Surprise in Australia over Japanese travel warning

The premier of the Australian state of Queensland and tourism leaders have expressed surprise at an official Japanese advisory.

The advisory warns Japanese visitors to be wary of crime on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Japan's Foreign Ministry website has listed a series of recent assaults and robberies on Japanese tourists at the resort centre of Surfers Paradise.

The warning advises tourists not to leave valuables in locked rooms or open a wallet in front of people, and to keep a tight grip on hand and shoulder bags.

A spokesman from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Daniel Gschwind, says it is a damaging message.

"Clearly it's not helpful if a destination like the Gold Coast is singled out for that kind of attention," Mr Gschwind said.

Queensland's Premier, Peter Beattie, who is in Japan promoting Queensland tourism, says he is shocked by the advisory.

"I think there's been a mistake made but we will try and clarify it, we will need to protect the Gold Coast's position and we will do that as quickly as we possibly can."

The Queensland government says crime has fallen in Surfers Paradise since the introduction of a 3am nightclub "lockdown" last year.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/ra/