January 25, 2013
The South Burnett’s drive tourism market is set to benefit from this week’s release of the Queensland Drive Tourism Strategy, says Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington.
She said the drive tourism market brought significant benefits to the community and the strategy would help re-invigorate the Queensland road trip.
“We are competing internationally and domestically for the tourism dollar and this strategy addresses some of the real issues operators, visitors and local governments are facing,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Tourism is one of the four pillars of our economy, and this is an important step forward for the South Burnett drive tourism industry and will contribute to the Newman Government’s goal to double Queensland’s annual overnight visitor expenditure by 2020.”
Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey launched the strategy in Bargara on Thursday.
“This is a key outcome of the inaugural DestinationQ Forum and support for drive tourism will play an important role in contributing to the Government’s goal to double annual overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020,” she said.
“We want drive tourists to feel safe and comfortable while exploring our great State, and the strategy addresses real issues such as road infrastructure, accommodation options, and user-friendly information.”
Ms Stuckey said the strategy’s development had sparked a lot of interest with 98 submissions received from the industry and public during the consultation process.
“Twenty-nine initiatives have been identified and will be implemented over the next three years through a co-ordinated approach by State Government agencies, local governments and industry,” she said.
Highlights of the strategy include:
- Improving facilities for drive tourists by providing an additional two years of funding for the dump point program
- Appointing senior “go–to” officers in the Department of Transport and Main Roads who industry can talk to directly on road and signage matters
- Addressing competing use of roadside rest areas between truck drivers who need to rest to address fatigue and drive tourists
- Reducing red tape and making it simpler for tourism operators to get road signs to their business
- Empowering and assisting local governments to better address the provision of non-commercial camping facilities
The Queensland Drive Tourism Strategy 2013-2015 can be found on the Department of Tourism website
