More Young Tourism Leaders needed to inspire tourism careers

Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones has today announced round two of the Queensland Government’s successful Young Tourism Leader program.

“I’m urging employers, business leaders, my fellow MPs and community members to nominate inspirational young people to become champions of Queensland’s tourism industry,” Ms Jones said.

“This program is about inspiring the next generation of Queenslanders to consider a career in tourism.

“We already have 10 Young Tourism Leaders who were inducted to the program earlier this year and now we are looking for more passionate young people to join the team.”

Ms Jones said the Young Tourism Leaders program taps into the enthusiasm of young people working in the tourism industry and aims to encourage other young people to follow their lead.

“With Queensland’s tourism industry going from strength-to-strength, now is the perfect time to encourage young people to forge a career path in tourism,” she said.

“Tourism is a $23 billion industry in Queensland which supports one in 11 jobs.

“Over the next three years, we’re expecting around 20,000 new jobs to be created in the tourism industry here in Queensland.

“We want young people to know that tourism can offer more than a job, but a sustainable career with amazing opportunities along the way.

“We need people with a range of skills, from communications specialists, graphic designers, business managers, tour guides, pilots, flight attendants, finance specialists and many more. This is the kind of career that can be a ticket to travel the world.”

Ms Jones said the 10 Young Tourism Leaders were located in towns and cities across the state, including Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Hervey Bay and the Gold Coast.

“Each of the leaders are visiting secondary schools in their region to share their personal and professional journeys of working in the tourism industry,” she said.

“This is why a focus on building the tourism workforce for the future has never been more important.

“It is a key priority in the Queensland Government’s Advancing Tourism 2016-20, which aims to maximise the benefits from tourism and make Queensland the world’s leading tourism destination.”

Nominations for round two of the Young Tourism Leaders program officially open on Tuesday 30 May 2017 and close on Tuesday 11 July 2017. Nominations can be made at www.youngtourismleaders.qld.gov.au/nominations.

Media contact: Emma Clarey – 0437 069 516