BEATTIE GOVERNMENT FOOTS TOURISM BILL

The Beattie Government will foot the bill for Queensland tourism operators to showcase their product to the world by joining the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW).

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today announced the subsidy to a packed annual conference of Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) in Brisbane.

“The Beattie Government’s Queensland Tourism Strategy is about securing the future of the state’s tourism industry, from the grass roots level up,” Mrs Keech said.

“Through the QTS, we are now offering a subsidy scheme to enable every operator to sign up for the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) by waiving the $300 membership fee for 2007/2008.

“By fully subsidising next year’s membership, more than 3000 operators in Queensland not currently registered will have the opportunity to share the benefits of members.

“And to prove our ongoing commitment to the industry, we will continue the support with a 50 per cent subsidy of membership in 2008/09 and 30 percent in 2009/10.”

Mrs Keech said the initiative was a great example of how the QTS was already achieving positive outcomes.

“Tourism operators are the foundation of our annual $16.7 billion industry and it is important we give them every opportunity to develop and promote their product in the digital environment,” she said.

“The Australian Tourism Data Warehouse is a central national database of tourism operators.

“It is used by tourists and travel companies as a directory for information and planning holidays.”

The information is also displayed by Tourism Queensland through the highly successful www.queenslandholidays.com and Tourism Australia’s www.australia.com.

Existing and new subscribers can join the ATDW subsidy scheme by contacting Tourism Queensland on 1800 629 749 or atdw@tq.com.au.

For more information on the ATDW visit www.tq.com.au/atdw

Mrs Keech said the ATDW initiative was just one of many initiatives that would flow from the QTS.

“The first strategy outcomes are now being rolled out. The benefits will be ongoing,” she said.

“The Strategy is a long-term plan to ensure the best possible economic, environmental and social future for the Queensland tourism industry.

“We look forward to continuing to announce major QTS driven infrastructure, environmental and industry initiatives in future months.”

Media contacts: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534 or Marcus Taylor (Tourism Queensland) 3535 5010 / 0419 646 121