17th April 2018
On a tour of the Whitsundays region last month, Tourism Industry and Development Minister Kate Jones announced a $2 million injection of state funds to support six new tourism projects in the area.
Following the destruction of Cyclone Debbie in early 2017, the minister commented on the strength and adaptability showcased by the Whitsundays’ tourism industry.
“We always knew we needed to support the industry by giving visitors to this beautiful part of the world new ways to experience its many attractions,” Ms Jones said.
“Grants were awarded to projects that will drive tourism demand and increase visitation and expenditure in the Whitsundays and surrounding region.”
The proposed projects across the Whitsundays region are innovative and exciting, sure to encourage a flux of new tourists to the area.
In Hamilton Island a new auditorium designed to attract large expo and conference events at Bougainvillea Marquee will be constructed.
A Catalina flying aircraft will be restored and relocated to Bowen where it will be displayed as a tourist and educational site.
The Bowen Visitor Information Centre will see the creation and installation of a digital interpretive space with CGI virtual reality capabilities.
Overlooking Airlie Beach at Conway National Park, an interpretive centre, café, hiking and cycling tracks will be developed.
The Queens Beach Tourist Village will see the construction of an inclusive family water play attraction.
Across the Whitsunday region, a number of underwater and inter-tidal interpretive art pieces will be designed and installed.
Commenting on the projects, Tourism Whitsundays CEO Craig Turner expressed his excitement over the announcement and its potential for improved tourism opportunities.
“These projects will help take tourism in the Whitsundays to another level,” he said.
“We are already an idyllic place for visitation to the Great Barrier Reef and islands, and this funding will help develop mainland tourism.”
