| Publication Name |
The Cairns Post |
| Date |
20 Feb 2008 |
| Article Title |
Tourism levy policy |
| Author |
Damon Guppy |
| Synopsis |
Article on possible introduction of a tourism levy for Cairns Regional Council after the upcoming local government election. |
Full Text
Cairns mayoral candidate Val Schier would introduce a tourism levy so the region's operators could share the cost of marketing the lcoal industry.
Ms Schier said she believed the policy would lose her some votes, but was needed to help all businesses promote the Cairns and Port Douglas regions nationally and internationally.
"I anticipate there will be some opposition to it from some parts of the tourism industry," she said.
"In the end, I think it's actually contributing to the planning, managing and marketing of the industry."
"Ms Schier said businesses that paid membership fees to TTNQ were supporting the rest of the industry.
"Certainly there are some people riding on the back of TTNQ," she said.
"They'll have to contribute. I make no apologies for that."
TTNQ ceo, Rob Giason, siad a tourism levy had been a successful tool in promoting Douglas Shire.
"There are similar levies in place on the Gold Coast, in Noosa, Caloundra and other local government areas of Queensland, with more considering their introduction," Mr Giason said.
"TTNQ recognises that levies can provide the needed funding to position and promote a tourism destination in this current competitive world.
"Consideration of introduction a levy by councils within our region is an innovative and progressive approach to protecting the 30,000 or so jobs created through our tourism industry adn the many small to medium businesses which are reliant on it for the majority of their income.
Kani's on the Esplanade owner Paul Mackley said a tourism levy woudl be fairer on current TTNQ members.
"TTNQ's membership is voluntary - it's not obligatory," he said.
"I personally have seen the benefits."
