With 2008 drawing to a close, I wish to report on our progress for the year, and the efforts made on your behalf.

2008 has brought a number of significant changes to Tourism Council WA. We have now completed our restructure, with renewed focus on core business and goals, and ensuring financial viability. The creation of new roles has been a success, with competent and dedicated staff now settled and experienced in their new appointments. I wish to thank the Board, staff, and members for their enormous support during this time.

Further progress has occurred in the area of sponsorships, with the review and re-negotiation of our existing agreements, and the establishment of new partnerships with McInerney Ford, Budget, WA Business News and Loco TV – all providing additional member benefits.

2008 saw the successful launch of the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) on-line, with a further 82 businesses registered or accredited under the new program since July. We also recently staged the 2008 WA Tourism Awards which was received with great enthusiasm by the industry and was a resounding success.

Lobbying has also received renewed focus, with TCWA developing and presenting a comprehensive Tourism Policy Agenda prior to the State Election; and regular discussions being held with the Premier, Minister for Tourism and several other senior Cabinet Ministers since the State Election – keeping Tourism at the forefront of the state Agenda.

Looking forward, our objectives for the next 6 months are; to strengthen our membership base to become truly representative of the industry; actively lobby Government to ensure the best result for the tourism industry in terms of promotion, asset and infrastructure development is achieved; and continually enhance benefits of TCWA membership. The Tourism industry is not alone in facing uncertain economic times ahead, and I wish to assure you we will be striving now, more than ever, to ensure our industry receives the support it deserves -- from all levels of Government and associated Government agencies.

I thank all members for your support over the past 12 months and wish you, your staff and families a very Merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year.

Graham Moss

The 'Not To Be Missed' Christmas Party of the Season!

Tourism Council WA invites you to celebrate the festive season with industry colleagues and friends at the annual Xmas Tipple!

As always it will be held in the beautiful grounds of Burswood Park TONIGHT from 5.30pm.  This is your last chance to RSVP so don't miss out.

Please contact Gemma on email or by phone (08) 9416 0700 by 12pm today

We would like to congratulate the following newly Accredited Businesses for the month of November!!

Adventure Lodge                                              
Go Nuts Macadamias                                         Lakeside Lodge
Mandurah Holiday Rentals                                My Place Tourism
Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre               The Peppermints
Sumo Fun Academy                                           Susanna Brook Cottages

The 2008 WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner, attended by over 850 industry guests, saw the coming together of Western Australia's top tourism businesses to award the State’s highest honours in tourism excellence.

This year the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association took out the prestigious Sir David Brand Award for Tourism, while the Sir David Brand Medal for an Outstanding Contribution by an individual was won by Ian Laurance AM who has had a long involvement in the tourism industry -- particularly in the Pilbara and Kimberley Regions.                                                         

The winners of each category will go on to participate in the National Tourism Awards which will be announced in February 2009. For a full list of winners visit the Tourism Council WA website.                                                        

Gala Dinner photos and DVDs are now available for purchase.  A big thanks to Maverick Photography and Taylor Maide Videos for donating their services for the evening. To access the photos please visit the website at www.maverickphoto.com.au . You will need to enter the login ID: tcwa and password: awards08

For a DVD of the evening please contact Brian Taylor at Taylor Maide Videos on  0409 065 535 or email Brian Taylor

During November the Council's President and CEO held meetings with the Premier Colin Barnett and the Minister for Tourism Liz Constable.

In the meetings both the Premier and the Minister confirmed the importance the new Government places on the economic and social values of tourism in Western Australia and provided their commitment to work with the industry to achieve growth and development in WA’s tourism industry.

The Premier also advised that he was keen to hold an industry forum in conjunction with the Tourism Minister early in the New Year.

In November, TCWA President Paul King and CEO Graham Moss attended the launch of the movie ‘Australia’ in Kununurra . The launch was attended by many dignitaries including the Minister for Tourism Hon Liz Constable MLA and many local residents and tourism operators.

An industry forum, convened by Tourism Council WA and attended by both Paul King and Graham Moss, was held the morning following the launch.  All local tourism operators and stakeholders were invited to attend and provided an opportunity for operators to raise and discuss issues with TCWA.

The Minister for Tourism , the Chair of Tourism WA Kate Lamont and Tourism WA CEO Richard Muirhead, attended a meet and greet session prior to the forum and this provided an opportunity for operators to met the Minister and discuss issues relating to tourism in the region.

Congratulations to the following businesses who have received fantastic feedback for the month of November! It goes to show that "trusting the tick" has paid off for these customers!

Denham Seaside Tourist Village
Durack House B&B
Echoes
Falls Retreat B&B
Natural Olive Oil Soap Factory
Rosewood Guesthouse
 

Tourism operators accredited under the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (WA) now have free access to exclusive photography held in Tourism WA’s image library.

Exclusive images, which include pictures from Tourism WA’s regular photo shoots conducted throughout WA, in addition to all standard images and footage, are available to accredited members. Spectacular images from the Kimberley region, relating to Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Australia’, are currently also available.

The offer is being introduced for a six-month trial period with a view to become a permanent program.

To access the image library visit www.tourism.wa.gov.au