Council unveils next year's tourism action plan


A BLUE print driving Ipswich's tourism activities was today given the green light by Ipswich City Council.

Tourism and Libraries Committee Chairperson Councillor David Pahlke said the Tourism Action Plan (TAP) for 2013-2014 detailed council's plans for tourism in the city over the next 12 months.

Cr Pahlke said the plan was part of the Tourism Strategy 2012-2016 which documented the strategic direction for the City of Ipswich as a tourism destination over four years.

He said the new annual Tourism Action Plan had been developed in consultation with industry stakeholders.

"We have asked Ipswich's tourism operators and interested parties for their feedback and used this to shape the new action plan for the city.

"This plan outlines the activities planned by council's Tourism Branch and the essential role that stakeholders/tourism industry would play in the successful implementation of the plan.

"The TAP will be reviewed regularly through stakeholder/industry consultation. 

"This regular review acknowledges the dynamic nature of the tourism industry and the need to have a fluid plan that responds to feedback from stakeholders/industry and changes in the tourism landscape which might impact on threats and opportunities for the destination."

Cr Pahlke said each of the actions in the TAP was designed to contribute to the staged delivery of the strategic priorities of the City of Ipswich Tourism Strategy 2012-2016. 

"Updates on the delivery of the TAP will be provided to key stakeholders through the Tourism Update e-Newsletter which is distributed to industry stakeholders every two months."

Cr Pahlke said the TAP would help council to deliver the activities planned through its tourism budget of just over $450,000.

He said many people were probably unaware of the immense value of tourism to Ipswich.

Cr Pahlke said tourism injected approximately $136 million into the Ipswich economy through visitor spending during 2011.

"This represented a $36 million increase in tourism spend on the 2008 figures and shows the growth potential of this industry to the city."

Cr Pahlke said tourism spend was the total spent in the local economy including tourism businesses and the broader business community such as supermarkets, retail, newsagents, service stations and medical services.

He said council's vision for Ipswich's tourism industry was for it to achieve its full potential.

"We believe the best way for the industry to grow and develop further is by offering a distinctive blend of leisure experiences which appeal to the community and we are continually working to achieve this aim."

For more information please click here