New Tourism Opportunities for Mackay Region
Published Tuesday, 08 April, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Tourism industry representatives told a forum yesterday the Mackay region had experienced several challenges after weeks of heavy rain and bad publicity from media outlets in New South Wales and Victoria.
Visiting Mackay yesterday for the Ministerial Regional Community Forum, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle heard that tourism operators had had a tough time following heavy rain.
“I’ve heard first hand just how tough it has been for local operators – this is why we need to double our efforts to ensure the industry continues to grow,” Ms Boyle said.
“I’ve got a plan for the future of tourism in Queensland – this plan is about making sure these regions continue to thrive and attract visitors from not only Queensland and interstate, but the rest of the world.
“We’re currently investigating three tourism initiatives that would highlight the natural beauty of Eungella National Park and emphasise the region’s vast cultural heritage.
“We’re looking at establishing a mining trail, a South Sea Islander experience and a visitor centre for Eungella National Park.
“On top of this, last week we launched a $1.2 million marketing campaign to attract southerners during the winter months to the Great Barrier Reef Coast.”
Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said while Mackay’s accommodation sector was busy due to the resources boom, it needed to look to the future of its greater tourism industry also.
“There are some great opportunities to expand Mackay’s tourism activities – we just need to make sure they’re feasible for the area,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Increasingly both international and domestic tourists are looking for new experiences and Mackay is well-positioned to capitalise on this.”
Ms Boyle said the study would look at the possible establishment of:
? a South Sea Islander experience which would reflect the unique history and cultural impact Islanders have had on the Mackay and Whitsundays region
? a Mining Trail which would include a number of self-drive itineraries focusing on the region’s mining history
? a visitor’s centre, café and picnic area for the Eungella Recreation Reserve
Ms Boyle said the projects were being investigated by Tourism Queensland and Mackay Tourism under the State Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure and Investment Plan program.
“As part of a funding grant announced 12 months ago, Tourism Queensland and Mackay Tourism commissioned pre-feasibility studies into a number of projects and the first of these reports is currently underway.”
Ms Boyle said the pre-feasibility studies would all be completed within the next few months. Report recommendations would then be presented to key stakeholders who would discuss the next stage of the projects’ implementation.
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 3224 2007
8 April 2008
Visiting Mackay yesterday for the Ministerial Regional Community Forum, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle heard that tourism operators had had a tough time following heavy rain.
“I’ve heard first hand just how tough it has been for local operators – this is why we need to double our efforts to ensure the industry continues to grow,” Ms Boyle said.
“I’ve got a plan for the future of tourism in Queensland – this plan is about making sure these regions continue to thrive and attract visitors from not only Queensland and interstate, but the rest of the world.
“We’re currently investigating three tourism initiatives that would highlight the natural beauty of Eungella National Park and emphasise the region’s vast cultural heritage.
“We’re looking at establishing a mining trail, a South Sea Islander experience and a visitor centre for Eungella National Park.
“On top of this, last week we launched a $1.2 million marketing campaign to attract southerners during the winter months to the Great Barrier Reef Coast.”
Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said while Mackay’s accommodation sector was busy due to the resources boom, it needed to look to the future of its greater tourism industry also.
“There are some great opportunities to expand Mackay’s tourism activities – we just need to make sure they’re feasible for the area,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Increasingly both international and domestic tourists are looking for new experiences and Mackay is well-positioned to capitalise on this.”
Ms Boyle said the study would look at the possible establishment of:
? a South Sea Islander experience which would reflect the unique history and cultural impact Islanders have had on the Mackay and Whitsundays region
? a Mining Trail which would include a number of self-drive itineraries focusing on the region’s mining history
? a visitor’s centre, café and picnic area for the Eungella Recreation Reserve
Ms Boyle said the projects were being investigated by Tourism Queensland and Mackay Tourism under the State Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure and Investment Plan program.
“As part of a funding grant announced 12 months ago, Tourism Queensland and Mackay Tourism commissioned pre-feasibility studies into a number of projects and the first of these reports is currently underway.”
Ms Boyle said the pre-feasibility studies would all be completed within the next few months. Report recommendations would then be presented to key stakeholders who would discuss the next stage of the projects’ implementation.
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 3224 2007
8 April 2008