BRISBANE – The Queensland government is pinning its hopes on the Chinese to help rescue the state’s embattled tourism industry.
Queensland tourism minister Desley Boyle will fly to China hoping to convince Chinese airlines to set up routes to Queensland destinations or increase established services.
The government will also target other Asian countries, including South Korea.
Boyle now has a kitty of at least A$8 million after the Australian federal government on Wednesday matched Queensland’s $4 million emergency support package for the tourism industry.
Queensland premier Anna Bligh announced the support package last week after Australian carriers Qantas and Jetstar said they were cutting money-losing routes between Australia and Japan.
The money will be used to help lure international carriers to Queensland by funding activities such as marketing campaigns for the airlines.
“We will be ensuring that when the proposed domestic and international flight cuts happen there will be viable alternatives waiting to take their place,” Boyle added.
