The ballroom at The Ville Resort-Casino is filled with optimism during the fourth DestinationQ Queensland tourism industry forum currently being held in Townsville.
Hundreds of tourism operators and government officials from around the state were welcomed to the event by Tourism Minister Kate Jones who said tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Queensland.
“It was very pleasing to the 15 per cent increase in tourism expenditure over the last financial year across the state, but we need to build on that success to ensure visitor spending continues to grow in Queensland,” Minister Jones said.
“The future is looking bright and this forum is a great way for government to come together with tourism industry representatives to learn and engage with each other and develop new ideas to increase employment, boost visitor expenditure and lift the profitability of tourism businesses moving forward,” she said.
Minister Jones said she hopes by the time the forum comes to a close both sides will have a clear understanding of how they can make Queensland’s tourism industry continue to flourish.
Mayor of Townsville Jenny Hill said the forum not only brings together government, industry leaders and operators to focus on the state’s tourism sector but also provides an opportunity to put the spotlight on the Townsville region.
“Our local tourism operators are our best assets, showcasing our city to the world, lifting the quality of experience for our visitors and striving for growth in the market each and every day,” Cr Hill said.
CEO of Queensland Tourism Industry Council Daniel Gschwind said the forum is about building momentum to make most of opportunities the industry is presented.
“The last five or six years have seen a positive shift take place for our industry and we should all be very proud of what we’ve achieved together with government over the course of these four forums,” Mr Gschwind.
“While things are going well it’s important that we are continuously reviewing what was articulated in our 20 year plan to make the state the best tourism destination in Australia,” he said.
“Through the DestinationQ program, we have a better game plan now as an industry, and we’re more focused now on attaining better outcomes for the industry.”
During her address Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said their is huge potential to develop the state’s tourism industry.
“For the industry to reach its full potential we need to change the very way we conduct tourism business in the state. An crucial element that will be necessary is to find ways to increase our advertising presence in China and Japan,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
“Government knows how important these markets are for the future of the industry, people from these countries want the Queensland food and adventure experience and it’s our job to deliver it,” she said.
The premier announced that Minister Jones will be heading to China next month, to develop the groundwork put in place during her recent trip to the nation.
“If we can penetrate China’s social network and boost the profile of Queensland tourism over there, the sky is the limit.
”To reach this goal we need to work together and continue developing the industry which is why this forum is being held.
“We are here to listen to your ideas and turn them into government policy, by working together the world is our oyster.”
The DestinationQ partnership is underpinned by a long term plan for the future, Destination Success, and a commitment by industry and government to work together to deliver action in our destinations and in individual businesses to drive growth and jobs in tourism across the state.
The $23 billion industry supports more than 230,000 jobs throughout the state and energises regional economies.
