1/8/03
Gascoyne Minister Tom Stephens has launched a program to give tourist bureaux in the Gascoyne the opportunity to initiate 'best practice' procedures.
The program, to be facilitated by the Gascoyne Development Commission, will initially focus on Exmouth. However, more than 100 businesses in the Gascoyne could benefit from the plan.
Under the scheme, the Gascoyne Development Commission would fund the services of a suitably qualified business advisor to provide 'best practice' models, product familiarisation and on-the-job training for tourist bureau staff.
The adviser's role also includes creating business plans and developing community communication strategies to ensure residents and business operators understand the benefits of professional visitor servicing.
"Tourism in the Gascoyne is worth more than $180million annually to the Western Australian economy," Mr Stephens said.
"Tourist dollars provide direct benefits such as creating employment in the industry and indirectly in tourism-related services.
"A buoyant tourism industry helps to stabilise the population in country communities and assists in the development of infrastructure which can be used equally by residents in the region.
"By helping businesses to identify and adopt 'best practice' methods in the tourism industry, we hope to increase the benefits to all people in the Gascoyne and enhance the services provided to the ever-increasing number of tourists who visit the unique features of Shark Bay, the Ningaloo Reef and the broader Outback Coast.
The Minister said most visitor centres and tourist bureaux operated as incorporated associations, run by managers and supervised to varying degrees by committees of ratepayers and tourism operators.
"Like many associations in remote areas such as the Gascoyne, there is little opportunity for the staff or office bearers to develop the level of skills needed to get the absolute best out of this type of organisation," he said.
Minister's office: 9213 6500
