Asian corporate life, Jenny Chua talks about the history of Singapore, its colonial past, its multi-racial experiment, and why western models of democracy may never work there.

Ben Elton:

Saturday 24th March at 1430 GMT
Repeated: Saturday 24th at 2230 and Sunday 25th at 0430 and 1030 GMT
One of the world's greatest comedy writers and performers takes Michael behind the scenes as he prepares for his one man show on tour in Australia. He talks about the power of comedy and his love for his adopted home of Australia.

Thomas Kenneally:

The multi award winning author takes Michael to his home in Sydney to show his whole writing process as he dwells on the ironies of history - Hitler, the Nazis, and what he see as the balletic beauty of Rugby League.