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Major events and conferences are primed to help fast-track Tropical North Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan in 2022.
Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said business, concert, sport, and festival events would deliver many millions of dollars for the Cairns visitor economy.
“Events bring visitors and June’s Cairns IRONMAN alone is expected to contribute up to $10 million to our economic recovery,” Mr Healy said.
“We know as soon as autumn starts in the south, Australians are dreaming of a warm Cairns getaway.
“The southern chill is also the perfect opportunity for corporate Australia to Zoom less and bring face-to-face conferences and business events to the Far North.
“Cairns Convention Centre is sharing in $7 million from the Palaszczuk Government to attract more national business events.
“Conference delegates spend more while they’re in Cairns and are more likely to return with family for a first-class holiday experience.
“Business events and conferences support accommodation and transport providers, hotels, restaurants, cafes, tour operators and local jobs.
“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is investing $7 million to help Queensland’s three State-owned convention centres, including Cairns, attract more conferences.”
Cairns Convention Centre General Manager Janet Hamilton said the Queensland Government’s business event funding would provide the region with post-Covid boost.
“Supporting the business travel sector in Cairns will significantly help the region’s operators and fill hotel rooms,” Ms Hamilton said.
“The Queensland Government’s funding and the Cairns Convention Centre refurbishment provide the perfect opportunity for business events to come to Cairns.”
Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said there was strong interest in bringing business events to Tropical North Queensland where Australian delegates spent on average $3235.
“Nationally, the business events market was worth $35.7 billion pre-COVID and as a world-class destination Cairns is well placed to grab an even bigger slice of that market,” Mr Olsen said.
“Australian businesses are keen to reconnect in a more meaningful way with their teams and clients.
“We are ready to show them that Tropical North Queensland is the world-class business destination they have been looking for.
“Prior to the pandemic, the Cairns Convention Centre delivered $80 million in direct spending to our regional economy and this funding will help our destination attract these lucrative business events once again.”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar would also deliver a solid line up of sport and entertainment events for the Far North.
“There are plenty of reasons to plan an escape to Cairns and Queensland’s events calendar has added another 15,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Whether its live music, premiership sport, cultural events or warm winter weather, there’s something for everybody to enjoy in Far North Queensland.”
Upcoming Cairns region events:
April:
- The Australian Under 18 Hockey Championships
- AFL Premiership match – St Kilda v Port Adelaide
- Midnight Oil
May:
- Port Douglas Carnivale
- WOW Conference
- Guy Sebastian
- Cannes in Cairns
- ASMIRT Conference
June-July:
- IRONMAN Cairns
- Outback by the Sea
- Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
- PBR Cairns Invitational
August:
- Reef to Reef
- September
- Targa Great Barrier Reef
- Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival
- Savannah in the Round
