Whitsundays visitor numbers put spotlight on LNP tourism cuts

Tourism figures released this week show the LNP was wrong to slash millions of dollars from Queensland’s tourism budget. 

Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones said the Tourism Research Australia national visitor survey showed Australian visitors to the Whitsundays was down more than 13 per cent in the year to March 2015.

“Now is not the not the time to cut the tourism budget in half,” Ms Jones said.

“We know from budget figures that under the LNP, funding for Tourism and Events Queensland dropped by 50 per cent, down from approximately $100 million to less than $50 million in 2019.

“What is clear from these latest domestic tourist figures is that more needs to be done to grow Queensland’s share of domestic holiday travel, especially in the Whitsundays.

“If the LNP had their way we would see premier destinations like the Whitsundays under increasing pressure.”

Ms Jones said the Palaszczuk Government was determined to grow tourism and support local tourism operators.

“Regional Tourism Organisations like Whitsundays Marketing and Development Ltd rely on state government funding to ensure they can attract the best events and market their destination to Australia and to the world,” she said.

“We know that every dollar invested in tourism marketing returns around $15 to the economy, and events drive visitors to our regions throughout the year, so providing appropriate funding for Tourism and Events Queensland is a no-brainer.

“The industry is crying out for funding certainty and I am committed to delivering.

“That’s why I will continue to lobby my Cabinet colleagues to ensure we get a better deal for Queensland’s tourism industry.”

Media contact: Minister Jones’ Office 3719 7530