Written by Maxine Shields

BRISBANE - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said yesterday the state would benefit from millions of dollars in tourism by promoting the state as a destination for backpackers seeking extreme danger tours.

Mr Beattie said the state must capitalise on its reputation as a provider of fear before countries like Poland and Iraq gained a foothold.

"We have done a great detail to enhance our position in the market," Mr Beattie said. "In Childers we burned hundreds of backpackers, we have had countless rapes of girls, and British women are flocking to the place following the rape and murder of Caroline Stuttle."

Tourism Queensland said the state was also becoming well known to followers of BDSM.

Tourism Queensland promotes extreme backpacker tours continued