Have your say on the Regional Tourism Strategy
The Cooloola Coast has a vital and significant role in the tourism of the Gympie region. If you are fortunate enough to live in a community such as ours, it is important to express your opinion on matters that affect the region.
The GRC has released a draft called Gympie Region Tourism Strategy for 2019-2024, and is asking residents to have their say.
The introduction on the website to the draft says: “The purpose of the Tourism Strategy is to provide clear direction on what is needed now and into the future to deliver a vibrant, dynamic and compelling visitor destination and a thriving, buoyant tourism industry generating even greater economic and social prosperity for the Gympie Region.”
The 72-page document details priority markets and trends including visitors length of stay, the primary and secondary domestic market, the international market and seeks to find ways to improve the statistics.
According to the draft, ‘The Cooloola Coast sub-region dominated the region’s total domestic holiday visitors with an average 61 per cent share of overnight domestic visitors over the last 10 years. In 2017, Cooloola Coast still enjoyed a 66 per cent share of all visitors.’
The Tourism Goals noted are:
- Elevate tourism as a regional priority,
- Build new and improve existing tourism and infrastructure
- Strengthen Gympie city’s heritage position and assets
- Develop new and grow existing tourism experiences
- Proactive in securing greater investment
- Foster positive consumer perceptions
Mayor of Gympie Regional Council, Councillor Mick Curran said: “Whilst Gympie Regional Council is the custodian of the strategy, this is a “whole of region” plan, with success reliant on committed and effective collaboration between Council and sub-regional communities, tourism operators and dedicated volunteers that are equally willing to roll up their sleeves and work alongside us to deliver the key priorities and actions set out in this document.”
One of the questions is: “What proportion of Council’s tourism marketing effort (and spend) should be afforded on recognising Cooloola Coast as the jewel in the region’s tourism crown, versus growing other sub-regions including Gympie city, to similar levels of visitation?”
To view the draft strategy and have your say online, visit www.gympie.qld.gov.au/tourism-strategy Submissions close on Sunday August 25