At the recent "End of Financial Year" function we were excited to unveil our new corporate website, developed by our business partner and web designers Nutwork Web Design! With a modern, fresh look and flash and video capabilities, the new website provides a dynamic, professional new look for the Council.

This new site also incorporates the WA Tourism Awards website which can still be accessed via www.watourismawards.com.au or through menu options from the TCWA website homepage.

The new website will enable us to keep our members up to date with all that is happening through new features including a dedicated events pages with photo galleries, media releases and details of our business partners - businesses that TCWA work with to provide special discounts and offers to our members.  The next step is the development of our new newsletter which will be coming shortly so watch this space....

Nearly 200 TCWA members attended “Breakfast with the Premier” on the 25th June to hear the Hon. Colin Barnett MLA share his view on the current state, and his vision for the future, of the tourism industry in Western Australia.

The Premier spoke about the role for government with reference to marketing, product development and market information and higlighted a number of his personal visions for the future of the industry and WA including his view that “Tourism can be the third major economic contributor of the State after mining and agriculture. Tourism, as a share of Gross State Product, is below the national average so we are not quite there but we will get there.” 

The feedback received has been extremely positive and it was encouraging to hear the significance that the Premier and his Government place on the Tourism Industry in WA.

We would like to congratulate the following newly accredited businesses for the month of May.                                                                                                 Calamunnda Camels                         Injidup Spa Retreat                                       Jarrah Grove Retreat                        Kunununurra Scenic Bus Tours                       Royal Gala Tours                              The Sebel Mandurah
Smiths Beach Resort                        Vintages Accommodation                                 Wellness Centre Rottnest Island 

The Accreditation team will be back out on the road during July conducting onsite verification visits throughout Margaret River, Busselton, Yallingup, Augusta, Nannup and Rottnest Island.

If you are interested in seeing any of the accreditation staff while they are in your area please contact us on 9416 0700.

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

Black Wattle Retreat                               Karma Chalets                            Kununurra Visitor Centre  Roebourne Visitor Centre                        York Visitor Centre 

If you require any additional customer survey brochures please contact the Council

Tourism Council WA, working with WAITOC, recently received funding through the Federal Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism to assist Indigenous tourism businesses in achieving accreditation through the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (WA) delivered by TCWA.  The funding assists indigenous businesses to develop the necessary documentation, polices and procedures to meet the Australian Tourism Accreditation standard.  18 businesses across WA have registered to participate in the program.

TCWA also recently received funding through the Royalities for Regions Grant scheme to conduct an Accreditation Mentoring Program through the Kimberley Region - more informaiton will be released shortly.

Qantas Sustainable Tourism Seminars

Qantas will host a free half-day industry seminar in Perth on Thursday September 10th 2009. This seminar, titled “Investing in the Long Haul”, is designed to help raise awareness of the potential environmental impacts of tourism operations, and importantly, to provide solutions for best practice in sustainability.  For further information and registration details please visit the Qantas website.

Australian Regional Tourism Convention

The Program will feature a keynote address by the Federal Minister for Tourism and presentations on crisis management, product development and triple bottom line sustainability. With a stellar line up of speakers, case studies and workshop topics, this year's Convention is shaping up to the best yet.   Visit the convention website where you can view the Program, download a registration form or even complete your registration online.
 

State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) Decision relating to the promotion of “Adult Only” Accommodation

The Minister for Tourism, Hon Liz Constable MLA, has undertaken to raise this matter with the Attorney General following receipt of advice from TCWA on the level of industry concern with the SAT Decision which prevents accommodation properties being promoted as “Adult Only” or “No Children”.

New Recreational Fishing Licensing Arrangements

The recent announcement by the Minister for Fisheries regarding the expanded licensing scheme for fishing activities in WA, and a range of other fisheries management initiatives, may have an impact on tourism operators who conduct charter fishing operations.

Should either of these issues impact upon your business we would like to hear your views, which will enable TCWA to provide feedback to Government on behalf of the industry.   Please provide us with your feedback and comments by the 30th July to tcwa@tourismcouncilwa.com.au  
 

Membership and Accreditation renewal invoices have been sent to all businesses.  To cut down on postage and paper costs, all accreditation renewals were issued via email.  If you have not received your renewal invoice please contact Gemma via email or on 9416 0700.
 

Don't miss out on any of these important events!  Visit our website for full details of all upcoming functions & events!

TCWA Finals Fever Functions - Tuesday 20th October, Fremantle Prison and Xanadu Winery, Margaret River

WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner – Saturday 21st November

TCWA Christmas Tipple – Friday 11th December