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The following article is in the current Caravanning News - http://caravanningnews.com/

Report highlights tourism opportunities

Plan aims to improve outback caravanning

Grey nomads key contributors

QUEENSLAND'S remote areas would be blessed with more caravan parks and camping grounds, if the authors of a new report had their way.

Grey nomads were highlighted as the most significant contributor to the state's North West tourism market in the recently-launched Outback, Gulf and Western Downs Tourism Opportunity Plan.

"Camping and caravanning as part of the touring market are key experiences for the region," the 38-page plan from Tourism Queensland said.

The plan's purpose is to provide direction for sustainable tourism development over the next five years.

It identifies and suggests new and upgraded tourism products to meet future visitor expectations and demands.

The plan also earmarks the need for new investment in infrastructure to support the ongoing development of tourism and provides relevant research-based information on tourism supply and demand.

Camping and caravanning facilities needed to be more effectively managed to maximise economic and commercial returns, minimise environmental issues and increase visitor satisfaction, it said.

Developing an integrated camping and caravan park strategy would identify all free camping grounds across the region and help formulate a plan to upgrade these sites where necessary and manage them in coordination with established commercial caravan parks.

"This will provide a suite of camping and caravan experiences across the region," the plan said.

"This strategy will complement and coordinate with the Outback Mates' program aimed at creating passionate ambassadors for the region, in particular targeting the touring market.

"These ambassadors will demonstrate true outback character and spirit by welcoming and assisting visitors to make the most of their trip to the region."

The report makes mention of the Western Downs' Tara caravan park which has limited sites for visitors, "with local residents as the main occupancy".

"Private investment in the development of an additional caravan park in Tara targeted at visitors to the town is required. The Tara Lagoon Parklands Caravan Site requires the sealing and supply of power to the area," it said.

The plan suggests the Departments of Main Roads and Environment and Resource Management join local councils in the Far West to prepare a business case and feasibility study for remote area camping and accommodation sites in emerging areas.

"This should be linked to an outback-wide camping and caravan review and complement existing plans of management for national parks (e.g. Diamantina Lakes National Park)," it said.

With the Etheridge Shire Council reclaiming some of the old town reserves around Gilberton, Durram, Forsayth and Gilbert River, the report believed there was now potential for private investment in accommodation such as caravan parks and this should be investigated.

Cheers

John