Queensland budget is $47 million and that, in fact, 119,000 people are employed in the tourism industry.
When I was appointed minister, I took it upon myself to tour the regions. I went to Cairns, where they
mentioned the member’s name fondly. The situation in Cairns is quite serious. Unfortunately, that area is
exposed more than any other area to the Japanese economy. The reduction in the number of flights
from Japan to Cairns has impacted quite severely on the industry in Cairns.
Townsville is in a better situation than Cairns. At the moment, Airlie Beach is quite buoyant and
the situation in Mackay is excellent. As the member is aware, on the Gold Coast over Easter the
industry was quite buoyant owing to the Too Easy and Bonus Breaks campaigns. There was $1 million
spent on the domestic campaign, which generated more than 16,000 room nights across Queensland
and approximately $9.5 million in visitor expenditure. In terms of the Bonus Breaks campaign,
$1.3 million was spent and that campaign focused on Sydney and Melbourne. So far, that campaign has
generated $10 million and 22,500 bed nights.
The Bligh government has committed an additional $38 million to help drive the tourism industry
through these tough economic times. I have told Tourism Queensland and my department to leave no
stone unturned in finding ways of keeping tourists coming to Queensland. Businesses are open in
Queensland.
