qdts-camping-options-toolkit

Working towards the drive strategy objectives
The Queensland drive tourism strategy 2013–2015 aims
to encourage more travellers to take a driving holiday
in Queensland. Local governments play a vital role in
delivering the strategy’s vision:
By 2020, Queensland will become the nation’s
number one drive tourism destination, reflecting safe
and appealing tourist driving routes that showcase
outstanding experiences from the Outback to the coast
and up to the Gulf.
The options in this toolkit provide a basis for achieving
this vision; however, the final decisions to deliver the
priorities rest with local governments.
Through implementing the steps outlined in this toolkit,
local governments could move towards achieving the
following key points.
Meeting consumer needs
Through raising the standards of bush and basic
camping, and recognising seasonal caravan parks, local
governments could facilitate the delivery of the higher
quality of camping experience sought by today’s travelling
public. The camping options offered in each local
government area should address the broad range
of market needs discussed in this toolkit.
Delivering road quality and safety
Ensuring there are adequate sites to meet the future
demand and working with the relevant authorities to
enforce local laws regarding illegal camping (including
working with the Queensland Government on rest area
enforcement) will help visitors have a safe and enjoyable
experience while travelling to their destination.
Clear and effective signage
Local governments can make the message clearer with
effective signage that identifies the places visitors can
and can’t camp. This can be done without detriment to the
aesthetics of the region or road safety. It could also be
reinforced in the marketing messages of the key tourism
and automotive bodies through their involvement in the
regional camping stakeholders group.
Roadside infrastructure that enhances
the experience
The guiding principles of this toolkit are that the
infrastructure provided is safe and does not impact on
the landscape amenity or the environmental qualities that
people are coming to see. By adopting the definitions and
planning guides in this toolkit, local governments can
provide infrastructure that demonstrates leading practice
in environmentally sustainable and responsible tourism
while responding to the changing market needs.
A range of accommodation and facilities
By supporting the existing businesses before considering
new facilities, local governments can ensure Queensland
continues to provide a range of accommodation options
to meet the needs and expectations of consumers.
Where new camping alternatives are supported by the
needs analysis, local governments should engage local
businesses and facilitate the development of new facilities
(while considering relevant stepping stones) to expand the
type and style of camping options offered to visitors.
Effective visitor information and technology
applications
Once the model is implemented in policy and local law, it
must be effectively communicated. Ideally this should be
done in partnership with neighbouring local governments
to ensure visitors can readily access reliable and unbiased
information on the range of camping available locally and
in other destinations they plan to visit.
Inspiring marketing and promotion
Finally, by investing in marketing and promotion of new
and established camping alternatives, local governments
can highlight why Queensland is the place to stay. This
will contribute to a better road experience for all travellers
and aims to increase their length of stay in Queensland.
It will contribute to the economic prosperity of all
Queensland’s regions.
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