April 20, 2010Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor and Tourism Queensland's board travelled to Port Douglas this week to meet with the tropical north's tourism heavyweights to discuss the major issues affecting the region's $ 2.5 billion tourism industry.
Minister Lawlor says tourism is crucial to the Tropical North Queensland economy, employing 20 percent of the workforce and supporting hundreds of businesses.
"Tropical North Queensland is in a unique position in that it is more reliant on international visitors than any other region in Queensland and as a result has been hard hit by the global economic downturn," he says.
Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall says having the board in the tropical north was a great opportunity for local tourism operators.
"This is their chance to discuss key initiatives over the coming year and how best the region can move forward," he says.
"There has been a shift in the global economy compared to last year and the gradual return of consumer confidence and it will be great for them to hear how the region can best capitalise on this.”
Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes says the board has been eager to talk to the local industry about the major issues they were facing and will take industry feedback on board when undertaking business planning over the coming year.
"The indications are for a gradual return in global economic confidence, which will hopefully translate into a more positive 2010 for the region's tourism industry," Hayes says.
