Aggressive strategy announced to support tourism
Posted by editor (editor) on Apr 28 2009
2009 >>

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said the release today of TTF’s report ‘Australian Tourism and the Recession’ was a sober reminder of the challenges facing the Australian tourism industry in the coming 12 months.

“The report brings together all the information we already know: that in these tough economic times, the tourism industry is one of Australia’s more vulnerable industries and needs all the support we can give it,” he said.

“Layer over this the emerging threat posed by the global outbreak of swine influenza over the past week and we have some serious challenges to meet.

“Jobs are at risk - with more than 200,000 Queenslanders relying on the tourism industry for their livelihood.

“In Queensland we understand just how important tourism is to our regional economies and that is why the Premier recently pledged additional funding for Tourism Queensland of $36 million over three years to ensure tourism is supported.

“Tourism Queensland already has an aggressive, results-driven strategy in place to guide the Queensland tourism industry through the challenges of the next 12 months.

“This includes rolling out a series major retail campaigns to drive immediate sales to the tourism industry during this difficult time.

“Tourism Queensland will increase its activity in both the interstate and intrastate markets to capitalise on the short-term opportunity created by the global economic crisis and the reduced value of the Australian dollar.

“Tourism Queensland will also increase its activity in the two key international markets most likely to drive growth for Queensland tourism in the short term: New Zealand and China.

“Marketing will be stepped up around major Queensland events to drive visitation to Queensland destinations.

“This activity will support and provide opportunities to both large and small tourism operators throughout Queensland.”

Mr Lawlor said the global outbreak of swine flu posed a significant threat to the tourism and travel industries.

“Tourism Queensland has activated the Tourism Crisis Management Plan and is working with the National Tourism Incident Response Group,” he said.

“I have convened an urgent meeting of tourism industry representatives at Tourism Queensland House tomorrow to form a Tourism Response Group to the threat of Swine Influenza.

“The group will be briefed by Queensland Health on the current threat posed by the outbreak and will work on a strategy to help protect the Queensland tourism industry.”

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 2:19 PM