Future of Qld’s peak tourism agency under threat

The state government is considering a merger that would drastically restructure operations at Queensland’s top tourism agency.

The future of Queensland’s peak tourism agency is under threat with the state government considering a drastic restructure of its operations.

As the battered industry reels from massive job losses amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the government is considering merging the highly-successful and independent Tourism and Events Queensland agency and its Tourism Department.

But a department spokeswoman told The Courier-Mail no decision had been made.

TEQ is tasked with promoting the state’s tourism industry, destinations and major festivals and is credited with delivering campaigns such as the “Best job in the world” competition and the iconic “beautiful one day, perfect the next” slogan.

Tourism and Events Queensland helps promote the state’s tourism industry. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

The government’s Tourism Department oversees approvals for grants and logistical exercises such as rubber stamping new tourism projects and developments.

It is understood any changes would require legislative amendments to the Tourism and Events Queensland Act.

In response to questions about whether the government was considering a merger or restructure, the department spokeswoman said the government would always support the tourism industry’s pandemic recovery with expert marketing to promote Queensland as Australia’s number one visitor destination, and an administrative function that assists operators to offer the country’s best, world-class holiday experiences.

“No decision has been made by government,” she said.

“We remain committed to delivering the best possible value for money for taxpayers and tourism operators.”

Queensland’s tourism industry was a $27bn juggernaut before the coronavirus brought the sector to its knees.

Last year slashed the industry’s economic impact in half, with the total cost since the start of the pandemic now estimated at more than $20bn and counting as repeated snap lockdowns and harsh restrictions cripple operators fighting for survival.

Data released by the Tourism & Transport Forum last month revealed some 40,000 Queensland tourism jobs have already disappeared in the past 18 months – with projections another 16,000 will go by Christmas.

A Tourism Industry Reference Panel was formed in March this year to look at the industry’s path to recovery amid the pandemic.

Made up of aviation leader Liz Savage, TEQ chair Brett Godfrey and former Tourism Australia CEO Andrew McEvoy, the trio are overseeing the development of an Action Plan for Tourism Recovery.