Published Tuesday, 20 January, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Future of Australian tourism put into focus on the Gold Coast
Developing strategies to steer the tourism industry through the current waves of economic uncertainty and into the future will be the focus of a national forum, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said today.
Ms Boyle said the seventh annual Tourism Futures conference would bring together industry leaders, policy makers, operators, tourism professionals and academics from across Australia to discuss market forecasts, trends and best practice information.
She said the conference would be held 17-19 August 2009 at Surfers Paradise, and would be jointly hosted by Tourism Queensland, Tourism Australia and Gold Coast Tourism.
“For an industry that makes a major contribution to the national economy, tourism has been facing some tough challenges in recent years,” Ms Boyle said.
“There is no doubt that current world events such as the state of the international economy and climate change are having an impact on our industry.
“It is important for everyone to understand the challenges that lie ahead – and the real opportunities they can present to our industry.”
The impact of recent marketing campaigns will also be highlighted at the conference, Ms Boyle said.
“Marketing campaigns won’t be the only hot topic, other issues such as global aviation, recruitment and training and the status on climate change adaptation will also spark delegates’ interest,” she said.
Ms Boyle said more than 450 delegates from across Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia were expected to attend the conference.
“This event was created by Tourism Queensland and is just as important for operators across the country now as it was when it was first held in 2002,” she said.
“It is also fitting that a Queensland destination is hosting the 2009 conference.
“Surfers Paradise and the wider Gold Coast region is growing in reputation as a business tourism destination, maturing beyond its already world-class reputation as a sub-tropical playground.”
The 2009 Tourism Futures national conference will be held at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa and details of the conference program and registrations will be released shortly at www.tourismfutures.com.au
ENDS
Media Contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Ms Boyle said the seventh annual Tourism Futures conference would bring together industry leaders, policy makers, operators, tourism professionals and academics from across Australia to discuss market forecasts, trends and best practice information.
She said the conference would be held 17-19 August 2009 at Surfers Paradise, and would be jointly hosted by Tourism Queensland, Tourism Australia and Gold Coast Tourism.
“For an industry that makes a major contribution to the national economy, tourism has been facing some tough challenges in recent years,” Ms Boyle said.
“There is no doubt that current world events such as the state of the international economy and climate change are having an impact on our industry.
“It is important for everyone to understand the challenges that lie ahead – and the real opportunities they can present to our industry.”
The impact of recent marketing campaigns will also be highlighted at the conference, Ms Boyle said.
“Marketing campaigns won’t be the only hot topic, other issues such as global aviation, recruitment and training and the status on climate change adaptation will also spark delegates’ interest,” she said.
Ms Boyle said more than 450 delegates from across Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia were expected to attend the conference.
“This event was created by Tourism Queensland and is just as important for operators across the country now as it was when it was first held in 2002,” she said.
“It is also fitting that a Queensland destination is hosting the 2009 conference.
“Surfers Paradise and the wider Gold Coast region is growing in reputation as a business tourism destination, maturing beyond its already world-class reputation as a sub-tropical playground.”
The 2009 Tourism Futures national conference will be held at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa and details of the conference program and registrations will be released shortly at www.tourismfutures.com.au
ENDS
Media Contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326