PARTNERSHIPS THE KEY TO DRIVING TOURISM GROWTH

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech has urged Sunshine Coast councils to work together on promoting tourism, saying partnerships are the key to a successful industry.

Mrs Keech today met with representatives from Tourism Noosa to discuss their concerns about the potential impact on tourism of council amalgamations.

“I welcomed the opportunity to meet with Tourism Noosa to listen to their concerns.

“It was an extremely fruitful discussion with Tourism Noosa sharing some of their fears about the possible impact of amalgamations."

Mrs Keech congratulated the board of Tourism Noosa and the local industry on their sustainable tourism plan.

She said Noosa was an eco-tourism icon and the Beattie Government recognised that its unique destination status needed to be protected and supported.

“I see no reason why the possibility of council amalgamations on the Sunshine Coast should weaken that uniqueness,” Mrs Keech said.

“Past experience has shown that amalgamations can lead to a strengthening of a region’s tourism industry.

“Dividing the spoils of tourism funding between several council areas in the same region doesn’t offer the best value for money.

“Tourism organisations should be working together to promote tourism, not competing against each other.

At the meeting Mrs Keech urged Tourism Noosa to see the possibility of amalgamations as an opportunity, not a threat.

“This could be a chance for Noosa to attract new tourism product and broaden its appeal to high-yielding nature-based tourists,” she said.

“It’s time to recognise that partnerships are the key to maintaining the success of Queensland’s tourism industry.

“We all need to work together to ensure this state continues to be the world’s premier tourism destination.

“You only have to look at the success of Queensland’s three major tourism destinations.

“The Gold Coast, Brisbane and Tropical North Queensland have all been subjected to council amalgamations in the past.

“Yet these regions continue to go from strength to strength.

“There is no evidence that the local character of destinations within those regions has been lost in amalgamations – in fact, quite the contrary.”

Mrs Keech said the tourism industry pumped $18 billion a year into Queensland’s economy and was the state’s second-largest export industry.

“That’s why it is vital we maximise the potential for attracting visitors,” she said.

“I would urge Tourism Noosa and local operators to work closely with the Regional Tourism Organisation Tourism Sunshine Coast, no matter what decisions are made on amalgamations by the independent commission."

Mrs Keech said the future was in the industry’s hands.

“It’s up to the industry to have its say on amalgamations and I would urge all interested parties to lodge their submissions to the independent commission before they close this Friday,” she said.

Media Contact: Jo Gibbons 3225 1005 / 0421 611 989