Chamber pushes for tourism

IN the current environment, the largest tourism market within Queensland is from Queenslanders travelling in their own backyards.

The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce is calling for a greater push for state-based travel, to help boost jobs and aid the region’s economic recovery.

“Bringing forward the ability for visitors to travel to Toowoomba in a COVID safe way and stay overnight, will give businesses and consumers the ability to start planning and importantly spending money in our region,” Toowoomba Chamber CEO Todd Rohl said.

“Toowoomba has not recorded a new case of COVID-19 since May 2 and our tourism businesses are ready to get back to business.”

He said for this to happen, restrictions needed to be eased.

“It is critical that the state government reconsider the restrictions for regional areas such as Toowoomba, to enable state-based travel now, so visitors can plan their trip, book accommodation and spend locally which will (bring a) boost to hotels, tourism providers and businesses across Toowoomba,” he said.

“The chamber is not overlooking the importance of ongoing social distancing and safety requirements, but businesses have shown they can adapt and (use) measures to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Southern Queensland Country Tourism CEO Peter Homan said the industry also created critical jobs.

“Now is the time when we need to turn the tourism tap back on to bring back jobs and inject money into local communities through tourism,” Mr Homan said.

“We are in a perfect position in this region to benefit from the lifting of restrictions.”