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4 September 2020 to host 2020 AFL Grand Final

Brisbane's famous Gabba will play host to the first-ever AFL Grand Final to be held outside on 24 October 2020.

Up to 30,000 fans will be allowed into the stadium under COVID-safe plans that have allowed the season to progress safely this year in Queensland.

The event will provide an economic boost for Queensland, highlight the state's tourism offerings, encourage travel to the state and inspire viewers who can't make it in person to start dreaming about their next holiday when restrictions ease.

The news reinforces Queensland's reputation as Australia's sporting events hub despite the challenges of COVID-19.

READ MORE Regional Queensland flights fast-tracked

Queensland tourism is set to receive a welcome boost with the doubling of Gold Coast Airport's flight schedule thanks to Jetstar's Cairns to Gold Coast service which resumed on Monday, while Jetstar's Adelaide to Sunshine Coast service also recommenced the same day.

The Cairns to Gold Coast service resumed Tuesday with increased capacity - almost doubling the capacity of the airport from 11 services per week to 19, and is expected to pump about $7.1 million into the economy.

The Adelaide to Sunshine Coast service will deliver 360 inbound seats a week via Sunshine Coast Airport next month and 540 a week after that, pumping an extra $4.7 million into the local economy. Queensland Creators Program continues

Tourism and Events Queensland will continue its successful Queensland Creators program into 2021, engaging 12 talented content creators from across the state to inspire more people to travel to Queensland through the creation of inspiring and authentic content.

Each creator shares a common passion for Queensland and for promoting and driving advocacy of the range of experiences the state has to offer. The creators range from marine biologists to adventure athletes, with each specialising in different types of content creation, including photography, videography and blogging.

Content generated by the Queensland Creators will be used to support TEQ’s marketing activity across many different channels, including social media, out of home, digital, print and TV.

In 2020, content generated by Queensland Creators captured the state's 13 tourism destinations and was used in:

20 consumer emails to more than 570,000 people. 175 social posts to over 2.6 million people. 320 Queensland and regional tourism website pages. More than 100 Queensland and regional destination campaign creatives. 25 YouTube videos. FIND OUT MORE

Last chance to register for DestinationQ

Registrations are still open for the DestinationQ 2020 Forum, taking place virtually today, Friday 4 September, from 3:00pm - 4:30pm.

More than 1,100 tourism and industry representatives have registered for the event which is presented in partnership by the Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Tourism and Events Queensland.

Queensland tourism and events operators are encouraged to attend. You can view a full program and list of presenters via the DestinationQ website and ask questions via the DestinationQ app, available from the App store or Google Play.

Join to hear presentations from:

University of Melbourne Professor of Epidemiology Tony Blakely on COVID-19: Epidemiological update, likely scenarios in next year, and implications for tourism and borders. CEDA – the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Chief Economist, Mr Jarrod Ball on Economic implications for Queensland tourism.

A panel discussion with tourism businesses that have successfully adapted to the COVID context is also incorporated into the program, including Entrada Travel Group, City Winery , Blues On Broadbeach, Cassidy Hospitality Group and Jarramali Rock Art Tours. REGISTER NOW

International marketing update

Qld Tourism Exchange Virtuoso Travel Week

In August, TEQ's Americas team TEQ's Americas team participated in conducted its first ever virtual Virtuoso Travel Week Online last month, Queensland Tourism Exchange, designed the largest gathering of the North to grow partnerships between American luxury travel industry in 2020. Queensland sellers and key distribution The virtual event brought together more partners in North America by showcasing than 4,000 of North America's leading Queensland products and discussing luxury travel advisors and industry from future opportunities once Australian around the world. borders reopen. TEQ took the opportunity to conduct four The online trade training event days of Queensland destination and successfully brought together 32 experience training with 150 advisors in Queensland tourism industry members partnership with Tourism Australia, and more than 50 North American which allowed for conversations about buyers. Feedback was very positive with future opportunities when it's safe for Queensland product being able to re- international travel to resume. engage with North American partners for the first time in many months.

COVID-19: Restrictions reminder

With recent changes to COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland, it is crucial that all tourism businesses and event organisers continue to deliver on the highest standards of COVID safety in order to keep themselves, their businesses, staff and guests safe, as well as enable the economy to remain open.

COVID Safe Plans continue to apply, and currently gathering limits of 10 people apply in private or public places within 15 of Queensland's local government areas, while gathering limits of 30 people apply in private or public places across the rest of the state.

ACCESS SAFETY INFO

Business resources Tourism Australia has developed a number of valuable new resources to support the tourism industry during these challenging times, including:

A Travel Sentiment Tracker revealing domestic consumer sentiment insights which will be updated on a fortnightly basis.

An updated social media guide and a new guide to social media in China, both which convey how to work in these spaces with Tourism Australia.

Industry opportunities

DestinationQ 2020 Forum

3:00pm - 4:30pm, today, 4 September 2020 - online

Join the Queensland tourism industry’s peak annual forum DestinationQ.

Guest presenters and panellists will offer perspectives on the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19 and provide inspiration for the future of tourism, examining new opportunities and profiling sustainable operating models. Smart Tourism Marketing System Live Training

1:00pm – 2:00pm, Monday 7 September 2020 - online

A free 60-minute hands-on training session to show operators essential practical business tips so they can be as agile, efficient and digital literate as possible in this COVID-19 digital era.

Wellness Travel Opportunities in a Changing World

Wednesday 9 September 2020 - online

The Wellness Tourism Summit is hosting its latest virtual event - Wellness Travel Opportunities in a Changing World with more than 20 global and local wellness travel experts set to share practical tips and the latest consumer research for industry. The event will include learnings from global brands such as Banyon Tree Hotels and Resorts, Accor and Minor International.

TEQ's Conversations with Industry - Southern Queensland Country

12:00pm, 17 September 2020 - Oaks Hotel Toowoomba

Connect with the latest insights, TEQ's marketing activities and opportunities to get involved. Lunch is included.

Business Events Boost Program

Applications close Wednesday 30 September 2020

Industry are encouraged to apply for funding through Tourism Australia’s new marketing partnership program to help restart domestic business events.

QTIC's COVID-19 – Restarting, transitioning and resilience sessions

Up to four complimentary one-on-one online coaching sessions are available for eligible tourism and hospitality businesses, covering re-opening, pivoting product and innovation, domestic trade distribution and domestic marketing. Businesses can choose their coach from the provided list and the program is available until May 2021 or until spaces are filled. MORE OPPORTUNITIES

Quick snippets

Binna Burra Road reopening – Binna Burra Road reopened on Wednesday, marking an important recovery milestone for the community and local tourism after last year’s devastating bushfires. The news comes just a week shy of 12 months since bushfires devastated the Heritage-listed Binna Burra Lodge, which has started taking overnight guest bookings again for early September 2020 following significant recovery and redevelopment work with the support of all three levels of government. Construction is also complete on O’Reilly’s suite of new ecotourism attractions and the tourism operator is taking bookings ahead of the September school holidays.

GOMA to present European Masterpieces – Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art will be the exclusive Australian venue for the major exhibition ‘European Masterpieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’ from 12 June to 17 October 2021.

Tourism and events funding for northern Queensland – Far North Queensland will receive $3 million to help attract major events to the region as part of an $11.3 million package to boost tourism and assist businesses to make it through COVID-19. Whitsunday tour boat operators will receive $2 million in fee relief to offset the cost of private marina berthing fees as part of a $15 million package announced this week.

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