Jones welcomes Federal Labor tourism commitment

Federal Labor’s $1 billion tourism infrastructure fund will help Queensland capitalise on tourism growth from Asia, Tourism Minister Kate Jones said today.

Ms Jones said Mr Shorten had recognised the opportunity for Queensland tourism to build market share.

“Finally we have a leader in Canberra who understands Queensland needs investment in tourism to stay competitive,” she said.

“Mr Shorten’s $1 billion tourism investment fund will help drive tourism growth, create more tourism jobs and boost our market share.

“I welcome Federal Labor’s commitment to grow Queensland’s $23 billion tourism industry and the 230,000 jobs it supports.

“We need a real investment from the Federal Government to help increase our market share and that is exactly what Mr Shorten’s plan will deliver.

“We know China outbound tourists are expected to double from 100 million in 2014 to 200 million in 2020.

“Mr Shorten and Labor recognise we must capture more of the growing Asian outbound tourism market here in Queensland.”

Ms Jones said Labor’s tourism vision was a stark contrast to the Federal Coalition.

“It doesn’t make sense that the prime minister of this country is not focused on growing tourism,” she said.

“At a time when we should be investing more in tourism to grow jobs and market share Mr Turnbull has cut funding to Tourism Australia and from January will introduce a tax on backpackers.

“We know Queensland stands to lose $120 million when the backpacker tax is introduced next year.

“You can’t create jobs and growth in tourism by taxing tourists.”

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