TOURISM STRATEGY MAGNET FOR INVESTMENT

The Beattie Government will establish a high-level group to pursue potential investors in the Queensland tourism industry, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech announced today.

Mrs Keech said regional plans identifying investment and infrastructure opportunities would be developed as part of the Queensland Tourism Strategy, which was endorsed today by Cabinet.

“These plans will feed into a state plan and we will establish a Tourism Investment Attraction Group as a ‘one-stop shop’ service to institutional and individual investors,” she said.

“This group will harness the resources of private investment. It will provide a single point of entry for potential investors and identify and progress proposals for the development of iconic attractions and infrastructure.

“It will also provide advice on investment assistance and incentives and promote tourism as an investment opportunity to companies, international investors, investment houses, lending institutions and superannuation funds.”

Mrs Keech said investment in tourism infrastructure is vital to the long-term future of the industry.

“If we are to tap into the enormous tourism opportunities that will be presented over the next decade and beyond, we need to be laying the foundations now,” she said.

“Our industry has limitless potential in a fierce global market, and we have to plan carefully to ensure we continue to develop our tourism infrastructure to address the ever-increasing demand.

“There has never been a better time to invest in tourism. The Beattie Government has created the economic environment and the tourism industry, under the Queensland Tourism Strategy, is entering a bold new era of opportunity.

“The challenge for the Government, and for the industry, is to ensure we have appropriate infrastructure to cater for tourist needs. If visitors want luxury accommodation, we must provide it.

“If it means we have to chase potential investors, and then convince them to invest their dollars in our industry, then that’s what we must do.”

Mrs Keech said the Queensland Tourism Strategy (QTS) establishes the way forward.

“Now Cabinet has endorsed the QTS, its implementation is a priority for a fourth term Beattie Government.

“This $48 million package will bring more tourists, create thousands of new jobs, generate industry investment and take Queensland to the top of the national tourism ladder over the next decade.

“It is the industry’s own blueprint for prosperity. After working with the industry to develop the strategy, I look forward this term to continuing to work with the industry to implement it.”

QTS highlights:

·Providing $11.7 million for domestic tourism marketing, including a new $6.5 million campaign to ensure Queensland remains Australia’s No 1 leisure destination

·Investing an additional $2.8 million in international marketing, including specific campaigns for the Great Barrier Reef, backpacking and independent travellers, Action Plans for China, India and Japan and hosting the global Australian Tourism Exchange in 2007

·Providing $7.5 million over four years to attract lucrative business events

• Creating a one-stop shop for tourism industry investment
• Identifying opportunities to protect caravan parks and sites for future caravan park and low-cost accommodation development

·Building a world-class tourism workforce by connecting young Queenslanders with job and training opportunities through an innovative $2.5 million project

·Providing an additional $6.9 million to employ 10 regional destination management officers and boost funding to our regional tourism organisations by 30 per cent

·Investing $3.8 million to strengthen our reputation as Australia’s best ecotourism destination by helping industry protect our natural resources for future generations

·Enabling Indigenous Queenslanders to use tourism as a sustainable economic resource to support community development and personal empowerment

·Maintaining our SmartState reputation as an industry leader with a $2.9 million investment in on-line tourism marketing.

Media contacts: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534 or Karla Steen 3224 2007