ANNUAL REVIEW 2017-2018 Annual Review 2017-2018 1 Queensland Tourism Industry Council The value of tourism in QLD QTIC is the peak body for tourism in Queensland, representing industry interests across all levels of government. 24.5 million visitors to QTIC is a not-for-profit, private sector, fixated on the short-term and they and we should all take some confidence governments or in our industry membership-based organisation never forget why they are there – to Queensland from that. QTIC is proud to be part engagement, our focus is always on representing the interests of advocate and promote policies that annually of such a collaborative industry and actively supporting the businesses that Queensland’s tourism and hospitality support the growth of the industry of proud to do its part in supporting unity, make up this great industry. Through industry. Working in partnership with tourism in Queensland. Daniel and Brett collaboration and success whenever all our programs we can offer genuine government agencies and industry do not play politics. They work with 54,000 challenges and opportunities arise. opportunities for businesses to bodies at a local, state and national all governments, all oppositions and continuously improve their capacity and level, QTIC is strengthening the voice all organisations to ensure tourism is tourism Notwithstanding the odd cyclone, competitiveness. of tourism across policy platforms. supported and policies are developed to businesses tourism is on a very positive trajectory. QTIC’s membership comprises of more allow it to prosper. I cannot recall a time when tourism At QTIC we are proud to occasionally was more prominently featured ‘push the envelope’, show some than 3000 regional members (individual Shane O’Reilly | Chair, QTIC Board and corporate) alongside 13 Regional QTIC even does the work of government $25 billion in infrastructure investment, job leadership and inspire our operators. Tourism Organisations (RTOs) and 18 at times – believing that industry led annual industry opportunities, policy debate and We are also proud of our work to industry sector associations. The team’s outcomes will deliver a better result. community recognition. At QTIC it develop a new generation of tourism efforts are aimed squarely at helping QTIC continues to prove this hypothesis FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE for Queensland has always been our objective to raise professionals and our continued efforts the tourism industry drive sustainable is correct – over and over again. the profile of the industry and speak to tap into the enormous potential that business and product development, We are fortunate to have two such Every year brings its own challenges, up for our members and operators Indigenous Queenslanders have to offer. stimulate business attraction and distinguished, honest and hardworking including the occasional challenge to be recognised and supported in $59.4 million I want to thank all our members and investment, develop workforce executives leading us. On behalf of all presented by nature. Cyclone Debbie their efforts to create a prosperous a day in supporting partners for making our skills and support tourism jobs and our membership I would like to thank and its aftermath wreaked havoc from Queensland. Our numerous submissions work possible. I thank the Board for businesses. them for the past year and encourage the Whitsundays all the way to our overnight visitor and discussions in countless industry them to continue to deliver positive southern border and some of those and government forums continue to its leadership and guidance and all our FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD outcomes for our tourism industry. impacts are still being felt by tourism expenditure inform and influence outcomes that dedicated staff for their commitment business. Yet again the response of make a difference to the industry. and passion for a common mission. In recent months we have seen a The QTIC Directors whom you have tourism operators and organisations, QTIC made strong representations to number of individuals and organisations chosen, give their time and expertise local governments and the Queensland 217,000 all parties in the lead-up to the state across a range of professions stumble, freely. I would also like to thank them Government has demonstrated jobs elections, building on our ongoing fight and fall with what seems to be a all for their diligence and efforts that our industry is not only proudly engagement in the process. The new sole fixation on themselves and short- throughout our meetings this past year. resilient, it can also be a critical agent Queensland Government subsequently termism. They have forgotten all about I would like to specifically mention in the recovery of a community after committed an additional $180 million their clients and why they exist in the retiring director Mark Mugnaioni from such a major upheaval. Collectively, $7.4 billion to tourism initiatives over the next first place. The public understandably RACQ. Mark’s contribution to board we have become very efficient at three years – an suite of programs has lost faith and trust in many of them. deliberations will be missed, but I wish working together under such adverse tourism that will deliver tangible benefits to him the best in the furtherance of his circumstances. For an industry that is investment destinations. The QTIC organisation is led by Daniel career and family life. often criticised for lacking unity, this is a Daniel Gschwind | Chief Executive, QTIC and Brett. These two gents are not powerful demonstration to the contrary pipeline Whether it is in our advocacy to fixated on themselves, nor are they Looking forward to a great 2019! 2 Queensland Tourism Industry Council Annual Review 2017-2018 3 Policy & Advocacy QTIC continues to provide a unified and consistent voice for the state’s tourism sector in relevant negotiations and policy-making forums. It is important that tourism remains a strong focus for policy development at all levels of government and QTIC will continue • Training product reform June 2018 ELECTION CAMPAIGNS to present a business view at every opportunity. Below is a summary of the policy and advocacy work undertaken on behalf of QTIC members during 2017-18. More details are available online at www.qtic.com.au (under the “Advocacy” tab). • Brisbane Transport Strategy • Traffic Light Bulletin 2 • 2017 State Government Election Campaign – Voices of Tourism (13 POLICY SUBMISSIONS • Modernising business registry December 2017 • Sustainable Development Goals • Transforming Queensland’s waste regional flyers, 1 state flyer, 1 state services and Australian Businesses and recycling industry fact sheet) August 2017 • Traffic Light Bulletin 1 October 2017 April 2018 RESEARCH REPORTS • 2018-19 State and Federal • Current and future impacts of • Skilling Australians Fund Changes Budget fact sheets Australian climate change on infrastructure • Priority Port Gladstone • Aboriginal and Torres Strait • Griffith University – Marketing Government’s role in the • Pre-budget submission (Federal) Islander Heritage Plan for the Spend in the Tourism Industry development of cities • Inquiry into school to work November 2017 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park transition January 2018 • University of Queensland – Crypto • Digital Economy – opening up the • Australian Maritime Safety Levy Currency in Tourism • Australian Government’s role in the conversation • Managing Australia’s Migrant development of cities Intake • Regional Inequality in Australia • Griffith Institute for Tourism and The “Voice of • Draft Daintree National Park Department of Environmental September 2017 Management Plan February 2018 May 2018 Science – Building a resilient Tourism” tourism industry: Queensland • Visa simplification, transforming • The growing presence of • Managing Australia’s Migrant • Gold Coast Airport Hotel Proposal climate response plan Australia’s visa system inauthentic Aboriginal Style Art Intake and Craft • Jobs Queensland – Future of Work • Regional development and • Clean Energy Finance Corporation 27 decentralisation Statutory Review policy • The operation, regulation and submissions Changing Climate, Changing Business funding of air route service delivery to rural, regional and The ‘Building a resilient tourism industry: Queensland climate change remote communities response plan’ represents an industry-led climate adaptation and 4 mitigation road map for the tourism industry sector in alignment with March 2018 research the Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy (Q-CAS). The plan was reports developed over six months with input from 150 industry stakeholders • Addressing issues relating to unduly short courses through workshops held across Queensland. 4 Queensland Tourism Industry Council Annual Review 2017-2018 5 Tourism Industry Capability Program QTIC Young Professionals QTIC maintains a focus on ensuring a high quality experience through skilled business practices. Mentoring Program Under the 2017-18 Tourism Demand In the 2017-18 financial year this QTIC’s popular six-month mentoring Driver Infrastructure (TDDI) Program, program enabled 1489 individuals program had another successful year. A “The mentoring program was a really valuable experience – allowing QTIC, in conjunction with the across 45 activities to develop their TDDI Program total of 20 young tourism professionals Department of Tourism, Major Events, skills to improve their capacity from across the state were matched me to evaluate where I am in my career and help identify