Oprah's Down Under Adventure Comes At A Cost

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 14, 2010 2:40PM

We mentioned yesterday that in her latest fit of altruism, Oprah decided to celebrate her last season by taking yesterday's season premiere audience with her on a trip to Australia where she'll tape at the famous Sydney Opera House. We're sure the Aussies were all excited to hear about a visit from The Great O. Well, until they got her bill. Yes, everything comes at a price, even a visit from Oprah. It seems the big trip down will actually cost the Australian government to the tune of $3 million AUD ($2.8 million USD). Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson defended the move as meant to boost tourism: "Oprah is a household name and her star power has the potential to lift Australia's profile as a premier tourist destination." And Ferguson isn't the only one defending the cost.

Former federal tourism minister John Brown asked the media not to be "cynical about the cost" at a time when the number of Australian leaving for overseas holidays outstrips the number of tourists coming to Australia for vacations.

"We spent hundreds of millions of dollars over 30 years without much effect, I must say that honestly," he told a news conference. "The publicity that Oprah will bring to Australia around the world is something you couldn't buy."

This isn't the first time an official has fawned over Oprah and her alleged tourist draw. But this is the first time we've heard of it being proclaimed in an international arena. Perhaps we should just give in and submit to the Oprah overlords after all.