Joint Statement:
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Jann Stuckey
Regional tourism funding doubled
Premier Campbell Newman and Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey today announced a doubling of funding for Regional Tourism Operators at the inaugural DestinationQ Forum in Cairns.
The Premier and Tourism Minister said that the funding increase from $3.11 million to $7 million per year was funded through a redirection of resources and would put the money right where it’s needed.
“With the Commission of Audit highlighting the dire state of the Queensland Government’s finances, we must get bang for our buck and ensure the tourism dollars are spent where they are needed most,” Mr Newman said.
“The grant pool for Regional Tourism Operators had not increased since 2001, despite the fact that they are the ones with on the ground knowledge of what works and how best to attract tourists to their local areas.
“As a first step, we will shift resources and boost funding to Regional Tourism Operators from $3.11 million to $7 million annually.”
Premier New man told more than 300 delegates at the inaugural DestinationQ Forum that the Government was determined to get Queensland’s tourism industry back on track after years of Labor neglect.
“DestinationQ is the first forum of its kind in more than 25 years in Queensland and it’s great to see more than 300 delegates in attendance,” Mr Newman said.
Mr Newman said the LNP Government was moving quickly to reinvigorate this vital sector, honouring another 100-day election commitment. He said he expected reducing red tape, attracting and retaining skilled workers in the industry, marketing strategies and how National Parks were operated would be high on everyone’s agenda.
Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said this was the first time a Queensland Government had listened to industry and adopted a revolutionary whole-of-government approach to tourism.
“DestinationQ is about giving the sector confidence as we forge a new direction. We want to build strong partn erships with industry and agree on clearly defined actions and deadlines to ensure Queensland becomes the number one tourism destination again,” Ms Stuckey said.
“Today we’re joined by Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney, Skills Minister John-Paul Langbroek, Transport Minister Scott Emerson, National Parks Minister Steve Dickson and Assistant Ministers Gavin King and David Kempton.
“Together with industry, we will nut out a real action plan to reinstate Queensland as Australia’s premier tourist destination.”
The Newman Government has a target to double overnight visitor expenditure by 2020, which will mean an extra $15 billion dollars flowing into our economy.
The DestinationQ Forum is being held at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns. Plenary sessions will be streamed live at www.destq.com.au
