I am pleased to update you on several exciting developments.

We are continuing to work with Publicis Worldwide on the Queensland Country re-brand. Collectively, we are making great progress and are really pleased with the direction that the strategy and creative are taking. We can’t wait to share this with you when we launch the brand in September.

Demand for nature-based tourism experiences has grown significantly. Visitors are choosing to connect more with Australia’s unique natural and cultural assets. From 2014 to 2023, nature-based activities among Australians have seen an overall growth of 47% in demand. Some activities grew by almost 85%, and around 50% more people are enjoying Australia’s stunning great outdoors (Source: Tourism Research Australia, TRA).

This growing interest in nature-based tourism sets the perfect stage for our upcoming showcase in Singapore. The countdown to Singapore is now on! Toowoomba, the Garden City of Australia, is set to enchant both local and international audiences with its iconic Carnival of Flowers. This year, the festival not only graces Toowoomba but also takes its floral splendour to Singapore's world-famous Gardens by the Bay, offering a breathtaking floral feast that showcases the best of both cities.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for businesses to grow their forward bookings by meeting directly with buyers and wholesalers. I strongly encourage you to join us on this trip to connect with significant industry players, expand your network, and showcase your offerings to an international audience. Participating in this event can lead to substantial business growth and increased visibility in the South-East Asian market.

Additionally, cyber security is once again front of mind after the recent CrowdStrike outage. With many of our members taking online bookings and operating payment systems through their websites, we encourage you to ensure your business is adequately secured. It’s crucial that your team members understand how to protect your business in their day-to-day operations. I highly recommend enrolling yourself and your team members in the free Cyber Wardens course today.