COUNTRY music fans in the Far North will be in for a treat in 2020 with a new three day festival to be held in Mareeba.
Savannah in the Round, which will be held over the Queen's Birthday long weekend in October, is expected to attract more than 15,000 people to the region in a major boost for local tourism.
Cook MP Cynthia Lui said the new festival would attract the best country music acts from across Australia and the world.
"It will also drive visitors to the Far North for a world-class cultural event right on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef and the world's oldest rainforest," Ms Lui said.
"New major events grow our tourism industry and create jobs."
Barron River MP Craig Crawford said Savannah in the Round was a win for the Far North's tourism industry.
"Far North Queensland has a rich history and culture. This event will showcase these attributes to the world," Mr Crawford said.
"Savannah in the Round will have a strong focus on First Nations culture, which makes it a perfect fit for 2020 - recently announced by the Premier as the Year of Indigenous Tourism.
"Far North Queensland is the best place in the world to visit and live. Events like this help us prove that to thousands of people each year."
Recent data revealed tourism was worth $3 billion to Cairns and now supports more than 28,000 jobs - more than 12 per cent growth year-on-year.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said with new events like Savannah in the Round, these numbers would continue to grow in the future.
"This event will deliver a strong return for the Cairns economy and will have a great flow-on effect for local businesses," Ms Jones said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the festival was a welcome addition to the region's event calendar.
"It is an incredible opportunity to showcase local and internationally renowned talent, including First Nations artists, in the spectacular setting of the Tablelands, an outback experience just 60km from Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Olsen said.
Mareeba councillor Edward Brown said the festival would have something for everyone.
"We offer the amazing Tablelands, one of the best festival sites in the country, the Reef, the rainforest and the hottest line-up of country acts from around the world - it's the perfect mix for visitors and locals alike," Cr Brown said.
Sound Australia CEO James Dein said Kerribee Park Rodeo Grounds at Mareeba would make the perfect home for the festival.
"The Mareeba festival site is as good as I have seen in the country," Mr Dein said.
"With such great infrastructure and the incredible reef and rainforest experiences on their doorstep, I can't imagine any international artist not wanting to put this great new event on their calendar.
"It's an amazing opportunity for Tropical North Queensland and shows the state is again leading the way."
The festival will be staged through a partnership between the state government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and event management company Sound Australia.