20 Oct $325,000 Boost for Gladstone Region Tourism Projects
A $325,000 boost from the Palaszczuk Government is expected to bring $5.694 million
into the local economy as well as create 15 construction jobs and 14 ongoing jobs.
A new Gladstone Harbour Indigenous cultural tourism experience will be launched with
backing from the Palaszczuk Government’s $15 million Tourism Experience Development
Fund.
Minister Glenn Butcher, Member for Gladstone said the Palaszczuk Government’s funding
support will help deliver a new Indigenous tourism experience for the region.
“With the State Government’s contribution of $125,000, the Gladstone Area Promotion
Development limited in partnership with the Bailai Aboriginal Corporation for Land and
Culture will purchase an 80-seat vessel, with a total cost of $570,000, to launch the
Gladstone Harbour Indigenous Cultural Tourism,” Mr Butcher said.
“This will be an exciting new addition to the Gladstone tourism sector and is expected to
draw in 8800 new visitors and contribute $5 million to the local economy.
“The operators also expect the project to support four new jobs during construction and
create 10 jobs when operating.
Gus Stedman, Chief Executive Office of Gladstone Area Promotion Development limited said they look forward to delivering the experience to the Gladstone Region. “We are very hopeful to have the purchase completed within the next few months to allow the tour to commence in 2023.
The partnership between BAC and GAPDL is in its infancy and we look forward to delivering an exceptional experience in the gladstone region”.
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.”
