Queensland’s tourism sector is set to soar under a Nicholls Government following today’s commitment by the LNP to inject an additional $10 million into the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund if elected, the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) said today.

TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond said the LNP had heeded TTF’s calls for additional funding as it was a critical part of attracting more international visitors to Queensland.

“This is a fantastic commitment that will genuinely see a big rise in tourist numbers, particularly to North and Far North Queensland,” Ms Osmond said.

“Tourism has never been more important to Tropical North Queensland, which has been hit hard recently by natural disaster and the slowing of the resources industry.

“This funding will not only increase aviation capacity and access to some of Australia’s most popular and iconic destinations, but also offer a much-needed boost to the visitor economy.”

Ms Osmond said the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund supports the growth of the Queensland visitor economy by securing and encouraging the introduction of international, domestic and regional airlines to add new routes to or within Queensland, or to increase flight frequencies and seat capacity on existing routes.

“Increasing the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund was one of the key commitments TTF called for during the election campaign and it is great to see the LNP has listened,” Ms Osmond said.

“Attracting new air services, particularly by international airlines, is a lengthy process, which invariably includes significant competition from other markets, and certainty of incentive funding is essential.

“The Palaszczuk Government has also recognised the benefits of attracting new air services by combining the existing Attracting Aviation Investment Fund with the Advance Queensland: Connecting with Asia Strategy, however it is vital that additional, new money is allocated to these funds.”