One of the highlights of Tourism Week is the Destination IQ Forum, Queensland’s largest First Nations tourism conference. This event is open to everyone and offers the opportunity to connect with and learn from the fastest growing tourism sector in the state. The full program will be released soon, and I encourage you to explore the sessions and speakers who are shaping a stronger, more inclusive tourism future.

For our operators looking to strengthen their digital capabilities, there’s still time to apply for the Tourism Business Digital Adaptation Program. This is the final opportunity to access $2,500 in digital support to upgrade your online presence and systems, with applications closing on 21 November. With more than 75 approved providers to choose from, this program is a great way to future proof your business and reach more visitors.

Recently, we hosted a member exclusive webinar with the Hon Andrew Powell, Minister for Tourism, and Assistant Minister Bree James, who shared the latest progress on Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future Plan. It was encouraging to see so many members join the live Q&A to have their voices heard directly by key decision makers.

With the extreme weather season approaching, QTIC is helping our industry prepare and stay resilient. Our upcoming Weather the Storm webinar on 23 October will share practical steps for protecting your business, staff and guests from natural hazards. 

In preparation, we also convened a Media and Tourism Roundtable this month that brought together government and regional tourism leaders alongside national media representatives. The goal was to strengthen collaboration and ensure accurate, timely and regionally informed coverage during major weather events. The discussion produced some fantastic outcomes, including new commitments from major news outlets to use clear geographic context and updated imagery when reporting, so unaffected regions are not unfairly impacted. There was strong agreement to establish faster, two way communication between tourism operators and journalists, with shared contact points now being developed.  Thanks to the open dialogue in the room, we’re taking meaningful steps toward a stronger partnership between tourism and the media that will help protect local economies during future challenges.

I’m also pleased to share that changes to Queensland’s Blue Card system have now come into effect, following extensive consultation between QTIC, Blue Card Services and the Queensland Government. QTIC’s strong advocacy on behalf of our members was instrumental in ensuring the new requirements are practical, fair and reflective of the realities faced by tourism operators across the state.

These changes are an important example of how effective industry advocacy can deliver real outcomes, reducing red tape while maintaining community safety. We thank Blue Card Services and the Queensland Government for working closely with QTIC and our members to achieve these positive results.

Thank you for your ongoing engagement and for the vital role you play in shaping the future of Queensland tourism. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected and more resilient industry, ready to welcome the world.