- One year after its launch, Destination 2045 is delivering real results for Queensland's tourism industry and regional communities.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering more flights, more events, more tourism experiences and more support for businesses across the State.
- Destination 2045 is delivering Queensland's tourism future after Labors secret plan to slash tourism funding by 95 per cent.
One year after launching Destination 2045, the Crisafulli Government is delivering real results for Queenslanders, with more visitors, more jobs and more investment flowing into communities across the State.
The 20-year plan was established to provide certainty for the tourism sector after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government, including a secret tourism funding cliff that would have slashed tourism funding by 95 per cent.
Twelve months on, Destination 2045 has moved from plan to delivery, with new aviation routes, tourism infrastructure, ecotourism experiences and major events helping grow Queensland's visitor economy and create opportunities across Queensland.
Major achievements include:
- Seven new international aviation routes secured through the Connecting Queensland Fund, adding more than 280,000 visitor seats annually, generating an estimated $285 million in economic activity and supporting up to 1,880 jobs.
- More than $30 million committed to new tourism experiences, including nine projects through the Tourism Icons Investment Fund and 26 regional projects through the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
- Opened the Ngaro Track and Thorsborne Trail, with six more ecotourism projects underway as part of a commitment to deliver 45 new ecotourism experiences by 2045.
- Delivered the Tourism Support Hub supporting over 100 businesses within its first 60 days.
- Major events secured, including the Rugby League World Cup 2026 and the extension of NRL Magic Round through to 2032.
- Outback Queensland and Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Programs extended to 2029, helping more young Queenslanders experience some of the State's most iconic destinations.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said Destination 2045 was delivering exactly what Queenslanders were promised.
"One year ago, the Crisafulli Government launched Destination 2045 with a clear commitment to grow tourism and create more opportunities across Queensland," Minister Powell said.
"Today, the results speak for themselves – more international flights, more tourism investment and more support for Queensland businesses.
"While Labor planned a secret 95 per cent cut to tourism funding, we're backing the industry with a record $1 billion investment over four years to deliver Queensland's tourism future.
"Queensland's best days are ahead of it, and Destination 2045 is how we get there."
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) CEO Craig Davidson said TEQ's role in delivering Destination 2045 was to translate the plan's investments into strong demand and real outcomes for Queensland's tourism industry.
"Destination 2045 is delivering a stronger pipeline of experiences, events and connectivity across Queensland, and TEQ is focused on ensuring those opportunities translate into visitation," Mr Davidson said.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Natassia Wheeler said the first 12 months of Destination 2045 had helped build strong momentum for Queensland's visitor economy and reinforced the importance of tourism as a key economic and social driver for the state.
"Tourism is one of Queensland's most important industries, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, driving regional economies and creating opportunities for communities right across the state," Ms Wheeler said.
