QLD: New initiative to boost tourist safety in FNQ
BRISBANE, April 15 AAP - Government agencies, tourism industry operators and communitygroups will develop a strategic plan to increase visitor safety in far north Queensland.
The initiative will establish a visitor safety working party and visitor safety auditfor the region which attracts more than two million tourists a year.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said tourists were often tempted to engage in recreationalactivities they hadn't tried before which increases the risks of accidents.
"The continued growth of the industry hinges on visitors and tourists having a safeand enjoyable experience," he said.
Over the past year a number of tourists have died in the region through drowning, irukandjijellyfish stings and accidents.
Dr Jeff Wilks, who is the director of the Centre for Tourism and Risk Management atthe University of Queensland, today described the initiative as "excellent".
He said it was part of a line of initiatives like the international visitor safetyprogram and the recent launch of a website on risk management to help guide operators.
But Dr Wilks said the important issue now was following up the initiatives with smalltourist operators.
"For these great initiatives to be carried through, the mums and dads on the groundshould actually get assistance to work through the issues that confront them," Dr Wilkssaid.
AAP ch/sc/gl/jlw
KEYWORD: TOURISM QLD
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