Published Monday, 19 November, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Boyle in talks to lure Asian airlines to Queensland
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle departs on a trade mission today to hold talks with eight of Asia’s biggest airlines to try and deliver new airline opportunities to Queensland.
The trip will also promote aviation training and engineering capabilities in Queensland as the state builds on its reputation as an aviation hub in the Asia Pacific Region.
Ms Boyle said international tourism contributes $3.6 billion to Queensland’s economy and is the second largest export earner for the State, behind coal.
“One of the keys to increasing international tourism to Queensland is airline capacity,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Queensland Government has been promoting Queensland extensively through Tourism Queensland’s 14 international offices, but we also need the seats and planes to bring the tourists here.
“It’s not just about overall capacity. It’s also about ensuring a network of international access to a variety of destinations.
“Queensland is the only state with four international airports servicing our different markets. Cairns is the northern gateway; Hamilton Island provides access to the Whitsunday Islands; there is the glitz and glamour of Australia’s favourite holiday destination the Gold Coast; and Brisbane is the capital city and business hub.
“As a minister in the government it is important that I follow up hard work done by officials at both ends and ensure that relationships at the highest level are solid.
“International aviation and tourism is an extremely competitive environment but with success comes significant returns for Queensland."
In 2006-07 Queensland attracted 2.2 million international holiday makers (up 2.1%) and they stayed 35.7 million nights (up 11.8%).
“The Queensland Government has had significant success over the past year, attracting new airlines to the state, including direct flights from AirAsia X and Etihad Airways.
“The AirAsia X agreement alone will bring more than 100,000 international tourists to Queensland every year, create more than 460 new tourism jobs and inject more than $48 million annually into the economy,” she said.
Ms Boyle will travel to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
19 November 2007
The trip will also promote aviation training and engineering capabilities in Queensland as the state builds on its reputation as an aviation hub in the Asia Pacific Region.
Ms Boyle said international tourism contributes $3.6 billion to Queensland’s economy and is the second largest export earner for the State, behind coal.
“One of the keys to increasing international tourism to Queensland is airline capacity,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Queensland Government has been promoting Queensland extensively through Tourism Queensland’s 14 international offices, but we also need the seats and planes to bring the tourists here.
“It’s not just about overall capacity. It’s also about ensuring a network of international access to a variety of destinations.
“Queensland is the only state with four international airports servicing our different markets. Cairns is the northern gateway; Hamilton Island provides access to the Whitsunday Islands; there is the glitz and glamour of Australia’s favourite holiday destination the Gold Coast; and Brisbane is the capital city and business hub.
“As a minister in the government it is important that I follow up hard work done by officials at both ends and ensure that relationships at the highest level are solid.
“International aviation and tourism is an extremely competitive environment but with success comes significant returns for Queensland."
In 2006-07 Queensland attracted 2.2 million international holiday makers (up 2.1%) and they stayed 35.7 million nights (up 11.8%).
“The Queensland Government has had significant success over the past year, attracting new airlines to the state, including direct flights from AirAsia X and Etihad Airways.
“The AirAsia X agreement alone will bring more than 100,000 international tourists to Queensland every year, create more than 460 new tourism jobs and inject more than $48 million annually into the economy,” she said.
Ms Boyle will travel to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
19 November 2007