A big thank you to the many businesses in the National Accreditation Program who have renewed during our annual process. Your commitment to excellence makes sure visitors experience the very best of Queensland every single time. Accreditation is all about building capability in your business, if you’d like to learn more about Accreditation, our team would love to help.

The 2025 Queensland Tourism Awards are officially in judging mode! With more than 30 senior judges and 10 assistant judges volunteering their time, we’re so grateful for their expertise and generosity. Their work over the next two months will shine a light on the remarkable achievements of our entrants, with winners revealed at the Gala on 14 November at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) – thank you to our partners at BCEC for their support in hosting this special night!

Our workforce team continues to deliver real outcomes right across Queensland. Since July, our Industry Workforce Advisor has supported more than 30 businesses across Outback Queensland, Townsville, and Tropical North Queensland – providing tailored solutions, linking operators with government programs, and opening new pathways for staff recruitment and retention.

We’re also proud to be creating opportunities for the next generation of tourism workers. In partnership with Training Direct Australia and local schools, 13 school-based apprenticeship opportunities in Certificate III Commercial Cookery are now available. Meanwhile, Ferny Grove SHS student Jackson Branchu has commenced a School-Based Traineeship in Certificate III Tourism with QTIC member GoBoat, supported by Aurora Training.

Through the Tourism and Hospitality Gateway to Industry Schools Program, QTIC delivered 48 hands-on learning experiences for more than 850 students and provided professional development opportunities for 25 teachers across Queensland. These experiences bring tourism to life for young people and showcase the career opportunities our industry can offer.

Last week, our Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor (ISJA) team also joined colleagues from across sectors to share updates on the ISJA Program and explore training initiatives that will benefit Queensland’s tourism and hospitality workforce.

These efforts are about more than programs – they’re about supporting operators to solve workforce challenges today, while building the skilled and passionate workforce our industry will need tomorrow. If you would like to understand what opportunities there are for your business through our workforce team please reach out to Kathryn Moody, our program manager.

Upcoming Events & Initiatives

• Tourism in the House – 27 August 2025 | Our very first members-only event at Queensland Parliament House is almost sold out. Thank you for the incredible response – it’s going to be a powerful moment for our industry.
• World Tourism Day – 10 September 2025 | Join us on the Gold Coast as we celebrate with Minister Andrew Powell and a stellar line-up of speakers.
• Regional DestinationIQ – 17 September 2025 | Just four weeks to go until we come together in Port Douglas to spotlight First Nations tourism and regional leadership. This will be an inspiring day of connection and collaboration.

Advocacy continues to be a core focus. Two key priorities this fortnight, see below. To find out more read our advocacy section of this newsletter.

• Blue Card Changes
• Bruce Highway Safety Package

Membership is powering ahead with over 80% of members already renewed – we’re so close to our target. With the final push to 31 August, if you haven’t renewed yet, now is the time. Together, we are stronger. If you’d like to chat about how QTIC membership works for you, Jodie Di Russo is ready to connect.

Over the past fortnight, I’ve been out and about across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Whitsundays, and Moreton Bay – from the moving Cavalcade at the Bleach Festival, to celebrating new aviation and accommodation openings on Hamilton Island, to engaging at the Queensland Information Centre Association Conference. Spending time with our members always reinforces why this industry is so special – the people behind it.