Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today launched a campaign aimed at keeping holidaymakers safe during the summer holidays.

Mrs Keech said the G’day, Have a Safe Holiday campaign was aimed at preventing injuries and death throughout the busy Christmas holiday period.

“The summer holidays are the state’s busiest tourism season,” Mrs Keech said.

“G’day, Have a Safe Holiday is an initiative of the Queensland Visitor Safety Group, which was established to work on public safety issues.

“The group includes Queensland Transport, Department of Emergency Services, Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ), Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Health, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Queensland Police Service and Tourism Queensland.

“Each agency focuses on its area of expertise, undertaking media activity over the Christmas holiday period which, together, will form part of a strategic approach under the G’day, Have a Safe Holiday banner.”

Mrs Keech said the agencies had combined their efforts for the first time last year.

“The summer holiday period brings many more thousands of international and domestic visitors to Queensland’s beaches, waterways and national parks, and this summer safety message affects the whole of the state,” she said.

“Visitors to Queensland drive on our roads, enjoy our beaches and waterways and participate in outdoor pursuits, and we want to make sure they stay safe while enjoying all the activities that Queensland has to offer.

“Our state is one of the world’s most stunning regions but, like any natural environment, there are aspects that visitors need to be aware of.

“We want to do everything can to make sure that visitors understand safety measures and enjoy a wonderful holiday in Queensland.

“Our state has a good safety reputation worldwide, but we aim to make our safety record perfect because, in many ways, the difference can be a matter of life and death.

“Surf Life Saving Queensland will continue the excellent work it does on targeting a range of visitor and community groups with various water and surf safety tips, including surf safety, marine stingers, dehydration and wildlife warnings, such as sharks and crocodiles.

“Educating people about marine stingers in our northern waters, and how to safely enjoy Queensland’s natural environment, will be a focus for Tourism Queensland.

“The Queensland Police Service will be reminding people about road, personal and property safety precautions, while Queensland Health will use the campaign to educate people about sun safety.

“The Queensland Tourism Industry Council will be highlighting the importance for all tourism operators and all staff to remain vigilant in providing a consistent and high level of duty of care to all visitors.

“The Department of Emergency Services will focus its messages on camp fire safety, caravan smoke alarms, storm and cyclone preparation, bushwalking safety, marine stinger safety and avoiding heat stress, and Queensland Transport will remind motorists to avoid drink driving, speeding, driving fatigued and will encourage drivers and passengers to wear a seatbelt.”

Media contacts: David Smith (Minister’s Office) 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534 or Louise Yates (Tourism Queensland) on 3535 5349.