World Tourism Day was slightly different this year due to the ongoing pandemic as the industry has been hit hard financially and is learning how to recover from its effects.
Despite the uncertainty, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council marked the occasion with a celebration of the resilience of the industry. It drew attention to some of the many tourism operators who have adapted and innovated during the pandemic’s disruption.
QTIC Chief Executive, Daniel Gschwind, said, “Our industry is not just important to the economy but also to the life of communities and their wellbeing. Our cultural life, our events, our heritage and even our guardianship of our natural wonders is supported by tourism activity,” he said. “It is those workers and the tourism business operators who had to step up during this devastating time and try to keep businesses afloat and plan for a disrupted future.”
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said tourism was a significant focus of the government’s economic recovery strategy. “Tourism is absolutely vital to Queensland’s economy. I’ve seen first-hand how tourism operators have struggled throughout this pandemic,” she said. “World Tourism Day is usually a time for celebration. Today, it’s an opportunity to share the message that we’re all in this together. We’ll continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with operators to rebuild our industry for the future.”
The QTIC World Tourism Day Breakfast had 150 people in attendance to hear from industry experts and stories about some of the many tourism operators who have adapted their business during this pandemic. Mr Gschwind said, “Our industry will thrive again, the urge to travel is irresponsible, and Queensland’s operators are equally determined to bring out the best of what our state has to offer.”
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