November 22, 2015
“Tourism is a vital and growing part of the Toowoomba Region economy and has great potential for jobs growth and attracting visitors and business to the region, Toowoomba Regional Council Cr Geoff McDonald said last week.
Cr McDonald was commenting on the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers after it won the Major Festivals and Events category at last week’s Queensland Tourism Awards.
“Last month Carnival won the events category at the Parks and Leisure Australia National Awards in Sydney,” Cr McDonald said.
“Carnival also won the events category at the 2014 Australian Tourism Awards and a gold award at last’s year’s Queensland Tourism Awards in the events and festivals category.
“With an economic return in the vicinity of $30 million, Carnival is a major economic driver for Toowoomba and the region.”
Cr McDonald said the Toowoomba region was fortunate to have many vibrant festivals, and they were top tourist drawcards at different times of the year.
“Many events have grown from simple ideas kicked around by an enthusiastic committee and volunteers,” he said.
“We would love to hear imaginative proposals or suggestions about how to enhance the tourism sector across our region.
“Every community is unique, and that can be the appeal of a place or an event to visitors from interstate and overseas.”
National Institute of Economic and Industry Research data calculated the total value of tourism and hospitality sales in Toowoomba in 2013-14 was $583.4 million and the total added value was $266.5 million.
Cr McDonald said a draft strategy would be compiled and presented to Council in the first quarter of next year.
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Residents are invited to offer their ideas about future Toowoomba region tourist events and activities at three public sessions next week.
Toowoomba Regional Council Tourism and Events portfolio leader Cr Geoff McDonald said members of the public were welcome to attend Open House sessions at:
- Pittsworth – Service Centre, Monday, November 23
- Toowoomba – Empire Theatre, Tuesday, November 24, and
- Crows Nest – Crows Nest RSL & Community Centre, Wednesday, November 25
All sessions run from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Cr McDonald said ideas and feedback would help inform Council’s Tourism and Events Strategy, which would guide the region’s tourism activities in coming years.
