Tourism merger still up in the air
A TOURISM report recommending a major shake-up of promotions and marketing of the region is set to be debated by Southern Downs Regional councillors at next week's round of meetings.
Last week at the Warwick Golf Club, TEAM Tourism consultants presented what Mayor Peter Blundell has called an "extremely comprehensive strategy".
Among a raft of recommendations is a suggestion to merge local bodies Warwick Tourism and Events and Stanthorpe's Granite Belt Wine and Tourism to form one organisation.
"It is a time of change for tourism at many levels and I understand there will be confusion," Cr Blundell said.
"At the regional level there is a merger of Southern Downs Granite Belt Regional Tourism with Toowoomba and Golden West and the South Burnett, so it is a particularly appropriate time to assess what we are doing at a local level."
The mayor said it was important to understand the strategy took a holistic view of tourism across the region.
"Ultimately, it needs to be considered in its entirety for the benefits it proposes that will increase visitation, spend and yield across the region for the entire year; and not for the implications it holds for individual organisations," Cr Blundell said.
"It is essential that we are able to look past subjective opinions and emotional attachments."
