TOURISM BODIES A STEP CLOSER TO MERGER

QUEENSLAND’S peak tourism body will oversee destination marketing and major events with the creation of Tourism and Events Queensland.

The passage of the Tourism and Events Queensland Bill 2012 through parliament yesterday is a significant step in the merger of Tourism Queensland and Events Queensland into TEQ (Tourism and Events Queensland).

The process of bringing the two organisations together is expected to take about a year, as the State Governor needs to sign off on the legislation before the search for a CEO and board members takes place.

Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Minister, Jann Stuckey (pictured), says the merger will streamline state’s approach to tourism and events.

“There is a clear synergy between Tourism Queensland’s role and the role of Events Queensland to work together to entice visitors to Queensland,” says Stuckey.

Two of the state’s peak tourism bodies have backed the merger.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) chief executive, Daniel Gschwind, says the new body will be more effective and competitive in attracting visitors to the state.

Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive John Lee says the merger will benefit the state’s marketing activities.

“This will foster greater integration of events promotion and tourism marketing, alerting a broader audience to the activities and attractions that Queensland has to offer,” he says.

“While there will be synergies in combining the two organisations, it is vital the capabilities and marketing budgets are maintained.”

The state government aims to double annual overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020 and Stuckey says the merger will help achieve this.