FEDERAL BUDGET Tourism vision builds
$500m in Reef cash ‘exciting’ Uni funds lift just a beginning
CAIRNS is on par with Perth and Brisbane for investment in hotel accommodation, a critical part of Tourism Australia’s 2020 strategic vision.
The entity’s managing director John O’Sullivan addressed more than 100 tourism leaders at yesterday’s Tourism and Events Queensland networking event at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino.
He would not be drawn on how much of the extra $17 million TA received in this week’s Federal Budget would go to Far North projects but reiterated the region was a key part of marketing overseas.
He said the city’s Nova City and Crystalbrook developments would feature in international campaigns.
“It’s the conversations we have with wholesalers overseas, with travel agents, airlines,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “Often they ask us about what’s new in a destination and what’s coming. They know about the Great Barrier Reef and we continue to tell that story but to be able to talk about new infrastructure is important as well.”
But Cairns MP Michael Healy said the paltry increase in Tourism Australia’s funding “nowhere near reflects what they do for our region”.
“There was nothing in this Budget for Far North Queensland,” he said. “We need to ensure our national sales and marketing body is wellresourced.”
On the ground, tourism operators were most excited about the $500 million commitment to the Reef, announced last week.
“The Great Barrier Reef supports 64,000 jobs and contributes $6.4 billion to the Australian economy so it makes sense to invest in its future,” Passions of Paradise chief executive Scotty Garden said.
“Added to that is our responsibility to care for a World Heritage icon to ensure that it is here for future generations. This injection of funds will amplify the efforts of the many people working for the future of the Great Barrier Reef.” CAIRNS universities agree more could be done to help regional students take on tertiary study.
CQUniversity vice-chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said it was still too early to tell how the Federal Government’s $96 million for the sector would boost Cairns places.
“Our main budgetary concern continues to be the freeze on growth of regional tertiary education places for the next few years but there were a few positive announcements,” he said.
Part of the money will go towards increasing teacher numbers and Prof Bowman said the university was “proactive” in pushing students to pursue a teaching career.
Acting vice-chancellor Chris Cocklin said James Cook University would bid aggressively for a share in sub-bachelor degree funding.
“There is huge demand in Far North for diplomas,” he said.
Both men were pleased some of the funding would be used to boost the Youth Allowance.