February 2006 Edition
Regional Tourism News
Marketing Activities Heating Up In an effort to better hone our marketing focus Cradle Coast Authority Tourism will ensure that there is regional representation at each of the consumer and trade shows attended by Tourism Tasmania. Cradle Coast will obtain feedback and analyse the success or otherwise of these events to enable a more targeted approach in 2007. Events programmed in the next few months include: Melbourne Travel Show Backpacker & Adventure Tourism Expo Sydney Travel Show Melbourne International Flower & garden Show Brisbane Travel Show Agfest
18th to 19th February 2006 24th to 26th February 2006 18th to 19th March 2006 5th to 9th April 2006 7th to 9th April 2006 4th to 6th May 2006
Roadshows Mildura, Echuca, Griffith, Wagga Coonawarra, Adelaide, Gawler Newcastle, Central Coast, Northern Beaches, Canberra Wollongong, Camden, Parramatta, Bathurst/Orange Albury/Wodonga, Shepparton, Bendigo, Geelong Gold Coast, Byron/Ballina, Port Macquarie Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg Bairnsdale, Morwell, Ballarat, Warrnambool
8th to 11th May 2006 10th to 12th July 2006 17th to 20th July 2006 24th to 27th July 2006 24th to 27th July 2006 31st July to 3rd August 2006 7th to 9th August 2006 14th to 17th August 2006
For further information contact Ian Waller on (03) 6431 6285 or iwaller@cradlecoast.com
Tapping into the Cultural Tourism Market Two significant trends are seen as dominating the tourism market now and in the near future: • •
Mass marketing is giving way to one-to-one marketing with travel being tailored to the interests of the individual consumer. A growing number of visitors are becoming special interest travellers who rank the arts, heritage and/or other cultural activities as one of the top five reasons for travelling.
So says Cairns-based cultural tourism consultant Nat Trimarchi who spent a year as a Fulbright Foundation scholar researching best practice in cultural tourism in the United States. According to Trimarchi, regional communities are well positioned to take advantage of the growing number of cultural tourists seeking new travel experiences where quality and authenticity is the key. Cradle Coast Authority has secured assistance from the Federal Government’s Australia Council to bring Trimarchi to the Coast in March to talk about new approaches to developing cultural tourism experiences in the region. arts@work Project Officer, Nicki Fletcher, said it wasn’t only about art galleries and festivals. “This is as much about developing experiences around farming and food production, industrial heritage, nature and wildlife as it is about the arts,” Nicki said. “Nat Trimarchi has presented seminars to tourism groups around the country and has found that it’s not a case so much of inventing something new, but using the natural ingredients of the region and reinterpreting and packaging the experience.” Trimarchi will hold a FREE SEMINAR on the Coast on Monday 20th March. Please contact Nicki Fletcher for details on (03) 6431 6285 or email nfletcher@cradlecoast.com
2007 Event Grants Program Released It may be only the first month of 2006 but if you are planning a National, Special Interest or perhaps a Touring Event in 2007 you my be eligible for an event subsidy. If you are arranging a touring holiday for an interstate motoring or special interest group of over 30 people who will tour the island and stay at least four days you may be eligible for a subsidy of between $500 and $10,000. Special events such as sporting championships, special interest tours or meetings may also qualify for support of between $20 and $40 per head, depending on the time of year, with payments up to $15,000 possible. Applications for funding of events in 2007 will close on Tuesday 30th May 2006. For further information contact Ben Bovill , Cradle Coast Events Coordinator on (03) 6431 6285 or email bbovill@cradlecoast.com
New Peak Recreational Angling Body Anglers Alliance Tasmania Inc (AAT) was incorporated on 5th January 2006 and is the body officially accepted by Government and angler bodies as the organisation representing all licensed anglers. The Alliance now seeks three unattached and independent licensed anglers to join the Committee of AAT and assist in realising the true potential of the Tasmanian fishery. AAT is an Alliance of all angling clubs and professional bodies associated with the State’s fresh water fishery and its overarching aim is: “Through the representation of all anglers, ensure the realisation and maintenance of the full potential of the fishery” The constitution calls for one representative from each of the State’s three telephone regions and the positions are honorary. AAT has a Committee of fifteen and an executive of five and is run by a part time Alliance Manager so the workload is not onerous. An advertisement inviting expressions of interest will appear in Tasmania’s three daily papers on Saturday 11th February. Apart from AAT Tasmania’s recreational fresh water fishery has undergone dramatic change over the last two years and future plans promise even greater change in the immediate future. The Recreational Fishing Development Plan (RFDP) presently being researched and written has been made a reality through a Tourism Development grant of $104,000 from AusIndustry following seed funding from local Councils and the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS). The RFDP is to be the demand plan and will join in a supply plan being prepared by the IFS.T The final plans will then be subject to public consultation after which AAT will be the body implementing the findings of the RFDP.
Touring Route Infrastructure Investment A plan hat has been almost two years in the making finally came to fruition last week when Mark Baker MP representing the Minister for Transport & regional Services announced funding of $1,062,050 that along with the contribution of local government and other partners will see an investment of $3,154,000 into roadside tourism infrastructure over the next two years. Some of the projects to be funded are: • • • • • • • • • •
Public toilets at Strahan wharf Car parking & Interpretation at Frenchman’s Cap Track Campsite, West Esplanade at Smithton Leven Canyon amenities and interpretation Devonport Western foreshore facilities Sisters Beach foreshore facilities. Kentish Visitor Information Centre improvements Bells Parade interpretation and riverside walk Burnie entry point signage King Island significant sites upgrade
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Backpacker Industry Chasing New Business B.O.O.T, the industry organisation representing the backpacker industry is planning a marketing push in Melbourne at the Melbourne Backpackers and Adventure Tourism Expo to be held at the Royal Exhibition Building from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February 2006. This exhibition will expose Tasmania’s adventure products to over 8000 prospective visitors. For further information please contact Jan Horton at Tourism Council Tasmania on Ph: (03) 6224 1930 / Fax: (03) 6224 2471
Mining Heritage Project The project to develop visitor experiences based on the Cradle Coasts wealth of mining heritage is progressing well. Community forums held in Rosebery, Zeehan and Queenstown during January were well attended although some people in Zeehan were unable to attend because they were busy fighting fires. The local knowledge provided by the enthusiastic participants will be invaluable in developing strategies for implementation. Consultant Anna Housego will now write up some strategic options for presentation to the Steering Committee at a meeting in Queenstown in February. Subsequent to this a draft document will be prepared for distribution to industry for feedback. If you were unable to attend the community forums but still wish to provide some ideas that you have for tourism experiences based on the mining heritage in the region you should contact Wayne Bolton, Industry Development Consultant on (03) 6431 6285 or wbolton@cradlecoast.com or one of the project Steering committee representatives. The Steering Committee consists of: • • • • • • • • • •
Ian Waller, Chairman, Cradle Coast Authority Anna Housego, Consultant Wayne Bolton, Project Manager Anne Drake, West Coast Council Deb Lewis, Tourism Tasmania John Halton, Project Queenstown Kevin Hyland, Mayor Waratah – Wynyard Council Nicki Fletcher, Art & Culture Tourism Development Officer CCA Phil Vickers, West Coast Heritage Robin (Shorty) Halfacre, Mines Tasmania
Gemboree 2006 The West Coast of Tasmania is likely to see a significant influx of visitors into the region prior to and immediately following Easter with the 2006 Gemboree being held at the Royal Hobart Showgrounds from the 14th to the 17th of April. The Gemboree handbook features a number of fossicking locations on the West Coast including Osmiridium near Waratah & Savage River, Cerussite at Magnet, and Ferroaxinite at Colebrook Hill and it of course features the magnificent Dundas Crocoite. It is hoped that a number of new fossicking sites will be gazetted prior to the Gemboree to better facilitate access to many of Tasmania’s gem and mineral areas without impacting on mining leases. For further information on the Gemboree contact the organising committee via The Secretary, PO Box 82, Beaconsfield, Tas, 7270. The organising committee is putting together 500 brochure packs for attendees. Tourism businesses wishing to provide brochures or discount vouchers for inclusion should contact Pam Carter on 0409 372 858 prior to the end of March 2006.
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Accommodation at a Premium With both the Australian Rowing Championships and the Ulysses 2006 AGM being held in the region between 6th to 12th March 2006 beds are at a premium. Any accommodation houses who have vacancies or who subsequently have cancellations are asked to contact Ann-Maree at the Devonport Visitor Information centre on (03) 6424-4466 or tourism@dcc.tas.gov.au to maximise the available beds. People will be staying as far away as Burnie and Launceston so please let Ann-Maree know if you have spare rooms.
Cradle Coast Food & Beverage Strategy “Source to Sensation” is the recently completed food and beverage strategy for the Cradle Coast region. Unlike other food and beverage strategies that target the tourism industry this strategy is the first of its kind in Tasmania. It is a dual industry strategy that will deliver significant benefits to the primary sector and to the tourism industry. The aim in developing this strategy was to establish a Cradle Coast food and beverage tourism sector that is able to compete with other regions, develop strong brand value and awareness of the region’s produce off shore and add value to the existing Cradle Coast tourism “experience”. There are at least two major outcomes that can be expected from the successful implementation of this strategy: 1. The development of a brand for Cradle Coast produce that will increase the value of Tasmania’s Cradle Coast produce 2. Increased and improved food and beverage related experiences for visitors to the region Brand development strategies have been successfully undertaken in relation to produce from many destinations around the world with the aim of creating increased value for producers. This strategy recognises that the region’s tourism operators and destination marketers can assist in opening new markets and creating brand awareness (and brand value) for a region’s primary producers. It also recognises that primary producers and processors in the region can enhance the holiday experience of visitors by making their produce readily available and providing opportunities for visitors to experience their produce in unique and novel ways. Cradle coast Authority is now seeking additional funding to implement this comprehensive strategy. For further information or a copy of the strategy please contact Wayne Bolton on (03) 6431 6285 or wbolton@cradlecoast.com
Anver’s Chocolate Factory for “Sweet” Service If you are looking to be sweetened up, then evidently the service at Anver’s Chocolate Factory will do the trick – even without their famous chocolates and beverages. Anver’s was selected as the Peoples Choice Award for quality service for the December quarter and as such will be eligible for the Tourism Council of Tasmania’s state award that will be presented at their gala dinner in November 2006. Anver’s will receive twelve months subscription to 40o South courtesy of Cradle Coast Authority and the accolades and repeat business of many satisfied customers. For re-supply of nomination forms contact Ellissa Branch, Industry Services Coordinator, Tourism Council Tasmania on (03) 6224 1930 or email ellissa@tctas.com.au
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Tarkine – A Co-operative Approach A round-table meeting of industry, community and government representatives in Burnie this week has laid the foundations for coordinated tourism development of the Tarkine area of the Cradle Coast region. The meeting, convened by the Cradle Coast Authority, included representatives from the Arthur-Pieman Management Committee, Burnie, Circular Head and Waratah-Wynyard Councils, local tourism associations, Tourism Tasmania and other State Government agencies, Forestry Tasmania, Aboriginal interests and the Tarkine National Coalition. Representatives from the West Coast were invited but unable to attend. In what participants described as a breakthrough meeting, consensus was quickly reached on a working definition of the Tarkine as ‘a distinct region of unique natural and cultural landscapes, human histories, remote communities and land uses, framed by the catchments of the Arthur and Pieman Rivers, the Murchison Highway and the Great Southern Ocean’. The meeting also agreed on the need to improve access, information and infrastructure for visitors to the area, and creation of a long-term plan for future tourism development and management of its impacts. The group will meet again in February to develop these concepts in more detail and will request a meeting with Federal Government representatives regarding funding allocated under the Community Forest Agreement. Other issues for future meetings include briefings on infrastructure projects in the area, presentations from existing tourism businesses and development of a tourism brand for the Tarkine. For further information contact Ian Waller on (03) 6431 6285 or iwaller@cradlecoast.com
Tracks & Trails We are pleased to announce that the registration document for the forthcoming Tracks & Trails conference to be held in Hobart 10th to 12th may 2006 is now available. Visit the website at www.tracksandtrails2006.com.au and download the brochure and registration form. The link is on the left hand side of the website. Interested delegates can either register online (via the website), or by completing the form and returning to this office. The conference and program will cover all aspects of Tracks and Trails management, looking at sustainability issues, new trends, and will be a great vehicle for discussion and discovery. The field trips in the Back Country of Hobart offer great diversity. Take a cruise along the Derwent River, cycle Mount Wellington, visit one of Tasmania's best known national parks, ride or 4WD the Tasmanian Trail, or visit the Kingborough region and discover what is happening south of the capital city. The registration fee provides great value, and we encourage you to check out the program on the website and register early. Take advantage of the saving and send in your registration form before 31 March 2006 to be eligible for the early bird fee. For further information about the conference or sponsorship contact Paula Leishman of Leishman and Associates on (03) 6234 7844.
Newsletter of the Cradle Coast Authority – Tourism Division This newsletter is circulated to the Cradle Coast Tourism Industry on a bi-monthly basis. For further information or to submit information for subsequent editions please contact Wayne Bolton on (03) 6431 6285 or wbolton@cradlcoast.com
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