After one of the toughest years for the Queensland tourism industry, I am pleased to say that many tourism operators are ending the year on a high with strong holiday bookings and a very positive outlook for the year ahead.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every person involved in the tourism industry, from the mum and dad tour operator on the Gold Coast , the restaurant waitress in Airlie Beach to the fishing charter operator in Tropical North Queensland, a very Merry Christmas.
Tourism is the lifeblood of Queensland directly and indirectly supporting 222,000 jobs and contributing $9.2 billion to the economy making it a number one priority for the Bligh Government. That’s why we committed an extra $12 million a year for three years to support the tourism industry.
I would also like to thank the hard working staff at Tourism Queensland who pulled off one of the world’s best marketing campaigns this year putting Queensland in the global spotlight like never before. The Best Job in the World campaign has so far achieved around $400 million in publicity and earnt Island Caretaker Ben Southall, who has done an amazing job selling our great state, a further role as a Queensland Tourism Ambassador.
Let's hope this is just the start of a prosperous 2010 for the Queensland tourism industry.
Peter Lawlor
Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading
