Two regional tourism forums were held during March by TCWA. On the 9th March TCWA CEO Graham Moss and Accreditation Officers Peter Norris & Sally Garnett presented the forum in Exmouth which was attended by some 20 people involved in the tourism industry. The forum provided a great opportunity for operators to raise issues impacting on the tourism industry in their region. 

On the 19th March President Paul King and CEO Graham Moss presented the industry forum in Broome which was attended by over 40 people involved in the tourism industry in the region. 

Robust discussion was held on various tourism related issues the main issue being the proposed LNG Hub and the preferred location at James Price Point.  There were varying points of view on this proposal however the main issue appeared to be the lack of information available on all aspects of the proposal.  TCWA undertook to obtain all available information and provide it to its members in the Broome region.  Paul King & Graham Moss also took to opportunity to drive to James Price Point to view the proposed site.

They also took the opportunity to inspect the two new major tourism developments, the nearly competed Pinctada and the Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat and were extremely impressed with both developments.
 

The Accreditation team carried out Accreditation workshops and onsite verficiation visits verification visits whilst in Exmouth recently, then travelled to Coral Bay, Shark Bay, Monkey Mia and Carnarvon to conduct further on-site verifications and an accreditation workshop in Carnarvon.  Thanks to the Exmouth and Carnarvon Visitor Centres for their support of these activities.

We would like to congratulate  the following businesses for becoming newly accredited for the months of February and March.

The Margaret River Backpackers                                                                        Rottnest Express                                                                                                      Hotel Rottnest

Also congratulations to the following businesses who have received fantastic feedback over the last month.

Chocolate Drops                                     Chestnut Brook Cottage              Broome Sightseeing Tours                      Echoes                                                    Kangaridge Guesthouse              Karma Chalets
Margaret River Guesthouse                   Rottnest Express

If you require any additional customer survey brochures please contact your local Visitor Centre or the Council

Preparations have once again commenced for the 2009 WA Tourism Awards. The Awards program is a fantastic way to get exposure for your business through not only being a winner or finalist but through the extensive media coverage that our winners receive.

Nominations for the 2009 Awards will open mid April. The Awards brochure will be available to download from our website on this date in PDF format. In the meantime this year’s updated categories and questions have been posted on the Awards Website

Nominations Open- mid April
Nominations Close- 26th June
Judges Site Visits- August/September
Submissions Due- September
Finalists announced – 20th October 
WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner – 21st November

TCWA held a Roundtable Forum, which was limited to Gold and Silver Members at which the Chair of the National Long Term Tourism Committee Margaret Jackson AC was the guest speaker.
The Forum, which was facilitated by Gerry Gannon, provided an ideal opportunity for TCWA members to hear from Margaret the objectives and desired outcomes of the National Long Term Tourism Strategy Committee which was established by the Federal Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson.
It also provided Margaret with an opportunity to hear the views of TCWA members on the issues which should be addressed in the development of the Strategy.
The Forum which was attended by some 40 TCWA members was followed by drinks and cocktail food kindly provided by our hosts Perth Convention Exhibition Centre

It has been recognised that, during these tough economic times, the industry needs to be innovative and look at embracing quality and new technologies as a way forward.  In this respect, TCWA are continuing to work with local online TV Station LocoTV to offer Members and Accredited operators exceptional rates to participate in two new online shows promoting tourism operators in WA.

The crew from LocoTV will be hitting the road in 2009 and travelling to regional areas filming WA businesses offering tourism experiences. In April the team from LocoTV will be filming in the South West for the series “WA Unwrapped” - each show will comprise four businesses in the region. The cost to your business will be $2750 and will secure you not only a section within the show featuring your region, but you will also receive you own copy of the TV quality video to use as you wish – upload it to your website, develop promotions videos, use for TV advertising! 

Video content on your website is the way of the future, and with the new concept of IPTV taking Europe by storm, Video promotion delivers your business message across the world. Tourism Council WA is in full support of this fantastic concept and is eager for your business to get on board. Limited spots available please contact Anna Bosotin to register your interest.
 

At 8:30pm on Saturday 28 March 2009, people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour, Earth Hour, to demonstrate that by working together we can make a difference in the fight against climate change.

Tourism Council WA supports this initiative and encourages all its members to support this action on climate change.

The symbolic event is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage individuals, businesses and communities to take action and cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. The campaign is led by world*s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation, WWF.

Landmarks across WA that have already signed up include:
Kings Park
The Bell Tower
Subiaco Oval
Perth Convention Exhibition Centre

Accreditation Manager Minda Penn and Special Projects Manager Sally Hollis are currently in Broome delivering a number of workshops and conducting onsite verification visits.  Yesterday an industry breifing session was held to look at the development of the Cruise Shipping Module which will be a new sector requirement of the Accreditation Program.  The briefing session sought input and feedback from operators and stakeholders to ensure it responds to the needs of this growing sector.  For further information about the Cruise Shipping Module please contact Sally Hollis. An 'online' Accreditation Workshop is also being held at the Borome Telecentre to get interested operators on the way to completing the requirements of the accreditation program. 

Outdoors WA is positioning a comprehensive strategy to address the assessment and training needs of the outdoor adventure activity industry. Persons and or organisations who engage outdoor adventure activities pursuant of outcomes in either

- Outdoor Education
- Adventure Tourism
- Camps and Camping Programs
- Corporate Development
- Community Development

To complete the survey to assist in the assessment of training and assessment needs go to the Outdoors WA website.