Peak industry body pays tribute to volunteers in Queensland’s tourism industry

Queensland’s peak industry body for tourism, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), has paid tribute to the thousands of volunteers who contribute to the state’s $23 billion tourism industry as part of celebrations for National Volunteering Week – which runs from 9th to 15th May.

QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said volunteers working in tourism are among Australia’s six million volunteers who give their time to help others and contribute $200 billion to the Australian economy annually.

Gschwind explained “Queensland’s tourism industry relies heavily on the knowledge, hours and passion of volunteers around the state.

“QTIC operates a number of programs involving volunteer students, judges and mentors from Queensland’s tourism industry who freely give their time, expertise and enthusiasm and we sincerely appreciate their valuable contributions.

“QTIC enlists voluntary assistance from mentors as part of the QTIC Young Professionals Mentoring Program, various interns from university and training partners, and industry leaders participating in the QTIC Tourism Indigenous Employment Champions Network and the Promoting Indigenous Culture through Visitor Information Centres program.

“QTIC also relies on industry judges for the annual Queensland Tourism Awards, the Salute to Excellence awards, and the QTIC Prize for Innovation in Tourism.

“We understand and appreciate the true value of volunteers in the tourism industry and we encourage others to say ‘thank you’ to all Queensland volunteers during National Volunteering Week.”

Gschwind highlights Queensland’s network of Visitor Information Centres as a primary example of the value that volunteers bring to the tourism industry.

During 2015, more than three million visitors walked into one of Queensland’s 115 accredited Visitor Information Centres spending a total of $5.32 million on tourism products.

Looking to enhance their functions, six Queensland Visitor Information Centres recently began a pilot program, Promoting Indigenous Culture through Visitor Information Centres, which will see local Indigenous culture and their tourism products promoted across Queensland.

Supported by funding provided by the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, the program is inviting volunteers to donate their skills or services.

For more information on this worthy program go to the Tourism Volunteering Portal at www.tourismvolunteering.com.au

Images: Volunteers at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast (top) and volunteers on the Gold Coast Marathon (below).

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