Building a stronger Tourism Industry together

10 June 2026 My Queensland TNQ Tourism Conference, Cairns, QLD It’s good to be with you today on the land of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people, and I acknowledge elders past and present. I want to thank Tourism Tropical North Queensland for hosting the My Queensland conference - it’s a valuable opportunity to bring us all together to connect, learn, and share.

Beautiful Cairns is my home too, and Tropical North Queensland is special to me. I share your passion for the people, places, and ecosystems we are so fortunate to have here. I don’t need to tell the people in this room about the significance of tourism to Tropical North Queensland’s economy.

You don’t just understand the importance of this industry; you drive it. Tropical North Queensland is a world class, world famous tourism destination, and so much of it is thanks to the experiences offered by local tourism operators. It’s the businesses and operators who bring our places to life for our visitors, helping them to connect with what we have here and experience the magic.

I value what you do, and so does the Australian Government. Our local tourism industry generates local jobs, strengthens communities, and connects us to the world. I know you’re operating in uncertain times with the Middle East conflict still very much on all our minds – but we are planning and acting early, and our fuel supply remains stable.

Securing fuel remains the priority - and not just in the big cities. Just over a week ago the Australian Government announced we’re supporting industry to bring in another 39.4 million litres of diesel into Brisbane as a buffer for regional Queensland. As we all know, reef tourism depends on a healthy reef.

In last month’s Federal Budget an additional $91.8 million was allocated to continuing to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef. Defending a precious Reef and it’s World Heritage listing for generations to come. That includes $5 million to extend the Tourism Reef Protection Initiative, to support tourism operators across the reef to continue delivering reef health monitoring, site stewardship and assisted recovery activities.

Tourism businesses in Tropical North Queensland are also benefiting from Tourism Australia’s Come and Say G’day campaign, which is promoting the region’s visitor attractions to a global audience. We made a $130 million investment in the second stage of the campaign, and it has been getting a great response in our international markets. Tourism Australia has also recently unveiled a new sustainability initiative to encourage businesses and tourists to embrace responsible tourism practices.

It’s called the Green Is Our Gold Promise and invites industry to commit to a shared vision and embrace five Principles to inspire the protection of Australia’s natural wonders, vibrant cultures, and local communities. It was wonderful to spend some time with the Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel team here in the Cairns marina earlier this week – who are among the biggest of reef protection advocates – it is great to see they have already signed up to the promise.

Now we all know that the North is a unique place with unique needs, and that’s why the Australian Government has granted $15 million to TTNQ over the 3 years from 2024–25, for the Tropical North Queensland International Tourism Recovery Grant Program. Thanks to Mark and his team, the funding helped accelerate the return of international visitors post-COVID and promote the Great Barrier Reef.

It did this by re-attracting traditional markets, building new and diversified international markets. And attracting visitors through innovative marketing approaches and growth in regional tourism that also includes the Great Barrier Reef. And it’s more than just a glossy brochure.

The grant program has already enabled over 200 campaigns with international partners, $16.4 million of matched funds from partners, and an achievement of 54:1 return on investment which lifted international visitor spend to $1.2 billion. The program has supported over 1800 jobs and engaged over 350 operators across both Tropical North Queensland and the Great Barrier reef, and it’s ongoing.

And there’s a funded vision for the future of tourism in our region. In 2025 the Australian Government announced an additional $3 million for TTNQ under our $10 million Reef Educational Experience Fund. A highlight of this fund is $6 million to subsidise school excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, making it easier for students to experience the Great Barrier Reef first-hand and understand its ecological significance.

Preparation is well underway to deliver this, and it’ll be online soon. This program comes with another $1 million to support operators prepare for these kids and ensure they are well equipped and trained up. The Australian Government has stood by tourism operators in Queensland, providing $20 million for the 2024 clean-up after Cyclone Jasper, and a $24 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program.

And that support won’t change. Because all of these pieces of the puzzle fit together. Individual programs and campaigns building to a broader vision.

There is a strong and growing international interest in visiting Australia, and the North is benefiting. Recently published nationwide data by Tourism Research Australia shows that in the December quarter 2025 international visitors to Australia increased by 13 per cent and spending by 27 per cent compared with the December quarter 2024. And for trips including Tropical North Queensland in particular, tourism spend in 2025 was $4.4 billion.

It’s a solid platform to build on as we face challenges together. The Australian Government is committed to continuing to turn up, listen, and deliver meaningful actions and support to a region and an industry that is so important to our nation. We all want the same thing; a vibrant visitor economy in Tropical North Queensland, and one that is connected to the world.

Thank you for all that you do to make our region a special place to visit. This is a bucket list destination for so many people around Australia and the world, and you’re the reason why it lives up to the hype.