- Build and Focus: Setting the Foundations of the Future is the theme of the 2023 DestinationQ Forum in Tropical North Queensland.
- Tourism Week 2023 in Cairns includes DestinationQ, Destination IQ and the Queensland Tourism Awards.
- More than 800 industry experts to travel to Cairns for Tourism Week.
Free registration has opened for the 12th DestinationQ Forum on 23 November at the Cairns Convention Centre.
The theme of DestinationQ in 2023 is Build and Focus – setting the foundations for the future, as set out by the industry led Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap.
DestinationQ is part of Tourism Week 2023, which also includes Destination IQ and the prestigious Queensland Tourism Awards.
More than 800 tourism industry experts and operators are predicted to travel to Tropical North Queensland for Tourism Week 2023, generating $1 million for the visitor economy.
Tourism Week in Cairns is made possible by the Queensland Government in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC).
Register at https://www.destq.com.au/destinationq-events with special accommodation deals also available.
Key dates:
- Destination IQ – Wednesday, 22 November
- DestinationQ Forum – Thursday, 23 November
- Queensland Tourism Awards – Friday, 24 November.
Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said:
"Tropical North Queensland looks forward to welcoming the State's tourism industry and sharing more of our great, awe-inspiring Queensland lifestyle.
"With world-class accommodation, First Nations culture and iconic visitor experiences, I can't think of a better location than the Tropical North for this year's DestinationQ Forum.
"As we work hard on international recovery, it's never been more important to bring the industry together to learn and discuss the opportunities ahead of us."
"Tourism Week 2023 is a highly anticipated event for Tropical North Queensland's visitor economy."
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:
"Many elements of Queensland's domestic tourism recovery from the wrecking ball of the pandemic are nation leading and we should be very proud of that.
"The latest Tourism Research Australia data shows a record 11.3 million Australians holidayed in Queensland in the year to March with holidaymakers spending $16.7 billion in this State, more than anywhere else in Australia.
"This is terrific news, but we are seeing changes in visitor spending with more work to do on fast-tracking resilience and reaching the goals of the industry led Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap.
"A highlight of DestinationQ is bringing Queensland's industry together to share expertise and insight, while celebrating the State's best visitor experiences at the Tourism Awards.
"In 2023, competition for visitors is fierce making the DestinationQ Forum an opportunity tourism operators shouldn't miss."
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O'Callaghan said:
"It's great to bring the industry together each year for Tourism Week and really focus on the future while also taking time to celebrate our achievements.
"The DestinationQ Forum in Cairns is an opportunity to rally the tourism industry to work together to keep Queensland as Australia's top holiday state.
"It's Queensland's time to shine."
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Brett Fraser said:
"As the state's peak industry body, we are proud to once again be a partner of the DestinationQ Forum.
"QTIC welcomes the chance to bring government and industry together in collaboration and conversation.
"In a highly competitive global market, where every destination is vying for the attention of would-be travellers, it's imperative that government and industry work together to drive tourism success.
"We need to ensure that our tourism operators are equipped with the latest knowledge, innovations, and traveller trends to meet evolving guest demands. These events help to secure Queensland's position as a world-class destination.
"I look forward to meeting with operators in November and to seeing industry gather together in Cairns."
