Queensland economy about to bounce back with tourism, resources and education QUEENSLAND is on the cusp of an economic bounceback - no ifs, no buts, according to industry insiders, with tourism, new resource exports, oil, gas and mining service contracts and education to lead the charge. Even real estate and retail - hardest hit since the global financial crisis - were expected to stir to life as the state's population growth, consumer confidence, a lower Australian dollar and low interest rates work their magic. Tourism alone was expected to need an extra 30,000 skilled workers to meet demand over the coming six years, Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind told The Courier-Mail. As much as 30,000 support workers would also be necessary, he said, sparked by renewed optimism amid a falling Australian dollar that the state will see visitor expenditure hit $30 billion by 2020. "Given what we've seen over the last 18 months, I think we can genuinely expect that we will get pretty close to this target," Mr Gschwind said. I think we'll give it a good crack. Annual international arrivals figures showed the state pulled a 6 per cent annual rise - compared to 5 per cent nationally - led by major gains in places like Cairns (17 per cent) and Whitsundays (12 per cent). He said Brisbane would see a boost from November's G20 Leaders' Summit next year. Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche said it was not unrealistic to expect the state to go into another resource investment surge. There will a next surge. We will come through this downcycle over the next year and will come out of this period with a much better cost structure, more competitive and global demand is there to underpin new coal projects, new gas projects and new investment in the metal sector. He said the tens of billions of dollars invested in just a few years in coal and gas projects would also start to translate into production and export increases in Queensland's gross state product. Resource services contractor Ostwald Bros managing director Brendan Ostwald was one of those who had to double his workforce in the last 18 months to 1000, with plans to hire more to meet new contracts. Queensland's in for some good times. I think the confidence is back. There have been (oil and gas) approvals this week. There are some very promising early signs. It's a nice place to be. Employment and training firm Sarina Russo Group head of education Kathleen Newcombe said job expectations were "very good," with "real opportunities" around ancillary services such as maintenance and hospitality services. She said with the dollar falling, a lift was already underway in the education services market off growing international student numbers. "People are price-sensitive and the falling Aussie dollar will have an impact on us," she said. Shafston International College director Cameron Lloyd said "Queensland has always been an attractive destination due to its climate, educational opportunities and more relaxed lifestyle." International Education Association of Australia executive director Phil Honeywood said Queensland was beginning to see the benefits of offering better international student accommodation packages than high cost locations such as Sydney and Melbourne. In welcome news for the rental property market, Mr Honeywood said "Queensland is better placed compared to some of the other big states in growing student numbers strongly in the next few years." Master Builders Queensland deputy executive director Paul Bidwell expected 32,000 residential commencements in the state this financial year. "When you look at the general conditions, interest rates, population, wages growth, all of those indicators would seem to point to us building many more houses or residences than we're currently having," he said. When it does turn, and it will, then there will be strong competition to get hold of builders.