Published Wednesday, 27 February, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Road trip! ‘Y nomads’ move to overtake ‘grey nomads’ in drive Queensland holidays
Grey nomads should watch their rear-view mirror because Gen Y is gearing up to overtake them in Queensland’s $4.4 billion drive tourism market, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced at a memorandum of understanding signing with RACQ.
Minister Boyle said that recent research had shown a massive 69 percent increase in 18-24 year olds taking a drive holiday or ‘road trip’ in Queensland.
“This new generation of drive holidaymakers seems to be very independent with a 24 percent increase in young singles hitting the road," she said.
“While there may now be better roads, more comfortable cars and satellite navigation, for generations of 18-24 year olds a ‘road trip’ with friends has been a rite of passage.
“Its great to see a new generation choosing driving holidays."
Minister Boyle said there were more than 560,000 touring holiday makers in Queensland last year representing nearly a quarter of the state’s visitors.
“Drive holidays provide maximum benefit for regional Queensland communities,” Ms Boyle said.
“Every petrol stop, every overnight stay, every beer at the local pub is money in the pockets of the local community.
“Under the new memorandum of understanding between the State Government, Tourism Queensland and RACQ we will be working closer to safely ‘drive’ tourists to Queensland regions,” she said.
RACQ’s Chief Executive Officer Ian Gillespie said the RACQ was looking forward to working with Tourism Queensland to expand its online services for the drive market.
The RACQ’s online road trip planner helped motorists save time and was popular, particularly with young technology-savvy drivers.
"The Club's online trip planner was one of the first fully integrated sites and includes mapping, directions from street address to street address, accommodation and road condition reports, as well as helpful information about towns and local attractions,” Mr Gillespie said.
"The planner can help motoring travellers plan any sort of trip, long or short, from the quickest route across town to a full driving holiday itinerary for a trip around Australia.
"Visitors to the site can find printable directions from A to B and can see that route on a map on screen. On that map, they can also search for and book accommodation, as well as locate things to see and do along the way."
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005
27 February 2008
Minister Boyle said that recent research had shown a massive 69 percent increase in 18-24 year olds taking a drive holiday or ‘road trip’ in Queensland.
“This new generation of drive holidaymakers seems to be very independent with a 24 percent increase in young singles hitting the road," she said.
“While there may now be better roads, more comfortable cars and satellite navigation, for generations of 18-24 year olds a ‘road trip’ with friends has been a rite of passage.
“Its great to see a new generation choosing driving holidays."
Minister Boyle said there were more than 560,000 touring holiday makers in Queensland last year representing nearly a quarter of the state’s visitors.
“Drive holidays provide maximum benefit for regional Queensland communities,” Ms Boyle said.
“Every petrol stop, every overnight stay, every beer at the local pub is money in the pockets of the local community.
“Under the new memorandum of understanding between the State Government, Tourism Queensland and RACQ we will be working closer to safely ‘drive’ tourists to Queensland regions,” she said.
RACQ’s Chief Executive Officer Ian Gillespie said the RACQ was looking forward to working with Tourism Queensland to expand its online services for the drive market.
The RACQ’s online road trip planner helped motorists save time and was popular, particularly with young technology-savvy drivers.
"The Club's online trip planner was one of the first fully integrated sites and includes mapping, directions from street address to street address, accommodation and road condition reports, as well as helpful information about towns and local attractions,” Mr Gillespie said.
"The planner can help motoring travellers plan any sort of trip, long or short, from the quickest route across town to a full driving holiday itinerary for a trip around Australia.
"Visitors to the site can find printable directions from A to B and can see that route on a map on screen. On that map, they can also search for and book accommodation, as well as locate things to see and do along the way."
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005
27 February 2008