June 2008

Delegates Help Determine Future for Regional Tourism

More than 150 regional tourism professionals from industry, state and local government from across Australia will converge on the Barossa in September for the annual Australian Regional Tourism Convention supported by Tourism Australia (TA). Australian Regional Tourism Network (ARTN) Chairman Wayne Kayler-Thomson says; “Everyone involved in regional tourism knows that businesses, destinations and regions are facing many ongoing and new challenges. The Convention provides the knowledge, insights, contacts and shared ideas to turn the challenges into pportunities". more

July 2008

Convention Delegates Cook at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop

What Barossa experience is complete without a cooking demonstration at the home of Barossa’s favourite cook, Maggie Beer? Delegates from this years’ Australian Regional Tourism Convention, sponsored by Tourism Australia, will have the chance to learn tips and know-how from Maggie and her team at the Farmshop during Barossa Food & Wine Trail Field Trip. Maggie Beer has the well-earned reputation as one of Australia’s modern food icons, and will impart some of her culinary knowledge to regional tourism delegates from around the country. more

See the Movie, See the Country

Convention delegates hear how a film about OZ will be used to bring visitors to
our shores. After Crocodile Dundee hit the big screens in 1986 there was an increase in US visitors to Australia of 20.5%, with 30% of US travel agents stating the film was the primary motivating factor for increased travel to Australia during the 1980’s (Croy 2004 p2). Post Lord of the Rings was boom time for NZ tourism. Film is an incredibly powerful medium for influencing consumer choice, and the release of one of the biggest blockbusters to hit Aussie shores is an opportunity that Tourism Australia isn’t going to let slip. more