Investing in Tourism
Established products and experiences
Tourism Project Feasibility Guide
Local government investment in tourism
Need more information, support or advice?
Economic strength
Tourism investors continue to head to Queensland because of the State’s strong economy and growing international image as Australia’s preferred tourism location.
In the last ten years Queensland's economy has outperformed all other states. By any measure, Queensland has Australia’s most exciting economy. Queensland’s status as Australia’s economic engine-room has been confirmed by:
- Above average economic growth
- Above average population growth
- Above average employment growth
- Above average increases in exports
Five key facts…
- Queensland’s economic growth rate of 3.8 per cent is 72 per cent higher than the Australian average, 72 per cent higher than the Victorian (Melbourne) average, and 218 per cent higher than the New South Wales (Sydney) average.
- Queensland’s population growth rate of two per cent is 66 per cent higher than the Australian average, 160 per cent higher than the New South Wales average, and 66 per cent higher than the Victorian average.
- Queensland’s employment growth is 58 per cent higher than the Australian average
- More than 31,000 people move to Queensland annually
- Queensland will become Australia’s second largest state within the next 25 years
For more information on Queensland's dynamic economy, contact the Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation, Invest Queensland or visit the Queensland Government Office of Economic and Statistical Research.
For more information about the Australian economy, visit Invest Australia.
Tourism industry growth
Tourism is a key driver of economic growth in Queensland, contributing $6.3 billion to the State’s economy and accounting for 6.4% of Queensland’s Gross State Product (GSP).
Queensland attracts nearly 19 million domestic and international overnight visitors annually with a collective spend of over $14 billion. One in four tourist dollars spent in Australia is spent in Queensland.
Over the past decade, tourism has emerged as one of Queensland’s fastest growing export industries, one which is making an increasing contribution to the economic development of the State and improving the quality of life for all Queenslanders. Tourism is the seventh largest industry in Queensland but the State’s third largest export earner, generating $3.2 billion annually for the economy.
Tourism is a significant employer for Queenslanders, providing over 136,000 jobs or 7.3% of all persons employed in the State. It has been estimated by Queensland Treasury that an average of 212 domestic visitors or 81 international visitors to Queensland supports one job in Queensland.
Queensland continues to expand aviation access from key target markets in Japan and Korea. Carriers flying into Queensland have increased airline seat capacity by almost 50 per cent over the past three years, or more than 19,000 extra seats per week.
Established products and experiences
Queensland is Australia’s premier tourism destination. Queensland has it all, offering globally competitive products and services including idyllic islands, lush rainforests, world-class accommodation and attractions, the treasured Great Barrier Reef and seemingly endless stretches of sandy beach.
Major tourism-related operations already based here include:
- Virgin Blue Airlines and Qantas’ Australian Airlines
- Palazzo Versace - Australia’s most luxurious resort
- Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo
- Warner Brothers Movie World, Sea World and Wet ‘n’ Wild
- Dream World and UnderWater World
- Conrad Jupiters Gold Coast and Townsville
- Conrad Treasury Casino and Hotel Brisbane
- Couran Cove Resort, Gold Coast
- Sheraton Marina Mirage, Port Douglas
- Shangri-la Hotel, Cairns
- Outrigger Hotels and Resorts
- Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island
- Brisbane Cruise Ship Terminal
- Three major convention centres
New opportunities
The tourism industry encompasses a wide range of market segments with their breadth of motivations and needs. There is considerable scope for more tourism investment in accommodation, attractions, transport and tour operations.
Urban regional investment opportunities abound in the south-east, the Whitsunday Islands region, Cairns and a number of other regional centres.
To keep you in touch with the latest in destination/regional research, information on visitor markets and development issues and opportunities, links and contacts refer to Queensland’s Destination Management Plans (DMPs). These plans are a 'one stop' source of information designed to provide clear and consistent direction for the marketing and development of each destination.
Tourism Project Feasibility Guide
The Tourism Project Feasibility Guide is targeted at tourism operators (particularly small-medium sized), potential investors and local communities to help turn tourism concepts and ideas into commercial reality. It is a valuable tool that offers a step-by-step guide to planning and determining the viability of new tourism ventures.
It includes information on project development and eight case studies that highlight the elements of successful tourism venture planning. While there is no model to fit all situations, the case studies provide prospective operators with the opportunity to learn from the successes and challenges others have encountered.
Together with the regional tourism infrastructure and investment plans (RTIIPs), the Guide is a comprehensive tool available to facilitate tourism development across the state.
Case studies of successful tourism ventures contained in the Guide include:
- RiverLife adventure and activity operation in Brisbane
- Lagoon at Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays
- Outback@Isa underground mine experience and fossil centre at Mount Isa
- Gold Coast Convention Centre
- Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways at Winton
- Cosmos Centre at Charleville
- Kronosaurus Korner Richmond Marine Fossil Museum at Richmond
- Cape York Turtle Rescue Project at Mapoon.
Download the Tourism Project Feasibility Guide .
Local government investment in tourism
Tourism provides many benefits and helps to generate community support and involvement. It is a many layered, complex and diverse service industry made up of a wide variety of stakeholders who must work together to service the needs of visitors.
Local government in Queensland is in a unique position to initiate, facilitate and support the development and promotion of local tourism.
Find out about what tourism is all about, the benefits and how it works in Queensland with this simple and comprehensive overview, Tourism works for Queensland .
Tourism Queensland has produced a number of resources to assist local governments in the development of a sustainable tourism industry, view an overview of Tourism resources .
Need more information, support or advice?
The Queensland Government (particularly through Tourism Queensland and the Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development) strongly supports the development and marketing of the industry.
The Queensland Tourism Strategy exemplifies the Government’s commitment to keeping Queensland at the forefront of Australian tourism. The Strategy gives direction, clear targets and actions for completion by government and industry to address the challenges and opportunities facing the industry while reflecting government, industry and community priorities.
Invest Queensland (in the Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation) provides a wealth of information, advice and assistance on investing in Queensland.
AusIndustry is the Australian government’s business program delivery division of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and provides a range of incentives to support business innovation.
Austrade provides export and investment services to Australian companies and international buyers and investors. Austrade has offices location both internationally and in Australia offering practical advice, market intelligence, and ongoing support.
Mentoring for Growth
Mentoring For Growth is a Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry initiative for tourism operators to address their growth challenges. Bob Cobavie, a convenor of the program discusses the benefits of Mentoring For Growth for tourism operators. Professionals and business specialists in different disciplines provide advice to tourism operators to overcome problematic areas for the business. Hidden Valley Cabins have recently completed this program in which they have been able to identify key obstacles, and take actions to overcome this.
