Tourism body takes shape

New industry-led group revealed soon

A NEW tourism body is one step closer to forming after a meeting at Wellcamp airport yesterday.

When it was revealed earlier this year that tourist numbers plummeted, operators decided to form a new group breaking away from regional tourism organisation Southern Queensland Country Tourism.

The new group held its second meeting yesterday which Wellcamp airport commercial manager Sara Hales said was made up of a small group of operators from Toowoomba, the Southern Downs and South Burnett regions.

“This will be an industry-led group and focus on working with industry leaders in Toowoomba and surrounds to champion and drive tourism in our region,” she said.

“As a group we hold united views on the weaknesses and threats in tourism and are extremely excited by the opportunities and strengths.”

Earlier this year, airport developer John Wagner and Gabbinbar manager Isaac Moody demanded Toowoomba Regional Council strip its annual $300,000 plus funding from Southern Queensland Country Tourism after a 4.4% decline in visitors was recorded.

Southern Queensland Country Tourism CEO Mary-Clare Power had defended the organisation and said the region was tracking “reasonably well” in leisure tourism, which was what the organisation was charged with overseeing.

However, by late February Mr Wagner confirmed a new tourism group would be formed.

Ms Hales said the next step for the new group was to engage with councils in the area, which would happen in the next few weeks.

“There we will settle on an organisational structure. It is important to us that we’re made up of industry representatives. It’s really important for people from the tourism industry to have their voices tabled,” she said.

“We’ve had two meetings and already achieved a lot. We’re a group of people who see the world the same way and who are really excited and passionate.

“When we take the next step of making the organisation, we’ll be talking to media but more importantly to all stakeholders because we want them to be involved.

“We think it’s excellent that tourism is receiving the attention it is getting; it’s an enormous opportunity for the broader region and we’re really excited to be part of that dialogue.”

Mayor Paul Antonio has said he was working with community committee chairman Cr Geoff McDonald on strategies to capitalise on new tourism opportunities.