A tourism industry that partnered with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share their stories and culture with the world was the most strongly supported priority at last month’s two-day statewide tourism forum.
Creatively presented by Quandaomooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation CEO Cameron Costello and supported by Redland City Council and tourism operators, it was one of six priorities endorsed by the 300-plus forum delegates of tourism operators who attended the State Government’s DestinationQ at Noosa last month.
Forum delegates worked in groups to identify and then present ideas to grow the tourism industry and increase overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion per year by 2020.
It was also an opportunity to discuss future opportunities or issues with Premier Campbell Newman, Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, all of whom were in attendance, along with other state government ministers and government representatives. Straddie Chamber of Commerce’s Col Battersby joined Cameron Costello and Redland City Council to fly the flag for Redlands at the forum.
After working together for two days, the following six priorities received the highest votes by delegates and now form an agreement signed by the Premier, Tourism Minister and QTIC on the last day of the forum:
Enhancing the visitor experience
1. we will educate the community to understand the positive social and economic impact of the visitor dollar;
2. we will advocate that tourism is not just a job, it is a ‘world’ of opportunity.
Working together to exceed expectations
3. we will convince Queeenslanders that tourism matters
4. we will partner with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share their stories and culture.
Driving new ideas and investment
5. we will create a centre for tourism entrepreneurship to incubate innovations in each region
6. We will be open for business and forge a new tourism structure that implements best practice in the world that overcomes the political cycle.
DestinationQ delegates have agreed to support these collective efforts by growing their own products and helping others to grow theirs. Further work on delivering the priorities will also take place between industry and government.
The Redlands is well placed to capitalise on Indigenous cultural tourism, particularly on North Stradbroke Island.
For more info, visit the Destination Q website >>
