Tourism Talk - Industry Newsletter

Issue 291 - 27 April 2010

Get Tasmania on the Global Tourism Map

Tourism Australia's new global campaign, There’s nothing like Australia, offers Australians the opportunity to tell the world what’s unique and special about this country. For everybody involved in the tourism industry in Tasmania, it’s absolutely vital that we are well-represented in this campaign, and the interactive map that will be developed as a result of the competition now running on the Tourism Australia website.

Tourism Tasmania has embarked on a PR campaign to encourage members of the public to upload photographs and stories of their favourite Tasmanian holiday destination to the campaign website, www.nothinglikeaustralia.com. You can participate by uploading posts of your own and increase our percentage of posts by encouraging friends, relatives and members of you local community to do the same.

To make it worthwhile, Tourism Australia are also offering prizes – a winner will be chosen from each state and territory to win an Australian holiday valued at $5,000, and an overall winner will then be selected to win the ultimate Australian holiday valued at $25,000.

The competition runs until 12 May 2010, so whether it's your favourite beach, mountain, walk, heritage location, fishing spot or other tourism experience, now is the time to show not just other Australians, but the world what we have to offer. There are huge advantages for all of us in being a part of a marketing campaign that can bring international recognition for Tasmania.

For further information see the Tourism Australia website and the competition details on the There's Nothing Like Australia website.

Nominations Open for the Tasmanian Tourism Awards

The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania (TICT) has announced the launch of the 2010 Tasmanian Tourism Awards, along with a new e-Awards website.

The awards are designed to promote and reward business excellence in tourism and aim to encourage professionalism, creativity and innovation, as well as provide a benchmark for best practice in the tourism industry. The Tasmanian awards also enable operators attain national recognition through the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

Entering the awards raises the profile and awareness of an operator's product and provides a tangible acknowledgement of those who contribute to it. Awards finalists also gain a potential marketing advantage that can increase their profit.

This year sees the introduction of the e-Awards system with entrants now able to nominate for the awards and submit their entry online.

Tasmanian Hospitality Association State Conference – 4 May

The Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) invites everyone from the hospitality and tourism sector to attend the Tasmanian Hospitality Association State Conference on Tuesday, 4 May 2010.

The keynote speaker at the conference is Ian Robson, current CEO and Managing Director of Essendon Football Club. 

Ian has previously lived in Tasmania and is an enthusiastic supporter of the state. Given Ian’s recent comments in the media regarding AFL games in Tasmania, it will be of interest to all those involved in the tourism and hospitality sector to hear what he has to say. 

And as well as giving attendees a great opportunity to network and meet new people, the day will also include a cooking demonstration conducted by Franklyn Scholar and presentations from the major beverage sponsors.

The conference will be held from 10.30am to 4.30pm at Wrest Point Hotel Casino (Wellington Room)

The cost is $75 per person (including morning tea and lunch).

For further information see the THA website or to secure a place at the conference contact Clare Manning on 6224 7033 or clare@australianhotels.asn.au.

Glenorchy Residents See Benefits in Tourism Growth

A recent survey of 2000 Glenorchy residents revealed that the municipality recognises the benefits of tourism to the local economy and that further local development is needed.

It asked residents about their perceptions of tourism within the community, the value of tourism to their local economy, and what they considered to be the impacts of tourism on infrastructure and community activities.

The survey revealed Glenorchy residents see real value in growing the tourism offerings in the municipality, with the majority of respondents (59%) happy to see continued tourism growth in their municipality and fewer than 2% expressing a desire for less tourism.

“This valuable research and the recommendations of Glenorchy residents will help us plan tourism-related developments and activities including the continued work on the foreshore with the Glenorchy Arts and Sculpture Park and the opening of the Museum of Old and New Art early next year,” said the Mayor of Glenorchy, Adriana Taylor.

“The survey also shows that the development of local facilities and a local focus for the tourism industry are priorities for our community,” she said.

Supported by the Glenorchy City Council, the survey was conducted late last year by the Centre for Tourism and Services Research at Victoria University on behalf of Tourism Tasmania and Tourism Research Australia.

Similar surveys have also recently been completed in the Kentish and Break O’Day municipalities with the results to be published next month.

A summary report of the Glenorchy survey results can be found on the Tourism Research Australia website

New Survey on University Graduate Requirements for Tourism Industry

Tourism Tasmania is working with the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania (TICT) and the University of Tasmania to better understand the Tasmanian tourism industry's need for university graduates. The survey will assess the level of graduate recruitment over the last five years and estimate industry needs for the next five years.

The outcomes of the research will help the University improve future courses and programs suited to Tasmania's tourism industry. The research will also inform the University's work with the Vocational Education and Training sector and other training providers in Tasmania to address the training and educational needs of the tourism industry.

The TICT will soon send a short email survey to all operators in Tasmania and to tourism service organisations including government, councils, RTAs, and marketing and consulting companies. The University of Tasmania will analyse the results and then discuss the issues surrounding the research outcomes in forums in the north, north-west and south of the state.

Tourism Tasmania will compile the comments into a report by the end of May.

Event Survival Seminars - 19 May

Tasmanian Polytechnic is holding two workshops for event organisers on Wednesday19th May.

The first workshop addresses the important role of volunteers in ensuring success and cost effectiveness for most events. Anthony Coad, Chairperson of Agfest 2010, and Peter Middleton, Community Development Officer with Volunteering Tasmania will describe what’s involved.

The second workshop, Tassie PR secrets revealed, will explain to participants how to create prominent public awareness, utilising local media channels. The Mercury’s Editor Garry Bailey will divulge the inside info on how to get your event on the front page.

See the workshop flyer [PDF 332KB] for further information, including the registration form, or email angela.bain@polytechnic.tas.edu.au

Pricing Your Tourism Product for Better Profit – 12 May

Are your products priced appropriately to sustain your business in the long term? Do you understand the cost structure of your business? And do you know what the profit drivers are in your business?

Pricing Your Tourism Product for Better Profit is a dynamic half-day workshop tailored to the tourism industry. The workshop will help you analyse your business, review its costing and pricing structure and create improved opportunities to generate profit.

The workshop will be presented by experienced management consultant, Malcolm MacDonald, Principal of Malcolm MacDonald & Associates. Malcolm has enjoyed a long association with the tourism industry as a former banker and financier, and now consultant and educator.

The workshop will be held in Launceston at Tourism Tasmania on 12 May from 1.30pm – 4.30pm, and in Hobart at the Old Woolstore on 13 May from 1.30pm - 4.30pm.

For further information or to express your interest to attend contact Nicky McKibben on 6230 8154 nicky.mckibben@tourism.tas.gov.au or for Team Tasmania, Danielle Fontane on 6230 8162, danielle.fontane@tourism.tas.gov.au

Experience Continuum Workshop - 8 June

Do you really know what your customers want and how to keep them coming back?

Presenter, Sarah Lebski, will discuss the benefits of knowing who your customers are and how to connect with them.

The workshop will be held in Hobart on Tuesday 8 June from 1.30pm to 4.30pm at the Old Woolstore in Macquarie Street.

For further information or to register your interest contact Nicky McKibben on 6230 8154, nicky.mckibben@tourism.tas.gov.au or for Team Tasmania, Danielle Fontane on 6230 8162 danielle.fontane@tourism.tas.gov.au.

Asia-Pacific Global Eco Tourism Conference – Call for Papers

Ecotourism Australia is currently organising the 18th annual Asia-Pacific Global Eco Tourism Conference 2010 to be held from 25 to 27 October at Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

This year's conference is themed Experience is Everything with experts from across the globe examining best practice in sustainability, ecotourism and climate change response.

You are invited to offer a paper for presentation on Day 1 or Day 3 of the Global Eco Conference 2010 - a fantastic opportunity to bring your knowledge to the industry and gain exposure. The deadline for the call for papers is Friday 30 April.

For more information or to submit a paper please visit www.globaleco.com.au

New Industry Development Coordinator

A warm welcome to Tanya Trost, Tourism Tasmania's new Co-ordinator Industry Development for the North West. Tanya was previously the Project Manager in the North West Regional Office of the Department of Economic Development.

Tanya will work closely with the Cradle Coast Authority to deliver tourism outcomes for the North West Coast.

Tanya’s contact details are: mobile: 0437 189 956 and email tanya.trost@tourism.tas.gov.au

TigerTOUR Update

The following new products have been added to the Tourism Tasmania TigerTOUR database.

Attraction

Tourism Tasmania’s Product Consultants can help you update your business details. For more information email TigerTOUR@tourism.tas.gov.au or phone: 6230 8229.

Coming Events

Targa Tasmania
Tarmac rally across Tasmania with 300 of the world's finest cars.
27 Apr - 02 May 2010
Tasmania - Multiple Venues

See all events

Tourism Talk is produced by Tourism Tasmania. Contributions should be directed to Richard Webb, Tel: 6230 8171; email richard.webb@tourism.tas.gov.au