$5.5 million for Queensland tourism and events projects

Queensland’s Regional Tourism Organisations will invest almost $5.5 million in 17 projects that will promote the State’s key events and tourism destinations.

Announcing the successful projects in the annual Contestable Grants Funding Scheme, administered by Tourism and Events Queensland, Queensland Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones praised Queensland’s Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO) in leveraging local opportunities.

Minister Jones stated "the successful applications focus on marketing, experience development, industry and community collaboration, as well as achieving value-for-money through contributions from regional partners.

“The (Queensland) Government will invest more than $2.8 million in contestable grant funding through this year’s program, which will be complemented by an almost $2.7 million commitment from regional partners.

“Examples of projects include a Gold Coast marketing campaign to increase visitation from key interstate markets such as Sydney and a retail activation in Tokyo to promote travel to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

“(We are) committed to growing tourism in partnership with industry and these projects will play a vital role in promoting the state’s destinations, driving visitation, supporting jobs and fostering community pride."

Successful Contestable Grants Funding Scheme projects:

• Brisbane Marketing: World Science Festival Brisbane Project, Greater Brisbane Pathway to Purchase Campaign and Ipswich Australian Tourism Data Warehouse Product Innovation
• Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism: Bundaberg Turtle Experience
• Fraser Coast Opportunities: Australia's Nature Coast Partnership Strategy Implementation
• Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited: Southern Great Barrier Reef Sandstone Stories
• Gold Coast Tourism Corporation: Sydney campaign and It’s Live on the Gold Coast
• Outback Queensland Tourism Association: Outback Mates, New Zealand Drive Market – Outback Queensland Tourism Association and Southern Queensland Country Tourism Collaboration
• Sunshine Coast Destination Limited: New Zealand Vacation Migration
• Southern Queensland Country Tourism: Autumn Campaign 
• Townsville Enterprise Limited: It’s Live in Townsville North Queensland
• Tourism Tropical North Queensland: Tropical North Queensland Domestic Campaign 2015/16 'Beyond Paradise', Cairns and Great Barrier Reef Pop-up Shop – Japan and Race to the World Championships
• Whitsundays Marketing & Development Ltd: Whitsundays True Colours - Australian Geographic Partnership

22nd July 2015 - AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST DISCOVERED DINOSAUR TO GO ON DISPLAY AT NEW EROMANGA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

1st July 2015 - SUNSHINE COAST SEES 9.2% INCREASE IN DOMESTIC VISITORS

15th June 2015 - NEW CAMPAIGN TO BOOST TOURISM IN OUTBACK QUEENSLAND TOURISM

15th May 2015 -  SOCIAL MEDIA SEEKS TO DRIVE VISITS TO DROUGHT-STRICKEN OUTBACK QUEENSLAND

24th June 2014 - QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT FUNDS TO BOOST REGIONAL TOURISM