$2m cash splash to boost Cairns Convention Centre delegate revival
Cairns Convention Centre has received a $2m boost from the state government with hopes the multi-billion dollar industry will help revive the Far North economy post-Covid.
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THE Cairns Convention Centre has received a $2m boost from the state government for its marketing expenses with hopes it will help revive the economy post Covid.
Cairns MP Michael Healy said more than $2m would go to Cairns and there was a focus on marketing to attract more national business events to the Far North.
“There will be a $7m injection of capital into marketing and this will be across the three government owned convention centres in Queensland.” Mr Healy said.
“This is a multi-billion dollar industry and it has like other tourism products been absolutely hammered as a result of Covid.
“The government has a role to play in ensuring that we get our business and events back up and running.”
Mr Healy said they would continue to monitor the performance and spend of the centre.
“That will give us a good indication of where we go to from here in the future,” he said.
With the expansion at Cairns Convention Centre the funding allows for more events.
Cairns Convention Centre general manager Janet Hamilton said it was great timing with the expansion being completed at the end of the year.
“The allocation for the Cairns Convention Centre out of the $7m will equate to $65m of delegate spent on the ground on holidays, restaurants and attractions so really it’s an important economic driver for the town,” Ms Hamilton said.
Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said pre-Covid the events were generating close to $100m a day in visitor expenditure.
“After two years of staring at the screen, what everyone in Australia wants to do is get out, meet, greet and have some fun in the real world,” Mr Olsen said.
“What we are hearing and seeing on a daily basis is a huge and growing interest in holding business events and conferences here in this amazing new facility that’s under construction.”
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Originally published as $2m cash splash to boost Cairns Convention Centre delegate revival
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