On Thursday 14 November all eyes will be on The Star Brisbane, Queen’s Wharf as it hosts the 13^th annual DestinationQ, featuring a stellar lineup of keynote speakers including four-time Olympic Gold medallist Ariarne Titmus, Paralympian Paracanoeist Curtis McGrath and Swedish visionary futurist and founder of the avant-garde think tank, Thinique, Anders Sörman-Nilsson.

The event will welcome 1,000 tourism professionals from around the State to discuss the future of Queensland’s billion-dollar tourism industry and will be delivered alongside Destination IQ and the Queensland Tourism Industry Awards with the three events forming Tourism Week 2024.

This year’s DestinationQ theme is ‘Future Focused’ and will offer several panels with industry experts to discuss cyber security, marketing and branding, sustainability and the runway to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Officer Brett Fraser said the forum is a crucial event that will provide direction for the future of Queensland tourism.

“DestinationQ is a free event that will bring together key government and industry leaders to discuss priorities for ensuring the tourism industry remains competitive and with 1,000 attendees predicted, the atmosphere will be electrifying,” Mr Fraser said.

“For Queensland to remain a world-class destination, we must prioritise forums like DestinationQ which allows us to create a clear pathway and vision for the future of our state’s tourism industry.

“I’m also very excited to hear from our terrific forum speakers who will share their unique experiences and insights throughout the day. This event is truly not one to be missed!”

Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said DestinationQ provides an opportunity for Queensland tourism operators to network, gain knowledge, and unlock new business opportunities.

“We have less than eight years until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games transform our state forever, so DestinationQ is more important than ever as we prepare to welcome the world.

“Queensland’s visitor economy continues to thrive as 27.7 million visitors to the state spent $34.7 billion in the year ending June 2024, which is an average of $95 million every day, supporting 260,000 Queensland jobs.

“Having sporting icons like Ariarne Titmus and Curtis McGrath as guest speakers at DestinationQ reminds us that we want to be the best in the world – our athletes and also our tourism operators, who will be more focused than ever on giving visitors to Queensland a holiday to remember.”

Tourism and Events Queensland Acting CEO Ollie Philpot said following an exceptional year it was important the industry came together.

“We have incredible opportunities ahead of us, headlined by the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games which will propel Queensland on the global stage, and DestinationQ is a chance to ensure we are unified and working together towards our industry’s goals.

“We’re aiming to more than double the value of the tourism industry for our state’s economy and today we will look at everything from marketing to global trends which can help grow tourism businesses in Queensland.”

DestinationQ Forum 2024 is proudly supported by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland.

For more information, please visit DestinationQ · QTIC

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