STAYING ON TREND WITH TOURISM
Posted on November 9th, 2015
A business forum next week will underpin the major drive to develop the Central Highlands as a premier tourism destination.
Staying on Trend in Tourism – Everyone’s Business will be presented by the Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) on Friday afternoon, 20 November at Emerald’s McIndoe Park.
The three-hour event will feature expert speakers who will explain how operators can embrace the major shift towards online bookings, digital marketing and social media, particularly with the support of the new Central Highlands Tourism Marketing Strategy and centralhighlands.com.au.
“This forum caps off a year in which the Central Highlands has forged ahead in its campaign to grow the region’s tourism industry,” CHDC Tourism Development Officer Peter Grigg says.
“We’ve delivered two cornerstone projects – the Tourism Marketing Strategy and the overhauled website – and in this forum, I will help operators take the next step by demonstrating how to capitalise on these resources to develop and promote their product.”
Digital Coaching International Managing Director Liz Ward will also be there to dispel fears about the digital space and provide businesses with tools and knowledge to grow their online footprint.
“Time and time again, online marketing and e-commerce are identified as critical to the success of any tourism venture into the future, and Liz is the perfect person to show operators how to get in the game and avoid being left behind,” Mr Grigg says.
Rounding out the list of guest speakers is Dominic Ward, the Director of Tourism Investment Attraction (Tourism Division) of the Queensland Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games.
Mr Ward will explain the Department’s collaborative approach to attracting tourism infrastructure investment in regional Queensland to excel and grow the State’s visitor economy.
Following the forum, Ms Ward will facilitate an informal discussion to assess the 2015 tourism season in the Central Highlands and what lessons can be learned going forward.
Tickets are $45 per person (including GST) and can be purchased at chdc.com.au.
