More support for Tropical North Queensland tourism

The Morrison Government is providing an additional $7.7 million in targeted support for Tropical North Queensland to promote the region as a year-round tourism destination.

The Government is providing:

• $4,414,563 for a year-round Destination Marketing Strategy to help drive year-round visitation to Tropical North Queensland.
• $1,345,438 to support Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s (TTNQ) Experience Marketing and Development Project to support local tourism providers to adapt and strengthen their product offerings and experiences to better suit domestic tourists.
• $2,030,000 towards the TTNQ’s Travel Incentive Scheme which will provide a $250 incentive to book and spend a minimum of $1,000 on tourism products, attractions and experiences in the Tropical North Queensland region.

Federal Leichardt MP Warren Entsch said the additional investment in marketing would complement the 800,000 half-price airfares funded by the Morrison Government to get people back into tourist areas and spending money on holidays.

“Cairns and Far North Queensland has proven incredibly popular with domestic tourists,” Mr Entsch said.

“Australians have already booked 50,100 discounted flights to Cairns under the Morrison Government’s $1.2 billion tourism support package.

“With the weather turning colder down south, more Australians will be attracted to a holiday up here where the weather is warm, the people are friendly, and we have the best tourist experiences in the nation.

“This is no more evident than in places like Port Douglas, which is absolutely buzzing at the moment, with many accommodation businesses running at near full capacity.

“The Morrison Government’s additional investment in promoting Tropical North Queensland as a year-round destination will support local jobs and businesses 365 days a year.”

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the best thing the Government could do for our tourism regions and businesses was to get tourists back spending money.

“The net impact of Australian tourist spending in Australia was a positive benefit to the economy of around $7.5 billion in the December quarter, so the benefits of getting Australians to book a domestic holiday are clear,” Mr Tehan said.

“Our Government’s latest investment in Tropical North Queensland tourism will help the region harness more domestic tourism to drive its economic recovery.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the Morrison Government funding would significantly increase the domestic marketing power of the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef destinations.

“TTNQ is grateful the Morrison Government has recognised the tourism industry’s role in the national economy and is equipping us to embark on the recovery process,” Mr Olsen said.

“Through their support TTNQ will deliver an integrated destination marketing strategy to drive year-round visitation.

“We will also work with local operators to ensure they can leverage these activities and effectively reinvigorate their products to appeal to the domestic market.”

The $7.7 million for these three projects is part of $10 million allocated to the region through the Recovery for Regional Tourism Program, part of the Government’s $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.