GLADSTONE PITCHES TO INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS

The Gladstone region will receive a special funding grant of $79,000 to help deliver international tourists and to identify tourism investment opportunities, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech announced today.

Mrs Keech said the grant was part of an extra $1 million a year provided for Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) and an outcome of the Beattie Government’s $48 million Queensland Tourism Strategy (QTS).

“A majority of this initial funding for the Gladstone region will be invested in developing language-translated promotional material,’’ said Mrs Keech.

“International language brochures will be produced and distributed through the Gladstone Information Centres to encourage increased visitor nights and tour bookings from the lucrative international market.

“Information such as regional guides and fact sheets would be translated into languages including German, Korean, Mandarin and Japanese and made available electronically and in print.

“Electronic `real time’ translation devices will also be available at Information Centres in Gladstone, Miriam Vale and Agnes Water.”

Mrs Keech said a program to encourage greater investment in tourism enterprises and infrastructure within the region was also provided for.

“This initiative will help local tourism authorities proactively seek investment partners into the region and expose investment opportunities to potential entrepreneurs and investors across the State, interstate and internationally,’’ she said.

“Gladstone has much to offer now and in the future and we are pleased to be helping the industry identify opportunities for investors.”

Mrs Keech said the special grant would also be used to increase signage recognition of the key local tourism destinations of LakeAwoonga and LakeCallide.

“The signs would provide information about fishing opportunities in those areas and details of other regional angling attractions, along with local rules, regulations, permits, seasonality and catch limits,” she said.

“The new attraction signage and promotional material will increase the region’s readiness as an international tourism destination.”

Gladstone Area Promotion and Development General Manager Danial Rochford said that increased investment in Gladstone by the State Government was recognition of its importance to Queensland tourism.

“Gladstone is working hard to make local tourism experiences more accessible to national and international tourism markets,” Mr Rochford said.

“The increased financial and resource support from the State Government’s Queensland Tourism Strategy will allow Gladstone to continue growing its local, national and international tourism offerings.”

Mrs Keech said the grant was part of a $4 million funding boost to assist Regional Tourism Organisations in implementing the 10-year, $48 million QTS.

“The QTS is a key Government election promise to secure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the State’s tourism industry,” she said.

“The Beattie Government’s new $6.5 million ‘Where Else But Queensland’ television campaign will play an important support role in promoting our tourism experiences.

“These initiatives are just the start of the many ongoing benefits to be seen by the industry under the new Beattie Government tourism strategy.”

For more information on the Queensland Tourism Strategy visit www.qldtourismstrategy.com.au

Media contacts: Joanne Gibbons 3224 2007 or David Smith 3225 1005