January 22, 2019
Tourism operators, volunteers and the general public have less than nine days to comment on the future of the region’s five accredited Visitor Information Centres (VICs).
The South Burnett Regional Council has issued a 14-page discussion paper canvassing possible new directions for the network.
The discussion paper follows a long-term decline in visitation numbers and volunteers to man the centres, as well as changes in the ways tourists source information.
Ideas being canvassed include:
- Privatising some or all of the VICs to reduce or eliminate Council staffing costs
- Ceasing to have the centres accredited, so they can operate fewer hours and adopt less strict standards
- Creating a separate wi-fi network for the centres so visitor usage can be more accurately tracked
- Developing a better understanding about what data local tourism operators are willing to share, and what information they would like to receive back from VICs
- Setting a standard mark-up percentage on products sold by the VICs
- Opening a bike hire service for Rail Trail users
- Looking at other services the centres might provide, including wine and food tastings and guided tours
The discussion paper can be viewed here (1Mb PDF)
People who would like to provide input have until January 31 to lodge their views.
The results will be incorporated in a final report expected to be released before the end of June.
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