Queensland takes flight: New aviation connections set to transform tourism
- Crisafulli Government backs tourism with expanded international and regional aviation strategy, Connecting Queensland.
- More flights to grow tourism and deliver better connections to regional Queensland ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Improved air connections will make Queensland's iconic destinations more accessible, delivering jobs and opportunities statewide.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering improved connectivity into and around Queensland with a new fund to attract more direct air services.
The new Connecting Queensland fund will support international and domestic aviation routes and bring more tourists to Queensland, as part of a broader 20-year tourism plan to be unveiled this week, supercharging tourism in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.
Connecting Queensland will take aviation tourism to the next level, after a milestone flight this weekend marked the return of pre-pandemic tourism flight numbers for Queensland, with three key focuses:
- More frequent services: making it easier to get here and explore.
- Better connections to regions: putting every corner of Queensland on the map.
- Thousands of new jobs: powering local economies across the State.
The strategy will build on the annual 1.1 million inbound aviation seats, which generate $2.4 billion in visitor expenditure and support more than 12,000 jobs.
Queensland's expanded aviation strategy will convert the golden runway of the Games into lasting economic growth for local businesses.
The fund also backs the tourism industry after a decade of Labor neglect, and commits to delivering on initiatives that were facing a funding cliff under the former Government.
Premier David Crisafulli said connectivity was a key enabler to grow Queensland's tourism industry, and the new fund would unleash new opportunities across the State.
"New connections will support jobs and opportunities in our great tourism businesses, especially in regional areas," Premier Crisafulli said.
"More than 90 percent of tourism businesses in Queensland are small businesses, and every new flight connection brings more visitors, more investment and more support for our tourism operators.
"We're maximising the opportunity from the global opportunity of the 2032 Games to grow our economy and develop more travel options for Queenslanders."
Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell said Connecting Queensland would deliver significant benefits across the State.
"Our 20-year tourism plan aims to ensure Queensland's iconic attractions and regions are more accessible to the world, creating jobs and boosting local economies along the way," Minister Powell said.
"Connecting Queensland strengthens Queensland's international reach, but we will also support regional communities that rely on tourism to thrive.
"While Labor wanted to cut millions in tourism funding and tied the industry up in red tape, we're unleashing our tourism operators so they can create new experiences for visitors."
