Newly re-elected Mount Isa Tourism Association president Gary Murray has noted a change in traveller behaviour to the region in 2018 with visitors arriving later than previous years.
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Mr Murray said this would have been influenced by significant one-off events that occurred in Queensland in 2018.
“Firstly, the Commonwealth Games would have seen a shift in traveller habits keeping them in the south-east corner past their usual migration north,” Mr Murray said.
“Secondly, with less of an impact but still influencing our region was the opening of the new Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton and an earlier than expected sell out of The Big Red Bash.”
Mr Murray said that when they did finally arrive, numbers were good.
“We had an increase in visitors to our signature event the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo not only because of its 60th anniversary but because it has major event status in Queensland and is becoming more popular on travellers authentic ‘must see’ bucket list.”
Mr Murray thanked his volunteer board for getting the message out about the region and said achievements in this year included interpretative signage at Lake Moondarra lookout, new Champions billboards, a tourist season launch featuring Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind and a submission to the Senate region air inquiry.
The board also assisted electing a new board for the Underground Hospital and organised an awareness campaign with Mount Isa Tourism-themed cupcakes.
Mr Murray said their strategic planning has identified many projects to accomplish such as rodeo statues, a tourist staging point, a dump point re-location, more interpretative signage and heightened awareness of walkways.
The new board is president - Gary Murray, treasurer - Michelle Low Mow, secretary - Erica Shaw board members – Nigel Rieck, Glen Ashmore, Kylie Rixon, Natalie Flecker, Nadia Cowperthwaite with one position vacant.
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