Network Partnerships
Through its important network partnerships, QTIC ensures that no business is too remote or specialised to benefit from the industry support that QTIC offers. The significance of including all stakeholders in QTIC’s activities is well recognised given the broad differences between tourism regions and sectors in Queensland.
The membership of all 14 Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) ensures that QTIC is both well positioned to address specific regional issues and to provide a key communication link to more than 4000 regional tourism businesses - who are able to access QTIC’s support through their regional memberships. QTIC’s vital link to these regional operators provides the industry with a powerful lobbying base to highlight the interests of the tourism industry.
Attending Regional Tourism Queensland (RTQ) meetings, also affords QTIC the opportunity to report back on state and federal policy issues while, at the same time, enabling the organisation to draw on the significant regional expertise that can be found around the table.
As RTOs often deal with issues of a similar nature - including resourcing concerns, infrastructure and product development issues and skills needs - QTIC also provides a secretariat function for the network. In close consultation with the RTQ Chair, Martin Winter (Executive Officer, Gold Coast Tourism), the secretariat coordinates quarterly meetings an provides an important link between the network and other industry stakeholders – including governments.
QTIC is increasingly able to fulfill its role as an industry-wide, representative body due to the strong support and cooperation received from its key sector association members – under the umbrella of QTIC’s Associations Council.
Chaired by Laura Younger (General Manager of the Australia Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council), QTIC’s Associations Council draws on significant tourism experience and provides a forum for all tourism sector bodies to highlight major issues impacting on their members.
In 2010-11, QTIC officially welcomed all of the Bed and Breakfast and Farmstay Queensland (BBFQ) members to our network. A sub-committee, chaired by Mary D’Arcy from Fern Cottage, has been established to provide advice on sector specific issues.
The united input of these bodies has enabled QTIC to address a number of prominent tourism issues including environmental regulations, workplace relations issues, changes to building provisions and migration policies.
Successfully representing the industry’s wide and diverse interests, is dependent on the continuation of strong working relationships across all regions and sectors of the industry in Queensland. QTIC looks forward to continuing these important partnerships as few other states have the benefit of such an inclusive structure from which to present policy decisions.
“The QTIC Associations Committee is an excellent forum for Queensland Tourism Associations of all sizes to come together on a regular basis and discuss issues impacting on specific segments of the Industry. This really helps to identify concerns and bring them to the attention of the industry body. The Associations Committee looks forward to a continuing and rewarding relationship with QTIC.” Laura Younger, General Manager, ATHOC (Committee Chairperson)
