Published Tuesday, 10 June, 2008 at 02:41 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Minister cancels overseas mission to support state tourism industry
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle has cancelled an overseas trade mission this week to work with key Queensland tourism regions in the wake of recent airlines cuts.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the Minister had resolved to remain in Queensland to oversee the implementation of a new sales and marketing campaign and to increase efforts to attract new airlines to replace abandoned routes.
“As the Member for Cairns, Desley knows better than most the importance of tourism to regional centres and I believe her decision to remain in Queensland during this tough time is the right one,” Ms Bligh said.
“While the north of the State has worn the brunt of these recent airline announcements these are decisions that are affecting the entire state tourism industry including the Whitsundays and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
“Minister Boyle has already begun phone meetings with key international airlines and will meet with regional tourism organisations and industry in Cairns, on the Gold Coast and Whitsundays this week.
“As a Government, there is already a fixed view on planning for the future of this huge industry under the Queensland Tourism Strategy, and it is tough times like these that reinforce the importance on this work.
“We will continue to work with the tourism regions and push hard on regional investment and infrastructure plans, product development initiatives and new market development,” she said.
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the State Government and Tourism Queensland have been in negotiations with other airlines for some time and the current issues will see these efforts increase.
“Attracting new airlines or increasing capacity is not a simple process. It can sometimes take years of negotiations to secure however QANTAS and Jetstar changes means opportunities for other airlines,” Ms Boyle said.
“We know we need to build a stronger and more resilient tourism industry and work has already begun to make this happen.
“Industry are currently being consulted on the future structure and direction of the state’s tourism industry and I am looking forward to receiving their feedback soon.
“Tourism is an industry that has seen tough times before and I can guarantee that the Bligh Government, Tourism Queensland and regional tourism organisations will work together to see the industry through this one.
“These are tough and uncertain times for tourism. It is important that I work with tourism operators in key tourism areas of the State to develop regionally-specific action plans,” she said.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3225 1005 (Minister Boyle’s office)
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the Minister had resolved to remain in Queensland to oversee the implementation of a new sales and marketing campaign and to increase efforts to attract new airlines to replace abandoned routes.
“As the Member for Cairns, Desley knows better than most the importance of tourism to regional centres and I believe her decision to remain in Queensland during this tough time is the right one,” Ms Bligh said.
“While the north of the State has worn the brunt of these recent airline announcements these are decisions that are affecting the entire state tourism industry including the Whitsundays and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
“Minister Boyle has already begun phone meetings with key international airlines and will meet with regional tourism organisations and industry in Cairns, on the Gold Coast and Whitsundays this week.
“As a Government, there is already a fixed view on planning for the future of this huge industry under the Queensland Tourism Strategy, and it is tough times like these that reinforce the importance on this work.
“We will continue to work with the tourism regions and push hard on regional investment and infrastructure plans, product development initiatives and new market development,” she said.
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the State Government and Tourism Queensland have been in negotiations with other airlines for some time and the current issues will see these efforts increase.
“Attracting new airlines or increasing capacity is not a simple process. It can sometimes take years of negotiations to secure however QANTAS and Jetstar changes means opportunities for other airlines,” Ms Boyle said.
“We know we need to build a stronger and more resilient tourism industry and work has already begun to make this happen.
“Industry are currently being consulted on the future structure and direction of the state’s tourism industry and I am looking forward to receiving their feedback soon.
“Tourism is an industry that has seen tough times before and I can guarantee that the Bligh Government, Tourism Queensland and regional tourism organisations will work together to see the industry through this one.
“These are tough and uncertain times for tourism. It is important that I work with tourism operators in key tourism areas of the State to develop regionally-specific action plans,” she said.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3225 1005 (Minister Boyle’s office)