Your Tourism Voice: A word from Natassia Wheeler, July 24 2025
We know the insurance crisis is one of the most urgent challenges facing Queensland tourism operators across the state right now. Premiums are rising sharply, coverage is shrinking, and some businesses are unable to secure insurance at all. QTIC is working directly with government, insurers, and industry bodies to discuss practical, long-term solutions.
We need your voice to strengthen our case.
If insurance costs or access are impacting your business, please share your experience:
Your input is critical. These real-world insights will directly inform QTIC’s policy engagement and strengthen our advocacy at state and federal levels.
As part of QTIC’s commitment to evidence-based advocacy, we are also calling on members to complete the latest 9-minute Pulse Survey. This data feeds directly into quarterly briefings we provide to:
- Queensland Government (including Treasury and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning)
- Tourism and Events Queensland
- Austrade
- Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)
- National and international media
Your voice helps shape policy, programs and investment.
Please take a few minutes to share your current business conditions and outlook:
Complete the Quarterly Pulse Survey
Earlier this month, QTIC concluded the Pathways to Inclusivity pilot program, a collaboration with the Queensland First Nations Tourism Council and Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
The final session took place on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), hosted by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation. Participants experienced a cultural heritage tour, a preview of the new QUAMPI Arts Centre, and a North Gorge Walk led by respected Traditional Custodians.
This program has supported tourism professionals to deepen their understanding of Country, culture and respectful business practice. Thank you to all who participated.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to connect directly with tourism operators and stakeholders:
- Attended Visit Sunshine Coast’s Shine Symposium and met with members, including the team at Aussie World and their General Manager, Jenny
- Joined the Friends of Tourism function in Canberra, hosted by the Tourism & Transport Forum
- Celebrated Brisbane’s vibrant major events program, with the Lions v Wallabies match bringing over 30,000 visitors to the capital
- Met with the Reserve Bank of Australia
These conversations continue to shape QTIC’s advocacy and partnerships, grounded in what matters most to our members.
We’re also excited to announce two upcoming events on the QTIC calendar. Our inaugural Tourism in the House to Queensland Parliament on 28 August, a members-only opportunity to connect directly with MPs and highlight the economic importance of our sector.
We’ll also celebrate World Tourism Day on 10 September with a special industry luncheon on the Gold Coast, bringing together operators, leaders and stakeholders to recognise tourism’s impact across Queensland. More information on both events is included in this EDM.
As always, QTIC is closely monitoring travel trends through our Data Dashboard powered by Localis — an exclusive member resource providing monthly, region-specific updates.
This month’s insights show a softening in domestic visitation, with a −5.0% year-on-year decline in Australian travellers to Queensland. While this is something we’re watching closely, some markets continue to perform strongly:
- New South Wales: A consistently strong performer. Visitor numbers from NSW rose +0.7% compared to the same period last year.
- Victoria: Although still down −3.0% year-on-year, there’s been a sharp +12.5% month-on-month increase, signalling renewed interest in Queensland holidays.
On the other hand what the dashboard is showing is that the international visitation continues to grow at pace. The outlook remains positive across key markets, and the British Lions tour is expected to delivering a major uplift, not only for Brisbane but for regions right across the state.
Looking ahead, forward bookings for the Christmas and New Year period are tracking well and are expected to land on par with, or just slightly below, last year’s strong seasonal demand.
*QTIC members receive monthly regional dashboards to support planning and performance tracking. For tailored data solutions, members can also engage directly with Localis to build custom packages that meet specific business needs.
If you’re not receiving the monthly data snapshots, please reach out. It’s a powerful tool for staying informed and ahead of the curve.
Thank you for your ongoing leadership. QTIC remains focused on supporting you through both immediate challenges and long-term opportunities.
Kind regards,
Tash Wheeler
QTIC CEO