The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has announced the second instalment in the Australian Government's funding for projects which will help the North Queensland tourism industry respond to reductions in airline capacity.
Speaking in Cairns, Minister Ferguson said the New Destination Roadmap being rolled out will assist Tropical North Queensland tourism take action in consideration of changing consumer and aviation trends and increasing global competition.
Minister Ferguson said: "This $640,000 instalment will support research identifying key emerging markets and trends and will allow Tropical North Queensland tourism businesses to prepare for the future.
"This research will focus on priority markets such as Japan, China, India and the United Kingdom - as well as the vitally important domestic market - and examine how the region can best serve the expectations of visitors.
"The second instalment will also fund the design and implementation of the Tropical North Queensland Tourism Development Program to help local operators develop new product in response to any identified gaps in the Tropical North Queensland tourism experience.
"The funding announced today will also see the Australian Government, Tourism Queensland, and Tourism Tropical North Queensland work to attract the 2010 Regional Asia Routes Development Forum to Cairns. There is no better way for Cairns and the region to showcase its attributes and infrastructure to such an important group of aviation route planners and industry personnel."
The Australian Government's $4m Tropical North Queensland Tourism Package comprises a series of measures demonstrating a commitment to the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry. The first instalment of the Government's package, announced on 8 September, saw $750,000 committed to marketing support for Japanese travel agencies to facilitate charter flights to Tropical North Queensland.
Minister Ferguson said: "The Destination Roadmap will be developed and delivered in consultation with Tourism Australia, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, and tourism businesses in the region.
"It will enhance the capacity and resilience of the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry and ensure the region is well equipped to meet future challenges."