Queensland's critical tourism industry will receive a boost from yesterday's State Budget with $83 million being invested in events funding over the next four years.

Premier Anna Bligh said the funding boost would build resilience in the tourism industry and drive up increased visitor numbers, supporting regional communities and economies.

Events Queensland's record funding allocation takes the total investment in events over the next four years to more than $175 million - and will effectively double the annual investment in major events from next year.

"Events play a vital role in supporting the state's $9 billion tourism industry and the 222,000 local jobs and 115,000 regional businesses that are part of it," Ms Bligh said yesterday.

"The summer disasters, combined with other factors like the high Aussie dollar and the recent impact of the GFC, has hit the leisure tourism sector hard and we need to do everything we can to build industry resilience into the future.

"The facts are clear: every dollar invested by Events Queensland in major events delivers a return of $10 for the Queensland economy.

"The business events industry is worth more than $700 million to the state economy each year which is why in this year's budget we are increasing our investment in events as a way of future proofing the industry and protecting the local jobs and local businesses that depend on it."

Ms Bligh said smart investment in events had a proven track record of success and the potential to reap major rewards for the regions that host them.

This year's State Budget includes an events funding package of more than $175 million. The Budget:

• More than doubles the investment in major events across Queensland from more than $74 million to $157 million over four years.
• Increases events funding by $15 million in 2011-12, $20 million in 2012-13, $24 million in 2013-14 and $24 million in 2014-15.
• Continues the investment in business events with $4 million allocated per annum - an industry which generated more than $700 million for the state economy last year.

The Premier said the Budget contained a big boost for regional events taking the annual budget from $2.4 million to $3 million for the Events Queensland Regional Development program which supports more than 100 events in communities all over Queensland each year.

Tourism Minister Jan Jarratt said events played a vital role in supporting the state's tourism industry by attracting visitors to stay and spend in Queensland and showcasing key regions to the rest of Australia and the world.

"Major events supported by Events Queensland attract more than half a million visitors from interstate and overseas annually," Ms Jarratt said.

"These events generated more than 906,000 visitor nights for Queensland - and that's critically important for local business and local jobs.

"From the Gold Coast to Cairns, events are delivering strong gains and local communities are reaping the benefits. For example the recent inaugural Challenge Cairns got off to a flying start attracting more than 2000 participants from 17 countries, showcasing the region to the world.

"That's why we're refreshing our image through projects such as the $240 million Cairns Cultural Precinct development, the $56 million Flinders Street Mall redevelopment in Townsville, a $17 million facelift for Airlie Beach, $7 million to upgrade the Whitsunday Coast Airport and the $126 million Metricon Stadium at Carrara."