Developments
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND DEVELOPMENTS - Updated January 2008
Destination Management Officers
The Destination Management Officer is a newly created position and a key action of the Queensland Tourism Strategy (QTS). The DMO will co-ordinate, and assist with, the development and implementation of prioritised projects identified in the Queensland Tourism Strategy, Destination Management Plans and the Central Queensland Regional Tourism Investment and Infrastructure Plan.
Two DMO positions have been appointed for Central Queensland. Stephanie Fuller, Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited, has been appointed DMO for the Gladstone region and David Saunderson, Capricorn Tourism, has been appointed DMO for the Capricorn region.
Destination Action Group
The establishment of Destination Action Groups (DAG) is an outcome of the Queensland Tourism Strategy designed to progress tourism issues and opportunities across the State. The DAG will be a mechanism to build effective whole-of-government and cross-government (local, state and federal) mechanisms for enhancing the tourism industry’s capacity to engage in all relevant planning. The first joint Central Queensland DAG was recently held in Rockhampton in November 2007 with representation from both the Gladstone and Capricorn regions. The next meeting is scheduled for the first quarter of 2008 to be held in Gladstone.
Regional Tourism Investment and Infrastructure Plan
The development of a Regional Tourism Investment and Infrastructure Plan (RTIIP) for destinations across Queensland is also an action coming from the QTS. A joint RTIIP will be developed for Central Queensland incorporating the Gladstone and Capricorn regions. This process will commence in the first half of 2008.
Dig the Tropic - Reef to Outback
In September 2007 Capricorn Tourism was successful in securing a $490,000 grant from the Australian Tourism Development Program (ATDP) for its ‘Dig the Tropic - Outback to Reef’ project. The project will provide benefits for the Capricorn and Outback regions and rural communities.
The ATDP aims to assist the development of a continuous tourism experience throughout Australia, particularly in regional and rural Australia, which will increase visitation and yield and contribute to long term economic growth. Round five of the ATDP was a special round only open to applicants proposing tourism development projects in areas declared to have exceptional circumstances, for example drought declared areas, across Australia.
The Dig the Tropic - Outback to Reef project will deliver services and infrastructure on the highways, such as signage to promote unique geological attractions located in the region. These include dinosaur fossils, underground caves, sapphires, gemfields, coal, as well as the Great Barrier Reef and will help to increase Queensland’s competitiveness for geotourism experiences and study tours.
These developments will entice visitors to spend greater time in drought affected communities located in Central and Outback Queensland. Progressing tourism-related projects in an effort towards creating new income streams for these rural towns will assist to alleviate negative impacts resulting from the drought.
NEW CEO for Gladstone Regional Tourism Organisation
Welcome Mr Bernd Neubauer to the role of Chief Executive Officer for Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited (GAPDL). Mr Neubauer has previously held positions as Executive General Manager for Austrade and Invest Australia in Europe and Sydney, as well as being CEO of the Brisbane Office of Economic Development.
