Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said Tourism Research Australia’s 2016-2017 data revealed more than two per cent growth in tourism employment and almost four per cent growth in gross regional product state-wide. 

“These new figures really hammer home the importance of tourism to Queensland and the role this industry plays as a driving force of the economy. 

“This data also shows that we’re heading in the right direction when it comes to developing Queensland’s tourism industry.

“I’m determined to ensure we grow this sector to employ more Queenslanders in years to come.

“That’s why we’re investing more in tourism than any other government in Queensland’s history.

“We have a strategy to grow Queensland tourism. This includes working with operators to build new attractions and negotiating with airlines to secure more direct flights from key Asian tourism markets.

“We also continue to build our calendar of events which doubled in value to generate more than $600 million for Queensland last year. This year, our major events sector is set to pump $780 million into the state’s economy.

“We’ve already had the Commonwealth Games and the TV WEEK Logies this year but there’s so much more to come throughout Queensland including the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and the Birdsville Races.”

Ms Jones said offering visitors new experiences in Queensland was an important part of growing the state’s tourism industry in the future.

“In coming years we’ll see the opening of Queen’s Wharf and Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane, as well as Brisbane Airport’s second runway. Further north, work’s under way to open the Wangetti Trail between Palm Cove and Port Douglas. 

Ms Jones said year-on-year growth was seen across the majority of Queensland, with the industry again providing a huge boost to regional Queensland. 

“These figures show that tourism is worth $14.8 billion to regional Queensland and contributes nearly nine per cent of total gross regional product, employing an estimated 139,000 people,” she said.

The Gold Coast’s tourism industry in particular has recorded growth in the last year with the data showing the sector now pumps about $4.7 billion into the economy.

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon said Tourism Research Australia Satellite Account data for 2016-2017 showed 1.3 per cent growth in tourism gross regional product on the Gold Coast.

“Tourism is one of the Gold Coast’s most important industries,” she said.

“I’m proud to say tourism is now worth $4.7 billion a year to the Coast and employs nearly 42,000 people.

See also:

Brisbane Cross River Rail Gabba Landcentre demolition

Sunshine Coast tourism investment boom

Sunshine Coast Westin Resort and Yaroomba Beach development approved