The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has today released two research reports commissioned on behalf of the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry. The reports provide analysis of the Queensland tourism industry and recommendations to help it adapt to changing circumstances and consumer preferences, and plan for the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Minister Ferguson said: "These two reports were funded under the New Destination Roadmap for Tropical North Queensland (TNQ), which I announced in June last year."
The Access Economics report Vulnerabilities study: regions with a high dependency on tourism confirms how vitally important tourism is to the Tropical North Queensland economy. Tourism accounts for nearly 20 per cent of employment and 15.5 per cent of the overall economy of the region.
The TNQ Repositioning Study, prepared by Kleinhardt Business Consultants, examined the tourism products and infrastructure available in Tropical North Queensland.
Minister Ferguson said the report provided essential analysis to help government and tourism operators plan for future tourism infrastructure investment in the region.
"To help the industry maximise the value of the report, and to progress some practical, on-the-ground outcomes, an advisory panel will provide me with recommendations on projects that could be funded under the Tropical North Queensland future-proofing program."
Projects will be assessed on their merits against the following criteria:
- Relevance to key regional needs;
- Potential to attract new market sector/segments;
- Potential to increase yield;
- Outcomes that have benefits across the destination;
- Creation of higher levels of service to visitors;
- Resource savings through efficiencies;
- Ability to deliver outcomes within a reasonable timeframe; and
- Projected long-term benefits to the destination.
Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour said: "Successful projects will deliver direct benefits to tourism in the region. I look forward to working with Minister Ferguson to assist the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry meet the challenges it currently faces and seize new opportunities for the future.
"In partnership, industry and Government can work towards innovative products and services to meet changing consumer demand from visitors in key and emerging tourism markets and secure the future sustainability of the industry here in Tropical North Queensland."
The two reports can be located at www.ret.gov.au/tourism/policy/Pages/TourismPolicy.aspx.