Tourism
Tourism is a major employer and economic driver for the Greater Whitsunday region. The total value of tourism output for Mackay Isaac Whitsunday is estimated at $1.6 billion..
Prior to the impacts of COVID-19 the region experienced strong growth in the three years ending December 2019, with domestic visitation increasing in the Whitsundays by 10.8% and Mackay/Isaac by 13.6%.
Mackay Isaac Tourism Limited supports growth of the tourism sector in the Mackay and Isaac regions, and Tourism Whitsundays supports the tourism sector in the Whitsunday Regional Council area.
Tourism Sector Highlights
Mackay Isaac Whitsunday regional strengths in tourism include:
High quality natural environment
Quality airport infrastructure and airline services
Supportive councils to tourism and related investment
Quality marinas
Year-round attractive climate
New accommodation branded stock
Greater Whitsunday Food Network
Access to Whitsunday Islands
Great Barrier Reef World Heritage status
Interesting drive routes
Good mix of fishing locations (dams, rivers, estuary, beach, reef and offshore)
Demand generated through other sectors, especially mining
Regional Opportunities
Mackay Isaac Tourism is the marketing and destination development organisation for Mackay and Isaac and are supported by Mackay Regional Council, Isaac Regional Council, Mackay Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland. They aim to increase the competitive strengths and successes of the Mackay and Isaac area through:
- Infrastructure and product development
- Industry skilling
- Effective, targeted promotion in selected leisure and business tourism markets
Tourism Whitsundays is the organisation responsible for destination marketing and visitor attraction for the Whitsunday region. It is the lead agency recognised by Tourism and Events Queensland and the Whitsunday Regional Council to lead the promotion of the region as a tourism destination.
Post-pandemic, Tourism Whitsunday has been focused on recovery and is working closely with both the State and Federal Governments to support the regional tourism sector.
GW3 Projects
Discover more about key GW3 projects and activities that support Tourism in the region below:
Regional Jobs Committee
Delivered in partnership with the Department of Employment Small Business and Training, the committee supports future skills development in key industries across the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region.
The Greater Whitsunday Future Skills Roadmap here.
The Future Employment Study here.
Transformation Region
The Transformation Region platform showcases the region’s commitment to transformation, innovation and change. You can check out these stories here.