Each year, the QTIC Board takes one of its Board meetings on the road because there is simply no substitute for meeting with members on the ground. This year’s visit to Longreach came after long standing QTIC member Tony Cullen and the team at Qantas Founders Outback Museum invited us, back in January, to bring our Board to the region. It gave our Directors the opportunity to spend time with members, councils and industry, hear directly about the opportunities and challenges they face, and ensure our advocacy continues to be informed by what is happening on the ground.

This week, our Board travelled to Longreach and Winton, and I want to give a huge thank you to Longreach Regional Council, Winton Shire Council, Qantas Founders Outback Museum, Outback Aussie Tours, Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Rangelands Outback Camp, Waltzing Matilda Centre, Outback Pioneers, Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience, Mitchell Grass Retreat and everyone who welcomed us so warmly across our member networking events. Your generosity, honesty and passion for your communities reinforces exactly why regional tourism is so important to Queensland.

Across every conversation there were some consistent themes. Aviation connectivity, workforce, extending the shoulder season, growing events, marketing needs for outback, road access and continuing to build demand for Outback Queensland. These conversations don’t stay in the room. They directly shape our advocacy priorities and ensure we’re representing the issues that matter most to industry.

I’m pleased to share that QTIC has secured $1 million through the Queensland Government’s Workforce Connect Fund to deliver a new workforce mobility initiative for tourism.

This initiative is a direct result of the feedback we’ve received from members and Regional Tourism Organisations over many months. One of the strongest messages we’ve heard is that businesses have jobs available but simply can’t attract workers because affordable accommodation and relocation support remain major barriers, particularly in regional Queensland.

Addressing workforce challenges is one of QTIC’s strategic priorities, and this funding is a great example of member feedback leading to practical action. The program will connect employers, workers and accommodation providers through a coordinated platform, helping businesses fill vacancies while creating more opportunities for people to build long term careers in tourism.

We’re also continuing to advocate for practical reforms that improve the visitor experience. We welcome the Federal Government’s decision to phase out paper arrival cards! QTIC joined industry partners in calling for a simpler arrival process for international visitors. It’s a sensible reform that removes unnecessary barriers and makes travelling to Australia easier.

Recently, we also hosted another of our Corporate Boardroom Lunches with the Department of Trade, Employment and Training, bringing together industry, government and education providers to discuss workforce challenges and practical solutions. These conversations are important because lasting change only happens when industry has a seat at the table.

Looking ahead, we encourage you to join us for our Tourism Icons Investment Fund webinar if you’re considering a major tourism investment. You’ll hear directly from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and have the opportunity to ask questions about the funding. We also hope to see many of you at our Tourism in the House networking event at Queensland Parliament next month.

I hope you’ve enjoyed a positive winter holiday period. While many businesses have welcomed positive visitation, we know the challenges haven’t disappeared. Rising costs, workforce pressures and tight margins continue to put pressure on many operators.

Please keep sharing your experiences with us. Every conversation helps shape the work we do, strengthens our advocacy and ensures QTIC remains focused on the issues that matter most to Queensland’s visitor economy.