In September Visitor Information Centre volunteers from around the Maranoa region came together in Roma to explore the town’s major tourist attractions.
The town of Roma, with population of almost 10,000 people, is the main urban centre of the Maranoa Regional Council.
Located 477 kilometres west of Brisbane, at the junction of the Warrego Highway and the Great Inland Way, Roma is the primary service centre for much of Queensland’s South West.
Other towns, including Mitchell, Injune, Yuleba, Surat and Wallumbilla, are important community and retail centres servicing the immediate needs of residents in their proximity.
The tour of Roma was coordinated, funded and hosted by Maranoa Regional Council to encourage cross promotion of regional visitor attractions and products.
Volunteers from Roma Tourism Association, Injune District Tourism Association and Surat Cobb & Co Changing Station experienced some of Roma’s most interesting places first hand during a tour of the Big Rig, Hospital Hill, Romavilla Winery and Roma Saleyards.
They also benefited from the extensive knowledge of town historian Peter Keegan who shared stories of the area’s rich history.
This was the first in a series of information sessions planned for the region.
Council’s Regional Tourism and Events Coordinator Melanie Coombes said Visitor Information Centre volunteers were a valuable resource for local tourism.
“Volunteers are often the first point of contact for visitors to our region, and they’re usually called upon to provide advice about places to stay, sights to see and attractions to visit,” Melanie Coombes said.
“By experiencing some of these things first hand, they’re better able to direct visitors and hopefully enhance and extend their stay.”
For further information contact Melanie Coombes on 1300 007 662.