Cairns MP Michael Healy backs tourism levy for Far North under different name

Proposals to develop a new eight-figure funding pool to market and maintain visitor infrastructure in the Far North has been backed by the state’s former Tourism Minister – but with one small tweak.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy is backing a tourism levy to help strengthen the sector. Picture: Brian Cassey

Proposals to develop a new eight-figure funding pool to market and maintain visitor infrastructure in the Far North has been backed by Queensland’s former Tourism Minister – but with one small tweak.

Under the scheme, a tourism levy would charge travellers a small fee while staying in the tropical getaway with money then used to promote the destination, stage major events and improve critical amenities.

Tourists enjoy a picnic at Vlasoff Cay on the Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said he supported the long debated initiative but suggested the tax on holidaymakers be referred to as a “tourism enhancement fund” instead.

“In our biggest year we had two million visitors come to Cairns,” the Far North MP said.

“Those visitors are using our public toilets, our roads and all of our infrastructure.

“We need those people to pay and a tourism enhancement fund that goes directly to regional councils is a fair way to do it.”

Scuba divers on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: TTNQ

The fund would more than cover marketing body Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s (TTNQ) operating costs with other destinations having adopted similar strategies to avoid slugging ratepayers, Mr Healy said.

“On the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, the councils have targeted businesses for an increased levy and that goes directly to their tourism bodies,” he said.

“If we can get more money for TTNQ we can start specifically targeting and driving (marketing campaigns). It’s a good idea.”

On Tuesday, industry leaders will meet with Tourism Minister Andrew Powell to discuss the sector’s future with the fund poised to be raised as a key topic.

“We are currently consulting with communities the length and breadth of Queensland as we develop a 20 Year Tourism Plan for our great state,” Mr Powell said recently.

Resistance from hoteliers, who would pass on the cost to customers, had been a challenge previously.

But Mr Healy said the industry was ready for change.

“It’s a levy and it happens everywhere,” he said.

“It’s exactly the same as when we introduced the reef tax. I was working in the reef industry and we were vehemently against it.

“We said, ‘It’s going to destroy us. It’ll wipe out the industry’.

“That money goes to maintaining the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).

“We are mature enough now to say a two or three per cent levy on all visitors that stay here, to contribute to the maintenance of our infrastructure and the marketing of our destination makes sense.”

Earlier this month Cairns Regional Council announced $14.5m would be pumped into TTNQ over the next four years.

Originally published as Cairns MP Michael Healy backs tourism levy for Far North under different name