Tourism board meet to discuss tourism re-activation

Mackay Tourism Ltd’s board members met today to discuss how the tourism industry can recover from ex-tropical cyclone Debbie and the record rainfall experienced in the region.

Mackay Tourism General Manager, Tas Webber, said things were improving each hour and, while many locals and businesses are still cleaning up, others are trading again and welcoming visitors to the region.

The meeting looked at ways in which Mackay Tourism can work with Mackay Regional Council, Tourism and Events Queensland, and The Whitsundays to re- active the tourism industry.

“The board have met to look at strategies to re-activate the tourism industry and enable operators to re-engage with visitors,” Mr Webber said.

“We are also working on our marketing and communication channels to get positive messaging out about holidaying in the region.”

Mr Webber said emergency management and distaster response teams had done a fantastic job in servicing the region.

Mackay Tourism is pleased to have its Visitor Information Centre (VIC) back to full operations this afternoon.

“One of our main priorities was to get the Visitor Information Centre back up and running so now we can fully support our visitors and operators,” Mr Webber said.

The VIC will be operating until 5pm today and will open over the weekend on Saturday, 1 April from 9am to 3pm, and Sunday, 2 April from 9am to 1pm. The VIC will also be open from 9am on Monday, 3 April.