More than $408.5 million will be invested in tourism, innovation and sport in the Palaszczuk Government's 2022-23 Budget to deliver good jobs and protect our lifestyle for post-pandemic recovery on Queensland's runway to Brisbane 2032.
Tourism, Innovation and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said $66.4 million had been baked into the budget over three years to respond to the Tourism Industry Reference Panel's Towards 2032 – Action Plan for Tourism Recovery.
"The expert panel's final action plan, released today, is a 10-year strategy for industry and government to reshape Queensland's visitor economy," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"It sets ambitious goals because Queensland needs to be bold to achieve long-term success, or risk being left behind.
"The tourism industry reference panel goes beyond pandemic recovery to create an industry-led blueprint for growth.
"Included in the panel's findings are 75 recommendations to position Queensland as Australia's destination of choice for domestic and global visitors seeking the world's best tourism experiences by 2032.
"Some of the recommendations are ambitious and will need further consideration and consultation with the tourism industry," he said.
"Industry feedback on the panel's action plan will lead the development of the Palaszczuk Government's longer-term response and tourism strategy, Toward Tourism 2032.
"The 2022-23 Budget will fund immediate measures to start future-proofing Queensland's visitor economy, including $4 million over two years for First Nations Tourism and $20 million over three years for Queensland Music Trails.
"Visitors come to Queensland to enjoy our great lifestyle and the 2022-23 Budget will help protect and enhance our iconic assets while building a stronger, post-pandemic tourism industry, including $15 million over two years for the Tourism Experience Development Fund."
A two-year, $22 million investment in the budget will support priority ecotourism and cultural attractions, including support to rebuild Binna Burra Lodge.
The Act Eco initiative receives $5 million to activate low-impact ecotourism infrastructure near state forests, timber reserves and national parks.
We'll also enhance tourism opportunities near Lamington National Park and support the expansion of Caboolture's Abbey Museum and the Abbey Medieval Festival.
Mr Hinchliffe said the 2022-23 Budget would continue to back Australia's biggest international aviation attraction fund.
"Our nation-leading $200 million partnership with Queensland's four international airports and industry aims to land 5.3 million airline seats over the next year and generate $4 billion for Queensland tourism operators," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"Attracting direct international aviation was one of the Tourism Reference Panel's initial recommendations for rebuilding inbound overseas tourism.
"We've already locked in nonstop flights to Brisbane from San Francisco, plus Singapore to Gold Coast services, and there are more to come."
The 2022-23 Budget will support Queenslanders to leverage opportunity and legacy from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Queensland's two golden decades of unrivalled opportunity before and after the 2032 Games have started and are transforming the state before our eyes," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"Creating more good jobs through innovation and preparing Queensland for the biggest show on earth are budget priorities.
"We're investing in sport, from community club infrastructure and gameday support to building games legacies, developing sport-tech, and discovering and nurturing elite Queensland athletes with You For 2032."
The 2022-23 Budget commits an extra $80.2 million over three years to Activate! Queensland 2019-2029, bringing the total allocation to $394 million to help Queenslanders stay active more often.
Other 2022-23 Budget highlights include:
- $186.1 million over four years for Stadium Queensland's day-to-day operations and ongoing maintenance expenses, and $68.1 million to maintain its $2.9 billion facilities portfolio ahead of Brisbane 2032
- Funding to support the delivery of the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023
- $3.5 million over three years for the highly successful Great Barrier Reef Education Experience for Queensland school students
"And the Palaszczuk Government's 2022-23 Budget continues to invest in innovation through the successful Advance Queensland initiative," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"This is another example of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to good, secure jobs in emerging and traditional industries, and the delivery of even better services."
