The annual TNQ Tourism Conference is a full day of future-focussed ideas and stories delivered by selected key speakers with extensive backgrounds in tourism and beyond. The event was first held in 2018 and is now a key event on our corporate calendar for our members and industry.
Get ready for the My Queensland TNQ Tourism Conference on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the Hilton Cairns. Speakers have been announced and tickets are on sale now!
The 2023 TNQ Tourism Conference was held on Wednesday 31 May at the Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns and focused on our region’s international recovery and the year of accessible tourism. We also inspired you with our region’s progress in attracting sustainable travellers and the continual elevation of our First Nations tourism story.
For the second year, the event was proudly sponsored by My Queensland, which is part of the award-winning Ignite Travel Group. Two new sponsors joined who was Tourism and Events Queensland and IMATE, an Industry Media Agency powered by Dentsu Queensland.
INTERNATIONAL TOURISM MARKETING: Insights on aviation, national and state destination marketing as well as consumer and trade updates.
Richard Barker – Chief Executive Officer, North Queensland Airport
Rob Dougan – Executive General Manager – Strategy & Research, Tourism Australia
Kate Duffy – Group Executive Marketing, Tourism and Events Queensland
Chris Ernst – Managing Director, Dentsu Queensland
Kobe Liao – Regional Director, Trip.com Group Australia
Rod Carrington – General Manager, My Holidays & Ignite Travel Group
Dan Finch – Group Managing Director, Expedia Australia
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STORY: This session focused on the progress made to date, new programs and toolkits that are available, and how we as a region can continue to strive to fulfil our vision of being a global leader in nature-based and ecotourism.
Harriet Ganfield & Rosie Douglas – TTNQ
Charlotte Taylor – Program Manager, Business Chamber Queensland
Nikki Giumelli – Guest Speaker, Green Arrow Consultancy
FIRST NATIONS TOURISM: In our area’s recently unveiled First Nations Tourism Action Plan, it was detailed how to embrace the full potential of Indigenous tourism in light of the rising demand for genuine cultural experiences around the globe.
Cameron Costello – TNQ First Nations Tourism Action Plan
ACCESSIBILITY TOURISM: The year of Accessible Tourism has put a spotlight on the untapped value and potential of this sector. Insights we delivered on what defines accessible visitors and how our industry can leverage the opportunities.
Sarah Lovell – Acting Director, Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport
Hailey Brown – Chief Executive Officer, Vacayit
The 2022 TNQ Tourism Conference focused on International recovery for the region, leveraging our strengths in eco-conscious and event travellers. It inspired delegates to leverage the eco-conscious global traveller and explored how they can position the sustainability attributes and offering of our destination to maximise visitation from both the leisure and event visitors. The event was full of ideas, discussions, and stories delivered by speakers with extensive backgrounds in tourism, events, government, airlines, inbound, wholesale, and beyond.
The event was proudly sponsored by My Queensland, which is part of the award-winning Ignite Travel Group.
INTERNATIONAL MARKET UPDATE: Insights from both a destination marketing and a trade marketing perspective.
Rob Dougan – Strategy & Research, Tourism Australia
Michael Branagh – Global Marketing, Tourism and Events Queensland
Louis Arul – Southwest Pacific & Singapore Airlines
Neale Herridge – ATS Pacific
Jason Brererton – H.I.S Australia
Daniel Finch – Expedia Australia & Wotif
Ryan Thomas – My Queensland & Ignite Travel Group
TELLING OUR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STORY: Offering sustainable travel experiences will provide a competitive edge to our international market recovery. We explored “what is sustainable travel and what are customers’ expectations”.
Simon Pugh – EssenceMediacom
Penny Rafferty – Head of Sustainability, Tourism Australia
Craig Wickham – Exceptional Kangaroo Island
BUILDING AN INTERNATIONAL PROFILE THROUGH EVENTS: Events contribute to year-round visitation, and with the award-winning convention centre expansion less than 12 months away from completion, and international events such as Ironman and Crankworx embedded into our calendar, this session will explore how business and major events will play a part in our regional recovery.
Rod Lockwood – Definitive Events
Geoff Meyer – IRONMAN
Rosie Douglas – Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Matt Jones, Four Pillars Distillery
IN CRAFT WE TRUST: Matt Jones is one of Australia’s leading strategists and storytellers. One of three co-founders, and the brand brains behind Four Pillars, Matt connects the dots between brand and purpose.
Katie Iles, Hello Clarity
EMBRACING THE NEW LOOK POST-MILLENIAL; CASHLESS & INTEGRATED: Katie Iles is a communications strategist, specialising in generational change and business growth. Katie will explore how our region can embrace the “new look millennial”. Millennials are fast moving into the young family category, so what does a millennial look like in 2021 and what does this mean for the purchasing experience if they are cashless and integrated?
Oliver Vickers-Price, NewsCorp
TRAVEL REIMAGINED: Oliver will outline what a year of consumer research and spend tracking taught us, along with an exclusive, market-first look at the preliminary findings of a landmark study.
Daniel Finch from Wotif Group, Geoff York from Crystalbrook Collection, and Ryan Thomas from Ignite Travel Group
Daniel, Geoff, and Ryan will discuss booking trends from their perspective. Topics for the panel session will include what impact COVID-19 has had on who their customers are, their booking lead times and patterns, and what techniques are working well and why.
Chloe Knight-Gregson, Tourism Australia & Eleni Kozionas, Tourism & Events Queensland
FROM VISITOR TO STORYTELLER TO AMBASSADOR: Chloe and Eleni will explore strategies they utilise to not just create content, but to inspire ambassadors and advocates for each region through their storytelling. Eleni also manages the Queensland Creators program; learn how you could host the Creators and have them become brand advocates!
Shane Purss, Jersey Road
IGNITING YOUR UGC: Jersey Road specialises in project and event management, they understand the business of events and activations and the importance of driving brand ROI and commercial returns. Operating a tourism business is like running a mini-activation every day – learn how can you create fanatical supporters for your business and benefit from their UGC.
This is what a workweek looks like when your office is the world’s largest coral reef system. Who’s ready to swap their desk for the #GreatBarrierReef? 🎥 @puresnorkelling
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID An underwater montage that depicts five days of working on the Great Barrier Reef. Each day reveals a different marine scene from colourful coral gardens, schools of tropical fish and snorkellers exploring the reef. The reel ends with “See you soon”.
Sunrise magic at Ellis Beach. 🌅🌴 There’s no better way to start the day than with swaying palms and a sky painted in shades of pink and gold. Who’s watching the sunrise from here next? 👇✨
📸 @stl_caption
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID Sunrise at Ellis Beach, with shades of pink, purple and orange painting the sky. Silhouetted palm trees lean toward the shore, framing the view, while a hammock hangs between them. The ocean stretches toward the horizon, reflecting the morning light.
Just taking it all in at #LakeEacham on the @athertontablelands. 🌿💙 This stunning volcanic crater lake is located in #craterlakesnationalpark and offers day-trippers the perfect place to picnic, swim, or explore the surrounding rainforest walking tracks.
📸 @rachelsholliday
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia #athertontablelands
ID An aerial view of Lake Eacham, a deep blue volcanic crater lake surrounded by dense tropical rainforest. A woman stands on a wooden viewing platform gazing out at the clear water. Submerged logs can be seen beneath the crystal-clear surface, adding to the lake’s beauty.
Lil dude’s caught in a riptide of determination... 🤙🐢🏄♂️ First stop ☝ #FranklandIslands, next stop the EAC 😉 . 🎥 @franklandislands #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID A Green Sea Turtle hatchling is making its way from the nest to the ocean, a critical part of its life cycle. After hatching from the sand, it instinctively follows the natural light reflecting off the water to find its way to the sea.
Barefoot bliss on Green Island. 🌴👣. This gorgeous #coralcay on the #GreatBarrierReef isn`t just for day-trippers, it’s also home to @greenislandgbr, a luxury eco-resort where you can wake up to the sound of the ocean and explore the reef straight from your doorstep. 🏝️💙 📸 @_letsescapetogether_
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID A woman in a bikini and sun hat walks along the pristine shoreline of Green Island, leaving footprints in the soft golden sand. The turquoise water gently laps at the shore, while lush green foliage lines the beach under a clear blue sky.
Forget roses and chocolates 💘 Nothing says romance like a Victoria’s Riflebird pulling out all the moves. ✨ This dazzling display is the ultimate Valentine’s flex, as he fans out his glossy wings and shimmies his way into her heart. Who else is bringing this energy 😉 to their Valentine’s plans? 📍 Lake Eacham @athertontablelands
🎥 @naidu_kumpatla
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID A male Victoria’s Riflebird performs an elaborate courtship display on a tree stump in the rainforest. He fans out his glossy black wings, revealing iridescent blue and purple hues, and moves rhythmically in a dance-like motion.
Looking for the perfect match? 💘 Swipe left on @tropicalnorthqueensland Whether you are into heart-racing adventures or rainforest retreats, #exploreTNQ is ready to sweep you off your feet. Which one are you saying YES to? Drop your match below! 👇
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia_com @cooktowntnq @cassowarycoastaustralia @athertontablelands @rokopearls @paronellapark @skyparkcairns @talaroohotsprings #riverbendsunsettour @silkyoakslodge @badfishyjetboating
ID A collection of Tropical North Queensland experiences, from heart-pounding adventures like white-water rafting, bungee jumping and jet boating to quieter moments including rainforest escapes, romantic sunset cruises and beachfront dining.
🍦 ‘Eat more ice cream’ - well, if you insist! 🤤 Come grab your happiness in a cone at @numi.icecreamery. Which flavour are you scooping up today?
📸 @food_vixen
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @visitpalmcove
ID This image features a scoop of ice cream with vanilla on top and a berry mix on the bottom, served in a classic cone. The backdrop highlights a neon sign that reads “EAT MORE ICE CREAM” in pink.
✨🌅🧡 Dreaming of a unique Valentine’s getaway? Why settle for ordinary when you can experience extraordinary? From treetop houses to reef sleepovers, Tropical North Queensland offers some of the quirkiest accommodations that promise an unforgettable retreat. Perfect for adventure-loving couples or those seeking a one-of-a-kind escape. 🔗 in bio 👆
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID This photo carousel features a compilation of photos of unique accommodation in Tropical North Queensland, from treehouse stays perched among the rainforest to luxurious outback glamping spots, each offering a distinct and immersive experience in the natural beauty of the region.
*Some accommodations may be seasonally closed.
Have you even visited #Port Douglas if you don’t have this view in your camera roll of #FourMileBeach?
📸 @allaussiefolettas
ID This image showcases the view from the top of Flagstaff Hill, overlooking a long stretch of beach. The foreground features tropical foliage, framing the expansive seascape below.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree #portdouglasdaintree
