Queensland is preparing for the arrival of world leaders, including United States Vice-President Mike Pence, who will attend the APEC summit in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Hundreds of police officers are being deployed across the state to protect world leaders who are staying in Queensland.

The APEC forum is being held in PNG, but a number of dignitaries will stay in Cairns and Brisbane across the weekend.

The US has confirmed Mr Pence will stay in Cairns.

Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan said it would be a significant security operation.

"Leaders and their families from many nations are intending to visit and stay in Queensland, in Cairns and Brisbane," Mr Ryan said.

"It's estimated 300 Queensland police officers will be part of the security effort — it's a big commitment from our police service, but they are clearly up to it."

Mr Ryan said Queensland police officers had been deployed to PNG in an advisory and mentoring capacity.

"Our police will also be providing security to Australian and Queensland high-profile figures who are likely to visit Queensland and Brisbane this week," he said.

"As well, our police will be responsible for the security of 15 leaders from Pacific Island Nations, who will be staying in Brisbane."

The ABC understands Mr Pence will arrive in Cairns on Friday on Air Force Two.

It is understood Mr Pence will fly back and forth from Port Moresby, choosing to stay in a hotel in Cairns, rather than stay in Port Moresby each night.

Cruise ships sent to PNG to accommodate visiting leaders

Among those tipped to attend the Asia-Pacific meetings include representatives from Russia, Canada, Mexico and Japan.

But whether other dignitaries choose to stay in Cairns, like the US Vice-President, is a closely-guarded secret.

Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said it all came down to security.

"They will make those decisions at the last moment — we will know about them basically when they start arriving," Mr Entsch said.

Mr Entsch said three cruise ships were sent to PNG to accommodate the visiting dignitaries.

"Clearly that's a challenge when you get an influx of people and so Cairns was always going to be a natural overflow," he said.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) will be the lead agencies securing the city of Cairns, although Mr Entsch said it would be "subtle".

"You are not going to see people running about in camouflage uniforms and high-powered weaponry and armoured vehicles — not at all," Mr Entsch said.

"It will be far more discreet and that's the way it should be too."

Hope for tourism boost

Meanwhile, tourism authorities are hoping to cash in on the visiting leaders.

Tourism authorities are hoping to cash in on the visiting leaders. ( Reuters: GBRMPA )

Queensland Cairns MP Michael Healey said the eyes of the world would be on far north Queensland.

"If you've been watching the BBC or CNN, Cairns is already getting exposure out of this, which is just wonderful," Mr Healey said.

"Hopefully we will see one or two leaders in Cairns go and visit some of our beautiful places like the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest."