Tourism Action Plan assisting job growth

MRS ATTWOOD ASKED THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND FAIR TRADING (MR LAWLOR) —

QUESTION:

How will the Tourism Action Plan to 2012 assist the economy and job growth in Queensland?

ANSWER:

Tourism is one of this State’s most important industries with 220,000 Queenslanders relying on tourism to earn their living. The tourism industry also contributes more than $9 billion to our economy every year and spreads its economic and employment benefits across the whole of Queensland.

2008 and 2009 were tough years for the industry with a range of factors, including the Global Financial Crisis and the H1N1 virus, putting pressure on the viability of tourism operators which in turn put tourism jobs in jeopardy. The ‘Tourism Action Plan to 2012’, which I launched on 9 January 2010, reflects the Government’s strong commitment to address this difficult operating environment and is the key delivery vehicle for protecting tourism jobs. The action plan is supported by the Queensland Government’s $36 million Protecting Tourism Jobs election commitment.

The Action Plan contains a raft of initiatives, which seeks to maintain jobs in the sector and to provide a framework to ensure the industry is well positioned for growth in the recovery period.

The Action Plan balances these marketing efforts with a range of industry development initiatives including:

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a new tourism investment attraction program to attract investment for tourism product and infrastructure in Queensland;

$1.8 million over three years to deliver regional minor tourism infrastructure grants that will generate regional investment and improve the visitor experience for Queensland’s regional drive visitors;

$3 million in funding over three years to support outstanding regional and sub-regional tourism projects;

$1.23 million to undertake a feasibility study for a Great Walk from the Daintree River to the tip of Cape York;

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delivering 2,000 new training places in tourism and hospitality by 2012;

using our Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to upskill existing workers looking for more work and getting those keen on a career in tourism ready for work;

working with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council to help the industry offer the very best skills development for its businesses and workforce and promote a culture of service excellence; and

looking at ways to customise pre-apprenticeship programs for tourism.

By combining initiatives to increase demand for and investment in Queensland’s tourism products with initiatives to build the capability and quality of tourism operators and the workforce, the Action Plan takes a holistic and sustainable approach to ensuring tourism continues to be a leading contributor to Queensland’s economic development and jobs