Tourism symposium hailed as a success
October 21, 2009
The first symposium for the tourism industry in the Northern Rivers has been an outstanding success, according to organisers.
“We had 115 people attend and the feedback on the quality of speakers, information and learning has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Northern Rivers Tourism CEO Russell Mills.
“Rarely does a tourism event bring together key State, national and international industry leaders, as well as a Tourism Minister, so we had a great opportunity to share insights, problems and ideas on the future of tourism and its effect on the Northern Rivers.”
Speaking were the co-founder of the world’s largest youth travel business, STA Travel’s Dick Porter from the UK, Tourism Australia’s Matthew Cameron Smith, Chief Economist with Qantas, Dr Tony Webber, Managing Director of the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Matthew Hingerty and Tourism NSW’s Regional Tourism Director, Andrew Sargant.
A highlight of the event was the NSW Tourism Minister Jodi McKay’s attendance and announcement of an additional $300,000 in State funding for marketing of the region over the summer period.
The Symposium, titled ‘Innovate and Prosper’, had a variety of workshop sessions which were hands-on learning opportunities for tourism operators, with positive comments coming from many of those who attended.
Among those who attended, Tony McDonald from Sine Cera Rainforest Retreat near Kyogle felt the networking opportunities were excellent to help him build his business.
“The presenters were professional and it was really positive and useful all the way through the two days,” said Tony.
Clarence River Tourism Manager Jenny Massie said the symposium was very valuable to help smaller operators.
“Workshops such as ‘sharpening the marketing tool kit’ and ‘untangle my web’ in relation to e-marketing were really beneficial to all of us in the tourism business,” said Ms Massie
Dhinawan, one of the 15 Indigenous tourism operators who attended, said it was all about re-energising.
“It reminded us that it is all about how we present and market ourselves. Bigger operators are looking for the different kinds of experiences that are available and we need to network together,” said Dhinawan, whose business, Dhinawan Dreaming, is based at Ocean Shores.
Mr Mills said: “We will ask for feedback from delegates about the interest in another event next year, but early indications are such a learning opportunity should be available to tourism operators every year.”
The Symposium was held at the Byron at Byron Resort, Spa and Conference Centre and was subsidised through State and Federal government flood recovery funding.
Major sponsors were Southern Cross University’s School of Tourism & Hospitality Management, Industry and Investment NSW, The Northern Star, totaltravel.com, Dogwhistle Creative and Local Government Tourism Managers.
PICTURE: Tourism Symposium speakers (from left) Tourism Australia’s Matthew Cameron Smith, STA Travel co-founder Dick Porter, Northern Rivers Tourism CEO Russell Mills and Managing Director of the Australian Tourism Export Council, Matthew Hingerty.
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