The Palaszczuk Government has maintained its pre-election commitment of $40 million over four years to grow and promote major events in the state, with an additional $128.3 million over four years to restore base funding for Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ).
R&CA CEO John Hart says the industry remains cautiously optimistic by the commitment in funding.
"Queensland is one of Australia's most tourism dependent states. The sector employs 229,600 people directly and indirectly with a majority of these Queenslanders employed in small businesses such as restaurants and cafes," says Hart.
"Certainty of funding for TEQ is necessary to drive international and domestic visitation, and allows this organisation to build on campaigns already in market. Competition for visitor dollars is fierce and TEQ needs to ensure Queensland remains top of mind.
"A long-term approach to tourism and major events funding provides tourism and hospitality operators with confidence to invest in their businesses. This drives economic activity and creates jobs in the state," says Hart.
Hart says he is also encouraged by initiatives to increase the employment of apprentices and trainees through payroll tax incentives. From 1 July 2015, employers who hire new apprentices or trainees will receive a 25 per cent payroll tax rebate. The rebate will apply to payroll tax for the 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 financial years.
"As a labour-intensive industry, our workforce is critical to the productivity and growth of the sector. The employment of apprentices and trainees is necessary to address chronic labour shortages and can foster innovation and new ways of thinking about food and the restaurant experience.”
Hart says he is encouraged by the budget, and that the industry remains committed to achieving the goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020, particularly since the Queensland Government's budget has indicates the provision of a solid foundation to achieve it.
