July 22, 2015
The South Burnett Wine Industry Association may spread its wings to become the region’s peak tourism industry body.
At Tuesday night’s SBWIA meeting, held at Moffatdale Ridge Winery, president Jason Kinsella said he was saddened by the South Burnett Tourism Association’s recent decision to dissolve.
He said he understood why the SBTA had taken the decision and sympathised with its reasons for doing so, but thought it was unwise over the longer term.
He felt the SBWIA should step in to assist.
“I think it is important our region has a peak organisation that represents the interests of tourism industry operators,” Mr Kinsella said.
“From time to time, opportunities come up and decision-makers need a peak body they can talk to.
“We need to have an industry organisation which speaks for our tourism industry which can take advantage of these opportunities when they arise.
“The Granite Belt’s peak body is Granite Belt Wine & Tourism. Why don’t we have the same thing here?”
Mr Kinsella said he also thought it was important the region retained its Local Tourism Organisation (LTO) status.
“I’m sure the day will come when the State Government recognises the importance of LTOs and begins funding them alongside Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs),” he said.
“The South Burnett needs to ensure it’s in a position to take advantage of this if it occurs.”
Mr Kinsella told members several iconic Queensland tourism destinations such as Noosa and the Whitsundays were already represented by LTOs, which had broken away from neighbouring RTOs because they felt they could do a better job of promoting their area.
“I propose we broaden our membership to include South Burnett tourism operators; that we change our name to the South Burnett Wine & Tourism Association or something similar to reflect our broader focus; and we allow tourism operators to run as an independent subcommittee under our umbrella,” he said.
The meeting was told the South Burnett and Cherbourg On Show Committee, which had been running as a sub-committee of the South Burnett Tourism Association, would immediately join the SBWIA if it proceeded along this path.
Mr Kinsella said he had also received similar positive reactions from several other tourism industry operators he’d floated the idea with since the SBTA announced its decision to fold last Tuesday.
The SBWIA voted to hold the matter over for consideration at its upcoming Annual General Meeting.
After Tuesday night’s meeting, Mr Kinsella told southburnett.com.au he thought the idea made good sense.
“Almost everyone in the South Burnett wine industry is a tourism operator already,” he said.
“We’re a stable organisation with a solid bank account. Yes, we’re focussed on progressing our own industry’s special interests but we can’t deny we’re closely linked with every other aspect of our region’s tourism industry.
“And if the South Burnett Tourism Association has folded, we should to step into the void and help.
“At the end of the day, we have the same common interests that anyone who operates a B&B, caravan park, motel or restaurant has, and that is seeing tourism numbers continue to grow in the South Burnett.”
- Related article: South Burnett Tourism Association Winds Up
