Capturing Queensland’s tourism opportunity
Tourism opportunities and visitation levels were the focal point of the Property Council’s Queen’s Wharf Brisbane event, held on Wednesday, 14 October.
Key note speaker Matt Bekier – CEO, Echo Entertainment Group, provided attendees with an insight into the China tourism market and how integrated resorts have the ability to increase visitor arrivals.
Matt presented the latest facts and figures on China’s growing appetite for travel, and that Chinese visitors are already the largest source of international visitor expenditure in Queensland. However, we need to do better to attract the Asian market, and integrated resorts provide part of the solution.
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane plans to capitalise on the opportunity by building and incorporating brands that are well known in Asia, including the Ritz-Carlton and Rosewood Hotels. Matt then walked the audience through the projects customer led approach that leverages the outdoor culture and surrounding attractions Brisbane and Queensland have to offer.
Following the presentation, the Hon Dr Anthony Lynham MP – Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, along with Leanne Coddington – CEO, Tourism and Events Queensland, joined Matt on stage for a panel discussion moderated by Chris Mountford – Queensland Executive Director, Property Council of Australia.
Minster Lynham spoke about how this project will transform Brisbane whilst at the same time provide jobs and eco-tourism opportunities, as well as twelve football fields of public open space.
Leanne Coddington discussed the tourism benefits that will flow from the project, and how it has brought a renewed level of energy to the sector. Other topics such as Echo’s partners in the project, local jobs content, the arts precinct and the ongoing governance of the project were discussed.
The Property Council would like to thank our key note speaker, Matt Bekier, along with our panel members Minister Lynham and Leanne Coddington for taking the time to discuss this project.
Thanks must also go to the event sponsors, KPMG sga, and Urbis, for their support.
Photos from the event can be found here.
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