Queensland Government’s $84b tourism plan to double Cairns economy by 2045
Far North Queensland is set to become an $10 billion tourism powerhouse under an ambitious 20-year vision unveiled in Cairns this week by Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell. Here’s how.
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Far North Queensland is set to become a $10bn tourism powerhouse under an ambitious 20-year vision unveiled in Cairns this week.
Tourism Minister Andrew Powell revealed the LNP’s Destination 45 tourism initiative on Wednesday, positioning Far North Queensland as central to the state’s tourism future, with Cairns’ share expected to surge from $4.8bn to $10bn .
“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,” Mr Powell said.
Tropical Tourism North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said the initiative would double the region’s tourism economy throughout the next two decades.
“The total visitor economy in Queensland is currently sitting at $42bn and the aspiration is to extend that to an $84bn visitor economy,” Mr Olsen said.
“For Cairns, our visitor economy sits at about $4.8bn total, overnight plus day trip expenditure, we believe we can stretch that to 10bn dollars by 2045 because of the high spending international visitors.”
The Queensland government’s Destination 2045 tourism plan will deliver 45 experiences, including the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island, the Wangetti Trail, the Whitsunday Skyway in Airlie Beach, the Ngaro Trail on Whitsunday Island, and upgrades of day use areas in Lake Eacham.
“We know that we have the entrepreneurs and we have experiences that the visitors are looking for,” Mr Olsen said.
“This region gets more international holiday visitors than the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania combined – we are an international global powerhouse … but the 45 by 45, we’d love to deliver as many of those (experiences) as we can here.”
Mr Powell said having a 20-year vision was integral to forward planning for the tourism industry.
“The reality is we don’t want to look at just one political cycle,” he said.
“The industry told us clearly we’re sick of governments coming in and being more concerned about them being re-elected than about the industry itself.
“With the Olympics just seven and a half years away, we need to make sure we are ready, that the industry is ready to not just enjoy the games, but to make the most of when that world spotlight is on us.”
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Originally published as Queensland Government’s $84b tourism plan to double Cairns economy by 2045
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