Outback Queensland Tourism Association

The RTO Forum and Destination Australia Conference brought together tourism leaders from across the country to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of Australia’s visitor economy. At the RTO Forum, OQTA CEO Denise Brown joined the panel Partnering for Prosperity: Strengthening Collaboration Between RTOs and LGAs, reinforcing the vital role of strong regional partnerships in driving sustainable growth—something we know is key for Outback Queensland. Destination Australia featured insights from Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State, on the broader vision for the sector. Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, shared updates on Australia’s tourism outlook and marketing strategies. Actor and advocate Rachel Griffiths spoke about her passion for regional tourism, and there was a strong focus on agritourism and its potential to strengthen regional economies. Both events highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and championing the unique experiences that make regional Australia a must-visit destination. A big thank you to Tourism Australia and all involved in these valuable discussions.

What a fantastic result for Outback Queensland at the Australian Tourism Industry Council 2024 Australian Tourism Awards on Friday night. A huge congratulations to our Outback Queensland winners: 🥇 Fun Over 50 Holidays – Gold in Tour & Transport Operators. Their award-winning tours combine adventure, comfort, and responsible travel, offering unforgettable journeys through Outback Queensland and beyond. 🥇 Big Red Bash – Gold in Festivals & Events. From its humble beginnings with a John Williamson concert atop Big Red to becoming an Outback icon, this festival continues to deliver an incredible experience. While opening night on 8 July is sold out, tickets are still available for 9 July. 🥈 Visit Quilpie Shire – Your Outback Adventure – Silver, celebrating the unique and immersive experiences this remarkable destination offers. ⭐ Mitchell Grass Retreat – Finalist in Unique Accommodation, bringing luxury glamping to the outback. A fantastic achievement for all involved and well-deserved recognition for delivering exceptional experiences in Outback Queensland.

Tonight, Outback Queensland takes the national stage at the Australian Tourism Awards in Adelaide! After shining bright at the Queensland Tourism Awards, our outstanding Gold winners are now representing Queensland against the best in the country: ⭐ Mitchell Grass Retreat – Unique Accommodation ⭐ Fun Over 50 Holidays - Tour and Transport Operators ⭐ Visit Quilpie Shire – Visitor Information Services ⭐ Big Red Bash – Festivals & Events Your dedication and passion showcase the best of Outback Queensland, and we’re cheering you on! Best of luck tonight!

Vale Jenny Elliott – a tireless advocate for the Winton region, where she dedicated many years to council, local business and the broader community. Jenny’s passion for tourism shone through in her role as co-ordinator at the Waltzing Matilda Centre, where she warmly welcomed visitors and shared her love of Outback Queensland. In recognition of her unwavering dedication, Jenny was honoured as Citizen of the Year at the 2018 Winton Australia Day Awards—a testament to her remarkable commitment to the Winton community. On behalf of our Board and all OQTA members, we send our sincere condolences to Jenny’s family and friends.

Outback Queensland Shines at the ATEC Queensland Showcase! This week in Sydney, the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Queensland Showcase, hosted in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), brought together tourism operators and buyers for an incredible opportunity to connect and grow international partnerships. It was a fantastic few days, with Western Queensland Spirit, Boobook Explore, Cobbold Gorge, Experience Charleville, Outback at Isa, Outback Pioneers Tours and Experiences, Saltbush Retreat, and Qantas Founders Museum representing Outback Queensland across 35 appointments, sharing the region’s unique tourism experiences with international buyers. Despite cyclone-impacted travel, Outback Queensland operators showed remarkable resilience and dedication. A huge thank you to Amanda Kruse, our Outback Queensland mentor, for her invaluable support throughout the event! Day two of the Showcase featured B2B meetings, with up to 36 appointment opportunities throughout the day. A special thanks to Kelly and Amanda for their efforts in showcasing Outback Queensland during these valuable meetings. Events like this are essential in strengthening Outback Queensland’s presence in international markets, ensuring our region’s unique experiences continue to attract global visitors.

This week, Kelly had the opportunity to connect with tourism operators across Murweh Shire, with attendees from Charleville, Morven, and Augathella. A big thank you to Murweh Shire Council for the invitation to present on all things OQTA - who we are, what we do, and how we support tourism in the region. With the Cosmos Centre and WWII Secret Base as the backdrop, it was a fantastic setting to discuss industry opportunities. It was also great to visit Cobb & Co Caravan Park, explore the Outback Date Farm, and meet with the dedicated council tourism team. Looking forward to seeing tourism continue to thrive in Murweh Shire!

Roma hosted the final Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future consultation workshop for Outback Queensland—an invaluable opportunity led by Assistant Tourism Minister Bree James and Darcy Slattery, in partnership with Outback Queensland Tourism Association. A heartfelt thank you to the 50+ industry and community stakeholders who joined us. Your strong presence highlights the vital role tourism plays in Outback Queensland’s economy and the collective commitment to its future. As the state-wide consultation for Queensland's 20-Year Tourism Strategy continues, our region remains proactive—identifying opportunities to enhance tourism by leveraging our unique strengths, from vast landscapes and paleo tourism to events, wellness, dark skies, and more. Now is the time to have your say! We encourage all industry members to review the discussion paper and contribute to shaping this transformative plan: 20-Year Tourism Strategy Discussion Paper - submissions close this Friday 28th February. https://lnkd.in/gjjzTNfM

This week, the Outback Queensland team joined the Tourism and Events Queensland Global Market Briefings to gain valuable insights into international marketing strategies. TEQ’s in-market experts shared key trends and opportunities across major source markets, including Japan, Korea, South East Asia, India, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, and North America. The sessions provided a valuable opportunity to connect with TEQ’s International Directors and Country Managers and better understand Queensland’s largest inbound markets. Also great to see Tony Cullen from Qantas Founders Museum and Lloyd Mills from the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame in attendance.

Join us in Roma for the final Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future consultation workshop for Outback Queensland. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your say and help shape the future of tourism in Queensland! Friday, 21 February 2025 10:30am-midday Maranoa Regional Council Registration:  https://lnkd.in/gAq7D4EM   For any questions or for more information, please contact the team at destination2045@dtis.qld.gov.au.

🌟 Shaping the Future of Queensland Tourism 🌟 This week, Outback Queensland had the privilege of welcoming Minister for Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell MP GAICD, to Longreach in Longreach as part of the state-wide consultation for Queensland's 20-Year Tourism Strategy. A heartfelt thank you to the 70+ industry and community stakeholders who joined us for this important discussion. Your strong attendance reflects the vital role tourism plays in Outback Queensland’s economy and the shared commitment to shaping its future. While the state consultation begins, our region remains proactive in identifying opportunities to enhance tourism, with a focus on leveraging our unique strengths—from vast landscapes and paleo tourism to events, wellness, dark skies, and more. We encourage all industry members to review the discussion paper and have their say in shaping this transformative plan: 20-Year Tourism Strategy Discussion Paper >> https://lnkd.in/g_3eTJqc