A new strategy focuses on those travellers hitting the road

Regional towns and destinations in Queensland are expected to cash in on a new tourism strategy in Queensland pushing drive tourism to the forefront.

Known as tourers, driving tourists in Australia will generally visit three of more stopovers on their trip, including at least one in Queensland, the Fraser Coast Chronicle reported.

The State Government will focus on improving road quality, signage, roadside facilities, other amenities and marketing for these tourers in a draft strategy released recently.

The draft strategy recognises regional communities and their small businesses, which are primarily accessible by road, as benefactors for drive tourism.

Tourism Research Australia noted 10 million domestic overnight visitors visited Queensland in the 12 months up to March 2012.

Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said regional cities and towns rely heavily on the drive tourism market to support their local businesses and the new strategy would bring even more tourers to the state.

"We want to take advantage of the great opportunities this growing market represents," Ms Stuckey said.

Caravanning Queensland chief executive officer Ron Chapman was pleased with the strategy and welcomed the decision to recognise the drive tourism sector which has previously been neglected.