<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A new tourism campaign has been launched in </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/queensland" rel="" target="" title="Queensland"><span>Queensland</span></a><span>, seeking to encourage residents to explore the state and support local businesses.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The initiative focuses on promoting intra-state travel, capitalising on the existing popularity of drive tourism.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tourism contributes $9 billion to Queensland's economy.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/peregian-beach-suspicious-device-pspa-declared-queensland-police-news-sunshine-coast/e9b982a6-0a54-4de4-a4d9-5f6f9410e737" target="_blank"><strong><span>Police explode dangerous device found on popular Aussie beach</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The campaign aims to increase this figure significantly.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The drive tourism industry already contributes $9 billion, most of that comes from the Pacific Coast Way, we want to bump that up to $12 billion," Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The campaign highlights the affordability of domestic travel, particularly in light of rising airfares and the increasing cost of living.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/new-queensland-tourism-campaign-targets-locals/3c1f4e61-75b4-48e3-beac-99c7056c0afb" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's also about affordability, we know airfares are tough at the moment, we know people are struggling with cost of living so this is a great way to get your family together," Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Spend time with them on the road, in a car and travel from the south of Queensland, from the beautiful beaches of the GC all the way up to Cairns, Port Douglas with our reef and rainforest experience and everything in between,"</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Gold Coast region is expected to benefit significantly from the campaign, with local tourism operators hoping to attract more visitors to the area.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's a great way to encourage visitors in our region to discover the Gold Coast, but also support those tourism operators that have been doing it tough," local councillor Hermann Vorster said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This campaign will put more visitors on our doorstep, on the doorstep of our theme parks, our natural areas, our food and beverage offerings."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As part of the initiative, discounts are being offered on select accommodation options.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The state government is also trialling the removal of one-way fees on rental vehicles to further incentivise travel throughout Queensland.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>