June 17, 2014
Showing Nanango businesses easy ways to make more money from tourism will be a major topic of conversation when the Nanango Tourism and Development Association and the South Burnett Tourism Association meet on June 24.
The special joint meeting is being held to forge links between the two groups and introduce the SBTA’s “Tourism Ambassador” program to the town after a successful trial of the concept in Wondai last December.
Last month SBTA President Bernie Cooper and former South Burnett Mayor David Carter attended the NaTDA’s regular monthly meeting to explain the program, which is designed to train front-line staff in local businesses how to become better representatives for their town.
The program was developed in Wondai, where a dozen local businesses took part in a trial last year.
The results were overwhelmingly positive, they said.
Now the SBTA wants to run the three-hour course in Nanango, too.
Mr Cooper and Mr Carter explained the free program trains front-line staff about local tourist attractions and the best ways to encourage tourists to stay longer in the area.
Positive experiences encourage longer stays and more spending, they said.
This injects extra money into the local economy that eventually finds its way to all businesses, whether they’re directly involved in tourism or not.
By contrast, negative experiences foster shorter stays and lower spending, limiting potential revenues and depriving local businesses of many opportunities.
The joint meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 24, in Nanango RSL’s Long Hai Room at 6:00pm, and will start with a 45-minute social accompanied by nibbles and drinks.
Both groups will then make 15-minute presentations outlining their current projects and activities, and will be available for questions afterwards.
A representative from the South Burnett and Cherbourg On Show committee will also be on hand to outline plans for this year’s October long weekend festival which – this year – will also include the Nanango Mardi Gras.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Tourism Ambassador Program, NaTDA, the SBTA or South Burnett and Cherbourg On Show is welcome to attend.
More details? Phone Gloria Kirkness on (07) 4163-2848 or Mary Green on (07) 4163-1266.
- Related article: Tourism Ambassador Program To Expand
