24 April 2026
Agritourism Queensland is calling for practical and coordinated support for regional businesses as ongoing fuel price volatility and fertiliser supply pressures continue to place farm-based tourism operators under strain across Queensland.
As the peak body by farmers, for farmers, Agritourism Queensland understands that agritourism operators are uniquely exposed because they operate across both primary production and the visitor economy.
Unlike many businesses, agritourism operators are not only dealing with the impact of higher fuel costs on visitor travel decisions, but also the direct cost of running farm operations, including diesel for machinery, transport, property maintenance and day-to-day logistics. At the same time, many are also facing rising fertiliser costs, supply uncertainty and concern about access to essential farm inputs.
Agritourism Queensland President Kay Tommerup said the current environment is creating a compounding challenge for farm-based tourism businesses.
“Agritourism operators are not just tourism businesses – they are also working farms. That means they are being hit from both directions, with rising fuel costs affecting visitor travel and day-to-day operations, while fertiliser shortages and cost increases are adding further pressure on the farm.”
“For agritourism operators, especially in regional and remote Queensland, this goes directly to the cost of doing business, visitor demand and overall viability.”
This issue also highlights the importance of working together across the broader tourism industry.
Agritourism Queensland will continue to work constructively with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), regional tourism organisations and tourism operators to ensure the distinct impacts on agritourism businesses are understood as part of the broader tourism response.
Agritourism Queensland will also continue to work closely with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), industry organisations and the broader agriculture sector to ensure the on-farm impacts of rising fuel costs, fertiliser shortages and broader input pressures are properly recognised as part of the response to these current challenges.
The current situation reinforces the need for governments to recognise agritourism as a sector that sits across agriculture, tourism and regional development, and to ensure it is not overlooked in either tourism or primary industry policy responses.
Agritourism Queensland is calling for:
- Recognition of agritourism operators in any tourism, small business or regional relief measures, including where those businesses are also primary producers
- Ongoing attention to regional fuel pricing, fuel supply and freight pressures, particularly in areas reliant on self-drive visitation
- Practical action to support fertiliser availability and affordability for Queensland farmers
- Stronger coordination across agriculture, tourism and regional development portfolios, reflecting agritourism’s dual role in the economy
- Clear confidence messaging that regional Queensland remains open and welcomes visitors
Queensland remains open for business, but policy settings need to reflect the reality faced by businesses operating at the intersection of farming and tourism.
“Agritourism is part of Queensland’s broader visitor economy, and we will continue to work alongside QTIC, regional tourism organisations and industry partners to advocate for practical solutions that support tourism operators across the state,” Ms Tommerup said.
“At the same time, it is critical that the unique position of agritourism is recognised. These are working farms delivering visitor experiences, and they are carrying pressure in both sectors at once.”
-ENDS-
To speak with Agritourism Queensland please contact:
Rebecca Donohoe
Executive Officer
admin@agritourismqueensland.au
0476 246 449