Community invited to help guide future shire tourism

Tourism is a large and growing business for Narrabri Shire and Narrabri Shire council is now looking at plans to develop, identify opportunities and provide direction for our tourism for the next five years.

The community’s input has been welcomed.

“We want people to have a say, bring forward their suggestions and ideas,” said Narrabri Shire Tourism manager Penny Jobling.

“Narrabri Shire Council is encouraging the community to attend development meetings regarding Council’s Destination Management Plan and Activation Strategy.

“Meetings will be held in Narrabri, Wee Waa and Boggabri this month, to give everyone the opportunity to come along.

“The purpose of the Destination Management plan is to provide direction to the Narrabri Shire tourism sector for the next five years,” said Ms Jobling.

“Our primary goal is to increase visitor expenditure within our region with resultant economic and social benefits for our communities and we are asking our communities to offer input to make this as effective as possible.”

The spin off benefits which flow from tourism are significant and wide ranging.

“We all benefit from our tourism dollar, not only on the money spent directly by tourists in the economy but there is also a huge range of basic requirements that need to be purchased by visitors such as food, clothing, hairdressing, medical services, and transportation needs to name a few,” said Ms Jobling.

“In addition to what is spent by tourists, the tourism dollars earned, by both businesses and individuals are often re-injected into the local economy.

“The increased revenue received by the community also benefits the local council or governments, allowing public projects to be launched or developed.

“This means improvements to public infrastructure, like new roads, parks and public spaces improvements. These facilities can bring more visitors to the region, and benefits to the Shire residents.

“There are also fantastic cultural advantages to tourism.

“It can be a source of pride for local communities, and allows them to look at their history, and cultural heritage and develop their own community identity.

“Bringing tourists into our community gives it new life and creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to establish new services and products, or facilities that would not be sustainable based on the local population of residents alone.

“Tourists are all potential customers, and with the right approach can be targeted in a business strategy that allows for potential success.

The Narrabri Tourism and Community Development team is urging all interested members of our communities to be involved in this planning opportunity, come and have your say, share your ideas and offer your feedback.”