Cairns will be at the epicentre of Queensland tourism when it hosts the tourism industry’s annual premier events – the Destination IQ and DestinationQ Forums, and the Queensland Tourism Awards gala ceremony – in 2023.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said this was a big coup for Cairns.
“DestinationQ is Queensland’s leading tourism industry event which was attended by around 900 delegates on the Gold Coast this year,” the Premier said.
“I’m so excited that next year, it will be held in Cairns along with Queensland tourism’s night of nights – the Queensland Tourism Awards – celebrating our remarkable tourism businesses that make our state a destination of choice for travellers.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for the tourism industry following the release of the new Towards Tourism 2032 strategy, a new ten-year plan that will help transform the industry and our state in the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
At todays’ DestinationQ Forum on the Gold Coast, Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy will confirm Cairns as the 2023 host.
“As the local member, I’m delighted we’ll be showing the very best of Cairns and the Cairns Convention Centre’s expansion to Queensland’s tourism industry in 2023,” Mr Healy said.
“To have Cairns confirmed as the place to be for the twelfth DestinationQ forum, Destination IQ and the glittering 2023 Queensland Tourism Awards is a big vote of confidence in our region.
“These three blockbuster events are predicted to generate up to $1 million for the Cairns visitor economy from accommodation and transport providers, restaurants and cafés to the region’s tourism operators.
“Tourism week in Cairns is a wonderful opportunity to highlight our growing Indigenous visitor experiences and natural attractions to industry leaders and decision makers.
“It’s the Far North’s time to shine and I’m sure this will be an opportunity our community will embrace enthusiastically.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) CEO Mark Olsen said it was exciting to host the three prestigious events and very timely as the destination ramps up its international tourism recovery.
“This will be an economic boost for Cairns and a great opportunity to showcase the completed Cairns Convention Centre and our world-class tourism experiences to the industry and media,” he said.
More than 900 tourism industry representatives are attending Destination IQ, DestinationQ and this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards on the Gold Coast.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Brett Fraser stressed the importance of hosting the most significant annual events on Queensland’s tourism industry calendar.
“Hosting Queensland’s Tourism Week in 2023, will allow Cairns to showcase the breadth and depth of the city’s venues, products, and experiences,” Mr Fraser said.
“An event of this scale will go a long way to supporting the region’s economy and the flow-on benefits will be felt by the many retailers, accommodation providers and local experiences.”
Tourism week in Cairns including Destination IQ, DestinationQ and the annual Queensland Tourism Awards is from 22 to 24 November 2023.
