Setting aside rivalry

Queensland and NSW will set aside their rivalry to join forces on tourism - both state governments will contribute $4 million to international tourism marketing, in an effort to sell package deals including both states...

The advertising begins in the USA on Tuesday, and will be extended to Japan, China, the UK and Europe.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the three-year deal would give both states more bang for their buck.

"When people from other countries think about coming to Australia they don't think about state boundaries," Ms Bligh told reporters in Brisbane.

"They recognise great national icons like the Sydney Opera House, the Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef.

"We want to get decisions made by those tourists before they get to the country, rather than try to tempt them out of another state when they get here."

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said it was a smart move in a tough time for the industry.

"Forty-four per cent of international tourists access Australia via Sydney," Mr Lawlor said.

"So it's important that NSW and Queensland ... share those tourists around."

Source: AAP