KEY PLAYERS IN
Big questions put to tourism panel
Q AIs the Global Tourism Hub (which has been proposed for Cairns) dead? Kate Jones, Queensland Tourism Minister: I think (the coronavirus is) going to have an impact on a number of investments in infrastructure, including that one. The proposal is on such a prime piece of land here in Cairns that unless we get something that is substantially special for the city … then I would rather walk away from something that doesn’t cut the mustard. We’re not going to flog that land off in the heart of the city unless we’re going to get something spectacular for the city.
Does Cairns need big ticket items or is it about looking for small wins? Mark Olsen, Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO: We need to recognise that the strengths of the destination have always been on the authentic things that were here. (But) built assets play a particularly important role. I think a site like that (Global Tourism Hub) one is incredibly important and strategic, and you should not give it away for anything but the best. We also have an amazing gallery precinct proposed for the city. The opportunity to present both a World Heritage story and our indigenous culture, and connect people with that culture … year-round in a spectacular facility like the gallery precinct, I think, is the kind of infrastructure that
Q Amakes sense right now.
What are the key ingredients to success, and how much does marketing funding really matter?
John Thorburn, Entrada Travel Group CEO: If you can learn anything from perhaps some success that somewhere like Tourism New Zealand has had, it’s being really focused on a message, sticking to that message consistently over a long period of years, and making it really easy for the market to understand what you’re actually selling. If we can get that right, that’s going to be really critical to us. What does Cairns need to do to get a bed levy legislated? Kate Jones, Tourism Minister: For a long time both sides of politics have said they wouldn’t introduce a bed tax in Queensland. In actual fact, there was a pretty big scare campaign in the last two elections about it. When I spoke to the mayor, we had a robust conversation about six months ago I think it was, and he promised me he would get the industry on side and that he would get other mayors across Queensland. I’ll give the mayor his due, he’s managed to do both. We are sitting here today in a very different position. My message today is that, now I can see and feel in this community a change in that support … the times have changed and I’ve got to give credit to the mayor. I’m happy
Q AQ Ato sit down with him and talk that through.
David Crisafulli, Opposition tourism spokesman: My view is that Queensland as a whole doesn’t have a revenue problem, we have an expenditure problem. When you think that we’re spending somewhere in the order of about $5.5 billion extra per year on the public service than five years ago, I would question whether or not another tax is needed to raise $10-12 million.
Does the fact that everyone knows China is a big market dilute its opportunity?
QBernard Salt, The Demographics Group managing director: If you look at those numbers, it is absolutely sure. You cannot ignore that market – or ignore that at your peril. What must be our aviation focus?
AQAMark Olsen, TTNQ CEO: The aviation route economics is nowhere near as simple as it was 20 years ago. A lot of people assume that if you wear out the shoe leather and go and meet with them, then you can bring an airline to a city. Inbound, outbound, busi