Sunshine Coast tourism businesses are being urged to participate in Queensland Tourism Week, with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to be a major focus.
The three-day event, running from November 4 to 6, will bring tourism operators, industry leaders and government decision-makers together to tackle the opportunities and challenges facing Queensland’s visitor economy.
The program opens with DestinationIQ on November 4, focusing on First Nations tourism, culture, Country, regional dispersal, emerging technology and changing visitor expectations.
DestinationQ follows on November 5 with discussions on infrastructure, major events, workforce, investment, artificial intelligence, sustainability and business capability.
The week will finish with the Queensland Tourism Awards gala on November 6 on the Gold Coast, celebrating the state’s tourism businesses and people.
Brisbane 2032 will be front and centre, with demographer and trends analyst Simon Kuestenmacher and Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris AO among the headline speakers.
For Sunshine Coast operators, the event comes as the region prepares for its role in the Games and the broader opportunities expected to flow from increased visitation and investment.
The Sunshine Coast is among the regions set to host Brisbane 2032 events, adding to the push for local tourism businesses to prepare well ahead of the Games.
“We encourage Sunshine Coast and Noosa tourism and events businesses to attend Tourism Week to engage with industry and government first-hand and explore the issues, solutions and opportunities as we head towards Brisbane 2032,” Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Natassia Wheeler said.
Ms Wheeler said the event was designed to turn long-term tourism strategy into practical action for businesses.
“Tourism Week brings the industry together not simply to talk about where we want to go, but to work through what needs to happen to get there and then celebrate the people already making it happen,” she said.
“Each day builds on the last. We begin by grounding the future in culture, Country and community, move into the decisions, investment and capability needed for growth, and finish by recognising the businesses and people turning that ambition into outstanding visitor experiences.
“Together, the program gives industry a clear view of what is coming and a meaningful role in shaping how Queensland responds.”
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Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said Tourism Week would provide an opportunity for the industry to work towards a shared vision.
“Queensland is the home of the holiday and Tourism Week is a chance to celebrate an industry that supports jobs, businesses and communities right across our state,” Minister Powell said.
“From operators and industry leaders to government, we’re all working towards the same goal through Destination 2045, growing Queensland’s visitor economy and creating opportunities for the future.
“With the 2032 Games on the horizon, there has never been a more exciting time for Queensland tourism, and Tourism Week is about making sure industry is ready to seize the opportunities ahead.”
