Tourism key to Queensland’s economic growth

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Jann Stuckey

Tourism key to Queensland’s economic growth

The Newman Government has committed to forming a strong partnership with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council as it works to make our state Australia’s number one tourist destination.

Tourism Minister, Jann Stuckey, told 250 delegates at a QTIC breakfast in Brisbane that within 30 days of being elected, the government had delivered on key strategies to reinvigorate the Queensland tourism industry.

“We have a strategic 20-year plan to revitalise tourism. We will lift visitor spending to $30 billion by 2020, creating more jobs and opportunities across the state,” Ms Stuckey said.

The LNP’s tourism commitments include:

·Establishment of a new department, with key tourism responsibility

·Establishment of a Tourism Cabinet Committee

·Implementation of the DestinationQ Strategy

·A new Tourism Investment Attraction Unit

·The Attracting Aviation Investment Fund

Ms Stuckey said the DestinationQ Forum being held in Cairns next month is a key part of the tourism strategy, with 300 industry representatives from across Queensland attending.

“This conference is about restoring confidence and opportunity. We have vowed to listen to industry and deliver real change,” Ms Stuckey said.

“Our DestinationQ strategy is truly a whole- of- Government approach to tourism that will foster an exciting new partnership between industry and government.

“The Newman Government will embrace themes from the forum, identified by industry as priorities.

“We want a collaborative approach as we signal to the rest of the world that Queensland is well and truly open for business.

“We are bringing a new approach and attitude to tourism. Together, we will drive a way forward for industry, delivering cross-agency coordination and urgent tourism growth.

“Tourism is one of the Newman Government’s four economic pillars, and we will work hard every day, in every way, to revitalise the industry.”