As we head into the 2009/10 financial year it is worth reflecting on the achievements of Tourism Council WA over the past year.

The number of Gold, Silver and Bronze members increased during the year and we will continue to develop membership benefits to assist in increasing membership.

The number of businesses registering and becoming accredited increased significantly and at the 30th June 2009 there were 795 participating businesses which puts us well on the way to achieving our goal of 1000 accredited businesses by June 2010.

A record number of tourism operators participated in the WA Tourism Awards with four Western Australian businesses winning National Awards.

Several member forums and functions were held during the year, the most notable being the Premier’s Breakfast at which the Premier delighted the audience with an inspirational and thought provoking address on his vision for tourism in Western Australia.

TCWA launched it's new corporate website which now also incorporates the WA Tourism Awards website.

Regional forums were held in Kununurra, Broome, Exmouth, Yallingup, Kalgoorlie and Esperance in line with TCWA’s policy of engaging the regions in TCWA’s activities.

TCWA is currently representing the tourism industry on a number of Government related issues including the Red Tape Reduction Group, the review of barriers to tourism accommodation development, the proposed fishing licences and extended trading hours in the metropolitan area.

We look forward to your continuing support as we focus on delivering on our strategic intent - To be the leading voice driving a sustainable, world class tourism industry in WA.

Advertising of the "Accredited Tourism Business" logo continues with a full page ad placed in the July-December edition of Scoop Traveller WA Magazine.  TCWA will also be placing Accreditation ads in all 5 of the 2010 Regional Holiday Planners so, with advertising sales opening soon, don't forget to ensure that you are using the "Accredited Tourism Business Logo" in your ad and aligning yourself with this National brand of "Quality"!

We would like to congratulate the following newly Accredited Businesses for the Month of July!!

Blue Seas Resort                                            Barradict Sportsfishing Charters
JJ’s Holiday Cottages                                     Laurance of Margaret River
The Miami Bakehouse – Falcon                     The Miami Bakehouse – Melville
Ravenswood Adventures                                WA Museum Albany
WA Museum Geraldton                                   WA Museum Kalgoorlie Boulder
WA Museum Perth
 

We would also like to congratulate the businesses that have received fantastic Customer Feedback over the past Month.

Acclaim Kingsway Tourist & Caravan Park                   Busselton Jetty Experience
The Beach House at Bayside                                         Chestnut Brook Cottage
Lower Ord Tours
 

 Just a reminder that, if you have not paid your Accreditation or Membership Renewal please do so ASAP!

Despite the rain and storms of the last 3 months, the LocoTV crews have been busy filming some of Perth and WA’s best tourism products.

In conjunction with TCWA, Series 1 of “There’s Nothing to do in Perth!?!" is now nearing completion with 10 out of 13 episodes filmed. Recent shoots included City of Perth, City of Fremantle and Whiteman Park; each taking a full half  hour show to themselves due to the great range of cultural, entertainment, shopping and tourism products they have to offer locals and visitors to this state. Several small and large businesses, government organisations and regions are currently in talks to create segments or shows of their own in this ground breaking series.

Viewer numbers to this series alone on Locotv.com.au have been significantly higher than expected in this on-demand TV model, with 180,000 individual shows having been watched by interested viewers all around the world.  To see a short highlights package on the series to date, Click Here

To secure one of the remaining spaces in Series 1 or for more information on “There’s Nothing to do in Perth!?!" or the LocoTV regional series “WA Unwrapped”, visit the TCWA website or contact Anna at TCWA on 9416 0702 or Alex Blain from LocoTV on 0438 007 155.

Submission for the 2009 WA Tourism Awards closed last week!  Onsite judges visits have been taking place throughout the last month and judging of submissions will commence in the first week of September! 

Announcement of the 2009 finalists will take place at  two simultaneous events taking place on Tuesday 20th October - one at the Fremantle Prison and one at Xanadu Winery in Margaret River.  Recognising the importance of our regional tourism businesses, it is hoped that in future years the regional function will be held at various locations in WA, so make sure you come along and support our finalists and enjoy some networking at one of these fantastic venues!

For more information about the 2009 WA Tourism Awards please visit our website.

Qantas Sustainable Tourism Seminars

Qantas will be hosting a free half-day industry seminar in Perth on Thursday September 10th at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre. Titled “Investing in the Long Haul”, the seminar is designed to help raise awareness of the potential environmental impacts of tourism operations, and importantly, to provide solutions for best practice in sustainability. To view the program and register for this free seminar please visit the Qantas website

FACET Forum

FACET will host a forum titled 'Perth – A Changing Cultural Landscape' on Wednesday, 2nd September at the Matilda Bay Restaurant. The Forum’s guest speakers will discuss how Perth should approach it's development, including issues surronding the Perth foreshore and the Northbridge Link, and how best to create a sustainable and engaging cultural landscape for Western Australians and visitors alike.  For further information or to register please contact Pauline McMullan on 9448 8150 or email FACET 

Visitor Centre Association WA "Visitor Servicing Conference: Leading Visitor Centres to Future Success

The Visitor Centre Association of WA will hold its annual Visitor Servicing Conference in Fremantle and Rottnest Island from 14 – 16 October 2009, incorporating the 2009 GWN Top Tourism Town Awards.  The conference will deliver a range of speakers and presentation topics across the 3 days.  The Conference Program and Registration Form can be obtained from either Meeting Masters at enquiry@meetingmasters.com.au or the VCAWA at vcawa@bigpond.com

Celebrate WA are running an amateur photographic competition that promotes Western Australia. The My Place WA Photo competition is looking for images of landscapes, icons, buildings, people and events that capture the spirit of a unique part of WA

For conditions and details visit the website or email Celebrate WA

Tourism Council WA Industry Forum – Bunbury

Join TCWA CEO Graham Moss at an Industry Forum to discuss issues affecting the tourism industry in WA and your region, and an update on TCWA activities!

Thursday, 10th September, 5pm - 6pm followed by drinks and networking
Lighthouse Beach Resort, Bunbury

Tourism Council WA Annual General Meeting

Monday 12th October, 3pm - 5pm

Finals Fever!

Tourism Council WA invites members to join us for an evening of fine wines and canapés at two Award winning venues - Xanadu Winery or Fremantle Prison. Enjoy some networking with industry colleagues and join us for the announcement of the finalists in the 2009 WA Tourism Awards.

Tuesday 20th October, 6pm - 8pm
Xanadu Winery or Fremantle Prison
 

For further information about coming events and functions visit the TCWA Website or email the Council