Queensland's new code of practice hopes to improve relations between tour desks and tour operators
January 29, 2013
The Queensland Government has started work with tourism industry organisations to develop and introduce a code of practice to improve the relationship between tour desks and tour operators, following an industry review.
Queensland’s Tourism minister Jann Stuckey says she endorsed the findings of a review conducted by Ian Kean, an independent consultant with extensive tourism industry knowledge.
“Tour desk operators play a key role in the tourism industry, particularly in areas of high demand where they reduce the need for individual operators to employ additional staff to handle bookings,” Stuckey says.
“The recommendations are aimed at helping the industry address longstanding issues relating to tour desk commissions and improve relations between the tour desks and tour operators.
“Following the completion of Mr Kean’s report, I sought further advice on his recommendations from the peak industry group, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), and the DestinationQ Post Forum Working Group.
“I have asked QTIC to establish an Implementation Task Force with government and industry membership, and regional representation, to implement the recommendations.”
QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind says his organisation would start work immediately on the code of practice with local meetings in Cairns, Airlie Beach and the Gold Coast.
“We support Mr Kean’s recommendations as a well-considered and appropriate response to help the tourism industry address this issue locally and focus on providing the best possible experience for visitors,” Gschwind says.
“We want to develop the code of practice quickly so industry can begin to adopt it as the usual way of doing business.”
Stuckey says the Queensland Government will work with and provide support to the industry to see the review’s recommendations implemented.
“We recognise that these are issues which are best handled by the industry itself, rather than through the introduction of more legislation and red tape,” she says, adding the review confirmed that issues are not consistent across Queensland, differing in nature and extent between destinations.