$15 million program bringing international visitors back to Tropical North Queensland

A resurgence in international visitors to Tropical North Queensland is being supported by a $15 million Australian Government program.

The International Tourism Recovery Program has delivered 28 campaigns so far, generating bookings in the last financial year for 20,000 Chinese visitors, who it is estimated will inject $37 million into the local economy.

The second year of the $15 million program, rolling out from 1 July 2024, is expected to create even stronger demand for the world-class tourism experiences in the sunshine state’s tropical north, including the Great Barrier Reef.

The return of Cathay Pacific flights between Hong Kong and Cairns from December through to March is projected to bring in up to 13,000 additional international visitors, who are projected to collectively spend an estimated $20 million in the region.

China was the region’s largest international market before the pandemic, accounting for one in four international visitors and injecting more than $200 million a year into the regional economy.

Tropical North Queensland is one of Australia’s tourism regions that is most economically dependent on international visitation.

The International Tourism Recovery Grant Program is providing Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) with grants worth up to a total of $15 million over three years, helping to bring more international visitors to Tropical North Queensland.

Quotes attributable to Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism:

“Queensland’s tropical north is a spectacular place that has always been a personal favourite, a sentiment I share with many Australians and people from around the world.

“We understand how important international visitors are for tourism in the region and, having spoken with many local business operators, I know the challenges they’ve been facing.

“I am pleased that the Albanese Labor Government’s support is bringing back more Chinese visitors to this remarkable part of our country where they can dive into the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef or be guided by local First Nations peoples on a Dreamtime walk through one of the world’s oldest rainforests.”

Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green:

“The Great Barrier Reef brings tourists from all across the world to Cairns and Far North Queensland.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of our region, and welcoming international guests is vital to the success of our communities.

“I am so proud that our Government’s investment in TTNQ is supporting the return of Chinese visitors to this incredible part of the country.”

Quotes attributable to Mark Olsen, CEO - Tourism Tropical North Queensland:

“The support from the International Tourism Recovery Program has given the region a boost when it needed it most, as our international numbers have been slower to recover than the capital cities.

“China was our region’s single biggest international market in 2019, one in three Chinese visitors to Queensland came to see Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Rebuilding demand from China is vital with Cathay Pacific returning in December.

“The 28 trade campaigns have been supported by a coordinated approach, with a publicity push generating over $16.5 million. Roadshows are bringing our operators back into China as a region – bringing back key trade partners to experience Tropical North Queensland and all the great experiences here first-hand.”