Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today announced Queensland will host the 2021 Australian Tourism Awards for the first time in close to a decade.
The Premier today announced Australian tourism's night of nights would head to the Sunshine Coast in February next year.
"Tourism supports one in 10 Queensland jobs," she said.
"This industry is a cornerstone of our economy. It's important we celebrate everything that makes Queensland the best destination in the world.
"Coronavirus, floods and fires have taken their toll. Our tourism operators are struggling – they need all the support they can get. "This is a great vote of confidence in our industry."
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said Queensland was the perfect place to host this annual celebration.
"Bringing the best in the business back to Queensland gives us a great opportunity to showcase what we have to offer," she said.
"Sunshine Coast is a key growth market for tourism in Queensland. It's an ideal spot for the Australian Tourism Awards in 2021.
"They did a great job at the newly renovated $8 million convention centre at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort last year.
"Next year will be bigger and better than ever."
Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind welcomed the announcement.
"Tourism is everywhere, not just in our capital cities but in regional and remote parts of Australia, particularly in Queensland," he said.
"We are thrilled to bring Australia's tourism leaders to one of Queensland's most spectacular regions for the 2021 Australian Tourism Awards.
"Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort played host to the Queensland Tourism Awards in 2019, next year we put the destination in the national spotlight."
Sunshine Coast Events Board Chair Maya Gurry welcomed the announcement.
"Hosting the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards is highly coveted by tourism destinations across Australia, as it provides the opportunity to raise the profile of our region and showcase our capabilities to the best of the tourism industry," she said.
"In addition to promoting our region to the more than 850 tourism industry leaders who attend this gala event, we will also see an estimated economic injection of $1.3 million into our local economy.
"The awards were last hosted in Queensland in 2011 and we are thrilled that the State Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council have such high confidence in the Sunshine Coast's ability to deliver an outstanding tourism industry gala."
