Newman Doubles Tourism Funding To Regions

State funding for tourism organisations in regional Queensland will be doubled to help prop up the ailing industry.

Premier Campbell Newman told the DestinationQ conference in Cairns today the funding would increase from $3.11 million to $7 million through a redirection of resources as the industry struggles to attract tourists.

But he says the government can't afford to just "throw buckets of money" at the industry to help it compete with the high Australian dollar and neighbouring countries.

"Simply preserving what we have will not meet the challenges of the future," he told the 300-plus crowd.

"We can't afford to sit with the status quo and it won't get us to where we want to go."
Mr Newman had campaigned about tourism being one of the major pillars of Queensland's economy during the lead up to the state election.

He told tourism operators the conference was about coming up with a new way forward for the state's tourism as he promised to do in his first 100 days in government.

Some of the conference's major focuses will include reducing red tape, attracting and retaining skilled workers in the industry, marketing strategies and how national parks were operated.
The forum, which several ministers including deputy premier Jeff Seeney are attending, was welcomed by tourism bodies.

Accommodation Association of Australia CEO Richard Munro said it was important for frontline operators to be able to air their grievances directly to government.

"It's important for governments at all levels to put in place policies which promote investment in both existing and new tourism accommodation products which do not adversely impact on operators", Mr Munro said in a statement.

Top 10 Queensland Experiences to Celebrate Queensland Week

With the Maroons and Blues locked in State of Origin fever, Queensland is preparing for Queensland Week, a celebration of the state’s separation from New South Wales.

On 6 June 1859, Queen Victoria signed the Letters Patent authorising Queensland’s independence. This day is now known as Queensland Day. And the day we said goodbye to the Blues.

So while the Queen celebrates her 75^th jubilee, Queensland will turn the ripe old age of 153 (she’s looking pretty fine for an old girl) and will celebrate with a week of activities from 2-11 June.

Here at Tourism Queensland we’ve compiled the ultimate Top 10 Queensland experiences that every Aussie should experience before they kick the bucket.

1. Discover the largest natural wonder of the world

The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef should be experienced by everyone at least once. Dive with turtles and manta rays off Lady Elliot Island, snorkel the spectacular Low Isles coral cay off Port Douglas, take a romantic scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef, or try a helmet dive at Green Island.

2. Have an ‘Outback Eventure’

Queensland’s outback explodes into a dirt-busting riot of colour, cowboys, horse races and oddly enough, operas, every year in celebration of spring with a calendar full of quirky events. Meet the friendliest of folk from the quaintest towns in the country at the Australian Dunny Derby in Winton, the famous Birdsville Races, or Mt Isa Rodeo - the largest in the southern hemisphere.

3. Go back to surfing’s roots

Pull on your boardies, grab your board and get out with the pros at some of the most famous surf breaks on the planet. Home to the Quiksilver Pro and a few of the world’s best surfers including Joel ‘Parko’ Parkinson and Michael ‘MP’ Peterson, the beaches from Dicky Beach on the Sunshine Coast to the famous break at Snapper Rocks are where Australian surf history all began.

4. Dive with minke whales

For six weeks of the year Queensland offers one of the most life-changing experiences in the country.  During June and July, minke whales come to play in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef and live-aboard vessels head out for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dive and snorkel with these curious and amazing sea creatures.

5. Take the plunge 

A family trip to visit the Gold Coast theme parks is a rite of passage for every teenager in this country. A mad few days swapping between the sickening rides at Dreamworld, getting to your saturation limit at Wet’n’Wild, or hanging with the polar bears at Sea World combined with too much fairy floss and too many Dagwood Dogs makes for a perfect weekend! Or if you really want to get the heart started, head to Cairns to the only bungy site in Australia and trial their world-first jump menu.

6. Immerse yourself in Australian history

Discover the historical gems of Outback Queensland – learn about bushrangers, shearers, stockmen and drovers at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame; or the history of QANTAS at the Qantas Founders Museum. Retrace the steps of Cobb & Co. by travelling on the original mail route between Longreach and Windorah on a fully-ladenstagecoach with Kinnon & Co; or visit the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs.

7. Taste-test true blue Queensland drops

The Bundy bear and the flashing XXXX sign winking out over Brisbane are two of Queensland’s proudest icons. The two labels personify Queensland’s laid-back attitude and larrikin nature and a visit inside the hallowed walls of the distillery and brewery should be included on every imbiber’s list.

8. Go camping on Fraser Island

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, boasting ancient forests, one of the world’s most beautifully blue freshwater lakes, Lake Mackenzie, and of course, kilometres of undulating sand dunes. Whether you fly down them on a sand board, careen up them in a 4WD, or camp at the base of them, this World Heritage-listed island is a must-visit for all Australians.

9. Climb to record-breaking heights

Brisbane’s Story Bridge not only features in hundreds of images of the beautiful city but it also boasts the achievement of being the only bridge in the world to offer both a climb and an abseil experience. And just down the road you can get even higher with Australia’s tallest external building climb at SkyPoint on the Gold Coast.

10. Sail the 74 islands of the Whitsundays

The destination of choice for weddings, luxury holidays or sailing adventures for people all over the world, the 74 islands that make up the crystal blue Whitsundays are a mecca for sailors. Whether you want to be spoilt on a luxury yacht, hire a bareboat with your mates or sail off into the sunset with your lover there could be no better way to spend a holiday.

And one more for good luck…

11. Be a part of the seventh-straight win* with the third State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium on July 4.

*Queenslander’s are nothing if not optimistic.

(Source: Travmedia.com)

Chinese vote Queensland Number One Green Tourism Destination

Queensland has been voted the ‘Green Tourism Destination of the Year’ by more than 4.2 million readers of China’s Travel Weekly tourism trade publication, said Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Jan Jarratt today.

The announcement was made at the 2011 China Travel & Meetings Industry Awards in Beijing overnight. Ms Jarratt said the award was a massive coup for Queensland.

“It’s wonderful to hear Queensland has been chosen as the top green tourism destination in the world by millions of Chinese travel industry members,” Ms Jarratt said.

“This achievement comes less than two months after the Premier’s trade mission to China where she unveiled ‘Project China’; a plan to attract more high-spending Chinese visitors, develop new airline and travel trade partnerships and help Queensland tourism operators cater for Chinese travellers.

“This result shows the hard work of Tourism Queensland is delivering results for Queensland and boosting the state’s profile as an eco-friendly holiday destination.

“Queensland was chosen as one of the top three green tourism destinations in the world by the selection panel and we went head-to-head with Norway and New Zealand before being voted into the number one spot by Travel Weekly China readers in an online poll.

Ms Jarratt said the award win could not have taken place within a more significant international market and was cause for optimistic forecasting.

“China is Queensland’s fourth largest and fastest growing international market with 197,000 Chinese visiting our state in the year ending March 2011, 29 percent more than the year prior,” Ms Jarratt said.

“The Chinese are also big spenders, outlaying $388 million on their trips to Queensland during the same period, a significant $62 million more than during the previous year.

“But with Chinese visitor numbers forecast to continue growing by double digits over the next few years this is no time to rest on our laurels.

“It’s vital that our tourism industry has the skills, products and experiences to make sure our Chinese friends have the best possible Queensland experience, and when they go home they tell their friends and family that Queensland truly is where Australia shines.

“Winning this ‘Green Tourism Destination of the Year’ award will not only put Queensland front-of-mind with our current and potential Chinese trade partners, but hopefully also capture the attention of millions of Chinese holidaymakers.”

Ms Jarratt said the award win was a sweet reward for Queensland’s tourism operators, particularly those who have participated in ‘China Ready’ training and Tourism Queensland’s Sustainable Regions Project.

“The Sustainable Regions Project is Australia’s first state-wide sustainable tourism project which aims to reduce the environmental impact of tourism by working with regional operators to help transform Queensland into a domestically and internationally-recognised sustainable tourism destination,” she said.

“The project has been a resounding success after being piloted in seven Queensland regions including Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, North Stradbroke Island, Mackay Hinterland, Winton, and after running in Agnes Water/The Town of 1770 and the Capricorn Coast post pilot stage.

“An Eco-Efficiency Sustainable Regions Project is also wrapping up on the Gold Coast in partnership with the Gold Coast City Council and 10 Sunshine Coast event-focused tourism businesses are completing a Sustainable Regions program, funded through the $12 million State and Federal Governments’ tourism recovery package.

“Through the pilot stage of the project nearly 66 businesses across the state committed to reducing their combined carbon footprint by 1,237.76 tonnes of CO2 annually – that’s the equivalent of taking 289 cars of the road for a year!

“Queensland has some of the world’s most amazing natural environments and experiences on the planet, so it’s in the best interest of all to ensure we protect and sustain the natural beauty of our state.”

(Source: tq.com.au)