News & Announcements March 2020

The COVID-19 situation is generating more news than just about any event in history and it also has given rise to information overload for all of us. QTIC does not want to contribute to this unnecessarily, we know you have enough on your plate at the moment. However, we will continue to point you in the right direction for authoritative information relevant to our industry and we will keep you updated on our own activities and advocacy on your behalf.

Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister marks an important next step in keeping businesses afloat and employees engaged. QTIC has been advocating for a wage-subsidy approach in preference to the welfare approach taken to date.  This issue was raised by us with both the State and Commonwealth Treasurers. Late last week QTIC was invited to join the State Treasurer and Minister for Employment, Small Business and Training in a newly formed Workers and Industry Support Fund Taskforce where a strong consensus was formed on this.

New Announcement: The latest Commonwealth Government measures were announced this afternoon by the Prime Minister. It includes some new provisions for all international arrivals, including Australians returning,  who will have to be quarantined in (hotel) accommodation rather than home. State and Territory governments are working with regional tourism organisations to source accommodation. Information for hotels and hotel staff Below are the links to the most relevant information for business and income support, both Commonwealth and State.

At the moment it would seem that any ‘update’ is out-of-date almost immediately. Nevertheless, we do want to stay in touch with you all, as colleagues, as members and most importantly as friends. The one thing we cannot lose, no matter what is thrown at us, is our solidarity with each other. QTIC is more determined than ever to stick to our core values and our core purpose which is to support you.

The CaPTA Group are celebrating after bringing home Bronze at the Australian Tourism Awards in the category Qantas Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism and what better year to have a win then in the Year of Indigenous tourism.

As we continue to deal with the crisis, QTIC is entirely focused on generating practical support for affected businesses. QTIC haveset up a suite of business helplines to assist business operators at this difficult time.

MEDIA RELEASE ON BEHALF OF QUEENSLAND REGIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION NETWORK

Queensland tourism has been bolstered with the formation of a newly revamped leadership group for the region-based network; with the Network’s announcement of an overhaul and new structure to lead the industry in close collaboration with local government and state government efforts.

In a further show of support, the Queensland Government has responded to a call from industry, strongly advocated by QTIC, to defer Queensland Payroll Tax payments for small to medium-sized business for six months.