News & Announcements

DEAR CHEFS,

They won’t understand you. They won’t. I know this because I used to be on their side, stuck in a dead-end office, working a shitty job, making decent pay. My family and friends were convinced I’d lost my mind when I gleefully leapt into the unknown abyss of cooking. I suppose they thought it was a phase I’d soon grow out of. Could this be you? Maybe finishing high school and are contemplating a life in the kitchen, or are already in culinary school. Maybe it's not you, but rather someone close to you. Whatever the circumstances, if you’ve gotten this far, I implore you to keep reading.
 

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) are pleased to announce that 2020 will be the Year of Indigenous Tourism, following on from the successful 2019 Year of the Outback campaign.

The official announcement was made by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones at the Queensland Tourism Awards held on Friday, November 8. 

QTIC Deputy Chief Executive, Brett Kapernick said, “QTIC is delighted with the announcement of the 2020 Year of Indigenous Tourism and the acknowledgement of the importance of this sector to the Queensland tourism industry.

The Queensland tourism industry has tonight recognised the accomplishments of the Sunshine State’s most extraordinary tourism operators and individuals at the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Presented at the newly constructed $10 million Sunshine Coast Convention Centre at Novotel Twin Waters Resort, more than 900 guests gathered to celebrate the achievements of Queensland’s best tourism operators. 

A total of 83 Awards, including 26 Gold, 25 Silver, 24 Bronze, four highly commended and two individual Awards were presented across 28 categories, as well as two RACQ People’s Choice Awards

Over 150 business leaders, employers, government representatives, tourism organisations, Native Title holders and community organisations gathered at Twin Waters Sunshine Coast to discuss and strategies opportunities for First Nations tourism in Queensland.

The event was hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry (QTIC) Council under the direction and guidance from the QTIC Indigenous Champions Network.

It is with great pleasure to share with you the draft First Nations Tourism Potential Plan (FNTPP) for your review and feedback.

The FNTPP has been developed through extensive consultation with First Nations communities, tourism businesses, entrepreneurs and representative organisations. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to the development of the FNTPP. Your contribution ensures the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the tourism sector are heard, and together we can drive a positive future for First Nations tourism in Queensland.

Thanks to all who have travelled great distances to attend the consultation sessions. Thanks also to our Foundation Bunjis, and the Strategic Advancement Group (yup, the SAG!), for your support and belief in what we are achieving.