Southern Downs and Granite Belt receives $79,200 for tourism research

The Southern Downs and Granite Belt will receive a special grant of $79,200 to deliver two important local tourism development initiatives, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced today.

Ms Boyle officially confirmed the Bligh Government’s commitment to tourism in the region, announcing the special funding as part of the State Government’s ten-year, $48 million Queensland Tourism Strategy.

“The funds will allow Southern Downs and Granite Belt Regional Tourism to gather research about the economic impact of tourism within the region and develop a planned approach to driving consistent tourism all year round,” she said.

“The Southern Downs and Granite Belt is a growing favourite with holidaymakers, particularly in drive tourism.

“In fact, the number of domestic overnight visitors to the region increased by 28 percent in the past year.”

Ms Boyle said the grant was part of a $1 million funding boost to assist regional tourism organisations to implementing the Queensland Tourism Strategy and help cement Queensland’s position as a world-class tourism destination.

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

“I congratulate Southern Downs and Granite Belt Regional Tourism on preparing a funding submission dedicated to increasing more tourism opportunities for local operators and the region as a whole.”

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

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15 November 2007