Learn more about our region and what makes it a fascinating area in which to live & work.
A coastal region centred on its largest settlement the city of Townsville. The city is the location of a major seaport handling exports from mines in Mount Isa and cattle exports from coastal and inland areas. The region also contains a bulk sugar exporting terminal in the region's north. Mackay and the Burdekin region are Australia's sugar capital and produce the most sugar in Australia.
Tourism is a major source of revenue for the area which boasts a number of significant tourist attractions including the Great Barrier Reef and reef islands, rainforests in the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Magnetic Island, and the Whitsunday Islands.
The region has 36 national parks.
Queensland Tourism Update
New data shows Queensland tourism is booming, with the industry employing some 220,000 people and generating more than $25 billion for the state.
Figures from Research Australia’s analysis highlight a more than two percent growth in tourism employment and an almost four percent growth in gross regional product state-wide.
The government Is working with operators to build new attractions and negotiating with airlines to secure more direct flights from key Asian tourism markets.
This year, the major events sector is set to pump $780 million into the state’s economy.
Figures show that tourism is worth $14.8 billion to regional Queensland and contributes nearly nine per cent of total gross regional product, employing an estimated 139,000 people.
SOURCE: www.accomnews.com.au/2018/07/outlook
tourism minister Kate Jones – (excerpts)