GREY nomads are successfully helping fill a skills void in regional Queensland, it has been revealed.

Travellers are finding skills they have had for years are suddenly in demand in outback towns, turning a stay of weeks into months. And they have received a pat on the back from the State's Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle.

Launching the new 2008 Caravan and Touring Directory, she said the public spirited caravanners were to be congratulated.

"These people are usually recently retired and come from professional or trade backgrounds – what we say to them is stay longer in regions where their skills are needed," she added.

Ms Boyle said an estimated 913,000 visitors stayed in a Queensland caravan parks or camping grounds over the past year, a four percent annual increase.

"Caravanning grey nomads play an extremely important role in regional Queensland's tourism industry, travelling on average for six months or more during a single trip. At the moment we are seeing particularly high demand for skilled labour in flood affected regions.

"It is a great time for travelling grey nomads to use their skills in these areas while also funding their highway adventures."

Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland, Caravanning Queensland and Workabout Australia had worked closely to provide grey nomads with easy access to information on working holidays in Queensland.

"According to a Department of Employment and Training-commissioned research report on the potential of grey nomads to help address the current skills shortage, 56.7 percent of those interviewed were interested in undertaking paid work of some form while travelling,” she said.

"Over half were also interested in undertaking voluntary work in some form while travelling."

The report also revealed that retirees were particularly interested in finding paid or volunteer work along major tourist routes such as The Pacific Way, Capricorn, Warrego and Matilda highways.

"Backpackers have been taking working holidays in Queensland for years so there’s no reason why retired Australians can’t do the same thing." Ms Boyle said.

She congratulated Caravanning Queensland for its work in providing so many opportunities for regional Queensland.

"Caravanning Queensland has worked closely with the Queensland Government to not only grow the industry but help support regional communities," Ms Boyle added.

Caravanning Queensland chief executive officer Ron Chapman said the new Caravan and Touring Directory gave people an easy to use guide to destinations and experiences perfect for a caravanning holiday.

"Caravanning Queensland will be hitting the road with the new guide over the next few months visiting various states to encourage grey nomads to visit and work in regional Queensland," he said.

The 2008 Caravan and Touring Directory is available free through www.caravanqld.com.au.

Information on working holiday opportunities is also available from www.workaboutaustralia.com.au or 02 6884 7777.

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