TCWA will be visiting Australia's Coral Coast in March conducting onsite verifications with Accredited businesses as well as hosting a number of information workshops.  Please see following for dates and activities.

 

Exmouth - TCWA and the Exmouth Visitor Centre will be holding an Accreditation Information Session and TCWA Member Industry Forum and networking session on Monday 9th March at the Exmouth Visitor Centre from 5.30pm.  This will be attended by CEO Graham Moss and the Accreditation team. Click on the the link for more information!

Carnarvon - TCWA and the Carnarvon Visitor Centre will be hosting an Accreditation Information Session and networking function at 5pm on Wednesday 11th March at the Carnarvon Visitor Centre. Click on the link for more information!

If you are already an Accredited businesses please feel free to come along to either of these information sessions to view the new online program and network with industry colleagues and friends. 

Following representations from TCWA Tourism WA has initiated a review into the constraints and barriers in developing tourist accommodation in WA.

The first meeting of the review committee which included TCWA Board member Jon Jessop and CEO Graham Moss was held on 12th February 2009 and was extremely positive with many outcomes achieved to address the issues. 

The review will consider the following issues:

• The reasons why many tourism developments do not progress;
• Consideration of the restrictions on financing tourism developments by lending institutions;
• Why short stay accommodation in WA is a less attractive investment opportunity than other property asset classes;
• The implications of policy settings for tourism development;
• The impact of the Tourism Planning Taskforce Report on tourism development ;
• Investigation of the timeframe of the approvals process for tourism development;
• The relevance of supply/demand for short stay accommodation on tourism development.

The review will be undertaken within a six month period with consultants appointed by TWA to investigate the issues and report back to the Committee.

We would like to congratulate the Pemberton Old Picture Theatre for becoming a newly accredited business for the month of January.
 

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

Esperance Eagle View Accommodation                                                                 Falls Retreat B&B                                                                                                    Harvey Visitor Centre

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

Accreditation marketing for the past month has included window space at the WA Visitor Centre in Forrest Chase featuring our brand new banners and posters.  Advertising was also placed in the Sunday Times on 22nd February in the Experience Perth Coastal Feature.

In March Tourism Council WA will facilitate an Industry Roundtable featuring Margaret Jackson AC, Chair of the National Long Term Tourism Strategy Committee.

In May 2008 the Federal Minister for Tourism the Hon. Martin Ferguson announced the development of a National Long Term Tourism Strategy aimed at strengthening the tourism industry’s supply-side capacity and maximizing the net economic benefits of tourism to the Australian economy.

The Roundtable is an invitation only event which will be attended by Silver & Gold Members of TCWA and is designed to enable Members to be informed of the background, objectives and current status of this Federal Government initiative and provide input at the highest level to the further development of the Strategy.

This weekend the winners of the WA Tourism Awards will be representing our state at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards at Melbourne's Crown Casino.  Best of luck to all WA finalists!

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 on Monday 30th March.  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 – 30th March 2009                                                                                                            Nominations close – 26th June 2009                                                                                                                       Site visits – September 2009                                                                                                                        Submissions due – 18th August 2009                                                                                                              Finalists announced – 20th October 2009                                                                                                               WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner – 21st November 2009

Preparations for the 2009 WA Tourism Awards have begun and there are currently opportunities for business to be involved with sponsorship. TCWA are seeking a limited number of category sponsors for the 2009 Awards.

By aligning your business with one of the 30 entrant categories you will be partnering with the most prestigious awards program in the tourism industry and one that is recognised nationally.

Since the introduction of the WA Tourism Awards in 1972 tourism in WA has gone from strength to strength. The WA Tourism Awards program run by Tourism Council WA is designed to reward businesses that excel.

Category sponsorship is one of the many ways your business can be involved with the WA Tourism Awards, support tourism in Western Australia and align your business with excellence in our industry

If you would like to know more about sponsorship please contact Anna Bosotin

The Tourism and Hospitality Insurance division of TCWA Insurance Partner MGIB will be in the South West during the first week of March and invite any business that would like an obligation free review on their insurance to contact them for an appointment.

Please call Adam Button or Annabelle Carpenter on 9213 9888

Tourism Council WA will be holding many industry forums, seminars and networking events throughout the year.

Don't forget to put these dates in your diary or check the TCWA website for coming events!!  

March 9th - Accreditation Information Session and Industry Forum – Exmouth
March 11th  - Accreditation Information Session – Carnarvon
May 5th - Parliament House Function
June 25th - Breakfast with the Premier
August - Industry Function
September- Industry Forum
October 20th - Finals Fever Function
November 21st - WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner
December 11th - TCWA Xmas Tipple 

Tourism Management Students at Edith Cowan University are seeking placements with quality employers to gain practical experience in the WA tourism/hospitality industry. The program commences on 9 March with students required to undertake one eight hour shift per week over ten weeks. If you’re interested in offering a placement within your organisation, please contact Desiree Casimir on d.casimir@ecu.edu.au or 9304 5871.