Map to drive up visitor numbers
A NEW map charting a popular drive along Queensland’s east coast and published in five languages aims to boost the number of tourists visiting smaller attractions.
Townsville Enterprise, a collaboration between eight regional tourism organisations from Bundaberg to Cape Tribulation, has printed 350,000 copies of The Ultimate Guide to Driving the Great Barrier Reef.
Paronella Park and Mena Creek pub owner, and Tropical Coast Tourism chairman Mark Evans said the guide was the first map to cross tourism regions.
“We all rely to differing degrees on the drive market and the international market, but what we found was there was no map which went across boundaries and no map which was translated into multiple languages,” he said.
“It took us 12 months to make it happen and we’ve already found it’s working in the European market.
“It’s not just for the selfdrive market, but it’s also for the caravanners – they’re desperately looking for things to see and do.
“Given the way it’s going so far, I don’t think we’ll have any trouble doing a reprint next year.”
Mr Evans is currently in Japan meeting with travel agents and distributing the map.
The guide is available from visitor information centres and at some car hire firms. The map is also available online at bit.ly/2kZPIE9.