The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has welcomed the release of the LNP’s tourism strategy as party leader Campbell Newman addressed a QTIC industry luncheon in Brisbane on Wednesday.
QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the opposition’s comprehensive strategy was well received by the industry.
“The tourism industry welcomes any move to put a strong policy spotlight on tourism and to ensure we maintain Queensland’s status as the leading tourism state,” Gschwind said.
“This strategy is the most comprehensive pre-election tourism document we have seen from an opposition and we are pleased to see a focus on partnership arrangements, particularly between regional tourism organisations and industry bodies as well as Tourism Queensland.
“Regardless of who is Premier, a whole of government approach to tourism is a positive for our industry and gives promise to tourism, one of the state’s key industries.
“The industry will be keen to see the LNP strategy address the priorities we have identified in our own document, and we are looking forward to hearing how the LNP’s reform initiatives will benefit the tourism industry.
“QTIC will continue working with both sides of politics to map out implementation plans for the strategies offered.
“We also want to ensure sufficient funding will be made available so that the aspirations can be realised for the benefit of tourism and the Queensland economy,” he said.
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) is the State’s peak body for tourism. QTIC is a not-for-profit membership organisation representing members’ interests – both large and small.
QTIC has in excess of 3,000 regional members, operating in all sectors of the tourism industry.
The Accommodation Association of Australia’s CEO Richard Munro, along with leading hotel and motel operators, attended the address by Newman on Wednesday, listening to him vowing to elevate the tourism portfolio to a senior ministerial position, create a specialist tourism committee, help address the skills shortage, minimise red tape for operators and facilitate investment and infrastructure development.
Munro said: “It was pleasing to see a strong interest from the tourism sector and that the Liberal National Party are seeking to ensure Tourism remains high on the agenda.
“It is no surprise that accommodation operators would like to see a commitment to tourism promotion funding that exceeds, rather than matches the current level to ensure Queensland remains as a vibrant destination with a strong event calendar to meet the objective of doubling tourism expenditure by 2020,” he said.