Pre-event ticket sales for the largest and richest rodeo in the southern hemisphere are bucking the 2019 record by up to 20 per cent.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said August 12 to 15 would mark the 62nd year of the iconic Mt Isa Mines Rodeo.
"As more and more Australians saddle up for genuine Outback Queensland visitor experiences, it's great to hear the Mt Isa Rodeo is on track for a cracking year," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"The rodeo is an important event for outback tourism and is expected to sling $10 million into Mt Isa's economic recovery plan.
"Like many great events, the Mt Isa rodeo is rebuilding better and adapting to changing expectations to tie in fresh visitor experiences.
"For the first time this year, the rodeo is offering charter flight and glamping packages.
"Mt Isa Rodeo's high-end, luxury glamping experience sold out on the first day of tickets going to market."
Mr Hinchliffe said the Mt Isa Mines Rodeo was Australia's richest with a $250,000 prize pool.
"The prize pool brings hundreds of the country's best riders to The Isa and a stampede of fans to witness the rodeo action and two nights of music entertainment," he said.
"We know 15 per cent of pre-event ticket sales have been lassoed by New South Wales spectators with Victorians jumping on 11 percent, confirming The Isa rodeo's national appeal.
"Rodeo fans arriving in The Isa by road will help spread the economic benefit across multiple outback towns with overnight stops and rest breaks.
"It demonstrates the significance of destination events like The Mt Isa Rodeo to tourism operators and small businesses in communities around Queensland."
Isa Rodeo Chief Executive Officer Ms Natalie Flecker said organisers were buoyed by the demand from people to travel to Outback Queensland and to experience the event.
"We are looking forward to welcoming our visitors so they can enjoy world-class entertainment from the calibre of artists like Guy Sebastian and Lee Kernaghan plus the world-class rodeo action the event is renowned for," said Ms Flecker.
"It's exciting to have sold in five days more than the whole pre-sales tickets for 2019, which was our 60th Year.
"To enable a COVID safe event in 2021, if we have sold out beforehand there will be no tickets available on the gate – so we really encourage people to buy online early to ensure they will be able to attend."
The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is supported by the Palaszczuk Government's Tourism and Events Queensland.
Tickets and flight and accommodation packages can be purchased at www.isarodeo.com.au
