Tourism is now the world's largest industry

The World Tourism Council estimates that travel and tourism provides employment for nearly 220 million people world wide (that's one in thirteen workers) and is responsible for over 9% of world wide captial investment.

In the year ended June 2009, there were 1,045,000 visitors to the Fraser Coast. Of these 67% were intrastate visitors (706,000), 14% were interstate visitors (142,000) and 19% were international visitors (197,000).

In the same period 4,449,000 visitor nights were spent in the region.

Domestic and International tourism contributed in net terms approximately $8 billion to the Queensland economy. Tourism generates $3.7 billion annually as an export earner, second only to coal exports.

Multiplier Effect

A tourist dollar is a new dollar injected into the local economy. A percentage of this new dollar is spent in the community by the recipient and this dollar is spent and re-spent creating a multiplier effect. The more new tourist dollars entering a local economy and the longer the percentage is retained locally, the greater the economic benefit.

Employment Opportunities

Tourism is a labour intensive industry and creates many job opportunities, especially for young people and part-time and full-time workers. In the tourism hospitality and recreation industries alone there are 50 categories of employment and approximately 200 classifications of occupations.

Diversification

Tourism can provide diversification, making the local economy less reliant on a tradional base e.g. agriculture and mining. This is particularly significant for regional rural communities.

Opportunites for Business

Tourism creates opportunities for the establishment of new products, facilities and services and expansion of existing businesses which would not otherwise be justified solely on the resident population.

Preservation of the Environment and Heritage

Tourism highlights the need for proper management and, through effective policies and planning, can ensure that the environment, heritage and inherent character of an area is preserved.

The Catalyst for Residential Development

In many places visitors who initially travelled to particular areas as tourists, have relocated to those areas to become residents and acquire a beter quality of life.

Improved Transport Services

Tourism can stimulate the establishment of new and improved transport services to and within a regional area.

A Broader Social Outlook

Tourism provides the opportunity for residents to interact with other people and cultures and brings new ideas into the community.