DestinationQ Working Group announced

The Queensland Government has moved to deliver outcomes from its recent DestinationQ Forum, with a Post-Forum Working Group now established.

Queensland Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said the new group will help implement agreed actions signed off at the inaugural industry Forum held in Cairns last month, stating "more than 300 tourism delegates from across Queensland had input into the 12 month Key Action Plan, which aims to revive the struggling industry.

"The Post-Forum Working Group is a top level industry and government led body that will ensure those pledges are carried forward."

Minister Stuckey said Tourism Department Director-General Dr Richard Eden and Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Tourism Queensland Chair Stephen Gregg will Co-Chair the important working group. Other members include:

Daniel Gschwind - QTIC, Chief Executive
Martin Winter - Gold Coast Tourism Corporation, Chief Executive
Ron Chapman - Caravanning Queensland, Chief Executive
Laura Younger - General Manager,Australian Timeshare & Holiday Ownership Council
Mary Carroll - Capricorn Enterprise, Chief Executive
Agency representatives determined by  Director-General Eden

The working group will advise the Tourism Cabinet Committee on the progress of key issues identified at the DestinationQ Forum.

Minister Stuckey said it will also provide guidance on the 20 year tourism plan, to get the industry back on track adding "the ... Government signed a partnership agreement with the Queensland tourism industry, promising a new deal that would re-invigorate the sector.

"Together, we will build tourism into one of the four pillars of the economy and achieve the Government's target of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020.

"This Post Forum Working Group will help us to build stronger partnerships, as we re-position Queensland as Australia's number one tourist destination."

DestinationQ Post-Forum Working Group Biographies

Dr Richard Eden is the Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games. Dr Eden has had a long and distinguished career in the public sector and sees great opportunity through partnering with industry and small business to revitalise tourism in the state.

Stephen Gregg has over 30 years' experience in the aviation and tourism sectors. He is Chair of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, a Director on the Events Queensland Board and the newly appointed Chair of Tourism Queensland.

Daniel Gschwind is the Chief Executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and also sits on the boards of the National Tourism Alliance and the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre. Gschwind is a member of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and is the Honorary Consul of Switzerland for Queensland.

Martin Winter is the Chief Executive of the Gold Coast Tourism Corporation. Winter is also a member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Board, Chairperson of the International Congress and Convention Association Asia Pacific and Director of the Australian Associations of Convention Bureaux.

Ron Chapman is the Chief Executive of Caravanning Queensland and has more than 45 years of industry experience under his belt. Chapman has been recognised with a Marie Watson-Blake Award for his outstanding contribution to tourism.

Laura Younger is the General Manager of the Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council. Younger is a member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Board of Directors, Chair of the Surfers Paradise Alliance and Vice President Surfers Paradise of the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Carroll is the Chief Executive of Capricorn Enterprise. Carroll has extensive experience in destination marketing, membership and corporate governance in the private and public sectors.

Image: Cairns from the air.

13th July 2012 - STEPHEN GREGG TO CHAIR TOURISM QUEENSLAND

27th March 2012 - NEWMAN PUTS TOURISM TO THE FORE AFTER CRUSHING QUEENSLAND ELECTION WIN

10th June 2011 - NEW AUSTRALIA-CHINA TOURISM SUMMIT OPENS IN CAIRNS

9th December 2009 - O’SULLIVAN TO HEAD QUEENSLAND MAJOR EVENTS CORPORATION