Tourism
The Tourism Industry in the Gulf represents the next great boom for the Gulf region. Each year there are an estimated 80,000 tourism related visitations throughout the Gulf region. Some of the major attractions for visitors are, the National Parks of Lawn Hill and Undara, Cobbold Gorge, the train adventures of the Savannahlander and the Gulflander, and the World Heritage Listed Riversleigh Fossil Field.
The scope for more attractions and tourist opportunities are clearly visible for anyone willing to make an investment commitment. A current trend within the tourism industry is the development of Ecotourism or nature-based tourism. The Gulf is well placed to take up such opportunities and provide special niche markets within this sector.
The Tourism Queensland web site, www.tq.com.au enables interested investors and businesses to access recent research materials and data on a range of industry sectors and aspects of tourism in Queensland.
The retiring baby boomers over the next 20 to 30 years will have a major impact on the drive tourism market. Queensland’s drive market has always outpaced the national average, jumping 14.5 percent compared to 5.5 percent for the national average.
Themed Tourism Route - the Savannah Way
The Savannah Way is a themed tourism adventure drive linking Cairns in
the east and Broome in the west, passing through 4 World Heritage areas
and 15 National Parks. For the most part the route comprises a sealed road
with alternative by-ways for the 4WD enthusiasts. It is a unique drive
across the most northerly part of the Australian continent and as such
will be a major domestic and international drawcard for visitors. This
drive in itself provides many opportunities for entrepreneurs to benefit
from the expected tourism expansion to the region and create niche markets.
The Savannah Way provides a uniquely Australian experience in a safe and friendly environment. Directional and interpretive signage is now located across Queensland along the Savannah Way, providing security and depth of interest for travellers.
The state and federal governments have invested public funds in creating the basic infrastructure to support development of initiatives in the region. It is an open invitation to entrepreneurs and businesses to flex their imagination and capitalise on that investment.
Niche Opportunities
The key to success for the Gulf tourism industry is to identify and capitalise on niche opportunities that can give the region a competitive advantage over other outback attractions, while at the same time coordinating with other regions to ensure a flow of tourism through the north.
Short Trips from East Coast
The sealed road from Cairns and Townsville to Karumba opens up a range of niche tourism opportunities. There is for example the capacity to attract the short tourers, those staying from 4 to 7 nights away from home, from centres such as Cairns and Townsville to Karumba and other towns and attractions in the Gulf Savannah.
Green Season
There is also the potential to develop initiatives around the ‘green season’, during the languid months after the rains have started, when the landscape is green and bird life prolific. Traditionally the tourist season has been the drier months between May and October. However, opportunities exist for the creation of green season activities and extension of the traditional tourism season for existing and new operators.
Fossicking
The eastern Gulf provides opportunities for tourists interested in searching
for the prized gems and agates of the region and to experience the life
of the pioneers. Fossicking is an activity that can be added to other visitor
interests and packaged trips.
Backpacker Market
One potential market yet to be tapped in the Gulf is the backpacker tourism market. Data obtained from Tourism Queensland and the Backpackers Association demonstrates the potential numbers of European backpackers reaching Cairns over a 12 month period, their level of expenditure and average length of stay. It provides an indicator of the size of the market to be tapped for an increased usage of the Savannah Way and associated infrastructure such as the Savannahlander and Gulflander railways and for work experience in the outback.
Development of affordable short tours, also extending into the ‘green season’ from Cairns and Townsville could reasonably be expected to see an additional $2 – 3 million flow into the region. As an indicator, if we take the 20% of backpackers to Australia interested in an outback experience, this would equate to approximately 30,000 of the Europeans visiting TNQ who could be attracted to Gulf travel.
Bird Watching Tourism
The Gulf region is renown for its bird life and sits within the migratory path for a number of species. The wetlands across the northern Gulf are host to a myriad of birds. Bird lists can be emailed on application to Gulf Savannah Development. There are opportunities for the development of a bird watching industry in the Gulf, linked to other areas such as Cape York. Opportunities for engagement of guides for bird watching in the Gulf also exist. The Tourism Queensland web site mentions the many opportunities for the development and expansion of the bird watching industry in Australia.
Birdwatchers tend to gravitate to locations where there is a strong chance of seeing a diversity of bird life and other native animals. They tend to belong to the older age groups, are well off and generally well educated. The major international source of markets are the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.
Australia has the largest number of species of birds including cockatoos, owlet-nightjars, warblers, honeyeaters, robins, whipbirds, bower birds, parrots, kingfishers and a number of marine species.
Disability Tourism
In 1998, approximately one in five Queenslanders had a disability and the most common form of transport used by people with disabilities is driving their own car. Limited accommodation specifically designed for the disabled exists across the Gulf and provides a niche opportunity for existing or new entrepreneurs to exploit.
Grey Tourism (Seniors)
Australia has an aging population, with the baby boomers set to launch onto the domestic travel scene. Already seniors make up a larger proportion of total domestic visitors with 23% of domestic visitors to the Outback aged 60 plus.
Seniors are more likely to be interested in nostalgia, social interaction, learning, culture and history, with sightseeing being a popular activity. Opportunities exist for the development of package tours involving accommodation and activities.
Caravans, Motor Homes and Camping
80,000 travellers visit the Gulf region each year, largely 4WD and caravaners. The caravan parks are full each tourist season, particularly in Karumba. This is a rapidly expanding area of Gulf tourism.
The caravan, motor home and camping industry is the fastest growing sector in Australia employing more than 17,000 people. Over 80% of the caravan and tourist park market is 55+ years of age. With the baby boomers about to hit the regional roads of Australia, the level of visitation will rise and there will be increasing pressure on existing parks and accommodation. Niche opportunities exist for the development of accommodation suited to grey tourism.
Tourism Support Services
Transport
Trans North Bus & Coach operate a bus service from Cairns to Karumba. For further information please contact 0740 369250 in Cairns or 0747 451307 in Normanton. Air services ex-Cairns to Normanton and Karumba are available daily with Macair and Skytrans. There are 2 tourism trains, the Savannahlander and the Gulflander.
Visitor Information Centres
Tourism Queensland also notes that once on the road, travellers rely on local visitor information centres. These play a significant role in enhancing the experience for the traveller. VIC’s will become meeting places, Internet cafes and sources of reliable information for travellers, with the attendant opportunities for marketing and advertising by local attractions. An example of this is the TerrEstrial centre in Georgetown, which provides an attraction to hold visitors in the town and add to the potential for accommodation and small business creation in the area.
Accommodation - Short Term
During the tourist season all accommodation in the Gulf is stretched to the limit. There is a wide range of accommodation types available with opportunities for further diversification.
In Carpentaria Shire there are numerous self contained units available in Karumba and Karumba Point. Most are fully booked in the tourist season. In Normanton 4 hotel/motels and a motel with restaurant are available.
In Croydon there is one hotel/motel with self contained units and a caravan park in town.
In Etheridge there is a motel and hotel in Georgetown, a hotel with detached accommodation in Forsayth, a hotel in Einasleigh and a hotel and motel in Mt Surprise. Caravan park accommodation is available in Georgetown, Forsayth and Mt Surprise.
It is advisable to book your accommodation throughout the Gulf region
well in advance during the tourist season.
