A NEED TO WORK TOGETHER

Who are the main drivers of tourism for Toowoomba, Darling Downs and the greater region as a whole?

Is it the job of local councils like Toowoomba Regional Council?

Is it the job of the relevant tourism bodies such as Southern Queensland Tourism Council or Tourism Darling Downs?

Do the relevant business advocacy groups like Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce or TSBE lead the direction for tourism?

I ask this question off the back of a hugely successful Carnival of Flowers and Lost Trades Fair.

These festivals were a huge success and showcased the region at its best.

But can all these bodies be doing more to drive tourism in our region over the whole year?

Should there be a concentrated effort from said bodies to have common objectives or goals, so that the communication from them shares a similar message to their target markets?

An example of something that would benefit the community as a whole, and help to increase tourism, would be the construction of a conference and events centre.

But this needs all those bodies mentioned above to come together and work for the greater good of the community.

The strategy of those groups as individuals need to align, so tourism grows in the region and we all benefit. By growing tourism everyone benefits. Restaurants and cafes prosper because people have to eat. The motels, hotels, caravan parks benefit because people need a place to stay. Retailers benefit as tourists spend money in the shops in town and the flow-on effects of this spending is great for the local economy. We need to work together because, as Aristotle said, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”.