REVIEW OF THE SURF COAST TOURISM STRUCTURE
The Surf Coast Shire will establish the Tourism Reference Group as a replacement for the tourism board, which has operated for the past 20 years throughout the area. The Surf Coast Shire Council acknowledged the significant contribution that the volunteer members played in developing and shaping the Surf Coast’s tourism industry. Independent consultants undertook a review of the tourism board and support the establishment of the Tourism Reference Group, as it will allow Council to engage with representatives cross section of the tourism industry as well ensure integration with the Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT). Expression of interest are now open for the Tourism Reference Group until Wednesday 5 August 2015. Find out more and download the application form here.
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TOURISM AUSTRALIA SHOWCASING AUSTRALIA'S WORLD-CLASS AQUATIC AND COASTAL BEAUTY
From early 2016, Tourism Australia’s ‘There’s Nothing Like Australia’ campaign will focus on one of Australia’s core competitive advantages – our world-class aquatic and coastal beauty and experiences. Australia has an abundance of natural beauty and diversity and Tourism Australia wants to remind the world that Australia is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Currently, Australia is experiencing record high visitors and expenditure however fewer people are actively seeking out our aquatic and coastal wonders with many competitors greatly outranking us. Building on the success of last years campaign Restaurant Australia, which showcased the country's spectacular food and wine scene, Tourism Australia wants to play to our strengths and bring Australia’s outstanding natural beauty to the world stage. Australia’s coastal and aquatic experiences are diverse, ranging from snorkeling with sea turtles, to walking along pristine white beaches, to fishing or seeing a kangaroo bouncing along the Great Ocean Road walk. The aim of this campaign is to showcase Australia’s assets, making us one of the most desired destinations in the world as well as renew and reinvigorate consumers perceptions of our beautiful country.
View the strategy video
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TOURISM AUSTRALIA AND EXPEDIA JOIN FORCES TO PROMOTE AUSTRALIAN TOURISM
Tourism Australia and the Expedia group have signed a multi-million dollar three-year marketing partnership aimed at developing campaigns and content to increase international travel to Australia. The three year Memorandum of Understanding represents the first formal agreement which Tourism Australia has entered into with a global online travel agency.
Read more
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SAFETY INFORMATION
VicRoads are conducting a range of works along the Great Ocean Road this winter including rock fall mitigation, vegetation management and road repair works. Vic Roads are also working with The Amy Gillett Foundation in preparation for the 5th Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo who will be holding a series of community information meetings this month to discuss road closures; AustCycle cycling education programs; and resident access concerns.
Meeting schedule:
Date Time Location
Wednesday 29 July 5:00pm-6:00pm Forest Brewery, Forest
Wednesday 29 July 7:00pm-8:00pm Wye River Martians Cafe
Thursday 30 July 5:00pm-6:00pm Martians Cafe, Deans Marsh
Thursday 30 July 7:00pm-8:00pm Mantra Lorne, Lorne
To register to attend the community information meetings visit the Amy Gillett Foundation website.
Regular updates for the location of VicRoads works can be found of the GORRT website. More details
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GREAT OCEAN ROAD VISITATION STATS
Domestic Visitors
The Great Ocean Road received over 1.9 million domestic overnight visitors for the year ended March 2015, up by 7.0% from March 2014. Visitors spent over 6.2 million in the region, up by 0.8% on the previous year. Over the March 2011 to March 2015 period, the Great Ocean Road had an average annual growth of 6.7% in domestic travel experiencing higher growth than Regional Victoria, Melbourne and Australia.
International Visitors
The Great Ocean Road received 116,500 international overnight visitors for the year ending December 2014, up 3.3% on the previous year. International visitors spent 542,200 nights in the region, down by 30.4% for the year ending December 2013. Over the December 2010 to December 2014 period, the Great Ocean Road had marginal growth in the number of international visitors with the region experiencing lower growth than Regional Victoria, Melbourne and Australia.
For more information
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VTIC ONLINE TRAINING TOOL (VOLT)
The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has developed an online learning and training tool for people who work in Victoria’s tourism and events industry to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. Designed to be accessible anytime, VTIC’s Online Training Tool (VOLT) is a cost-effective solution for those who work in a fast-paced and busy work environment. VOLT aims to benefit any business or organisation that has volunteers, staff dealing with customers or staff looking to further develop their leadership skills. The training is separated into three modules:
- Excellent Customer Service
- Volunteer Management
- Coaching & Leadership Skills for Managers
Each module can be complete in 60 minutes, or at your own pace, and the modules can be purchased individually or as a package. Download the VOLT flyer or contact (03) 8662 5425 to find out more.
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CURRENT MARKETING OPPORTUNITY
Don’t miss out on being part of the Destination Guides for the following destinations:
1. Port Fairy Destination Guide – Contact Lauren Orero 5561 7894
2. 12 Apostles & Hinterland Destination Guide – Contact Mark Cuthell 5598 6089
3. Apollo Bay & Otways – Contact Corinne Nigro 0403 484 950
Get yourself on the customers ‘to do list’. With a strong map base, the destination guides will seek to visually represent what the region has to offer to encourage greater dispersal within the destination and increase yield.
Find out more
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CHINA READY WORKSHOP
You are invited to a workshop that will help demystify China and show you simple steps to capitalise on our fastest growing tourism market. The Great Southern Touring Route (GSTR) has a new and exciting platform to help GSTR members attract and service the Chinese Independent Tourist.
With the total number of visitors approaching 1 million per year and a growth rate of 18%, the China market is one of the keys to success in the Australian tourism market today.
In a two hour interactive workshop presented by our China marketing partners, China Digital, you will learn:
* What the Chinese are looking for when they are travelling
* What the Chinese are saying about their experiences of your product
* What the GSTR China digital platforms look like and how your business can take advantage of the programme that has been built for GSTR members
* What the next phase of the project will bring
* How to increase your share of this important market and take steps to maximize your revenue from Chinese FITs
There will be plenty of discussion, so bring along the questions you have always wanted to ask about the Chinese independent traveller
WHERE: Wyndham Resort, Torquay
WHEN: Thursday 30 of July 2.00—4.00pm
RSVP: Penny Wilson china@gstr.org.au 0413 482345
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GET SOCIAL
Here are some of the recent images that have hit out social media feeds over the past few weeks. Want to get your business/images featured? Share your best images by emailing them to info@gort.com.au or post them via your own social channels using #visitgreatoceanroad
Industry Facebook page
Consumer Facebook page
Twitter
Instagram
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We all know the surf has been pumping lately! This great shot taken by @opusimagery captures the rolling waves at Bells Beach
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Sunrise along the Great Ocean Road. Captured by @trevhov
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Keep up to date with Tourism Australia via their social media channels @Australia #SeeAustralia
@Australia couldn't resist sharing this shot of a coy little #koala that @fimorley5 saw along the Great Ocean Road.
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WHATS ON
LORNE ARTS FESTIVAL, 28-30 AUGUST
The Lorne Arts Festival is back for its fifth year with an array of artists set to bring the best of the arts to the seaside! The festival by the sea will host some of Australia’s best comedy, circus, theatre, cabaret, sideshow, visual art, music events and free outdoor street performances for kids and families. The event will take place over the last weekend in winter with more than 4,000 people expected to attend. View the full line up and event schedule
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2015 AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE TOURISM CONFERENCE
The Australian Wildlife Tourism Conference will be held in Geelong from the 29th of September to the 3rd of October. Wildlife and nature are two of the biggest drawcards for tourism in Australia. Wildlife Tourism Australia is bringing together some of the leading experts in the field to address the conference, Wildlife Tourism: A force for biodiversity conservation and local economies? In conjunction with the conference a range of field trips will form part of the program. Early bird tickets have already sold out, so get in quick. For more information
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2015 AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL TOURISM NETWORK (ARTN) CONVENTION
The 2015 ARTN convention will take place from the 19th to the 22nd of October at the McCracken Country Club, Victor Harbour, South Australia. The Convention is open to all sectors of the tourism industry and provides a forum to discuss, exchange and explore opportunities, issues and challenges facing regional tourism. It is the most significant annual event for regional tourism operators and organisations.
Registrations are now open. Find out more
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For more industry information.
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