Get together to look at way forward
MORE than 300 officials, including Southern Downs Mayor Peter Blundell, have been talking tourism in Cairns this week at the largest tourism conference in 25 years, the Destination Q forum.
While specifics weren't discussed as of the Daily News' print deadline yesterday, Cr Blundell said actions were in the pipeline for regional tourism development.
"We went through particular themes (infrastructure, skills, partnerships, marketing, eco-tourism and product development) and created a list of actions the government can implement over the next 12 months," Cr Blundell said.
"One of the things we're discussing is the need to reform planning to cut red tape and green tape."
He said the main discussions were at a policy level and would be examined individually on a local scale at a later date.
The conference comes as Premier Campbell Newman announced funding for regional tourism would be doubled. Cr Blundell said the announcement was positive, but just how it would be implemented was still unknown.
"It is yet to be seen how it will actually be rolled out and what performance indicators need to accompany the funding to ensure requirements are delivered, but the Premier announced it so it's a sure thing," he said.
Another forum is scheduled for next year to monitor progress is and how the state is travelling.
