Agri-Tourism Forum to Boost Tourism Recovery

In welcome news to the region’s tourism, hospitality and agricultural industries, Mackay Tourism has announced details for an Agri-Tourism Forum Webinar. Taking place via Zoom, the webinar will be held on Monday, 25 May from 10am to 11:30am.

The forum invites and aims to connect restaurateurs and café owners with primary producers to hear and see the possibilities for agri-tourism product within The Mackay Region.

Guest speakers on the webinar include Amanda Hinds of Emeraude Micro Region Eatery at Hampton, who will detail her success in working with local farms to showcase their produce in her restaurant.

Well respected tourism consultant James Corvan will also be discussing agri-tourism opportunities.

“It goes without saying that travel and eating out go hand in hand. Increasingly visitors are looking to discover local flavours and seek out local produce and this presents exciting opportunities for tourism, hospitality, and agricultural operators,” he said.

Mr Corvan continued, “as travel restrictions continue to ease, The Mackay Region must be ready to showcase to visitors local, fresh produce. More than ever, people want to know where their food comes from and will seek out destinations offering dishes made from produce sourced direct from the farmer.”

Joining Mr Corvan and Ms Hinds will be nine farmers and food producers who will share why it is important for their food to be prepared and sold locally.

Owner of Freckle Farm, and President of the Greater Whitsunday Food Network Deb McLucas spoke of the opportunities for agri-tourism in Mackay.

“The Mackay Region is in a fortunate position to be able to produce a wide selection of delicious local produce including meats, seafood, fruit, vegetables and sugar-based products,” she said.

“Two lessons COVID-19 has taught us is the importance of a locally sourced food supply, and the value of shortened supply chains. Since the outbreak, our Wednesday morning Farmers Market has witnessed an approximately 200 per cent increase in customers and sales,” said Mrs McLucas.

She added, “Mackay Tourism’s Agri-Tourism Forum Webinar will create the link between paddock and plate to build upon the region’s agri-tourism offering.”

The Agri-Tourism Forum Webinar is free to virtually attend, and is accessible from the following ZOOM link - https://bit.ly/2WGg3rq. For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

ENDS

 

Contact: 

Daniel Brown - Communications Officer

0448 994 180

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Wednesday, 20 May 2020

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