It must be very confusing as a financial commentator to present any sense to the general public regarding a strong Aussie dollar. 

The truth of the matter is that a high Aussie Dollar is wonderful for most import reliant industries but a killer when it comes to our export industry or tourism.

Qantas is one company that is experiencing the confusion of both a positive and a negative effect simultaneously.  The high Aussie dollar is good for Qantas' immediate profits but over the longer term it won't be good for the tourism industry, which of course will mean route cuts again.

Qantas Airways Ltd chief executive Alan Joyce said the airline was experiencing double-digit growth on outbound passenger numbers because a high Aussie dollar makes overseas travel more appealing.  But much weaker inbound traffic inevitably leads to negative revenue.

Mr Joyce said, "It's net positive for Qantas because we buy $3 billion worth of fuel in US dollars, and in Australian dollars that's cheaper and We have $17 billion worth of aircraft on order, so when we convert them to Aussie dollars, that's cheaper."  He said this will mean a short term benefit since their profitability improves, but in the longer term a weakened tourism industry will be damaging.

Anyone involved in importing goods is reaping a windfall of increased gross profits with many contracts benefiting from the 30% increase in the currency conversion rate.  Employment in the south is increasing dramatically as this profit bonanza seeps through the job markets.

It has been suggested that to offset the negative effects of the strong Aussie dollar on our tourism industry, an immediate change of direction will be needed on the marketing front. 

Taking advantage of the imminent TTNQ branding announcements it would seem an opportune moment to redirect our promotional attention from the international markets where potential travellers are finding it difficult to afford the long haul holidays to an emphasis on the domestic market.

Again it's still not that easy because the opposite effect of the strong Aussie dollar is working against us resulting in stiff competition from all the Asian and Pacific Island destinations who find themselves in the unenviable position of being an even cheaper alternative than they have ever been.

So as you can see a strong Aussie dollar doesn't do much for the holiday destinations of Queensland but at least with no currency conversion to worry about for domestic travellers perhaps value for money will be a strong enough incentive and that, thankfully, is purely in our own hands.