Tourism operators struggling
Funding lands west of Warwick
CALLS to include the Southern Downs in a $3 million State Government pledge to boost outback tourism have emerged from Warwick tourism operators who are struggling at the end of a “very bad” year.
Normally a thriving destination on the outskirts of Warwick, Glengallan Homestead has reported a dramatic and “sudden” decline in the number of people pulling in to see the historic monument.
While the reason for the decline is uncertain, Glengallan Homestead Trust chair Donna Fraser said drought and fuel prices could be contributing factors.
“We haven’t done anything differently, but this year has been a really bad year,” she said.
“There is potential for people to have a perspective that things are bad out here and when people are hearing about animals dying and there being no water, why are they going to want to drive and look at that? “It is not an attraction.” For other tourism operators who rely on water as an selling point, the impacts have been severe.
Lake Leslie Tourist Park owner Adam Bennett said there had been a 50 per cent reduction in guests at his camping facility.
“This is the worst year we have had in the six years that we have been here,” he said.
“It affects us dramatically but there is not much you can do about it, you just take the good with the bad.”
The reports come as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pledges to make 2019 the year of outback tourism.
“Every year the bush comes to the city for the Ekka. Next year, let’s return the favour and have a great holiday at the same time out west,” she said.
While the Southern Downs is not considered outback enough to share in the $3 million funding, Mrs Fraser said our region needed a boost.
“I would hope that Southern Downs tourism stakeholders could mount a strong campaign to convince the State Government we are every bit as much in need,” Mrs Fraser said.
“While $3 million might not go far over such a wide geographic region, it signals a State Government nod to the value of tourism to inland communities.”
As the board members of the Glengallan Homestead Trust Limited prepare to consider serious remedies at a meeting today, other operators have reported a better than normal year.
Warwick and District Historical Society president Bernie Stephens said the Pringle Cottage Museum had seen the most visitors in a decade.
He put the success down to social media marketing and an increase in word-of-mouth advertising.
“We certainly haven’t had a decline. Actually it has been about the best year we have had since I have been involved,” Mr Stephens said.
City View motel co-owner Debbie Withers said business had been solid the whole year round.