Report No. 5, February 2011 Inquiry into developing Queensland’s rural and regional communities through grey nomad tourism Economic Development Committee Report No. 5 Inquiry into developing Queensland’s rural and regional communities through grey nomad tourism February 2011 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Committee Members Mr Evan Moorhead MP, Chair Member for Waterford Mrs Rosemary Menkens MP, Deputy Chair Member for Burdekin Ms Tracy Davis MP Member for Aspley Ms Jan Jarratt MP Member for Whitsunday Mrs Betty Kiernan MP Member for Mt Isa Mr Shane Knuth MP Member for Dalrymple Mr Jason O’Brien MP Member for Cook Secretariat Contact Ms Lyndel Bates Research Director Phone: 07 3406 7486 Ms Margaret Telford A/Principal Research 1800 504 022 Officer Fax: 07 3406 7070 (from 10 August 2010) Email:
[email protected] Ms Liz Sbeghen A/Principal Research Officer Web: www.parliament.qld.gov.au/edc (from 13 August 2010) Post: Parliament House Mr Alistair Maclennan A/Principal Research George Street Officer Brisbane Qld 4000 (until 6 August 2010) Ms Anne Fidler Executive Assistant The committee also thanks Ms Sarah Bono for her assistance with the inquiry. FOREWORD Queensland’s tourism industry has faced many challenges in recent years, particularly the effects of the global financial crisis, the strong Australian dollar and now the aftermath of floods and Cyclone Yasi. In these circumstances, the Economic Development Committee’s Report No 5, Inquiry into developing Queensland’s rural and regional communities through grey nomad tourism, comes at an opportune time. Tourism plays an important role in regional Queensland with potential economic, social and environmental benefits.