THE SUNSHINE COAST REGION SET FOR A $1.173 MILLION BOOST FOR TOURISM PROJECTS

A $1.173 million boost from the Palaszczuk Government is expected to bring in $12.895 million into the region economy as well as create 172 construction jobs and 43 ongoing jobs.

Australia Zoo, RACV Noosa, Aussie World, Beach Hostel Mooloolaba, Glasshouse Plantation, Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat Maleny, Mayan Farm, Amaze World and Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World are among 50 recipients to receive funding to enhance tourism experiences.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe congratulated the tourism operators on their commitment to delivering new and enhanced tourism experiences.

“This funding is designed to help operators refresh or create local tourism experiences to encourage more visitors to share Queensland’s great lifestyle and contribute to the region’s visitor economy,” Mr Hinchliffe said

“Across the State, 50 projects will be rolled out to support more good, secure Queensland jobs including 538 in construction and an estimated 386 ongoing operational employment opportunities.

“The Tourism Experience Development Fund is predicted to be the catalyst for more than 466,000 extra visitors every year to Queensland, spending around $104 million in local visitor economies.”
Member for Caloundra, Jason Hunt said after the recent successful opening of the luxury Crocodile Hunter Lodge, Australia Zoo was continuing to draw tourists to the region with the Queensland Government to provide $200,000 contribution for a new Serengeti experience with a viewing display of the zoo's cheetahs offering tourists viewing outside of existing shows.

“The project, which has a total project cost of more than $816,000, will support seven new jobs during construction and create ongoing employment for three when fully operational, and will attract 14,400 new visitors contributing $4.737 million to the local economy.

“Visitors to Aussie World will be able to fly high with $200,000 committed to a new $1.69 million ‘Aerobat’ ride expected to support 10 construction jobs and create three ongoing operational jobs, attracting 19,000 new visitors and boosting the economy by $1.875 million,” Mr Hunt said

Member for Nicklin, Rob Skelton said Amaze World will receive $50,000 to their $200,000 expansion project which will create two construction jobs and two good ongoing jobs.

“This expansion project will include a new maze, with puzzles, activities, shelter and accessible access, plus new augmented reality experiences, lighting, a commercial kitchen, and accessible pathways.

“With this new expansion Amaze World will be able to attract 6,000 new visitors which will generate $421,000 to the local economy.”
Other projects include:
• RACV Noosa Resort will build a Noosa Resort Eco Precinct with $200,000 contribution from the Queensland Government.
• Beach Hostel Mooloolaba will receive $100,000 to refurbish and relaunch 25 private queen rooms and 21 four-bed rooms after being closed for two years.
• Glasshouse Plantation will be funded $113,789 to build a paddock to cup café and agribusiness infrastructure.
• Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat will upgrade seven luxury villas with the Palaszczuk Government contributing $59,509 of the project.
• Mayan Farm, located along Kin Kin Creek, will build four new rammed earth eco-villas with a contribution of $200,000.
• Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World will receive $50,000 to create an Indigenous bush tucker garden, honouring, and embracing our rich and ancient cultural history, along with a treehouse virtual reality experience.

Mr Hinchliffe said the Tourism Experience Development Fund was launched in June in response to the Industry Reference Panel’s Interim Action Plan for Tourism Recovery.

“The fund backs tourism operators to meet the changing expectations and needs of domestic and overseas travellers to Queensland and reshape our visitor economy to welcome the world,” he said.

“We have two golden decades of tourism opportunity in the ten years leading up to and after the world’s biggest event, the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“New world-class tourism experiences create more good, secure jobs in our visitor economy and support Queensland’s place as Australia’s destination of choice.”
Visit https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/funds/experience-development to find out more about fund and the recipients.