TCWA has been involved in a flurry of activity in the month since our last newsletter.  The full Board of TCWA met with the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Liz Constable, on the 19th April and expressed its views on a range of issues including ongoing funding of Tourism WA, tourism accreditation and the current reviews of the Regional Tourism Organisation and WAITOC.  The Minister responded proactively to all issues raised by TCWA.

President Paul King, Board Member Scott Henderson and I also met with Transport Minister Simon O'Brien to reinforce TCWA's support for the continuation of the regulated regional air services which is currently under review.  The review report is currently with the Minister and whilst he could not commit to an outcome we were heartened by his understanding of the importance of regulated regional air services to the tourism industry in WA.

With regards to accreditation, April produced a record number of 21 new registrations bringing the total number of participating businesses in WA  to 745, well placed to reach our target of 750 by 30th June!

TCWA is also continuing with its policy of getting out into the regions with accreditation workshops and industry forums planned for the South West, Kalgoorlie and Esperance later this month.

multimediapostcard is a new generation of postcard that includes a comprehensive DVD video and CD-Rom section with interactive multimedia content in several languages.  multimediapostcard presents comprehensive destination information including high quality photos, places of interest, national parks and recommended activities. It can be sent by post just like any standard postcard and contains up to 45 minutes of video (playable on any DVD player) and up to 12 hours of interactive CD-Rom content consisting of over 900 high quality full screen photographs, information, descriptions and details of sites including museums, churches, theatres, galleries, recreation, must see sites, ask the locals, national parks, aussie gastronomies, sun, sand, surf & sea, shopping sites etc. This unique product has a world wide patent registered rights and trademark.

Opportunities exist for advertisers in a broad range of categories including restaurants, tours, hire, attractions, accommodation etc. to be promoted locally, interstate and internationally, through Europe, Asia and the USA, for a period of 24 months, in the new issue of Perth and Fremantle multimediapostcard. Each advertiser will receive up to 8 full screen images, comprehensive description of activities and/or services, address and contact details including web link.  For further details and advertising enquiries please contact Milan on concept@git.com.au or 9244 4720 / 0417 922 160.
 

The Treasurer, Troy Buswell, handed down the State Budget last night which contained some positive outcomes for the tourism industry in WA.  Firstly, $5.7m of boost funding was provided to Tourism WA to support destination marketing.  A further amount of $2.3m has been redirected to destination marketing from other areas of TWA for a 12 month period in order to counter some of the short term affects of the global economic downturn. Secondly, a full rebate of payroll tax will be provided to businesses with payrolls under $1.6m in the 2009/10 financial year, payable in 2010/11.  The rebate will be phased down for employers with payrolls between $1.6m and $3.2m.

The Federal Budget also contained an incentive for Small Business by increasing, from 30% to 50%, the tax deduction for eligible assets aquired between 13 December 2008 and 31 December 2009 and installed by 31 December 2010.

The annual TCWA Parliament House Function was held in the courtyard of Parliament House on the 5th May.  A record number of tourism industry stakeholders attended the function, together with many politicians including the Premier, the leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Liz Constable, who was our host for the evening.  Noel Nannup gave an inspiring "Welcome to Country", TCWA president Paul King reminded the politicians present of the importance of the tourism industry to the economy and social fabric of Western Australia, and the Minister for Tourism spoke of the importance of Western Australian's holidaying in WA!

Most importantly, thank you to our sponsors for the evening - Skywest, Broadwater Hotels & Resorts and Levart Distribution Systems.  The food and beverage, certainly a highlight of the evening, was supplied by many tourism industry related businesses throughout WA including Exmouth Fish Company, Willie Creek Pearls (pearl meat), Holy Smoke, Cambray Sheep Cheese, Chocolate Drops, Howard Park Wines and Lion Nathan.

The overwhelmingly positive mood at the function served to reinforce to the politicians in attendance the health and resiliance of the tourism industry in Western Australia!

April has been an exceptional month for Accreditation with plenty of activity.  Accreditation advertising was placed in last weekends Winter Getaways Magazine in the West Australian on Saturday.  Upcoming ads include a full page in this Sunday's Winter Escapes Magazine in the Sunday Times,  full page in the June/July edition of RAC Horizons Magazine and space confirmed in WA Business News, WA Accommodation & Tours Listing and the upcoming edition of Cook's Tours "Beautiful South"!  Make sure you are remembering to use the "Accredited Tourism Business" logo in your advertising and promotions!

Congratulations to the following businesses who became Accredited in April:

 Golden Eagle Airlines         Sorrento Beach Resort        Aiyana Retreat

We would also like to welcome a number of new members for April:

Picton Press       Bookara Sunset       multimedia postcard       Visitor Centre Association of WA (VCAWA)

Nominations for the 2009 WA Tourism Awards are officially open!  The Awards brochure is available to download from the Awards website along with all other important information. The Awards promote, recognise and reward excellence in our industry.  With 26 categories to choose from, we would encourage all tourism operators to consider entering.  An Awards Information Seminar will be held in Perth on June 5th 2009 - please visit the awards website at www.watourismawards.com.au or contact Julie Wood at jwood@tourismcouncilwa.com.au for more information.

Nominations close: 26th June
                                    Submissions due: 18th August
 

As a valued Gold member of TCWA, Perth Airport has requested that we provide our members with a copy of a letter from Perth Airport CEO, Brad Geatches, regarding the status of Perth Airport's redevelopment plans.  Please follow the link to access this letter or visit the TCWA website.

South West Industry Forum - Caves House, Yallingup, Wednesday 20th May

Margaret River Accreditation Workshop - Thursday 21st May

Kalgoorlie Industry Forum - Rydges Hotel Kalgoorlie, Tuesday 26th May

Kalgoorlie Accreditation Workshop - Wednesday 27th May

Esperance Industry Forum - Best Western Esperance, Wednesday 27th May

Esperance Accreditation Workshop - Thursday 28th May

Midland Accreditation Workshop - Monday 8th June

Premier's Breakfast - Thursday 25th June

As we are nearing the end of the financial year it is nearly time for accreditation and membership renewals.  In the interests of saving on postage, renewal invoices will be sent out via email.  Please keep your eye out for your invoice in coming weeks!