Queensland tourism has started the year with strong momentum in many regions, and it is encouraging to see operators welcoming visitors and building confidence for the year ahead. At the same time, parts of central, northern and western Queensland have been navigating wet season disruption pre Christmas and, in some communities, the impacts of ex Tropical Cyclone Koji and flooding. For businesses affected, the pressure can be immediate: bookings and cashflow, access and logistics, asset clean-up, council processes and insurance, all while you are supporting your people and trying to keep trading where it is safe to do so.

QTIC’s role is not to sit in the middle of the event. It is to stand with you in the aftermath and advocate for what comes next, so recovery settings reflect the real experience of tourism operators on the ground. If you need practical support, our Crisis support hub brings together ready-to-use resources and links to assistance.

Importantly, this work is being strengthened through close coordination across the sector. QTIC has been working alongside the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Regional Tourism Organisations and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) to ensure impacts being experienced by tourism businesses are being captured early and escalated through the right channels. We have collectively continued proactive engagement with media to support responsible, accurate reporting of weather events and the use of appropriate visuals and timeframes. At the same time, TEQ has been reinforcing “open for business” messaging in media interviews, encouraging travellers to maintain forward bookings for destinations that are operating and ready to welcome visitors.

When you are ready to look beyond immediate recovery, our 2026 workforce support is also now live so you can choose what suits your business right now – more information below.

If your business has been impacted, please reply to this email or give me a call when you get a moment. Even a short update helps us build the clearest picture and push for practical outcomes.

Kind regards,

Tash Wheeler