Tourism challenged by marketing reduction in budget
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council believes a reduction in tourism marketing investment in the 2014-15 Queensland state budget will further challenge and test the industry. Chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the industry will be disappointed to see a reduction of approximately 5 per cent in investment for Queensland’s tourism marketing budget.
“Achieving the 2020 targets is going to be harder with less marketing investment promoting Queensland to domestic and international visitors,” Mr Gschwind said. “Tourism is a competitive market and Queensland needs to invest in order to reap the benefits from growing global demands.”
Mr Gschwind said tourism may have escaped more severe cuts due to the recognition of its importance to the Queensland economy. “The Queensland government continues to recognise tourism as one of the four pillars of Queensland’s economy and there are few sectors of the community that do not benefit in some way through tourism.
“Queensland’s tourism industry employs 235,000 people and contributes $21 billion in expenditure to the economy. QTIC is aware of the potential impact that this reduction may have on the industry and we will continue to support tourism operators as they feel the pinch of the government’s belt tightening.”
Queensland state budget 2014-15 – positives for tourism:
- Up to $55 million investment in the Reef Water Quality Program
- $5.4 billion investment in transport and main roads
- $768 million towards upgrading sections of the Bruce Highway
- $321 million towards the $1.6 billion Toowoomba second range crossing
- 75 new six-car trains
- $495 million for local infrastructure improvements under the Royalties for the Regions program
- $44.5 million investment to support hospitality businesses and patrons through the Safe Night Out Strategy
A number of regional investment initiatives will be supported such as improving visitor access to popular tourism destinations, improvements to camp grounds and national park facilities, upgrades to infrastructure on waterways and protection of cultural and natural resources.
