Destination 2045 to redefine Queensland’s tourism future
It’s hoped 45 new eco tourism experiences, including revamping of Great Barrier Reef islands and facilities at Lake Eacham, will turn around a sluggish Far North tourism sector and “supercharge” the state ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
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A revamp of Great Barrier Reef islands and Lake Eacham facilities will be among 45 new eco tourism experiences aimed at turbocharging a sluggish Far North tourism sector ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
The Queensland government’s Destination 2045 tourism plan will deliver 45 experiences, the first of which will be Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island, as well as the Wangetti Trail, the Whitsunday Skyway in Airlie Beach, the Ngaro Trail on Whitsunday Island, and upgrades of day use areas in Lake Eacham.
A key focus of the 20-year plan will be kickstarting eco-tourism, including dark sky and astro tourism experiences, light footprint accommodation and agritourism.
In January the state government announced tired and rundown facilities at Lake Eacham would receive a multimillion dollar makeover, and the public was invited to have a say on what facilities are needed at the ancient crater lake.
Premier David Crisafulli said Destination 2045 would launch Queensland as a global tourist destination during the next 20 years while maximising opportunities presented by the 2032 Games.
“Destination 2045 is our 20-year plan to make Queensland the leading holiday destination in the nation,” he said.
“We are the home of the holiday and Destination 2045 will build on our existing strengths to deliver the best events, eco-tourism and experiences.
“Queensland will become Australia’s events and eco-tourism capital, delivering more ways for locals and visitors to experience and travel around our great state.”
With environmental approvals and Indigenous land use agreements often throwing up hurdles to tourism development, Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto was cautiously hopeful about the plan to superscharge the state’s tourism industry.
“We’re optimistic,” he said.
“Once development approvals are granted and developments are ready to go, that’s when we’ll really have something to celebrate.
“It’s nice to have a government that is actually interested in delivering eco-tourism projects. “The previous Labor Government spent too much time trying to appease green voters and Traditional Owners, and in doing so, they lost sight of delivering practical tourism products that actually meet market demand.”
The scheme has outlined six strategic priorities, which include the 45 experiences, to make Queensland Australia’s event capital, including the setting up of a new Connecting Queensland aviation fund to attract direct flights into the Sunshine State, with India identified as a key target market.
Rejuvenating the Great Barrier Reef islands through partnerships with industry and world-class marketing will aim to establish Queensland as the “home of the holiday”.
The final prong of the strategy involves streamlining regulation to help Queensland tourism businesses to modernise and thrive.
Centrepiece Far North destinations included in the plan will be welcome relief for a local tourism industry that’s only 60 per cent recovered in terms of international holiday-maker arrivals.
The strategy will support a Cairns and Port Douglas sector that’s struggling to shake off a post-Covid hangover through a goal to double the value of visitor expenditure to Queensland’s economy to $84b in two decades.
Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said Destination 2045 set a new benchmark for Queensland’s tourism industry.
“As we look toward Brisbane 2032, this plan ensures we seize the moment to showcase our vibrant cities, pristine beaches and islands, lush rainforests, rich Indigenous cultures, proud heritage and our cherished way of life,” he said.
The Destination 2045 plan has been shaped by more than 1500 stakeholders, including major tourism operators, grassroots businesses, local governments, community members and traditional owners, according to the government.
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Originally published as Destination 2045 to redefine Queensland’s tourism future
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