Queensland covers Paris

The international campaign to bring tourists back toQueensland following Cyclone Debbie has begun.

More than 500 billboards showcasing the best of theWhitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef went up in Paris last night.

This is the first phase of Tourism Australia'sinternational campaign to assist the recovery of some of Queensland's mosticonic tourism destinations following the impact of Cyclone Debbie.

We are letting the world know Queensland is open forbusiness.

The Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundaysremain beautiful; there has never been a better time to visit. That's themessage we're sending the world - come visit Queensland.

It will be hard for the French to escape the beauty ofAustralia. Everywhere they turn there'll be an iconic Queensland image thatshows why there's nothing like Australia.

France is our 15th largest inbound market for visitorarrivals and total visitor spend, with 42,075 French tourists spending $75million in Queensland last year.

Importantly, the French are amongst those who are mostprepared to travel far and wide throughout Australia. This campaign willinspire them to visit regional Queensland, and the Whitsundays and GreatBarrier Reef in particular.

This campaign is part of Tourism Australia's broaderwork to attract more tourists to Australia. Australia is currently welcomingrecord numbers of international tourists, who are staying longer and spendingmore when they are here.

The Turnbull Government knows tourism creates jobs anddrives economic growth, which is why Tourism Australia continues to receiverecord funding.

The Turnbull Government jointly funded a $10 millioncampaign to assist the recovery of the tourism industry following CycloneDebbie.