KURANDA tourism businesses have put aside a war chest to promote the rainforest village in the leaner tourism months.

It is part of Tourism Kuranda’s 2010-11 strategic plan to further promote the village as a tourism destination in its own right. The plan was unveiled yesterday to 60 people.

Tourism Kuranda executive officer Marc Sleeman said after the three-month derailment of the Kuranda Scenic Railway in March the committee decided there needed to be some funds set aside for specific events during the low season.

He said three events this year, Easter in the Park, a busking competition and the Kuranda Rocks weekend had helped boost numbers.

“All three events were advertised on television, radio and in the press and were successful in attracting the local and self-drive market back to the village during a particularly tough trading period due to the three month derailment of the Kuranda train,” Mr Sleeman said.

He said $40,000 would be set aside for special events in March, April, May and June when it was quieter.

Mr Sleeman said the events would be targeted at the local self-drive market of 130,000 people.

He said TK had a bigger budget this year of $326,000 to promote the village.

For the first time the organisation would be taking part in a sales mission later this year to Japan, as well as domestic trips to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Mr Sleeman said the plan identifies the self-drive market of international, domestic and local visitors, independent travellers arriving by Skyrail, the train and/or road and the pre-booked tour passengers arriving via Skyrail, the train and other tour operators as the core target markets.

The plan highlights Kuranda as a “fun, colourful, friendly, laid back village in the rainforest”, an iconic destination and the gateway to the Tableland.

 

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