Queensland is to host the 2021 Australian Tourism Awards for the first time in a decade, the Premier announced this week.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the awards would be held on the Sunshine Coast in February next year.
Ms Palaszczuk said tourism was the cornerstone of Queensland’s economy.
“Coronavirus, floods and fires have taken their toll,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Our tourism operators are struggling — they need all the support they can get,” she said.
“This is a great vote of confidence in our industry.”
Minister for Tourism Industry Development, Kate Jones said Queensland was the perfect place to host the annual celebration.
“Bringing the best in the business back to Queensland gives us a great opportunity to showcase what we have to offer,” Ms Jones said.
“The Sunshine Coast is a key growth market for tourism in Queensland – it’s an ideal spot for the awards.”
Chief Executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Daniel Gschwind welcomed the announcement.
“Tourism is everywhere, not just in our capital cities but in regional and remote parts of Australia, particularly in Queensland,” Mr Gschwind said.
“Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort played host to the Queensland Tourism Awards in 2019; next year we put the destination in the national spotlight.”
Chair of the Sunshine Coast Events Board, Maya Gurry said hosting the awards was highly coveted by tourism destinations across Australia, as it was an opportunity to raise the profile of the host region.
“In addition to promoting our region to the more than 850 tourism industry leaders who attend this gala event, we will also see an estimated economic injection of $1.3 million into our local economy,” Ms Gurry said.
The awards were last hosted in Queensland in 2011.