A tourism strategy revolving around events in Cape York will be rolled out this year as part of a joint initiative from councils in the region.

The Cape York and Torres Strait Regional Events Strategy is an initiative of the Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance (TCICA).

The strategy aims to increase tourism on the Cape and in the Torres Strait by developing frameworks for regional event coordination and event growth.

The project has been funded by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.

TCICA executive officer Melinda Eades said there were a number of key strategic objectives, including:

• Promoting Cape York and the Torres Strait as a tourism destination;
• Promoting the outstanding natural environment, and historical and cultural values, of Cape York and the Torres Strait.
• Driving regional, and community – economic growth and opportunity;
• Growing existing and new events;
• Developing an annual events program;
• Increasing cooperation between Cape York and Torres Strait event co-ordinators;
• Identifying viable event funding frameworks and governance structures.

“TCICA’s regional events strategy will help to grow and develop many of our wonderful local events and festivals as well as identify other types of events our region could focus on,” Ms Eades said.

“Finding ways to improve the coordination and sequencing of tourism and community events better positions councils and event organisers to leverage visitor activity and keep people in the region for longer.

“The Cape York and Torres Strait Regional Events Network is a first for our region and is a great step forward in bringing event professionals and volunteers together to collaborate, share information, and learn from each other.

“I encourage anyone working in the events space, or interested in getting involved, to jump on board and connect with others across Cape York and the Torres Strait.”

TCICA has engaged with Far North communications expert Juliana Foxlee to help put together the strategy.

This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 12 April 2021.