GREY nomads could hold the key to revitalising rural and regional tourism bodies across North Queensland.

The effects of the global financial crisis, a strong Australian dollar and the aftermath of consecutive cyclones has hit the Queensland tourism industry hard.

In a report handed down this week, the Queensland parliamentary Economic Development Committee has outlined the need to boost nomad numbers in regional areas.

The report featured 19 recommendations designed to secure tourism numbers as a way of supporting struggling regional economies.

Regional areas in Queensland received more than half of the $11.5 billion spent by domestic overnight visitors over the 12-month period to July 1 last year.

Committee member and Burdekin MP Rosemary Menkens said retired and semi-retired travellers played a major role in the future viability of the industry.

“Although grey nomads tend to spend less on average per day than other visitors to Queensland, they often travel for longer periods and also visit regional areas,” she said.

“The significance of the grey dollar to regional economies, and Queensland as a whole, cannot be understated.”

Grey nomads spend about $572 on average while travelling, according to Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia statistics.

The volume of retired travellers is set to soar in the future with the number of Australians over 65 predicted to double by 2050.

Ms Menkens said the time to act was now.

“Grey nomads are a significant tourism market for regional Queensland and this market is only likely to increase as Australia’s population ages,” she said.

The report outlined the need for grants for regional tourism organisations outside south-east Queensland to assist with marketing regional attractions.

“Providing assistance and funding to local councils and regional tourism organisations, which have the local knowledge to know where best to use this, would be a significant outcome of this inquiry,” Ms Menkens said.

Source: The Townsville Bulletin

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