Queensland Tourism, Sport and Aquatic sectors supported by 2023/24 state budget

Among the key focus areas of Queensland’s 2023/24 budget are tourism and event business development and support for tourism and attraction infrastructure; the upgrading of female facilities and inclusive infrastructure for sports clubs; and an investment in children’s swimming programs.

The Queensland Government has committed to increasing Tourism and Events Queensland’s base funding to $125 million-a-year for the next four years as it works towards ambitious goals for the state’s tourism and events industry.

An aspirational industry goal of achieving $44 billion in overnight visitor expenditure was set in November and the State Government is backing its lead marketing agency to drive demand.

Other Tourism highlights in the 2023-24 Budget include:

• $20 million in 2023-24 to progress Towards Tourism 2032, including the Tourism Experience and Infrastructure Grants program, designed to support tourism experience development in priority areas over two rounds. It will focus on First Nations, sustainability, eco/nature, accessibility and paleo. 

• $12 million over two years to support the 2023 Year of Accessible Tourism activities, increasing awareness and capability and for visitor experience development.

The Queensland Government will also invest in the sport and active recreation industry and support pathways to assist Queenslanders to reach their full sporting potential.

The Budget will deliver $10 million for female facilities and inclusive infrastructure for clubs, sporting organisations and councils including wider pathways, ramps, upgraded toilets and change rooms.

A $2 million investment over two years will produce a state-wide audit of facilities for scouts and girl guides and start work on the refurbishments and upgrades that are most needed including modernising huts and dens and improving disability access.

A further $4.8 million over two years is allocated for SwimStart, which is an extension of FairPlay, making more than 30,000 vouchers available to eligible families for children up to the age of four to learn to swim.

Image top: Towards Tourism 2032; Image above: $4.8 million over two years is allocated for SwimStart