Boyle announces new plan and funding to boost outback tourism

Tourism Minister Desley Boyle has launched a new strategic plan and announced $77,500 in funding to boost tourism to Outback Queensland.

The Minister revealed these two initiatives at the Outback Tourism Awards held in Hughenden last night (Saturday 3 November).

Ms Boyle said: “The Destination Management Plan will help attract more visitors, encourage them to stay longer, spend more and visit a range of places.

“It’s one thing to have a plan but this grant of $77,500 puts some extra money behind it.

“Part of the grant will fund improvements to the Outback Queensland Tourism Authority website. More tourism operators will be included and it will be easier for people to access information about the region.

“This is crucial because research clearly shows that the internet is now the major tool people use when researching holiday destinations.

“And the funding will also help tourism operators identify and put together a wider range of holiday packages to entice more visitors.

In 2006-07 there were nearly 500,000 visitors to the Queensland’s Outback (457,000 domestic; 30,400 international). Domestic overnight visitors spent $270 million in the year ended December 2006.

The Destination Management Plan sets four main goals for the Queensland Outback:

• To increase total visitor expenditure
• To attract tourism investment and operators
• To increase awareness of the Outback and increase leisure visitation
• To up-skill, train and retain a quality workforce

“Queensland’s Outback has so much to offer. From the Riversleigh Fossil Fields to the vast Simpson Desert, from the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame at Longreach to the Charleville Cosmos Centre, from the Qantas Founders Museum at Winton to the Blackall Woolscour to the Min Min lights at Boulia.

“It’s the place to go to see vast, rugged and unspoilt landscapes. It’s the place to go to meet friendly, welcoming people and colourful characters. It’s the place to go to see where legends were born – like legendary Jack "Jackie" Howe’s shearing record of 321 sheep in seven hours and forty minutes. And it’s the place to go for adventure – be it inland fishing, dinosaur digs, opal and gem fossicking, star gazing, bird watching or four wheel driving.

“These are the qualities and experiences that set Queensland’s Outback apart from other destinations and that we must promote to our target markets,” Ms Boyle said.

“At the moment Outback Queensland appeals most to Australians, middle-aged and above, who hit the road for a drive holiday. There is room to grow that market and also appeal to younger families, and backpackers as well.

“Younger people are more willing to travel in the hotter months when tourism numbers traditionally drop off,” Ms Boyle said.

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Media contact: 3224 2004

4 November 2007