Tourism representatives from across the State are being encouraged to nominate for this year’s DestinationQ Forum and help the Queensland Government shape and grow the industry, as promised at the election.
Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said there had been keen interest in the forum so far with 3 days left before registrations close.
“We’ve had some fantastic feedback with a diverse number of organisations and representatives lodging their interest to participate in this year’s forum,” Ms Stuckey said.
“The theme of this year’s DestinationQ forum is ‘growing your product – growing our industry’ and will include a series of optional ‘Master Classes’ focused on improving operator capabilities.
“Tourism employs hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders and will provide future jobs for today’s children, so it’s important that we continue to foster the improvements that have been made under this Government.”
Ms Stuckey said the forum would be an opportunity for industry and government to report on the progress of the partnership agreement and Destination Success: the 20-year plan for Queensland Tourism.
“Unlike Labor which neglected the industry, the Newman Government is working in partnership with operators to achieve our goal of doubling annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020,” Ms Stuckey said.
“Our Annual DestinationQ Forums have become the premier tourism industry event, providing a platform for industry to work collaboratively with Government to strengthen this pillar of our economy.
“Partnerships are at the heart of the Government’s approach. In preparing for this important forum, we are engaging industry in a range of research.
“We are listening to operators through a series of 17 regional focus groups across Queensland, to identify what motivates their business decisions to grow their tourism product.
“We’re looking at best practice principles to identify what more we can do in Queensland, in partnership with regional tourism organisations, to strengthen our approach to making us the destination of choice.”
The 2014 DestinationQ Forum will be held at the Sunshine Coast on 16-17 September 2014 at the Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa, and the Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort and Spa.
To register your interest in attending go to www.destq.com.au
