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Redlands Tourism E-Newsletter


A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN

A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Tourism in our wonderful region has seen some positive developments over the past nine months. As a city, we are finally getting back on track in ensuring that there is one common strategy and plan for our region as a whole. More on this later.   The global financial crisis has not been kind, particularly to tourism across the country. We fortunately have such a beautiful destination that we have an attractive proposition for visitors, and especially for our own residents and their visiting friends and relatives.
There is nothing more true than the fact that so many people don’t really appreciate what is in their own back yard.   Hopefully as an industry we can galvanize our own residents, let alone visitors from elsewhere, to come and enjoy what we have to offer and make sure that they leave having enjoyed an amazing experience.
As stated earlier there have been many developments. One of these has been the strategic decision by the Redlands City Council (RCC) to form a Tourism Advisory Forum (TAF).  For Further Information on the Tourism Advisory Forum click the link to the left.
 

Brochures and Guides

Redlands Tourism has recently completed the What’s on Straddie guide which was well supported by members. 5000 were printed and have been distributed far and wide. This brochure has been sought after and so continues to be a success.

The 2009 North Stradbroke Island Guide has been completed and produced. It looks amazing and has been wonderfully supported by the industry. Our thanks to Stradbroke Island Holidays who generously produced 20,000 copies for Redland Tourism, at their cost, as well as to RCC who will cover costs of distribution of these guides to all appropriate visitor information centres around the country.  This collaboration is a great example of the industry starting to work together for the good of tourism and operators in our region, and is the start of what will become the norm.

The What’s on Where – Mainland and Bay Islands edition is all but complete and should commence distribution within two weeks. Again we have had fantastic support from members for what is considered a successful and relevant piece of collateral for our region.

Thank you to all our members who have participated and supported these guides and brochures. Your continued support is sincerely appreciated.
 

Membership and Renewals

We have welcomed many new members as well as renewed members over the recent past. The support of members is gratifying and extremely important to the ongoing success of achieving a unified and focused industry.

Renewal time is fast approaching (1 July 2009). The Board has been working hard to review and improve the member benefits offering to ensure that members are receiving significant value for their support of Redland Tourism.

Very shortly the Membership Renewal pack will be sent to you. We will send a pro forma invoice with the membership pack. This pro forma will be based on the Gold Membership.  This is naturally not compulsory so if you would prefer to renew at a different package (eg. Platinum or individual) please simply mark the documentation in line with your preference, and we will provide you with a revised invoice for your records.

We trust that you will find that the benefits of membership significantly outweigh the renewal rates payable. Should you have any questions or suggestions we would love to hear from you, contact myself at chairman@redlandstourism.com or Phone 0403 464 174.

Board / Management Committee

Recently John Groom made the decision to step down from the Board. John has contributed significantly to Redlands Tourism for which we are extremely grateful. We thank John sincerely and know that he will always be willing to participate and continue to support us.

We welcome Colin Battersby of Fishes at the Point at North Stradbroke’s Point Lookout. Who recently joined the Board as one of the NSI members.

We have one vacant seat on the Board and are currently reviewing options for finding a suitable candidate. Should you be interested, and have the appropriate credentials, please contact me on chairman@redlandstourism.com so that we can chat.

Picture insert:-  Mr Robin Cain, Chairman, Redlands Tourism

 


INTRODUCING YOUR REDLANDS TOURISM COMMITTEE

INTRODUCING YOUR REDLANDS TOURISM COMMITTEE

The Redlands Tourism Committee from left to right:-  Robin Cain, Chairman; Brenda Papworth, Secretary; Colin Battersby, Treasurer, Stephen Eiszele, Stephen Morfea, Vice President; Lee Shipley.


TOURISM ADVISORY FORUM

The TAF(Tourism Advisory Forum) was formed mid last year with the aim of developing the road forward for tourism in Redland City. The TAF is made up of the Mayor and a Councilor, 4 independent “experts” of which I am one, two representatives from Redland Tourism, and three industry operators.

The TAF commenced meeting monthly in October 2008 and has worked on various issues including which organisations/bodies should handle which responsibilities, and more recently, the appropriate structure for tourism management in the future.  A recommendation of what the TAF believes is the correct structure going forward was submitted to RCC in March.  The Forum Chairman, Paul Lewin, said that the proposal recommended one tourism body comprising Redland City Council, Redlands Tourism and the tourism industry.

“It is a more efficient model as it removes duplication and confusion resulting in a more effective and strategic approach,” Mr Lewin said. “This direction is a natural evolution for the industry and represents a great opportunity to move tourism forward for the region.”

RCC officers put up a paper to the Council in April which recommended engagement of a consultant to review the legal, HR and funding issues of the TAF proposed structure.  The full council endorsed the recommendation and a consultant will be engaged before the end of June 2009. Their report should be completed by end July 2009 , after engaging with all appropriate stakeholders.

The principle of the new structure formation is that a new organisation be formed which will become the official Local Tourism Organisation (LTO) for Redland City. This new LTO will be responsible for all destination marketing, industry engagement and support, and visitor information services (once the current contract runs its course). The new LTO will be appropriately funded with significant funding coming from RCC.

One of the major benefits of the new structure going forward is the elimination of duplication (guides, web sites etc) and confusion as to which entity is the appropriate one to be conducting marketing and tourism services. I really look forward to this.  The timing of implementation is as yet unknown but it is hoped that this will be in place within the next twelve months.  

Most importantly is the fact that should the proposed new LTO come into being within this next membership period, members of Redlands Tourism will automatically become members of the new LTO. The well funded, professionally staffed new LTO will immediately ensure that member benefits are enhanced, making it well worth being a member of RedlandsTourism.


LIVE BETTER GREENER

LIVE BETTER GREENER

Attention Accommodation Operators!!

Redlands Tourism is proud to introduce to you an opportunity to make your Holiday Accommodation more sustainable.  Fluer from Live Better Greener is offering the following workshops to help out businesses in the Redlands to

save energy and money.  Read on to see how Fleur can help your business.

 What you get is:

· You will have access to 3 sustainability experts.

· You will get a report that will give you options on how to improve your holiday accommodation business. We will suggest lots of free things that can really help

What does it cost?  $50 this is to show the state government co-contribution to their funding.  Ph. 0423 056 436 or visit www.livebettergreener.com

  


Q150 "QUANDAMOOKA COUNTRY"

Q150 “QUANDAMOOKA COUNTRY“

Progress is moving along on the production of the audio/visual resource "Quandamooka Country".  It's not too late to tell your story, operators are encouraged to be involved in this also, why not send through some old pics of your property, before and now shots, stories from visitors in the past and your vision for the future!!!  Don't forget this is going to be a free resource distributed to visitor information centres, schools and libraries and could be used as a tool to further enhance the visitor experience to the region.

Contact Julianne on P 3286 7815 or members@redlandstourism.com for more info.  We will keep you informed of the Launch Event date details as they come to hand!!!

 


KNOW YOUR OWN BACKYARD

KNOW YOUR OWN BACKYARD

How often do we say we never do the "touristy things"  in the place we live and work.  Why not take time out to get around the Redlands and see just what a beautiful region we call home.  As an incentive for locals and tourists alike Sea Stradbroke are offering a Recession Ripper Deal - take your caravan or camper trailer for FREE (Conditions Apply) visit www.bigredcat.com.au.  So jump on the Big Red Cat and catch a relaxing ride over to Straddie this Whale Watching Season.  No. of Whales so far this season spotted -   OVER 180!!!!


HARBOUR HAPPENINGS!!

HARBOUR HAPPENINGS!!

The Straddie Flyer Gold Cats at Toondah Harbour, Cleveland welcomed the instalation of the much awaited new wider walkway on Wednesday, 17th June.  The new walkway will allow easier access to their terminal arrival/departure point and will be welcomed by tourists and locals alike.   Passenger services and timetables were not disrupted and the whole instalation process went  without a hitch.   Don't forget they are taking bookings now for River Fire so contact The Straddie Flyer Gold Cats on Ph. 3821 3821 for more info.