TTNQ’s digital and content team spent a productive day with the Tourism Australia team in Sydney to strengthen our partnership with them and understand how we can leverage their work.
Breakfast with Kate Jones
Tired product and the perception that Queensland is a sun and surf destination are among the challenges facing the tourism industry in Queensland. CEO Pip Close attended the QTIC Tourism Industry Breakfast with Kate Jones this month where she made it clear that growing Queensland’s market share is a priority for Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ). TEQ will focus on events to drive travel with a budget that has doubled. The Commonwealth Games offers an extraordinary opportunity with 1.5 billion people tuning in to watch the event.
TEQ Chair Brett Godfrey said TEQ would be launching a new feel to their marketing around nostalgia.
He spoke about the need to showcase experience holidays, especially in ecotourism which is worth $263 billion to the world economy. New Zealand and Tasmania are taking advantage of this, but he says Queensland needs to open up national parks more and use our natural assets. We don’t want greedy developments, rather we need private developers who become “green guardians”.
Queensland needs to promote Indigenous tourism, which TTNQ is doing through Timeless Experiences, and facilitate opportunities with it. One in six Indigenous Australians work in tourism.
TEQ believes international education will become a growth industry for our State, an area our region has been expanding.
There is much interest in the global tourism hub for Cairns with 14 expressions of interest including large casino operator Caesar’s Entertainment.
Kate Jones advised the State would be backing winners in the tourism industry with $100 million locked in per annum for three years for projects that demonstrate exciting opportunities and lead to higher visitation and spend. This includes $36 million for infrastructure and a key focus on islands. Great Keppel is receiving $25 million and there is another $25 million for islands to work with partners.
The Connecting with Asia Fund will continue with $48 million for aviation attraction, which is vital for Tropical North Queensland to be able to grow tourism visitation to our destination.
Regards
Pip
Pip Close
Chief Executive Officer