Fund fairly or give us a levy

FAR Northerners, and this newspaper, can be accused of trotting out the much-used statement that “we deserve our fair share” of government funding.

In regards to our tourism industry, we could also claim: “We need to regain our market share.”

The Far North is one of the major destinations in the state to have felt the full effect of Queensland losing national market share, with Victoria the major tourist thief. I don’t think it a coincidence that this shift in market share has also coincided with a decline in destination marketing funding and a statewide strategy to deal with that. Mayor Bob Manning broached again the idea of a tourism levy just over a year ago. He is passionate about making it a reality. But progress is slow and arduous with both the State Government and LNP uncomfortable with supporting any new tax.

Today, advocacy group, Advance Cairns, reveals the introduction of a 2.5% levy on all overnight visitors in commercial accommodation or a greater annual commitment from the Queensland Government will be one of their top election priorities.

The group, in collaboration with TTNQ and the Cairns chamber, will announce the recommendations as part of a $1 billion wishlist at its Convoy to Capital Q launch this morning. This masthead has long supported the call for more funding for our peak tourism body, TTNQ, so that it can properly market Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef and everything else a tourist can see and do in this incredible region.

We’re at a critical point and whoever wants to win the next State election will need to make a choice.

Either give councils the ability to implement a levy or provide more funding.

Jennifer Spilsbury

Editor