Events calendar to pump $880 million into Queensland economy

Opera Australia the Ring Cycle

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has launched the 2020 Queensland events calendar, worth $880m to the state’s economy.

The Premier said the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar had grown in value from $380m in 2015 to $880m in 2020.

“We invest in major events because they grow our tourism industry and create jobs here in Queensland,” the Premier said.

“My government has more than doubled the value of Queensland’s events calendar since 2015.

"That’s an extra half-a-billion-dollars generated for local businesses by our events over five years.

“This proves that our strategy to support events that we know will lure tourists and support our tourism industry is paying off.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said Queensland boasted the best calendar of events in Australia.

"Next year’s calendar will feature a host of new events, from the inaugural ATP Cup in January, to a Bledisloe Cup game in October and of course The Ring Cycle in November,” she said.

"On top of that, some of Queensland’s favourite and most iconic events will feature including the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, the Birdsville Big Red Bash, Curiocity and QODE, the WATPAC Townsville 400, the Gold Coast Film Festival, the NRL Magic Round and the Outback Queensland Masters Golf tournament.

“No matter who you are or what you’re looking for one thing is clear – you can find it in Queensland.

Ms Jones said Queensland would continue to pursue high-value events into the future.

"One of the main reasons we invested in SportAccord on the Gold Coast in May was to show the world Queensland was a world leading destination for major events following the 2018 Commonwealth Games," she said.

"What we know is that Queensland is uniquely positioned as a world-class events destination because of our iconic tourism landscapes and experiences.

"Having so many destinations right across the State that are capable of hosting events of all sizes is an incredible competitive advantage and one we will continue to leverage as we aim to secure even more events for Queensland.

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington said innovation had been key in continuing to raise the value of the It’s Live! In Queensland calendar.

“The NRL Magic Round, Curiocity, QODE and the Outback Queensland Masters Golf tournament are four examples just in the past year of new events that have not been done anywhere else in Australia before and are now uniquely Queensland,” she said.

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