Victor Harbour South Australia provides the backdrop for the Australian Regional Tourism Convention scheduled for 20 – 24 October 2015.
Now in it’s fourteenth year this convention is designed specifically for destinations and operators working within regional tourism across Australia.
As well as a forum to discuss the challenges regional tourism faces including issues around regional visitors centres and insights into the shared economy, opportunities and case studies will be a focus.
Collaboration, social media and branding best practice will be showcased within the extensive schedule with program highlights including Jasmine Meagher from Australia’s South West, Rodney Harrex CEO of the South Australian Tourism Commission and Carolyn Childs from MyTravelResearch.com.
Vineyard in the region of fleurieu peninsula
“There are three key aspects that MyTravelResearch.com are involved with at this years convention including the Young Tourism Professional presentations and awards which are shaping up to be so exciting with fantastic insights from our future leaders in this space including topics like helping all parts of the visitor economy profit from social media, community engagement in tourism, VICs, how regions can get more out of research data and best practice in destination management. Whatever happens, the future is looking bright!” says Ms Childs.
“We are also presenting about branding for regions, and a separate presentation on the future of Visitor Information Centres. Discussions about Visitor Information Centres (VIC) tends to be quite emotive but really we’re asking the wrong question. It’s not about whether you should or should not have a VIC. It’s about how do we get visitors spending the most in your destination.”
Carolyn Childs, MyTravelResearch.com
My Travel Research has recently conducted research into VIC’s for Eurobodalla Shire looking at critical success factors for VICs and researching VIC best practice and changes globally.
“Visitor Information Centres succeed when they offer the best experience for the consumer and if its not about the consumer it always fails – this will all form part of the discussion at ARTN next month” continues Ms Childs.
The ARTN is the peak national body that represents regional tourism and works with industry partners and convention attendees are practitioners, organisations and operators who are intrinsically connected to the tourism industry in regional Australia.
For more information about the Australian Regional Tourism Convention including the full program and schedule head to www.artn.com.au
