Latest news with #Destination2045
ABC News
5 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Queensland government unveils long-term tourism strategy Destination 2045
The Queensland government has launched an ambitious 20-year tourism plan but won't say how much the new strategy will cost. The Destination 2045 campaign aims to make the Sunshine State the events capital of Australia, support 45 new eco-tourism experiences, and rejuvenate the Great Barrier Reef islands. The government also wants to attract more visitors through targeted marketing and create a fund to secure new direct flights, including from India, as well as enhance connections to regional Queensland. The strategy aims to double the annual total visitor expenditure to $84 billion and add almost 40,000 new tourism industry jobs by 2045. Premier David Crisafulli said the plan is something "industry has been crying out for". "We are determined to make sure that Queensland's tourism offering goes to the next level," he said. "We unashamedly want to be the events capital of the country. We want to have connections from throughout the globe coming here." "We want to have 45 new eco-tourism products by 2045. It's big, it's bold, it's ambitious, but it has to happen." When pressed on the total funding for the strategy, Mr Crisafulli couldn't provide a dollar amount, and instead pointed to the government's first budget due to be delivered later this month. "There will be significant funding in the budget and beyond," he said. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has lent his support to the strategy, saying the "Gold Coast is here to help". While only a handful of Gold Coast projects are currently outlined in the tourism plan, Mr Tate is confident more opportunities for the city will "slip in" as the strategy is rolled out across the next two decades. "There will be an ongoing conversation to say, 'have a look at this one you haven't looked at yet'," he said. Mr Tate noted a direct connection between Australia and India was "paramount" for tourism and investment in south-east Queensland, but was agnostic about which airport flights from the subcontinent would arrive. "For me, whether tourists from India land in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, it makes no difference, it's the same destination. It really is team Queensland," Mr Tate said. Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Natassia Wheeler commended the government's partnership with the industry, with more than 1,500 stakeholders involved in the formation of the strategy. "To see a plan today come to life that listens to industry, backs industry, and has a plan that doesn't address what we need 20 years from now, but addresses the challenges on the ground today that industry are facing, is absolutely critical." Tourism and Events Queensland chief executive Craig Davidson pointed to the exclusive Brisbane shows of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2026 as evidence of the pull of the state in the events sphere. "They are here because of a team Queensland approach. They're not here because we have the biggest chequebook," he said. "They're here because they met with all of us in one room, and we can make decisions quickly on the spot. That's why the Military Tattoo is here, and that's the approach we need to take if we're going to win in that event space."
The Age
5 days ago
- Business
- The Age
‘Tasmania, we're coming for you': 20-year tourism plan to make Queensland No.1
The Crisafulli government has announced a 20-year plan for the tourism industry, with the state's tourism minister suggesting Queensland would rival destinations such as Tasmania and New Zealand by 2045. Destination 2045: Queensland's Tourism Future includes six strategic priorities to build Queensland's tourism industry, with plans to expand ecotourism, attract world-class events, create a fund to entice direct flights to new markets, rejuvenate the Great Barrier Reef islands and boost marketing. The first 45 ecotourism projects to be delivered include the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island; the Wangetti Trail, north of Cairns; the Whitsunday Skyway in Airlie Beach; the Ngaro Trail on Whitsunday Island; and upgrades of day use areas in Lake Eacham and Springbrook National Park. The LNP government opened public consultation for Destination 2045 in December. Loading On Monday, Premier David Crisafulli and Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell unveiled the resulting plan, calling it 'a visionary roadmap to supercharge the state's industry into a new era of growth, innovation and global leadership'. 'We know we live in an amazing part of the world, and what this is about is unlocking opportunities for people to deliver a tourism product and for people to be able to work in the industry as we open up this great state to the globe,' Crisafulli said. India has been identified as a 'burgeoning market' for Queensland to tap into. 'And the best way to we can do that is by bringing a direct flight into Brisbane,' Crisafulli said. Powell said the focus on ecotourism would promote visitation and conservation of unspoilt natural areas.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Tasmania, we're coming for you': 20-year tourism plan to make Queensland No.1
The Crisafulli government has announced a 20-year plan for the tourism industry, with the state's tourism minister suggesting Queensland would rival destinations such as Tasmania and New Zealand by 2045. Destination 2045: Queensland's Tourism Future includes six strategic priorities to build Queensland's tourism industry, with plans to expand ecotourism, attract world-class events, create a fund to entice direct flights to new markets, rejuvenate the Great Barrier Reef islands and boost marketing. The first 45 ecotourism projects to be delivered include the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island; the Wangetti Trail, north of Cairns; the Whitsunday Skyway in Airlie Beach; the Ngaro Trail on Whitsunday Island; and upgrades of day use areas in Lake Eacham and Springbrook National Park. The LNP government opened public consultation for Destination 2045 in December. Loading On Monday, Premier David Crisafulli and Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell unveiled the resulting plan, calling it 'a visionary roadmap to supercharge the state's industry into a new era of growth, innovation and global leadership'. 'We know we live in an amazing part of the world, and what this is about is unlocking opportunities for people to deliver a tourism product and for people to be able to work in the industry as we open up this great state to the globe,' Crisafulli said. India has been identified as a 'burgeoning market' for Queensland to tap into. 'And the best way to we can do that is by bringing a direct flight into Brisbane,' Crisafulli said. Powell said the focus on ecotourism would promote visitation and conservation of unspoilt natural areas.
