Sunday 5 August 2007

TASMANIAN VISITOR INFORMATION NETWORK FUNDED TO IMPROVE VISITOR SERVICES
The Tasmanian Visitor Information Network (TVIN) has received grants of more than $320,000 to help improve visitor experiences and services across the State.

Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment Paula Wriedt today announced the 17 successful applicants for the TVIN Visitor Experience Assistance Program, praising them for their vision and commitment.

“The TVIN plays a key role in improving visitor experiences and providing visitors with personalised information and booking facilities right here in Tasmania,” Ms Wriedt said.

“These services are extremely important to interstate visitors who arrive without comprehensive itineraries, and also to Tasmanians wishing to have an inspiring holiday in their home State.”

The TVIN Visitor Experience Assistance Program is designed to enable the TVIN to make important improvements and additions to current services.

The Tasmanian Government also provides skill development and marketing support to the TVIN through Tourism Tasmania.

“Visitors come to Tasmania expecting outstanding holiday experiences,” Ms Wriedt said.

“They also expect to be able to find information and make bookings while they are travelling. Our main objective is to ensure we meet or exceed those expectations.

“The more visitors learn about what is available throughout the State, and the easier it is for them to book tours, attractions and accommodation, the greater the benefits of tourism for regional communities and economies.”

Ms Wriedt said the total benefit of the Program is estimated at more than $736,000, including financial contributions from the visitor centres themselves and local government.

“This current round of grants means the Network will be able to operate more effectively and improve critical business practices,” said Ms Wriedt.

Three separate categories of grants have been released under the current round of the TVIN Visitor Experience Assistance Program. Details of the programs and successful applicants follow:

Program 1: Strategic Visitor Servicing Projects
Grants $30,000 to $100,000

Devonport – Sustainability Project to build retail growth, and technological and regional capacity $100,000
Hobart – Pilot project to refine visitor service delivery throughout the region $100,000.

Program 2: Regional Visitor Servicing Projects
Grants $10,000 to $25,000

Hobart on behalf of Geeveston Huonville, Kettering, Oatlands, Port Arthur and Triabunna Centres - Marketing Campaign for the Southern Region $25,000
Devonport on behalf of Burnie, Sheffield, Stanley, Strahan and Wynyard Centres - A joint application for a consultancy study to determine feasibility of establishing internet enabled information kiosks in remote locations $25,000.

Program 3: Individual Centre Visitor Servicing Projects
Grants $2,000 to $5,000

Burnie – On-line booking system $5,000
Deloraine – Product oriented staff familiarisation program $4,450
Exeter – New front service counter with visual display unit $5,000
Geeveston – Office equipment upgrade $5,000
George Town – Two computers and flat screen television $5,000
Kettering – Website upgrade $3,800
Launceston –Increased brochure display space $5,000
Oatlands – LCD screens and DVD players $4,586
Port Arthur – On-line reservation system $5,000
Ross – Centre refurbishment and website enhancement $5,000
Sheffield – Self-guided audio tour of Sheffield’s Mural Walk $2,500
Stanley – Installation of a Way Finding system to guide visitors $5,000
Strahan – Development of satellite sites $5,000
Triabunna – Upgrade of business equipment and brochure racks $5,000
Wynyard – Digital Signage Development Project $5,000.

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

(03) 6230 8244
email mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au