Thursday, June 19, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

What A Big Week For Queensland Tourism

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of heading to Brisbane for the official launch of Destination 2045: Delivering Queensland’s Tourism Future, hosted by QTIC. It was a major moment for our industry, with over 500 passionate tourism leaders in the room and a clear message: the future of tourism in Queensland is bold, sustainable and full of opportunity.

The plan outlines how we’ll make the most of Queensland’s “green and gold runway” - capitalising on the momentum of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to boost tourism before, during and long after the main event. It’s all about turning global attention into lasting benefits for our communities and natural environments.

With new investment in aviation, events, ecotourism and tourism infrastructure, Destination 2045 sets out a 20-year roadmap to position Queensland as a world leader in tourism and events. And for regions like ours, that means more chances to grow, innovate and showcase the best of what we offer - from the Reef to the rainforest and everything in between.

We then brought the conversation home on Wednesday the 4th, when the Hon. Andrew Powell, Minister for Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation joined us in Airlie Beach. It was fantastic to hear how this plan translates locally.

And we finished the week with QTIC’s World Environment Day event at Shute Harbour, joined by Craig Davidson from Tourism and Events Queensland and Tash Wheeler from QTIC - spotlighting our commitment to protecting the incredible natural beauty that makes The Whitsundays so special.

Contributed by Tim Booth, CEO, Tourism Whitsundays

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth, Hon Andrew Powell, Chair of Tourism Whitsundays Julie Telford, and Elizabeth Hackett. Photo supplied

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