We know this is not easy, and I want to acknowledge the resilience, adaptability and care you continue to show for your teams, your communities and your visitors.

Fuel prices are front of mind for our industry, particularly as we approach the critical Easter travel period. QTIC has been actively advocating to the Federal Government to ensure reliable fuel supply for regional travel. This week, we also met with the Tourism and Transport Forum and our state and territory counterparts to align our approach and strengthen coordinated national advocacy.

We are listening closely to what businesses are experiencing on the ground and progressing constructive discussions with all levels of government on practical responses. This work is ongoing, and we expect to put forward a formal set of recommendations shortly. These will focus on targeted, deliverable measures, including travel incentives, domestic tourism offsets and cost-of-living support that benefits both consumers and industry.

Importantly, Queensland remains open, accessible and ready to welcome visitors. There are no travel restrictions in place, and fuel supply continues to be actively monitored. What we are seeing, however, is a shift in travel behaviour, with more short breaks, drive holidays and destinations closer to home. For many operators, this presents a real opportunity to capture changing demand.

Our message to the market is clear: travel with confidence, plan ahead and support local. Even a short regional escape can make a meaningful difference, and maintaining consumer confidence is critical. Industry and government are working closely to ensure a coordinated and measured response.

We are working closely with Tourism and Events Queensland, the Department of Tourism, regional and local tourism organisations, and industry associations to ensure industry insights are consistently represented and that responses remain aligned across the state. This collaboration is critical to maintaining confidence and progressing practical solutions that reflect on-the-ground realities.

I also met with the Minister for Tourism, Andrew Powell, this week to raise these issues directly. We reinforced the pressures facing operators, particularly in regional areas, and the need for timely and targeted responses.

You may have seen QTIC taking this message directly to the public this week through Channel Seven and Nine News. We are encouraging Queenslanders to back local tourism businesses, take advantage of available value and continue travel plans where safe. While households are managing cost pressures, there remains strong appetite for travel when confidence is maintained.

Our thoughts are also with communities in Far North Queensland responding to Cyclone Narelle. While some areas have experienced disruption, many destinations remain open and welcoming visitors. We are encouraging travellers not to cancel outright, but to connect directly with operators and make informed decisions.

Alongside this, QTIC continues to represent your interests across key policy areas, including engagement with the State Government on proposed e-mobility regulations. Our focus is on practical, visitor-friendly settings that maintain accessibility and support high-quality tourism experiences.

As always, it is the people in our industry who inspire me most. It is important we take time to recognise and celebrate that.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards. For the first time, you can recommend a business you believe deserves recognition. If you know an operator, experience or team that goes above and beyond, I encourage you to put them forward.

Let us continue to support one another and champion the strength of our industry.

Kind regards,

Tash Wheeler