Queensland makes play for Invictus Games

The Palaszczuk Government is targeting more major events for Queensland after securing new and renewed events expected to reap $391 million in economic impact and 265,000 new visitors to the State.

Speaking from the State’s original major event the Royal Queensland Show (“the Ekka”), Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones confirmed the Government, fresh from the success of major event coups in recent weeks, was bidding for the Invictus Games in 2018.

“In the last month, we have confirmed Queensland will host the Rugby League World Cup semi-final and final and Brisbane Global Tens, we have re-signed the V8 Supercars and have marked milestones for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April 2018,” the Premier said.

“I can confirm today we are bidding for the Invictus Games for October 2018.

“These Games, first held in London in 2014, are helping inspire recovery and rehabilitation for wounded servicemen and women around the world. 

“The Gold Coast is the perfect event destination and following the Commonwealth Games in 2018 we will have the infrastructure we need in place to host the Invictus Games.

The Premier said the Invictus Games was a seven-day, 11-sport event for serving and former serving wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women from 16 different nations.

“Representatives of the Invictus Games Foundation will be inspecting venues on the Gold Coast this week,” the Premier said.

“By renewing existing events and attracting new ones, we can bring more visitors to Queensland filling our hotels, restaurants and shops.

“We estimate more than 260,000 visitors and close to $400 million in economic boost from the events we have secured or renewed.”

Ms Jones said under the Palaszczuk Government, Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) had secured major new events for to Queensland including:

-       Brisbane Global Tens from 2017 to 2020;

-       Rugby League World Cup pool games in Cairns and Townsville, a semi-final and the final in Brisbane in 2017; 

-        Ballet Preljocaj in Brisbane in 2016;

-        ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final and Age Group World Championships on the Gold Coast in 2018;

-        Medieval Power: Symbols and Splendour international exclusive exhibition in Brisbane in 2015-16;

-        World Bowls Championships on the Gold Coast in 2020; and

-       World Science Festival from 2016-18 in Brisbane.

Ms Jones said the Palaszczuk Government’s four-year funding approach allowed TEQ to market Queensland destinations and attract the best events to the state over the long-term.

“We want to secure those events that bring more visitors to Queensland, grow our economy, support jobs, boost our profile around the world and foster community pride in Queensland,” she said.

“Our four-year, $400 million investment is already delivering results with record numbers of visitors coming to Queensland in the last 12 months.

“We know every dollar invested in major events returns $15 back to our economy.”

In addition, TEQ has renewed a number of key events, over the last 18 months, including:

-       Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville 2015-17;

-       Great Barrier Reef Mast Games in Cairns in 2015; and

-       V8 Supercars – Castrol Gold Coast 600 and the Castrol EDGE Townsville 400 from 2017-19.

The IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship has been secured for three years (2016-2018) as an extension to the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival.

The Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo has been elevated to Queensland’s major event calendar in recognition of its continued growth and contribution to the State’s tourism industry.

Ms Jones said TEQ’s It’s Live in Queensland major event calendar delivered $460 million of economic impact to the State.