The Queensland State Government has delivered on its promise to provide a budget that financially supports tourism in the sunshine state and will help the industry to “achieve strong growth over the coming decade”, according to the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC).

QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the new budget would allow Tourism Queensland and Events Queensland to maintain their level of support for the Government’s growth initiatives.

“We’re particularly pleased to see the Queensland Government recognise the importance of our destinations with additional direct funding for visitor attraction, and also strongly support the funding for Tourism Queensland and Events Queensland that will allow them to maintain their momentum,” Mr Gschwind said.

“The Budget also reaffirms the government’s intentions to create sustainable opportunities within National Parks for tourism in the future which holds great potential.”

Regulatory reform and planning developments are the next step in realising Queensland’s tourism evolution.

“This budget shows an understanding from the Queensland Government that tourism funding is an investment for the future - an investment that will need to ramp up in the coming years if we are to achieve the aspirations that the government and industry share.”

The Accommodation Association of Australia is completely supportive of the new budget.

“Given the tight fiscal environment, it would have been difficult to secure this funding, meaning this is another clear signal that tourism is a high priority for Queensland’s leaders,” Accommodation Association of Australia chief executive Richard Munro said.

“Confidence is really starting to grow within the accommodation industry as a result of the support the Government is providing.”

Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) managing director Felicia Mariani said the additional $20 million earmarked for destination marketing will help to drive demand and encourage future tourism.