Tourism Transition Group Looks Towards Future

The newly formed Mount Isa Tourism Transition Group has taken the first steps towards strengthening and updating the local tourism sector when it met for the first time recently.

Transition group members – including Deputy Mayor Phil Barwick, Councillor Peta MacRae, representatives of the Mount Isa Tourism Association, Mount Isa Underground Hospital and local hotels, as well as Council staff – met with Judi Lalor from Firstpoint Marketing on Thursday, September 10 to discuss the vision and mission goals for the establishment of a formal tourism industry body (LTO).

The role of the transition group is to provide advice and a recommended operating model to deliver a collaborative, coordinated LTO for Mount Isa to lead tourism management and marketing.

The Transition Group is one of the strategic priorities outlined in the 2020-2025 Mount Isa Tourism Development Strategy released by Council earlier this year.

Cr MacRae said the meeting was positive and constructive, with the group committed to developing a staged tourism structure model and setting out a constitution for the LTO.

“The Tourism Development Strategy recommends transitioning and evolving the Mount Isa Tourism Association to a more sustainable, resourced LTO and we are taking important steps towards achieving this,” Cr MacRae, who looks after Council’s Tourism portfolio, said.

“We will be consulting with key stakeholders and other LTOs and will consider issues such as membership, revenue streams and reporting structures.”

“There is an opportunity to position Mount Isa as a destination of choice for tourists and increase people’s knowledge and awareness of our city, as well as make sure their experience when they do visit is a great one that will help to spread positive word-of-mouth when they arrive back home.”

It is envisaged a Mount Isa Tourism Board will be appointed as part of the process, along with tourism/administration resources.