Events across regional Queensland will receive a boost in funding from the Palaszczuk Government, with Tourism and Events Queensland today launching the latest round of the Queensland Destination Events Program.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said 20 events would receive a total of $828,000 across eight regions in the 13th round of QDEP funding.
"We invest in events because they bring tourists to regional Queensland and support local jobs," she said.
"A total of five events will receive funding for the first time ever, including the Gold Coast Running Festival, the Big Pineapple Music Festival in southern Queensland and the Ipswich Festival.
"Two renowned events with a strong track record of growth will also receive significant long-term funding of up to four years – the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival in Outback Queensland, a highlight during the 2019 Year of Outback Tourism, and Bleach* The Gold Coast Festival, which delivered a great arts and culture program during the 2018 Commonwealth Games."
"Ms Jones said funding could be used for marketing, strategic plan development, new staff or for event infrastructure.
"We work closely with organisers to maximise the impact of these events for our economy – encouraging tourists to stay in regional Queensland to experience what we have to offer," she said.
"The Newman Government cut $188 million from the tourism budget. In contrast, we're investing more in tourism than any government in Queensland's history because we know this sector is vital for jobs growth in our state.
"To date, we've delivered more than $10 million to grow more than 302 events across Queensland."
"Entries are open for QDEP's Round 14 funding until 2 October 2019. Funding is available for events held in Queensland between May 2020 and May 2021.
