Visitor centres get online boost

16/09/05
A total of 22 visitor centres throughout the State will receive grants to join the information superhighway - offering faster and more efficient service to customers.
Tourism Minister Mark McGowan said the grants were part of the Gallop Government's $102,000 Online Booking Scheme.
"The scheme, which I announced in April, is part of the Government's $3.7million commitment to support Western Australian visitor centres," Mr McGowan said.
"It provides grants to visitor centres which are investing in online booking systems, upgrading their computer equipment and training their staff and local tourism operators.
"The Online Booking System Scheme was one of the highest priority recommendations stemming from the May 2004 Visitor Servicing Study and is designed to provide WA's visitor centres with a practical boost."
The Minister said tourists had increasingly high expectations and online capabilities were becoming more important.
"When customers enter a visitor centre, they want a fast, efficient and knowledgeable service," he said.
"People want to walk into a visitor centre, reserve accommodation from a choice of venues and rooms, book a tour for the following day and check the weather on the weekend at the same time.
"An online booking system will enable visitor centre staff to do all those things and more."
Mr McGowan said the State Government was committed to growing tourism in WA to create more jobs and opportunities for locals.
Visitor centres from all five of the State's tourism regions have successfully applied for funding:
Australia's South-West
Augusta Margaret River
Bridgetown - Greenbushes
Bunbury
Busselton
Dunsborough
Pemberton
Nannup
Walpole.
Australia's Coral Coast
Carnarvon
Denham Monkey Mia
Exmouth
Geraldton.
Australia's North-West
Broome
Derby.
Australia's Golden Outback
Kalgoorlie.
Experience Perth
Armadale
City of Swan
Chittering
Mandurah
Northam
Rockingham
York.
For more information on the Online Booking System Scheme contact Peter Hill on (08) 9262 1714 or peter.hill@westernaustralia.com
Minister's office 9222 9111