Shadow Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt, today announced that a future Labor Government will provide the Queensland Tourism industry with an extra $40 million over four years in a bid to provide certainty to the industry and support jobs in tourism.
“I am determined to see our tourism sector supported so it can create and support jobs,” Mr Pitt said.
Campbell Newman and the LNP has let Queensland’s tourism and hospitality operators down by cutting more than $20 million from Tourism and Events Queensland last year and has failed to promote and support Queensland as a holiday destination.
“I know how important tourism is for Queensland and for our local community.
“Under Campbell Newman, tourism hotspots like Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Townsville have seen holiday visitor numbers drop by up to 21% in the past year.
“It’s not good enough and Labor has a plan for a better way,” Mr Pitt said.
“A Labor Government will revitalise and expand tourism. Our funding commitment will give the tourism industry the stability it needs to attract new events and promote Queensland as a world-class holiday destination.”
A future Labor Government would implement a 10-point plan for Queensland tourism that would:
1. Increase the budget of the government’s marketing and events agency, Tourism and Events Queensland, by $10 million a year for four years to attract major new drawcards, attract events to regional Queensland and boost marketing;
2. Provide four-year funding guarantees to take funding out of the electoral cycle and support new and improved major events that will create jobs and attract visitors to Queensland;
3. Focus on attracting visitors from emerging tourism markets, particularly in China and the rest of Asia;
4. Appoint a senior member of Cabinet as Tourism Minister;
5. Appoint a tourism cabinet sub-committee to consult and work with partners from the industry;
6. Support an annual forum for the tourism industry to support stability and consistency of the industry
7. Ensure tourism is represented on the Jobs Queensland board to help it plan for the workforce and skills the industry requires to give visitors a world class experience
8. Commit $100 million to protect the Great Barrier Reef and the tourism it generates
9. Commence a review to develop a tourism and transport strategy to support the industry and the jobs it creates
10. Rule out the introduction of a job-destroying bed tax
Recent Comments