The program of Queensland Tourism Week (4-6 November) has been revealed today as the industry prepares to come together for one connected three-day program focused on shaping the future of the visitor economy, preparing businesses for the opportunities ahead and celebrating the people already delivering excellence across the state.

One of the world’s leading voices on demographic trends and data visualisation will join Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris AO as headline speakers, as Queensland’s tourism industry builds towards the ambitious growth goals of Destination 2045.

Demographer and trends analyst Simon Kuestenmacher and Liveris will address hundreds of tourism businesses, event organisers, industry leaders and government decision-makers across the three-day program.

Kuestenmacher will examine how changing demographics, lifestyles and consumer behaviour are reshaping the way people travel and choose destinations, while Liveris will focus on Brisbane 2032 and what tourism businesses need to be doing now to capture the opportunities created by the Games.

Delivered by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) in partnership with the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Week will take industry on a journey from culture, Country and community through to the major policy, investment and capability decisions confronting the sector, before culminating in the Queensland Tourism Awards.

Across the three days, operators, industry leaders and government decision-makers will examine First Nations tourism, changing visitor expectations, workforce, artificial intelligence, investment, sustainability, major events and Brisbane 2032.

QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler said Tourism Week had been designed to connect the strategic conversations about Queensland tourism’s future with the businesses and people responsible for delivering it.

“Tourism Week brings the industry together not simply to talk about where we want to go, but to work through what needs to happen to get there and then celebrate the people already making it happen,” Wheeler said.

“Each day builds on the last. We begin by grounding the future in culture, Country and community, move into the decisions, investment and capability needed for growth, and finish by recognising the businesses and people turning that ambition into outstanding visitor experiences.

“Together, the program gives industry a clear view of what is coming and a meaningful role in shaping how Queensland responds.”

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said Tourism Week was an opportunity to come together behind a shared vision for Queensland’s future.

“Queensland is the home of the holiday, and Tourism Week is a chance to celebrate an industry that supports jobs, businesses and communities right across our State,” Minister Powell said.

“From operators and industry leaders to Government, we’re all working towards the same goal through Destination 2045, growing Queensland’s visitor economy and creating opportunities for the future.

“With the 2032 Games on the horizon, there has never been a more exciting time for Queensland tourism, and Tourism Week is about making sure industry is ready to seize the opportunities ahead.”

The program begins on 4 November with DestinationIQ, grounding the conversation about Queensland’s tourism future in culture, Country and community.

Sessions will explore the next generation of First Nations storytellers, opportunities to encourage greater visitor dispersal into regional and remote Queensland, regenerative tourism, cultural festivals and events, emerging technology and inclusive experience design.

On 5 November, DestinationQ builds on that foundation by bringing industry and government together to address the broader forces shaping the visitor economy and the decisions Queensland needs to make now.

A Tourism Cabinet Committee session will explore infrastructure, connectivity, major events, workforce and regulation. The Director-General ‘Ask Me Anything’, one of last year’s most popular sessions, will also return – giving operators the opportunity to put questions directly to senior departmental leaders.

From there, the program will move into the practical levers needed to prepare the industry for growth, including tourism investment and experience development, Queensland’s destination brand, workforce and AI, accreditation and business capability, and sustainability and climate resilience.

The week culminates on 6 November with the Queensland Tourism Awards gala dinner, recognising the businesses and people already turning Queensland’s tourism ambitions into outstanding visitor experiences.

The Tourism Week 2026 program is now live. Delegates can experience the complete three-day journey through an All Conference Pass, with individual event tickets also available. Early-bird pricing is available for a limited time.

Tourism Week 2026

• 4 November: DestinationIQ
• 5 November: DestinationQ
• 6 November: Queensland Tourism Awards Gala
• Location: Gold Coast

View the full program and purchase tickets at qtic.com.au/tourism-week.

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