Published Wednesday, 06 February, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Brisbane climate change workshop to guide tourism industry business planning
Brisbane tourism operators were encouraged to prepare their businesses for the challenges of climate change at a free workshop on Wednesday 6 February, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle and Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace said today.
The workshop was presented by the Queensland Government and Tourism Queensland together with the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence and Brisbane Marketing.
“Climate change is an increasingly important issue for the tourism industry,” Ms Grace said.
“According to the forecasts, Queensland can expect warmer temperatures, sea-level rises, changes in rainfall patterns, and more intense storms and tropical cyclones.
“This free workshop will give industry in Brisbane an update on climate change data specific to their region and business, with close to 40 industry representatives including local tourism operators coming together for the day.
“The workshop will also give them the right tools for further risk assessment and business planning with a climate change focus, as well as a forum for discussing how to deal with climate change issues with other industry partners.
“Queensland is on the front foot in addressing the impact of climate change now, giving our state a competitive advantage for the future.
“Our natural environment is one of our state’s greatest assets and it is vital that we do what we can to protect these wonderful resources.
“The state's World Heritage areas, national parks and internationally-renowned natural areas such as the wet tropics, the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island, draw more than 16 million visitors a year.
“In fact, spending by park visitors is estimated to contribute more than $1.2 billion each year to the Queensland economy.
“The Queensland Government has already responded to the threat of climate change by establishing of the Queensland Climate Change Centre for Excellence, and the development of a Queensland Climate Smart Adaptation Action Plan and ClimateSmart 2050.
“The workshops will take it one step further by providing guidance and leadership specific to the Queensland's tourism industry.”
The workshop was on from 2.00 – 4.30pm, Wednesday 6 February at the Terraces on Wickham, Brisbane.
Ends
The workshop was presented by the Queensland Government and Tourism Queensland together with the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence and Brisbane Marketing.
“Climate change is an increasingly important issue for the tourism industry,” Ms Grace said.
“According to the forecasts, Queensland can expect warmer temperatures, sea-level rises, changes in rainfall patterns, and more intense storms and tropical cyclones.
“This free workshop will give industry in Brisbane an update on climate change data specific to their region and business, with close to 40 industry representatives including local tourism operators coming together for the day.
“The workshop will also give them the right tools for further risk assessment and business planning with a climate change focus, as well as a forum for discussing how to deal with climate change issues with other industry partners.
“Queensland is on the front foot in addressing the impact of climate change now, giving our state a competitive advantage for the future.
“Our natural environment is one of our state’s greatest assets and it is vital that we do what we can to protect these wonderful resources.
“The state's World Heritage areas, national parks and internationally-renowned natural areas such as the wet tropics, the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island, draw more than 16 million visitors a year.
“In fact, spending by park visitors is estimated to contribute more than $1.2 billion each year to the Queensland economy.
“The Queensland Government has already responded to the threat of climate change by establishing of the Queensland Climate Change Centre for Excellence, and the development of a Queensland Climate Smart Adaptation Action Plan and ClimateSmart 2050.
“The workshops will take it one step further by providing guidance and leadership specific to the Queensland's tourism industry.”
The workshop was on from 2.00 – 4.30pm, Wednesday 6 February at the Terraces on Wickham, Brisbane.
Ends