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TOURISM will feel little impact from the Queensland budget announcement on Tuesday, bringing relief for industry heavyweights.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) chairperson Shane O’Reilly (pictured) says he’s pleased to see the government remains committed to ensuring industry growth.
On top of continued support for existing programs, the budget includes $15 million for Tourism and Events Queensland, $100 million for the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast, and $40 million in national disaster recovery.
There’s also $7 million for business to government services, $2 million to attract increased flights to the Gold Coast, and trials for Drink Safe Precincts.
“We are pleased to see the Newman Government remains committed to the current initiatives targeted at bolstering Queensland’s tourism economy,” says O’Reilly.
“Tourism directly accounts for 124,000 Queensland jobs and directly contributes $8.4 billion to Queensland’s gross state product.
“QTIC will continue to argue a case on behalf of the industry that investing in Queensland’s critical tourism industry is essential for the benefit of all Queensland communities.”
In 2012, QTIC agreed to a partnership with the Newman Government directed at growing a four pillar economy. Tourism was at forefront of the DestinationQ strategy which was designed to increase visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020.
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