Driving a post-COVID tourism boom

Moreton Bay Regional Council will embark on an ambitious project to make its hinterland region the new must-see destination in South East Queensland.

It’s part of a suite of initiatives designed to rejuvenate the tourism sector and attract more private sector investment in the wake of COVID-19, with a focus on developing the drive tourism sector.

“The breathtaking mountain vistas atop the D’Aguilar Ranges are a secret to most people in South East Queensland and that’s something we want to change,” Mayor Peter Flannery says.

“We want to inspire locals and travellers alike to get off the Bruce Highway and explore more of Moreton Bay by building architecturally-astounding lookouts in panoramic locations around our region.

“The key will be building structures that are irresistible to Instagrammers, so that they become destinations in their own right and promote themselves online.

“One third of internet users own an Instagram account and 70% of the 95 million photos uploaded to the platform every day are travel-related - so finding an amazing photo location is a real tourism motivator.”

The 2020-21 Budget provides $250,000 for a new tourism strategy to:

• Investigate the Hinterland’s tourism potential
• Explore how Moreton Bay can become the most accessible tourism destination in South East Queensland (for seniors, attract parents with prams and provide for people living with disabilities)
• Investigate major capital investment required to support our growing tourism industry

Why this is important

Mayor Flannery says accessible tourism is estimated to be worth $10.8 billion in Australia.

“By 2050 it’s estimated that nearly one-quarter of the Australian population will be aged 65 or over and within the next five years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide more than $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians,” he explains.

“This is a real growth industry and a logical fit for Moreton Bay Region given our proximity to Brisbane.

“We already have a significant amount of accessible infrastructure in key locations like Bribie Island and Redcliffe, including boardwalks, pathways, accessible playgrounds, and even accessible beach matting. But I’m sure there is more we can do, and this strategy might uncover other great ideas we haven’t thought of.”

Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism CEO Shane Newcombe says this initiative partners perfectly with the work his team is doing to harness the potential of the drive and accessibility markets.

“This will complement our well-established suite of digital platforms showcasing the stunning locations that make our region such a great place to visit and stay, including a new website devoted specifically to the accessibility market,” Mr Newcombe says.

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