Tourism Talk – Industry Newsletter

Issue 272 - 14 July 2009

Tas e-Connect Update

As of 30 June 2009, a total of 238 operators across the State are now connected to the Open Booking Exchange (OBX). There are 55 in Launceston, Tamar and the North, 38 in the East Coast, 38 in the North West Coast, 98 in Hobart and Surrounds and 9 operators in the Western Wilderness.

The Tourism e-kit, available on this website, has been invaluable in supporting these operators and others with their Tas e-Connect decisions. Visits to the main tutorial index page of the Tourism e-kit have grown from 280 in January 2009 to 420 in June 2009.

The two most popular tutorials in the Tourism e-kit are Web Strategy: cost and timings [PDF 92KB] and Planning for a New Website [PDF 90KB] , and for the 32 per cent of tourism operators still without their own websites, these tutorials will continue to be particularly useful.

If you’re wondering how best to sell your rooms, tours or attractions in readiness for the fast-approaching summer season, then check out Online Distribution 101 [PDF 238KB] and Online Distribution Advanced [PDF 156KB], both being recent additions to the e-kit.

E-Learning Online Forum - Volunteers Needed

Tourism Tasmania is introducing an online forum (an internet discussion site) to deliver selected Tourism e-kit tutorials, including tutorials on Online Booking Systems and Online Distribution.

The forum will allow operators to discuss and clarify aspects of each topic online. At the same time, experts will contribute to the discussions and help forum members clarify any specific problems they may have.

The forum will deliver information in step-by-step increments, will be easily navigable and learning materials will be available online whenever operators want them.

Tourism Tasmania is recruiting operators to test the technical operation of the forum and its effectiveness as a learning tool.

You do not require high levels of technological expertise to participate.

The testing phase will be from July to September 2009.

If you wish to participate in testing a forum based on the Tourism E-Kit please register with the Tas e-Connect Help Desk by phoning 1300 303 259.

Cradle Coast Regional Tourism Forum 2009

The Cradle Coast Authority, in conjunction with the West Coast Council, is hosting the 2009 Regional Tourism Forum on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 August at Strahan Village.

The theme of the forum is Shades of Green: Matching Consumer Expectations. The forum will include presentations by Professor Tony McCall University of Tasmania; Andrew Maurer, Manager Forecasting and Analysis, Tourism Research Australia; and Kristie Grey, Acting Chief Executive Officer, EcoTourism Australia.

The forum will also include a presentation from Felicia Mariani, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Tasmania; Claire Ellis, Director Infrastructure and Industry Development, Tourism Tasmania; and Sam Steven, Head of Digital Marketing, Tourism Tasmania.

Details, including how to register and the full program of events, can be found on the Forum website.

Application Writing Workshops

Tourism Tasmania and TICT are offering all 2009 Tasmanian Tourism Award registrants the opportunity to participate in our ‘Award Winner’ application writing workshops. Attendance at the workshops is free.

The full-day workshops will incorporate the following components:

  • An overview of Rules and Tips for Submissions
  • Judges Perspective – Sarah Lebski – Chair of Judges – Tasmania
  • Review of previous winning entries
  • A Business Plan Overview
  • Round Table discussion and tutorial around Category 5 of the Award Criteria
  • ‘Packing List’ Review

At a subsidised rate of 50% for up to two hours, Tourism Tasmania will also provide participants with the opportunity to gain further professional advice. In addition to each workshop (free), participants will have the opportunity to be mentored by David Reed in the preparation of their application. Last year a number of operators took advantage of this opportunity which they found most useful.

(*Please note that the mentoring opportunity is only available to those registrants who participate in the workshops)

Launceston
27 July 2009 – Cornwall Suite, Sebel Hotel
Cornwall Square, Launceston
10.00am to 2.30pm

Burnie
28 July - Bass & Flinders Room
Burnie Civic Square
Wilmot Street, Burnie
10.00am – 2.30pm

Hobart
4 August, 2009, Theatrette, Old Woolstore
1 Macquarie Street, Hobart
10.00am – 2.30pm

For more information contact:

Nicky McKibben
Tourism Tasmania
Phone: 03 6230 8154
Mobile: 0400 242264
Email: Nicky.McKibben@tourism.tas.gov.au

RSVP:

Janine Uhlman
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania
GPO Box 2158 HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6224 1930
Fax: 03 6224 2471
Email: Janine.Uhlman@tict.com.au

Launceston Tamar Valley Tourism Association on Facebook

The Launceston Tamar Valley Tourism Association now have a page on Facebook. This new online presence allows members to share ideas on the discussion board, make new friends with industry contacts and promote their business to other members.

The Facebook page also allow the LTVTA executive to include links to articles of interest on other websites and provide updates on LTVTA activities to a wider community audience such as local community members. Visit their Facebook page.

QANTAS Sustainable Tourism Seminars

Qantas recently announced it would again host a series of tourism industry seminars around Australia as part of its commitment to sustainable tourism in 2009.

This year’s seminars, titled Investing for the Long Haul, will help raise awareness of the potential environmental impacts of tourism operations and provide solutions for best practice in sustainability, including highlighting opportunities to access government subsidies.

State and national winners of the 2008 Qantas Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism will be showcased during the seminars.

The seminar will be held in Hobart on Tuesday 22 September.

Tourism operators will be invited to register for the seminars from early August.

Media Enquiries:
Sophia Connelly T: 02 9691 3473
sophiaconnelly@qantas.com

Tourism Leaders Convene to Set Course for Recovery

Industry heavy-weights, government policy-makers, academics and tourism professionals will convene for a crucial round of talks at the annual Tourism Futures Conference on the Gold Coast from 17 –19 August.

Issues addressed at the conference include engaging with Asia-Pacific, responding to climate change, the dearth of new product development in Australia, destination development and the need to embrace online technology.

For further information visit the Tourism Futures website.

TigerTOUR Update

Recent additions to TigerTOUR.

Accommodation:

  • Burnie Bed and Breakfast, Burnie
  • 41 on York, Launceston
  • At Eleven, La Petite Maison, Hobart
  • Gowrie Park Wilderness Cabins, north west Tasmania
  • Paradise House, Boat Harbour

Attractions:

  • Riverlinks Tasmania - Discover The Leven River Tours

Tourism Tasmania’s Product Consultants can assist you to update your business details, email: TigerTOUR@tourism.tas.gov.au or phone: (03) 6230 8229.

Coming Events

B&E Launceston Ten
Sun 19 July
A fast, flat, out and back 100 per cent, traffic free 10km fun run.

See all events