Discovery Parks - Mount Isa has joined forces with the Mount Isa Underground Hospital and Museum to provide weekly volunteers as front of house for the museum and to host tours of the underground hospital, built to shelter patients from potential Japanese bombing during the war.

Under the plan, Discovery Parks will fund front office and ground staff to volunteer for a shift per week at the museum in a partnership to grow tourism in the town, says Park Manager Jody Contarino.

"It's a fabulous opportunity for our staff to be more engaged with local history and chat to tourists outside of the park," Ms Contarino said.

"Tourism is so important to the economic life of this town and we are proud to be able to support the Underground Hospital and Museum.

"It's great for our business too because our staff will be wearing their Discovery Parks uniforms as brand ambassadors, and they'll be able to talk about Mount Isa's rich history and the great things to do in our town in more informed detail,"

Underground Hospital and Museum volunteer coordinator Erica Shaw said Mount Isa businesses were increasingly recognising that local tourism is everybody's business.

"The message we have is that supporting tourism and engaging with visitors is not just a job for the caravan park or the motel - it's a job for everyone in the town because of the economic benefits it brings," Ms Shaw said.

"The aim is to keep visitors here as long as we can... It's not only the money they spend on accommodation, petrol and groceries that helps the town - they might need tyres or a haircut while they are here."

Discovery Parks has donated tea and coffee to the museum, encouraging visitors to stop for a cuppa and a chat on the museum verandah.

"It's remarkable the difference this has made- guests are just so happy to be sitting on the verandah of this old Queenslander, having a chat to volunteers about the history - it really is an authentic outback experience," Ms Shaw said.

While Mount Isa is known primarily as a mining town, the Underground Hospital and Museum offered a window into the rich history of WW2 when Australians feared the extension of Japanese bombing.

"The tunnels behind the hospital were built after the Japanese bombed Darwin as an evacuation point for staff and patients... we know now that the Japanese did not bomb so far inland but it gives you an insight into the fear that Australians had at that time," Ms Shaw said.

"The Underground Hospital is historically important not only to Mount Isa but as an important piece of wartime history.

"We're focused on building tourism in Mount Isa and sharing the stories of our town. Increasingly businesses are providing support for local tourism but there is so much more potential to grow. Ongoing partnerships like the one with Discovery Parks can really make a difference to the experience we can offer visitors."

READ MORE: Normanton Top Servo's viral funny video has a serious message.

While you are here, subscribe to our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox at 6am every Friday.