MEDIA RELEASE 6th November 2017 McKinlay Shire Council Takes out Hat Trick at Tourism Awards McKinlay Shire Council has been recognised for its contribution to outback tourism, taking out the Local Go
Media Release
6th November 2017
McKinlay Shire Council Takes out Hat Trick at Tourism Awards
McKinlay Shire Council has been recognised for its contribution to outback tourism, taking out the Local Government Award for Tourism, Destination Marketing Award and the Visitor Information and Services Awards (Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre) at the 2017 Outback Queensland Tourism Awards in Cloncurry on Saturday night.
McKinlay Shire’s visitor numbers have increased at an average of 38% per annum over the last six years and in 2016/17 McKinlay Shire Council estimated a total spend in excess of $300,000 by visitors to Julia Creek’s RV Friendly Site.
Mayor Belinda Murphy commented, "Our success in tourism is interwoven in McKinlay Shire’s economic and social fabric."
"We have an action packed events calendar which helps to attract visitors from across the country and the globe. Every year, the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival in April heralds the start of the tourist season.
"Traditionally, events are starting to wind up by September each year however due to the energy and efforts of a number of local community groups and individuals, our events calendar is jam-packed until late December which is a real credit to all involved. Our community appreciates that we are all in tourism," Mayor Murphy added.
The Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre colloquially known as ‘At the Creek’ took home the Visitor Information and Services Award.
The centre is home to two little dunnarts, Duncan and Donald, who are major drawcards for the region. In 2018, the centre will also unveil virtual headsets which immerse guests in a mustering scene – an authentic outback encounter that visitors are not always able to experience.
The Destination Marketing Award recognised McKinlay Shire’s take on Tourism and Events Queensland’s ‘We Know Just the Place’ campaign. In June 2017, McKinlay Shire launched a hilarious yet very informative clip about the Shire citing the characters, events and experiences visitors can expect within the Shire. In just two days, the clip was viewed by more than 40,000 people online.
ENDS
Word Count: 322
Contact: Cr Belinda Murphy, Mayor - McKinlay Shire Council
mayor@mckinlay.qld.gov.au (07) 4746 7166 or 0417 543 529