LAUNCH OF NEW CULTURAL TOURISM STRATEGY IN TNQ
Posted by editor (editor) on Jun 26 2009
2009 >>

A Tropical North Queensland cultural tourism strategy designed to encourage more visitors to the region was today launched in Cairns by Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor.

“The State Government has provided $20,000 to leading Cairns arts industry group Arts Nexus to develop the 117-page strategy which contains a number of recommendations to promote the region worldwide,” Mr Lawlor said.

“These include a targeted media campaign and an information portal which is easily accessible to visitors,” Mr Lawlor said.

“We want to make sure that visitors not only enjoy our beautiful Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, but also know they can wander into the city to see our wonderful Indigenous art galleries, vibrant cultural festivals and talented local musicians.

“The city of Cairns and the surrounding region have much to offer. It is a rich melting pot of cultures from Europe, Asia, Micronesia and the Pacific as well as our Indigenous communities and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.”

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Tourism and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said that under the strategy joint action groups or JAGS would be formed with key stakeholders to introduce a range of exciting new initiatives to promote cultural tourism.

“These could include a cultural precinct in Cairns, a regional museum, more live music and entertainment in the CBD and a higher profile for the arts and culture of Indigenous communities and Torres Strait Islander Peoples,” he said.

“The launch of the Strategy could not have come at a better time.

“The global recession is affecting tourism sectors worldwide and it is important that we are able to diversify and reposition this region in the eyes of cultural tourists,” he said.

“The State Government’s Queensland Creative Industries Strategy estimates the value of cultural tourism worldwide to be around US $214B.

“We want to capture more of that market, the Tropical North Queensland Cultural Strategy will get the message across to tourists that the region’s cultural tourism experiences are not to be missed!”

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 3:20 PM