Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Tourism remains priority Queensland industry under state budget
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the future of tourism by guaranteeing the ongoing funding of key tourism projects throughout the state, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced today.
Ms Boyle said Queensland's tourism industry was entering year three of the state’s $48 million, 10-year Queensland Tourism Strategy and so ongoing funding was needed to assist in its delivery.
“The strategy has been designed to help prepare and adapt the industry to meet the changing demands of the domestic and international tourism environment,” Ms Boyle said.
“With an increasingly competitive world tourism market and a strong Australian dollar softening the industry at the moment there is no more pressing time for money to be invested in preparing the tourism industry for the future.
“The state tourism industry is at a time where throwing money at marketing and advertising is just not going to cut it.
“The Government in partnership with Tourism Queensland will be looking at increasing the state’s tourism markets through a range of initiatives including changes to the working holiday visa conditions.
Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland and her Department would also be working with industry to respond to the recommendations of the tourism network review.
“This review will be a significant milestone for the state’s industry helping the regions in particularly grow stronger.
“Developing and implementing a strategy to increase the state of Queensland’s brand and recognition internationally is also a key priority.
“Queensland only shares 2 percent of the international tourism market so we must find innovative ways of positioning ourselves in the international market place.
“While doing this we will also be promoting Queensland’s key tourism regions through innovative domestic and international marketing campaigns.
“Growing aviation access, capacity and non-stop services to Queensland particularly from emerging markets (China, India and Korea) and with key-hub destination airlines will remain a priority of the Bligh Government in 2008-2009,” she said.
Other major initiatives include partnering with regional tourism industry members to develop and implement Regional Tourism Investment and Infrastructure Plans (RTTIPs) aimed at encouraging private sector investment in new tourism accommodation, experiences and activities.
The promotion Queensland’s world-leading eco-tourism destinations and assisting tourism operators to implement environmental best practice will remain a major priority under the Bligh Government’s commitment to tackle climate change.
Under the Queensland Tourism Strategy, the Bligh Government has a firm commitment to increase by 2015 annual visitor expenditure to $21.6 billion, increase Queensland’s overnight visitor market share to 29.1 percent, increase tourism’s contribution to gross state product to $12.4 billion and create an additional 11,000 jobs.
Ends
Media Contact: Marcus Taylor 3225 1005/0419 025 326 or Kirstie Maier 3224 2007/0448 135 195
Ms Boyle said Queensland's tourism industry was entering year three of the state’s $48 million, 10-year Queensland Tourism Strategy and so ongoing funding was needed to assist in its delivery.
“The strategy has been designed to help prepare and adapt the industry to meet the changing demands of the domestic and international tourism environment,” Ms Boyle said.
“With an increasingly competitive world tourism market and a strong Australian dollar softening the industry at the moment there is no more pressing time for money to be invested in preparing the tourism industry for the future.
“The state tourism industry is at a time where throwing money at marketing and advertising is just not going to cut it.
“The Government in partnership with Tourism Queensland will be looking at increasing the state’s tourism markets through a range of initiatives including changes to the working holiday visa conditions.
Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland and her Department would also be working with industry to respond to the recommendations of the tourism network review.
“This review will be a significant milestone for the state’s industry helping the regions in particularly grow stronger.
“Developing and implementing a strategy to increase the state of Queensland’s brand and recognition internationally is also a key priority.
“Queensland only shares 2 percent of the international tourism market so we must find innovative ways of positioning ourselves in the international market place.
“While doing this we will also be promoting Queensland’s key tourism regions through innovative domestic and international marketing campaigns.
“Growing aviation access, capacity and non-stop services to Queensland particularly from emerging markets (China, India and Korea) and with key-hub destination airlines will remain a priority of the Bligh Government in 2008-2009,” she said.
Other major initiatives include partnering with regional tourism industry members to develop and implement Regional Tourism Investment and Infrastructure Plans (RTTIPs) aimed at encouraging private sector investment in new tourism accommodation, experiences and activities.
The promotion Queensland’s world-leading eco-tourism destinations and assisting tourism operators to implement environmental best practice will remain a major priority under the Bligh Government’s commitment to tackle climate change.
Under the Queensland Tourism Strategy, the Bligh Government has a firm commitment to increase by 2015 annual visitor expenditure to $21.6 billion, increase Queensland’s overnight visitor market share to 29.1 percent, increase tourism’s contribution to gross state product to $12.4 billion and create an additional 11,000 jobs.
Ends
Media Contact: Marcus Taylor 3225 1005/0419 025 326 or Kirstie Maier 3224 2007/0448 135 195