THE cash-strapped Tableland Tropical Tourism has been handed a lifeline to the tune of $17,500 by the Tablelands Regional Council. 

The money follows a plea from TTT to the council for money to help it operate but TRC stopped short of handing over the reigns of the region's visitor centres as requested by the region`s tourism body.

Mayor Tom Gilmore said it would bring the council's contribution to TTT in line with the total contributions of the former shires and it was a strong supporter of tourism on the Tableland.

"It is in addition to the $36,000 in funding the council provided to TTT in the 2008-09 Budget,'' he said.

"Council funds a network of visitor information centres to the tune of $500,000, and these play a vital role in attracting visitors to our region.

"We recognise the important role the industry plays in the overall economic development of the region and is looking forward to building a stronger partnership with TTT.''

Cr Gilmore said the council declined a proposal put forward by TTT that operation of the council-funded VICs be transferred to the tourism organisation.

TTT vice-chairman Michael Trout said yesterday the oganisation welcomed the opportunity to work closer with TRC for the betterment of promoting the Tableland region.

"TTT would like to see the tourism industry across the Tablelands region  unite and take ownership of our industry,'' he said.

"It is very healthy and becoming more mature.

"A good example is the Kyushu charters from Japan which is currently happening now.

"The region won these charters ahead of Melbourne, Gold Coast and Singapore, and this will deliver nearly 3000 students to over 100 farms across the Tablelands.''

Mr Trout said TTT looked forward to assisting TRC with  forming policy in regards to the VIC centres so that they not only provide a service to tourism visitors but also have the ability to generate revenue to each centre through the use of the Book Easy booking system.

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