Qantas has entered into an agreement with the state government of Queensland to promote destinations in the state to attract more tourists.

The deal indicates that the Qantas continues to favour of state-based tourism bodies instead of the national body, Tourism Australia. Tourism minister Jann Stuckey said that the agreement for a period of three years is the largest between the national carrier and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ). The agreement will provide a platform to jointly promote the tourism in the state through digital and social media.

“The agreement will see Queensland promoted internationally and domestically as one of Australia’s premier holiday and events destinations and formalises current marketing activity undertaken by TEQ and Qantas including international advertising, marketing and publicity campaigns and international trade shows and events,” Stuckey said.

Alan Joyce, chief executive officer of Qantas Airways had suspended funding to Tourism Australia. Joyce said that the partnership with Tourism Australia which goes back four decades has been scrapped because its chairman Geoff Dixon was aiming at buying into the airline. Queensland Tourism Industry Council believes that the cancellation of the contract will affect the ability of Tourism Australia to market the country in overseas markets.